Thar and Parkar District

Thar and Parkar District was part of Sind.

Headquarters

• Umarkot (? - 1906)
• Mirpurkhas (1906 - ?)

Neighbours

• North: Khairpur State
• South: Rann of Cutch
• East: States of Jesalmir and Marwar.
• West: Nawabshah District and Hyderabad District

History

In November 1912, it surrended Sinjhoro taluka to the newly created Nawabshah District and received Digri taluka from Hyderabad District.

Geography

It included the Thar Desert.

Population

The district's population in 1911 was 433,398. Of these 236,693 were Muslims (54%) and 194,201 Hindus. 2,504 practiced other religions.

Cities and Towns

• Jamesabad
• Mirpurkhas (also spelt Mirpur Khas)
• Shadipali
• Umarkot

Sub-divisions

• Desert Division: It was further divided into 4 talukas; Nagar Parkar, Chhachhro, Mithi and Diplo.
• Mirpurkhas Sub-division: It was further divided into 3 talukas; Mirpurkhas, Jamesabad and Digri.
• Nara Valley: It was further divided into 4 talukas; Umarkot, Pithoro, Khipro and Sanghar

Transportation

Rail

Mirpurkhas became a railway junction in the early 20th century. Until 1909 there was only a meter gauge line running through the district, from Hyderabad to Marwar Junction. In 1909, the Sind Light Railway Company opened a line from Mirpurkhas to Jhudo.