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Sukkur,
the 14th largest city of Pakistan and 3rd largest city of Sindh
Province, may not strike you as a place worth visiting when you first
hear of it. It is a city we often pass by when going to other areas like
Lahore. This is a place we choose to stop by for the night and for
refreshments, and usually not for sightseeing. If this is true, you have
no idea what you are missing. Going over these pictures, you will
definitely want to visit Sukkur now and get amazed by these beautiful
sights and experiences.
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The magnificent Sukkur barrage - Sukkur Barrage is nothing short of an
engineering marvel. The 5000 ft. barrage was completed in 1932 and
irrigates more than 10 million acres of lands with seven canals that
crop out of it.
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And this view of the barrage at night -
Who wouldn’t want to witness this beauty.
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This awesome aerial view of the three canals emanating out of the Sukkur
Barrage - The three canals – Dadu Canal, Rice Canal and Kirthar Canal –
are coming out of the Sukkur Barrage to irrigate a large area of land in
Sindh.
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The stunning Lansdowne Bridge you will definitely love to cross - Yes,
this is Sukkar! Lansdowne Bridge was constructed in 1889 by Lord
Landsowne, the then Viceroy of India. Legend holds that British
engineers weren’t very sure of the stability of this bridge so the first
train that crossed it was full of prisoners who were waiting for their
capital the punishment. The train crossed the bridge successfully and
the prisoners were let free from their punishment.
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The awe-inspiring Masoom Shah Jo Minaro - No, this is not Istanbul, this
is Sukkur! Located in the center of the city, the shrine overlooks the
entire city. The Minaret was commissioned by Masoom Shah who was the
governor of Sindh appointed by Mughal Emperor Akbar. However, Masoom
Shah died before it was completed and was buried in its shadow.
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The historical remains of the Mosque of Mohammad Bin Qasim - This mosque
was built by the first Muslim man to set foot in the region, Mohammad
Bin Qasim, in 711 AD. Its historical remains will take you back in time
and will leave you entranced.
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The lovely and enchanting Tomb of Seven Sisters - Known as Sateen jo
Astaan in the local language, this tomb, located on the left bank of the
River Indus on a small hill, is known to be the refuge of seven
unmarried female friends who were held captive by a Raja who wanted to
abduct them. But they prayed to Lord and before anything could happen to
them, the earth engulfed them. Before you ask why didn’t the Earth
engulf the Raja, let me tell you that this story is just folklore and is
not plausible at all. But the tomb ACTUALLY houses seven beautifully
engraved graves, which are only permitted for females to visit. This
place is very popular with females as they think visiting this place and
praying here can cure their sufferings.
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Another view of the Sateen jo Astaan - The top of the mound leads to a
graveyard where the then governor of Bakhar, Mir Abul Qasim is buried.
The graves are made of yellow stone with beautiful carvings that will
leave you in awe.
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The
beautiful Lab-e-Mehran where you will love to spend your day relaxing…
Lab-e-Mehran is a popular getaway for the local citizens. On a weekend,
you will see families gathering over food stalls or enjoying boat rides
across the river. The walkway lets you walk on the bank of the River
Indus. Just sit under a tree and enjoy the beautiful sights of the sun
setting over the gigantic river. |