History of Sehwan Sharif

Situated on the right bank of River Indus at a distance of 135 km from Hyderabad, Sehwan is an old town of pre-Islamic period. Here are the remains of Kafir-Qila, a fort reported to have been constructed by Alexander the Great. Sehwan is famous for the resting place of the great mystic poet, saint and scholar Shaikh Usman Marvandvi (1117–1274), popularly known as Shahbaz Qalandar whose mausoleum is visited by thousands of the devotees throughout the year. During the Urs celebrations (18th Shahban – the eighth Islamic lunar month), devotees dance rhythmically and with total abandon to the beat of drums (Naqqara Dhamal), finally ending in a spiritual trance.

Sehwan (Urdu: سیہون) (aka: Sehwan Sharif) is a city located in Jamshoro District in theSindh province of Pakistan. Sehwan town is of great antiquity and stands on the west bank of the Indus, 80 miles (130 km) north-west of Hyderabad (which is on the east bank). It is possible that the name Sehwan originates from “Siwistan” or “Seevistan”, the kingdom ofRaja Dahir which even extended to Punjab under the name “Shivi”.[1] It was significant enough during the 8th century to be conquered by Muhammad bin Qasim in 711 CE, and two centuries later by Mahmud of Ghazni. An abortive attempt was made by the Mughal emperorHumayun to capture it on his way to Umarkot but it finally fell to his son Akbar.

Apart from the ruins scattered about its environs, the city is known for its Sufi patron saintHazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar who lived here in 13th century CE. The famous mausoleum of Hazrat Shahbaz Qalandar attracts hundreds of thousands of faithful every year.

Another famous place is the inverted city beside the Dargah of Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalander, which may be the Debal Bandar of Raja Dahir.[clarification needed] Manchar Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Pakistan, is a short distance from Sehwan Sharif.  click More Info