Re: Gifts to THE World
I was born and brought up in Karachi … but I am going to talk about Mirpur Khas, Sindh.
My parents migrated along with my grand parents back in 1947 from Jaipur India… travelling across the desert of Sindh crossing the border from Khokhra Par and got settelled in the fourth biggest city of the province Sindh, Mirpur Khas … in the district of Tharparkar - the desert is no more than 100KM from the city…
My “NanhiyaaL” and part of “DadhiyaaL” still live in that city.. In fact, a very well known and very well recognized extended family I have in the city … Whenever I go, I find some relative’s home in every avenue…
We all used to gather in summer vacations at Naani’s house - back in the days “TaaNgaa” was the famous commute but now Rickshaws, Yellow Cabs, and ChinChi have taken over…
My grand father was the head master of the high school for a long time… Famous Singer Masood Rana who was born in Mirpurkhas was a known student of my grand father… [Although wherever I go in Karachi - no matter which department, I either find a student of my father or someone who knew my grand father]
I was checking Wikipedia and found my grand father’s name under the article about Mirpur Khas …
The following statistical and historical information is taken from Wikipedia:
Mirpur Khas is a south eastern Pakistani city, fourth largest in the Sindh Province. Its soil is fertile and it is very popular for its mango cultivation. There are more than 250 varieties of mangoes found in this region.
and How can we forget THE KING OF MANGOES: SindhRi
History
Literally, phrase Mirpur Khas means The land of the most high Mirs. The town was founded by Mir Ali Murad Talpur. After its foundation in 1806, the capital of Mankani Talpurs was shifted from Keti Mir Tharo to Mirpurkhas. The Mirpurkhas remained capital of Talpur Mirs of Mirpurkhas until 1843 when Sindh was annexed to British India under East India Company. Later Sindh was made part of Bombay Presidency and it included Mirpurkhas as well.
After British annexation, Umerkot was made district headquarter town. The importance of Mirpurkhas later increased again with the advent of railway and the opening of Jamrao Canal in year 1900. The district headquarter was shifted to Mirpurkhas in 1906.
During Talpur period the town had three hundred shops and its population was about ten thousands. Mir Sher Muhammad Talpur built a fort here. The Kutchery has a tablet which reads: *“The fort within which this building stands was residence of Mir Sher Muhammad Khan the Lion of Sind.” *
Location
It lies on the Let Wah Canal at latitude 25° 24’ N and longitude 69° E. It is connected by rail and road with Hyderabad and by road with Umarkot.
Some close neighbours include:
Thar Desert, not more than 100 km away.
**Karachi situated 220 km south-west. **
**Hyderabad at a distance of 65 km **
Not far from the Indian border in the east, this city was one of the firsts to welcome refugees from India after the partition. The Indian border is 170 km away from this city.
It acted as a primary railway junction for the first trains to rail across the Sindh Province.
The city is built on or may be just beside an old Buddhist metropolis of 4th century. There are reminents of the Stupa near the city known as “Kahoo Jo Daro”, but slowly it is being turned into a flat land with the growth of population around it.
The city has several shopping centers and bazaars which includes, Baldia Shopping Center, Shahi Bazaar and Khisakpura (in local slang), which sells traditional garments, modern crockery, etc.
Railway link
Mirpur Khas is again a centre of attention. After 40 years a railway link between Pakistan and India is being opened again. A broad gauge line has been laid from Mirpur Khas to Khokra Par, which is the border town from Pakistani Side. The new link now connects Karachi (Pakistan) to Jodhpur (India) by the new train service Thar Express.
In 2005, work started on converting the metre gauge railway line to Khokhrapar to broad gauge.
and now some pictures… I do not have any personal photos so I googled these and selected the one I could actually relate to this city 
An Old Architecture depicted in a residential building:
Commute busses run from city to near-by places and cities like Karachi and Hyederabad:
Girls’ High School:
A usual sight - considering there are factories to process wheat and Sugar Cane in the city:
Mehran Express of Shah Lateef Express are the two known trains from Karachi to Mirpur Khas via Hyderabad:
The Train Station of the City:
The posh area - Settelite Town’s Market and the Main Mosque:
State Life Insurance Building:
