Chapter Eight
Page Two

Hyderabad: -

Hyderabad, Nayrun Kot as it was originally known, was constructed by Raja Nayrun, a Hindu. This Nayrun Kot, was destroyed by Arabs. Miya Gulam Shah Kalhori decided to reconstruct and revive the city as his Capital and decided to build a new Fort at its site. He deputed Diwan Gidumal (Gidwani), the task. 

Diwan Gidumal, with two boat loads of money, landed at Kotri, (a village opp. Gidu Bunder at Hyderabad) on the bank of Sindhu river, and on the other bank set up a Camp for his crew. This Camp came to be known as Gidu Jo Tando, now called Gidu- Bunder.

Diwan Gidumal constructed Two Forts (Qila or Qilo). One solid (Pako), made of stone, and other katcho or katcha, made of earthen materiel. Miya Gulam Shah Kalhori would visit Hyderabad from time to time to supervise and would stay at Katcha Qila. 

In the year 1768, construction of Pako Qilo was completed. Miya Gulam Shah Kalhori then donated Katcho Qilo to Shah Makai's Dargah.

The Trustees of Shah Makai's Dargah, till today (1946), acknowledge that during the days of Raja Nayrun, Hazrat Ali and Shah Makai, had visited Hyderabad. Foot prints of Hazrat Ali are preserved in a Dargah called "Qadam Shah", situated at the foot of Qila Chari.

Kalhoras were of Shia Faith, followers of Hazrat Ali. Hazrat Ali was also known as "Hyder", meaning Snake Killer. Hazrat Ali during childhood, had killed a snake, hence the name. 

To honour the visit of Hazrat Ali (Hyder) and as a remembrance, Miya Gulam Shah Kalhori, changed the Nayrun Kot to "Hyderabad". The city was then sparingly inhabited as Miya Gulam Shah Kalhori had yet to shift to live there. Howerver, he did not live to enjoy it's comforts. Miya Gulam Shah Kalhori expired in the year 1771 and is buried at Hyderabad. 

After him, the Throne was inherited by Miya Sarfirar Khan Kalhori. He built a new capital city in the year 1772, a mile and half from New Halla, known as New Khudabad. But, he is buried at Hyderabad. 

Towards the end of reign of Kalhoras, Talpars, (Mirs), took control of the Government. In the year 1783, their reign began. New Khudabad continued as Capital city with many Amils and Bhaibunds still living there till 1789. 

Khudabadi Amils and Bhaibunds: -

Hyderabad once again became capital city under rule of Mir Fatehali Khan Taplar. Most Amils and Bhaibunds left New Khudabad and shifted to Hyderabad. New Khudabad became a deserted city.

Those Amils and Bhaibunds, who had lived and worked in the Old Kudhabad located near Dadoo, and later at New Khudabad near Halla, felt honoured to have shifted with the Rulers. They called themselves, "Khudabadi Alims" and "Bhaibunds". 

Hyderabad's Growth: -

Amils settled in area from Chhotki Bazaar to Sree Ghat. Bhaibunds, in area from Chhotki Bazaar to Jaman Shah Jo Pir. City bazaar was designed to be built in a straight line with no curves, as the bazaar at New Khudabad was also built in a straight line.

Mir Fatehali Khan accompanied by Diwan Gidumal (Gidwani) came to Hyderabad after some time. Diwan Gidumal then occupied an empty plot of land near Jaman Shah Jo Pir. A street there is named and called Gidwani Ghitti. Crystallized sugar was distributed all over the surrounding areas and a Tikano (Gurudwara) was also constructed as many were followers of Guru Nanik.

Population grew and to provide mare space, Navababd was developed in the year 1875, and twenty years later, Hirabad developed. Place where today Navalrai Market exists, was in the year 1892, Timber storage godown / saw mill. Hirabad was barren land. 

Division of Rule Amongst Mirs: - 

In the year 1793, division of rule amongst Mir took place. Mir Sahrab Khan took over Kherpur. Along with him went Ajwani's, Wadhwani's, and others, to settle there permanently. They were, thereafter called Kherpuri Diwans. Their cousins, who stayed behind at Hyderabad, were called Hyderabadi Diwans.

Mir Thare Khan, son of Mir Sahrab Khan, took over Shah Bunder. Some educated Sindhis living at Thhato, were given employment there. They were called Thhataie Diwans.

Pathans from Khandar were periodically looting and burning Sind leading to people seeking refuge else where. This resulted in Amils and Diwans being scattered all over Sind including Hyderbad. 

If one got of at Railway Station of Nava Dera and proceeded towards Ratay Deray, en-route he meets at Panjo Deray: Mulchandani's and Chhugani's. At Taeb: Jaisinghani's and at Bangelderay: Badlani's, Keswani's and Vaswani's.

At Khere Deray, one meets Bijlani's and at village Vaidad in Taluka Ratay Deray, he meets Kaka's and Daryani's. Diwans were thus scattered through out the villages.

Shikarpur and its Growth: -

Present Shikarpur was hunting ground of Daood Potans. Near by village Lakhi and some other villages were inhabitated. 

In the year 1617, Mahrans, rulers of Lakhi, were defeated by Daood Potans, who built Shikarpur in remembrance of their Victory. The city was constructed inside a Fort.

During the rule of Kalhoras, Ahmed Shah Dorani took control of Shikarpur after defeating Miya Noor Mohd. Kahlori and affixed it to his territory. An Afghan ruled over it. Since those days, Caravans from Afghanistan started visiting Shikarpur and many Hindus and Muslims started visiting the city. Many Shikarpuris are from Arorvanshi family.