Babarlo

Babarlo has the dargah (shrine) for the Muslim pir Makhdoom Pir Syed Rajan Qattaar Jahania, who came to Sindh from Uch Sharif sometime in the mid-19th century.^[4] During the saint's urs on 14-16 Shaban, thousands of devotees come to pay their respects to him, offer prayers, and ask for mannats, or favours.^[4] This shrine has a unique tradition that, since the saint was reputedly fond of riding donkeys, devotees are expected to offer a donkey in return for a mannat.^[4] The donkeys offered this way are said to become "special", which makes them desirable for purchase.^[4] The shrine's caretakers sell the offered donkeys and spend the money on the upkeep of the shrine (which is privately maintained).^[4]

Babarlo is identified with the Babarlūka mentioned in the Tarkhan-Nama^[5] as the residence of the Mughal emperor Humayun for five months beginning in approximately December 1542.^[6] The text says, "Having taken up quarters in the town of Lahari (Rohri), he established his own residence within the walls of the delightful garden of Babarluka."^[6] A similar account appears in the Chach-Nama, which uses the spelling of Babarlō for the place.^[7] The Chach-Nama offers more context behind Humayun's stay: in anticipation for Humayun's arrival, Babarlo "with its four celebrated gardens" was decorated and its fort repaired in order to be a suitable and secure residence for the emperor and his family.^[7] It also says that Humayun's camp consisted of some 200,000 people (two lakh), including troops and camp followers; they were so numerous that their camp covered the whole distance between Babarlo and Rohri.^[7] It also gives a slightly different duration for Humayun's stay: "about 6 months".^[7]

The 1951 census recorded the village of Babarlo (under the spelling "Baberloi") as having an estimated population of about 2,760, in about 650 houses.^[8] It had a police station, post office, dispensary, and school at that point.^[8]

In November 2021, the rape and murder of a 10-year-old Hindu boy in Babarlo sparked protests in several cities throughout northern Sindh.^[9]