Matiari District (Sindhi: ضلعو مٽیاري, Urdu: ضلع مٹیاری) is a district in the Pakistani province of Sindh. Located on the left bank of the Indus River, Matiari became an independent district in 30 May 2004 under the military regime of Pervez Musharraf, when Hyderabad was divided into four districts — Tando Allahyar, Matiari, Tando Mohammad Khan and Hyderabad.
Etymology
Matiari word is derived from two Sindhi words Mat and yari, which means friendship with earthen water pots.
According to culture, the Main Bus Stop at Matiari Main Road was where a Lady sat in a hut a long time ago. It is where she keeps a mud pot of water. People of Matiari tell the bus conductor “Mat Wari Maai” (Make Stop at Old Women’s Hut Where She Keeps Mud Pot of Water). This is apparently why it the district is called Matiari.
History and administration
Matiari district was carved out of Hyderabad district along with Tando Allahyar and Tando Muhammad Khan districts in 2005. Matiari district is part of the Hyderabad division. The district is administratively subdivided into three talukas:
-
- Hala Taluka
- Matiari Taluka
- Saeedabad Taluka
There are 30 union councils in the district as tabulated below:
| UCNo. | Name | UCNo. | Name | UCNo. | Name | UCNo | Name | UCNo. | Name | UCNO. | Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matiari | 6 | Bau KhanPathan | 11 | OderolalVillage | 16 | Bhanoth | 21 | MakhdoomanJon
Landhiyoon |
26 | BhaledinoKaka |
| 2 | Jiandal Kot | 7 | Palijani | 12 | Nobat Marri | 17 | Khandu | 22 | Karam KhanNizamani | 27 | Sikenderabad |
| 3 | Shah AlamJi Wasi | 8 | OderolalStation | 13 | Sher MuhammadThorra/Kheber | 18 | FatehMuhammad
Shah Ajnani |
23 | ShahmirRahu | 28 | Zair Peer |
| 4 | Shahpur/Arif Khatian | 9 | Bau Dero | 14 | Faqir NoohHothiani | 19 | Ajan Shah | 24 | Faqirabad | 29 | Abdul WahidBorero |
| 5 | Tajpur | 10 | Sekhat | 15 | MuhammadHussain Hingoro | 20 | Bhit Shah | 25 | SaeedabadOld | 30 | MuhammadRamzan Unar |
Demography
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1951 | 124,948 | — |
| 1961 | 148,995 | +1.78% |
| 1972 | 336,367 | +7.68% |
| 1981 | 438,319 | +2.99% |
| 1998 | 494,244 | +0.71% |
| 2017 | 770,040 | +2.36% |
| 2023 | 849,383 | +1.65% |
| Sources: | ||
At the time of the 2017 census, Matiari district had 142,256 households and a population of 770,040. Matiari had a sex ratio of 940 females per 1000 males and a literacy rate of 42.63%: 54.05% for males and 38.48% for females. 182,669 (23.72%) lived in urban areas. 229,446 (29.80%) were under 10 years of age. In 2023, the district had 158,559 households and a population of 849,383.
The majority religion is Islam, with 83.28% of the population. Hinduism (including those from Scheduled Castes) is 16.66% of the population.
At the time of the 2017 census, 92.50% of the population spoke Sindhi, 2.68% Urdu, 1.10% Punjabi, 1.04% Balochi and 0.95% Saraiki as their first language.
Notable places
The shrines of Pir Rukun-Din-Shah, Makhdoom Sarwar Nooh, Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Sakhi Hashim Shah pir Haider shah, Muhammad Faquir Khatian and others are located in Matiari district. Miani forest and the battleground of Sir Charles Napier and Talpur rulers of Sindh and Miani jo Maidan are also situated in Matiari district.
Syed Rukun-Din-Shah also fought a battle with the Arguns dynasty with seven bilalis of sindh.
At Khuda aabad, one can find the graves and the tombs of Mughal Empires era. There is a Masjid (Praying Place) and a well of water.
The Indus River is also there.
Agriculture
Matiari district is one of the most fertile districts of Sindh. The main crops cultivated are cotton, banana, mango, wheat, onions and sugarcane.
Politics
The elected representatives from Matiari district are
- MNA Makhdoom Jameel-uz-Zaman (PPPP) NA 223
- MPA Makhdoom Mehboob Zaman (PPPP) PS 58
- MPA Makhdoom Rafique Zaman (PPPP) PS 59
List of union councils
The following is a list of Matiari District’s union councils, organised by Tehsils:
- Hala Tehsil (35 Dehs)
- Bhanbhri
- Bhanoth
- Bhit Shah
- Bundh
- Bunglow
- Bureri
- Char
- Dhabri
- Gahoth
- Gaib peer
- Ghoghat
- Ghotana
- Hala
- Hala old
- Jamlabad
- Jhirki
- Kalri
- Katcho Khanoth
- Keeriya
- Khandu
- Khanoth
- Kutkai
- Lakhisar
- Narli
- Nizamani
- Nooralabad
- Noorketi
- Pir Bilawal
- Rechal
- Rojhani
- Salaro
- Sandhan
- Shaikhani
- Tarah
- Verato
- Matiari Tehsil (49 Dehs)
- Abrejani
- Arain
- Barechani
- Baudero
- Bhanoki
- Bhorko
- Buhryoon
- Chharao
- Dhando
- Ganag Rayati
- Gang Jagir
- Hakra
- Jaheki
- Kaindal Kot
- Jakhri Jagir
- Jakhri Joya
- Jakhri Rayati
- Ketti
- Khorkhani
- Khudi
- Khyberani
- Koheki
- Lutryoon
- Mari
- Matiari
- Mubarak Wah
- Nindero
- Oderolal
- Palijani
- Panhwarki
- Pano
- Porath
- Reechal
- Sadri
- Saeedpur
- Sahib Saman
- Sattar
- Sekhat
- Shahpur
- Sipki Jagir
- Sipki Rayati
- Sohiki
- Soomra
- Sultanpur
- Tajpur
- Thano
- Thorha
- Vesro
- Wassan
- Saeedabad Tehsil (28 Dehs)
- Ahano
- Amin Lakho
- Bawri
- Chhachhri
- Chhapar Kahan
- Chitori
- Dalo Keti
- Dethki
- Fatehpur
- Gadali
- Giss
- Jamali
- Kaka
- Khatoori
- Khuteero
- Koonar
- Larh
- Manahi
- Odiyanoo
- Panjmoro
- Peengharo Jagir
- Peengharo Raieti
- Rahoo
- Rahooki
- Ranoo
- Saeedabad
- Suhrabpur
- Zairpir