The Palla Fish of Rohri: Sindh's Priceless Treasure

Frequently Asked Questions about Rohri's Palla Fish

What is the palla fish and its migration pattern?

The palla fish (Hilsa ilisha) is a migratory anadromous species that journeys from the Arabian Sea into the Indus River around April to spawn in freshwater, transforming from dark and lean to plump and silver-scaled. In Rohri, it historically peaked in abundance from March to June near Bukkur island, with finest specimens weighing 2-3 pounds and up to 20 inches long, as noted by Richard Burton in Sindh Revisited (1877).

What traditional fishing methods were used by Rohri's fishermen?

Mohana fishermen, including the Paba community in Rohri, used baked clay jar vessels launched belly-down, paddling upstream and diving with a forked poplar wood pole attached to a pouch net secured by a check-string to catch palla in shadowed pools. This demanding technique, described by Richard Burton in 1877, required lifelong skill and was practiced at sites like Khosa Khana ghat, minimizing accidents despite the Indus River's dangers.

What is the cultural significance of palla fish in Sindh and Rohri?

Palla symbolizes Sindhi identity as a daily staple, gifted to rulers like the Amirs, and a promise of paradise, with Richard Burton (1877) noting Sindhis would quip 'Pallo!' to any meal query. In Rohri, it tied into folklore like devotion to Zinda Pir shrine, community bonds through Sufi feasts and family rites, and culinary preparations such as fennel-sauced boils or pulao using roe from females (anyari) or males (kheero).

How did palla fishing impact the economy of Rohri's Paba community?

Pre-1932 Sukkur Barrage, palla fishing anchored Rohri's economy, with the Paba clan's estates spanning the Indus from Khwaja Khizr's island to Bukkur, documented in 19th-century grants by figures like Ali Akbar Shah and Ghulam Shah Kalhoro. Paba men thrived selling abundant March-June hauls at the 'Bazar-e-Mahi Faroshan' market, bartering for grain and cloth to sustain 75% of Sindh's irrigated acres via Indus canals, as per colonial records.

What modern challenges have affected palla fish populations in Rohri?

The Sukkur Barrage (1932) and Guddu Barrage (1962) halted upstream migrations, confining palla to downstream Kotri areas and slashing catches by 90%, as detailed in World Bank (2017) and Lashari (2022) studies. This has devastated Paba livelihoods, led to illegal netting, silt-choked spawning grounds, and loss of 3.5 million delta acres to sea intrusion, per IUCN (2003), with only sporadic hauls during floods like 2022.

What historical accounts document palla fishing in Rohri?

Richard Burton's Sindh Revisited (1877) provides vivid accounts of palla fishing near Rohri and Sukkur, describing Mohana techniques and seasonal abundance from March to June, dubbing it the 'Indus-salmon.' Colonial records also document Paba estates via 19th-century grants signed by Ali Akbar Shah and others, highlighting Rohri's role in the 'Sukkur, Bukur, Rohri' triad as a piscatorial paradise.

What efforts are suggested for reviving palla fish in the Indus River?

Advocacy from the Sindh Fisherfolk Forum and IUCN calls for fish ladders in barrage upgrades, seasonal bans on juvenile nets, and annual downstream water releases of 300,000 cusecs to restore migrations. Integrating palla lore into Rohri school curricula and promoting eco-tourism at sites like Khosa Khana could foster conservation, as highlighted in Lashari (2022) and World Bank (2017) reports, building on 2022 flood revivals.

Points in Artical

- The palla fish (Hilsa ilisha), a migratory delicacy, once defined Rohri's economy and culture, but barrages like Sukkur have severely restricted its upstream migration, reducing catches dramatically.

- Traditional Mohana fishing methods, using clay jars and forked poles, are vividly described in Richard Burton's Sindh Revisited, highlighting the fish's seasonal abundance from March to June near Rohri and Sukkur.

- The Paba community in Rohri, historically prosperous fishermen, relied on palla for livelihoods, with their estates documented in colonial records; today, their numbers have dwindled due to environmental changes.

- Culturally, palla symbolizes Sindhi identity eaten daily and gifted to rulers yet conservation efforts are needed to revive this heritage amid ongoing river degradation.

Historical Significance

The palla fish has been central to Sindh's riverine life for centuries. Migrating from the Arabian Sea into the Indus River around April, it enters freshwater to spawn, turning silvery and prized for its oily, flavorful flesh. In Rohri, an ancient town on the Indus west bank opposite Sukkur, palla fishing was a cornerstone of local prosperity. Colonial explorer Richard Burton noted in 1877 that the finest specimens, weighing 2-3 pounds and up to 20 inches long, appeared near Bukkur (Bakar) island during peak season.

Traditional Fishing Practices  

Mohana fishermen, including Rohri's Paba community, employed ingenious techniques. Burton described the Mohano launching a baked clay jar vessel, belly-down, paddling upstream before diving with a long poplar wood pole forked at the end, attached to a pouch net. Spotting a fish, he'd thrust the net and haul it aboard, securing it with a check-string. This method, risky and demanding lifelong skill, minimized accidents despite the river's dangers.

Cultural and Economic Role

For Sindhis, palla is more than food it's a daily staple and paradise's promise. Burton quipped a Sindhi would answer "Pallo!" to any meal query. In Rohri, the Paba clan's estates spanned the Indus from Khwaja Khizr's island to Bukkur, as per 19th-century grants signed by figures like Ali Akbar Shah. Pre-1932 Sukkur Barrage, Paba men, adorned in silk and gold bangles, thrived selling to the historic "Bazar-e-Mahi Faroshan" market.

Modern Challenges

Sukkur Barrage (1932) and Guddu (1962) halted migrations, confining palla to downstream areas like Kotri. Catches plummeted, devastating communities; today, only flood surges bring sporadic hauls. Research urges fish ladders and better water releases for revival.

The Palla Fish of Rohri: A Comprehensive Historical, Cultural, and Environmental Exploration

Rohri, Sindh's ancient riverside gem perched on limestone cliffs overlooking the Indus, has long been synonymous with the palla fish a shimmering migratory marvel that once teemed in its waters. Known scientifically as Hilsa ilisha, this anadromous species journeys from the Arabian Sea's brackish embrace into the river's sweet flow each spring, transforming from dark and lean to plump and silver-scaled. For generations, Rohri's Paba fishermen embodied this rhythm, their lives woven into the Indus's ebb and flow. Yet, colonial engineering and modern water mismanagement have dimmed this legacy, turning abundance into scarcity. This exploration draws on colonial accounts, local lore, and contemporary studies to trace the palla's journey through Rohri's history, traditions, economy, and uncertain future, underscoring its role as Sindh's cultural heartbeat.

Tides of History: Burton's Lens on Palla and Rohri

The palla's saga in Rohri is indelibly etched in Richard Francis Burton's Sindh Revisited (1877), a vivid chronicle of his 1840s sojourns. Burton, the polymath explorer, marveled at the fish's allure, dubbing it the Indus-salmon or sable-fish, akin to the Ganges Hilsa. He observed: "You now see the renowned way of fishing the Pallo... this 'piscatory pursuit' more nearly reduces the human form divine into an aquatic beast of prey than any disciple of the gentle craft ever contemplated." Near populous spots like Rohri, dozens of Mohana "amphibii" plied the waters in clay boats, their nets dangling from beris (acacia trees) upstream of Sita, between Sehwan and Sakhar (Sukkur).

Burton's ethnography paints Rohri as part of the infamous "Sukkur, Bukur, Rohri" triad a soldier's curse for its blistering summers, yet a piscatorial paradise in spring. The town, built on nummulitic limestone ridges, hosted flakes of ancient shells hinting at prehistoric marine bounty. Palla, Burton noted, peaked in March rarity to June plenitude, with the "first Pallo of the year always claimed a handsome present from the Amirs." Finest hauls neared Bukkur island, weighing 2-3 pounds and stretching 20 inches rarely venturing beyond to Multan, save in exceptional floods. This seasonal surge fueled Rohri's markets, where the fish's grilled, spiced fillets evoked "potted lobster" or "mackerel" to European palates, though its myriad bones warned of indulgence's perils.

The Mohana Craft: Ingenuity on the Indus

No account captures Rohri's fishing ethos like Burton's depiction of the Mohano at work a tableau of raw daring. Clad in a towering turban and langoti (loincloth), the fisherman salutes the river with Arabic invocations before inverting atop his turnip-shaped clay jar, three feet wide and two high, baked in Hyderabad kilns. Stomach sealing the mouth like a hatch, he frog-kicks upstream to shadowed pools or steamer wakes, where palla lurked against the current. A light bhan-wood pole, lashed in three segments with a terminal fork, bore a deep pouch-net tethered by check-string. Sensing a strike, he'd knife the catch and stow it in the jar, resurfacing to repeat until sated.

This ballet of survival, Burton wryly challenged, defied novices: "Try it one of these days in some shallow place: you and your pot will part company, as sharply and suddenly as your back ever met the Serpentine’s icy floor." Lifelong immersion spared Mohanas rheumatism's grip, their amphibious lineage tracing to converted Hindu aboriginals. In Rohri, such prowess converged at Khosa Khana ghat, a Paba launch point still standing, where small boats ferried nets of patti, tami, or packed earth four feet wide, two high for selective hauls.

The Paba Legacy: Guardians of Rohri's Waters

Rohri's Paba (or Mohana) clan epitomized palla's socioeconomic pulse. Once numbering thousands in riverside "Mubarak Lagga" enclave, their homes now scant amid urban sprawl. Historical sanads (grants) affirm their dominion: from Khwaja Khizr's islet to Bukkur's southern shoals and Pir Sabir, the Indus belly was Paba fiefdom. Seals of Akbar-era notables Ali Akbar Shah, Sadiq Ali Shah, Ghulam Shah, Qutb Ali Shah, Qazis Fath Muhammad, Muhammad Afzal, Jan Muhammad, Abdul Khaliq, and Karm Allah adorned these deeds. Supplementary warrants from Ghulam Shah Kalhoro, Mirs Sohrab and Rustam Khan, and Sukkur's deputy collector bolstered claims near Jan Muhammad Pabi.

Pre-Sukkur Barrage (1932), Pabas epitomized opulence: evenings saw silk-clad men, gold-bangled, strolling bazaars. A grizzled elder's tale evokes British Raj vigils at Mithri Stani's dargah, nights spent with guardians before dawn dives. Their catch fed the venerable "Bazar-e-Mahi Faroshan," where Pabas wholesaled to satins for retail. Folklore elevates palla: fishermen whisper of its devotion to Zinda Pir shrine in Sukkur, halting migrations to honor the saint—black downstream, silver upstream with a crimson head-spot.

 Culinary Soul and Market Might

Palla transcends sustenance; it's Sindhi essence. Burton captured the fervor: Ask a Sindhi for breakfast, dinner, supper "Pallo!" Paradise? "Unlimited Pallo, without the trouble of catching it!" Rohri's tables brimmed with fennel-sauced boils, sand-buried roasts, or pulao, its eggs (aani) a delicacy oozing ghee-like roe from females (anyari) versus males' milky kheero. Varied preparations griddled, barbecued, curried—mirrored community bonds, from Sufi feasts to family rites.

Economically, it anchored Rohri: pre-barrage, floods swelled hauls to tons, picnickers flocking from Karachi. The market pulsed with barter fish for grain, cloth sustaining 75% of Sindh's irrigated acres via Indus canals.

Barrages' Shadow: Migration's Eclipse

Sukkur Barrage's 1932 dawn choked the dream. Diverting flows for 8 million acres, it barred palla beyond, stranding spawns in deltas. Guddu (1955) compounded woes, limiting hauls to Kotri's fringes during monsoons. Studies lament: hilsa migration, once to Multan, now stalls at barrages sans fish ladders, slashing catches 90% and spawning grounds. Kotri's bed, silt-choked, yields scant—five fish a lucky day, per Mallah fishermen. Upstream shortages erode 3.5 million delta acres to sea intrusion, displacing Pabas to menial trades.

Era	Palla Migration Extent	Rohri Catch Volume	Key Impacts	Source
Pre-1932 (Burton Era)	Arabian Sea to Multan	Abundant (March-June peaks near Bukkur)	Paba prosperity; cultural feasts	Burton (1877)
Post-Sukkur Barrage (1932)	Limited to Sukkur-Kotri	Drastic reduction; floods only	Livelihood collapse; market decline	World Bank (2017)
Post-Guddu (1955-Present)	Delta fringes; rare upstream	Sporadic (e.g., 2022 floods)	90% catch drop; illegal netting	Lashari (2022)
Future Projections	Delta-bound without interventions	Minimal without ladders/water releases	Extinction risk; 3.5M acres lost	IUCN (2003)

Revival Whispers: Toward Sustainable Shores

Yet hope glimmers. 2022 floods revived delta feasts, palla shoals signaling nature's resilience. Advocacy from Sindh Fisherfolk Forum to IUCN pushes fish ladders in barrage upgrades, seasonal bans on juvenile nets, and downstream flows (300,000 cusecs annually pre-Tarbela). Rohri's high schools could weave this lore into curricula, fostering eco-tourism at Khosa Khana or Zinda Pir. Palla's myth endures: a saint's steed, Jhulelal's mount refusing Sukkur's turn, embodying fidelity.

In Rohri's shadow, palla whispers of harmony lost and reclaimable. As Burton mused, it's Sindh's "roast-beef and plum-pudding" a thread binding past feasts to future hopes. Conservation marries tradition: ethical nets, river reverence. For Rohri's youth, palla isn't relic but rallying cry for Indus's free flow, Paba pride's resurgence.

Reference

- Burton, R.F. Sindh Revisited (1877). [PDF via Berose.fr]

- Lashari, P. Love, Lore and Livelihoods: Palla in Sindh. Dawn (2022) Link,

- World Bank. Sindh Barrages Improvement Project: Environmental Assessment (2017). [PDF]

- IUCN. Environmental Degradation and Impacts on Livelihoods: Sea Intrusion (2003). [PDF]

- SOCH Outreach Foundation. Palla Fish from the Indus River in Sindh. Google Arts & Culture (2019). [Link]

- Khan, M.H. The Palla, the Shrine, the Catch and the Cook. Dawn (2015). [Link]

- Baloch, W.A. Sindh’s Prized Palla Fish Near Extinction. Express Tribune (2021). [Link]

Post: Sayed Sajjad Hussain Musavi

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British Military Camp North of Rohri City in 1846: A Historical Scene from Sindh

Points in Artical

In 1846, British forces established a major camp north of Rohri city in Sindh to counter Sikh threats during the First Anglo-Sikh War, as described by explorer Richard Francis Burton in his book Scinde or the Unhappy Valley.

The site, now overlaid by modern developments like the Sukkur Barrage road and industrial areas, hosted around 13,000 troops in a vast tent city, blending military precision with the Indus River's strategic landscape.

This event built on the 1843 British conquest of Sindh under Charles Napier, highlighting Rohri's role as a northern frontier hub; while the advance toward Multan was halted short of victory, it shaped colonial control in the region.

For students at Government High School Rohri, this history underscores local heritage, from ancient irrigation canals like Amarkhas Wah (built in the 1700s) to 20th-century landmarks like the 1938 cement factory.

Introduction

Northern Rohri – Site of the 1846 British Military Encampment

Rohri, an ancient and sacred city in Sindh, with a history spanning thousands of years, has often been a witness to historical events. Particularly during the British era, when the British seized control of Sindh, the Rohri region became a center for military operations. Following the conquest of Sindh in 1843, a large British military camp was established north of Rohri city in 1846 due to the threat from the Sikhs. This event is vividly described by the famous British officer and writer Richard Francis Burton in his book Scinde or the Unhappy Valley. This article, aimed especially at students of Government High School Rohri, illuminates this historical event while discussing the transformations in the region, such as the Umrak Canal, Newyard Colony, and the Cement Factory. Our goal is to help students connect with their city's history and learn factual insights.

Historical Background: British Conquest of Sindh

The British conquest of Sindh occurred in 1843 under the leadership of Sir Charles Napier, who defeated the Talpurs in the Battle of Miani. Napier's force, consisting of approximately 2,800 soldiers, spread across various parts of Sindh, including the Rohri area. Although the Battle of Miani took place near Hyderabad, after the victory, military detachments were established in other areas, such as Rohri. This region, located on the banks of the Indus River, was crucial for military supplies and patrols. In 1843, Napier's army also camped in the Rohri area, in the vicinity where modern day lands and constructions stand near the barrage road.

In 1846, when the Sikh army crossed the Sutlej River, the British government sensed the danger of war. The Governor of Sindh ordered the army to be stationed in a plain north of Rohri city. This plain, now the area from Newyard to the Cement Factory, was previously settled on the Umrak Canal with orchards and gardens. This region, irrigated by the Umrak Canal built during the time of Noor Mohammad Kalhoro, was ideal for a military camp.

Description in Burton's Book: Detailed Scene of the Military Camp

Richard Francis Burton, a renowned 19th-century British officer, novelist, and travel writer, provides a lively account of this military camp in his book Scinde or the Unhappy Valley, published in 1851. Burton writes: "In all Sindh, near Rohri, a large army camp was assembled due to the Sikh threat." The camp resembled "a town of glittering white tents, laid out in mathematical streets and squares."

The army numbered 13,000, including British and Asian (Indian) soldiers. Various regiments were present: engineers, artillery, cavalry, infantry, armed and semi-armed detachments, and 800 horsemen. Under the command of an experienced general, this fully armed force included a brigade of three regiments advancing toward Multan.

According to Burton, the camp's scene was "a most picturesque spectacle." Fourteen artillery soldiers patrolled, with separate posts for sentinels and patrols. The army was housed in gardens, some stationed on the Indus banks for patrols. Supply troops accompanied the force. Every night, the trumpet sounded "Strike your tents, and march away," creating a buzz: horses neighing, infantry chattering, camels roaring.

Burton notes in his personal observations that the camp was full of laughter, where even stumbling into a hole elicited loud laughter. However, due to the Governor-General's peaceful policy, the advance was halted, turning the return journey into a "dismal scene." The 600-mile retreat in the heat led to diseases like dysentery and ophthalmia, causing deaths among soldiers and animals.

Historical Transformations of the Region: Before and After

Before 1846, this area, settled on the Umrak Canal, was developed during the era of Noor Mohammad Kalhoro (1698–1755), who ruled as Subahdar of Sindh from 1719 to 1737 under the Mughals. The Kalhora dynasty, ruling Sindh in the 18th century, established an irrigation system through canals and rivers. The Umrak Canal, drawn from the Indus near Rohri, created orchards and settlements, making the area fertile.

During the British era, after 1890, Newyard Colony was constructed under British administration for landowners and officials. This colony, north of Rohri city, still exists today, where former gardens have been replaced by houses and roads. In 1938, the Associated Cement Companies established the Rohri Cement Factory, a symbol of Sindh's industrial progress. This factory, producing 200 tons of cement daily, significantly improved the local economy.

Today, this area, once a military camp, is filled with barrage roads, farmlands, constructions, Newyard Colony, the Cement Factory, and remnants of the Umrak Canal. The Sukkur Barrage, built in 1932, is also nearby, regulating the Indus waters.

Educational Significance: For Government High School Rohri

Students of Government High School Rohri, connected to their city's history, can learn from this event how history brings changes. The 1846 military camp, through Burton's descriptions, informs students about British colonial military life, the region's feudal past, and modern development. In school, discussions on this topic, marking on maps, or studying Burton's book can enhance historical awareness.

However, it should be remembered that British conquest imposed an unnecessary burden on Sindhi culture, leading later to independence movements. This history serves as a lesson from the past for students.

Conclusion

The British military camp north of Rohri in 1846 is not just a military event but an important chapter in Sindh's history. Through Burton's vivid descriptions, Napier's conquest, Kalhora canals, Newyard Colony, and the Cement Factory, this region bears witness to transformations. Rohri's students, by understanding this history, can gain better training for the future.

References:

• Burton, Richard Francis. Scinde or the Unhappy Valley (1851). Documentary PDF: Sani Panhwar.
• Wikipedia: British Conquest of Sindh.
• Wikipedia: Noor Mohammad Kalhoro.
• Rohri.net: Rohri Cement Factory History.
• Imdad Hussain Shah Rizvi Rohri

Northern Rohri Riverside, Historic British Military Outpost

Rohri Cement Factory Area – Site of the 1846 British Military Encampment

Post: Sayed Sajjad Hussain Musavi

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Rohri, British Era, Sindh History, Richard Burton

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