Sehwan

Sehwan is one of the most ancient places in Sindh.{{Cite book|last=Bradford|first=Alexander Warfield|title=Antiquities and Researches Into the Origin and History of the Red Race|publisher=Wiley & Putnam|year=1843|location=New York|pages=425}}{{Cite book|last=Caine|first=William Sproston|title=Picturesque India:A Handbook for European Travellers|publisher=George Routledge and Sons Limited|year=1891|location=London|pages=192}} Some historians suggest that this town dates back to the period of Prophet Shees, son of Adam, hence it was named Sheestan, Sewistan and eventually Sehwan. Syed Muhibullah, the author of "A Brief History of Sind," notes that Sehwan was the name of the great-grandson of Ham (son of Noah).{{Cite book|last=Ali|first=Ansari Ali Sher|title=A Short Sketch, Historical and Traditional, of the Musalman Races Found in Sind, Baluchistan and Afghanistan, Their Genealogical Sub-divisions and Septs, Together with an Ethnological and Ethnographical Account|publisher=Commissioner's Press|year=1901|location=Karachi|pages=64}} However, there are various other views about the nomenclature of Sehwan as well. William Dalrymple proposes that the name is derived from Shivistan, after Lord Shiva.Nine Lives by William Dalrymple Notable historian Molai Sheedai writes in his book "Tarikh-e-Tamadan-e-Sind" that Sehwan was built by the Sewi Aryas and was hence called Sewistan. Another view is that its name was Sindomana, a name well-mentioned in Greek literature.{{Cite book|title=Pakistan Library Bulletin Volume 18|publisher=Library Promotion Bureau|year=1987|location=Pakistan|pages=42}} Sindhu-mán is a Sanskrit word that means "the possessor (the capital, or Raja) of Sindh," with which Sindhu-vàn is synonymous. The latter may have softened in common speech to the modern Seh-wan.{{Cite book|last=Wilson|first=Horace Hayman|title=Ariana Antiqua:A Descriptive Account of the Antiquities and Coins of Afghanistan|publisher=East India Company|year=1841|location=London|pages=205}} Sindomana was the capital of King Sambos, who was defeated by Alexander in 326 BC.{{Cite book|title=Gazetteer of the Province of Sind|publisher=Government at the "Mercantile" Steam Press|year=1907|location=India|pages=522}} A large tell called Kafir Qila (castle of the pagans) is located to the north of the city.

Sehwan was conquered by Muhammad bin Qasim in 711 from the son of King Dahir, and three centuries later by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1026. In all subsequent dynastic struggles of Sindh, Sehwan continued to feature prominently. It was successively held by the Sumrahs, the Summas, the Arghuns, and the Tarkhans.{{Cite book|title=The Modern Review, Volume 81|publisher=Prabasi Press Private Limited|year=1947|location=India|pages=122}} During the Thatta Kingdom, it served as the capital.John F. Richards, The New Cambridge History of India: The Mughal Empire (New York: Cambridge University Press, 1993) p. 51 An abortive attempt was made by the Mughal emperor Humayun to capture it on his way to Umarkot in 1542,{{Cite book|title=The History and Culture of the Indian People: The Mughal empire|publisher=G. Allen & Unwin|year=1974|location=India|pages=57}} but it finally fell to his son Akbar in 1590s.{{Cite book|last=Richards|first=John F.|title=The Mughal Empire|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=1995|pages=51}} After the Mughals, it was ruled by the Kalhoras and Talpurs.

The city is renowned for its Sufi patron saint Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, who lived there in the 13th century.File:Shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalander.jpg at Sehwan Sharif, Sindh, Pakistan]] The Shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Additionally, the Shrine of Murshid Nadir Ali Shah, a notable spiritual descendant of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar is also located in Sehwan, where a large number of people are served free meals around the clock.{{Cite book |last=Donkin |first=William |title=The Wayfarers: Meher Baba with the God-Intoxicated |publisher=Sheriar Foundation |year=2001 |isbn=1-880619-24-5 |location=Myrtle Beach, S.C.}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/263998|title=Call of Qalandar|last=Khushik|first=Qurban Ali|date=2007-09-01|website=DAWN.COM|language=en|access-date=2019-03-15}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1113362|title=Qalandar Urs celebrations get under way|last=Correspondent|first=The Newspaper's|date=2014-06-18|work=DAWN.COM|access-date=2018-02-04|language=en-US}} Another famous place is the inverted city.{{Cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1136858|title=Sehwan: The undisputed throne of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar|last=Soomro|first=Farooq|date=2014-10-10|work=DAWN.COM|access-date=2018-02-23|language=en-US}} Moreover, Manchar Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Pakistan, is located a short distance from Sehwan Sharif.{{Cite news|url=https://www.sindhidunya.com/lake-manchar-a-perfect-holiday-destination/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150918130714/http://www.sindhidunya.com/lake-manchar-a-perfect-holiday-destination/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=18 September 2015|title=Lake Manchar – A Perfect Holiday Destination|date=2015-09-14|work=Sindhi Dunya|access-date=2018-02-23|language=en-US}}

The economy of Sehwan Sharif encompasses a diverse range of sources of income and economic activities that sustain the local populace. Notable among these income sources are:

1. Agriculture: Agriculture is a foundational pillar of the local economy. Farmers in the region cultivate a variety of crops, including wheat, rice, cotton, sugarcane, and vegetables.

2. Livestock Farming: The livestock sector, encompassing cattle, goats, and poultry, significantly contributes to the economy. It generates income through the sale of dairy products, meat, and poultry.

3. Pilgrimage and Religious Tourism: Sehwan Sharif is renowned for hosting the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, a venerated Sufi saint. Pilgrims and tourists visit the shrine, and their donations, offerings, and patronage of local businesses collectively bolster the local economy.

4. Trade and Commerce: The town houses a bustling marketplace where a variety of goods are traded. Local businesses, including shops and markets, contribute to economic activity.

5. Handicrafts: Local artisans and craftsmen produce traditional Sindhi handicrafts, such as pottery, embroidered textiles, and jewelry, which find buyers locally and among tourists.

6. Transportation: Sehwan Sharif's strategic location as a transportation hub facilitates trade and transportation-related businesses.

7. Education and Services: Educational institutions, including schools and colleges, offer employment opportunities, while service-oriented enterprises cater to the needs of the community.

8. Government Employment: Government employment, comprising schools, healthcare facilities, and administrative offices, also serves as a significant source of livelihood for the local population.

The economy of Sehwan Sharif, like that of many regions, is marked by a fusion of traditional and contemporary sectors, evolving to meet the needs of its residents.

{{main|2017 Sehwan suicide bombing}}

On 16 February 2017, a suicide bomber triggered an explosion at the Shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, killing at least 83 people and injuring almost 250. The attack occurred during a praying session. The bombing took place at an 800 year old Shrine.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/16/asia/pakistan-shrine-bombing/index.html|title=At least 75 killed in suicide attack at Pakistani shrine|first1=Ray|last1=Sanchez|first2=Sophia|last2=Saifi|first3=Adeel|last3=Raja|website=CNN|date=16 February 2017 |access-date=2017-02-21}}{{cite web|title=Blast hits Pakistan's Lal Shahbaz Qalandar Sufi shrine|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/02/blast-hits-pakistan-lal-shahbaz-qalandar-sufi-shrine-170216144747128.html|website=www.aljazeera.com}} Later the ISIS claimed responsibility for this terrorist attack stating that their 'martyr' had detonated a vest at the popular Shia gathering at the shrine.{{Cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/sehwan-shrine-bombing-latest-suicide-attack-pakistan-sufi-muslim-worshipers-lal-shahbaz-qalandar-a7583986.html|title=Isis claims responsibility for suicide bombing at Muslim shrine|

website=The Independent|date=17 February 2017 |language=en|access-date=2019-09-03}}

Sehwan sharif was conquered by Muhammad bin Qasim when he came to Sindh in the year 711 A.D. After 200 years, Sultan Mahmood Ghaznavi again conquered it. On the way to Umerkot, the Mughal King Humayun attempted to conquer this city but he failed, later on his son Akbar conquered Sehwan Sharif.{{Cite web |title=Sehwan Sharif |url=http://webpk9.weebly.com/sehwan-sharif.html |access-date=2024-04-16 |website=WEB PAKISTAN |language=en}}

• Lal Shahbaz Qalandar
• Bodla Bahar
• Nadir Ali Shah
• Sehwan Sharif Airport

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• [https://web.archive.org/web/20170219182001/http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31812&articlexml=FOR-THE-RECORD-Outcome-of-the-Sufi-Salafi-19022017016019 Article title]

{{Wikivoyage|Sehwan}}

{{Tehsils of Sindh}}

{{Jamshoro District}}

{{Lal Shahbaz Qalandar}}

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Category:Populated places in Sindh

Category:Populated places in Jamshoro District

Category:Tehsils of Jamshoro District

Category:Lal Shahbaz Qalandar