Umerkot
The city of Umerkot carries the name of a local ruler named Umer Soomro. This figure belongs to the Soomra dynasty and appears in the Umar Marvi folk tale. The story of this romance is recorded in Shah Jo Risalo, one of the most popular tragic romances of Sindh. Local tradition holds that a branch of the Soomra founded the settlement before losing it to the Sodhas in 1226. The language spoken by residents today is Dhatki, which falls under the Rajasthani languages of the Indo-Aryan family. Dhatki remains closely related to the Marwari dialect.
Control over the region shifted repeatedly between three major dynasties during the medieval period. The Sodha clan rose to power again in 1439 after being expelled by the Soomra in 1330. In 1590, the area officially became part of the Mughal Empire. A prince from the Arghun dynasty named Abu 'l-'Qasim Sulthan drove out the Mughal commander in 1599. Noor Mohammad Kalhoro expelled the last Sodha chief and took control of the territory in 1736. Amarkot province remained under the rule of the Sodha Rajput clan throughout much of this turbulent era.
Humayun, the second Mughal Emperor, sought refuge with Rana Parshad, the Sodha Rajput ruler of Umarkot. Sher Shah Suri had ousted Humayun from his throne before he arrived at this location. The following year, in 1542, the future Mughal Emperor Akbar was born here. Gulbadan Begum recorded these events in her text known as Humayun nama. Later on, Akbar brought northwestern India, including modern Pakistan, under Mughal rule. Tradition marks the birthplace of Akbar today with a small pavilion standing within the city limits.
Amarkot was annexed by Jodhpur State in 1779 from the Kalhora nawab of Sindh. The British acquired Umerkot and its fort in 1843 through a trade deal with the Maharaja of Jodhpur. This transaction involved a Rs.10,000 reduction in the tribute imposed on Jodhpur State. Syed Mohammad Ali served as governor appointed by the British administration. In 1847, Rana Ratan Singh was hanged at the fort for killing Syed Mohammad Ali during a tax protest. The region became part of the Hyderabad District in 1858 after the British conquered Sindh.
Rana Chandra Singh held the title of chieftain of the Hindu Sodha Thakur Rajput clan and the Amarkot Jagir. He served as a federal minister and was elected to the National Assembly of Pakistan seven times between 1977 and 1999. His political affiliation was initially the Pakistan Peoples Party before he founded the Pakistan Hindu Party. Currently, his son Rana Hamir Singh claims to be the 26th Rana of Tharparkar, Umarkot and Mithi. These figures represent a continuous line of leadership within the local Hindu community.
The Umarkot Shiv Mandir stands as one of the most ancient and sacred Hindu temples in Sindh. Pilgrims visit this site alongside other religious structures like the Kali Mata Temple and Krishna Mandir. A Manhar Mandir Kathwari Mandir exists at Rancho Line while Momal Ji Mari offers another point of interest. Historical records show that Hinduism accounted for 3,884 people or roughly 79 percent of the population in 1901. Islam made up 993 individuals during that same census count. The city remains well connected with Karachi and Hyderabad through modern transport networks.
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Common questions
Who founded the city of Umerkot and what dynasty did they belong to?
The city of Umerkot was founded by a local ruler named Umer Soomro who belonged to the Soomra dynasty. Local tradition states that this branch of the Soomra established the settlement before losing it to the Sodhas in 1226.
When was Humayun's son Akbar born in Umerkot and who recorded his birth?
The future Mughal Emperor Akbar was born in Umerkot on the 2nd of May 1542 while seeking refuge with Rana Parshad. Gulbadan Begum recorded these events in her text known as Humayun nama.
Which language is spoken by residents of Umerkot today and how does it relate to other dialects?
Residents of Umerkot speak Dhatki which falls under the Rajasthani languages of the Indo-Aryan family. Dhatki remains closely related to the Marwari dialect.
What happened to Rana Ratan Singh at the fort of Umerkot in 1847?
Rana Ratan Singh was hanged at the fort of Umerkot in 1847 for killing Syed Mohammad Ali during a tax protest. Syed Mohammad Ali served as governor appointed by the British administration.
How many Hindus lived in Umerkot according to the census count from 1901?
Historical records show that Hinduism accounted for 3,884 people or roughly 79 percent of the population in 1901. Islam made up 993 individuals during that same census count.