The schools in Shikarpur were not just educational institutions but also architectural marvels, each with its unique character

Before the partition of 1947, collective efforts from the Muslim and Hindu communities of Shikarpur led to the establishment of several educational institutions. This shared commitment to education was evident in the schools and colleges built through the generous donations and efforts of individuals, as well as the support from the British government. Philanthropists, traders, and the town’s wealthy people all played a part in this educational revolution. Some of the educational institutions built before the Partition of 1947 include Qazi Mohalla Primary School, Lakhidar Primary School, Jumani Hall Primary School (formerly known as Vernacular School No. 2), Hathidar Primary School ( formerly called Hindu Sindhi School No. 4), Sindhi Saddar Primary School (formerly Vernacular School No. 3), Urdu Saddar Primary School, Kiri Atta Muhammad School, Pritam Dharam Sabha School, Training school, New Era High School (now called Qazi Habibullah High School), Ishwari Bai Sital Das Girls High School, Chela Singh and Sital Das College, Government Boys High School No. 1 and Government High School No. 2 and others.

A classroom of the school

The grand structure of Government High School No. 2, formerly Hopeful Academy, is a prime example

The schools in Shikarpur were not just educational institutions but also architectural marvels, each with its unique character. The use of burnt bricks, wood, iron and later marble in their construction, not only showcased the diverse materials but also the rich cultural heritage of Shikarpur. The grand structure of Government High School No. 2, formerly Hopeful Academy, is a prime example. Founded by Diwan Wadhumal Verhomal Goklani, a prominent educator, this school stands as a symbol of Shikarpur’s colonial architecture, a testament to the town’s rich history.

The journey of Hopeful Academy, a beacon of education in Shikarpur, began in 1900 in the Musafirkhano building, which was the property of Shikarpur Municipality. Initially, it was rented out to Diwan Wadhumal Verhomal Goklani for a mere Rs.5, but it was later purchased for Rs. 1500. The classes started in this building, and it was called Hopeful Academy. In its early days, Diwan Wadhumal Vehromal Goklani brought a table from his house, and Munshi Pokar Das, Shikarpur’s bookseller and publisher, donated three chairs. Diwan Veromal Begraj and Pesomal Advocate also contributed financially to the Hopeful Academy. The dedication and contributions of these individuals, including Pokar Das, who played a pivotal role in fostering a reading culture in Shikarpur, are a testament to the school’s humble beginnings and its journey of growth.

The walls of the school

The journey of Hopeful Academy, a beacon of education in Shikarpur, began in 1900 in the Musafirkhano building, which was the property of Shikarpur Municipality

The Hopeful Academy became well-known in Shikarpur for providing quality education. Many parents enrolled their children at the academy. Dr. Anwar ‘Fiqar’ Hakro noted that the academy also published a monthly magazine, the Hopeful Academy Magazine, in English and Sindhi. The Musafirkhano building, where Hopeful Academy was established, became inadequate due to the increasing number of students. Considering the space issue, Diwan Wadhumal Vehromal Goklani sold the building for Rs. 75000 and decided to build a new building. The Shikarpur municipal allocated 6 acres, and provided a grant to construct a new building. The philanthropists of Shikarpur also made financial contributions. According to Sultan Ahmad Shaikh, a teacher of Government Boys High School No. 2, about 32 acres were bought by Diwan Wadhumal Verhomal Goklani from the Sarhandi Pirs of Shikarpur, for the Pirs owned the land. Rai Bahadur Udhaw Das Tarachand Chhabria, the founder of the Rai Bahadur Udhaw Das Tarachand Hospital in Shikarpur, assisted in the land purchase deal.

Portrait of Diwan Wadhumal. (Picture credits to Haseeb Nayyab Mangi)

With Diwan Wadhumal Verhomal Goklani’s commitment and dedication, the new building of Hopeful Academy was completed in 1939, as believed by Dr. Anwar ‘Figar’ Hakro and Haseeb Nayyab Mangi, writers and historians of Shikarpur. After independence, this school was affiliated with Government Boys High School No. 1, which was constructed in 1853 and started as a Middle School through the efforts of F.G. Goldsmith, Assistant Commissioner of Sindh. Later, Middle School was upgraded to High school in 1873.

With Diwan Wadhumal Verhomal Goklani’s commitment and dedication, the new building of Hopeful Academy was completed in 1939

In 1973, the Government Boys High School No. 2 was separated from Government Boys High School No. 1. The Government High School No. 2 was renamed Government Boys High School Agha Saleem by the Government of Sindh on September 15, 2023. After examining the donor plaque of the Jethanand Khilaldas Library, which was founded in 1915, it seems that the groundwork for the new building may have been laid between 1905 and 1910. It is possible that classes began in 1910, or shortly thereafter. The affluent members of the Shikarpur community contributed generously to the school’s construction, which likely took several years to complete.

If one enters the Jethanand Khialdas Makhija wing, one will first see a computer lab and an adjacent classroom where Sanskrit classes were once held. If seen from the air, the building appears E-shaped. The Government High School No. 2 is noted for its beautiful architecture. It is a double-storey structure with three domes covering the corners and the main entrance. The building is also sometimes called ‘Quban Waro School’. Renovations and extensions have been made in the school after Partition. However, no extension was made in the old school building, although new blocks were constructed on the school premises. Some portion of the western wing of the building was restored as its ceiling had been damaged in 1996.

The old school building has three halls. The main hall, Diwan Wadhumal Verhomal Goklani, also called Latif Hall, named after Sufi poet Shah Abdul Latif, was probably used as a reading hall or a library. On the exterior wall of the hall is fixed a marble plaque that shows that “This hall is gratefully named after Diwan Wadhumal Verhomal Goklani, who was the founder of this institution and who remained as manager from its beginning, from 1900 up to his retirement in 1939”. From this plaque, one learns that Diwan Wadhumal Verhomal Goklani was the founder and manager of the school. Moreover, one knows that the trust managed the school with Diwan Wadhomal Verhomal Goklani as its manager.

It is said that a separate brick kiln was built near the construction site of Hopeful Academy or the school building. Loku, the brick kiln owner, produced bricks for the building

Two other halls, now used as a computer laboratory and science hall, were also built before Partition. The main hall, named after Diwan Wadhumal Verhomal Goklani, is noted for its teak wood brackets and gallery. All the doors, windows and even stairs were made of teakwood.

It is said that a separate brick kiln was built near the construction site of Hopeful Academy or the school building. Loku, the brick kiln owner, produced bricks for the building. Diwan Wadhumal Verhomal Goklani was a visionary educationist, who also built a hostel for students, servant quarters, a room for security and a beautiful triangle-shaped garden (Tikando Bagh) in the school. There was a separate room for students and teachers to access the hand pump and drinkable water. There was also a playground for the children. Diwan Wadhumal Verhomal Goklani provided all the facilities to the students, teachers and other staff. After the Partition of 1947, Diwan Wadhumal Verhomal Goklani left for India, where he died in 1970.

This school has produced many erudite individuals who have made a name for themselves in their respective fields. The old building is emblematic of Shikarpur’s glorious past. In recognition of Diwan Wadhumal Verhomal Goklani’s contributions, the school management should create a dedicated space in his honour called the “Diwan Wadhumal Verhomal Goklani Corner.” This area should highlight his accomplishments and also conduct research on other philanthropists and educators from Shikarpur, who devoted their lives to establishing educational institutions for the benefit of the general public.

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Published under International Cooperation with "Sindh Courier"