Mirpur Khas
Mirpur Khas, literary the "land of most royal Mirs", is an ancient and historical city of Sindh. It used to serve as gateway to the Great Thar Desert and is today counted amongst the largest cities of Sindh. Unfortunately, it doesn't offer much to see for its visitors, except for the ancestral graves of Talpur Mirs on the outskirts of the city.
Understand
editThe early history of Mirpur Khas dates back to the 4th-century CE Buddhist settlement known as Kao Jo Daro. Much later, armies of Muhammad Bin Qasim settled in the area when Sindh was conquered by Muhammad Bin Qasim, and shortly following that, the city of Mirpur Khas was founded by Mir Ali Murad Talpur in 1806. The city remained the capital of Talpur Mirs of Mirpurkhas until 1843 when Sindh was annexed to British India under the East India Company. Later Sindh was made part of Bombay Presidency. Soon after the 1947 partition, the population of Mirpur Khas swelled as it became the first city to welcome refugees from across the Indian side of the new border to Pakistan and acted as a primary railway junction for the first trains to roll across Rajasthan to Sindh.
Get in
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Mirpur Khas lies 80 km east of Hyderabad can be reached both by trains and by car or bus. Buses from all major cities of Sindh can be easily available for Mirpur Khas. A ticket on air-condition bus and van from Karachi cost about Rs 300 and journey may take around 3 hours.
Non-air-conditioned trains Saman Sarkar Express travel between Mirpur Khas and Hyderabad while Marvi Passenger between Mirpur Khas and border town of Khokhropar. The train passes through famous Thar Desert.
- 1 Mirpur Khas railway station.
Get around
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One can go to different parts of the city by self-driven cars, private taxis as well rickshaws both shared motorcycle type rickshaws as well typical rickshaws. Within Mirpur Khas, rickshaws of both types provide cheap and quick transportation for going from one place to another or for city tour and are perfectly fine. Taxis are generally private cars and operated by taxi companies and can be easily hailed only from the taxi stands as distinguishing between a taxi and a private car may be difficult. You can ask at a hotels to arrange a taxi as well. These taxis are usually air-conditioned, modern and clean fleet which makes them the most comfortable, luxurious way to navigate around the city of Mirpur Khas especially in the blistering hot weather of Summer.
A rickshaw can be hired for Rs 1,000 to visit the Chittori, and archaeological site, both on the outskirts of the city.
See
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- 1 Chitorri graveyard (20 km northeast of the city). This is historical ancestral graveyard of the Talpur Mirs, the former rulers of Mirpurkhas. Impressive tombs decorated with beautifully carved calligraphy dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries have very interesting and wonderful sandstone architecture and monuments.
- Kahu Jo Darro. The oldest historical site in Mirpurkhas is of course the Buddhist archeological site, Kahu Jo Darro. A Buddhist stupa was excavated from this site. However, due to negligence by the government authorities, nothing interesting is left on the site for general tourists. Archeologists and scientific investigators, however, can still find interesting remains for their research.
- Mirpur Khas Museum. Antiques and armoury belonging to the Talpur rulers are on display in the museum. The museum also serves as a library.
- Shiva Mandir. There are a few old Hindu temples in Mirpur Khas. Shiva Mandir is the oldest.
Buy
editMirpur Khas is known for its mango production and farming of different varieties, with the most famous being the "Sindhri" — literally the mango from Sindh.
Mirpur Khas has a few shopping areas and bazaars, the most popular, traditional and oldest of which is Shahi Bazaar.
Eat
editThere are many simple restaurants scattered throughout the city, all serving Pakistani food. There are also some restaurants worth going to on Station Rd and Hyderabad Rd, most of them serve barbecue at night.
- Sufyania Food Centre. Considered to be among best dining place in town, it has an air-conditioned dining area with Pakistani, Continental and Chinese dishes on the menu along with some barbecue and fast food.
- Aftab Restaurant, Station Rd. Famous in town for its Karahi dishes, it has both chicken and mutton Karahi. The cost for one person is only Rs 180 for a chicken plate and Rs 280 for mutton, and the portions are more than enough for a person to eat.
- Cafe Shiraaz, Hyderabad Road. 08:00-00:00. Quality food; also locally famous for tasty tea and patties.
- Mehboob Restaurant. Famous in town for its Karahi dishes, both chicken and mutton Karahi.
Sleep
edit- Bisma Hotel, M.A. Jinnah Rd, ☏ +92 233 874820, +92 314 2600751, +92 333 2956721. A centralised hotel with total 17 air-conditioned rooms, all with attached baths, free Wi-Fi, cable TV, fridge and other basic amenities. A restaurant is located inside the hotel. Overall, Cleanest, most comfortable guest house in town and the only female-friendly hotel in the city, guarded by security guards. Rs 3,000 double.
- Hotel Marhaba, M.A. Jinnah Rd, (near State Life Bldg), ☏ +92 233 873588, +92 333 2983353, +92 333 2981217, +92 313 9288832. Has both single and double, air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned rooms, all with cable TV, attached bath, free Wi-fi. Rs 1,000 (single), Rs 1,500 double, and Rs 1,500 (single air-conditioned) and Rs 2,000 (double air-conditioned).
- Hotel Mehran, New Town, ☏ +92 233 874941, +92 233 873741, +92 342 9828531, +92 336 9326825, +92 314 7726551. Total 9 rooms, all air-conditioned, with cable TV, free Wi-Fi, attached bath, generator, and other basic amenities. Rs 1,000 (single), Rs 1,800 (single air-conditioned) and Rs 1,200 (double) and Rs 2,500 (double air-conditioned).
- Al-Pine Guest House, Hyderabad Rd (opposite Tharparkar Motors, near Allied Bank), ☏ +92 336 3763148, +92 334 1992991, +92 312 3174036. No Wi-Fi, only 6 air-conditioned rooms with cable LCD TV and attached baths. Rs 2,000 (single) and Rs 3,000 (double).