Sindhis

Sindhis are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group from Sindh, a region in present-day Pakistan. They share a common Sindhi culture, history, ancestry, and language. Sindh is bordered by southeastern Balochistan, the Bahawalpur region of Punjab, the Marwar region of Rajasthan, and the Kutch region of Gujarat.

Sindhis are the third-largest ethnic group in Pakistan, after the Punjabis and Pashtuns. They make up most of the population in Sindh and also live in Balochistan. Many Sindhis moved to India after the partition. Today, there are large communities of Sindhis in many parts of the world, including the Gulf states, the Western world, and the Far East.

Most Sindhis practice Islam, mainly the Sunni tradition, with some following the Shia tradition. About 5% of Sindhis follow Hinduism, and there are smaller groups who practice Christianity, Sikhism, and Jainism. Even though they live in different places, Sindhis keep strong connections with one another and share many cultural values and practices.

Etymology

The name Sindhi comes from an old word Sindhu, meaning "river" or "sea body" in Sanskrit. The Greeks called this area "Indos" after the Indus River.

The old spelling "Sind" was changed to "Sindh" in 1988 by the Sindh Assembly. This also led to the use of "Sindhi" instead of "Sindi". Sindhis have a long connection with the Sinti people in Europe.

In the Balochi language, Sindhis are traditionally called Jadgal and Jamote. These words come from the prefix Jatt, meaning a certain tribe, and the suffix gal, meaning "speech". So, it refers to someone who speaks the language of the Jatts. The term Jatt was used for both Sindhis and Punjabis and appeared in British records about Sindhis.

Geographic distribution

Sindh is a special area in Pakistan where many Sindhi people live. It is south of the Indus River and includes nearby regions.

In Pakistan, most Sindhis live in the province of Sindh. This area also has many followers of the Hindu faith, more than any other part of Pakistan. Some Sindhis also live in nearby areas such as Balochistan, Punjab, and in parts of India, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.

After a big change called partition in 1947, many Sindhi people who followed the Hindu faith moved to India. They settled in places like Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan. Even though it was hard for them at first, they became successful in business and trade. Today, many Sindhis in India live there.

Many Sindhis also live far from Pakistan and India. Some are in Afghanistan, where they work in trade. Others moved to Sri Lanka many years ago and still live there, especially near Colombo. Wealthy Sindhi communities can also be found in places like Hong Kong and Singapore.

History

See also: History of Sindh

Sindh was the site of one of the cradles of civilization, the Bronze Age Indus Valley Civilisation that flourished from about 3000 BCE. The Indo-Aryan tribes of Sindh gave rise to the Iron Age vedic civilization, which lasted until 500 BCE. During this era, the Vedas were composed.

In 518 BCE, the Achaemenid Empire conquered Indus valley and established Hindush satrapy in Sindh. Following Alexander the Great's invasion, Sindh became part of the Mauryan Empire. After its decline, Indo-Greeks, Indo-Scythians and Indo-Parthians ruled in Sindh.

Sindh is sometimes referred to as the Bab-ul Islam (transl. 'Gateway of Islam'), as it was one of the first regions of the Indian subcontinent to come under Islamic rule. Parts of the modern-day province were intermittently subject to raids by the Rashidun army during the early Muslim conquests, but the region did not come under Muslim rule until the Arab invasion of Sind occurred under the Umayyad Caliphate, headed by Muhammad ibn Qasim in 712 CE. The conquest is celebrated in modern Pakistan on the 10th day of Ramadan as Yom-e Bab ul-Islam. Afterwards, Sindh was ruled by a series of dynasties including the Habbaris, Soomras, Sammas, Arghuns and Tarkhans.

The Mughal Empire conquered Sindh in 1591 and organized it as Subah of Thatta, the first-level imperial division. Sindh again became independent under the Kalhora dynasty. The British conquered Sindh in 1843 after their victory in the Battle of Hyderabad over the Talpur dynasty. Sindh became a separate province in 1936, and after independence became part of Pakistan.

Prehistoric period

Sindh and surrounding areas contain the ruins of the Indus Valley Civilization. There are remnants of ancient cities and structures, with a notable example in Sindh being that of Mohenjo Daro. Built around 2500 BCE., it was one of the largest settlements of the ancient Indus Civilisation or Harappan culture, with features such as standardized bricks, street grids, and covered sewer systems. It was one of the world's earliest major cities, contemporaneous with the civilizations of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Minoan Crete, and Caral-Supe.

Mohenjo-daro was abandoned in the 19th century BCE as the Indus Valley Civilization declined, and the site was not rediscovered until the 1920s. Significant excavation has since been conducted at the site of the city, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. The site is currently threatened by erosion and improper restoration.

The cities of the ancient Indus were noted for their urban planning, baked brick houses, elaborate drainage systems, water supply systems, clusters of large non-residential buildings, and techniques of handicraft and metallurgy.

Historical period

For several centuries in the first millennium BCE and in the first five centuries of the first millennium CE, the western portions of Sindh, the regions on the western flank of the Indus River, were intermittently under Persian, Greek and Kushan rule, first during the Achaemenid dynasty (500–300 BCE) during which it made up part of the easternmost satrapies, then, by Alexander the Great, followed by the Indo-Greeks and still later under the Indo-Sassanids, as well as Kushans, before the Islamic conquest between the 7th and 10th centuries CE Alexander the Great marched through Punjab and Sindh, down the Indus river, after his conquest of the Persian Empire.

Medieval period

Sindh was one of the earliest regions to be conquered by the Arabs and influenced by Islam after 720 CE. Before this period, it was heavily Hindu and Buddhist. After 632 CE., it was part of the Islamic empires of the Abbasids and Umayyids. Habbari, Soomra, Samma, Kalhora dynasties ruled Sindh.

After the death of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, the Arab expansion towards the east reached the Sindh region beyond Persia.

The Arab military action in Sind had practical goals beyond spreading Islam. A key reason was to eliminate piracy and safeguard trade routes.

The expedition that left Shiraz in 710 A.D. was relatively small, much like other Arab conquest forces. It included six thousand cavalrymen from Syria, along with troops from Iraq and groups of mawālī (non-Arab Muslims).

Following the directives of Hajjāj, the Islamic administration took steps to establish a more permanent religious and political presence. New mosques were constructed, Friday congregational prayers were introduced, and coins were minted bearing the name of the caliph.

In the late 16th century, Sindh was brought into the Mughal Empire by Akbar, himself born in the Rajputana kingdom in Umerkot in Sindh. Mughal rule from their provincial capital of Thatta was to last in lower Sindh until the early 18th century, while upper Sindh was ruled by the indigenous Kalhora dynasty, consolidating their rule until the mid-18th century, when the Persian sacking of the Mughal throne in Delhi allowed them to grab the rest of Sindh. It is during this the era that the famous Sindhi Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai composed his classic Sindhi text Shah Jo Risalo

The Talpur dynasty (Sindhi: ٽالپردور‎‎) succeeded the Kalhoras in 1783 and four branches of the dynasty were established. One ruled lower Sindh from the city of Hyderabad, another ruled over upper Sindh from the city of Khairpur, a third ruled around the eastern city of Mirpur Khas, and a fourth was based in Tando Muhammad Khan. They were ethnically Baloch, and for most of their rule, they were subordinate to the Durrani Empire and were forced to pay tribute to them.

They ruled from 1783 until 1843, when they were in turn defeated by the British at the Battle of Miani and Battle of Dubbo. The northern Khairpur branch of the Talpur dynasty, however, continued to maintain a degree of sovereignty during British rule as the princely state of Khairpur, whose ruler elected to join the new Dominion of Pakistan in October 1947 as an autonomous region, before being fully amalgamated into West Pakistan in 1955.

Modern period

British rule

The British East India Company conquered Sindh in 1843. General Charles Napier is said to have reported victory to the Governor General with a one-word telegram, namely "Peccavi" – or "I have sinned" (Latin), which was later turned into a pun known as "Forgive me for I have Sindh".

The British had two objectives in their rule of Sindh: the consolidation of British rule and the use of Sindh as a market for British products and a source of revenue and raw materials. With the appropriate infrastructure in place, the British hoped to exploit Sindh's economic potential.

The British incorporated Sindh, some years later after annexing it, into the Bombay Presidency. The distance from the provincial capital, Bombay, led to grievances that Sindh was neglected in contrast to other parts of the Presidency. The merger of Sindh into Punjab province was considered from time to time but was turned down because of British disagreement and Sindhi opposition, both from Muslims and Hindus, to being annexed to Punjab.

Post-colonial era

In 1947, violence did not constitute a major part of the Sindhi partition experience, unlike in Punjab. This was in part due to the Sufi-influenced culture of religious tolerance and in part because Sindh was not divided and was instead made part of Pakistan in its entirety. Sindhi Hindus who left generally did so out of a fear of persecution, rather than persecution itself, because of the arrival of Muslim refugees from India. Sindhi Hindus differentiated between the local Sindhi Muslims and the migrant Muslims from India. A large number of Sindhi Hindus travelled to India by sea, to the ports of Bombay, Porbandar, Veraval and Okha.

Demographics

Ethnicity and religion

Main article: Demographics of Sindh

Sindh is home to two main tribes: the Soomros and the Sammas. Many other groups also live in Sindh, such as the Bhuttos, Kambohs, and Bhattis.

Most people in Sindh follow Islam, which began there in the year 712. Today, most Sindhis are Muslim. There is also a smaller group of Hindus. Some Sikhs also live in Sindh.

Sindhi Hindus

Hinduism has a long history in Sindh. Before Islam arrived, Hinduism and Buddhism were common there. Today, many Hindus still live in cities like Karachi and Hyderabad.

Sindhi Muslims

Sindh became part of the Islamic Empire in 712. Many Muslim scholars came from Sindh, and the area has many important Sufi shrines. Sindhi Muslim culture is deeply influenced by Sufi traditions.

Tribes

Main article: List of Sindhi tribes

Sindh has many tribes, such as the Soomros, Sammas, and Kalhoras.

Emigration

Main article: Sindhi diaspora

Many Sindhis have moved to other countries. After the British took control of Sindh, some went to places like the Canary Islands and Gibraltar. After 1947, many Sindhi Hindus moved to Europe, North America, and the Middle East. Some also settled in Hong Kong.

Culture

Sindhi culture has deep roots in the ancient Indus Valley Civilization. The land of Sindh is shaped by its desert environment and the Indus or Sindhu River along with the Arabian Sea. This has helped create many traditions, including seafaring ways of life.

The climate and natural surroundings have helped form the unique language, folklore, traditions, customs, and way of living for Sindhis. This culture stays strong among the Sindhi diaspora living far from home.

Language

Sindhi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by many people in the Pakistani province of Sindh, where it has special status. It is also spoken by some in India. The main way to write Sindhi uses the Perso-Arabic script, though in India, some also use Devanagari. Sindhi has a long history, influenced by Persian and Arabic languages over time. Famous poets have helped make Sindhi literature rich and famous.

Traditional dress

Traditional clothing for Sindhis includes items like Paro Cholo, Salwar Cholo, and various types of embroidered shirts. Men often wear a special version of Shalwar Qameez or Kurta with decorative shawls called Ajrak or Lungi.

Literature

Sindhi literature is very old and rich, with some of the earliest writings known from Arab historians. It includes both written and spoken stories, poems, and songs. The language has been influenced by many cultures over time, making its literature diverse and interesting.

Music

Sindhi music includes several types of songs and instruments. One popular style is called "Baits," which uses different voice ranges. Another is "Waee," which is instrumental music played with string instruments. Other types include Lada/Sehra/Geech, Dhammal, and Doheera. Traditional instruments used include Algozo, Tamburo, Chung, Yaktaro, Dholak, and many more.

Dance

Sindhi dances include famous ones like Ho Jamalo and Dhammal. Other dances are Jhumar/Jhumir, Kafelo, and Jhamelo. These dances are often performed at weddings and special events. Women usually sing special songs called Ladas/Sehra/Geech to celebrate occasions like marriages and birthdays.

Folk tales

Sindhi folklore is rich with many stories passed down for centuries. Famous tales include Watayo Faqir, The legend of Moriro, and the epic of Dodo Chanesar. Love stories like Sassui and Punhu are well-known and sung in many Sindhi homes. These stories help keep the culture alive.

Festivals

Sindhis love to celebrate festivals. One big celebration is Sindhi Culture day, held every year in early December. People wear traditional clothes, enjoy music and dances, and come together to honor their heritage. Muslim Sindhis also celebrate Islamic festivals such as Eid-ul-Adha and Eid al-Fitr. Hindu Sindhis have many festivals based on old traditions, like Cheti Chand, which marks the new year.

Cuisine

Sindhi food has been shaped by influences from Central Asia, Iran, and Mughal traditions. It often includes meat, fish, and many vegetables. Common dishes use wheat flatbreads like mani/roti with rice and different sides. Both Muslim and Hindu Sindhi cuisines share many similarities.

Culture Day

Sindhi Cultural Day is a joyful celebration held each year in early December. People across Sindh and around the world come together to enjoy traditional music, dance, and clothing. They gather for special events, wear Ajrak and Sindhi Topi, and share in the rich heritage of their culture. This day is important for showing the peaceful and vibrant identity of Sindhi people.

Notable people

Main article: List of Sindhi people

The Sindhis have many famous people who have done great work in areas like politics, arts, and science. These individuals are from the Sindh region and are known for their successes and impact on society.