Shikarpoor Historic City Center
Shikarpoor: A Historic Crossroads of Trade and Culture
Shikarpoor, once a young city, emerged as a pivotal hub in a vast financial network spanning the Indian subcontinent, Central Asia, and beyond. Under Durrani Afghan rule in the mid-18th century, the city became a melting pot for merchants of diverse backgrounds—Sikh, Hindu, and Muslim—later joined by traders from Multan fleeing repeated raids. Over nearly two centuries, Shikarpoor’s merchants organized and financed caravan trade between Afghanistan and northern India. The city’s true strength, however, lay in its financial prowess. Shikarpuri bills of exchange could be cashed as far afield as Mumbai, Bukhara, or even Russia.
This wealth was reflected in Shikarpoor’s grand architectural heritage: brick and mud-plaster houses with central courtyards, adorned with intricate wood carvings and wrought-iron features. The city’s bazaar was once considered the largest in the region, while its importance continued into the early 20th century as a trade hub for British and Indian textiles in Central Asia. However, the construction of railways in the late 19th century and the mass exodus of the Hindu community after the 1947 partition led to a gradual decline.
World Monuments Watch Interventions
Shikarpoor was included on the World Monuments Watch in 2008, 2010, and 2014 to highlight the cultural significance of the city and its precarious state. Many historic buildings faced demolition or neglect, compounded by limited resources for preservation. Advocacy efforts, however, yielded significant achievements. Between 2007 and 2011, the Heritage Cell of the Department of Architecture and Planning at N.E.D. University conducted a comprehensive survey and documentation project. This work culminated in the Government of Sindh declaring the documented buildings protected under the Sindh Cultural Heritage Act of 1994. The inventory was published in 2013, supported by the Endowment Fund Trust for Preservation of the Heritage of Sindh.
Reviving Community Pride
Through the 2014 Watch, local advocates organized a Watch Day in November, bringing together historians, activists, and residents to discuss Shikarpoor’s history and its vanishing built heritage. This event fostered a renewed sense of pride and hope among participants. In 2016, with further support from WMF and the Endowment Fund Trust, the Heritage Cell initiated community engagement activities.
Owners of four historic residences collaborated with architecture students to document their properties, offering insights into the challenges of preservation. In February 2016, the workshop results were presented to the public, alongside visual records of previously demolished buildings. A public forum and technical seminar focused on heritage management and property owner concerns, while a new heritage center and conservation fund were announced. Community-led activities included a walking tour of Shikarpoor’s historic center, cultural performances by schoolchildren, and a concert by a renowned Sindhi singer. Heritage plaques were installed on 27 historic buildings to enhance visibility and local awareness of the city’s cultural assets.
