For the British, the fertile territory of Sindh and its resources were no less than the golden hen that they wanted to get at any cost. In addition, the geography of Sindh could provide them with a land route to Kandahar.
Middle War
"Don't miss Sindh!"
This slogan of Talpur army chief Hosho Shaidi is still in the language of the children of Sindh.
But on the day he raised the slogan, despite the enthusiasm of the Sindh fighters, the victory went to the British army armed with explosives.
This battle, fought on the plains of Mayani and Doaba about 178 years ago, is considered to be the last battle of the Talpur Empire. But today, efforts are underway to reshape the battlefield into a lush forest that will be proud of its past.
Just 15 km from Hyderabad, on the left bank of the Indus River, in the field of Mayani, you can see the scent of open flowers, the scattering of colorful butterflies, the chirping of birds.
Today, this plain of Mayani, which seems to be no less than a paradise on earth, was once a dense forest, irrigated for centuries by the fertile waters of the Indus River.
Turning the pages of history, it was February 17, 1843, when a bloody history took place in the field of Mayani.
For the British, the fertile territory of Sindh and its resources were no less than the golden hen that they wanted to get at any cost. In addition, the geography of Sindh could provide them with a land route to Kandahar and they could easily transport heavy equipment and weapons through the Indus River. These were the reasons why the occupation of Sindh was their compulsion and necessity.
The memorial of the British soldiers killed in this battle of British army and Talpurs still exists in the form of a minaret in the same forest in which the names of those killed are engraved here but the thousands of grandsons of Sindh who gave their lives in this field They don't need any clay or brick monuments.
If we look at the historical references, it is known that it was 8:30 in the morning when the armies of the British and the ruling Talpurs of Hyderabad were standing against each other in the field of Mayani. The Talpur army consisted of 10,000 men, while the British army numbered no more than a few thousand.
There was no numerical competition and the Talpur army was on high alert to protect their land. However, it was not a trained army but included civilians. On the other hand, the British troops were few in number but they were trained and professional soldiers.
On this day, the field of Mayani resounded for hours with the roar of 20,000 horsemen and the roar of swords. The Talpur army laid down their lives for the sake of their land but it did not make any difference and the firearms and ammunition moving from the other side decided.
The battle, which began in the morning, was decided just hours later.
The famous British general Charles Napier, who defeated the Talpurs, described his victory in a letter: 'They were 20,000, seven times more than us, but lost because they had swords and ammunition. That dynamite was the victory in our favor.
Professor and well-known researcher Noor Ahmad Jhanji explains that the drum of this war was rung on the same day when the treaty papers presented by the British were torn in the court of the princes and then the attack on the British Residency was like a coffin. It proved to be the last nail.
The war actually started a month ago when Major James Outram was replaced by Charles Napier from Pune to Hyderabad. Major Out Ram Taj was also the British political officer in Sindh and believed in political dialogue more than force.
While Charles Napier was a powerful and fierce warrior, although he was given both military and political powers by the High Command, he was a soldier from head to toe, with the nature of carnage. He believed in war rather than politics.
Charles Napier was coming to Sindh by steamer from Bombay to take charge of his post. There was a draft of this controversial agreement in which it was written that all the major cities of Sindh like Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Rohri and Shikarpur should be handed over to the British. In addition, a 200-meter strip on both sides of the Indus River should be handed over without stopping.
Charles Napier wanted the agreement to be signed before he arrived in Hyderabad.
Although before that there were two agreements between the rulers of Sindh and the British, for example, in August 1809, Lord Natto made the first agreement with the Talpurs and then two more agreements, but history shows that in each agreement, although the Talpurs Friendly relations were emphasized but never implemented. Therefore, the people of Sindh were not happy. Anger against the British was growing, especially among the Baloch tribes.
Therefore, the recent agreement presented by Charles Napier also had serious concerns from the locals. In this agreement, the Talpur amirs were told that British merchant ships would pass through the Indus River without any hindrance. Even the Talpurs will not have the power to stop them.
Although there was no mention of bringing arms or troops in previous treaties, the British did everything without keeping any promises. That was the reason why in the recent
While trying to save their power, the Talpurs said Amna Sadiqna, but the Baloch tribes here were angry at the weak style of the Mirs. There was a state of anger and tension on all sides.
According to Prof. Noor Ahmad Jhanji, lava had been brewing against the British for a long time and the controversial clauses of the recent agreement seemed to have added fuel to the fire. The Baloch vented their anger in such a way that in the crowded court, a trusted special Baloch of the Talpurs, representing all the angry Baloch, tore up the treaty papers.
This anger was not limited to this but the next day the British Residency Latifabad was also attacked. Where Major Out Tram and military personnel were present. The attackers were in large numbers. Out Tram ordered the shelling to save himself and his comrades and to disperse the attackers so that they could escape.
Out Ram and his companions escaped in the steamer. Meanwhile, Charles Napier had reached Halla. Although the attack did not involve the consent of the Talpurs, they knew that the British would no longer believe them and would retaliate in any case. So they wanted to stop them in the middle forest outside the city instead of the city.
Perhaps the idea that this dense forest would be a difficult place for the enemy and an easy place for the locals because they were aware of its secrets. He prepared the army.
At 8:30 am on February 17, the battle began in the field of Mayani. The battle lasted for four, five hours and by Friday prayers the Talpurs had conceded defeat and returned.
According to the famous author Edward Rice's 'Charles Napier and the Conquest of Sindh', 20 officers and 250 soldiers of General Napier were killed while 6,000 Sindhis (some 5,000 in a book) were killed in this battle. The names of those killed by the British are inscribed on a minaret.
At the end of the Mayani War, Talpur Sardar Mir Naseer Muhammad Khan returned to Paka Fort Hyderabad. But he was now convinced that no one could stop the British from reaching the fort, so as a last resort he sent his doctor with sweets and a message of peace and also expressed a desire to meet.
When Charles Napier agreed, Mir Naseer and his nephews arrived. For goodwill and reconciliation, they drew their swords and placed them in front of Charles Napier.
Professor Noor Ahmad Jhanji says, “Charles Napier met him with great respect. Pick up your swords and tie them again and say that we respect you but whatever decision is taken regarding you will be made by the Governor of Bombay. I will write the story to him.
The British captured the Talpurs. Now there was no obstacle in their way. So the British attacked the fort on the same day, looted the worst and seized every valuable item. This day of 17th February was a dark day in the history of Sindh which started with the war and the end of the hardships of imprisonment and the blood of thousands of innocent people turned the soil of Mayani into blood.
The next day the captives were sent to Bombay on the orders of the governor.
Hosh Mohammad Shaidi and his slogan
On March 24, another brief battle took place between Mir Sher Muhammad of Mirpur Khas and the British in what is known as the Battle of Do Abe or Dubai. In the same war, Hosh Mohammad Shaidi had raised his famous slogan. Hosh Muhammad, who was called Hosho, belonged to the Shadi nation.
This nation has been living in Sindh for many centuries. Even now there is a shady village near Hyderabad where Hosho's family lives who are always ready to give their lives for Sindh.
There are contradictory things about Hosho in history but most of them agree that Hosho was born in the house of Mir Fateh Ali Talpur because his mother used to take care of Mir's house.
Hosh Mohammad was also brought up in the house of Talpurs. When he grew up, he was recruited into the army. His performance was so good that he was soon made in-charge of a platoon and later rose to the rank of general due to his bravery.
In the battle of Doaba, Hosho fought very bravely and fearlessly and defeated many British soldiers. Despite their small numbers, Hosh Mohammad and his comrades did not surrender and died fighting.
During the same war, the ammunition depot was also set on fire. The naivety of the Mirs can also be gauged from the fact that an Englishman was also in charge of their ammunition depot.
In this battle also Mir Sher Muhammad was defeated and he marched towards Punjab. But William Napier, author of Conquest of Sindh, writes that the bravery with which Hosh Mohammad Shaidi was fighting was commendable.
Given the bravery of Hosh Mohammad and his associates, historians believe that history might have been different if the British had not set fire to the minefield with conspiracy.
Talpur of Hyderabad was imprisoned in India for ten years. They were kept in Bombay, Calcutta, Murshidabad and Hazaribagh.
Today's middle
Today's median is presenting another and a colorful side of the picture.
A splendor adorned with lush and colorful flowers and fruits
۔ On the left bank of the Indus River, near Hyderabad, the second most densely populated city in Sindh, a 1,700-acre 'middle ground' is emerging as a dense forest and garden.
Here you can see all the wonders of nature up close. From the polluted landscapes of the city, the juicy chirping of millions of trees, flowers, fruits, butterflies hovering over them, jingles, whirlpools and birds fluttering on the trees are no less than a garden of paradise.
According to Zubair Ahmed Chanar, Divisional Forest Officer, Salvi Culture Research Division, Miani Hyderabad, the forest covers an area of 1700 acres. There is also a 35-acre lake where thousands of migratory birds can be seen in winter.
In addition, successful experiments have been carried out on the cultivation of fruits on a vast area of 25 acres in Sindh and all over Pakistan. A forest school has also been set up here for training in forestry.
He said that Sindh Forest Department is also celebrating this year i.e. 2021 as the year of forests and in this regard tree planting work is in full swing. So far 800 acres have been successfully planted.
This Mayan forest is a strong reference to history. There is also a memorial to the Middle Ages. Zubair Ahmad Chanar says that in the time of Hosh Mohammad Shaidi, it was a dense forest which was destroyed by time. We are restoring it in the form of a forest and this is our tribute to Hosh Muhammad and his companions.
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