Doolah Darya Khan was the Commander who made no compromises in defending the borders of Sindh
By Aziz Kingrani
Who was Dolah Darya Khan by caste, and where is his original shrine located? Instead of focusing on this conflicting debate, if we reflect on his bravery, patriotism, and truthfulness, it becomes evident that Dolah Darya Khan was a front-line general during the reign of Jam Nizamuddin-II of the Samma dynasty and was the right-hand man of Jam Nizamuddin, commonly known as Jam Nindo. Doolah Darya Khan held a prominent position in his court. During Jam Nindo’s rule, Sindh was a unified country. He made no compromises in defending the borders of Sindh.
When Jam Nindo passed away, his young son Jam Feroz ascended to the throne. Though Jam Feroz faced opposition, Doolah Darya Khan supported him. However, after some time, Darya Khan became displeased and went to live in his village of Gaha (Rahimdad, 2000, p. 308). Later, after reconciliation, Darya Khan returned to Thatta. His sons, Mithan and Mahmood, lived in the fort of village of Talti.
In 1520 AD, when Shah Baig Arghun invaded Sindh, he came via Sibi and reached Baghban (Makhdum Bilawal), where he looted and plundered. He intended to attack Talti but due to resistance, he rerouted through the mountains of Laki and reached at Khan Wah in the south of Thatta (Bakhari, 2006, p. 122; Qani’a, 2004, p. 148), where he began preparing to attack Thatta. A well-known researcher Dr. Muhammad Ali Manjhi personally told me that the Khan Wah still exists in Thatta District.
The patriotic, brave, and high-ranking general Doolah Darya Khan confronted him and was martyred fighting valiantly. After his martyrdom, the unity of Sindh was severely affected, and Sindh was divided by Arghuns into three parts, Bakhar, Sehwan and Thatta Sarkars.
The ancient village of Gaha, historically known as “Kahaan,” is recognized in the history of Sindh as the village of martyred Doolah Darya Khan. This village, along with its surrounding lands, was part of the jageer (land grant) held by the martyred Doolah Darya Khan.
The village Gaha was also known for its renowned madarsa (Islamic school), which held a prominent place in Sindh’s scholarly tradition. During that time, distinguished scholars such as Maulana Aseeruddin Abahri, Maulana Yar Muhammad Abahri, and Maulana Abdul Aziz Abahri arrived from Herat and taught at the madarsa (Lakho, 1997, p. 77). Maulana Abdul Aziz Abahri eventually settled in Gaha and died there (Qani’a, 2004, p. 80).
Merik Yousif states that during the Mughal era, Gaha emerged as a key administrative division (Pargano). As per historical records, Gaha, located approximately 21 miles northwest of Sehwan, was recognized as the fourth division of Sehwan Sarkars (Merik, 1994, p. 123).
The influence of Rai Chand Ghorya (also spelled Gorya) remained prominent in the region during the Mughal period. When his son Manik was jagirdar (landholder) of the Gaha division, he engaged in conflicts with local inhabitants, especially Panhwars (Merik, 1994, p. 171). He took control of the Sehwan division under contract and entrusted it to a representative named Jaysar (Merik, 1994, p. 195). During the time of Khuwaja Nooruddin, Manik—son of the Hindu Ghorya—was the ruler of the Gaha division (Merik, 1994, p. 197). The division was divided into three shares: two were under Ghorya’s control, and the third belonged to the Mughal Empire. Manik later took the third share on contract and placed it under his own supervision (Merik, 1994, p. 302).
Manik constructed a fort in Gaha named Kanwar Kot, where he resided. He maintained a substantial force composed of cavalry from both Mughal and Afghan origins, along with cannonmen and skilled archers (Merik, 1994, p. 171). Manik was involved in ongoing disputes with the Panhwar clan of the Gaha division. In one incident, he summoned the sardar (chieftain) of the Panhwars, imprisoned him in his fort, and launched an attack on the village of Sekarji (possibly Shikarpur Panhwarki). After intense fighting, Mir, the son of Essa Panhwar, was killed. Manik’s influence over Gaha was considerable.
During the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, Gaha was included in the jageer of Mirza Jani Baig. Although Manik initially intended to visit the imperial court, Jani Baig granted him the Gaha pargana (Division) on a tax-paying basis (Merik, 1994, p. 191). However, due to the conspiracy of Khusro Baig and the sons of Qasim Khan Arghun, Manik was eventually murdered by Fateh, son of Qasim, under the pretense of hospitality (Merik, 1994, pp. 304–305).
The village of Gaha is also referenced during the Kalhora period. Mian Yar Muhammad Kalhoro returned from Qalat Balochistan via Zeedi and reached Sanwah (modern-day village of Sawaro in Taluka Johi) and Naig near the banks of Manchhar Lake. He seized the village of Samtani from Qaiser Panhwar and then settled in Gaha. Subsequently, he dispatched his brother, Mir Muhammad, to engage with the Siraies (members of the Mianwal movement) (Mahar, 1996, p. 190).
As for Gaha’s present location, historical records and references make it clear that the ancient village of Gaha corresponds to the modern village of Sayed Bahar Shah, situated in Deh Gaha, Taluka Johi, District Dadu. It lies about 7 kilometers southeast of Johi town, along the Johi-Bhan road atop a prominent mound. Sayed Bahar Shah was known locally as Gaahi Pir, meaning the saint of Gaha. Locals recount that it was once ruled by a king of the Gahalo (Gaha tribe?) tribe, (Rai Ghorya Chand?) who held considerable power in the region. Sayed Bahar Shah lies closest to the village of Samtani to the northwest and is approximately 21 miles from Sehwan in a northwest direction (Merik, 1994).
The nearby bridge over the Phakka Minor Canal is still known as “Gaha Mori.” Sayed Sharif Shah, the son of Sayed Bahar Shah, has also passed down a tradition related to the Gahalo king and reportedly discovered ancient coins at the site—further evidence that a tribe called “Gaha” may once have lived there. In modern times, however, no individuals or villages identifying as part of the Gaha tribe remain.
With the rise of Khudabad-I, as the capital of the Kalhora dynasty, the village of Gaha gradually lost its importance. Located east of Bahar Shah Village, Khudabad’s emergence likely contributed to the disappearance of Gaha’s original name by the end of the Talpur era.
References
1, Bakhari, M. M (2006). Tarikh-Masoomi. Sindhi Adabi Board Jamshoro
- Lakho, G. M. (1997). Sindh Jo Tarikhi aen Tahqiqi Jaizo. Marae Sangat, Karachi.
3, Qani’a, M. A. (2004). Tuhfatul Kiram. Sindhi Adabi Board, Jamshoro.
4, Rahimdad, M. S. (2000). Jamal-ul-Sindh. Sindhica Academy, Karachi.
- Merik, Y. (1994). Tarikh-e-Mazhar Shah Jahani. Sindhi Adabi Board, Jamshoro.
- Mahar, G. R. (1996). Tarikh-e-Sindh: Kalhora Period, Vol. 1. Culture Department of Sindh.
Read: Exploring The Neroon Fort
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Aziz Kingrani, hailing from village Haji Manik Kingrani, Johi, Dadu District, Sindh, Pakistan, is poet, short story writer, playwright and a researcher. He has been contributing in the fields of history and literature. He has served as a professor as well. His 17 books are published in English and Sindhi language.
