Location
A glance on the map of Sindh reveals that Larkana, from
location point of view enjoys a strategic position. After
Karachi, it is largest city on the west bank of river
Indus in Sindh. It lies on 27o 33'
40.4" North latitude and 68o 12'
30.8" East longitude at an elevation of about
167 ft from the sea level. The city is located in upper
Sindh at a distance of about 85 km south west of sukkur.
Important towns in the vicinity of Larkana include Dokri,
Naudero, Ratodero, Qambar, Bakrani, Shahdadkot, Badah and
Miro Khan.
Larkana before partition
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'Hujaee nano ta ghum Larkano' if you have the
money, then visit Larkana. That's one of the most
popular idioms by which Larkana has been described
right from its existence. Known to be a poetic city
with a romantic aura in the air, Larkana projected a
loving feeling despite the fact that it lacked the
beauty or precision seen in Shikarpur or Karachi.
Larkana has been famous for the Guawa fruit
production. But above and all these descriptions,
Larkana derives its historical importance from the
fact that it is the actual cradle in Sindh to the
mother of all civilisations, namely 'Moen-jo-Daro'
or the mound of the Dead, which is located in the
vicinity of Larkana.
Larkana was founded about 300y ago by a a tribe of
Sindh called "Laraks" on the banks of the
Ghaad Waah, which was dug at the behest of the kalhora
rulers, it had fruit and flower garden along it and in
time settlers lile the sailors from 'Laar' came and
settled down here which got the place christened
Larkana. |
This place actually progressed under the British rule
in the early 20thcentury and went to be the
headquarter of the province in 1901 AD with its main towns
being Nao Deroo Qamber and Rato Dero. Larkana got status
of Muncipal Committeee in 1855 AD. With the completion of
the Sukkur Barrage in 1931 towards the west of Larkano was
the Dadu Canal and in the east the Rice Canal which went
on to become a place for cultural gatherings in the
initial days but with the onset of the Rice Canal the
Ghaad Waah started drying up and the place lost its charm.
This place has been often referred to as the 'Eden of Sind'
or 'Shiraz of Sind' or even Bang-e-Anam' which led to it
being known as the Garden City. This probably came about
on the basis of the numerous garden that were there in the
city, the most famous being the 'Tajar Baugh' and 'Gyan
Baugh' apart from 'Tolani Baugh', 'Riyali Baugh',
Baaey-jo-Baugh', Thanwar Baugh',' Karamam Baugh', 'Lahori
Baugh', 'Dharami Baugh', 'Lekhraj Baugh'. Amongst these
gardens the mangoes from Tolani Baugh and the beir from
Dharami Baugh were famous throughout the world and much in
demand. Two public parks also adorned the city namely
'Bolus Park' which was used for political and social
gatherings and 'Mazdoor Park' which was a open air study
place for the budding students.
Modern Larkana
Role of the City
Larkana is the most important city in the North West Sindh.
Being home town of many political personalities, it
excercises a countrywide influence. Larkana got status of
Divisonal Headquarter in 1988 comprising three districts i.
e. Larkana, Jacobabad, Shikarpure.
Climate of Larkana
The city of Larkana falls within a plains of Indus Valley
stretching from north to south. The average mean maximum
and minimum temperatures during summer are 48 oC
and 33 oC respectively. During winter the
average mean maximum and minimum temperatures are 21
oC and 11 oC respectively.The average
annnual precipitation is about 115 mm and humidity between
40% to 60%.
Physical Features
Larkana city is divided into three parts having tow
physical barriers i.e. Railway line and Rice Canal. The
old town is located towards east of railway line which is
densly populated and has already developed as a commercial
and retail center. This part comprises Qafila Sirai, Ali
Goharabad, Galib Nagar, Surahia Padhar, Kadri Muhalla,
Ghareeb Mukaam, Leelaabad, Karma Bagh, Daree Muhalla,
Gajanpur, Murad Wahan, Allahabad, Zulifiquar Bagh, Jinnah
Bagh.
The second part of the city is between railway line and
Rice canal towards the west of the old town. Main
buildings and muhalla's in this part are Circuit House,
Sir Shahnawaz Library, Chandka Medical College, Chandka
Medical Hospital, SP office, DC office, High Court, Pilot
Scondary School, STN TV station, Boys Degree College,
Lahorri Muhalla, Peoples Colony, Doctors Colony.
Third part is located between Rice canal and on both sides
of Ghar Wah, North West of the town. Newly developed
Muncipal housing Colony, Shaikh Zaid Woman's Hospital,
Comminsionerate building, District Jail, Childrens'
Hospital, Dirctor Education, Larkan FM Radio station,
Shaikh Zaid Colony, Police training center etc.
Educational Institutions
Educational Institutions in Larkana are Chandka Medical
College, Z. A. Bhutto Agricultural College, Cadet College,
Government Degree Colleges For boys and Girls, Arts &
Commerce College, Oriental College, Law College. The
literacy rate in Larkana district is about 35%.
Main tribes and castes residing in the district
Chandio, Memon, Gad, Kalhoro, Abbasi, Channa, Samo, Magsi,
Siyal, Abro, Brohi, Jatoi, Sandilo, Kalhoro,
Shaikh, Soomro,
Unnar, Mirbahar, Bughio, Mashori, Machi, Jiskani, Junijo,
Khuhawar, Khuhro, Sahita,Pirzada, Jamali, Harijan, Hindu,
Bagri, etc.
Statistics of Larkana city
Area of City:
10 sqmiles (approx)
Population of city:
1901 0.015 millions
1941 0.028 millions
1981 0.124 millions
1998 0.519 millions |
urt |
According to census 1998, population of other towns of the
district
Shahdadkot 0.0672
millions
Kambar 0.0673 millions
Rato Dero 0.0456 millions
Badah 0.0375 millions
Nauo Dero 0.0316 millions
Nasirabad 0.0271 millions
Warah 0.0183 millions
Dokri 0.0182 millions
Miro Khan 0.0102 millions
Geralo 0.0067 millions |
rkana |
There are 19804 villages in the district. The total
population of these villages is 1.47 millions.
Roads and
Streets:
Roads/streets (width more than 25 ft) = 66 miles
Roads/streets (width less than 25 ft) = 275 miles
Cinema Houses
Empire, Nigar and Chelopetra (closing one by
one)
Public Parks
Jinnah Bagh, Zulfiquar Bagh, Shahnawaz Childrens Park,
New Railway Park 1 & 2, Nawa Tak Park, Kamal Atta Turk
Park and Tank Chowk Park |
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Other statistical data
- No. of Schools & Colleges in the district
Primary
Schools 2687
Seconday Schools 135
Colleges, Institutes 81
- Health
Hospitals 13
Basic health units 59
Dispensaries 12
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increasing the number of health and school
institutions. |
