Umerkot
| Umerkot Sindhi: امرڪوٽ(Amarkot) | |
|---|---|
| city | |
|
Birthplace of Akbar | |
  Umerkot Location of Umerkot within Sindh Province | |
| Coordinates: PK 25°21′41″N 69°44′37″E / 25.3614°N 69.7436°ECoordinates: PK 25°21′41″N 69°44′37″E / 25.3614°N 69.7436°E | |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Province | Sindh |
| Metropolitan Corporation | Pre-islamic Hindu-era |
| Time zone | PKT (UTC+05:00) |
Umerkot (Urdu: عُمركوٹ, Sindhi: عمرڪوٽ), formerly known as Amarkot, is a town in Umerkot District in the Sindh province of Pakistan. The city is well connected with the other large cities like Karachi, the provincial capital and Hyderabad.[1]
History
The name of the city is said to be after the name of a local ruler, Umer, who is part of the legend of Umar Marvi. The story also appears in Shah Jo Risalo and is one of the popular tragic romances from Sindh.
The province was ruled by Sodha clan of Hindu Rajputs. The city held prominence during the Mughal Empire and the British Raj. Mughal Emperor Akbar was born in Umerkot 14 October 1542 when his father Humayun fled from the military defeat at the hands of Sher Shah Suri.[2] Rana Prasad, the Sodha Rajput ruler of Umerkot, gave him refuge.[3] Later on, Akbar brought northwestern India, including modern day Pakistan under Mughal rule.
Amarkot princely state
Before 1947, the present day Umerkot was a princely state named Amarkot, ruled by Sodha clan of Hindu Rajputs. During partition, the then Raja of Amarkot, Rana Arjun Singh opted for Pakistan despite a Hindu majority in the region. His love for Sindh made Rana choose Pakistan.[4] He did not join Congress even though Nehru had personally approached him.[5]
Points of interest
Umerkot has many sites of historical significance such as Akbar's birthplace at Umarkot Fort.
Rana Chandra Singh Sodha (1931–2009) was the Rana of the former Umerkot jagir after 1947, and remained a member of National Assembly of Pakistan and a federal minister.[6]
There is an ancient temple, Shiv Mandir, Umerkot.
Folklore
The story of Umar Marvi is that Marvi was a young Thari girl abducted by then-ruler, Umar, who wanted to marry her because of her beauty. Upon her refusal she was imprisoned in the historic Umerkot Fort for several years. Because of her courage, Marvi is regarded as a symbol of love for one's soil and homeland.
Education
The city has more than 100 schools, 20 colleges and one polytechnic college.
See also
Gallery
Umarkot Fort
Umarkot Museum
References
- ↑ http://www.umerkot.gos.pk/
- ↑ Part 10:..the birth of Akbar Humayun nama by Gulbadan Begum.
- ↑ Part 10:..the birth of Akbar Humayun-nama by Gulbadan Begum.
- ↑ Footprints Once upon a Time in Umerkot- The Dawn (January 16 2015)
- ↑ Footprints Once upon a Time in Umerkot- The Dawn (January 16 2015)
- ↑ Guriro, Amar (2 August 2009). "Chieftain of Pakistani Hindu Thakurs dies". Daily Times. Retrieved 2 August 2009.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Umerkot. |
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Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Umerkot. |