Shikarpur

Shikapur is city and district Headquarter of Larkana Division. The city is located in Southern Western part of Sindh. Larkana, Jacobabad, Khairpur and Sukkur districts are bordered with Shikarpur Districts. It is connected with 2 National Highways i.e N-65 & N-55 which make it the junction points of all provinces of country.

There is a colony namely Saddar. An area is named as “Saddar” due to establishment of footprints by military. According to history, British government had founded a cantonment during 1843 which was later demolished during 1861. Municipality of Shikarpur was established in 1855. Shikarpur Civil Hospital was established during 1843 however it was shifted to Sukkur on removal of Shikarpur district during 1909.  There was a hospital for Ladies as Lady Maternity Hospity during 1892 which was later shifted to Larkana in 1911. There was also established a dispensary with name of Victoria Dispensary in 1857 which was renamed as Lakhmichand Takchand Dispensary during 1920. This dispensary is functional till now. Rao Bahadur Audhodas Tara Chand Chabariya founded current civil hospital in 1932 since, he was given title of Rao Bahadur in 1935 by British government on this distinctive act. Besides, many health facilities established in Shikarpur before independence.

Many education institutes were also founded during British government in Shikarpur. These institutes include: Middle School established in 1853 and upgraded as High School in 1873, Vernacular School No 1 in 1855, Vernacular School No 2 in 1885, Hindu / Sindhi School No 4 in 1932, New Area High School in 1932, Aishori Bagi Saitaldas Girls High School in 1937. After partition, Campus of Shah Abdul Latif University, Girls College and other middle and primary schools were established in city.

Mirza Qalich writes that Daud Pota established Shikarpur city after defeating Mahar of Lakhi during 1617. Afterwards, conflicts continued for about a century. Meanwhile, the city came under Panhwers during the era of Mian Yar Muhammad Kalhoro and the city was renamed as “Khuda abad”. Later, Ahmed Shah Durani embedded an Afghani Governor and merged it in Saiwi. Therefore, Afghan Businessmen convoys came here since; rich man of the area also shifted to city for business purpose. Afterwards, the city remained under ruling of different kingdoms including Panhwers, Daud Pota, Afghans and Kalhoras and Mirs.

The city was also famous with name of city of seven gates which have been removed in different decades. The names of these doors were Wagoono Gate, Lakhi Gate, Hathi (Elephant) Gate, Sawi Gate, Hazari Gate, Khanpuri Gate and Siddique Marhi Gate (صديق ماڙي).

Shikarpur was established as District in 1843 which included entire Northern Sindh except Khairpur Mirs. Later, District Jacobabad was separated from it. Status of District Shikarpur was discontinued from 1901 and it was given status Taluka of newly established district Sukkur. District Shikarpur was reinstated again on 1 Jul 1977 and separated from Sukkur District. The city was also famous as Paris of Hindustan during British government. But now a days it is counted in deprived districts of the province which is facing lack of sanitation, health, education and entertainment facilities.        

Currently, Shikarpur District has 1,231,481 populations (Census 2017) with the covered area of 2640 Sq Kms. The district is subdivided into four talukas i.e Shikarpur, Lakhi, Garhi Yasin and Khanpur. Maximum population is Sindhi speaking however; there is significant community of Urdu, Baloch, Brohi speakers in the city. Mainly Muslim with Sunni majority and Shia minority live in the area whereas some quantity of Hindus also live here.

The district has overall 1300 education institute excluding universities’ campuses, which include enrollment of 140971 students whereas, the district has 4821 government teachers. As per surveys done, the district has 68% male and 29 female aged 10 years and older are literate. Overall district is ranked 10 amongst sindh districts on literacy indicator.

The city is also famous due to production of pickles of all varieties. It is transported to all over the country as well as exported to UAE, Sauid Arabia, UK and other countries. Most famous variety of the pickle is mixed achaar having mango, green chilies, carrots, garlic, chickpeas, turnip, lime. There are reported to have 12 factories of pickles in the city moreover, small factories are also run at home level with huge shopkeepers’ network in the city.