The ancient city of Brahmanabad, also known as Mansura, was an early stronghold of Muslim rule in the South Asian subcontinent.   
  
Located about 18 kilometers southeast of Shahdadpur , it served as the historic capital of the Arab empire in Sindh from 750 AD to 1006 AD, under both the Umayyad and later the Abbasid Caliphates. Locally, it's also referred to as Dalu Raja-ji-Nagri.

Dating back to the 7th century A.D., the sprawling ruins of Brahmanabad cover an area of 6.4 km in circumference near modern Shahdadpur. Originally named Brahmanabad, it was renamed Mansura by the Arab conquerors. The city was initially founded as a central garrison by the Umayyad forces in Sindh to secure Muslim presence and address unrest. While its exact founding is debated, with some attributing it to Governor Mansur ibn Jamhur, others suggest it evolved from separate Umayyad bases.   
  
It was further developed by Khalid ibn Barmak during the Abbasid era, notably becoming the first city built by Arabs in the subcontinent according to town-planning principles, which later influenced Baghdad's construction.

Extensive excavations over fourteen seasons have unearthed a wealth of historical artifacts, including coins, ancient jewelry, and other significant objects. Among the most notable discoveries are the large courtyard of a mosque and the visible remains of temple structures, indicating the area's rich and complex religious history.

Mansura flourished as a vibrant metropolis during the Abbasid period, surpassing Multan and Debal in wealth. Built on the fertile banks of the Indus River, it became a hub for wealthy Sindhi-Arab merchants who adopted Baghdad fashion. The city was a significant trade center, exporting herbs, spices, textiles, ivory, metals, and mirrors to Baghdad.   
  
It was also a renowned educational center, producing the first Sindhi translation of the Quran, widely used across the Indus valley. Mansura was home to influential figures like Abu Mashar Sindhi, a pioneer in Hadith compilation, and Abu Raja Sindhi, who translated numerous South Asian works on mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and ethics into Arabic.

Despite its prosperity, Mansura faced challenges. Geologists suggest an earthquake struck both Debal and Mansura in 893 AD. The city was later ruled by the Soomro Emirs. Its downfall came when **Mahmud of Ghazni's forces sacked it because** the inhabitants refused him entry. The city never recovered and its Soomro rulers were deposed, leaving behind the ruins seen today.

Mansura or Brahamanabad