LARKANA: Research papers on different topics related to the history of Larkana were presented here at the Seventh Larkano History Conference convened by Larkano District Historical Society held at Arts Council of Pakistan the other day.

Delivering his presidential address, Mohammad Yusuf Shaikh said: “Every passing moment becomes part of history; we should preserve it in writing. One cannot ignore the history and deny its importance because it is the source of inspiration for nations. History has a long age and we should learn lessons from it.”

The book Larkano Raj Jo Rano (Larkana ruler of nation) compiled by Riazat Buriro was also launched on the occasion.

Dr Bashir Ahmed Shaad in his paper on the “Role of Larkano in development of folk literature” extolled the services of seasoned academicians, writers and historians belonging to Larkana like Dr Abdul Karim Sandilo, Dr Abdul Majeed Sindhi and Dr Dur Mohammad Pathan.

He said that those who contributed tremendously to the folk literature through their poetry were Mohammad Malook Abbasi, Moh­am­mad Luqman Abbasi, Chhato Sangi Dadan Abbasi, Mohammad Bakhsh Ghanghro, Mazharuddin Mahar and Ghulam Sarwer Soomro.

Ms Sindhu Pirzado in her paper on “Poetess of District Larkano” said that Larkana had given birth to many poetesses who expressed their feelings and added to the richness of Sindhi language.

Dr Ameer Abro in his research paper on “Great flood of 2010, human vulnerability and role of Larkana” said that in 2010, the flood had devastated the sizeable portion of Sindh. He appreciated the role of revenue department, army and civil society organisations of Larkana in helping the flood affected people.

Researcher and writer Barkat Jeho in his paper on “Water courses in Chandka region before the excavation of barrage here” said that the history was witness of the riches of Chandka region since the Soomra dynasty rule in Sindh. He presented very useful information about different water courses named as Ghar wah, Mir Abri wah, Shah kor, kor Hashim Ford wah etc.

Iqrar Pirzado in his research paper on “Gajee dero and Gajee Bhagat” said that in Gajee Dero village, there were graves of those seven women who had been slaughtered by their own men relatives from the fear that they might be dishonored by foreign attackers on their land a few hundred years ago.

Historian Hafiz Abdul Sattar Korejo in his paper on “Jhukar jo daro or fort of Seesam” said that in history books, Jhukar jo Daro was called fort of Seesam also.

Mumtaz Lohar in his paper on “Novelist of District Larkana” said that since the partition of Indian subcontinent till now 50 novels had been written in Sindhi by the writers belonging to the Larkana district. He said that Larkana was very fertile land as well as the creative activities were concerned.

Dr Saghar Abro, founder of the International Sufi Foundation, said that Sindh was birth place of Sufism. Larkano was the home of many schools of thought of the Sufis, he said.

Dr Badar Dhamrah in his paper on “Meaning of word Larkano” said it was the combination of two words of Sindhi “Nar” and “ Khano”, which meant “the place where there were abundance of watercourses or rivers”.

Dr Fayaz Latif said Gerelo was a small town of Larkana district which was about eight centuries old. In the history of Sindh two wars between different ancient tribes had been fought here.

Prof Mukhtiar Samo, secretary of Larkano District Historical Society, said society was striving for the preservation of history of Larkano.

It was formed in 1985 and up to this day it had convened seven annual history conferences, a numbers of seminars and published six books on the history of Larkana.

The speakers were presented shields.

Published in Dawn, January 2nd, 2018