The city is located on the western bank of River Indus and is administratively subdivided into four Union councils.

[3] Dadu Shah was a powerful religious leader and landlord and had close relations with Kalhora rulers and was called Daderah.

Some historians are of the opinion that the old name of Dadu was Marakhpur, which was conquered by Mian Yar Muhammad Kalhoro during the first decade of the 18th century.

Dadu Dayal (1544–1603) was a great saint, poet, and follower of Guru Gorakhnath from Gujrat, India.

When Kalhora rulers shifted the capital of Sindh to Hydrabad, Dadu lost its prosperity.