Sindh

Sindh – A Blend of Ancient Civilizations and Coastal Beauty

Sindh, in the southeast, borders the Arabian Sea, making it a hub for coastal tourism and historical exploration. The region’s geography ranges from the fertile plains of the Indus River to the vast stretches of the Thar Desert, and from bustling urban centers like Karachi to the tranquil beaches of Clifton and Hawksbay.

Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, offers a mix of modern and traditional experiences, with its lively markets and coastal getaways. Visitors can explore the ancient ruins of Mohenjo-Daro, a UNESCO World Heritage Site representing the Indus Valley Civilization, one of the oldest urban centers in the world. The Makli Necropolis near Thatta, another UNESCO site, is one of the largest burial grounds globally, reflecting the rich history of Sindh.Spiritual tourism flourishes in Sindh, particularly around the tomb of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sehwan and Abdullah Shah Ghazi’s shrine in Karachi. For an authentic cultural experience, visiting the vibrant Thar Desert and interacting with the local Thari communities offers a unique glimpse into desert life. The fertile plains of Sindh, irrigated by the Indus River, are a hub for rice, wheat, and sugarcane production. The region is also known for its date palms and fruit orchards, particularly in Sukkur and Khairpur.

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Cities

Hyderabad

Hyderabad, with a population of 1.7 million, is Sindh's second largest city along the River Indus. It began as the fishing village of Neroon Kot and flourished under the Talpur rulers before becoming part of the British Bombay Presidency. Today, it is a key commercial and cultural hub linking rural and urban Sindh. Notable sites include the tombs of the Kalhora and Talpur rulers, historic fortresses.

Sehwan Sharif

Sehwan, located 300 kilometers from Karachi on Indus Highway, is renowned for its patron saint, Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar (RA), who lived in the 13th century. His tomb was rebuilt by the Government of Pakistan to accommodate the large influx of pilgrims. In addition to the impressive mausoleum, there is a charity center that daily provides food for many hungry visitors.

Larkana

This city is located on the route from Karachi to Shikarpur and Bolan Pass. The only antiquity in Larkana is the dilapidated remains of a fort that has been used in turn as arsenal, a jail, a hospital, storeroom for Camel Corps and a lunatic asylum. Larkana is a good base from which to visit Mohenjo-Daro. Larkana is also known for the quality of its rice. It is an important grain market and a trading center for silk and cotton.

Khairpur

Khairpur, the capital of Khairpur District, was the capital of the former princely state of Khayrpur. Known for its folk singers and scholars, it is the birthplace of Sufi mystic Sachal Sarmast. Famous for its quality dates, or "Khark," Khairpur Mirs was a semi-autonomous kingdom ruled by the Talpur family, spanning from Gandava (now in Balochistan) to Shahgarh (now in India).

Sukkur

Sukkur, the third largest city in Sindh, is on the west bank of the Indus River. Once known as Aror and Bakhar, it served as a capital during Alexander's invasion in 326 BCE. The Rai Dynasty built a significant Shiva temple here. The city was later ruled by the Mirs of Khairpur and came under British control in 1843, lasting until Pakistan's independence in 1947.

Karachi

Karachi, the capital of Sindh, is Pakistan's most populous city and the eighth largest in the world. It is the country's main industrial and financial hub, located on the Arabian Sea, with major seaports and the busiest airport. The city has an arid climate with long, hot summers and low rainfall, mostly in July and August. Winters are dry from December to February.

Landmarks

Mohatta Palace Museum

Karachi, the capital of Sindh, is Pakistan's most populous city. The Mohatta Palace, built by Shivratan Chandraratan Mohatta, was acquired by the government in 1947 for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After relocating in 1964, it was given to Fatima Ali Jinnah and her sister Shireen Bai until 1980. The Sindh government later purchased the palace, which now serves as a museum for Pakistan's cultural heritage.

Empress Market

The Empress Market is a famous marketplace situated in the Saddar Town of Karachi. The market traces its origins to the British Raj era when it was first constructed. Today, it is amongst the busiest places for shopping in Karachi and reflects as one of the few historical spots of the city. The Empress Market was constructed between 1884 and 1889 and was named to commemorate Queen Victoria, Empress of India.

Bhambore

Bhambore, located 64 km east of Karachi, is over 2,100 years old and was the capital of Chief Bamboo Raja in the 10th century. Archaeological evidence shows influences from the 1st to 19th centuries, including Scytho-Parthian and Hindu-Buddhist periods. The site is known for the romantic folklore of Sassi and Punnu and features the first mosque in Southeast Asia, along with remnants of pre-Islamic temples.

Frere Hall

Frere Hall, completed in 1865, is a historic British colonial-era building in Karachi, originally intended as the town hall. It was renamed in 1884 after Sir Henry Bartle Edward Frere, a British administrator known for promoting economic development in Sindh and making Sindhi the language of administration. The building is considered one of Karachi's most iconic landmarks.

Paf Museum

The PAF Museum, located next to PAF Base Faisal on Shahrah-e-Faisal, was inaugurated on August 14, 1997. It displays most aircraft, weapons, and radar outdoors, while the main building features major fighter aircraft used by the Pakistan Air Force. The museum also includes aircraft used by Mohammed Ali Jinnah, a Folland Gnat from the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War, scale models of World War I and II aircraft.

Port Grand

Port Grand is a premier dining and entertainment destination in Pakistan, located along the waterfront of the 19th-century Native Jetty Bridge, which connects Karachi Port Trust to Keamari. The bridge has been fully rebuilt to create a world-class tourist attraction, expected to draw millions. Spanning 13 acres, Port Grand features a variety of dining and shopping options. It is a 13-acre world class facility designed.

Quaid-e-Azam House Museum

The Quaid-e-Azam House, also known as Flagstaff House, is a museum dedicated to the personal life of Pakistan's founder, Mohammad Ali Jinnah. It was his residence from 1944 until his death in 1948. Acquired by the Pakistani government in 1985, the house has been preserved as a museum showcasing Jinnah's belongings, including his wooden furniture and crockery.

Pakistan Maritime Museum

A replica of the Manora Lighthouse on the premises highlights the importance of nautical landmarks. Visitors can climb for panoramic views of the museum and Karachi Harbour. The museum features maritime artifacts through dioramas, sculptures, murals, miniature paintings, touchscreens, taxidermy, and ancient weapons. A maritime information retrieval system enhances visitor access to information.

State Bank Museum

The SBP Museum, Pakistan's first Money Museum, preserves cultural heritage through the old SBP Building. It offers visitors insights into SBP's history, money, coins, monetary policy, and its evolving role. The museum features collections in the Coin, Stamp, Currency, and Governors’ Galleries, along with the History of the State Bank. The Art Gallery showcases Sadequain’s murals and other rare paintings.

Abdullah Shah Ghazi Shrine

The Tomb of Abdullah Shah Ghazi, a ninth-century Sufi who claimed direct descent from the Prophet Muhammad, is located at perch on a hilltop overlooking Clifton Beach, Karachi. The tomb has a tall square chamber and a green-and-white striped dome, decorated with Sindhi tile-work flags and bunting. The tomb attracts devotees to caress the silver railing around the burial place and drape it with garlands of flowers.

Tobba Mosque

Masjid-e-Tooba, also known as Gol Masjid, is a uniquely designed mosque located in Defence, Karachi. Built in 1969, it features a large white marble dome, 212 feet in diameter, supported by a surrounding wall without central pillars. The mosque has a 120-foot high minaret and is the 18th largest mosque in the world, with a prayer hall capacity of 5,000. Its exceptional acoustics allow a voice spoken at one end of the dome to be heard at the other end.

National Museum of Pakistan

The National Museum of Pakistan, established in 1950 and relocated to Burns Garden in 1970, showcases Pakistan's cultural history across 11 galleries. These include exhibits on the Indus and Gandhara Civilizations, Islamic art, and political history, along with a Quran Gallery. The museum also hosts about a dozen exhibitions annually on national and other significant occasions.

Market Tower (Ghanta Ghar)

Navalrai Market Clock Tower or ’Ghanta Ghar’ of Hyderabad was built in 1914 and is a remnant of a pre-independence fish and meat market in the heart of the city. The clock tower is at the end of the Shahi Bazaar and at the main entrance of the Pakka Fort. The Shahi Bazaar is a typical Pakistani eastern bazaar, where you buy anything from food items to plastic goods, and ralli (popular local fabric) etc.

Clifton Beach

Karachi is the most prominent coastal city of Pakistan. The beach lovers here have a lot of opportunities to visit different beaches of the Arabian Sea. Out of all the options, Clifton Beach holds the most important value among all for giving fun seekers and beach lovers some excellent leisure and recreational opportunities. Large number of visitors come here for beach sports/ activities, to feel cool breeze, or to have a walk along the coast.

Chaukandi Tombs

The Chaukhandi Tombs, located near Landhi Town on the N-5 Highway, 29 kilometers east of Karachi, cover about two square miles. Dating from the 15th to 18th centuries, they contain the graves of Saloch warriors. The tombs, made of buff-colored sandstone, are often intricately carved and arranged in single or multi-grave groups, showcasing impressive craftsmanship. The site is a notable example of regional funerary art and architectural heritage.

Makli Hills

Located near the city of Thatta, the Makli Necropolis is one of the largest cemeteries in the world, spanning about 10 km and containing over half a million tombs. It is the final resting place of kings, queens, governors, saints, and scholars, many of whom are buried in intricately decorated brick or stone monuments. Notable tombs include those of Jam Nizamuddin II and Isa Khan Tarkhan. The site is a significant historical and architectural landmark, reflecting the history.

Thatta Town

Thatta, a historic town in southeastern Sindh with 220,000 residents, is located 100 kilometers from Karachi and Hyderabad. Known for its rich architecture and literature, it is a must-visit destination in Pakistan. Thatta is home to numerous monuments listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Once inhabited by scholars, poets, and rulers, it was also visited by Alexander the Great. Shah Jahan, builder of the Taj Mahal, constructed a mosque in Thatta, which remains in excellent condition.

Bhit Shah In Hala

Located on the eastern bank of River Indus, Hala is home to ancient handicrafts that is popular for its glazed ceramic, earthenware, and terracotta. Makhdum Nuh of Hala mausoleum also located here which attracts many pilgrims. Hala is best known as the home of the shrine of the Sindhi Sufi poet, Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai. The shrine of Bhittai, located in the centre of town, was built by Mian Ghulam Shah Kalhoro, who ruled over Sindh during the late 1700s.

Sindh Meseum

The Sindh Provincial Museum, established in 1971, is located on National Highway near Rani Bagh, Qasimabad, Hyderabad. It is divided into Display Galleries and an Open-Air Section, showcasing Sindhi home life with household objects and life-size models. The museum highlights the history and heritage of Sindh and the Indus Valley Civilization, with artifacts.

Badshahi Bungalow

Badshahi Bungalow, located on the main road of Latifabad, is believed to embody the essence of Mughal living styles, with items linked to eminent Mughal emperors. It is a major attraction for visitors and tourists in Hyderabad. The bungalow was once the palace of Prince Mir Hassan Ali Khan Talpur, the son of the last ruler of Hyderabad, Mir Naseer Khan Talpur.

Ranikot Fort

About 75 miles North-west of Hyderabad, on barren range of hills, a gigantic fortification wall runs up and down the contours of the country. The wall which is over 22 miles in length encircles hillocks. This wall and the barren hills inside make the Rani Kot Fort. The bed of a seasonal torrent on the eastern side serves as the main approach to the Rani Kot Fort.

Mohenjor Daro

Mohenjo-Daro lies on the flat alluvial plain of the Indus, about 80 km southwest of Sukkur. The site contains the remnants of one of two main centres of the ancient Indus civilization (c. 2500–1700 BCE). The archaeological importance of the site was first recognized in 1922Subsequent excavations revealed that the mounds contain the remains of what was once the largest city of the Indus civilization. Mohenjo-Daro was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1980.

Kot Diji

Kot Diji Fort, meaning "Fort of the Daughter" and formally known as Fort Ahmadabad, dominates the town of Kot Diji in Khairpur District of Sindh. The fort was built between 1785 and 1795 by Mir Sohrab Khan Talpur, founder of the Kingdom of Upper Sindh in 1783. In addition to the fort, a 5-kilometer, 12-foot-wide mud wall was built around the city. As many as ninety canon guns of ‘topkhana’ were deployed on the fort during the Talpurs' times, making it a formidable defense structure.

Masoom Shah Jo Munaro

The minaret of Syed Nizam-ud-Din Mir Muhammad Masoom Shah is the most noticeable structure of Sukkur. Masoom Shah was the governor of Mughal Emperor Akbar who appointed him as the Nawab of Sukkur. The minaret was built in about 1607 the monument, built of red brick, is almost conical in shape, slightly off the perpendicular and surmounted by a dome to which an internal stone staircase gives an access. It is about 31 metres feet in height and can be seen from miles away.

Mazar-e-Quaid

Also known as the Jinnah Mausoleum, is the final resting place of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan. The mausoleum was completed in 1970 and is an iconic symbol of Karachi since then. The mausoleum is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Karachi.

Shah Jahan Mosque

The mosque was built in 1647, as a gift for the people of Sindh by Mughal King, Shah Jahan, for their hospitality. The structure is beautiful with 93 domes and intricate tiles, reflecting Mughal architectural brilliance. Since 1993, it has been on the tentative UNESCO World Heritage list.

Saint Patrick's Cathedral

The first church in Sindh was initially built on the grounds of this cathedral in 1845 and was called St. Patrick’s Church. It was in April 1881when the present cathedral was opened. Since the Catholic community grew in number, and the need for a larger place of worship became apparent.

Lakhan-Jo-Daro

Lakhan-jo-Daro is an archaeological site of the Indus Valley Civilization, located near Goth Nihal Khoso in Sukkur. It is the fourth-largest ancient city found in the Indus Valley, dating to the Mature Harappan and pre-Mohenjo-Daro period. The site consists of several mounds, and recent excavations uncovered a seal similar to those from Mehrgarh, dating back to 7000 BC.

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