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 Khuhawari. 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.
Majority of the central part of the town is inhabited by Sindhi Shaikh, Muhajirs and Sindhi Hindus. Other Sindhi clans include Isran, Mangi, Junejo, Buriro, Abro, Soomro, Langah, seelro, Wadho, Bhatti, Khokhar, Channo and Memon. Shahdadkot is also inhabited by a number of Baloch clans who migrated to Shahdadkot from Balochistan province in the past. Baloch clans include Mastoi, Jarwar, Brohi,Baloch, Kalyar, Bojani, Jagirani, Chandio, Khushk, Khoso, Mugheri, Jamali and Buledi. Shahdadkot has been inclusive of new communities that enabled the city to thrive, emerging as rice trading capital of both Sind and Balochistan. Besides Sindhi and Baloch communities, the Kamboh (Pubnjabi settlers) community is very active in trade and local politics. It is estimated that there are over 120 rice husking mills in Shahdadkot. The city is also strategically important because of its transit route between Iran, Sindh and Balochistan.
The main languages spoken in Shahdadkot are Sindhi, Seraiki, Balochi, Urdu and Brohi.
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.