View source for Sindh

{{Short description|Province of Pakistan}}
{{Redirect|Sind||Sindh (disambiguation)}}
{{Distinguish|Sind State|Sind Province (1936–1955)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Use Pakistani English|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Sindh
| native_name        = {{hlist|{{nq|سندھ}}|{{lang|sd|{{Naskh|سنڌ}}}}}}
| etymology          = ''Sind''
| type               = [[Administrative units of Pakistan|Province]]
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
| border                 = infobox
| total_width            = 280
| image_style            = border:1;
| perrow                 = 1/2/2
| image1                 = Jinnah Mausoleum.JPG
| caption1               = [[Mazar-e-Quaid]]
| image2                 = Rohri.jpg
| caption2               = [[Ayub Bridge]]
| image3                 = Karachi sky line.jpg
| caption3               = [[Skyline of Karachi]]
| image4                 = Ranikot fort 2 (asad aman).jpg
| caption4               = [[Ranikot Fort]]
| image5                 = Other side of Moenjodaro by Usman Ghani.jpg
| caption5               = [[Mohenjo-daro]]
| image6                 =
| image7                 = Shah jahan mosque -Thatta 7(asad aman).jpg
| caption7               = [[Shah Jahan Mosque, Thatta|Shah Jahan Mosque]]
}}
| image_flag         = Flag of Sindh.svg
| image_seal         = Coat of arms of Sindh Province.svg
| nicknames           = Mehran (Gateway), Bab-ul-Islam (Gateway of Islam)
| image_map          = Sindh in Pakistan (claims hatched).svg
| map_caption        = Location of Sindh in Pakistan
| coor_pinpoint      = 
| coordinates        = {{coord|26|21|N|68|51|E|region:PK|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes = 
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|Pakistan}}
| established_title  = Established
| established_date   = {{Start date and age|1972|7|1|df=y}}
| established_title1 = Before was
| established_date1  = Part of [[West Pakistan]]
| seat_type          = Capital<br />{{nobold|and largest city}}
| seat               = [[Karachi]]
| parts_type         = Administrative Divisions
| parts_style        = coll,para
| parts              = 06
| p1                 = [[Hyderabad Division]]<br />[[Karachi Division]]<br />[[Larkana Division]]<br />[[Mirpur Khas Division]]<br />[[Sukkur Division]]<br />[[Shaheed Benazirabad Division]]
| blank1_name_sec1   = Notable sports teams
| blank1_info_sec1   = [[Sindh cricket team]] <br />[[Karachi Kings]]<br />[[Karachi United]]<br />[[Hyderabad Hawks]]<br />[[Karachi Dolphins]]<br />[[Karachi Zebras]]
| blank2_name_sec1   = [[List of administrative units of Pakistan by Human Development Index|HDI]] (2021)
| blank2_info_sec1   = 0.517
{{increase}}<ref name="GlobalDataLab">{{cite web|url=https://globaldatalab.org/shdi/shdi/PAK/?levels=1%2B4&interpolation=1&extrapolation=0&nearest_real=0&colour_scales=global|title=Sub-national HDI - Subnational HDI - Global Data Lab|website=Globaldatalab.org|access-date=5 June 2022}}</ref><br />{{color|#FF0000|Low}}
| blank3_name_sec1   = [[Education in Pakistan|Literacy rate]] (2023) <ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/table_12_sindh_province.pdf | title=Sindh Achieves Highest Literacy Growth Rate Among All Provinces | date=9 June 2025 }}</ref>
| blank3_info_sec1   = {{bulleted list|'''Total:'''<br />(57.54%) |'''Male:'''<br />(64.23%) |'''Female:'''<br />(50.21%)}}
| blank_name_sec2    = [[National Assembly of Pakistan|Seats in National Assembly]]
| blank_info_sec2    = 75
| blank1_name_sec2   = [[Provincial Assembly of Sindh|Seats in Provincial Assembly]]
| blank1_info_sec2   = 168<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pas.gov.pk/index.php/members/party_pos/en/19|title=Welcome to the Website of Provincial Assembly of Sindh|website=www.pas.gov.pk|access-date=24 July 2009|archive-date=14 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141214183543/http://www.pas.gov.pk/index.php/members/party_pos/en/19|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| blank2_name_sec2   = [[Divisions of Sindh, Pakistan|Divisions]]
| blank2_info_sec2   = 6
| blank3_name_sec2   = [[Districts of Sindh|Districts]]
| blank3_info_sec2   = 30
| blank4_name_sec2   = [[Tehsils of Sindh|Tehsils]]
| blank4_info_sec2   = 138
| blank5_name_sec2   = [[Union Councils of Pakistan|Union Councils]]
| blank5_info_sec2   = 1108<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lgdsindh.com.pk/|title=LgdSindh - News Blog|website=LgdSindh|access-date=5 September 2006|archive-date=16 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616174048/http://www.lgdsindh.com.pk/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = [[Federated state|Self-governing province]] subject to the [[Government of Pakistan|federal government]]
| governing_body     = [[Government of Sindh]]
| leader_party       = 
| leader_title       = [[Governor of Sindh|Governor]]
| leader_name        = [[Kamran Tessori]]
| leader_title1      = [[Chief Minister of Sindh|Chief Minister]]
| leader_name1       = [[Murad Ali Shah]]
| leader_title2      = [[Chief Secretary Sindh|Chief Secretary]]
| leader_name2       = 
| leader_title3      = [[Legislature]]
| leader_name3       = [[Provincial Assembly of Sindh|Provincial Assembly]]
| leader_title4      = [[High Courts of Pakistan|High Court]]
| leader_name4       = [[Sindh High Court]]
| unit_pref          = Metric<!-- or US or UK -->
| area_footnotes     = 
| area_total_km2     = 140,914
| area_rank          = [[Administrative units of Pakistan|3rd]]
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m        = 173
| population_footnotes = <ref name="2023 Census">{{cite web |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/Sindh.pdf |title = Announcement of Results of 7th Population and Housing Census-2023 (Sindh province) |date= 5 August 2023 |website = Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (www.pbs.gov.pk) |access-date = 25 November 2023}}</ref>
| population_total   = 55,696,147
| population_as_of   = [[2023 Census of Pakistan|2023 census]]
| population_rank    = [[Demographics of Pakistan|2nd]]
| population_density_km2 = 395
| population_demonym = Sindhi
| population_note    = 
| timezone1          = [[Pakistan Standard Time|PKT]]
| utc_offset1        = +05:00
| postal_code_type   = 
| postal_code        = 
| area_code_type     = 
| area_code          = 
| iso_code           = [[ISO 3166-2:PK|PK-SD]]
| website            = [http://www.sindh.gov.pk sindh.gov.pk]
| footnotes          = 
| official_name      = Province of Sindh
| translit_lang1_info1 = 
| blank_name_sec1    = Official languages
| blank_info_sec1    = {{Hlist|[[Sindhi language|Sindhi]]|[[Urdu]]|[[English language|English]]{{efn|
*Sindhi is the sole official language recognised and regulated on provincial level.
*Official status of Urdu and English is recognised by the [[Constitution of Pakistan|national constitution]].}}}}
| demographics1_info1 = $86 billion ([[List of Pakistani administrative units by gross state product|2nd]]){{efn|name=g}}
| demographics_type1 = GDP (nominal)
| demographics1_title1 = [[List of Pakistani administrative units by gross state product|Total (2022)]]
| demographics1_title2 = [[List of Pakistani administrative units by gross state product|Per Capita]]
| demographics1_info2 = $1,997 ([[List of Pakistani administrative units by gross state product|3rd]])
| demographics_type2 = GDP (PPP)
| demographics2_title1 = [[List of Pakistani administrative units by gross state product|Total (2022)]]
| demographics2_info1 = $345 billion ([[List of Pakistani administrative units by gross state product|2nd]]){{efn|name=g|Sindh's contribution to national economy was 23.7%, or $345 billion (PPP) and $86 billion (nominal) in 2022.<ref name=kp>{{Cite web|url=https://kpbos.gov.pk/assets/docs/reports/NTL-PolicyBrief-Aug-1.pdf|title=
GDP OF KHYBER PUKHTUNKHWA'S DISTRICTS|website=kpbos.gov.pk}}</ref><ref name="imf.org">{{cite web | url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2022/October/weo-report?c=564,&s=NGDPD,PPPGDP,NGDPDPC,PPPPC,PCPIEPCH,&sy=2020&ey=2022&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 | title=Report for Selected Countries and Subjects }}</ref>}}
| demographics2_title2 = [[List of Pakistani administrative units by gross state product|Per Capita]]
| demographics2_info2 = $7,209 ([[List of Pakistani administrative units by gross state product|3rd]])
}}
{{Contains special characters|Sindhi}}
{{Contains special characters|Urdu}}
{{Sindhis}}

'''Sindh''' ({{IPAc-en|'|s|ɪ|n|d}} {{respell|SIND}}; {{Langx|sd|{{Naskh|سِنْڌ}}}}; {{langx|ur|{{nq|سِنْدھ}}}}, {{IPA|ur|sɪndʱə|pron}}; abbr. '''SD''', historically romanized as '''[[Sind (caliphal province)|Sind]]''' or '''Scinde''') is a [[Administrative units of Pakistan|province]] of [[Pakistan]]. Located in the [[Geography of Pakistan|southeastern region]] of the country, Sindh is the third-largest province of Pakistan by land area and the [[Demographics of Pakistan|second-largest province by population]] after [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]]. It is bordered by the Pakistani provinces of [[Balochistan, Pakistan|Balochistan]] to the west and north-west and [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]] to the north. It shares an [[India-Pakistan border|International border]] with the [[Indian states]] of [[Gujarat]] and [[Rajasthan]] to the east; it is also bounded by the [[Arabian Sea]] to the south. Sindh's landscape consists mostly of [[alluvial plain]]s flanking the [[Indus River]], the [[Thar Desert of Sindh|Thar Desert]] in the eastern portion of the province along the [[India–Pakistan border|international border with India]], and the [[Kirthar Mountains]] in the western portion of the province.

The [[economy of Sindh]] is the second largest in Pakistan after the [[province of Punjab]]; its provincial capital [[Karachi]] is the [[List of cities in Pakistan by population|most populous city in the country]] as well as its main financial hub. Sindh is home to a large portion of [[Industry of Pakistan|Pakistan's industrial sector]] and contains two of the country's busiest commercial seaports: [[Port Qasim]] and the [[Port of Karachi]]. The remainder of Sindh consists of an [[Agriculture in Pakistan|agriculture]]-based economy and produces fruits, consumer items and vegetables for other parts of the country.<ref name="The Nation, 2014">{{cite news|last1=Staff reporter|title=Sindh must exploit potential for fruit production|url=http://nation.com.pk/business/09-Mar-2014/sindh-must-exploit-potential-for-fruit-production|access-date=29 May 2015|agency=The Nation|publisher=The Nation, 2014|date=9 March 2014}}</ref><ref name="SALU Press">{{cite journal|url=https://www.academia.edu/1934949|title=Dates in Sindh|journal=Proceedings of the International Dates Seminar|last2=Saud|first2=Adila A.|publisher=SALU Press|last1=Markhand|first1=Ghulam Sarwar|access-date=29 May 2015}}</ref><ref name="Dawn News, 2007">{{cite news|last1=Editorial|title=How to grow Bananas|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/264225/how-to-grow-bananas|access-date=29 May 2015|agency=Dawn News|publisher=Dawn News, 2007|date=3 September 2007}}</ref>

Sindh is sometimes referred to as the ''Bab-ul Islam'' ({{Translation|'Gateway of [[Islam]]'}}), as it was one of the first regions of the [[Indian subcontinent]] to fall under [[Islamic rulers in the Indian subcontinent|Islamic rule]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Quddus|first=Syed Abdul|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q_dtAAAAMAAJ&q=babul+islam+sindh|title=Sindh, the Land of Indus Civilisation|date=1992|publisher=Royal Book Company|isbn=978-969-407-131-2|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uE26AAAAIAAJ&q=babul+islam+sindh+qasim|title=JPRS Report: Near East & South Asia|date=1992|publisher=Foreign Broadcast Information Service|language=en}}</ref> The province is well known for its [[Culture of Sindh|distinct culture]], which is strongly influenced by [[Sufism]], an important marker of Sindhi identity for both [[Hindus]] and [[Muslims]].<ref name="WakabayashiKothari2009">{{cite book|author1=Judy Wakabayashi|author2=Rita Kothari|title=Decentering Translation Studies: India and Beyond|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=viRCNDBYd4kC&pg=PT132|year=2009|publisher=John Benjamins Publishing|isbn=978-90-272-2430-9|pages=132–}}</ref> Sindh is prominent for its history during the [[Bronze Age]] under the [[Indus Valley civilization]], and is home to two [[UNESCO]]-designated [[World Heritage Site]]s: the [[Makli Necropolis]] and [[Mohenjo-daro]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Properties inscribed on the World Heritage List (Pakistan)|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/pk|website=UNESCO|access-date=14 July 2016}}</ref>

== Etymology ==
The [[Greeks]] who conquered Sindh in 325 BC under the command of [[Alexander the Great]] referred to the [[Indus River]] as ''[[wikt:Ἰνδός#Ancient Greek|Indós]]'', hence the modern ''Indus''. The ancient [[Iranian peoples|Iranians]] referred to everything east of the river Indus as ''hind''.<ref name="Now or Never">{{cite web|author=Choudhary Rahmat Ali|date=28 January 1933|title=Now or Never. Are we to live or perish forever?|url=http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Now_or_Never;_Are_We_to_Live_or_Perish_Forever%3F}}</ref><ref name="Ikram1995">{{cite book|author=S. M. Ikram|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7q9EubOYZmwC&pg=PA177|title=Indian Muslims and partition of India|date=1 January 1995|publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Dist|isbn=978-81-7156-374-6|pages=177–|author-link=S. M. Ikram|access-date=23 December 2011}}</ref> The word ''Sind'' is a [[Persian language|Persian]] derivative of the [[Sanskrit]] term ''Sindhu,'' meaning "river," a reference to vast [[Indus River]].{{sfn|Phiroze Vasunia|2013|p=6}}

The previous [[Perso-Arabic]] spelling ''Sind'' ({{lang|ar|سند}}) was discontinued in 1988 by an amendment passed in the [[Sindh Assembly]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Sindh, not Sind|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/506227/sind-not-sindh/|access-date=16 October 2015|work=[[The Express Tribune]]|publisher=Web Desk|date=12 February 2013}}</ref>

== History ==
{{Main|History of Sindh}}

=== Ancient era ===
{{multiple image
| align             = left
| direction         = 
| width             = 
| header            = [[Mohenjo-daro]]
| total_width       = 300
| perrow            = 2
| image1            = Mohenjo-daro Priesterkönig.jpeg
| caption1          = The [[Priest-King (sculpture)|"Priest King"]] sculpture is carved from [[steatite]].
| image2            = Shiva Pashupati.jpg
| caption2          = The ''[[Pashupati seal]]''
| image3            = Dancing Girl of Mohenjo-daro.jpg
| caption3          = The [[Dancing Girl (Mohenjo-daro)|Dancing Girl]] of Mohenjo-daro
| image4            = Mohenjodaro Sindh.jpeg
| caption4          = Excavated ruins of the Great Bath at [[Mohenjo-daro]]
}}

Sindh and surrounding areas contain the ruins of the [[Indus Valley Civilization]]. There are remnants of thousand-year-old cities and structures, with a notable example in Sindh being that of [[Mohenjo-daro|Mohenjo Daro]]. Built around 2500 BC, it was one of the largest settlements of the ancient Indus civilization, with features such as standardized bricks, street grids, and covered sewerage systems.<ref>{{Cite book |author=Sanyal, Sanjeev |title=Land of the seven rivers : a brief history of India's geography |date=10 July 2013 |publisher=Penguin Books |isbn=978-0-14-342093-4 |oclc=855957425}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Archaeological Ruins at Moanjodaro |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/138 |access-date=September 6, 2014 |website=The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) website}}</ref> It was one of the world's earliest major [[City|cities]], contemporaneous with the civilizations of [[ancient Egypt]], [[Mesopotamia]], [[Minoan civilization|Minoan Crete]], and [[Caral-Supe civilization|Caral-Supe]]. Mohenjo-daro was abandoned in the 19th century BC as the Indus Valley Civilization declined, and the site was not rediscovered until the 1920s. Significant excavation has since been conducted at the site of the city, which was designated a UNESCO [[World Heritage Site]] in 1980.<ref name="mohenjodaro.net">{{cite web |title=Mohenjo-Daro: An Ancient Indus Valley Metropolis |url=http://www.mohenjodaro.net/mohenjodaroessay.html}}</ref> The site is currently threatened by erosion and improper restoration.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-06-26 |title=Mohenjo Daro: Could this ancient city be lost forever? |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-18491900 |access-date=2022-08-22}}</ref> A gradual [[Aridification|drying]] of the region during the 3rd&nbsp;millennium BC may have been the initial stimulus for its urbanisation.<ref>Edwin Bryant (2001). The Quest for the Origins of Vedic Culture. pp. 159–60.</ref> Eventually it also reduced the water supply enough to cause the civilisation's demise and to disperse its population to the east.{{refn|group=lower-alpha|name="Note-Brooke"|{{harvp|Brooke|2014|p=296}}. "The story in Harappan India was somewhat different (see Figure 111.3). The Bronze Age village and urban societies of the Indus Valley are some-thing of an anomaly, in that archaeologists have found little indication of local defense and regional warfare. It would seem that the bountiful monsoon rainfall of the Early to Mid-Holocene had forged a condition of plenty for all, and that competitive energies were channeled into commerce rather than conflict. Scholars have long argued that these rains shaped the origins of the urban Harappan societies, which emerged from Neolithic villages around 2600 BC. It now appears that this rainfall began to slowly taper off in the third millennium, at just the point that the Harappan cities began to develop. Thus it seems that this "first urbanisation" in South Asia was the initial response of the Indus Valley peoples to the beginning of Late Holocene aridification. These cities were maintained for 300 to 400 years and then gradually abandoned as the Harappan peoples resettled in scattered villages in the eastern range of their territories, into the Punjab and the Ganges Valley....' 17 (footnote):<br />
(a) {{harvp|Giosan|Clift|Macklin|Fuller|2012}};<br />
(b) {{harvp|Ponton|Giosan|Eglinton|Fuller|2012}};<br />
(c) {{harvp|Rashid|England|Thompson|Polyak|2011}};<br />
(d) {{harvp|Madella|Fuller|2006}};<br />Compare with the very different interpretations in <br />
(e) {{harvp|Possehl|2002|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=pmAuAsi4ePIC&pg=PA239 237–245]}}<br />
(f) {{harvp|Staubwasser|Sirocko|Grootes|Segl|2003}}}}

During the [[Bronze Age]], the territory of Sindh was known as [[Sindhu-Sauvīra]], covering the lower [[Indus River|Indus]] Valley,<ref name="Raychaudhuri2">{{cite book |last=Raychaudhuri |first=Hemchandra |url= |title=Political History of Ancient India: From the Accession of Parikshit to the Extinction of Gupta Dynasty |date=1953 |publisher=[[University of Calcutta]] |isbn= |location= |page=197 |author-link=Hem Chandra Raychaudhuri}}</ref> with its southern border being the [[Indian Ocean]] and its northern border being the [[Punjab|Pañjāb]] around [[Multan|Multān]].{{sfn|Jain|1974|p=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.72385/page/n227/mode/2up 209]-[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.72385/page/n227/mode/2up 210]}} The capital of Sindhu-Sauvīra was named Roruka and Vītabhaya or Vītībhaya, and corresponds to the mediaeval [[Aror|Arohṛ]] and the modern-day [[Rohri|Rohṛī]].{{sfn|Jain|1974|p=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.72385/page/n227/mode/2up 209]-[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.72385/page/n227/mode/2up 210]}}{{sfn|Sikdar|1964|p=501-502}}<ref name="Raychaudhuri">{{cite book |author=H.C. Raychaudhuri |author-link=Hem Chandra Raychaudhuri |title=Political History of Ancient India: From the Accession of Parikshit to the Extinction of the Gupta Dynasty |url=https://archive.org/details/politicalhistory00raycuoft |publisher=University of Calcutta |isbn=978-1-4400-5272-9 |year=1923}}</ref> The [[Achaemenid Empire|Achaemenids]] conquered the region and established the satrapy of [[Hindush]]. The territory may have corresponded to the area covering the lower and central [[Indus River|Indus]] basin (present day Sindh and the southern [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]] regions of Pakistan).<ref>M. A. Dandamaev. "A Political History of the Achaemenid Empire" p 147. BRILL, 1989 {{ISBN|978-9004091726}}</ref> Alternatively, some authors consider that ''Hindush'' may have been located in the [[Punjab]] area.<ref>"''Hidus'' could be the areas of Sindh, or Taxila and West Punjab." in {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nNDpPqeDjo0C&pg=PA204 |title=Cambridge Ancient History |date=2002 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=9780521228046 |page=204 |language=en}}</ref> These areas remained under Persian control until the [[Indian campaign of Alexander the Great|invasion by Alexander]].<ref>Rafi U. Samad, [https://books.google.com/books?id=pNUwBYGYgxsC&pg=PA33 ''The Grandeur of Gandhara: The Ancient Civilization of the Swat, Peshawar, Kabul and Indus Valleys.''] Algora Publishing, 2011, p. 33 {{ISBN|0875868592}}</ref>

Alexander conquered parts of Sindh after Punjab for few years and appointed his general [[Peithon (son of Agenor)|Peithon]] as governor. He constructed a harbour at the city of [[Regio Patalis|Patala]] in Sindh.{{sfn|Dani|1981|p=37}}{{sfn|Eggermont|1975|p=13}} [[Chandragupta Maurya]] fought Alexander's successor in the east, [[Seleucus I Nicator]], when the latter invaded. In a peace treaty, Seleucus ceded all territories west of the [[Indus River]] and offered a marriage, including a portion of [[Bactria]], while Chandragupta granted Seleucus 500 elephants.{{sfn|Thorpe|2009|p=33}}

Following a century of Mauryan rule which ended by 180 BC, the region came under the [[Indo-Greek Kingdom|Indo-Greeks]], followed by the [[Indo-Scythians|Indo Scythians]], who ruled with their capital at [[Minnagara]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rawlinson |first=H. G. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UmMnh1XKJjQC |title=Intercourse Between India and the Western World: From the Earliest Times of the Fall of Rome |date=2001 |publisher=Asian Educational Services |isbn=978-81-206-1549-6 |pages=114 |language=en}}</ref> Later on, [[Sasanian Empire|Sasanian]] rulers from the reign of [[Shapur I]] claimed control of the Sindh area in their inscriptions, known as [[Hind (Sasanian province)|Hind]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Daryaee|first1=Touraj|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LU0BAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA17 |title=Sasanian Persia: The Rise and Fall of an Empire|date=2014|publisher=I. B. Tauris |isbn=9780857716668|page=17|language=en|author-link1=Touraj Daryaee}}</ref><ref name="NS">{{cite book |last1=Schindel|first1=Nikolaus|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GqONDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA127 |title=The Parthian and Early Sasanian Empires: adaptation and expansion|last2=Alram|first2=Michael|last3=Daryaee |first3=Touraj|last4=Pendleton|first4=Elizabeth|date=2016|publisher=Oxbow Books|isbn=9781785702105 |pages=126–129|language=en}}</ref>

The local [[Rai dynasty]] emerged from Sindh and reigned for a period of 144 years, concurrent with the [[Huna people|Huna]] invasions of North India.{{sfn|Wink|1996|pp=133, 152-153}} [[Aror]] was noted to be the capital.{{sfn|Wink|1996|pp=133, 152-153}}{{sfn|Asif|2016|pp=65, 81-82, 131-134}} The [[Brahmin dynasty of Sindh]] succeeded the [[Rai dynasty]].{{sfn|Wink|1996|p=151}}<ref>P. 505 ''[[The History of India, as Told by Its Own Historians]]'' by Henry Miers Elliot, John Dowson</ref><ref name="Gier">Nicholas F. Gier, ''FROM MONGOLS TO MUGHALS: RELIGIOUS VIOLENCE IN INDIA 9TH-18TH CENTURIES'', presented at the Pacific Northwest Regional Meeting American Academy of Religion, Gonzaga University, May 2006 [http://www.class.uidaho.edu/ngier/mm.htm]. Retrieved 11 December 2006.</ref><ref name="Naik">{{cite book |last=Naik |first=C.D. |title=Buddhism and Dalits: Social Philosophy and Traditions |publisher=Kalpaz Publications |year=2010 |isbn=978-81-7835-792-8 |location=Delhi |page=32}}</ref> Most of the information about its existence comes from the ''[[Chach Nama]]'', a historical account of the Chach-Brahmin dynasty.<ref>P. 164 ''Notes on the religious, moral, and political state of India before the Mahomedan invasion, chiefly founded on the travels of the Chinese Buddhist priest Fai Han in India, AD 399, and on the commentaries of Messrs. Remusat, Klaproth and Burnouf, Lieutenant-Colonel W.H. Sykes'' by Sykes, Colonel;</ref> After the empire's fall in 712, though the empire had ended, its dynasty's members administered parts of Sindh under the Umayyad Caliphate's [[Caliphal province of Sind]].{{sfn|Wink|1991|pp=152-153}}

=== Medieval era ===
After the death of the Islamic prophet [[Muhammad]], the Arab expansion towards the east reached the Sindh region beyond [[Persia]].<ref name="UNESCO">{{citation|last1=El Hareir|first1=Idris|last2=Mbaye |first2=Ravane |title=The Spread of Islam Throughout the World |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qVYT4Kraym0C&pg=PA602|year=2012|publisher=UNESCO|isbn=978-92-3-104153-2|page=602}}</ref> The connection between the Sindh and [[Islam]] was established by the initial Muslim invasions during the [[Rashidun Caliphate]]. Al-Hakim ibn Jabalah al-Abdi, who attacked [[Makran]] in the year 649, was an early partisan of [[Ali|Ali ibn Abu Talib]].<ref name="MacLean, Derryl N. 1989 pp. 1262">MacLean, Derryl N. (1989), Religion and Society in Arab Sind, pp. 126, BRILL, {{ISBN|90-04-08551-3}}</ref> During the caliphate of Ali, many [[Jats]] of Sindh had come under the influence of [[Shia Islam|Shi'ism]]<ref>S. A. A. Rizvi, "A socio-intellectual History of Isna Ashari Shi'is in India", Volo. 1, pp. 138, Mar'ifat Publishing House, Canberra (1986).</ref> and some even participated in the [[Battle of Camel]] and died fighting for [[Ali]].<ref name="MacLean, Derryl N. 1989 pp. 1262" /> Under the Arab Umayyads (661–750), many Shias sought asylum in the region of Sindh, to live in relative peace in the remote area. Ziyad Hindi is one of those refugees.<ref>S. A. N. Rezavi, "The Shia Muslims", in History of Science, Philosophy and Culture in Indian Civilization, Vol. 2, Part. 2: "Religious Movements and Institutions in Medieval India", Chapter 13, Oxford University Press (2006).</ref> The first clash with the [[Hindu king]]s of Sindh took place in 636 (15 AH) under Caliph [[Umar ibn al-Khattab]] with the governor of Bahrain, [[Uthman ibn Abu-al-Aas]], dispatching naval expeditions against [[Thane]], [[Bharuch]] and [[Debal]].<ref>{{citation|last1=El Hareir|first1=Idris|last2=Mbaye|first2=Ravane|title=The Spread of Islam Throughout the World|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qVYT4Kraym0C&pg=PA601 |year=2012|publisher=UNESCO |isbn=978-92-3-104153-2|pages=601–602}}</ref> [[Al-Baladhuri]] states they were victorious at Debal but doesn't mention the results of other two raids. However, the ''[[Chach Nama]]'' states that the raiders of Debal were defeated and its governor killed the leader of the raids.<ref>{{citation|last=Majumdar |first=Ramesh Chandra |author-link=Ramesh Chandra Majumdar|title=Readings in political history of India, ancient, mediaeval, and modern|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YvggAAAAMAAJ|year=1976 |publisher=B.R. Pub. Corp., on behalf of Indian Society for Prehistoric and Quaternary Studies|page=216}}</ref> These raids were thought to be triggered by a later pirate attack on Umayyad ships.{{sfn|Tripathi|1967|p=337}} al-Baladhuri adds that this stopped any more incursions until the reign of [[Uthman]].{{sfn|Asif|2016|p=35}}

In 712, [[Muhammad ibn al-Qasim|Mohammed Bin Qasim]] defeated the [[Brahmin dynasty of Sindh|Brahmin dynasty]] and [[Sind (caliphal province)|annexed it to the Umayyad Caliphate]]. This marked the beginning of Islam in the Indian subcontinent. The [[Habbari dynasty]] ruled much of Greater Sindh, as a semi-independent ''emirate'' from 854 to 1024. Beginning with the rule of 'Umar bin Abdul Aziz al-Habbari in 854, the region became semi-independent from the [[Abbasid Caliphate]] in 861, while continuing to nominally pledge allegiance to the Abbasid Caliph in [[Baghdad]].<ref name="Singh2">P. M. ( Nagendra Kumar Singh), ''Muslim Kingship in India'', Anmol Publications, 1999, {{ISBN|81-261-0436-8}}, {{ISBN|978-81-261-0436-9}} pg 43-45.</ref><ref name="Maclean2">P. M. ( Derryl N. Maclean), ''Religion and society in Arab Sindh'', Published by Brill, 1989, {{ISBN|90-04-08551-3}}, {{ISBN|978-90-04-08551-0}} pg 140-143.</ref> The Habbaris ruled Sindh until they were defeated by [[Sultan]] [[Mahmud of Ghazni|Mahmud Ghaznavi]] in 1026, who then went on to destroy the old Habbari capital of Mansura, and annex the region to the [[Ghaznavid|Ghaznavid Empire]], thereby ending Arab rule of Sindh.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6lI9AAAAMAAJ&q=ghaznavid+mansura|title=An Observation: Perspective of Pakistan|last=Abdulla|first=Ahmed|date=1987|publisher=Tanzeem Publishers|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K8kO4J3mXUAC&q=ghaznavid+mansura&pg=PA6 |title=Economic History of Medieval India, 1200-1500|last=Habib|first=Irfan|date=2011 |publisher=Pearson Education India|isbn=978-81-317-2791-1|language=en}}</ref>

The [[Soomra dynasty]] was a local Sindhi Muslim dynasty that ruled between early 11th century and the 14th century.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Siddiqui |first=Habibullah |title=The Soomras of Sindh: their origin, main characteristics and rule – an overview (general survey) (1025–1351 CE) |url=http://www.uok.edu.pk/faculties/sindhi/docs/soomroEng.pdf |journal=Literary Conference on Soomra Period in Sindh |archive-date=3 June 2023 |access-date=4 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603002419/https://uok.edu.pk/faculties/sindhi/docs/soomroEng.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="IJDL-2007">{{cite journal |date=2007 |title=The Arab Conquest |journal=International Journal of Dravidian Linguistics |volume=36 |issue=1 |page=91 |quote=The Soomras are believed to be Parmar Rajputs found even today in Rajasthan, Saurashtra, Kutch and Sindh. The Cambridge History of India refers to the Soomras as "a Rajput dynasty the later members of which accepted Islam" (p. 54 ).}}</ref><ref name="Dani-2007">{{Cite book |last=Dani |first=Ahmad Hasan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D_xtAAAAMAAJ&q=soomra+dynasty |title=History of Pakistan: Pakistan through ages |date=2007 |publisher=Sang-e Meel Publications |isbn=978-969-35-2020-0 |pages=218 |language=en |quote=But as many kings of the dynasty bore Hindu names, it is almost certain that the Soomras were of local origin. Sometimes they are connected with Paramara Rajputs, but of this there is no definite proof.}}</ref> Later chroniclers like [[Ali ibn al-Athir]] (c. late 12th c.) and [[Ibn Khaldun]] (c. late 14th c.) attributed the fall of Habbarids to Mahmud of Ghazni, lending credence to the argument of Hafif being the last Habbarid.<ref name="Collinet-2008a">{{Cite book |last=Collinet |first=Annabelle |title=Sindh through history and representations : French contributions to Sindhi studies |date=2008 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-547503-6 |editor-last=Boivin |editor-first=Michel |location=Karachi |pages=9, 11, 113 (note 43) |language=en |chapter=Chronology of Sehwan Sharif through Ceramics (The Islamic Period)}}</ref> The Soomras appear to have established themselves as a regional power in this power vacuum.<ref name="Collinet-2008a"/><ref name="Boivin-2008a">{{Cite book |last=Boivin |first=Michel |title=Sindh through history and representations : French contributions to Sindhi studies |date=2008 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-547503-6 |editor-last=Boivin |editor-first=Michel |location=Karachi |pages=30 |language=en |chapter=Shivaite Cults And Sufi Centres: A Reappraisal Of The Medieval Legacy In Sindh}}</ref> The [[Ghurid dynasty|Ghurids]] and [[Ghaznavids]] continued to rule parts of Sindh, across the eleventh and early twelfth century, alongside Soomras.<ref name="Collinet-2008a"/> The precise delineations are not yet known but Sommrus were probably centered in lower Sindh.<ref name="Collinet-2008a"/> Some of them were adherents of [[Isma'ilism]].<ref name="Boivin-2008a"/> One of their kings Shimuddin Chamisar had submitted to [[Iltutmish]], the [[Sultan of Delhi]], and was allowed to continue on as a vassal.<ref name="Ray201932">{{cite book |author=Aniruddha Ray |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jNSNDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT43 |title=The Sultanate of Delhi (1206-1526): Polity, Economy, Society and Culture |date=4 March 2019 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-00-000729-9 |pages=43–}}</ref>

{{multiple image
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| image1            = Artwork on Jam nizamuddin tomb.jpg
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| image3            = Jam Mubarak Khan .jpg
| image4            = Historical Monuments at Makli, Thatta-108247.jpg
| footer            = The [[Makli Necropolis]] at [[Thatta]] is one of the largest funerary sites in the world.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/143 | title=Historical Monuments at Makli, Thatta}}</ref>
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The [[Samma (tribe)|Sammas]] overthrew the Soomras soon after 1335 and established the Sindh Sultanate. The last Soomra ruler took shelter with the governor of [[Gujarat]], under the protection of [[Muhammad bin Tughluq]], the [[sultan of Delhi]].<ref name="(Pakistan)Latif197622">{{cite book |author1=Census Organization (Pakistan) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=63maAAAAIAAJ&q=yadav+rajputs |title=Population Census of Pakistan, 1972: Larkana |author2=Abdul Latif |publisher=Manager of Publications |year=1976}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Rapson |first1=Edward James |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mBNZAAAAYAAJ&q=Samma+ |title=The Cambridge History of India: Turks and Afghans, edited by W. Haig |last2=Haig |first2=Sir Wolseley |last3=Burn |first3=Sir Richard |last4=Dodwell |first4=Henry |date=1965 |publisher=Chand |pages=518 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="guj2">{{cite book |author1=U. M. Chokshi |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-qHiAAAAMAAJ |title=Gujarat State Gazetteer |author2=M. R. Trivedi |publisher=Director, Government Print., Stationery and Publications, Gujarat State |year=1989 |page=274 |quote=It was the conquest of Kutch by the Sindhi tribe of Sama Rajputs that marked the emergence of Kutch as a separate kingdom in the 14th century.}}</ref> Mohammad bin Tughlaq made an expedition against Sindh in 1351 and died at Sondha, possibly in an attempt to restore the Soomras. With this, the Sammas became independent. The next sultan, [[Firuz Shah Tughlaq]] attacked Sindh in 1365 and 1367, unsuccessfully, but with reinforcements from [[Delhi]] he later obtained Banbhiniyo's surrender. For a period the Sammas were therefore subject to Delhi again. Later, as the Sultanate of Delhi collapsed they became fully independent.<ref name="panhwar.com22">{{Cite web |url=http://www.panhwar.com/Article162.htm |title=Directions in the History and Archaeology of Sindh by M. H. Panhwar |access-date=12 January 2023 |archive-date=25 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225062314/http://www.panhwar.com/Article162.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> Jam Unar was the founder of Samma dynasty mentioned by [[Ibn Battuta]].<ref name="panhwar.com22"/> The Samma civilization contributed significantly to the evolution of the [[Indo-Islamic architecture|Indo-Islamic architectural]] style. The city of [[Thatta]] is famous for its necropolis of erstwhile royals, the [[Makli Necropolis]], which covers 10 square km on the [[Makli Hill]].<ref>[http://archnet.org/library/places/one-place.jsp?place_id=2179&order_by=year&showdescription=1 Archnet.org: Thattah] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120606120407/https://archnet.org/library/places/one-place.jsp?place_id=2179&order_by=year&showdescription=1|date=2012-06-06}}</ref> The Sammas have left a mark on Sindh with magnificent structures in Thatta.<ref name="(Pakistan)Latif19763">{{cite book |author1=Census Organization (Pakistan) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=63maAAAAIAAJ&q=yadav+rajputs |title=Population Census of Pakistan, 1972: Larkana |author2=Abdul Latif |publisher=Manager of Publications |year=1976}}</ref><ref>Population Census of Pakistan, 1972: Jacobabad</ref> They were later overthrown by the Turkic [[Arghun dynasty|Arghuns]] in the late 15th century.<ref>The Travels of Marco Polo - Complete (Mobi Classics) By Marco Polo, Rustichello of Pisa, Henry Yule (Translator)</ref><ref name="Bosworth p. 329">Bosworth, "New Islamic Dynasties," p. 329</ref>

=== Modern era ===
{{main|Sind State}}
[[File:Elaborately illustrated map of the Thatta Subah of the Mughal Empire, commissioned by Jean Baptiste Joseph Gentil, ca.1770.jpg|thumb|Elaborately illustrated map of the Thatta Subah of the Mughal Empire, commissioned by Jean Baptiste Joseph Gentil, ca.1770]]
In the late 16th century, Sindh was brought into the [[Mughal Empire]] by [[Akbar]], himself born in the [[Kingdom of Amarkot|Sodha kingdom]] in [[Umerkot]] in Sindh.<ref name="Cambridge">{{cite book |last1=Tarling |first1=Nicholas |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jtsMLNmMzbkC&pg=PA39 |title=''The Cambridge History of Southeast Asia'' by Nicholas Tarling p.39 |year=1999 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=9780521663700}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Hispania [Publicaciones periódicas]. Volume 74, Number 3, September 1991 |website=Biblioteca Virtual Miguel de Cervantes |url=http://www.cervantesvirtual.com/servlet/SirveObras/01475176655936417554480/p0000002.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924052446/http://www.cervantesvirtual.com/servlet/SirveObras/01475176655936417554480/p0000002.htm |archive-date=24 September 2015 |access-date=27 January 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1591-1593, Akbar sent an army to conquer lower Sindh from the [[Tarkhan dynasty]] after defeating the last Tarkhan ruler, Mirza Jani Beg; Jani Beg and his son [[Mirza Ghazi Beg]].<ref name="Davies, p. 628">{{cite book|author=Davies, C. Collin |chapter="Arghun." |title=''The Encyclopedia of Islam, Volume I.'' New edition |location=Leiden |publisher=E. J. Brill |year=1960 |isbn=90-04-08114-3 |page=628}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Museum |first1=Victoria and Albert |title=Mirza Ghazi Manohar V&A Explore The Collections |url=https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O109866/portrait-of-mirza-ghazi-painting-manohar/mirza-ghazi-painting-manohar/ |website=Victoria and Albert Museum: Explore the Collections |date=1610 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="SS">{{cite book |last1=Shoro |first1=Shahnaz |title=Honour Killing in the Second Decade of the 21st Century |date=21 August 2017 |publisher=Cambridge Scholars Publishing |isbn=978-1-5275-0065-5 |pages=48–49 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m8I3DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA48 |language=en}}</ref>

Mughal rule from their provincial capital of Thatta was to last in lower Sindh until the early 18th century, while upper Sindh was ruled by the indigenous [[Kalhora dynasty]] holding power, consolidating their rule from their capital of [[Khudabad]], before shifting to [[Hyderabad, Sindh|Hyderabad]] from 1768 onwards.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Brohī |first=ʻAlī Aḥmad |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0gBuAAAAMAAJ&q=Kalhoras+a+local+Sindhi+tribe+of+Channa+origin |title=The Temple of Sun God: Relics of the Past |date=1998 |publisher=Sangam Publications |pages=175 |language=en |quote="Kalhoras a local Sindhi tribe of Channa origin..."}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Burton |first=Richard Francis |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RZQMzQLsyk0C&dq=They+were+originally+Channa+Sindhis+,+and+therefore+converted+Hindoos&pg=PA410 |title=Sindh, and the Races that Inhabit the Valley of the Indus |date=1851 |publisher=W. H. Allen |pages=410 |language=en |quote="Kalhoras...were originally Channa Sindhis, and therefore converted Hindoos."}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=Migrants and Militants: Fun and Urban Violence in Pakistan |last=Verkaaik|first=Oskar|publisher=Princeton University Press|year=2004 |isbn=978-0-69111-709-6 |url=https://archive.org/details/migrantsmilitant0000verk |url-access=registration|pages=[https://archive.org/details/migrantsmilitant0000verk/page/94 94], 99|quote=The area of the Hindu-built mansion Pakka Qila was built in 1768 by the Kalhora kings, a local dynasty of Arab origin that ruled Sindh independently from the decaying Moghul Empire beginning in the mid-eighteenth century.}}</ref>

The [[Talpur dynasty|Talpurs]] succeeded the Kalhoras and four branches of the dynasty were established.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-04-21 |title=History of Khairpur and the royal Talpurs of Sindh |url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/230879/history-of-khairpur-and-the-royal-talpurs-of-sindh/ |access-date=2020-03-06 |website=Daily Times |language=en-US}}</ref> One ruled lower Sindh from the city of [[Hyderabad, Sindh|Hyderabad]], another ruled over upper Sindh from the city of [[Khairpur]], a third ruled around the eastern city of [[Mirpur Khas]], and a fourth was based in [[Tando Muhammad Khan]]. They were ethnically [[Baloch people|Baloch]],<ref name="Solomon-2006">{{Cite book |last1=Solomon |first1=R. V. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=47sfj8DUwNgC&dq=talpur+sindh&pg=PA337 |title=Indian States: A Biographical, Historical, and Administrative Survey |last2=Bond |first2=J. W. |date=2006 |publisher=Asian Educational Services |isbn=978-81-206-1965-4 |language=en}}</ref> and for most of their rule, they were subordinate to the [[Durrani Empire]] and were forced to pay tribute to them.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Baloch |first1=Inayatullah |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ox0NAAAAIAAJ&q=talpurs+vassals |title=The Problem of "Greater Baluchistan": A Study of Baluch Nationalism |date=1987 |publisher=Steiner Verlag Wiesbaden |isbn=9783515049993 |page=121}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Ziad |first1=Waleed |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W-ZFEAAAQBAJ&dq=durranis+talpur&pg=PA53 |title=Hidden Caliphate: Sufi Saints Beyond the Oxus and Indus |date=2021 |publisher=Harvard University Press |isbn=9780674248816 |page=53}}</ref>

They ruled from 1783, until 1843, when they were in turn defeated by the [[British Raj|British]] at the [[Battle of Miani]] and [[Battle of Dubba|Battle of Dubbo]].<ref name="Talpur-2002">{{Cite web |title=The Royal Talpurs of Sindh - Historical Background |url=http://www.talpur.org/Home/historical-background |accessdate=2020-02-23 |website=www.talpur.org|date=24 July 2002 }}</ref> The northern Khairpur branch of the Talpur dynasty, however, continued to maintain a degree of sovereignty during British rule as the [[Khairpur (princely state)|princely state of Khairpur]],<ref name="Solomon-2006" /> whose ruler elected to join the new [[Dominion of Pakistan]] in October 1947 as an autonomous region, before being fully amalgamated into [[West Pakistan]] in 1955.

==== British Raj ====
{{See also|Sind Division|Sind Province (1936–1955)}}
[[File:Bombay Prov 1909.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Sindh became part of the [[Bombay Presidency]] in 1909.]]
The [[United Kingdom|British]] conquered Sindh in 1843. General [[Charles James Napier|Charles Napier]] is said to have reported victory to the Governor General with a one-word telegram, namely ''"[[Peccavi]]"'' &ndash; or ''"I have sinned"'' ([[Latin]]).<ref>General Napier apocryphally reported his conquest of the province to his superiors with the one-word message ''peccavi'', a schoolgirl's pun recorded in [[Punch (magazine)]] relying on the Latin word's meaning, "I have sinned", homophonous to "I have Sindh". [[Eugene Ehrlich]], ''Nil Desperandum: A Dictionary of Latin Tags and Useful Phrases ''[Original title: ''Amo, Amas, Amat and More''], BCA 1992 [1985], p. 175.</ref> The British had two objectives in their rule of Sindh: the consolidation of British rule and the use of Sindh as a market for British products and a source of revenue and raw materials. With the appropriate infrastructure in place, the British hoped to utilise Sindh for its economic potential.<ref name="LongSingh2015">{{citation|author1=Roger D. Long|author2=Gurharpal Singh|author3=Yunas Samad|author4=Ian Talbot|title=State and Nation-Building in Pakistan: Beyond Islam and Security|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nzivCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA102|date=8 October 2015|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-317-44820-4|pages=102–}}</ref> The British incorporated Sindh, some years later after annexing it, into the [[Bombay Presidency]]. Distance from the provincial capital, Bombay, led to grievances that Sindh was neglected in contrast to other parts of the Presidency. The merger of Sindh into Punjab province was considered from time to time but was turned down because of British disagreement and Sindhi opposition, both from Muslims and Hindus, to being annexed to Punjab.<ref name="LongSingh2015" />

Later, desire for a separate administrative status for Sindh grew. At the annual session of the Indian National Congress in 1913, a Sindhi Hindu put forward the demand for Sindh's separation from the Bombay Presidency on the grounds of Sindh's unique cultural character. This reflected the desire of Sindh's predominantly Hindu commercial class to free itself from competing with the more powerful Bombay's business interests.<ref name="LongSingh2015" /> Meanwhile, Sindhi politics was characterised in the 1920s by the growing importance of Karachi and the [[Khilafat Movement]].<ref name="Malik1999">{{citation|author=I. Malik|title=Islam, Nationalism and the West: Issues of Identity in Pakistan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oyWBDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA56|date=3 June 1999|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan UK|isbn=978-0-230-37539-0|pages=56–}}</ref> A number of Sindhi [[Pir (Sufism)|pirs]], descendants of Sufi saints who had proselytised in Sindh, joined the Khilafat Movement, which propagated the protection of the Ottoman Caliphate, and those pirs who did not join the movement found a decline in their following.<ref name="Minault1982">{{citation|author=Gail Minault|title=The Khilafat Movement: Religious Symbolism and Political Mobilization in India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gAW8GreFqjkC&pg=PA105 |year=1982 |publisher=Columbia University Press|isbn=978-0-231-05072-2|pages=105–}}</ref> The pirs generated huge support for the Khilafat cause in Sindh.{{sfn|Ansari|1992|p=77}} Sindh came to be at the forefront of the [[Khilafat Movement]].<ref name="Society2007">{{citation|author=Pakistan Historical Society|title=Journal of the Pakistan Historical Society|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j_svAQAAIAAJ|year=2007 |publisher=Pakistan Historical Society.|page=245}}</ref>

Although Sindh was less [[Sectarian violence|sectarian]] than other parts of India, the province's Muslim elite and emerging Muslim middle class demanded separation of Sindh from Bombay Presidency as a safeguard for their own interests. In this campaign, local Sindhi Muslims identified 'Hindu' with Bombay instead of Sindh. Sindhi Hindus were seen as representing the interests of Bombay instead of the majority of Sindhi Muslims. Sindhi Hindus, for the most part, opposed the separation of Sindh from Bombay.<ref name="LongSingh2015" /> Although Sindh had a culture of religious syncretism, communal harmony and tolerance due to Sindh's strong [[Sufism|Sufi]] culture in which both Sindhi Muslims and Sindhi Hindus partook,<ref name="auto">Priya Kumar & Rita Kothari (2016) Sindh, 1947 and Beyond, ''South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies'', 39:4, 775, {{doi|10.1080/00856401.2016.1244752}}</ref> both the Muslim landed elite, ''waderas'', and the Hindu commercial elements, ''[[Bania (caste)|banias]]'', collaborated in oppressing the predominantly Muslim peasantry of Sindh who were economically exploited.<ref name="Jalal20022">{{cite book |author=Ayesha Jalal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Sa6CAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA415 |title=Self and Sovereignty: Individual and Community in South Asian Islam Since 1850 |date=4 January 2002 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-134-59937-0 |pages=415–}}</ref> Sindhi Muslims eventually demanded the separation of Sindh from the Bombay Presidency, a move opposed by Sindhi Hindus.{{sfn|Ansari|1992|p=77}}<ref name="LongSingh20152">{{cite book |author1=Roger D. Long |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nzivCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA102 |title=State and Nation-Building in Pakistan: Beyond Islam and Security |author2=Gurharpal Singh |author3=Yunas Samad |author4=Ian Talbot |date=8 October 2015 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-44820-4 |pages=102–}}</ref><ref name="Society20072">{{cite book |author=Pakistan Historical Society |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j_svAQAAIAAJ |title=Journal of the Pakistan Historical Society |publisher=Pakistan Historical Society. |year=2007 |page=245}}</ref>

In Sindh's first provincial election after its separation from Bombay in 1936, economic interests were an essential factor of politics informed by religious and cultural issues.<ref name="Jalal2002">{{harvnb|Jalal|2002|p=415}}</ref> Due to British policies, much land in Sindh was transferred from Muslim to Hindu hands over the decades.<ref name="SinghIyer2016">{{citation|author1=Amritjit Singh|author2=Nalini Iyer|author3=Rahul K. Gairola|title=Revisiting India's Partition: New Essays on Memory, Culture, and Politics|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tmA0DAAAQBAJ&pg=PA127|date=15 June 2016|publisher=Lexington Books|isbn=978-1-4985-3105-4|pages=127–}}</ref> Religious tensions rose in Sindh over the Sukkur Manzilgah issue where Muslims and Hindus disputed over an abandoned mosque in proximity to an area sacred to Hindus. The Sindh Muslim League exploited the issue and agitated for the return of the mosque to Muslims. Consequentially, a thousand members of the Muslim League were imprisoned. Eventually, due to panic the government restored the mosque to Muslims.<ref name="Jalal2002" /> The separation of Sindh from Bombay Presidency triggered Sindhi Muslim nationalists to support the Pakistan Movement. Even while the Punjab and North-West Frontier Province were ruled by parties hostile to the Muslim League, Sindh remained loyal to Jinnah.<ref name="Ahmed2016">{{citation|author=Khaled Ahmed|title=Sleepwalking to Surrender: Dealing with Terrorism in Pakistan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TbzBDAAAQBAJ&pg=PT230|date=18 August 2016|publisher=Penguin Books Limited|isbn=978-93-86057-62-4|pages=230–}}</ref> Although the prominent Sindhi Muslim nationalist [[G. M. Syed]] left the All India Muslim League in the mid-1940s and his relationship with Jinnah never improved, the overwhelming majority of Sindhi Muslims supported the creation of Pakistan, seeing in it their deliverance.<ref name="Malik1999" /> Sindhi support for the Pakistan Movement arose from the desire of the Sindhi Muslim business class to drive out their Hindu competitors.<ref name="Kukreja2003">{{citation|author=Veena Kukreja|title=Contemporary Pakistan: Political Processes, Conflicts and Crises|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dp05sFFSAbIC&pg=PA138|date=24 February 2003|publisher=SAGE Publications|isbn=978-0-7619-9683-5|pages=138–}}</ref> The Muslim League's rise to becoming the party with the strongest support in Sindh was in large part linked to its winning over of the religious pir families.{{sfn|Ansari|1992|p=115}} Although the Muslim League had previously fared poorly in the 1937 elections in Sindh, when local Sindhi Muslim parties won more seats,{{sfn|Ansari|1992|p=115}} the Muslim League's cultivation of support from local pirs in 1946 helped it gain a foothold in the province,{{sfn|Ansari|1992|p=122}} it didn't take long for the overwhelming majority of Sindhi Muslims to campaign for the creation of Pakistan.<ref name="Malik19992">{{cite book |author=I. Malik |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oyWBDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA56 |title=Islam, Nationalism and the West: Issues of Identity in Pakistan |date=3 June 1999 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan UK |isbn=978-0-230-37539-0 |pages=56–}}</ref><ref name="Kukreja20032">{{cite book |author=Veena Kukreja |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dp05sFFSAbIC&pg=PA138 |title=Contemporary Pakistan: Political Processes, Conflicts and Crises |date=24 February 2003 |publisher=SAGE Publications |isbn=978-0-7619-9683-5 |pages=138–}}</ref>

==== Partition (1947) ====
In 1947, violence did not constitute a major part of the Sindhi partition experience, unlike in Punjab. There were very few incidents of violence on Sindh, in part due to the Sufi-influenced culture of religious tolerance and in part that Sindh was not divided and was instead made part of Pakistan in its entirety. Sindhi Hindus who left generally did so out of a fear of persecution, rather than persecution itself, because of the arrival of Muslim refugees from India. Sindhi Hindus differentiated between the local Sindhi Muslims and the migrant Muslims from India. A large number of Sindhi Hindus travelled to India by sea, to the ports of Bombay, Porbandar, Veraval and Okha.<ref>Priya Kumar & Rita Kothari (2016) Sindh, 1947 and Beyond, ''South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies'', 39:4, 776–777, DOI: 10.1080/00856401.2016.1244752</ref>

== Demographics ==
{|class="wikitable floatleft" style="font-size:90%"
|+Demographic indicators
|-
! Indicator
! Value
|-
| Urban population
| 53.97%
|-
| Rural population
| 46.03%
|-
| Population growth rate
| 2.57%
|-
| Gender ratio (male per 100 female)
| 108.76<ref>{{Cite web |title=Population Census 2023 |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk}}</ref>
|-
| Economically active population
| 22.75% (old data){{Clarify|date=January 2025}}
|}

=== Population ===
{{Historical populations
| title = Population history
| type = Pakistan
| direction = vertical
| align = right
| footnote = ''Source: [[Census in Pakistan]], [[Census of British India|Census of British Raj]]''<ref name="sindh1941">{{cite web |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/saoa.crl.28215545 |jstor=saoa.crl.28215545 |access-date=5 May 2024 |title=Census of India, 1941. Vol. 12, Sind |author1=India Census Commissioner |year=1941 |volume=12 |archive-date=29 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129064845/https://www.jstor.org/stable/saoa.crl.28215545 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|7}}{{efn|name=Sindh1941|1941 figure taken from [[Census in British India|census data]] by combining the total population of all [[Districts of British India|districts]] ([[Dadu District|Dadu]], [[Hyderabad District, Sindh|Hyderabad]], [[Karachi District (Sind)|Karachi]], [[Larkana District|Larkana]], [[Nawabshah District|Nawabshah]], [[Sukkur District|Sukkur]], [[Tharparkar district|Tharparkar]], [[Upper Sind Frontier District|Upper Sind Frontier]]), and one [[princely state]] ([[Khairpur (princely state)|Khairpur]]), in Sindh Province, British India. See 1941 census data here:<ref name="sindh1941"/>}}{{efn|name=Sindh1931}}{{efn|name=Sindh1921}}{{efn|name=Sindh1911}}{{efn|name=Sindh1901}}{{efn|name=Sindh1891}}{{efn|name=Sindh1881}}{{efn|name=Sindh1872}}
| 1872|2322765
| 1881|2542976
| 1891|3003711
| 1901|3410223
| 1911|3737223
| 1921|3472508
| 1931|4114253
| 1941|4840795
| 1951|6047748
| 1961|8367065
| 1972|14155909
| 1981|19028666
| 1998|29991161
| 2017|47854510
| 2023|55696147
}}

Sindh has the second highest [[List of Pakistani Districts by Human Development Index|Human Development Index]] out of all of Pakistan's provinces at 0.628.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.spdc.org.pk/pubs/rr/rr73.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090521023211/http://www.spdc.org.pk/pubs/rr/rr73.pdf|title=Social Policy and Development Centre &#124;|archive-date=21 May 2009|website=www.spdc.org.pk}}</ref> The [[2023 Pakistani census|2023 Census of Pakistan]] indicated a population of 55.7 million.

=== Religion ===
{{See also|Sufism in Sindh|Hinduism in Sindh}}{{Pie chart|value1=90|color1=Green|label1=[[Islam]]|value2=8.81|color2=Orange|label2=[[Hinduism]]|value3=0.98|color3=Blue|label3=[[Christianity]]|value4=0.03|color4=Black|label4=[[Ahmaddiya]]|caption=Religion in Sindh according to [[2023 Census of Pakistan|2023 census]]|value5=0.01|value6=<0.01|value7=0.07|color5=Yellow|color6=White|color7=Gray|label5=[[Sikhism]]|label6=[[Zoroastrianism]]|label7=Other|thumb=left}}Islam in Sindh has a long history, starting with the capture of Sindh by Muhammad Bin Qasim in 712.  Over time, the majority of the population in Sindh converted to Islam, especially in rural areas.  Today, Muslims make up 90% of the population, and are more dominant in urban than rural areas. Islam in Sindh has a strong Sufi ethos with numerous Muslim saints and mystics, such as the Sufi poet [[Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai]], having lived in Sindh historically. One popular legend that highlights the strong Sufi presence in Sindh is that 125,000 Sufi saints and mystics are buried on [[Makli Hill]] near [[Thatta]].<ref>Annemarie Schimmel,&nbsp;''Pearls from Indus''&nbsp;Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan: Sindhi Adabi Board (1986). See pp. 150.</ref> The development of Sufism in Sindh was similar to the development of Sufism in other parts of the Muslim world. In the sixteenth century two Sufi ''tareeqat'' (orders) – Qadria and Naqshbandia – were introduced in Sindh.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1045164|title=History of Sufism in Sindh discussed|date=2013-09-25|work=DAWN.COM|access-date=2017-03-30|language=en}}</ref> [[Sufism]] continues to play an important role in the daily lives of Sindhis.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1161050|title=Can Sufism save Sindh?|date=2015-02-02|work=DAWN.COM|access-date=2017-03-30|language=en}}</ref>

In 1941, the last census conducted prior to the partition of India, the total population of Sindh was 4,840,795 out of which 3,462,015 (71.5%) were [[Muslims]], 1,279,530 (26.4%) were [[Hindus]] and the remaining were Tribals, [[Sikhs]], [[Christians]], [[Parsis]], [[Jainism|Jains]], [[Jews]], and [[Buddhism|Buddhists]].<ref name="sindh1941"/>{{rp|28}}<ref>Rahimdad Khan Molai Shedai; Janet ul Sindh; 3rd edition, 1993; Sindhi Adbi Board, Jamshoro; page no: 2.</ref>

Sindh also has Pakistan's highest percentage of [[Hinduism in Pakistan|Hindus]] overall, accounting for 8.8% of the population, roughly around 4.9 million people,<ref name="2017 Census"/> and 13.3% of the province's rural population as per 2023 Pakistani census report. These numbers also include the [[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes|scheduled caste]] population, which stands at 1.7% of the total in Sindh (or 3.1% in rural areas),<ref name=religioninpakistan>{{cite web |url=http://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files//tables/POPULATION%20BY%20RELIGION.pdf |title=Religion in Pakistan (2017 Census) |access-date=2018-03-28 |publisher=Pakistan Bureau of Statistics |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329204115/http://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/tables/POPULATION%20BY%20RELIGION.pdf |archive-date=29 March 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and is believed to have been under-reported, with some community members instead counted under the main Hindu category.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/197657-Scheduled-castes-have-a-separate-box-for-them-but-only-if-anybody-knew|title=Scheduled castes have a separate box for them, but only if anybody knew|access-date=19 September 2020}}</ref> Although, [[Pakistan Hindu Council]] claimed that there are 6,842,526 Hindus living in Sindh Province covering around 14.29% of the region's population.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pakistanhinducouncil.org.pk/hinduism/hindu-population-pk/ |title=Hindu Population (PK) |publisher=Pakistanhinducouncil.org.pk |access-date=2022-06-24 |archive-date=15 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815025257/http://pakistanhinducouncil.org.pk/hinduism/hindu-population-pk/ }}</ref> Umerkot district in the Thar Desert is Pakistan's only Hindu-majority district. The [[Ramapir Temple Tando Allahyar|Shri Ramapir Temple]] in Tandoallahyar whose annual festival is the second largest Hindu pilgrimage in Pakistan is in Sindh.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hindu's converge at Ramapir Mela near Karachi seeking divine help for their security |website=[[The Times of India]] |date=26 September 2012 |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Hindus-converge-at-Ramapir-Mela-near-Karachi-seeking-divine-help-for-their-security/articleshow/16557691.cms |access-date=2020-10-13}}</ref> Sindh is also the only province in Pakistan to have a separate law for governing [[Hindu marriage laws in Pakistan|Hindu marriages]].<ref name=Shahid>{{Cite news|title=Sindh Hindu Marriage Act—relief or restraint?|author=Shahid Jatoi|newspaper=Express Tribune|date=8 June 2017 |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1429958/sindh-hindu-marriage-act-relief-restraint?amp=1|access-date=10 November 2020}}</ref>

2020 community estimates indicated the Sikh population in Sindh stood at approximately 10,000,<ref name="Tunio">{{Cite news|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2232679/1-shikarpurs-sikhs-serve-humanity-beyond-religion/?amp=1|title=Shikarpur's Sikhs serve humanity beyond religion|first=Hafeez|last=Tunio|newspaper=The Express Tribune|location=Pakistan|date=31 May 2020|access-date=2 July 2020}}</ref> while the 2023 census indicated a population of 5,182 Sikhs.<ref name="sindh2023"/>

{{clear}}
<div style="overflow-x:auto; border: 1px solid #AAA; padding-left: 0.1em; padding-right: 0.1em">
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Religion in Sindh (1872−2023)
! rowspan="2" |[[Religion in Pakistan|Religious]]<br />group
! colspan="2" |1872<ref name="sindh1872">{{cite web |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/saoa.crl.25057641 |jstor=saoa.crl.25057641 |access-date=16 November 2024 |title=Census of the Bombay Presidency, taken on the 21. February 1872. |year=1872 |volume=2 |pages=76 (part 1) & 112–138 (part 2) |publisher=Bombay, 1875. }}</ref>{{efn|name=Sindh1872|1872 figure taken from [[Census in British India|census data]] by combining the total population of all [[Districts of British India|districts]] ([[Karachi District (Sind)|Karachi]], [[Hyderabad District, Sindh|Hyderabad]], [[Shikarpur District|Shikarpur]], [[Tharparkar district|Tharparkar]], [[Upper Sind Frontier District|Upper Sind Frontier]]), and one [[princely state]] ([[Khairpur (princely state)|Khairpur]]), in Sindh Province, British India. Religious affiliation was not enumerated in [[Khairpur (princely state)|Khairpur]]. See 1872 census data here:<ref name="sindh1872"/>}}
! colspan="2" |1881<ref name="sindh1881">{{cite web |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/saoa.crl.25057678 |jstor=saoa.crl.25057678 |access-date=16 November 2024 |title=Census of India, 1891. Operations and results in the Presidency of Bombay, including Sind |year=1881 |pages=3 |archive-date=1 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601224518/https://www.jstor.org/stable/saoa.crl.25057678 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{efn|name=Sindh1881|1881 figure taken from [[Census in British India|census data]] by combining the total population of all [[Districts of British India|districts]] ([[Karachi District (Sind)|Karachi]], [[Hyderabad District, Sindh|Hyderabad]], [[Shikarpur District|Shikarpur]], [[Tharparkar district|Tharparkar]], [[Upper Sind Frontier District|Upper Sind Frontier]]), and one [[princely state]] ([[Khairpur (princely state)|Khairpur]]), in Sindh Province, British India. See 1881 census data here:<ref name="sindh1881"/>}}
! colspan="2" |1891<ref name="sindh1891">{{cite web |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/saoa.crl.25352815 |jstor=saoa.crl.25352815 |access-date=16 November 2024 |title=Census of India, 1891. Vol. VIII, Bombay and its feudatories. Part II, Imperial tables |author1=India Census Commissioner |year=1891 |volume=8}}</ref>{{efn|name=Sindh1891|1891 figure taken from [[Census in British India|census data]] by combining the total population of all [[Districts of British India|districts]] ([[Karachi District (Sind)|Karachi]], [[Hyderabad District, Sindh|Hyderabad]], [[Shikarpur District|Shikarpur]], [[Tharparkar district|Tharparkar]], [[Upper Sind Frontier District|Upper Sind Frontier]]), and one [[princely state]] ([[Khairpur (princely state)|Khairpur]]), in Sindh Province, British India. See 1891 census data here:<ref name="sindh1891"/>}}
! colspan="2" |1901<ref name="sindh1901">{{cite web |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/saoa.crl.25366895 |jstor=saoa.crl.25366895 |access-date=12 May 2024 |title=Census of India 1901. Vols. 9-11, Bombay. |author1=India Census Commissioner |year=1901 |volume=9}}</ref>{{efn|name=Sindh1901|1901 figure taken from [[Census in British India|census data]] by combining the total population of all [[Districts of British India|districts]] ([[Karachi District (Sind)|Karachi]], [[Hyderabad District, Sindh|Hyderabad]], [[Shikarpur District|Shikarpur]], [[Tharparkar district|Tharparkar]], [[Upper Sind Frontier District|Upper Sind Frontier]]), and one [[princely state]] ([[Khairpur (princely state)|Khairpur]]), in Sindh Province, British India. See 1901 census data here:<ref name="sindh1901"/>}}
! colspan="2" |1911<ref name="sindh1911">{{cite web |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/saoa.crl.25393770 |jstor=saoa.crl.25393770 |access-date=12 May 2024 |title=Census of India 1911. Vol. 7, Bombay. Pt. 2, Imperial tables. |author1=India Census Commissioner |year=1911 |volume=7}}</ref>{{efn|name=Sindh1911|1911 figure taken from [[Census in British India|census data]] by combining the total population of all [[Districts of British India|districts]] ([[Hyderabad District, Sindh|Hyderabad]], [[Karachi District (Sind)|Karachi]], [[Larkana District|Larkana]], [[Sukkur District|Sukkur]], [[Tharparkar district|Tharparkar]], [[Upper Sind Frontier District|Upper Sind Frontier]]), and one [[princely state]] ([[Khairpur (princely state)|Khairpur]]), in Sindh Province, British India. See 1911 census data here:<ref name="sindh1911"/>}}
! colspan="2" |1921<ref name="sindh1921">{{cite web |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/saoa.crl.25394131 |jstor=saoa.crl.25394131 |access-date=6 May 2024 |title=Census of India 1921. Vol. 8, Bombay Presidency. Pt. 2, Tables : imperial and provincial. |author1=India Census Commissioner |year=1921 |volume=8}}</ref>{{efn|name=Sindh1921|1921 figure taken from [[Census in British India|census data]] by combining the total population of all [[Districts of British India|districts]] ([[Hyderabad District, Sindh|Hyderabad]], [[Karachi District (Sind)|Karachi]], [[Larkana District|Larkana]], [[Nawabshah District|Nawabshah]], [[Sukkur District|Sukkur]], [[Tharparkar district|Tharparkar]], [[Upper Sind Frontier District|Upper Sind Frontier]]), and one [[princely state]] ([[Khairpur (princely state)|Khairpur]]), in Sindh Province, British India. See 1921 census data here:<ref name="sindh1921"/>}}
! colspan="2" |1931<ref name="sindh1931">{{cite web |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/saoa.crl.25797128 |jstor=saoa.crl.25797128 |access-date=5 May 2024 |title=Census of India 1931. Vol. 8, Bombay. Pt. 2, Statistical tables. |author1=India Census Commissioner |year=1931 |volume=8}}</ref>{{efn|name=Sindh1931|1931 figure taken from [[Census in British India|census data]] by combining the total population of all [[Districts of British India|districts]] ([[Hyderabad District, Sindh|Hyderabad]], [[Karachi District (Sind)|Karachi]], [[Larkana District|Larkana]], [[Nawabshah District|Nawabshah]], [[Sukkur District|Sukkur]], [[Tharparkar district|Tharparkar]], [[Upper Sind Frontier District|Upper Sind Frontier]]), and one [[princely state]] ([[Khairpur (princely state)|Khairpur]]), in Sindh Province, British India. See 1931 census data here:<ref name="sindh1931"/>}}
! colspan="2" |1941<ref name="sindh1941"/>{{rp|28}}{{efn|name=Sindh1941}}
! colspan="2" |1951<ref name="sindh1951">{{cite web|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/31311|title=CPopulation According to Religion, Tables-6, Pakistan - Census 1951|access-date=21 July 2024}}</ref>{{rp|22–26}}{{efn|name=Sindh1951|Including [[Federal Capital Territory (Karachi)]]}}
! colspan="2" |1998<ref name="sindh1998">{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/other/yearbooks//yearbook2014/16-16.pdf|title=Population Distribution by Religion, 1998 Census|access-date=23 January 2023}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2017<ref name="sindh2017">{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2017/tables/pakistan/Table09n.pdf|title=TABLE 9 - POPULATION BY SEX, RELIGION AND RURAL/URBAN|access-date=23 January 2023}}</ref><ref name="2017 Census">{{cite web |title=Religious Demographics of Pakistan 2023 |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/national/table_9.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210829194924/https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files//population_census/sailent_feature_%20census_2017.pdf |archive-date=29 August 2021 |access-date=20 May 2021}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2023<ref name="sindh2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/digital-census/detailed-results|title=7th Population and Housing Census - Detailed Results Table-9 Population by sex, religion and rural/urban|website=Pakistan Bureau of Statistics|access-date=6 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Table 9: Population by Sex, Religion and Rural/Urban, Census – 2023 |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/national/table_9.pdf}}</ref>
|-
![[Population|{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}]]
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
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!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
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!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
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!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
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!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
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!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
|-
! [[Islam]] [[File:Star and Crescent.svg|15px]]
| 1,712,266{{efn|[[Sunni Islam]]: 1,700,468<br>[[Shia Islam]]: 11,798}}
|{{Percentage | 1712266 | 2192415 | 2 }}
| 1,989,630
|{{Percentage | 1989630 | 2542976 | 2 }}
| 2,318,180
|{{Percentage | 2318180 | 3003711 | 2 }}
| 2,609,337
|{{Percentage | 2609337 | 3410223 | 2 }}
| 2,822,756
|{{Percentage | 2822756 | 3737223 | 2 }}
| 2,562,700
|{{Percentage | 2562700 | 3472508 | 2 }}
| 3,017,377
|{{Percentage | 3017377 | 4114253 | 2 }}
| 3,462,015
|{{Percentage | 3462015 | 4840795 | 2 }}
| 5,535,645
|{{Percentage | 5535645 | 6047748 | 2 }}
| 27,796,814
|{{Percentage | 27796814 | 30439893 | 2 }}
| 43,234,107
|{{Percentage | 43234107 | 47854510 | 2 }}
| 50,126,428
|{{Percentage | 50126428 | 55638409 | 2 }}
|-
! [[Hinduism]] [[File:Om.svg|15px]]{{efn|name=SindhHindu|1872 census: Also includes [[Tribals in India|Tribals]], [[Jainism|Jains]], and [[Nanakpanthi]]s ([[Sikhs]]).<br><br>1881 census: Also includes [[Tribals in India|Tribals]] and [[Nanakpanthi]]s ([[Sikhs]]).<br><br>1891 census: Also includes [[Tribals in India|Tribals]].<br><br>1901 census: Also includes [[Tribals in India|Tribals]] and [[Nanakpanthi]]s ([[Sikhs]]).}}
| 475,848{{efn|Caste Hindu: 390,435<br>[[Scheduled Castes in Pakistan|Scheduled Castes]], [[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes|Tribals]], and [[Jainism|Jains]]: 61,514<br>[[Nanakpanthi]]s ([[Sikhs]]): 23,899}}
|{{Percentage | 475848 | 2192415 | 2 }}
| 544,848
|{{Percentage | 544848 | 2542976 | 2 }}
| 674,371
|{{Percentage | 674371 | 3003711 | 2 }}
| 787,683
|{{Percentage | 787683 | 3410223 | 2 }}
| 877,313
|{{Percentage | 877313 | 3737223 | 2 }}
| 876,629
|{{Percentage | 876629 | 3472508 | 2 }}
| 1,055,119
|{{Percentage | 1055119 | 4114253 | 2 }}
| 1,279,530
|{{Percentage | 1279530 | 4840795 | 2 }}
| 482,560
|{{Percentage | 482560 | 6047748 | 2 }}
| 2,280,842
|{{Percentage | 2280842 | 30439893 | 2 }}
| 4,176,986
|{{Percentage | 4176986 | 47854510 | 2 }}
| 4,901,407
|{{Percentage | 4901407 | 55638409 | 2 }}
|-
! [[Christianity]] [[File:Christian cross.svg|15px]]
| 3,329{{efn|[[Roman Catholic]]: 1,670<br>[[Church of England]]: 1,142<br>Native Christian ([[Oriental Orthodox Churches|Oriental Orthodox]] & [[Syriac Christianity|Syriac]]): 359<br>[[Presbyterianism|Presbytarian]]: 156<br>[[Greek Orthodox Church|Greek Orthodox]]: 2}}
|{{Percentage | 3329 | 2192415 | 2 }}
| 6,082
|{{Percentage | 6082 | 2542976 | 2 }}
| 7,768
|{{Percentage | 7768 | 3003711 | 2 }}
| 7,825
|{{Percentage | 7825 | 3410223 | 2 }}
| 10,917
|{{Percentage | 10917 | 3737223 | 2 }}
| 11,734
|{{Percentage | 11734 | 3472508 | 2 }}
| 15,152
|{{Percentage | 15152 | 4114253 | 2 }}
| 20,304
|{{Percentage | 20304 | 4840795 | 2 }}
| 22,601
|{{Percentage | 22601 | 6047748 | 2 }}
| 294,885
|{{Percentage | 294885 | 30439893 | 2 }}
| 408,301
|{{Percentage | 408301 | 47854510 | 2 }}
| 546,968
|{{Percentage | 546968 | 55638409 | 2 }}
|-
! [[Zoroastrianism]] [[File:Faravahar.svg|15px]]
| 870{{efn|Shensoy Sect: 712<br>Kadimi Sect: 158}}
|{{Percentage | 870 | 2192415 | 2 }}
| 1,063
|{{Percentage | 1063 | 2542976 | 2 }}
| 1,534
|{{Percentage | 1534 | 3003711 | 2 }}
| 2,000
|{{Percentage | 2000 | 3410223 | 2 }}
| 2,411
|{{Percentage | 2411 | 3737223 | 2 }}
| 2,913
|{{Percentage | 2913 | 3472508 | 2 }}
| 3,537
|{{Percentage | 3537 | 4114253 | 2 }}
| 3,841
|{{Percentage | 3841 | 4840795 | 2 }}
| 5,046
|{{Percentage | 5046 | 6047748 | 2 }}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| 1,763
|{{Percentage | 1763 | 55638409 | 3 }}
|-
! [[Buddhism]] [[File:Dharma_Wheel_(2).svg|15px]]
| 67
|{{Percentage | 67 | 2192415 | 3 }}
| 9
|{{Percentage | 9 | 2542976 | 3 }}
| 2
|{{Percentage | 2 | 3003711 | 3 }}
| 0
|{{Percentage | 0 | 3410223 | 3 }}
| 21
|{{Percentage | 21 | 3737223 | 3 }}
| 41
|{{Percentage | 41 | 3472508 | 3 }}
| 53
|{{Percentage | 53 | 4114253 | 3 }}
| 111
|{{Percentage | 111 | 4840795 | 3 }}
| 670
|{{Percentage | 670 | 6047748 | 2 }}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
|-
! [[Judaism]] [[File:Star_of_David.svg|15px]]
| 35
|{{Percentage | 35 | 2192415 | 3 }}
| 153
|{{Percentage | 153 | 2542976 | 2 }}
| 210
|{{Percentage | 210 | 3003711 | 2 }}
| 428
|{{Percentage | 428 | 3410223 | 2 }}
| 595
|{{Percentage | 595 | 3737223 | 2 }}
| 671
|{{Percentage | 671 | 3472508 | 2 }}
| 985
|{{Percentage | 985 | 4114253 | 2 }}
| 1,082
|{{Percentage | 1082 | 4840795 | 2 }}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
|-
! [[Jainism]] [[File:Jain_Prateek_Chihna.svg|15px]]
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| 1,191
|{{Percentage | 1191 | 2542976 | 2 }}
| 923
|{{Percentage | 923 | 3003711 | 2 }}
| 921
|{{Percentage | 921 | 3410223 | 2 }}
| 1,349
|{{Percentage | 1349 | 3737223 | 2 }}
| 1,534
|{{Percentage | 1534 | 3472508 | 2 }}
| 1,144
|{{Percentage | 1144 | 4114253 | 2 }}
| 3,687
|{{Percentage | 3687 | 4840795 | 2 }}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
|-
! [[Sikhism]] [[File:Khanda.svg|15px]]
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| 720
|{{Percentage | 720 | 3003711 | 2 }}
| {{N/a}}{{efn|name=1901Census|1901 census: Enumerated as Hindus.}}
| {{N/a}}
| 12,339
|{{Percentage | 12339 | 3737223 | 2 }}
| 8,036
|{{Percentage | 8036 | 3472508 | 2 }}
| 19,172
|{{Percentage | 19172 | 4114253 | 2 }}
| 32,627
|{{Percentage | 32627 | 4840795 | 2 }}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| 5,182
|{{Percentage | 5182 | 55638409 | 2 }}
|-
! [[Tribal religions in India|Tribal]]
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}{{efn|name=1901Census}}
| {{N/a}}
| 9,224
|{{Percentage | 9224 | 3737223 | 2 }}
| 8,186
|{{Percentage | 8186 | 3472508 | 2 }}
| 204
|{{Percentage | 204 | 4114253 | 2 }}
| 37,598
|{{Percentage | 37598 | 4840795 | 2 }}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
|-
! [[Ahmadiyya]] [[File:Liwa-e-Ahmadiyya_1-2.svg|15px]]
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| {{N/a}}
| 43,524
|{{Percentage | 43524 | 30439893 | 2 }}
| 21,661
|{{Percentage | 21661 | 47854510 | 2 }}
| 18,266
|{{Percentage | 18266 | 55638409 | 2 }}
|-
! Others
| 0
|{{Percentage | 0 | 2192415 | 2 }}
| 0
|{{Percentage | 0 | 2542976 | 2 }}
| 3
|{{Percentage | 3 | 3003711 | 2 }}
| 2,029
|{{Percentage | 2029 | 3410223 | 2 }}
| 298
|{{Percentage | 298 | 3737223 | 2 }}
| 64
|{{Percentage | 64 | 3472508 | 3 }}
| 1,510
|{{Percentage | 1510 | 4114253 | 2 }}
| 0
|{{Percentage | 0 | 4840795 | 2 }}
| 1,226
|{{Percentage | 1226 | 6047748 | 2 }}
| 23,828
|{{Percentage | 23828 | 30439893 | 2 }}
| 13,455
|{{Percentage | 13455 | 47854510 | 2 }}
| 38,395
|{{Percentage | 38395 | 55638409 | 2 }}
|- class="sortbottom"
! Total Responses
! 2,192,415
!{{Percentage | 2192415 | 2322765 | 2 }}
! 2,542,976
!{{Percentage | 2542976 | 2542976 | 2 }}
! 3,003,711
!{{Percentage | 3003711 | 3003711 | 2 }}
! 3,410,223
!{{Percentage | 3410223 | 3410223 | 2 }}
! 3,737,223
!{{Percentage | 3737223 | 3737223 | 2 }}
! 3,472,508
!{{Percentage | 3472508 | 3472508 | 2 }}
! 4,114,253
!{{Percentage | 4114253 | 4114253 | 2 }}
! 4,840,795
!{{Percentage | 4840795 | 4840795 | 2 }}
! 6,047,748
!{{Percentage | 6047748 | 6054474 | 2 }}
! 30,439,893
!{{Percentage | 30439893 | 30439893 | 2 }}
! 47,854,510
!{{Percentage | 47854510 | 47854510 | 2 }}
! 55,638,409
!{{Percentage | 55638409 | 55696147 | 2 }}
|- class="sortbottom"
! Total Population
! 2,322,765
!{{Percentage | 2322765 | 2322765 | 2 }}
! 2,542,976
!{{Percentage | 2542976 | 2542976 | 2 }}
! 3,003,711
!{{Percentage | 3003711 | 3003711 | 2 }}
! 3,410,223
!{{Percentage | 3410223 | 3410223 | 2 }}
! 3,737,223
!{{Percentage | 3737223 | 3737223 | 2 }}
! 3,472,508
!{{Percentage | 3472508 | 3472508 | 2 }}
! 4,114,253
!{{Percentage | 4114253 | 4114253 | 2 }}
! 4,840,795
!{{Percentage | 4840795 | 4840795 | 2 }}
! 6,054,474
!{{Percentage | 6054474 | 6054474 | 2 }}
! 30,439,893
!{{Percentage | 30439893 | 30439893 | 2 }}
! 47,854,510
!{{Percentage | 47854510 | 47854510 | 2 }}
! 55,696,147
!{{Percentage | 55696147 | 55696147 | 2 }}
|}
</div>

=== Languages ===
{{Pie chart
|caption = Languages of Sindh (2023)
|label1 = [[Sindhi language|Sindhi]] |value1 = 60.14 |color1 = gold
|label2 = [[Urdu]] |value2 = 22.3 |color2 = crimson
|label3 = [[Pashto]] |value3 = 5.31 |color3 = royalblue
|label4 = [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] |value4 = 4.07 |color4 = saddlebrown
|label5 = [[Balochi language|Balochi]] |value5 = 2.17 |color5 = goldenrod
|label6 = [[Saraiki language|Saraiki]] |value6 = 1.64 |color6 = darkblue
|label7 = [[Hindko]] |value7 = 1.49 |color7 = wheat
|label8 = Others |value8 = 2.88 |color8 = grey
}}

According to the [[2023 Pakistani census|2023 census]], the most widely spoken language in the province is [[Sindhi language|Sindhi]], the first language of 33,462,299 {{sigfig|60.14|2}}% of the population. It is followed by [[Urdu]] 12,409,745 ({{sigfig|22.3|2}}%), then [[Pashto]] 2,955,893 ({{sigfig|5.31|2}}%), [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] 2,265,471 ({{sigfig|4.07|2}}%), [[Balochi language|Balochi]] 1,208,147 ({{sigfig|2.17|2}}%), [[Saraiki language|Saraiki]] 913,418 ({{sigfig|1.64|2}}%), and [[Hindko]] 830,581 ({{sigfig|1.49|2}}), Brahui 265,769, Mewati 57,059, Kashmiri 53,249, Balti 27,193, Shina 22,273, Koshistani 14,885, 777 Kalasha and others are 1,151,650,<ref>{{Cite web| title=Population by mother tongue, sex and rural/urban, census-2023 | url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/sindh/dcr/table_11.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723204859/https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/sindh/dcr/table_11.pdf | archive-date=2024-07-23}}</ref>
Other minority languages include [[Kutchi language|Kutchi]], [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]],<ref name="Rehman-2015">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/57104-with-a-handful-of-subberstwo-newspapers-barely-keeping-gujarati-alive-in-karachi|title=With a handful of subbers, two newspapers barely keeping Gujarati alive in Karachi|last=Rehman|first=Zia Ur|date=18 August 2015|work=The News International|access-date=13 January 2017|quote=In Pakistan, the majority of Gujarati-speaking communities are in Karachi including Dawoodi Bohras, Ismaili Khojas, Memons, Kathiawaris, Katchhis, Parsis (Zoroastrians) and Hindus, said Gul Hasan Kalmati, a researcher who authored "Karachi, Sindh Jee Marvi", a book discussing the city and its indigenous communities. Although there are no official statistics available, community leaders claim that there are three million Gujarati-speakers in Karachi&nbsp;–&nbsp;roughly around 15 percent of the city's entire population.}}</ref> [[Aer language|Aer]], [[Bagri language|Bagri]], [[Bhaya language|Bhaya]], [[Brahui language|Brahui]], [[Dhatki language|Dhatki]], [[Ghera language|Ghera]], [[Goaria language|Goaria]], [[Gurgula language|Gurgula]], [[Jadgali language|Jadgali]], [[Jandavra language|Jandavra]], [[Jogi language|Jogi]], [[Kabutra language|Kabutra]], [[Kachi Koli]], [[Parkari Koli language|Parkari Koli]], [[Wadiyari Koli]], [[Loarki language|Loarki]], [[Marwari language|Marwari]], [[Sansi language|Sansi]], and [[Vaghri language|Vaghri]].<ref>{{cite web|editor-last1 = Eberhard| editor-first1 = David M.| editor-last2 = Simons| editor-first2 = Gary F.| editor-last3 =Fennig |editor-first3 = Charles D.| year=2019|title = Pakistan - Languages|website=[[Ethnologue]]|edition=22nd|url=https://www.ethnologue.com/country/PK/languages}}</ref>

== Geography and nature ==
[[File:Manora Beach 1100641.JPG|thumb|left|Peninsula of Manora]]
[[File:Blackbuck1-Kirthar National Park.jpg|thumb|left|[[Sindh ibex]] in [[Kirthar National Park]]]]
Sindh is in the western corner of South Asia, bordering the [[Iranian plateau]] in the west. Geographically it is the third largest province of Pakistan, stretching about {{convert|579|km}} from north to south and {{convert|442|km}} (extreme) or {{convert|281|km}} (average) from east to west, with an area of {{convert|140915|km2|sqmi}} of Pakistani territory. Sindh is bounded by the [[Thar Desert]] to the east, the [[Kirthar Mountains]] to the west and the [[Arabian Sea]] and [[Rann of Kutch]] to the south. In the centre is a fertile plain along the [[Indus River]].

Sindh is divided into three main geographical regions: ''Siro'' ("upper country"), aka Upper Sindh, which is above [[Sehwan]]; ''Vicholo'' ("middle country"), or Middle Sindh, from Sehwan to [[Hyderabad, Sindh|Hyderabad]]; and ''Lāṟu'' ("sloping, descending country"), or Lower Sindh, mostly consisting of the [[Indus Delta]] below Hyderabad.<ref name="Haig 1894">{{cite book |last1=Haig |first1=Malcolm Robert |title=The Indus Delta Country: A Memoir, Chiefly on Its Ancient Geography and History |date=1894 |publisher=Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co. |location=London |page=1 |url=https://archive.org/details/indusdeltacount00haiggoog |access-date=29 January 2022}}</ref>

=== Flora ===
[[File:Sindhri Mango.JPG|alt=Sindhri mangoes is among top 10 mango varieties in the world|thumb|[[Sindhri]] is among top 10 [[mango varieties]] in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/nation/dubai/queen-of-mangoes-sindhri-from-pakistan-in-uae|title=Queen of Mangoes: Sindhri from Pakistan now in UAE|last=Menon|first=Sunita|website=Khaleej Times|access-date=2019-09-22}}</ref>]]
The province is mostly arid with scant vegetation except for the irrigated Indus Valley. The dwarf palm, ''Acacia rupestris'' (kher), and ''[[Tecomella undulata]]'' ([[Rohida|lohirro]]) trees are typical of the western hill region. In the Indus valley, the ''[[Acacia nilotica]]'' (babul) (babbur) is the most dominant and occurs in thick forests along the Indus banks. The ''[[Azadirachta indica]]'' (neem) (nim), ''Zizyphys vulgaris'' (bir) (ber), ''Tamarix orientalis'' (jujuba lai) and ''[[Capparis aphylla]]'' (kirir) are among the more common trees.

Mango, date palms and the more recently introduced banana, guava, orange and [[chiku]] are the typical fruit-bearing trees. The coastal strip and the creeks abound in semi-aquatic and aquatic plants and the inshore Indus delta islands have forests of ''Avicennia tomentosa'' (timmer) and ''[[Ceriops tagal|Ceriops candolleana]]'' (chaunir) trees. Water lilies grow in abundance in the numerous lakes and ponds, particularly in the lower Sindh region.{{Citation needed|date=September 2020}}

=== Fauna ===
{{Main|Fauna of Sindh}}
[[File:Schnabeldelphin-drawing.jpg|thumb|right|Indus river dolphin]]
Among the wild [[animal]]s, the [[Sindh ibex]] (sareh), [[blackbuck]], wild sheep ([[Urial]] or gadh) and [[Asian black bear|wild bear]] are found in the western rocky range. The [[leopard]] is now rare and the [[Asiatic cheetah]] extinct. The [[Fishing cat|Pirrang]] (large tiger cat or fishing cat) of the eastern desert region is also disappearing. [[Chinkara|Deer]] occur in the lower rocky plains and in the eastern region, as do the [[Striped hyena]] (charakh), [[jackal]], [[fox]], [[porcupine]], [[mongoose|common gray mongoose]] and [[hedgehog]]. The Sindhi phekari, red lynx or Caracal cat, is found in some areas. Phartho (hog deer) and wild bear occur, particularly in the central inundation belt. There are bats, lizards and reptiles, including the cobra, lundi (viper) and the mysterious Sindh [[krait]] of the Thar region, which is supposed to suck the victim's breath in his sleep.
Some unusual sightings of Asian cheetah occurred in 2003 near the [[Balochistan (Pakistan)|Balochistan]] border in [[Kirthar Mountains]]. The rare [[Houbara bustard]] finds Sindh's warm climate suitable to rest and mate. Unfortunately, it is hunted by locals and foreigners.

[[Crocodile]]s are rare and inhabit only the backwaters of the Indus, eastern Nara channel and Karachi backwater. Besides a large variety of marine fish, the plumbeous [[dolphin]], the beaked dolphin, rorqual or blue whale and skates frequent the seas along the Sindh coast. The Pallo (Sable fish), a marine fish, ascends the Indus annually from February to April to spawn. The [[Indus river dolphin]] is among the most endangered species in Pakistan and is found in the part of the Indus river in northern Sindh. [[Indian hog deer|Hog deer]] and [[Asian black bear|wild bear]] occur, particularly in the central inundation belt.

Although Sindh has a [[semi arid]] climate, through its coastal and riverine forests, its huge fresh water lakes and mountains and deserts, Sindh supports a large amount of varied wildlife. Due to the semi-arid [[climate of Sindh]] the left out forests support an average population of jackals and snakes. The [[national parks]] established by the Government of Pakistan in collaboration with many organizations such as [[World Wide Fund for Nature]] and [[Sindh Wildlife Department]] support a huge variety of animals and birds. The [[Kirthar National Park]] in the Kirthar range spreads over more than 3000&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> of desert, stunted tree forests and a lake. The KNP supports [[Sindh ibex]], [[wild sheep]] (urial) and [[Asian black bear|black bear]] along with the rare leopard. There are also occasional sightings of The Sindhi phekari, ped lynx or Caracal cat. There is a project to introduce [[tiger]]s and [[Asian elephant]]s too in KNP near the huge Hub Dam Lake. Between July and November when the [[monsoon]] winds blow onshore from the ocean, giant [[olive ridley]] turtles lay their eggs along the seaward side. The turtles are protected species. After the mothers lay and leave them buried under the sands the SWD and WWF officials take the eggs and protect them until they are hatched to keep them from predators.

=== Climate ===
{{Main|Climate of Sindh}}
[[File:Ayub.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Lansdowne Railway Bridge]]
Sindh lies in a [[tropical]] to [[subtropical]] region; it is hot in the summer and mild to warm in winter. Temperatures frequently rise above {{convert|46|°C|°F|abbr=on|lk=on}} between May and August, and the minimum average temperature of {{convert|2|°C|°F|abbr=on}} occurs during December and January in the northern and higher elevated regions. The annual rainfall averages about seven inches, falling mainly during July and August. The southwest monsoon wind begins in mid-February and continues until the end of September, whereas the cool northerly wind blows during the winter months from October to January.

Sindh lies between the two [[monsoon]]s—the southwest monsoon from the Indian Ocean and the northeast or retreating monsoon, deflected towards it by the [[Himalayas|Himalayan mountains]]—and escapes the influence of both. The region's scarcity of rainfall is compensated by the inundation of the Indus twice a year, caused by the spring and summer melting of Himalayan snow and by rainfall in the monsoon season.

Sindh is divided into three climatic regions: Siro (the upper region, centred on [[Jacobabad]]), Wicholo (the middle region, centred on [[Hyderabad, Sindh|Hyderabad]]), and Lar (the lower region, centred on [[Karachi]]). The [[thermal equator]] passes through upper Sindh, where the air is generally very dry. Central Sindh's temperatures are generally lower than those of upper Sindh but higher than those of lower Sindh. Dry hot days and cool nights are typical during the summer. Central Sindh's maximum temperature typically reaches {{convert|43|-|44|C|F}}. Lower Sindh has a damper and humid maritime climate affected by the southwestern winds in summer and northeastern winds in winter, with lower [[rainfall]] than Central Sindh. Lower Sindh's maximum temperature reaches about {{convert|35|-|38|C|F}}. In the Kirthar range at {{convert|1800|m|ft|abbr=on}} and higher at [[Gorakh Hill]] and other peaks in [[Dadu District]], temperatures near freezing have been recorded and brief snowfall is received in the winters.

== Major cities ==
{{Main|List of cities in Pakistan by population|List of cities in Sindh by population}}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 85%; border: #999 solid 1px; text-align: lcenter; margin-bottom: 0; margin: 1em auto 1em auto"
|-
! colspan="5" style="text-align:center; background:YellowGreen;"| '''List of major cities in Sindh'''
|-
! style="text-align:center; background:YellowGreen;"| Rank
! style="text-align:center; background:YellowGreen;"| City
! style="text-align:center; background:YellowGreen;"| District(s)
! style="text-align:center; background:YellowGreen;"| Population
! style="text-align:center; background:YellowGreen;"| Image
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:YellowGreen;"| 1 ||align=left | '''[[Karachi]]''' ||align=left | [[Nazimabad District|Nazimabad]], [[Orangi District|Orangi]], [[Gulshan District|Gulshan]], [[Korangi District|Korangi]], [[Malir District|Malir]], [[Keamari District|Keamari]], [[Karachi District (South)|Karachi]]|| 	18,868,021||[[File:Jinnah Mausoleum (cropped).JPG|200px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:YellowGreen;"| 2 ||align=left | '''[[Hyderabad, Sindh|Hyderabad]]''' ||align=left | [[Hyderabad District, Pakistan|Hyderabad]] || 1,921,275|| [[File:Mir Karam Ali Khan Talpur Tombs were restored in 2016 1.jpg|200px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:YellowGreen;"| 3 ||align=left | '''[[Sukkur]]''' ||align=left | [[Sukkur District|Sukkur]] || 563,851|| [[File:Rohri.jpg|200px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:YellowGreen;"| 4 ||align=left | '''[[Larkana]]''' ||align=left | [[Larkana District|Larkana]] || 551,716 ||[[File:Mohen Jo Daro.JPG|200x200px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:YellowGreen;"| 5 ||align=left | '''[[Benazirabad]]'''<ref name="Khan">{{Cite web |last=Khan |first=Mohammad Hussain |date=2021-12-20 |title=The tale of Benazirabad |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1664818 |access-date=2024-02-19 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref>|| align="left" | [[Shaheed Benazirabad District|Shaheed Benazirabad]] || 363,138 || [[File:Tomb of Mian Noor Muhammad Kalhoro.JPG|200px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:YellowGreen;"| 6 ||align=left | '''[[Kotri]]''' ||align=left | [[Jamshoro District|Jamshoro]] || 106,615|| [[File:Kotri Barrage Indus River.jpg|200px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:YellowGreen;"| 7 ||align=left | '''[[Mirpur Khas]]''' ||align=left | [[Mirpur Khas District|Mirpur Khas]] || 267,833 || [[File:Chitorri Graveyard view4.JPG|200px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:YellowGreen;"| 8
|[[Shikarpur, Sindh|'''Shikarpur''']]
|[[Shikarpur District|Shikarpur]]
|204,938|| [[File:Clock Tower in Shikarpur, Sindh.jpg|alt=Clock Tower Shikarpur|left|266x266px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:YellowGreen;"| 9
|'''[[Jacobabad]]'''
|[[Jacobabad District|Jacobabad]]
|219,315 || [[File:Jacobabad Junction railway station.jpg|200x200px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:YellowGreen;"| 10
|[[Khairpur]]
|[[Khairpur District|Khairpur]]
|191,044|| [[File:FaizMahal.jpg|200x200px]]
|-
| colspan="5" style="text-align:center; background:#f5f5f5;"| '''Source: Pakistan Census 2023'''<ref name="census">{{cite web | title=Pakistan Bureau of Statistics – Data, Statistics, Decisions | url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/table_1_sindh_districts.pdf }}</ref>
|-
| colspan="5" style="text-align:center; background:#f5f5f5;"| '''This is a list of city proper populations and does not indicate metro populations.'''
|}

== Government ==
=== Sindh province ===
{{Main|Government of Sindh}}
[[File:Capra ibex ibex – 03.jpg|thumb |[[Sindh ibex]], the provincial animal<ref name="Faiza Ilyas">{{cite news|last1=Ilyas|first1=Faiza|title=Provincial mammal, bird notified|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/733088|access-date=3 November 2016|newspaper=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]|date=10 July 2012}}</ref>]]
[[File:Naturalis_Biodiversity_Center_-_ZMA.AVES.25872_-_Melanoperdix_niger_niger_Vigors,_1829_-_Phasianidae_-_skin_specimen.jpeg |thumb|[[Black partridge]], the provincial bird<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2011/12/14/city/karachi/%E2%80%98our-sindhi-symbols-%E2%80%93-ibex-black-partridge%E2%80%99/|title=Our Sindhi symbols – ibex, black partridge|author=Amar Guriro |date=14 December 2011 |website= Pakistan Today|access-date=6 September 2014}}</ref>]]
[[File:Neem-Tree.jpg|thumb |[[Azadirachta indica|Neem Tree]], the provincial tree<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dawn.com/news/978487/govt-declares-neem-provincial-tree|title=Govt declares Neem 'provincial tree'|date=15 April 2010 |website= Dawn|access-date=6 September 2014}}</ref>]]
The [[Provincial Assembly of Sindh]] is a [[unicameral]] and consists of 168 seats, of which 5% are reserved for non-Muslims and 17% for women. The provincial capital of Sindh is [[Karachi]]. The [[Government of Sindh|provincial government]] is led by [[Chief Minister of Sindh|Chief Minister]] who is directly elected by the [[Elections in Pakistan|popular and landslide votes]]; the [[Governor of Sindh|Governor]] serves as a ceremonial representative nominated and appointed by the [[President of Pakistan]]. The administrative boss of the province who is in charge of the bureaucracy is the [[Chief Secretary Sindh]], who is appointed by the [[Prime Minister of Pakistan]]. Most of the influential Sindhi tribes in the province are involved in [[political families of Pakistan|Pakistan's politics]].

In addition, Sindh's politics leans towards the [[Left-wing politics|left-wing]] and its political culture serves as a dominant place for the [[Socialism in Pakistan|left-wing spectrum]] in the country.<ref name="Rug Pandits, Yasir">{{cite web|url=http://rugpundits.com/2012/11/05/areas-of-political-influence-in-pakistan-right-wing-vs-left-wing/|title=Areas of political influence in Pakistan: right-wing vs left-wing|date=5 November 2012|publisher=Rug Pandits, Yasir|location=Karachi, Sindh|last1=Sheikh|first1=Yasir|access-date=29 May 2015|archive-date=30 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530024013/http://rugpundits.com/2012/11/05/areas-of-political-influence-in-pakistan-right-wing-vs-left-wing/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The province's trend towards the [[Pakistan Peoples Party]] (PPP) and away from the [[Pakistan Muslim League (N)]] can be seen in nationwide [[Elections in Pakistan|general elections]], in which Sindh is a stronghold of the PPP.<ref name="Rug Pandits, Yasir"/> The PML(N) has a limited support due to its [[Conservatism in Pakistan|centre-right agenda]].<ref name="News International">{{cite news|url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-4-320383-PML-N-braving-silent-rebellion-in-Sindh-and-Karachi-leaderships|title=PML-N braving silent rebellion in Sindh and Karachi leaderships|date=2015-05-26|newspaper=News International|last1=Rehman|first1=Zia ur|access-date=29 May 2015|archive-date=29 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529001254/http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-4-320383-PML-N-braving-silent-rebellion-in-Sindh-and-Karachi-leaderships|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In metropolitan cities such as [[Karachi]] and [[Hyderabad, Sindh|Hyderabad]], the [[Muttahida Qaumi Movement – Pakistan|MQM]] (another party of the left with the support of [[Indian Muslims in Pakistan|''Muhajirs'']]) has a considerable vote bank and support.<ref name="Rug Pandits, Yasir"/> Minor leftist parties such as the [[Awami Tehreek|People's Movement]] also found support in rural areas of the province.<ref name="Tanqeed, Sodhar">{{cite web|url=http://www.tanqeed.org/2013/05/sindh-nationalists-and-electoral-alliance/|title=Turn Right: Sindhi Nationalism and Electoral Politics|publisher=Tanqeed, Sodhar|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530033147/http://www.tanqeed.org/2013/05/sindh-nationalists-and-electoral-alliance/|archive-date=2015-05-30|url-status=dead|last1=Sodhar|first1=Muhammad Qasim|access-date=29 May 2015}}</ref>

=== Divisions ===
{{Main|Divisions of Sindh, Pakistan}}

In 2008, after the public elections, the new government decided to restore the structure of Divisions of all provinces.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nation.com.pk/26-Oct-2008/commissionerate-system-restored |title=Commissionerate system restored |date=26 October 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100109092219/http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/26-Oct-2008/Commissionerate-system-restored |archive-date=2010-01-09 }}</ref> In Sindh after the lapse of the Local Governments Bodies term in 2010 the Divisional Commissioners system was to be restored.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emoiz.com/commissioner-system-to-be-restored-soon-sindh-cm|title=502 Bad Gateway|website=www.emoiz.com|access-date=6 March 2017|archive-date=26 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226145022/http://www.emoiz.com/win.php|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geo.tv/5-26-2009/42856.htm |title=Commissioner system to be restored soon: Durrani |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731171324/http://www.geo.tv/5-26-2009/42856.htm |archive-date=2012-07-31 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://eproperty.pk/news/2009/07/31/sindh-commissioner-system-may-be-revived-today|title=Sindh: Commissioner system may be revived today|access-date=25 April 2016|archive-date=Nov 24, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124020701/http://eproperty.pk/news/2009/07/31/sindh-commissioner-system-may-be-revived-today|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In July 2011, following excessive [[July 2011 Karachi target killings|violence in the city of Karachi]] and after the political split between the ruling PPP and the majority party in Sindh, the MQM and after the resignation of the MQM Governor of Sindh, PPP and the Government of Sindh decided to restore the commissionerate system in the province. As a consequence, the five divisions of Sindh were restored – namely Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Mirpurkhas and Larkana with their respective districts. Subsequently, a new division was added in Sindh, the Nawab Shah/Shaheed Benazirabad division.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nation.com.pk/12-Jul-2011/commissioners-dcs-posted-in-sindh |title=Commissioners, DCs posted in Sindh |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713092405/http://nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/12-Jul-2011/Commissioners-DCs-posted-in-Sindh |first1=Ramzan |last1=Chandio |website=The Nation |date=July 12, 2011 |archive-date=2011-07-13 }}</ref>

Karachi district has been de-merged into its five original constituent districts: [[Karachi East District|Karachi East]], [[Karachi West District|Karachi West]], [[Karachi Central District|Karachi Central]], [[Karachi South District|Karachi South]] and [[Malir District|Malir]]. Recently Korangi has been upgraded to the status of the sixth district of Karachi. These six districts form the Karachi Division now.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2011/07/11/sindh-back-to-5-divisions-after-11-years/|title=Sindh back to 5 divisions after 11 years |website=Pakistan Today }}</ref> In 2020, the [[Kemari District]] was created after splitting [[Karachi West District]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://nation.com.pk/21-Aug-2020/sindh-cabinet-approves-division-of-karachi-into-seven-districts|publisher=nation.com.pk|author=ABDULLAH ZAFAR|title=Sindh Cabinet approves division of Karachi into seven districts|date=21 August 2020|access-date=25 May 2021}}</ref> Currently the Sindh government is planning to divide the [[Tharparkar district]] into Tharparkar and Chhachro districts.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.24newshd.tv/28-Mar-2021/sindh-govt-to-divide-tharparkar-in-two-districts?version=amp|title=Sindh govt to divide Tharparkar in two districts|access-date=7 June 2021}}</ref>

=== Districts ===
{{Main|List of districts of Sindh}}
[[File:Sindh Districts.svg|thumb|right]]
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- style="background:#98fb98;"
! Sr.&nbsp;No.
! District
! Headquarters
! Area&nbsp;<br />(km<sup>2</sup>)
! Population&nbsp;<br />(in 2023)<ref>{{Cite web |title=TABLE 1 : AREA, POPULATION BY SEX, POPULATION DENSITY (Census-2023) - Sindh |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/table_1_sindh_districts.pdf |website=Pakistan Bureau of Statistics |access-date=6 October 2025}}</ref>
! Density&nbsp;<br />(people/km<sup>2</sup>)
! Division
|-
|1
|[[Badin District|Badin]]
|[[Badin]]
|align="right"|6,858
|align="right"|1,947,081
|align="right"|285
|align="right"|[[Hyderabad Division|Hyderabad]]
|-
|2
|[[Dadu District|Dadu]]
|[[Dadu, Pakistan|Dadu]]
|align="right"|7,866
|align="right"|1,742,320
|align="right"|222
|align="right"|[[Hyderabad Division|Hyderabad]]
|-
|3
|[[Ghotki District|Ghotki]]
|[[Mirpur Mathelo Taluka|Mirpur Mathelo]]
|align="right"|6,083
|align="right"|1,772,609
|align="right"|291
|align="right"|[[Sukkur Division|Sukkur]]
|-
|4
|[[Hyderabad District, Pakistan|Hyderabad]]
|[[Hyderabad, Sindh|Hyderabad]]
|align="right"|993
|align="right"|2,432,540
|align="right"|2,449
|align="right"|[[Hyderabad Division|Hyderabad]]
|-
|5
|[[Jacobabad District|Jacobabad]]
|[[Jacobabad]]
|align="right"|2,698
|align="right"|1,174,097
|align="right"|434
|align="right"|[[Larkana Division|Larkana]]
|-
|6
|[[Jamshoro District|Jamshoro]]
|[[Jamshoro]]
|align="right"|11,204
|align="right"|1,117,308
|align="right"|100
|align="right"|[[Hyderabad Division|Hyderabad]]
|-
|7
|[[Karachi Central District|Karachi Central]]
|[[North Nazimabad]]
|align="right"|69
|align="right"|3,822,325
|align="right"|55,839
|align="right"|[[Karachi Division|Karachi]]
|-
|7
|[[Karachi East District|Karachi East]]
|[[Gulshan e Iqbal]]
|align="right"|139
|align="right"|3,921,742
|align="right"|28,220
|align="right"|[[Karachi Division|Karachi]]
|-
|7
|[[Karachi South District|Karachi South]]
|[[Saddar Karachi]]
|align="right"|122
|align="right"|2,329,764
|align="right"|19,105
|align="right"|[[Karachi Division|Karachi]]
|-
|7
|[[Karachi West District|Karachi West]]
|[[Orangi Town]]
|align="right"|370
|align="right"|2,679,380
|align="right"|7,238
|align="right"|[[Karachi Division|Karachi]]
|-
|7
|[[Korangi District|Korangi]]
|[[Korangi]]
|align="right"|108
|align="right"|3,128,971
|align="right"|28,969
|align="right"|[[Karachi Division|Karachi]]
|-
|7
|[[Keamari District|Keamari]]
|Moriro Mirbahar
|align="right"|559
|align="right"|2,068,451
|align="right"|3,700
|align="right"|[[Karachi Division|Karachi]]
|-
|7
|[[Malir District|Malir]]
|[[Malir]]
|align="right"|2,160
|align="right"|2,432,248
|align="right"|1,127
|align="right"|[[Karachi Division|Karachi]]
|-
|8
|[[Kashmore District|Kashmore]]
|[[Kandhkot]]
|align="right"|2,580
|align="right"|1,233,957
|align="right"|477
|align="right"|[[Larkana Division|Larkana]]
|-
|9
|[[Khairpur District|Khairpur]]
|[[Khairpur, Pakistan|Khairpur]]
|align="right"|15,910
|align="right"|2,597,535
|align="right"|163
|align="right"|[[Sukkur Division|Sukkur]]
|-
|10
|[[Larkana District|Larkana]]
|[[Larkana]]
|align="right"|1,948
|align="right"|1,784,453
|align="right"|916
|align="right"|[[Larkana Division|Larkana]]
|-
|11
|[[Matiari District|Matiari]]
|[[Matiari]]
|align="right"|1,417
|align="right"|849,383
|align="right"|599
|align="right"|[[Hyderabad Division|Hyderabad]]
|-
|12
|[[Mirpur Khas District|Mirpur Khas]]
|[[Mirpur Khas]]
|align="right"|2,925
|align="right"|1,681,386
|align="right"|575
|align="right"|[[Mirpur Khas Division|Mirpur Khas]]
|-
|13
|[[Naushahro Feroze District|Naushahro Feroze]]
|[[Naushahro Feroze]]
|align="right"|2,945
|align="right"|1,777,082
|align="right"|603
|align="right"|[[Shaheed Benazirabad Division|Shaheed Benazir Abad]]
|-
|14
|[[Shaheed Benazirabad District|Shaheed Benazirabad]]
|[[Nawabshah]]
|align="right"|4,502
|align="right"|1,845,102
|align="right"|410
|align="right"|[[Shaheed Benazirabad Division|Shaheed Benazir Abad]]
|-
|15
|[[Qambar Shahdadkot District|Qambar Shahdadkot]]
|[[Qambar]]
|align="right"|5,475
|align="right"|1,514,869
|align="right"|276
|align="right"|[[Larkana Division|Larkana]]
|-
|16
|[[Sanghar District|Sanghar]]
|[[Sanghar]]
|align="right"|10,728
|align="right"|2,308,465
|align="right"|215
|align="right"|[[Mirpur Khas Division|Mirpur Khas]]
|-
|17
|[[Shikarpur District|Shikarpur]]
|[[Shikarpur, Pakistan|Shikarpur]]
|align="right"|2,512
|align="right"|1,386,330
|align="right"|552
|align="right"|[[Larkana Division|Larkana]]
|-
|18
|[[Sukkur District|Sukkur]]
|[[Sukkur]]
|align="right"|5,165
|align="right"|1,639,897
|align="right"|318
|align="right"|[[Sukkur Division|Sukkur]]
|-
|19
|[[Tando Allahyar District|Tando Allahyar]]
|[[Tando Allahyar]]
|align="right"|1,554
|align="right"|922,012
|align="right"|593
|align="right"|[[Hyderabad Division|Hyderabad]]
|-
|20
|[[Tando Muhammad Khan District|Tando Muhammad Khan]]
|[[Tando Muhammad Khan]]
|align="right"|1,423
|align="right"|726,119
|align="right"|509
|align="right"|[[Hyderabad Division|Hyderabad]]
|-
|21
|[[Tharparkar District|Tharparkar]]
|[[Mithi]]
|align="right"|19,637
|align="right"|1,778,407
|align="right"|91
|align="right"|[[Mirpur Khas Division|Mirpur Khas]]
|-
|22
|[[Thatta District|Thatta]]
|[[Thatta]]
|align="right"|8,570
|align="right"|1,083,191
|align="right"|127
|align="right"|[[Hyderabad Division|Hyderabad]]
|-
|22
|[[Sujawal District|Sujawal]]
|[[Sujawal]]
|align="right"|8,785
|align="right"|839,292
|align="right"|96
|align="right"|[[Hyderabad Division|Hyderabad]]
|-
|23
|[[Umerkot District|Umerkot]]
|[[Umerkot]]
|align="right"|5,608
|align="right"|1,159,831
|align="right"|207
|align="right"|[[Mirpur Khas Division|Mirpur Khas]]
|}

=== Lower-level subdivisions ===
In Sindh, [[taluka]]s are equivalent to the [[tehsil]]s used elsewhere in the country, supervisory tapas correspond with the kanungo circles used elsewhere, tapas correspond with the [[patwar circle]]s used in other provinces, and dehs are equivalent to the [[mouza]]s used elsewhere.<ref name="Statistics 2008">{{cite book |last1=Khan |first1=Tariq Shafiq |title=Pakistan 2008 Mouza Statistics |date=2009 |publisher=Government of Pakistan: Statistics Division - Agricultural Census Organization |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/aco/publications/pakistan-mouza-census2008/Write-up%20on%20Mouza%20Census%202008%20report.pdf |access-date=15 May 2021 |archive-date=12 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612105944/https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/aco/publications/pakistan-mouza-census2008/Write-up%20on%20Mouza%20Census%202008%20report.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Towns and villages ===
<!---♦♦♦ Only add a location to this list if they already have their own article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦--->
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order ♦♦♦--->
* [[Goth Bozo]]
* [[Kashmir Goth]]
* [[Khairo Bhatti]]

== Economy ==
[[File:PK Karachi asv2020-02 img22 Chundrigar Road.jpg|thumb|A view of Karachi downtown, the capital of Sindh province]]
{{Excerpt|Economy of Sindh}}
[[File:Qayoom_Abad_Bridge.JPG|thumb|Qayoom Abad Bridge Karachi]]
[[File:PK Hyderabad asv2020-02 img15 Navalrai Market tower.jpg|thumb|Navalrai Market Clock Tower Hyderabad]]
[[File:Sukkur Skyline along the shores of the River Indus.jpg|thumb|Sukkur skyline along the shores of the River Indus]]

== Education ==
[[File:Photograph of the D.J. Sind Arts College (now known as the D. J. Government Science College) of Karachi 1893.jpg|thumb|Dayaram Jethmal College (D.J. College), Karachi, in the 19th century]]
[[File:Hindu Gymkhana Karachi.jpeg|thumb|[[National Academy of Performing Arts]], Karachi]]
{|class="sortable wikitable" style="font-size:90%"
|-
! Year||Literacy rate
|-
|1972||60.77
|-
|1981||37.5%
|-
|1998||45.29%
|-
|2017||54.57%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://e.thenews.com.pk/pdf-data/Sailent-feature-census-2017.pdf |title=Salient Features of Final Results Census-2017 |access-date=14 June 2021 |archive-date=19 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519073356/https://e.thenews.com.pk/pdf-data/Sailent-feature-census-2017.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|}

=== Universities ===
{{Excerpt|List of universities in Sindh|List of universities}}
Other major public and private educational institutes in Sindh include:

{{Colbegin|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Adamjee Government Science College]]
* [[Aga Khan University]]
* [[APIIT]]
* [[Applied Economics Research Centre]]
* [[Bahria University]]
* [[Baqai Medical University]]
* [[Chandka Medical College|Chandka Medical College Larkana]]
* [[Cadet College Petaro]]
* College of Digital Sciences
* [[College of Physicians & Surgeons Pakistan]]
* [[COMMECS Institute of Business and Emerging Sciences]]
* [[D. J. Science College]]
* [[Dawood University of Engineering & Technology]]
* [[Defence Authority Degree College for Men]]
* [[Dow International Medical College]]
* [[Dow University of Health Sciences]]
* [[Fatima Jinnah Dental College]]
* [[Federal Urdu University]]
* GBELS Dourai Mahar Taluka Daur Distt: Shaheed Benazirabad
* [[Ghulam Muhammad Mahar Medical College Sukkur]]
* [[Government College for Men Nazimabad]]
* Government College Hyderabad
* [[Government College of Commerce & Economics]]
* [[Government College of Technology, Karachi]]
* Government Degree College Matiari
* Government High School Ranipur
* [[Government Islamia Science College Sukkur]]
* Government Muslim Science College Hyderabad
* [[Government National College (Karachi)]]
* Greenwich University (Karachi)
* [[Hamdard University]]
* [[Hussain Ebrahim Jamal Research Institute of Chemistry]]
* Imperial Science College Nawabshah
* [[Indus Valley Institute of Art and Architecture]]
* [[Institute of Business Administration, Karachi]]
* [[Institute of Business Administration, Sukkar]]
* [[Institute of Business Management]]
* [[Institute of Industrial Electronics Engineering]]
* [[Institute of Sindhology]]
* [[Iqra University]]
* [[Islamia Science College (Karachi)]]
* [[Isra University Hyderabad]]
* [[Jinnah Medical & Dental College]]
* [[Jinnah Polytechnic Institute]]
* [[Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre]]
* [[Jinnah University for Women]]
* [[KANUPP Institute of Nuclear Power Engineering]]
* [[Karachi Institute of Economics and Technology]]
* [[Karachi School of Business and Leadership]]
* [[Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences]]
* [[Mehran University of Engineering and Technology]]
* [[Mohammad Ali Jinnah University]]
* [[National Academy of Performing Arts]]
* [[National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences]]
* [[National University of Modern Languages]]
* [[National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan|National University of Sciences and Technology]]
* [[NED University of Engineering and Technology]]
* Ojha Institute of Chest Diseases
* PAF Institute of Aviation Technology
* TES Public School, Daur
* [[Pakistan Navy Engineering College]]
* [[Pakistan Shipowners' College]]
* Pakistan Steel Cadet College
* Peoples Medical College for Girls Nawabshah
* PIA Training Centre Karachi
* Provincial Institute of Teachers Education Nawabshah
* Public School Hyderabad
* [[Quaid-e-Awam University of Engineering, Science and Technology]], Nawabshah
* [[Rana Liaquat Ali Khan Government College of Home Economics]]
* [[Saint Patrick's College, Karachi]]
* [[Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai University]]
* [[Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Medical College]]
* [[Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology]]
* [[Sindh Agriculture University]]
* [[Sindh Medical College]]
* Superior College of Science Hyderabad
* [[Sindh Muslim Law College]]
* [[Sir Syed Government Girls College]]
* [[Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology]]
* [[St. Joseph's College (Karachi)|St. Joseph's College]]
* [[Sukkur Institute of Science & Technology]]
* [[Textile Institute of Pakistan]]
* [[University of Karachi]]
* [[University of Sindh]]
* [[Usman Institute of Technology]]
* [[Ziauddin Medical University]]
{{Colend}}

== Culture ==
{{Main|Sindhi culture}}
[[File:Children in a village, Sindh, Pakistan, April 2012 (8405077775).jpg|thumb|right|Children in a rural area of Sindh, 2012]]
[[File:Temple in Sant Nenuram ashram.jpg|thumb|[[Sant Nenuram Ashram]]]]
The rich culture, art and architectural landscape of Sindh have fascinated historians. The culture, folktales, art and music of Sindh form a mosaic of human history.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/610452/spotlighting-sindh-exhibit-provides-peek-into-provinces-rich-culture/|title=Spotlighting: Sindh Exhibit provides peek into province's rich culture – The Express Tribune|date=2013-09-28|work=The Express Tribune|access-date=2017-03-30|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Cultural heritage ===
[[File:Archaeological Ruins at Moenjodaro-108221.jpg|thumb|Archaeological ruins at Moenjodaro, Sindh, Pakistan]]
[[File:Grand Mosque at Banbhore.jpg|thumb|The ruins of an ancient mosque at [[Bhambore]]]]
[[File:Women in Sindh.jpg|thumb|Sindhi women collecting water from a reservoir on the way to Mubarak Village]]
The work of Sindhi artisans was sold in ancient markets of Damascus, Baghdad, Basra, Istanbul, Cairo and Samarkand. Referring to the lacquer work on wood locally known as Jandi, T. Posten (an English traveller who visited Sindh in the early 19th century) asserted that the articles of Hala could be compared with exquisite specimens of China. Technological improvements such as the spinning wheel ([[Charkha (spinning wheel)|charkha]]) and treadle (pai-chah) in the weaver's loom were gradually introduced and the processes of designing, dyeing and printing by block were refined. The refined, lightweight, colourful, washable fabrics from Hala became a luxury for people used to the woollens and linens of the age.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wishwebdesign.com/dgaewm/otherinfo/Cultural-Heritage/542/533|title=Cultural Heritage|website=wishwebdesign.com =|access-date=September 6, 2014|archive-date=5 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105234434/http://www.wishwebdesign.com/dgaewm/otherinfo/Cultural-Heritage/542/533|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as the World Wildlife Fund, Pakistan, play an important role to promote the culture of Sindh. They provide training to women artisans in Sindh so they get a source of income. They promote their products under the name of "Crafts Forever". Many women in rural Sindh are skilled in the production of caps. Sindhi caps are manufactured commercially on a small scale at New Saeedabad and Hala New. Sindhi people began celebrating Sindhi Topi Day on 6 December 2009, to preserve the historical culture of Sindh by wearing Ajrak and Sindhi topi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/provinces/13+sindh+celebrates+first+ever+sindhi+topi+day-za-04|title=Sindh celebrates first ever 'Sindhi Topi Day'|access-date=6 December 2009|archive-date=8 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091208224829/http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/provinces/13+sindh+celebrates+first+ever+sindhi+topi+day-za-04|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:House in the Thar.JPG|thumb|Huts in the Thar desert]]

== Tourism ==
{{excerpt|Tourism in Sindh}}
<gallery class="center">
File:Sukkur bridge hdr.jpg|[[Lansdowne Bridge (Pakistan)|Sukkur Bridge]]
File:Gorakh Hill Morning.jpg|[[Gorakh Hill|Gorakh Hill Station]], Dadu
File:FaizMahal.jpg|[[Faiz Mahal]], Khairpur
File:Ranikot Wall & Fort View.jpg|[[Ranikot Fort]], one of the largest forts in the world Thana Bula Khan, Jamshoro
File:PK Chaukhandi Necropolis near Karachi asv2020-02 img09.jpg|[[Chaukhandi tombs]], Karachi
File:Bhodesar temple, Nagarparkar.JPG|Remains of 9th century [[Nagarparkar Jain Temples|Jain temple]] in Bhodesar, near [[Nagarparkar]]
File:Mohenjodaro Sindh.jpeg|Excavated ruins of [[Mohenjo-daro]]
File:PK Karachi asv2020-02 img11 Clifton Beach.jpg|Karachi Beach
File:QASIM Fort.JPG|[[Qasim fort]], Manora Island Karachi
File:Detail of Kot Diji Fort.jpg|[[Kot Diji]], Khairpur
File:Bakirwarolake.jpg|Bakri Waro Lake, Khairpur
File:PK Karachi asv2020-02 img32 National Museum.jpg|[[National Museum of Pakistan]], Karachi
File:PK Kirthar NP asv2020-02 img18.jpg|[[Kirthar National Park]], Thano Bula Khan, Jamshoro
File:Karoonjhar Mountains.jpg|[[Karoonjhar Mountains]], Tharparkar
File:Shahjahan mosque.jpg|[[Shah Jahan Mosque, Thatta]]
File:Mausoleum of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai 05.jpg|Tomb of [[Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai]], Matiari
File:Keenjhar Lake view 1.jpg|[[Keenjhar Lake]]
File:Shrine Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, Sehwan Shareed, Pakistan.jpg|[[Lal Shahbaz Qalandar]], Sehwan Sharif, Jamshoro
File:Shrine Mian Noor Muhammed Abbassi.jpg|Tomb of Mian Noor Muhammad, Benazirabad
</gallery>

== CNIC Codes ==
* [[Hyderabad Division]] (41XXX)
* [[Karachi Division]] (42000-42501)
* [[Larkana Division]] (43XXX)
* [[Mirpur Khas Division]] (44XXX)
* [[Sukkur Division]] + [[Shaheed Benazirabad Division]] (45XXX)

== See also ==
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Arab Sind]]
* [[Bagh Print]]s
* [[Brahma from Mirpur-Khas]]
* [[Debal]]
* [[Institute of Sindhology]]
* [[List of cities in Sindh by population]]
* [[List of cultural heritage sites in Sindh]]
* [[List of medical schools in Sindh]]
* [[List of districts of Pakistan]]
* [[List of Sindhi people]]
* [[List of Sindhi tribes]]
* [[Mansura, Sindh]]
* [[Mohenjo-daro]]
* [[Provincial Highways of Sindh]]
* [[Sind Division]]
* [[Sindh cricket team]]
* [[Sindhi clothing]]
* [[Sindhu Kingdom]]
* [[Sufism in Sindh]]
* [[Tomb paintings of Sindh]]
{{div col end}}
{{Portal bar|Geography|Asia|Pakistan}}

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}} there is 90million only.

== Bibliography ==
{{refbegin|30em}}
* {{cite book |last=Ansari |first=Sarah F.D. |year=1992 |title=Sufi saints and state power: the pirs of Sind, 1843–1947 |volume=50 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |place=Cambridge |isbn=9780511563201}}
* {{citation |last=Asif |first=Manan Ahmed |author-link=Manan Ahmed Asif |title=A Book of Conquest |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z4oxDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA35 |year=2016 |publisher=Harvard University Press |isbn=978-0-674-66011-3}}
* {{cite book |last=Brooke |first=John L.|title=Climate Change and the Course of Global History: A Rough Journey|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O9TSAgAAQBAJ |year=2014 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-87164-8}}
* {{Cite book |last=Dani |first=A.H. |editor-last=Khuhro |editor-first=Hamida |title=Sind through the centuries : proceedings of an international seminar held in Karachi in Spring 1975 |chapter=Sindhu – Sauvira : A glimpse into the early history of Sind |location=Karachi |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-577250-0 |date=1981 |pages=35–42}}
* {{cite book |last1=Eggermont |first1=Pierre Herman Leonard |title=Alexander's Campaigns in Sind and Baluchistan and the Siege of the Brahmin Town of Harmatelia |date=1975 |publisher=Peeters Publishers |isbn=978-90-6186-037-2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nG0_xoDS3hUC |language=en}}
* {{cite journal |display-authors=4 |vauthors=Giosan L, Clift PD, Macklin MG, Fuller DQ, Constantinescu S, Durcan JA, Stevens T, ((Duller GAT)), Tabrez AR, Gangal K, Adhikari R, Alizai A, Filip F, VanLaningham S, ((Syvitski JPM)) |title=Fluvial landscapes of the Harappan civilization |journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences |volume=109 |issue=26 |year=2012 |pages=E1688–E1694 |issn=0027-8424 |doi=10.1073/pnas.1112743109 |pmid=22645375 |pmc=3387054 |bibcode=2012PNAS..109E1688G|doi-access=free }}
* {{cite book |last1=Jain |first1=Kailash Chand |title=Lord Mahāvīra and His Times |date=1974 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-0-8426-0738-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J-xDAAAAIAAJ |language=en}}
* {{citation |first=Ayesha |last=Jalal |author-link=Ayesha Jalal |title=Self and Sovereignty: Individual and Community in South Asian Islam Since 1850 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Sa6CAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA415 |date=4 January 2002 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-134-59937-0}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Madella |first1=Marco |last2=Fuller |first2=Dorian Q. |title=Palaeoecology and the Harappan Civilisation of South Asia: a reconsideration |journal=Quaternary Science Reviews |volume=25 |issue=11–12 |year=2006 |pages=1283–1301 |issn=0277-3791 |doi=10.1016/j.quascirev.2005.10.012 |bibcode=2006QSRv...25.1283M }}
* {{Cite book |last=Malkani |first=Kewal Ram |title=The Sindh Story |publisher=Allied Publishers |year=1984 |ref=none |author-link=K. R. Malkani}}
* {{cite book |last=Phiroze Vasunia |title=The Classics and Colonial India |date=16 May 2013 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=978-01-9920-323-9}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Ponton |first1=Camilo |last2=Giosan |first2=Liviu |last3=Eglinton |first3=Tim I. |last4=Fuller |first4=Dorian Q. |last5=Johnson |first5=Joel E. |last6=Kumar |first6=Pushpendra |last7=Collett |first7=Tim S. |title=Holocene aridification of India |journal=Geophysical Research Letters |volume=39 |issue=3 |year=2012 |at=L03704 |issn=0094-8276 |doi=10.1029/2011GL050722 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2012GeoRL..39.3704P |url=https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1347997/1/2011GL050722.pdf |hdl=1912/5100 |hdl-access=free |display-authors=4 }}
* {{cite book |last=Possehl|first=Gregory L. |author-link=Gregory Possehl |title=The Indus Civilization: A Contemporary Perspective |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XVgeAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA154 |year=2002 |publisher=Rowman Altamira |isbn=978-0-7591-1642-9 }}
* {{cite journal |last1=Rashid |first1=Harunur |last2=England |first2=Emily |last3=Thompson |first3=Lonnie |last4=Polyak |first4=Leonid |title=Late Glacial to Holocene Indian Summer Monsoon Variability Based upon Sediment Records Taken from the Bay of Bengal |journal=Terrestrial, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences |volume=22 |issue=2 |year=2011 |pages=215–228 |doi=10.3319/TAO.2010.09.17.02(TibXS) |bibcode=2011TAOS...22..215R |doi-access=free |url=http://research.bpcrc.osu.edu/Icecore/publications/Rashid%20et%20al%20Terr%20Atmos%20Ocean%20Sci%202011v222p215.pdf |issn=1017-0839}}
* {{cite book |last=Sikdar |first=Jogendra Chandra |date=1964 |title=Studies in the Bhagawatīsūtra |location=Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India |publisher=Research Institute of Prakrit, Jainology & Ahimsa |pages=388–464}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Staubwasser |first1=M. |last2=Sirocko|first2=F. |last3=Grootes |first3=P. M. |last4=Segl |first4=M. |title=Climate change at the 4.2 ka BP termination of the Indus valley civilization and Holocene south Asian monsoon variability |journal=Geophysical Research Letters |volume=30 |issue=8 |pages=1425 |year=2003 |issn=0094-8276 |doi=10.1029/2002GL016822|bibcode=2003GeoRL..30.1425S |s2cid=129178112 }}
* {{citation |last=Thorpe |first=Showick Thorpe Edgar |title=The Pearson General Studies Manual 2009, 1/e |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oAo1X2eagywC |year=2009 |publisher=Pearson Education India |isbn=978-81-317-2133-9}}
* {{citation|last=Tripathi|first=Rama Shankar |title=History of Ancient India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rOVpOG6MPMcC&pg=PA337|year=1967|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|isbn=978-81-208-0018-2}}
* {{cite book |last=Wink |first=André |year=1991 |title=Al- Hind: The slave kings and the Islamic conquest. 2 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=9004095098 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bCVyhH5VDjAC}}
* {{cite book |last=Wink |first=Andre |year=1996 |title=Al Hind: The Making of the Indo-Islamic World|publisher=BRILL|isbn=90-04-09249-8}}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
{{Sister project links|voy=Sindh}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121119234920/http://www.transport.gos.pk/ Sindh Transport Department official website]
* [http://www.sindh.gov.pk Government of Sindh] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130531075317/http://www.sindh.gov.pk/ |date=31 May 2013 }}
* Guide of [http://dmoz.pk/Provinces/Sindh/ Sindh] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405093443/http://dmoz.pk/Provinces/Sindh/ |date=5 April 2012 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20091126053250/http://www.lgdsindh.com.pk/districts1.htm Map of the districts of Sindh]

{{Sindh topics}}
{{Districts of Sindh}}
{{List of districts of Pakistan}}
{{Administrative units of Pakistan}}
{{Pakistan topics}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Sindh| ]]
[[Category:Provinces of Pakistan]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1970]]
[[Category:1970 establishments in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Populated places established in the 7th millennium BC]]