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My hometown Shikarpur was once known as Paris of Sindh because of its commanding location and strategic importance for trade. When you go to your hometown it gives you a sense of belonging and makes you feel relaxed. It was once a dignified trade centre of great repute.
This city is located in the interior of the province of Sindh, around 500km north of Karachi and has a population of 1.7 million. Shikarpur is known for its famous Achar (pickles) throughout the world, widely exported to the Middle East. Besides that people also look forward to Shikarpur’s mithai (sweets) and Lakhi Gate’s famous Kulfi Faluda.
In the olden days, it was famous for grandeur in the form of floral wood carvings on doors, windows and balconies of the houses attracting several visitors. Now remains and glimpses of this grandeur can be spotted in different buildings in the district. The economy consists of industries, trade, commerce, fishing and agriculture. Shikarpur had seven gates (dars in Sindhi) including Lakhi gate, Hathi gate, Karan gate, Hazari gate, Wagan gate, Siwi gate and Khanpuri Gate and a window known as Siddiq Marri. The gates have now disappeared but the areas by still known by their names.
As the name suggests, the literal meaning of Shikar is hunting and Shikarpur is derived from Shikargah or hunting ground which was originally used by past rulers as a game reserve. When Mughal emperor Humayun fled to Iran after being defeated by Sher Shah Suri, he made a brief stop there.
This town was founded in early seventeenth century by Bahadar Khan Daudpota whose family tree goes up to Abbasids. Mughal emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir conferred a vast jagir (estate land) from Lakhi to Khanpur to Bahadar Khan. The jagir area consisted of dense forests rich in wild animals. The forest was in possession of Mahars, a powerful clan in Sindh. The reward of the area to the Daudpotas triggered strife between the two sides that turned into a bloody battle. Legend has it that after victory, Bahadar Khan was advised by a local saint to clear the forest land and built a town. This is how Shikarpur came into being around 1617.
Shikarpur had a reputation for its rich gardens. The Shahi Bagh was known for its thriving vegetation and scented flowers. It had a zoo but the animals were later shifted to Karachi Zoo. The garden has a wooden pavilion designed by Preston Phel and constructed by Sir W. Merewether in September 1871. Many other gardens and open spaces of Shikarpur have vanished. These were meeting points where people gathered for causal talk. It is probably the only city in the world which has a cricket ground inside a park.
Due to its strategic location on important caravan trade route of seventeenth century, Shikarpur turned into an eminent commercial centre and gained reputation in trade and commerce.
In his notes, R. Burton described Shikarpur as “the capital of merchants, money changers and bankers.” With smart marketing practices, the Shikarpur merchants had built a significant reputation and there was hardly any notable commercial town from Turkey to China that did not have dealings with traders in Shikarpur. There is also a long narrow market which is covered by bay wood and it is often seen as the pride of the city.
Shikarpur lost its glory especially after the partition the subcontinent when many Hindu merchants migrated to India. There was an influx of migrants from the rural areas into the city which started tribal feuds and today the city is plagued with corruption, illiteracy, unemployment and underdevelopment. The rich history of Shikarpur is what I have heard from my family members. It is imperative that efforts are made to regain the lost glory of this historic city.
