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Sukkur

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Sukkur is a major city located in the Sindh province of Pakistan. It sits on the western bank of the Indus River. The city is positioned directly across the water from the historic city of Rohri. Sukkur is the third largest city in Sindh, following Karachi and Hyderabad. It also ranks as the 17th largest city in Pakistan by population. The name Sukkur comes from the Sindhi word "sakhar," which means "superior."

Sukkur Pakistan Haddid - panoramio
Sukkur Pakistan Haddid - panoramio

The geography of the area is defined by unique land formations. The city was founded on a low limestone ridge. This outcropping is part of the Rohri Hills and the Jacobabad-Khairpur High. These hills, along with the hills on Bukkur Island, create the "Sukkur Gorge." Historically, this gorge has served as the northern boundary of the Sindh region. This limestone outcropping is the most significant land deformation in the vast plains of the Indus Valley.

Landsdown Bridge, Sukkur, Sindh
Landsdown Bridge, Sukkur, Sindh

Human history in this region spans many millennia. Ruins at Lakhan-jo-daro show that the Indus Valley Civilization lived here. These ruins date from the Mature Harappan period between 2600 BCE and 1900 BCE. This site covers more than 300 hectares of area. It is considered the second largest city of that ancient civilization. The modern city grew from a small village during the 1840s. A British military garrison was established there in 1839.

Mir Masum's Minar and tomb 3
Mir Masum's Minar and tomb 3

Water management is central to the region's survival and economy. The Sukkur Barrage, completed in 1932, is a massive engineering project. It was designed by Sir Arnold Musto KCIE and directed by Sir Charlton Harrison. This structure is made of yellow stone and steel. It controls one of the largest irrigation systems in the world. The barrage uses seven large canals to water nearly 10 million acres of farmland. This system supports the growth of crops like rice, cotton, wheat, and melons.

Sukkur Barrage in daylight
Sukkur Barrage in daylight

Transportation has evolved significantly to connect the city to the rest of Pakistan. In 1889, the Lansdowne Bridge was completed to cross the Indus. It used a cutting-edge design with two large metal pylons. This bridge made travel between Karachi and Multan much easier. Later, the Ayub Bridge was built in 1962 to span the river alongside it. Today, the city is connected by the M-5 motorway to Multan. It is also linked to Karachi via the M-6 and M-9 motorways.

Landsdown Bridge, Sukkur, Sindh
Landsdown Bridge, Sukkur, Sindh

The climate in Sukkur is classified as a hot desert climate. Summers are extremely hot, hazy, and dry. In the past, Sukkur was described as the hottest city in British India. The monsoon season brings higher humidity and dew points. However, the monsoons in this area are not very wet. Rainfall is most common during the monsoon months. In 2022, the city recorded its highest annual rainfall of 335 mm. In contrast, the lowest rainfall was 0 mm in 1941.

Sukkur Barrage in daylight
Sukkur Barrage in daylight

Sukkur is a diverse center for religion, education, and industry. The 2023 census shows a population of 563,851 people. About 96% of the population is Muslim. The remaining 4% includes various minorities, primarily Hindus. The city is a hub for agriculture and industrial processing. The Sindh Industrial Trading Estate was established in 1950 and covers 1,060 acres. It hosts over 100 units, including food and beverage companies. Education is also a major feature, with institutions like Sukkur IBA University.

Sukkur IBA University - academic block I (2)
Sukkur IBA University - academic block I (2)

Many cultural and religious landmarks define the city's character. The Shrine of Mir Masum Shah features a tall minaret built in 1607. The city is also home to the Hindu Sadh Belo shrine. These sites reflect the long history of different faiths in the region. The local economy relies on the fertile land and the river. Sukkur is famous worldwide for its production of dates.

Temple Sadh Belo
Temple Sadh Belo
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🖼️ Images & Media (15)
File:Temple Sadh Belo.jpg
Temple Sadh Belo.jpg
File:Mir Masum's Minar and tomb 3.jpg
Mir Masum's Minar and tomb 3.jpg
File:Landsdown Bridge, Sukkur, Sindh.jpg
Landsdown Bridge, Sukkur, Sindh.jpg
File:Sukkur Barrage in daylight.jpg
Sukkur Barrage in daylight.jpg
File:Sukkur Pakistan Haddid - panoramio.jpg
Sukkur Pakistan Haddid - panoramio.jpg
File:Star and Crescent.svg
Star and Crescent.svg
File:Om.svg
Om.svg
File:Christian cross.svg
Christian cross.svg
File:Faravahar.svg
Faravahar.svg
File:Star_of_David.svg
Star_of_David.svg
File:Jain_Prateek_Chihna.svg
Jain_Prateek_Chihna.svg
File:Dharma_Wheel_(2).svg
Dharma_Wheel_(2).svg

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