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Hyderabad, population 1.7 million (2017), is the second largest city of Sindh province and the 8th largest city in Pakistan. Lying along the River Indus, it is rich in culture, traditions and history. It was the capital of Sindh for many centuries, and used to be known as the Paris of India, due to belief that streets of the city were washed every morning with clean drinking water from the River Indus. Hyderabad is now an important commercial and cultural center, and serves as a transit between the rural and the urban Sindh. Noteworthy sights in Hyderabad include the tombs of the Kalhora and Talpur rulers, two royal fortresses, and the miles-long bustling and colourful Shahi Bazaar.
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Hyderabad Fort
Pakka Qila ("strong fort") was built on one of the three hills on which the city was built by the Kalhoro ruler Mian Ghulam Shah Kalhoro during the 17th century. Though today the massive historic fort is badly maintained and deteriorating, it still is the most notable landmark of Hyderabad, and a must-see from outside at the least. Most of the area inside the compound is inhabited by refugees from the 1947 population exchange. The construction of the fort was begin in 1766 AD and completed by 1768. Later, the Talpur rulers conquered Hyderabad and settled inside the fort, until they were defeated by the British in 1843. The main gate of the fort is still there for visitors to see and take photographs. The fort was built using fire-baked bricks giving it the name of the strong fort.
Maki Shah Qila, Weak Fort, Old Fort
This fort was built in 1768 by the same Kalhoro ruler who built Pakka Qila. However, it used unbaked clay bricks, as opposed to fired baked bricks with which Pakka Qila was built. Thus the name Kacha Qila which means "weak fort". The fort is now in a very desolated state. Today, most people head to the fort to visit the shrine of Makki Shah built on the hill of the fort. Both the Pakka Qila and Kacha Qila are deteriorated and in a desolate state now, but they are good examples of early modern fortifications.
Hyderabad Zoo
This popular local recreation spot was built in 1861 and named after Queen Victoria of England ("Rani Bagh"="Queen's Garden"). The park includes Eidgah (an open-air mosque with beautiful pink minarets for the annual Eid prayers), a zoo, lawns, children parks, jogging tracks, and a place with many eateries and food kiosks. The zoo contains a limited selection of animals (monkeys and crocodiles, but no lions or bears), as well a large fishing pond. It is quite run-down by international standards.
founded in 1962, it is one of the major resources on the history of Sindh and was the first research institution of its kind, and brought Sindhology to the forefront of international research. It has dioramas which display many aspects of Sindhi history, heritage, music and culture. Some very interesting dioramas depict the lifestyles of the desert tribes of Thar and Kohistan. The museum has archaeological, ethnological, ethno-musical, photographic, coins, Indus-painting, and general sections. Artifacts on display in the museum represent the history and demography of the region. The collections contain archaeological material, wood-work, thread-work, metal-work, leather-work, pottery, jewellery, coins, armaments, photographs, and paintings that have been collected since the 1970s. A special gallery contains portraits of prominent personalities.
A quite large museum has many nice items on display in large halls which depict the history and heritage of Sindh and Indus Valley Civilization. Items and artefacts from various ruling periods of Sindh, including Sama, Soomra, Kalhora and Talpur periods are showcased in the museum. Museum have plenty of galleries where replicas of people belong to different occupations placed showing their daily life.
The large and beautiful tomb of Kalhora ruler Mian Ghulam Nabi Kalhoro decorated with tiles is well preserved, although its dome collapsed and has now been replaced by a flat roof. The Kalhora dynasty ruled Sindh from 1701 to 1783.
A complex houses numerous impressive royal tombs of ruling Talpur dynasty, who ruled Sindh and some other parts of Pakistan from 1784-1843.
Ghanta Ghar
An impressive tower overlooking the Shahi Bazaar. Built by the British in 1914.
An upscale restaurant with nice ambience. Menu consist of Pakistani, Bar B Q, Chinese and Continental dishes.
Aleggedly does not accept foreigners.
Aleggedly does not accept foreigners.
Aleggedly does not accept foreigners.
Has only non-air-conditioned rooms.
An upscale hotel with some 50 air-conditioned rooms in different styles, 24-hour room service and several restaurant options, including Pakistani dishes but also an in-house Pizza Hut.
A several kilometre long narrow lane bazaar. Shahi comes from the word 'Shah' meaning 'king', as the bazaar was established by Kalhora ruler who, when he changed the capital of Sindh from Khudabad to Hyderabad, persuaded many traders to come and start trading at this bazaar. It extends from the gate of the Pakko Qilo Fort in the south, to the Naval Rai Clock Tower. Plenty of souvenirs, handicrafts, embroidery and jewellery shops can be found here at a range of qualities and prices. Many shops also sell Ajrak and Sindhi caps. Resham Gali Bazaar branches off the side of Shahi Bazaar.
Another street market, focusing on women's clothing and jewelry.
A large shop dedicated to quality handicrafts and souvenirs of Sindh especially Ajrak and Sindhi cap at affordable prices.
By bus
Plenty of air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned buses and vans run to Hyderabad from other major cities of Pakistan.
By train
Hyderabad has railway connections with almost all the major Pakistani cities and towns. Most trains travelling between Karachi and rest of the country make a brief stop at Hyderabad.
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Nawabashah · Regional · WNS
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