Dadu, Sindh

Dadu (Sindhi and Urdu: دادو), is a city and the capital of Dadu District located in Sindh, Pakistan. The city is located on the western bank of River Indus and is administratively subdivided into three Union councils.

Dadu
دادو
Sindhi style painted mosque in Dadu
Sindhi style painted mosque in Dadu
Dadu is located in Sindh
Dadu
Dadu
Dadu is located in Pakistan
Dadu
Dadu
Coordinates: 26°43′57″N 67°46′45″E
Country Pakistan
Province Sindh
DivisionHyderabad
DistrictDadu
Elevation
35 m (115 ft)
Population
  City171,191
  Rank52nd, Pakistan
Time zoneUTC+5 (PST)
Calling code025
Number of Union councils10

Dadu is the 11th largest city of Sindh Province and 52nd largest city in Pakistan with a population of 171,191 (2017). It is located 100 miles (160 km) to the north of Hyderabad,[2] the second largest city of Sindh.

History

The early history of this city is unknown. It is generally believed that Dadu was founded as a village by Syed Dad Muhammad Shah Alias Dadu Shah during the Kalhora dynasty (1701–1783).[3] Dadu Shah was a powerful religious leader and landlord and had close relations with Kalhora rulers. Some historians are of the opinion that the old name of Dadu was Marakhpur which was conquered by Mian Yar Muhammad Kalhoro during the first decade of the 18th century.[4] Nowadays, Marakhpur is a small locality in Dadu City.

There is also another theory regarding the origin of Dadu. Dadu Dayal (1544-1603) was a great saint, poet, and follower of Guru Gorakhnath from Gujrat, India. He introduced a new Panth of Yogi known as the Dadu-Panth. Dadu Dayal visited Sindh and lived here for a long time. His followers were called Dadunavasi. Two of his followers, Dayo Ram (1836-1906) and Sanat Bhagat Ram, were from Dadu. Dadu became the town of the Danunavasi and hence got the name Dadu.[5][6]

During the Kalhora dynasty, Dadu and the surrounding area's fortunes flourished, the irrigation system was improved, and new canals were constructed to boost the agricultural economy of the area. As a result, Dadu became an important centre of trade and agriculture. When Kalhora rulers shifted the capital of Sindh to Hydrabad, Dadu lost its prosperity. In Talpur rule,the glory of Dadu further declined. The Talpur rulers were more focussed towards Hyderabad, Khairpur Mirs and Mirpur Khas. They did not pay much attention towards Dadu and surrounding areas.

References

  1. "PAKISTAN: Provinces and Major Cities". PAKISTAN: Provinces and Major Cities. citypopulation.de. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  2. "Dadu | Pakistan | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  3. Solangi, Muhammad Uris Azhar (2013). دادو ضلعو - ھڪ اڀياس (A Study of Dadu District) (in Sindhi). Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan: Sindhi Adabi Board. p. 2.
  4. Makhdoom, Amir Ahmad (Translator) (1975). تحفتہ الڪرام (Tuhfatul Karam by Mir Ali Sher KAnia Thattvi) (in Sindhi). Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan: Sindhi Adabi Board. p. 262.
  5. Magsi, Dhani Bux (2005). ڊادوءَ سان منھنجون يادون (My Memories of Dadu) (in Sindhi). Dadu, Sindh.: Kachho Publications. pp. 480–481.
  6. "Ancient sites, towns and villages". Aziz Kingrani. 17 December 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2022.


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