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My City (Hyderabad)
Hyderabad is the second largest city in the province of Sindh, and the fifth largest in Pakistan. Hyderabad is linked to all major cities of Pakistan by air, road and
railway networks and also with Indian railways via
the border towns of Khokhrapar and Munabao.
It is a city of about 20 million people who cater for agriculture, industrial, education and healthcare activities. The green agricultural fields on the outskirts of Hyderabad and the impressive network of canals and barrages are outstanding examples of irrigation works. This thriving city has changed its name several times in its long history that can be traced back to two thousand years or more.
Hyderabad was rebuilt in 1768 on the site of the ancient town of
Nirun-Kot by Ghulam Shah Kalhora, the saintly ruler of
Kalhora dynasty. The city was named
after the prophet Mohammed's son-in-law, Ali, also known as Hayder. It
remained the capital of Sindh under the Talpur rulers, who succeeded the
Kalhoras, till 1843 when, after the nearby battles of Miani and Dabo, it
surrendered to the British and the capital was transferred to Karachi.
The older part of the city, originally within defensive walls, around the rock on whose peak is situated the much-famed Hyderabad
Fort and tombs of Kalhora and Talpur rulers, houses many of the artifacts that speak of its past glory.
Incorporated as a municipality in 1853, it is an
important commercial and industrial center. Economic activities include
textile, sugar, cement, and hosiery mills, manufacture of glass, soap,
ice, paper, and plastics. There are hide tanneries and sawmills.
Ornamented silks, silver-work and gold-work, and lacquer ware are also
produced.
Newly developed settlements and industrial estates surround the congested
old city area. Characteristic of the city is badgirs (wind-catchers) fixed
to housetops to catch sea breezes during the hot season. A hospital,
municipal gardens, zoo, sports stadium, and several literary societies are
in the city. The Ghulam Mohammed (Kotri Barrage) including a lock to
facilitate river traffic, provides flood control.
Besides Karachi, the major
institutions of learning in the province of Sindh are located in
Hyderabad. The University of Sindh, Jamshoro
with 32 affiliated colleges, founded in 1947 in Karachi and moved to
Hyderabad in 1951, lies across the Indus River. In its adjacent lies the
Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro as well as Liaqat
University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro. Also there is Sindh
Agricultural University, Tandojam which is situated in the suburb of Hyderabad. Other education needs are served
by numerous government as well as private colleges/universities such as
Isra University, Hyderabad, Al-khair University (AJK), Hyderabad
Campus, Preston
University, Hyderabad Campus, Hyderabad Institute of Information Technology,
Sindh Homeopathic Medical College & Hospital (Diploma and Degree Campuses), and other
specialized vocational / polytechnic institutions.
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