Westren Nara Canal

Western Nara Canal and its small channels
Aziz Kingrani

A big branch of Indus River had flown from Kandhkot to Manchhar in prehistoric period. In result of its flow Manchhar came in to existence. No one would be able to tell with confirmation that in which period such big branch flew, but its signs of flow and experts confirm its flow through belt of Kachho. It seems, this branch of River began from jurisdiction of Siro (north of Sindh) and it drained out in Manchhar. In the Siro of Sindh, from Sindhu or Aab e Sidhu, one was of Hakro branch or Eastern Nara Canal and other was called western Nara Canal, which is still flowing and its direction is straight to south (1).
Water of river, which flew in two branches between Kandhkot and Kashmor in west-south-west, through its old stream drained out the lake, which was called Dashat e Bedari or Sindh Haalo. That water used to reach at Larkana. Both branches met or joined each other in the west at Garhi Khairo. The rainy water of Nai Ghari, black mountain (Khirthar) and Moula pass included with the water of those two branches and then whole water passing in the south of Shahdadkot flew through western Nara canal to Manchhar (2). Western Nara canal is not artificial but it is natural branch of Indus River, winding as snake. It is possible that later it might have maintained (3). Between 1860 and 1880 its 153 miles had been destroyed by the erosion of Indus River. Later it was dug in 1902-3 and further improved or repaired in 1905 (4)(352)
In Dadu district western Nara Canal was best irrigation system for agriculture purpose. E.H Aitkin has described in details in Sindh Gazetteer. Nara Canal had many small canals (Koors) and channels (Karyaas) for irrigation in the shape of Naars or Charkhees. These small canals or channels are mentioned in the map of 1877-76 (Deh Johi, Tapo Phulji, district Karachi and then Larkana) of revenue department. Those small canals are described in short as below.

KOORS
(1)Koor Fojo: It flew from western Nara canal in the, west towards Tharari Jado Shaheed. Probably it was named after Fojo Fakeer, a divotee of Mianwal movement.
(2) Koor Jamak: Probably Jamak was Hindu. This channel flew towards area of present deh Koor Jamak of Johi Taluka in the north-south of Johi town.
(3) Koor Kandi: This began, in the north of present Deh Wageji of Johi and flew in the west towards Johi town and drained in to the big pit near village Kabir Babar, now a muhla of Johi town.
(4) Khan Ji Koor: This bigan from Lake Narli of Nara, in the east, towards Johi town and drained in to the pond closed to Johi town in south.
(4) Koor Dingari: Having more turns it was called Dingari. It flew from Nara towards village Miran Machhi Solangi in south-west and turned in east towards Nara Canal.
(5) Koor Kalaan: It started from the delta or drainage of Nara near Manchhar in the west and irrigated the area of present deh Koor Kalaan of Johi.

KARIYAAS
(1) Kariyo Sanhro-I (thinner): This flew from Koor Kandi and irrigated the area near village Ibrahim Chandio and its northern lands
(2) Kariyo Sanhro-II: This also flew from Koor Kandi and irrigated the lands in the south of village Ibrahim Chandio.
(3) Kariyo of boundary (Boundary of Deh Johi and Wagechi): This small channel flew from Nara and drained in to Lake Narli.
(4) Kariyo Hamzo: Later it was named as Khan Ji Koor. This flew from western Nara Canal towards Johi.
(5) Kariyo Johi: This flew from Kariyo Hamzo or Khan Ji Koor between village Lalwani Lund and Thorha village in north and then turned in the west towards Johi. It drained in to big pit near Johi.
(6) Kariyo Thorhan Jo: It was tail of Khan ji Koor or Kariyo Hamzo towards village Thorha. Then it drained in to pond of Johi in south.
(7) Kariyo Gidar-I: Gidar means Jackal. It flew from Lake Narli in the west and irrigated the northern area of village Aadhe Jo Khooh (well). Now Saindad Jamali is settled.
(8) Kariyo Gidar-II: It flew from Lake Narli, near first in the south. It irrigated the neighboring area of Kariyo Gidar-I.
(9) Koor Rihandi: Rihandi means miner. It began from Lake Narli of Nara from the point of Pir Lakhio (Not to be confused Pir Lakhio near Manchhar) in the west of village Haji Manik Kingrani of Johi, towards village Jangu Jamali (Qasim Jamali) and passing village Solangi it flew towards Deh and Nai Noonari of Johi.
(10) Kariyo Narli: It flew from Nara in the west towards Lake Narli and drained in to the lake.
(11) Kariyo Deevan Chanderam: It flew from Nara canal in west towards the lands of Chanderam, probably Hindu land lord of that time.
(12) Kariyo Sobharo: This flew from Nara towards Lake Narli in the west and irrigated the some area between lake and Nara Canal.
(13) Kariyo Moti: Probably Moti was Hindu. Kariyo Moti flew from Nara towards Lake Narli in the west.
(14) Kariyo Shadad Jamali: probably Shahdad was son of Jangu Jamali. This little miner flew from Nara near village Khabar Mallah towards village Chinjani in the west. From Chinjani it flew in the west and drained in a big pit in the south of village Gul Mohammad Gumb (Old name village Kingrani).
(15) Kariyo inserted with out name in the map of 1877-78: This small channel flew from Kariyo Shahdad near village Chinjani straight in the north up to the present Lands of Abdul Ghani Kingrani and Habibullah Kingrani.
(16) Kariyo Lundo: Lundo means a short. It flew from Kariyo Shahdad straight to the village Haji Manik Kingrani in north.
It might have many little miners and small channels of Western Nara Canal in the boundary of Dadu district but unfortunately there is no record. So the cited above small channels are described on the base of already mentioned the map of 1877-78, which is the source of information about these small canals of Nara Canal. Later Nara valley drain had been dug by British government. After Nara Valley Drain the signs of such Koors and Kariyaas disappeared. Map of 1877-78 is available.
Books and reference
(1)Major Hennery Roverty/Atta Mohammad Bhanbhro Sindh Jo Mihran Sindhi language Authority Hyderabab, 2005, references: 1, 2, and 3, Pages: 112, 114, 115,116.
(2) E.H Aitkin/Husain Badshah, Sindh Gazetteer, Roshni publication Hyderabad, 2006, page: 356
(3) Map of Deh Johi, Tapo Phulji, district Karachi/Larkana by revenue department, year 1877-78