Sanghar (Sindh)
Sanghar is situated at a distance of 302 km from Karachi and accessible via Hyderabad on National Highway N-120. It is one of the largest districts of Sindh Province and has a boundary with India. There are some historical places such as the tomb of Mir Shahdad Talpur in Shahpur Chakar and Mansura, rains of the seventh century
Sanghar district is bounded by Khairpur, Shaheed Benazirabad, Matiari, Mirpur Khas, and Umerkot districts. It has a boundary with Indian border with Rajasthan. The National Highway is just outside the district and has multiple connection to access the Sanghar district. By turning right from Karachi, Hala-Shahdadpur road is used to access all of the towns in the district. It is also connected with railway track for all type of transportation.
It was a small village in 18th century and was named after a pious fisher woman, Mai Singhar.
Sanghar has vast semiarid plains along the Indus River as well as the area along the Naran Canal are fertile to produce various crops such as cotton, sugarcane, wheat, rice, etc. Large part of the district is irrigated by the Mithrao Canal that is fed by the Indus River. Most of its eastern part along with Indian border is part of Thar Desert, therefore it is barren and just moving sand dunes. The Thar Desert is also homeland for various wild animals living in desert areas. There are several orchards in which date orchards are famous and produce different fruits such as guava, mango, and banana.
The ruins of Mansura are located near the Shahdadpur town covering an area of 6 km in circumference. Mansura, also known as Brahmanabad, was the historical capital of Lohana dynasty during the rule of Agham Lohana. After captured by the Arab conquerors, it was renamed as Mansura. and was the capital of Sindh during 8th century under Umayyad Caliphate. It was a central garrison by the Umayyad forces.
Mir Shahdad Jo Qubo is a graveyard site of the family member of Mir Shahdad Talpur near the town of Shahpur Chakar. There is the tomb of Mir Shahdad Talpur, who was a military commander of Sindh in 12th century during Kalhora dynasty. He was grand-father of Mir Sohrab Khan who was the first ruler of the Talpur dynasty in Sindh.
Tomb of Sohni is located in Shahdadpur at a distance of 50 km from Sanghar city. Sohni Mahiwal, also known as Sohni Mehar, is a popular tragic romantic story of Punjab and Sindh. Sohni lived in Gujrat near the bank of Chenab River. Her father made decorated pots and she helped her father. Shahzada Izzat Baig who was a richer trader from Bukhara, came in Gujrat and saw Sohni at the shop and fallen in love with her. She also lost her heart in the love of Izzat Baig. He started a job of grazing buffaloes in the town and came to be known as Mahiwal, buffalo herder. Her parents arranged her marriage with another potter. He moved to a small hut across the Chenab River in opposite of the Sohni home. Sohni used to swim every night using an earthenware pot to cross the river to meet his lover Mehar. One night her sister-in-law replaced the pot with an unbaked clay pot, which dissolved in water and she drowned in the whirling waves of the Chenab River. On the other side, Mahiwal jumped into the river to save her but drowned as well. Their dead bodies were recovered from the Indus River near the town of Shahdadpur and buried in Shahdadpur.
Sayyid Sibghatullah Shah Al-Rashidi II, also known as Pir Pagaro, was a spiritual leader of the Hur Movement against the colonial government of the British from 1843 to 1951. In his time, the movement was at his peak and became military opposition against colonial rule. He was hanged by the British in March 1943 in the Central Jail Hyderabad in Sindh and destoryed the Hurs headquarters in Pir Jo Goth and Dargah Sharif in the same year. His burial place is still unknown.
Makhi Forest lies in Sanghar district at a distance of 30 km from Sanghar city. It is famous for abundance of honey in the forest. It is wetland forest and habitat for different kind of animals, reptiles, and birds. Baqar Lake, also known as Chotiari Water Reservoir, is also situated there, which is wide land between the forest area. Boating facility is also available there to access the other part of the forest. Chotiari Dam is situated there to control the water level in the lake. The Makhi River flows across the forest. Nara Canal is used to move its water to the surrounding areas. There are many historical ruins of various dynasties in the wetlands of the Makhi Forest in Chotiari.
The weather of Sanghar district is normally extreme hot in the summer season, whereas winters become pleasant and cool. In the period of monsoon, it receives negligible amount of rainfalls during July to September.