Shikarpur: Historic Bazaars and Heritage

One of the oldest towns in Sindh, Shikarpur boasts great historical importance. It was the most flourishing commercial city in the province. It acted as the banking center connecting South Asia to Central Asia. This town has been founded by traders in the seventeenth century. People use to call it the Paris of Sindh because of its grandeur. It is known for its covered market called Dhak Bazaar. Its beloved achar adds to its fame. This guide covers Shikarpur for the curious traveller. It explains the history the bazaars the heritage the food and how to get there.

This guide offers a general overview to help you get to know the town and plan a visit.

Quick answer:  Shikarpur is an ancient town located in Upper Sindh. The businessmen created this town in 1617. This was the largest trade center in the province. It acted as the financial center connecting South Asia to Central Asia via Bolan Pass. It was known as the “Paris of Sindh”. It is famous for its covered Dhak Bazaar, one of the oldest of its kind in South Asia. Its ornate wooden havelis, old temples and mosques add to its appeal. It is renowned for its achar. Shikarpur lies a short drive from Sukkur.

About Shikarpur

Shikarpur is a town of great trading history. It was once the greatest commercial city in the province. It served as a trading and banking hub. It connected South Asia with Central Asia. This trading history defines the town. It gave Shikarpur a golden age of wealth.

The town was once known as the Paris of Sindh. Shikarpur was so prosperous and refined in its heyday that it earned this name. People celebrated it for its gardens, its markets and its culture. This nickname reflects its rich and cosmopolitan past.

The town is a treasure of heritage. Shikarpur holds a wealth of historic bazaars, havelis, temples and mosques. Many now show their age. This heritage is the great appeal of the town. Officials have declared the whole town a heritage site.

History of Shikarpur

Shikarpur grew on the caravan routes. Merchants founded it in 1617. The town grew rich on its position on the caravan routes through the Bolan Pass. It became the greatest trading city in the province. This strategic position was the making of the town. It linked the region to the markets of Central Asia.

The merchants traded across continents. The merchants and bankers of Shikarpur held trade with markets across Central Asia and beyond. Their reach ran from Bukhara and Samarkand to Kandahar and further afield. This far reaching trade made Shikarpur a wealthy and cosmopolitan hub.

The banking system was famous. The bankers of Shikarpur were renowned for their hundi system of credit. It financed trade across the region. This banking heritage is a remarkable part of the story. It made the town a financial centre of its age.

Dhak Bazaar of Shikarpur

The Dhak Bazaar is the jewel of Shikarpur. This covered market lies in the heart of the old town. Many call it one of the oldest of its kind in South Asia. A wooden roof shades the traders from the sun. This covered bazaar is the great landmark of the town. It is an architectural marvel.

The bazaar is a living piece of history. The long and narrow street is lined with shops on both sides. This market has traded for centuries. It remains a unique experience and carries the spirit of the trading town.

The bazaar reflects the old trade. Dhak Bazaar and the markets surrounding it represent the kind of trades in the town. These trades include cloth, brass, spices, and sweets. Such trade is deeply rooted in the culture of the town. For many years now, such trade has been the lifeline of Shikarpur. 

Havelis and the heritage of Shikarpur

The havelis are the glory of Shikarpur. The old merchant havelis are the grand mansions of the town. They are its most significant buildings. They are famous for their exquisite wood carving and ornamentation. These havelis are the essence of historic Shikarpur. They reflect the wealth of the old merchants.

The wood carving is a fine art. Intricate carving covers the doors, windows and balconies of the havelis. It blends the craft of Sikh, Muslim and local artisans. This fine woodwork rewards those who look closely.

The town holds temples, mosques and civic gems. Shikarpur holds grand mosques and ornate Hindu temples. Colonial era landmarks such as the Clock Tower survive too. The Shahi Bagh gardens add to the choice. These sites reflect the diverse heritage of the town. They tell the story of its many communities.

Food the culture and getting Shikarpur

Shikarpur is famous for its achar. The town is renowned across the country for this spicy pickle. The pickle carries its name. Its sweets and its famous kulfi faluda add to the appeal. This delicious food is a signature of the town.

Shikarpur has a rich cultural heritage. The town made great contributions to education, music and theatre. It was among the first in the region to have a college. This cultural legacy reflects the refined life of its golden age.

Shikarpur is easily reached from Sukkur. The town lies a short drive away. You can reach it by road on the main highways. This good connectivity makes it an easy trip. Many visitors base themselves in Sukkur and visit Shikarpur for the day.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Shikarpur located? Shikarpur is located in Upper Sindh near the right bank of the Indus. It lies a short drive of around thirty kilometres from Sukkur. It is a historic town and the headquarters of the Shikarpur district. You can reach it by road on the main highways. Many visitors base themselves in Sukkur and visit Shikarpur for the day. This makes it an easy addition to a tour of Upper Sindh.

Why was Shikarpur called the Paris of Sindh? Shikarpur was the greatest trading city in the province in its heyday. It was famed for its prosperity, its gardens, its markets and its refined culture. It served as a banking and trading hub linking South Asia with Central Asia. It grew wealthy and cosmopolitan. Grand havelis a covered bazaar and a rich life of education, music and theatre filled the town. The nickname reflects this former glory.

What is the Dhak Bazaar in Shikarpur?  The Dhak Bazaar is a covered market in the heart of the old town of Shikarpur. It is considered to be among the oldest in all of South Asia. It is an elongated street having shops on either side. The roof is made of wood, which protects the merchants from direct sunlight. The bazaar is an architectural wonder as well as a living heritage site that has been operating for centuries. 

Why is Shikarpur famous for? Shikarpur is famous for its history as the greatest trading city in the province. It served as a banking hub linking South Asia with Central Asia. People once knew it as the Paris of Sindh. It is renowned for its covered Dhak Bazaar. Its ornate merchant havelis carry fine wood carving. Its old temples and mosques add to its appeal. It is also famous across the country for its achar, its sweets and its kulfi faluda.

What are the best places to visit in Shikarpur? The best places include the historic covered Dhak Bazaar. The ornate merchant havelis carry exquisite wood carving. The grand mosques and Hindu temples of the old town reward a visit. The colonial era Clock Tower and the Shahi Bagh gardens are worth seeing too. A guided heritage walk through the old town is the finest approach. It takes in the bazaars, havelis and temples of this treasure of history.

Treasure of Upper Sindh

Shikarpur is a treasure of history. It is an old caravan town that was once the greatest trading city in the province. It served as a banking hub linking South Asia with Central Asia. The town offers a wonderful glimpse of a golden age of trade and culture. That glimpse runs from its famous covered Dhak Bazaar to its ornate merchant havelis. Its grand mosques, its Hindu temples and its beloved achar complete the picture. People once knew it as the Paris of Sindh. It remains a place of great heritage and charm.

You may come to Shikarpur for its historic bazaars, its carved havelis or its famous pickle. This remarkable town of Upper Sindh has much to offer either way. You can wander the shaded lanes of the Dhak Bazaar. You can admire the exquisite woodwork of the old havelis. You can taste the achar that carries the name of the town across the country. You can easily reach Shikarpur from Sukkur. Shikarpur is a fading but fascinating jewel. It is a treasure of history that rewards anyone with a love of heritage.