Hyderabad is the second largest city of Sindh Province. It has over 6 Million populations. The city was founded in 1768 by Mian Ghulam Shah Kalhoro upon the ruins of a Mauryan fishing village along the bank of the Indus known as Neroon Kot. It has often been referred to as, in the olden times, the “Paris of India” because its roads were washed daily with perfumed water.
Hyderabad can be reached from Karachi, where the international airport is located by (1) buses, (2) rented cars and taxis, and (3) trains. Travel time by road through the better and preferred ‘Super Highway’ is about two hours, whereas travel time through the road via Thatta is about three and half hours. Some travelers may prefer to come to Hyderabad via Thatta as this picturesque historical city of Sindh is included in the World Heritage List of UNESCO. Trains to Hyderabad start from the ‘City’ and ‘Cantt’ Train Stations of Karachi.
Travelers, coming from the north of Pakistan can come by (1) trains or (2) by road (buses or cars) through the National Highway (on the left side of the River Indus) or Indus Highway (on the right side of the River Indus). Travelers coming from Lahore, Punjab, would prefer to come through the National Highway or by Lahore – Karachi trains, whereas travelers coming from Quetta, Balochistan would prefer to use the Indus Highway or Quetta – Karachi trains.
Travelers from India can reach Hyderabad by train. The train from the Indian town of Monabao would enter Sindh near Khokhrapar and then reach Hyderabad via Mirpurkhas. Or one can stop at Mirpurkhas and then travel by road to Hyderabad.
SINDH MUSEUM:
One of the famous tourist spots in Hyderabad is the Sindh Museum which is abundant with items related to the cultural heritage of Sindh. Sindh Museum provides tourists with a great view of old civilizations and cultures which affected the Sindhi culture in one or the other way. In the museum, the great art of the Indus civilization and Aryans is displayed. The museum is the perfect place for history students to gain awareness of the history and cultural heritage of Pakistan.
Everyone knows that Sindh is a famous province of Pakistan for its handicrafts so in the museum the best works of art and craft are displayed in beautiful colors, which leaves a strong positive impact on the minds of the visitors and one cannot help thinking that how vast the culture of Indus valley is.
There is a corner displaying the beautiful designs of Ajrak, Sindhi topi, and the glasswork on dresses which is a hallmark of Sindhi clothing. The beautiful designs of Sindhi embroidery on dresses bed sheets and cushions look amazing. The whole museum depicts a real and vivid picture of Sindhi society.
Those tourists who are impressed by the displays of Sindhi handicrafts want to purchase any item they need to pay a visit to a market in Hyderabad where the latest designs of handicrafts and clothes will be easily available. The Hyderabad Museum serves especially to those who want some awareness about the culture and society of Sindh. The museum is worth visiting and one does not feel regret for the time he spends in it. Tourists are strongly recommended to visit it when they pay a visit to Hyderabad.
PACCO QILLA (HYDERABAD FORT):
SIGHTS/LANDMARKS
Pacco Qillo (Strong Fort), or Pakka Qilla, is an early modern fortification in Hyderabad, Pakistan. The Fort was constructed on the hillock, known locally as Gunjy, by Mian Ghulam Shah Kalhoro around 1768 when he founded the city of Hyderabad.
The Fort, slightly oblong, covers 30 acres of land. Its fortification wall, running along the contours of the hillock, is imposing with burnt bricks and decorated with ornamental ‘kangaroos’ of odd shapes. There is only one main entrance, opening in the north towards Shahi Bazar. A small enclave near the main gate towards the north is the only area where the few historical buildings still stand to tell the tale of the Fort’s past glory. In the northwest corner of this complex lies the Mirs haram, built on a 7.5m high solidly built podium, the interior is profusely decorated with fresco paintings. It has five large halls towards the east. This was the place where Mir treasury was located.
History
Pacco Qillo (Strong Fort), or Pakka Qilla, is an early modern fortification in Hyderabad, Pakistan. The Fort was constructed on the hillock, known locally as Gunjy, by Mian Ghulam Shah Kalhoro around 1768 when he founded the city of Hyderabad.
The Fort, slightly oblong, covers 30 acres of land. Its fortification wall, running along the contours of the hillock, is imposing with burnt bricks and decorated with ornamental ‘kangaroos’ of odd shapes. There is only one main entrance, opening in the north towards Shahi Bazar. A small enclave near the main gate towards the north is the only area where the few historical buildings still stand to tell the tale of the Fort’s past glory. In the northwest corner of this complex lies the Mirs haram, built on a 7.5m high solidly built podium, the interior is profusely decorated with fresco paintings. It has five large halls towards the east. This was the place where the Mir treasury was located.
Mian Ghulam Shah Kalhoro made it his capital and raised some buildings for civil use. During the Talpur rule over Sindh, Mir Fateh Ali Khan abandoned Khudabad and shifted his capital to Hyderabad in 1789. He also used the Hyderabad Fort to reside and hold his court. For this purpose, he added a haram and other buildings to accommodate the ruling family and his relations. He also built some mosques.
After defeating the Mirs in the Battle of Miani in 1843, the British occupied the fort. Some blasts in the fort, later on, destroyed most of the buildings and houses of the public. In 1857, the British razed most of the remaining buildings to ground to make room for use of the area to accommodate troops, military stores, etc. Ever since the British period the craftsman and working-class people lived in a sort of shanty town inside the fort.
Due to the passage of time vagaries of nature and especially human vandalism, the Fort has suffered a great deal. At present the fortification wall of the Fort is in a very dilapidated condition in several places it’s lost every originality. The southeast part of the wall was most affected and bulged out.