Matiari Town

Brief History of Matiari

Sindh is often referred to as the Valley of Saints. Historically, ancient Sindh extended as far as Multan, which is now part of Punjab Province. The initial spread of Islam in this region was facilitated by preachers, including Sahabas and Saints, who imparted their teachings to the local populace. For several centuries, the area from Nawabshah to Thatta has been recognized as the domain of SAHTEYA, signifying Literature and Education, with Matiari serving as its focal point.

Matiari is among the oldest regions in Sindh, boasting a rich educational heritage. This area has been the birthplace of numerous religious scholars, educators, intellectuals, and poets who disseminated their knowledge throughout the subcontinent.

Matiari is renowned as the homeland of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai, a revered saint, Sufi poet, and a beloved figure in Sindh and beyond.

During the era of British rule, the British authorities frequently sought legal opinions (FATWA) from scholars (Ulama) in Matiari to resolve Muslim disputes in the courts. Akhund Azizullah, the first individual to translate the Holy Quran into the Sindhi language, also hailed from Matiari.

The first and last martyr of the Khilafat movement, Muhammad Raheem Qazi, was a resident of Matiari.

Matiari was founded by the Sayeds, whose ancestors migrated from Hirat (Afghanistan). Before their arrival, a small village inhabited by the Chang tribe existed in this location.

Around 1400 A.C., Sayed Ameer Hyder Shah, an ancestor of the Sayeds—who are of Arab descent and belong to the family of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAWS)—arrived in Sindh alongside Taimoor Lang, the great-grandfather of the Mughals. He married the daughter of Shah Muhammad Halo, a chieftain of his tribe in the town of Hala. After receiving a call from his father in Hirat, Sayed Ameer Hyder Shah returned to his homeland, where his wife gave birth to a son named Sayed Meer Ali Shah. Upon reaching adulthood, this son traveled to his father’s homeland, where he discovered that his father had passed away. He subsequently returned to his native land accompanied by his father’s brother.

Sindh is the Valley of Saints. Ancient Sindh was spread up to Multan (Now in Punjab Province). Islam was first spread through the preachers (Sahabas and Saints) who educated the people of this valley through their teachings. For the last several hundred years, the region of Sindh from Nawabshah to Thatta is known as the Area of SAHTEYA  (Literature & Education) and Matiari is the center of this region.

Matiari is one of Sindh’s oldest territories. It has a very colorful past from an educational point of view. This region produced several religious scholars, Educators, Intellectuals, and Poets who spread the essence of their knowledge all over the subcontinent.

Matiari is the land of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai, the great saint, soofi Poet, and lover of Sindh and the world as well.

In the old days, the British Government always acquired (FATWA) from Scholars (Ulama`s) MATIARI according to Muslim Law to decide Muslim disputes in a court of law. Akhund Azizullah, the first translator of the Holy Quran in the Sindhi language, was also a native of Matiari.

The First & Last “SHAHEED” of the “Khilafat movement” Muhammad Raheem Qazi was a citizen of Matiari.

Matiari was established by “SAYEDS,” whose forefathers came from “HIRAT”(Afghanistan). Before them, there was a small village of the tribe “CHANG” at this place.

Around 1400 A.C the forefather of “SAYEDS” {who are the ARABS and do belong to the family of Holy Prophet MUHAMMAD (SAWS)}, Sayed Ameer Hyder Shah came into Sindh with “Taimoor Lang” the Great Grand Father of Mughals and married the daughter of Shah Muhammad Halo, who was the knight of his Tribe in town HALA. On call of his father from HIRAT, Sayed Ameer Hyder Shah returned to his homeland, and here his wife gave birth to a boy and gave him the name SAYED MEER ALI SHAH.when this boy grew up he went to his father’s homeland, where his father was not alive. Then he returned to his motherland with his father’s brother and a lot of wealth from his legacy. After returning, he did not settle in Hala but came to the place where it now exists. As he had a lot of money, so he purchased a lot of LANDS and fully settled down here along with his mother. Then he got married to a woman from his mother’s family. All the SAYEDS of Matiari, Bhanot, Sun, and Tikher are his grandchildren.

About the name “MATIARI”, it is said that before settling here SAYED MEER ALI SHAH was first settled in a village” MUTAALO” near Shahdadpur, district Sangher. He settled at the place which is called Matiari, so these SAYEDS were called the people of “MUTAALO”, which changed to “MUTAALVI”, then “MATIARI”.