Haiderabad

Haiderabad is an ancient city situated in the Sindh province of southern part of Pakistan. It is also known as "The City of Perfumes" and was the capital of Sindh. It is quite unbelievable but true that before the partition of India, in olden times its roads were washed everyday and perfume was sprayed! For this reason it was also known as Paris of India.

Haiderabad has given the world many poets and writers which is not surprising considering the perfumed, romantic atmosphere here. Its history is steeped in tradition and culture. It is the largest bangle manufacturing city in the world and all conceivable types of bangles are produced here.

An historic 18th century fort, The Hyderabad Fort still reminds one of its glorious past but now it has been encroached and dwellers have occupied the area within and made it their homes. Thus the fort is in a sorry condition.

Haiderabad is also known as the "city of Hillocks". It was founded in 1768 by a ruler of the Kalhora Dynasty called Mia Gulam Shah Kalhora on the banks of river Indus. He built the Pacca Killa on one of the hillocks to protect his city and the people from external forces. After this death the city was ruled by Talpurs and later fell into British Hands in 1843.

The British demolished many buildings so that their troops could be accommodated. No longer the city roads were being washed and sprayed, and thus it lost its glory. Most of the British arms and ammunitions were kept here and it became an ammunition store house for them.

The city dwellers were mostly Sindh Hindus and at the time of partition they moved towards India leaving all their belongings behind, and those coming from India, the Mohajirs were granted these properties. With the increase in the population of the city two new towns called Latifabad and Qasimabad were built. With the arrival of Mohajirs there were fierce violence and many Hindu Sindhis had to flee. However even today Haiderabad is considered as the most tolerant city in Pakistan where religious tolerance is practiced.

The climate in Haiderabad is extreme. It is very hot and dry during the day when the temperature reaches to 40 degrees centigrade. The nights are cooler and cool breeze blows bringing immense relief. The dry day breeze is hot and dusty but night breeze is clean and pleasant.

It has many universities and the most dominant one is the University of Sindh which has 52 colleges affiliated to it. The Sindh museum and the institute of Sindhology museum which is situated here stores the cultural and traditionl heritage of this place. There are few libraries too but are in a sorry condition.