Hala Town
This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS. |
Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.
Hala Town
Head-quarters of the taluka of the same name in Hyderabad District, Sind, Bombay, formerly known as Murtazabad, situated in 25° 49' N. and 68° 28' E. Population (1901), 4,985. The local trade consists chiefly of grain, piece-goods, ghi, cotton, and sugar. Hala has long been famous for its glazed pottery and tiles, made from a fine clay obtained from the Indus, mixed with powdered flints. The ornamentation is brilliant and tasteful. Susls or striped trouser-cloths, for which Hala is also celebrated, are manufactured. The new town was built about 1800, in consequence of the old site, 2 miles distant, which is said to have been founded in 1422, being threatened with encroachment by the Indus.
Khudabad, 2 miles from New Hala, was once a favourite residence of the Talpur chiefs, and is said to have rivalled Hyderabad in size and population. Among the antiquities round which the new town has grown up are the tomb and mosque of a Pir or Muhammadan saint, who died in the sixteenth century, and in whose honour a fair, largely attended by Muhammadans from all parts of the province, is held twice a year. The British Government con- tributed Rs. 1,000 to the repair of this tomb in 1876. Hala is situated on the Aliganj canal, and is immediately connected with the trunk road at two points. The municipality dates from 1859, and had an average income during the decade ending 1901 of Rs. 6,132. In 1903-4 the income was Rs. 7,250. The town contains a dispensary, a Subordinate Judge's court, and a boys' school.
