The famous Battle of Miani eventually led to the capture of parts of Sindh region, which was the first territorial possession by British East India Company in what is now Pakistan
As history goes, Khairpur remained in control of the Mirs until 1843 and the famous Battle of Miani (or ‘Battle of Meeanee’) that took place on 17th February, 1843. This battle took place between the British East India company forces under Charles Napier and the Talpur Mirs of Sindh led by Mir Nasir Khan Talpur. This conflict eventually led to the capture of parts of the Sindh region, which was the first territorial possession by British East India Company in what is now the modern-day country of Pakistan.
Over the years, the Talpurs have privately owned access to a game reserve or “Shikargah”, called Mehrano, near Kot Diji, and turned it into a wildlife refuge. Mir Sohrab Khan Talpur built the Mehrano in 1790, and there are a very few people in Pakistan who know about this place and have experienced it
Coming back to the present, Khairpur all the way from Sheesh Mahal, Faiz Mahal and Fort Diji to Mehrano, is mesmerising and naturally beautiful. It is one of the largest districts in Sindh and is immensely diverse in topography and nature. Kot Diji is constructed on a limestone hill with kiln-baked bricks, which gives it a fabulous look. Apparently, the bricks were used as they were locally accessible and because limestone rocks were believed to be very brittle, making it easy to be shattered upon impact with a cannon ball. The hill is about 110 feet high, above which the walls of the fort rise another 30 feet. Hereby, I would like to request the government to preserve this ancient historic culture and archaeological background of centuries of Sindh. The Fort needs immediate restoration and repair of some damaged parts as it serves as an exceptional tourist’s point of interest in Sindh.
After 10 years, Mir Sher Muhammad returned to Sindh and surrendered to the British. As a result, the East India Company gave him amnesty. This was the turning point in the history of Khairpur
To approach Mehrano, one is to pass through the agricultural lands owned by the Mirs. Several jeep routes take you into the heart of the wildlife forest, where there is a small, multi-storied hunting lodge. A narrow staircase takes one up to the roof, from where you can get a bird’s-eye view of the thick acacia forest canopy and the desert beyond. If any of my readers ever plan to visit Khairpur, make sure to visit these places and enjoy your time. And for those who are residents of Sindh, you must explore Kot Diji and Mehrano, at least once.
The writer is a social and political activist. He can be reached at email@example.com, and tweets at Salmani_salu
Published in Daily Times, February 6th 2018.