Shahdadkot
Coordinates: 27°51′0″N 67°54′0″E / 27.85000°N 67.90000°E Shahdadkot (Urdu: شهداد كوٹ, شهداد ڪوٽ) is the most populated town of Qambar Shahdadkot District of Sindh, Pakistan. Most of the land around Shahdadkot belonged to Khuhawar's, Hindus, Seelra community. Khuhawar tribe is known for its generous contributions for the city, having the highest land holding by any tribe, donated city plots for development and prosperity of the city, such as for library, graveyard, public schools, SGS gas office, stadium etc to the government. Shahdakot is named after Shahdad Khan who is believed to be Khuhawar. Its full name Shahdadkot came from the strong historical relations between the two communities i-e Khuhawars, and Silra's, and to highlight contribution of Silra community for the city. Shahdadkot has a population of around 400,000 people. It is located around 44 kilometres northwest of Larkana and 32 kilometers north of Kambar. It is on the border of Sindh province with Balochistan province in the west and north.
The current MPA of this town is Nadir Magsi elected in 2008 General Elections and consecutively in 2013. Sultan Ahmed Khuhawar was the MPA elected in 2002 General Elections under Musharraf when most of the PPP candidates were in exile.
The Magsi tribe is originally from Jhal Magsi district across the border in Balouchistan but later influx have dramatically added to their numbers in thousands.
Disinterest in local politics and a-political attitude of the Khuhawar, Sheikhs and Hindu tribes paved the way for Balouch dominance and the rise of Punjabi Kambohs in local politics.
In ancient days Khuhawar tribe was known for its excellent diplomatic resolution of conflicts between two much larger tribes it was sandwiched between i.e Chandios and Magsis. Both tribes have fought numerous tribal wars for a hundred years and the Khuhawar tribe always calmed both sides so the economic and social fabric of the area was not torn apart because of these wars.
Mian Data Khuhawar is believed to be a Sufi Saint and the Commander-in-chief of Kalhoras Army roughly during the time when Napoleon was in power in France. His tomb is in the outskirts of Sehwan Sharif.
Shadadkot is also very important strategically because of its proximity to Afghanistan (Kandahar). During the British-Afghan war the Khuhawar and Hindu tribes helped the British transport its goods to Afghanistan for which they were favourably compensated.
The town is one of the constituencies of the former prime minister of Pakistan, Muhtarma Benazir Bhutto, and the former minister of Balochistan, Dr. Tara Chand.
Some outer parts of Shahdadkot, mostly agricultural farms, were affected by the 2009 floods however the town was saved with the joint efforts of local inhabitants and Pakistan Army.
Shahdadkot is one of the hottest places in Pakistan. In summer, temperatures can reach 52 °C (126 °F). The humid and hot weather is essential for the cultivation of peddy, making Shahdadkot the second largest market of peddy and rice in Sindh province.
The official name of Shahdadkot is Silra Shahdadkot however it is mostly known by its shortened name.