History of Urban Sindh

The history of urban Sindh is marked by its roots in the Indus Valley Civilization, followed by various empires and dynasties, culminating in British rule and its subsequent integration into Pakistan, with Karachi becoming a major port and industrial hub. 

Early History and the Indus Valley Civilization:

• Ancient Origins:Sindh, including the region around Mohenjo-daro, was a key part of the Indus Valley Civilization, one of the world’s earliest major urban centers, dating back to around 2500 BC.
• Mohenjo-daro:This city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcased advanced urban planning with standardized bricks, street grids, and covered sewerage systems.
• Decline and Rediscovery:The Indus Valley Civilization declined in the 19th century BC, and Mohenjo-daro was abandoned, only to be rediscovered in the 1920s. 
• Dynastic Rule and Islamic Conquest:
• Mauryan Empire and Beyond:After the Indus Valley Civilization, Sindh became part of the Mauryan Empire and later ruled by Indo-Greeks, Indo-Scythians, and Indo-Parthians. 
• Arab Conquest:In 712 CE, Sindh was conquered by the Umayyad Caliphate under Muhammad ibn Qasim, marking the beginning of Islamic rule in the region, often referred to as “Bab-ul Islam” (Gateway of Islam). 
• Successive Dynasties:After the Arab conquest, Sindh was ruled by various dynasties, including the Habbaris, Soomras, Sammas, Arghuns, and Tarkhans. 
• Mughal Rule:The Mughal Empire conquered Sindh in 1591 and organized it as Subah of Thatta. 
• Kalhora and Talpur Dynasties:Sindh later saw independence under the Kalhora dynasty, followed by the Talpur dynasty, who ruled until the British conquest in 1843. 
• British Rule and the Rise of Karachi:
• British Conquest:The British conquered Sindh in 1843 after their victory in the Battle of Hyderabad over the Talpur dynasty. 
• Annexation to Bombay Presidency:Sindh was annexed to the Bombay Presidency in 1843, and the capital was shifted from Hyderabad to Karachi in the 1840s. 
• Karachi’s Development:The British recognized Karachi’s strategic importance as a port and military cantonment, leading to the development of its harbor and infrastructure. 
• Karachi as a Major Port:By 1914, Karachi had become the largest grain exporting port of the British Empire. 
• Province of Sindh:Sindh was established as a separate province in 1936. 
• Post-Independence and Integration into Pakistan:
• Partition and Karachi as Capital:After Pakistan’s independence, Sindh became part of the new nation, with Karachi serving as its capital. 
• Integration into West Pakistan:Sindh was integrated into the province of West Pakistan from 1955 to 1970, but was later reestablished as a separate province. 
• Urban-Rural Divide:Sindh has a notable urban-rural divide, with Karachi and to a lesser extent Hyderabad and Sukkur, being centers of industry and services, while the rest of the province is primarily agrarian.