Friday 31 October 2014

History of Sukkur part 2

Stamps Showing Llyod Barrage  issued on 14 August 1948
Inauguration of Lloyd Barrage at Sukkur (The Daily Gazette, Edition of 14 January 1932).  This rare edition of The Daily Gazette (later became The Sind Gazette) shows the Viceroy of India, Lord Willingdon, who inaugurated the Lloyd Barrage (built over Indus River near Sukkur) on 13 January 1932. It was later named as the Sukkur Barrage. The scheme had been launched by the Governor of Bombay, Sir George Ambrose Lloyd for whom it was named.
Plaque at The Lloyd Barrage Sukkur, also known as Sukkur BarragePhoto by Danyal Gilani
Lloyd Barrage Museum, Sukkur
Entrance to Dadu Canal, Sukkur Barrage. Dadu Canal is one of the three canals emanting from Sukkur Barrage on the western bank of Indus River.



Three Canals Emanating from Sukkur Barrage at the Right Bank of Indus River. These three canals are Dadu Canal, Rice Canal and Kirthar Canal. Photo by Jahangir Khan.

War Mubarak Shrine in Rohri City.  The Shrine of War Mubarak is located near Rohri Railway station towards Sukkur. This Shrine holds a holy Hair of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). A building was erected around 1545 AD (952 AH) by Mir Muhammad, the then reigning Kalhora Prince, for the special reception of a holy Hair

Minar-e-Masumi and Faiz Mahal at Sukkur. The minaret of Syed Nizam-ud-Din Mir Muhammad Masum Shah (a governor of Mughal Emperor Akbar) is the most conspicuous structure of Sukkur town which can be seen from a far distance. It is called ‘Mir Masum Shah Jo Minaro’ in Sindhi language.This conical shaped minaret was built around 1607 AD (26 metres in circumference, 31 metres in height with 84 steps to the top)
Sateen Jo Aastan, “The Tombs of Seven Sisters” at Rohri. Sateen Jo Aastan is located on the left bank of the Indus River near Rohri on a small hill. A building on the southern side of the hill is called Satbhain (Seven Sisters).  According to folklore seven unmarried female friends resided here who veiled themselves from all males. But for the fear of a tyrannical Raja, they disappeared in a cave in the side of a hill. Thus they became satti. Probably this folklore has its origins in the Hindu ritual of satti, where widows burnt themselves on their dead husband’s pyre. In reality, however, this is the burial-place of a ruler from Sukkur, Mir Abu Al-Qasim Namkeen (961 A.H, 993 A.H).
On one of the smaller hills that arises out of the river bank on the south has a leveled platform on which there are many carved gravestones. The principal grave is that of Mir Kasim one of the Sabzwari Shahids dated 1018 AD. This was probably the grave that sanctified the place, and the lamp-post and lamp that were placed in front of it are still there; and it gives the name of Than Kasim Shah to the hill. But the name by which it is more generally known is the Hill of the Seven Virgins.
Another View of Seven Sisters Graveyard at Rohri. Ayub Bridge and Lansdowne Bridge are visible in the background.
Jamia Masjid, Sukkur.
Clock Tower at Ghanta Ghar Chowk, Sukkur.
Pir Ilahi Baksh Tower (Ilmi Tower), Sukkur. Pir Illahi Bakhsh Tower (also called ‘Ilmi Tower’) is located on a hill near State Bank of Pakistan, Sukkur. It is 110 feet high and 66 feet wide. The tower was founded by Pir Illahi Bakhsh, minister for education in May 1939 and completed in 1940
Sukkur Railway Station.
Railway Heritage Museum at Sukkur.  Railway Heritage Museum was established in 2005 at Sukkur Railway Station. An old steam engine and a few coaches were brought from Mirpur Khas section. Antiques were collected from almost 60 stations of Sukkur and displayed inside the coaches
Sukkur Airport Terminal Building
A Globe near Lab-e-Mehran Park, Sukkur 
Hockey Stadium, Sukkur. Built at old Railway Ground.
Night View of Icon Departmental Store near Minar-e-Masumi, Sukkur
Civil Hospital, Sukkur 
IBA (Institute of Business Administration), Sukkur
St. Mary’s High School, SukkurSt. Mary’s School was started in 1881. But it was not recognized till 1888. It was initially for the children of railway personnel, but in 1897 it was opened to all local people. It was housed in a railway bungalow and shifted to its own building on 23 May 1911. Photo shows St. Mary’s School and church. Photo by SAN Group 2k.
School website: http://www.geocities.ws/uzairarain/School.htm.
Saint Mary’s Catholic Church at Sukkur. St. Mary’s Church was built in early 1850s. In February 2006, a mob destroyed the church and was rebuilt and opened in 2009.  This photo was taken in 1992. Photo by Francis Hannaway.
Sadh Belo, A Sacred Place for Hindu in an Island at Sukkur. Downstream of the island of Bukkur, and separated from it by a short stretch of river, is the small island of Sat, or Sadh, Belo. On it is a Hindu religious establishment found in AD 1823 by Swami Bakhandi Maharaj Udasi. It is a sacred pilgrimage place for Hindus throughout Sindh and even in India. The island has two inlets, Sadh Belo and Din Belo. To visit Sadh Belo one requires a permission from the department of Auqaf to go there.















History of Sukkur part 1

Brief History of Sukkur: Sukkur (formerly Aror, Alor and Bakar)  is the capital of Sukkur District. It is the third largest city of Sindh province, situated on the west bank of Indus River. Sukkur ia called Sakharu in Sindhi language which means “superior”. The spelling of the city’s name in Sindhi suggests that it is the origin of the name. Sukkur is nicknamed as ‘Darya Dino’ (the Gift of River), as without the Indus the city would be a desert. The district of Sukkur was constituted in 1901 out of part of Shikarpur District. Sukkur saw a significant socio-economic uplift after the 1930s, when the British built the world’s largest barrage here on the Indus River.
Sukkur has been an important strategic centre and trading route from time immemorial. Alor (or Aror, Sukkur) held the status of capital under the reign of Musikanos, when Alexander invaded the region in 326 BC. The ruins of this ancient town still exist, 8 km east of Rohri, in Sukkur district. The Rai Dynasty built a huge temple of Shiva. In 711 AD, the Arabs invaded Sindh, led by 17-year-old Muhammad bin Qasim, and Sukkur (including all of Sindh and lower Punjab) became part of the Umayyad Caliphate.
Later Mughals and many semi-autonomous tribes ruled over Sukkur. The city was ceded to Mirs of Khairpur between 1809 and 1824. In 1833, Shah Shuja (a warlord of Kandahar, Afghanistan) defeated the Talpurs near Sukkur and later made a solemn treaty with the Talpur ruler, by which he relinquished all claims on Sindh. In 1843,  Sukkur, along with the rest of Sindh, came under British rule until the independence of Pakistan in 1947.
 Lansdowne Bridge Rohri/SukurLansdowne Bridge, linking Sukkur and Rohri, was inaugurated on March 27, 1889. The bridge provided the railway link between Lahore and the port of Karachi. Later, the arched Ayub Bridge was inaugurated on May 6, 1962 and  railway traffic was shifted there. About a hundred feet apart, the two bridges seem like one from a distance.
Ayub Bridge (Ayub Arch) at Sukkur.  Ayub Bridge (Ayub Arch) is a railway bridge over the Indus river between Rohri and Sukkur in Sindh province, Pakistan. This steel arch bridge was inaugurated by President Muhammad Ayub Khan on 6 May 1962. The Ayub Bridge became the world’s third longest railway arch span and the first railway bridge in the world to be slung on coiled wire rope suspenders. On its completion railway traffic was transferred to Ayub Bridge from the adjacent Lansdowne Bridge.
Inauguration  of Ayub Bridge (Ayub Arch) at Sukkur, 1962. President Muhammad Ayub Khan is inaugurating Ayub Bridge at Sukkur on May 6, 1962.
Railway Bridge Across Indus River, Connecting Rohri and Sukkur through Bukkur Island FortPhoto by  msb1606.
Bukkur Island and the Three Bridges on Indus River at Sukkur. In this photo, one can see on the right the arched Ayub Bridge and Lansdowne Bridge connecting Rohri to Bukkur Island, shown in the middle of the photo. The island of Bukkur has an old historical fortress which is currently being used by Army. On the left side of the photo, one can see the bridge connecting Bukkur island to Sukkur city.
Army Barracks at Bukkur Island, Sukkur
An Aerial View of Rohri and Sukkur after Floods in the Indus River. Ayub Bridge and Lansdowne Bridge connecting Rohri to Bukkur island are visible in the middle distance.  A smaller bridge connecting Bukkur island to Sukkur city is also visible. Photo by Jahangir Khan.


Sukkur Barrage (Lloyd Barrage), Opened in 1932. Sukkur Barrage (formerly called Lloyd Barrage) was built over Indus River near Sukkur during British Raj and was inaugurated by Lord Willingdon, the Viceroy of India, on 13 January 1932.  The scheme had been launched by the Governor of Bombay, Sir George Ambrose Lloyd for whom it was named. It was the largest irrigation project ever undertaken, and irrigates the farmlands through its seven large canals. Some of the canals are larger than the Suez Canal.
Sukkur Barrage has 7 Canals. Left Bank canals are Nara Canal, Mirwah Canal, Rohri Canal, Abul Wah and Right Bank canals are Dadu Canal, Rice Canal and Kirthar Canal.
In November 2004, the government of Pakistan initiated a rehabilitation project to revitalize its water storage capacity and distribution efficiency. The project was completed in July 2005. The experts claim that the rehabilitation of the barrage has increased its life for another 60 to 70 years.
Stamp Issued by Pakistan Post on Golden Jubilee of Sukkur Barrage (Lloyd Barrage), 1982 


Sunday 26 October 2014

Hindi films - Famous Sindhi Actor - Aaftab Shivdasani

Hindi films - Famous Sindhi Actor - Aaftab Shivdasani
Aaftab is among the rare sindhi youth, who not only dreamed about dream world of Indian silver screen but also able to create a significant and specific place there. He was born on 25 June 1978 at Mumbai, the economic capital of India and home land of Indian movies.
He belongs to famous Shivdasani family active in Film Industry of India hence there was natural attraction towards a career in the same field.
He said to be fortunate that his early childhood dreams of acting in Hindi films was came true very early as in the late 1980's and 1990's he was well known child actor. His presence in block buster Hindi movie "Mr. India" released in 1987 in the character of "Jugal" was noted and appreciated equally by cinegoers and critics of the industry.
In the 1999 he appeared in Hindi movie "Mast " in the leading role against the Urmila Martondkar, though business wise this movie was flop but for this he was awarded with best debutant award.
Filmography
His some of recent box office hits like "Awara Pagal Dewana" "Hungama" etc. has made him one of the successful star of bollywood. slowly and gradually he is developing into a star material for the multi starred comedy Hindi Films.
De Taali (August 2007) (Under Production) - Jalsa (2007) (Under Production) - Dost - My Best Friend (2007) (Post-Production) - Dus Kahaniyaan (2007) (Post-Production) - Speed (2007) (filming) - Om Shanti Om (2007) ... Special appearance in song, Deewangi Deewangi - Life Mein Kabhie Kabhiee (2007) - Nishabd (2007)... Rishi - Red: The Dark Side (2007)

 Neil Oberoi - Jaane Hoga Kya (2006) ... Siddharth Sardesai / Clone - Darwaza Bandh Rakho (2006) ... Ajay - Ankahee (2006) ... Shekhar - Shaadi Se Pehle (2006)

Rohit Chopra - Mr Ya Miss (2005) ... Sanjay Patel - Deewane Huye Pagal (2005) ... Special Appearance as Raj Sinha - Koi Aap Sa (2005)
Rohan - Shukriya (2004) ... Ricky - Masti (2004) ... Prem - Muskaan (2004) ... Sameer Oberoi - Suno Sasurjee (2004)

Raj K. Saxena - Footpath (film) (2003) ... Arjun Singh - Hungama (2003) ... Nandu - Darna Mana Hai (2003)
 
Purab - Pyaasa (2002) ... Suraj Thakur - Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani (2002) ... Prem Srivastav - Awara Paagal Deewana (2002) ... Dr. Anmol Acharya - Kya Yehi Pyaar Hai (2002) ... Rahul Tiwari - Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe (2002)

Aman Puri - Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat (2001) ... Taj Bharadwaj - Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega (2001) ... Harry (Harilal) - Kasoor (2001)
Shekhar Saxena (As Aftab Shivdasani) - Mast (1999)
Krishnakant Mathur (Kittu) - Insaniyat (1994)
Young Amar - C.I.D. (1990) ... Sunny, Veer And Meghna'S Son (As Master Aftab) - Awaal Number (1990) ... Young Sunny - Chaalbaaz (1989) ... Raju (As Master Aftab) - Shahenshah (1988) .... Young Vijay Shrivastav - Mr India (1987) ... Jugal (Orphan)

Friday 24 October 2014

Faiz Palace of Khairpur, Sindh

The province of Sindh in Pakistan is culturally a very rich land which has tremendous historical background. Sindh has many awesome features which highlight the glory of the superb Sindhi civilization and it is commonly known as Indus civilizationKhairpur District is located in the northern part of the province of Sindh. This area was known as Khairpur State before the partition of India in 1947 and it  was ruled by Talpur Mirs (ameers) of the Talpur dynasty from 1783 to 1955.
Faiz Palace of Khairpur, Sindh ( Pakistan )
After the independence, this princely state opted to join Pakistan. Numerous architectures were constructed during the Talpur reign, however the most popular of all the monuments that were built during that era is the Faiz Mahal ( Palace ). Faiz Palace of Khairpur was built in 1798 as the palace of the Talpur family by the Khairpur Mirs. Presently, Faiz Palace which is a magnificent structure of the Indus Valley and is a symbol of the Talpur glory is gradually deteriorating. The Government of Pakistan has offered the descendants of the Mirs of Talpur to take the custody of this monument for its proper conservation but they have rejected this proposal.
Faiz Mahal of Talpurs ( Interior ) . Image : Mashooque Ali Bhatti
Faiz Mahal ( Palace ) of Khairpur, Sindh needs due attention for its repairing and rehabilitation. Faiz Palace reminds us the amazing history of the then State of Khairpur and the bravery of the Talpur clan.






Thursday 23 October 2014

HISTORY & BACK GROUND OF CERAMICS

The history of pottery is as old as 1500 BC dawn of Neolithic age. The history also reveals that putter’s wheel was introduced and used for to produce. Patterns items. With the passage of time the pace of development continued and present ceramic items are the latest crafts of Sindh.

The pottery and is also recognized and named as “KASHI” Which entered in Sindh in 15th century from Iran and Turkey. The Islamic touches may also be seen in Bahmbore items (722 AD) which also consider as the part of this cluster & history.

To promote and to keep alive the ceramic crafts the Sindh Small Industries Corp. (551C) has established a ceramic Training cum production centre in the year 1991 at Nasarpur District, Matiyari which is located 48 KM northeast of the city and houses of the tomb of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai the great Sindhi Sufi saint. The town is also fame for its Handicrafts including Lacquer work. Glazed pottery, sussi and Ajrak (hand loom cloth) and embroidery.