Sehwan: History
Sehwan is considered one of the most ancient cities of Sindh, Pakistan. According to various historical traditions, the origins of Sehwan trace back to antiquity . It was originally known as " Sivisthan " named after ancient Sivi janapada, which eventually evolved into Sehwan after Turk invasion of Sindh.
Syed Muhibullah, in A Brief History of Sindh, records another tradition claiming that Sehwan was named after a great-grandson of Ham (son of Noah). Meanwhile, British author William Dalrymple suggests that the name derives from Shivistan, referencing the Hindu deity Shiva.
Historian Molai Sheedai, in his book Tarikh-e-Tamaddun-e-Sindh, attributes the city's foundation to the Sewi Aryans, thus calling it Sewistan. Another scholarly view identifies the city as ancient Sindomana, a name frequently mentioned in Greek historical sources. The Sanskrit term Sindhu-mán means "the possessor or ruler of Sindh," and its variant Sindhu-ván may have evolved phonetically into Sehwan over time.
Sindomana is believed to have been the capital of King Sambos, who was defeated by Alexander during his campaign in the region in 326 BC. A prominent archaeological mound known as Kafir Qila ("Fort of the Pagans") lies to the north of the city and is associated with this period.
Sehwan was conquered by Muhammad bin Qasim in 711 CE during his expedition into Sindh, seizing it from the son of Raja Dahir. Later, in 1026 CE, the city was again captured by Mahmud of Ghazni.
Throughout the medieval period, Sehwan played a significant role in the political dynamics of the region. It was successively ruled by the Sumra, Samma, Arghun, and Tarkhan dynasties. During the rule of the Thatta Kingdom, Sehwan served as its capital. An unsuccessful attempt to capture Sehwan was made by the Mughal emperor Humayun in 1542 during his march to Umarkot, but the city eventually fell to his son Akbar in 1590s.
Following the Mughals era, Sehwan came under the control of the Kalhora and later the Talpur dynasties, continuing its legacy as a historically and culturally significant city in Sindh