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.
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/Sukur. Lansdowne 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 Fort. Photo 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.
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
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