Larr (region)

Dialect

The dialect of the Sindhi language spoken here is called "Lari" or 'Larri" (Sindhi: لاڙي). Many of Shah Jo Risalo and Shah Abdul Karim Bulri's poetry is also in this dialect, In the Lari dialect, aspirated sounds (letters with an 'h' sound) are used less frequently. For example: "Digho" (long) becomes "Digo", "Ghangho" / "Ghaṇo" (much/many) becomes "Gaṇo", "Ghar" (home) becomes "Gar", "Ghoṛo" (horse) becomes "Goṛo", "Chaṛhyo" (climbed) becomes "Charyo", "Māṇhū" (person/human) becomes "Māṛū" etc. Similarly, suffixes and endings are also used in a unique and distinct manner in this dialect.

History

The earliest mention of the southern region of Sindh is by the famous 11th century Arab Geographer Al-Biruni, who talks about the Lari script and Larr-Desha (The Southern Region):

"The alphabet used for Sindhi language in Southern Sindh towards sea- coast, was 'Malwari. In Bahmanva (al- Mansurah), 'Saindhva Script' was most commonly used. Lari writing system was in use in Lar Desha, whereas 'Ardhanagari Script' was commonly used by the people of Bhatia area and other parts of Sindh."

Medieval

The Larr region remained the Capital of the Soomra and Samma dynasties of Sindh. Matli in Badin was the historic capital of the Soomra dynasty from where they established their authority over Sindh. Larr remained the stronghold of the Soomra dynasty.Thatta was the capital of the Samma dynasty of Sindh, It was during this time that the Makli Necropolis rose to prominence as a funerary site. Thatta proved to be a Strong Capital. Thatta remained the capital of the Turko-mongol Arghun and the Tarkhan dynasties of Sindh.

After Tarkhans the Mughal Empire got control over the entirety of Sindh. The Mughals reorganized the Larr region into the Subah of Thatta, making it an imperial province administered directly by the Mughal government.