No edit summary |
Gamesmasterg9 (talk | contribs) Do not make this personal. See discussion page. |
||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{This|the socio-ethnic group of South Asia|Sindhi}} |
{{This|the socio-ethnic group of South Asia|Sindhi}} |
||
{{Infobox Ethnic group |
{{Infobox Ethnic group |
||
|group=Sindhis<br>سنڌي सिन्धी |
|group= Sindhis <br> سنڌي , सिन्धी |
||
|image= [[Image:Advani.jpg|65px]], [[ |
|image= [[Image:Advani.jpg|65px]], [[Image:Pankaj gold medal.jpg|65px]], [[Image:KaranJohar.jpg|55px]] |
||
|caption= [[L.K. Advani]], [[Pankaj Advani]], [[Karan Johar]] |
|caption= [[L.K. Advani]], [[Pankaj Advani]], [[Karan Johar]] |
||
|poptime=about |
|poptime=about 55 million |
||
|popplace={{flag|Pakistan}}: 43,842,000<ref>[http://www.statpak.gov.pk/depts/pco/statistics/other_tables/pop_by_mother_tongue.pdf Population Census Organization, Government of Pakistan - Population by Mother Tongue]</ref><br> |
|popplace={{flag|Pakistan}}: 43,842,000<ref>[http://www.statpak.gov.pk/depts/pco/statistics/other_tables/pop_by_mother_tongue.pdf Population Census Organization, Government of Pakistan - Population by Mother Tongue]</ref><br> |
||
{{flag|India}}: 4,890,000<ref>[http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=IN Ethnologue report for India]</ref><br> |
{{flag|India}}: 4,890,000<ref>[http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=IN Ethnologue report for India]</ref><br> |
||
|languages = [[Sindhi language|Sindhi |
|languages = [[Sindhi language|Sindhi]] |
||
|rels = [[Islam]], [[Hinduism]] |
|rels = [[Islam]], [[Hinduism]],[[Sikhism]] & [[Christianity]] |
||
}} |
}} |
||
'''Sindhis''' ([[Sindhi language|Sindhi]]: سنڌي ) are a [[Sindhi language|Sindhi]] speaking socio-ethnic group of people originating from [[Sindh]] now a province of [[Pakistan]]. |
'''Sindhis''' ([[Sindhi language|Sindhi]]: سنڌي ) are a [[Sindhi language|Sindhi]] speaking socio-ethnic group of people originating from [[Sindh]], now a province of [[Pakistan]]. Sindhis living in [[Pakistan]] are predominantly [[Muslim]] but there is a significant number of [[Hindu]]s Sindhis, and a small minority of [[Christian]]s. Most Hindu Sindhis migrated to [[India]] in 1948, following creation of the Islamic state of Pakistan in 1947. These Hindu Sindhis are presently a small but visible minority in [[India]]. There are also small populations of Sindhis in [[Singapore]], [[Hong Kong]], [[Indonesia]],[[Nigeria]], [[Europe]] and the [[Americas]] |
||
==History== |
==History== |
||
[[Image:Mohenjodaro Sindh.jpeg|thumb|220px|Excavated ruins of [[Mohenjo-daro]], [[Pakistan]].]] |
[[Image:Mohenjodaro Sindh.jpeg|thumb|220px|Excavated ruins of [[Mohenjo-daro]], [[Pakistan]].]] |
||
[[Image:CiviltàValleIndoMappa.png|thumb|right|200px|Location of [[Indus Valley]].]] |
[[Image:CiviltàValleIndoMappa.png|thumb|right|200px|Location of the [[Indus Valley]] civilisation.]] |
||
The original inhabitants of ancient Sindh were believed to be aboriginal tribes speaking languages |
The original inhabitants of ancient Sindh were believed to be aboriginal tribes speaking languages of the [[Indus Valley Civilization]] around 3000 BC. The ancient civilization centered around the towns whose modern names are [[Mohenjodaro]] and [[Harappa]] (both derived from the [[Sindhi language]] - the language of the [[Indus Valley Civilization]] remains undeciphered). |
||
The ancient civilization of what came to be known as [[Mohenjodaro]] and [[Harappa]] both derive their modern location names from the [[Sindhi language]] as opposed to the language of the [[Indus Valley Civilization]] which remains undeciphered. |
|||
In [[Sindhi language|Sindhi]], ''Moen'' means "dead people", ''Jo'' means "of," and ''Daro'' means "mound," so it (Moen-Jo-Daro) means mound of the dead. Due to the geographical location of this city, it was prone to being flooded. One such calamity saw the entire city flooded and remained under water for a long time, buried under mountains of sand. A branch of the [[Aryan]] invaders called the [[Indo-Aryans]] are believed to have founded the [[Vedic Civilization]] that have existed between [[Sarasvati River]] and [[Ganges]] river around [[1500 BC]] and also influenced [[Indus Valley Civilization]]. This civilization helped shape subsequent cultures in the [[South Asia]]. |
|||
The [[Indus Valley Civilization]] went into decline for reasons that are not entirely known. Their decline coincided with the arrival of [[Aryan]] tribes from [[Central Asia]]. The [[Indo-Aryans]] are believed to have founded the [[Vedic Civilization]] that have existed between [[Sarasvati River]] and [[Ganges]] river around 1500 BC. This civilization helped shape subsequent cultures in the [[South Asia]]. |
|||
⚫ | Muslim travelers, specifically the great [[Persian people|Persian]] scholar [[Abū Rayhān Bīrūnī]] in his book ' |
||
⚫ | Muslim travelers, specifically the great [[Persian people|Persian]] scholar [[Abū Rayhān Bīrūnī]] (Al-Beruni) in his book ''Kitab-ul-Hind'', has declared that even before the advent of [[Islam]] into [[Sindh]] (711 A.D.), the [[Sindhi language|Sindhi]] was prevalent in Sindh. It was not only widely spoken but written in different scripts. Al-Beruni has described many Sindhi words and reached the conclusion that the language, though widely spoken, had a limited vocabulary at that time.{{Fact|date=January 2009}} |
||
⚫ | [[Sindh]] was often the final stop for |
||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
In 1947, [[Pakistan]] and [[India]] attained independence. Nearly 7 million [[Muslim]]s from India migrated to Pakistan while nearly equal number of [[Hindu]]s and [[Sikh]]s from [[Pakistan]] migrated to [[India]]. The [[Muslim]] refugees (known as [[Muhajir (Pakistan)|Muhajirs]] from India settled in most urban areas of [[Sindh]]. While the [[Hindu]] Sindhis settled in India and later migrated to other parts of the world. A large Sindhi community lives in the city of [[Ulhasnagar]], [[Maharashtra]], [[India]]. |
|||
⚫ | Because of its location at the Western edge of [[South Asia]], Sindh was one of the earliest regions in the [[Indian subcontinent]] to be influenced by [[Islam]]. It was part of the Islamic empires of the [[Abbasid]]s and [[Umayyid]]s. Muslim technocrats, bureaucrats, soldiers, traders, scientists, architects, teachers, theologians and [[Sufi]]s flocked from the rest of the Muslim world to the Islamic [[Sultanate]] in [[Sindh]]. [[Sufi]] missionaries played a pivotal role in converting millions of native Sindhis to [[Islam]].{{Fact|date=January 2009}} Settled by [[Turkic peoples|Turks]], [[Pashtun people|Pashtuns]], and [[Mughals]], Sindh continued to evolve as a frontier state and by the time of [[British Empire|British]] colonial occupation was ruled by [[Baloch people|Baloch]] kings. |
||
⚫ | |||
==Aspirations of the Sindhis before the Partition== |
|||
Sindhis are predominantly [[Sufis]] who believe in harmony and tolerance in the matter of [[religion]]. Before the [[partition of India]], the majority of Sindhis consistently voted against candidates supporting [[Pakistan]]. Although the [[United Kingdom|British]] colonialists used their considerable power and influence to support the pro-Pakistan candidates in 1946, such candidates succeeded in obtaining only about 40% of the popular vote. |
|||
⚫ | In 1947, with the departure of the [[United Kingdom|British]] from India, the state of [[Pakistan]] was created out of the Muslim-majority provinces of [[British India]]. All of Sindh was allotted to [[Pakistan]]. According to the 1941 census, 25% of the population of the province of Sindh was [[Hindu]], about 23% was made up of Sindhi [[Baloch]] tribes and nearly one-third was made up of descendants of [[Muslim]] conquerors, administrators and missionaries who were mainly naturalized [[Arabs]], [[Persians]], [[Afghans]] and [[Turkish people|Turks]] (including the [[Mughals]]), who had assimilated with native Sindhis.{{Fact|date=January 2009}} Most of the [[Hindu]] Sindhis were city dwellers and were largely occupied with trade and commerce. They were responsible for export of products made in [[Sindh]] and contributed significantly to the economy of Sindh.{{Fact|date=January 2009}} A number of Sindhi Hindus opted to remain in Sindh even after Partition, because there was no history of conflict between [[Hindu]] and [[Muslim]] Sindhis.{{Fact|date=January 2009}} However, when waves of [[Muslim]] refugees from India (known as [[Muhajir (Pakistan)|Muhajirs]]) started to pour into [[Sindh]], violence erupted on the streets.{{Fact|date=January 2009}} Many Hindu Sindhis were forced to flee Sindh leaving everything behind.{{Fact|date=January 2009}} [[Popati Hiranandani]], a Sindhi [[Hindu]] writes in her autobiography<ref>[http://www.loc.gov/acq/ovop/delhi/salrp/popatihiranandani.html Popati Hiranandani, one of the best-known Sindhi women writers, born in 1924 in Hyderabad, Sind]</ref> that the local police were complicit in the anti-Hindu violence.{{Fact|date=January 2009}}. After the mass exodus of Hindus, their property was taken over by Mohajirs, making it impossible for them to return.{{Fact|date=January 2009}} These Hindus were settled in refugee camps in India, and went on to assimilate into the local population, mainly in [[Western India]]. The city of [[Ulhasnagar]] in [[Maharashtra]], [[India]] presently houses a large number of Hindu Sindhis.{{Fact|date=January 2009}} |
||
By gerrymandering the electorate, the colonialists managed the election of a majority in the Sindh Assembly which favored joining [[Pakistan]]. The Sindhi vote for Pakistan was also facilitated by the now famous '[[Lahore Resolution]]' passed by the [[Muslim League]] -- this resolution promised "autonomy and sovereignty of constituent units" and "protection of religious minorities". Sindhis have strongly resented [[Pakistan]], whose policies since inception have been the very anti-thesis of both these principles<ref>[http://www.freesindh.org/Free_Sindh/Welcome.html www.freesindh.org, A non-profit organisation funded by Sindhi-Americans solving problem faced by Sindhis living in Sindh]</ref>. |
|||
==Present Day== |
|||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | In 1947 |
||
==Current== |
|||
[[Image:JSQM.GIF|left|frame|National flag of '''[[Sindhudesh]]''']] |
[[Image:JSQM.GIF|left|frame|National flag of '''[[Sindhudesh]]''']] |
||
The influx of [[Pashtun]] and [[Punjabi]] immigrants to [[Karachi]] and other parts of Sindh caused a great deal of resentment among the local Sindhi population. In 1972 the [[Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz]] movement was founded by [[G M Syed]]<ref>[http://www.jeaysindh.org/ Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz]</ref>. The aim of this movement was the liberation of [[Sindh]] and ethnic Sindhis from [[Pakistan]]. [[G M Syed]] was placed under [[house arrest]] until his death on 25th April 1995<ref>[http://www.sindhudesh.com/gmsyed/gmsyed.htm G. M. Syed - A national leader of the Sindhi people who struggled for human rights, democracy, secularism and freedom of Sindh]</ref>. In spite of this, traditional Sindhi families remain prominent in Pakistani politics, especially the [[Bhutto]] dynasty. In recent years Sindhi dissatisfaction has grown over issues such as the construction of large dams, perceived discrimination in military and government jobs, provincial autonomy and overall revenue shares. The assassination of [[Benazir Bhutto]] has led to a renewal in separatist activity.<ref>[http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=7705/ The Destabilization of Pakistan]</ref>. |
|||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
==Non Ethnic Sindhi occupants== |
|||
Sindhis are an [[Indo-Aryan]] language speaking people who have been modified by mainly [[Iranian]], [[Turkic peoples|Turkic]], [[Afghan]] and indigenous tribal populations over time. As a result of their geographic location and countless invasions and migration, the Sindhis display a wide variety of phenotypes. |
|||
====Dress==== |
|||
As regards the composition of the Sindhi population the two main stocks that inhabit [[Sind]] are related to, and common, one with the [[Punjab]] and another with [[Balochistan]]. The majority stock is that of [[Rajput]]s and [[Jats]] who are the partial descendants of [[Sakas]], [[Kushans]] and [[Huns]] who also constitute the majority of the population of the Punjab. The title ''Huna'', i.e. [[Huns]], remains in use by some clans and is possibly a reference to this partial ancestral lineage. During [[Kalhora]] rule a number of [[Jat]] [[tribe]]s such as the Sials, [[Johiya|Joya]]s and Khawars came from the Punjab and settled in Sindh. They are called Sirai i.e., people from the north, and speak [[Siraiki]], a group that overlaps and is sometimes considerable transitional between the Punjabis and Sindhis. |
|||
⚫ | Most Sindhi women in Pakistan are still very traditional, but many wear very colorful clothes, while donning a [[Chador]] on their heads. Men traditionally wear white and/or blue clothes and sometimes wear turbans or a traditional Sindhi cap on their heads. This, however, has changed in cities where some more devout women can be seen wearing the [[Hijab]], while the [[Salwar kameez|Shalwar Qameez]] and Western clothing have become common for men. |
||
The two main [[Rajput]] tribes of Sind are: the [[Samma]], a branch of the [[Yadav]] Rajputs who inhabit the eastern and lower Sind and [[Bahawalpur]]; and the Sumra who, according to the 1907 edition of the Gazetteer are a branch of the Parwar Rajputs. Among others are the [[Bhutto]]s, [[Bhatti]]s, Buriros, Lakha, Sahetas, [[Lohana]]s, Mohano, Dahars, Indhar, Chachar, Dhareja, [[Rathor]]s, Dakhan, [[Langah]] etc. The Mohano tribe is spread over [[Makran]], Sindh and southern Punjab. They are also identified with the 'Mallah' of the Punjab and both have in common a sub-section called Manjari. All of these Sindhi tribes are known under the common nomenclature of ''[[Sammat]]'' and includes both [[Muslim]] and [[Hindu]] Sindhis. |
|||
====Names==== |
|||
The smaller stock is that of [[Balochi]] [[tribe]]s settled in various parts of Sindh mostly during the last five hundred years or so. Since they were [[martial]] people and ruled over Sindh for some time before the arrival of the British, they acquired vast lands in the province with the result that a large number of present-day Sindhi landlords are of Baloch origin. According to the [[1941]] census, which was the last one held before independence, [[Balochis]] formed 23% of the total Muslim population of Sindh. Among the Balochi tribes inhabiting [[Sindh]] are the [[Rind]], Dombki, [[Jakhar]]ani, [[Leghari]], [[Lashari]], [[Chandio]], Karmati, Korai, [[Jat]]oi, Burdi, Khosa, Jamali, Umrani, Bugti, Marri, Mazari, Talpur, Brohi, Nizamani, Buledhi, Karrani, Bozdar, Nukharni, Rahu and Magsi. These tribes are spread over Balochistan, Sindh and the south-western districts of the Punjab. This group is almost entirely Muslim. |
|||
Muslim Sindhis tend to have traditional Muslim names, but sometimes with localized variations. |
|||
A third sub-stock of the Sindhi population comprises the partial descendants (or claimants) of [[Muslim]] conquerors, administrators and missionaries who were mainly Arabs, Persians, Afghans and Turks (including the [[Mughals]]). They are a small minority settled in cities and towns and have largely blended with the other components of the population and yet maintain something of a sub-culture and are often referred to as ''Ashraf'' or the ''noble'' descendants of [[Muslim]] immigrants with a certain degree of prestige in society. Of this third element, [[Muslim]] [[Arabs]] have possibly contributed the most to the development of the modern Sindhi language and literature and to the advancement of its intellectual and cultural activities. |
|||
⚫ | |||
Another group of people who are largely overlooked in any discussions about groups and culture of Sindh are [[Haris]] a name derived from the term [[Harijan]] formerly used to describe [[Dalit]] people of India. These people are generally believed to be the descendants of indigenous populations that were enslaved by various invading people. Many are still living under abject poverty and in slave like conditions in rural Sindh, because of the benign neglect and only nominal efforts by the government to improve the situation. Some are nominally Hindus where as others have converted to Islam and moved on as artisans and wage laborers. |
|||
====Cuisine==== |
|||
The last group of immigrants are the Urdu speaking [[Muhajir Urdu|Muhajir]]s. |
|||
Koki, kadhi, dal pakwan are popular Sindhi dishes. |
|||
Islamic Sindhi culture is a combination of [[Islamic]] traditions and local traditions with variances that include an adherence to a [[Muslim]] diet, i.e. [[Halal]]. Sindhi culture also absorbed considerable [[Arab]] cultural influence as well as that of the [[Iranian]] [[Baloch]] who still comprise a significant minority that have assimilated well with the Sindhis. Sindh is home to the [[Hindus]] who have remained in Pakistan as well as other religious groups such as [[Parsis]]. Muslim Sindhis tend to follow the [[Sunni]] sect, but [[Shia]] Muslims are a substantial minority. |
|||
====Names==== |
|||
{{main|Sindhi naming conventions}} |
|||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
Sindhi women in India however, can be seen wearing [[Salwar kameez|Shalwar Qameez]], colourful tops with [[Jeans]], while the Western clothing have become common for men. |
|||
⚫ | |||
Muslim Sindhis tend to have traditional Muslim names, but sometimes with localized variations. Some famous Sindhis include the [[Bhutto]] family, who are a Sindhi political dynasty in Pakistan, and [[Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai]] who was a writer of Sindhi poetry. |
|||
{{main|Jhulelal}} |
|||
===Sindhi Surnames=== |
|||
Unlike other [[Hindus]] of [[India]], who have a '[[gotra]]', Sindhis often have a '[[nukh]]', which means roots. This is much of the reason why Hindu Sindhi surnames end in 'ani'- which means 'anshi', derived from the [[Sanskrit]] word 'ansh', which means 'descendence'. So if someone returned or came from [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], his nukh would be 'jeorus', and his surname could be coined after the family head's name (subject to change every seven generations), eg: your family head 7 generations back had the name: 'Tolaram', then your surname would be TOL-ANI. Same goes for all the ani's in the world. May the person be from [[Iran]], [[Iraq]], [[Saudi Arabia]], [[Italy]], [[Anatolia]], [[Armenia]] or wherever, as this 'ani' is only unique to Sindhi civilization. |
|||
Another variation does exist to this norm. Many surnames of northern [[Sindh]] eg: ([[Shikarpur]]) and [[Multan]] (ancient name: Sawarawkistan) end in 'ja', eg: Ahuja, Raheja, Hinduja etc. 'Ja' in Sindhi means 'of', so if a person belonged to the village of 'Junay', then their surname would be 'Juneja'. Now the Question arises, why is there a need to add 'ani' or 'ja' to Sindhi surnames? It's because, post [[Mahmud Ghaznavi]] invasion, many Sindhis had escaped. They were called 'Banjaras' in [[India]], Sinti in distant [[European]] lands, and 'Sintowee' in [[Mongolia]] and [[China]]. 'Gypsy' is a term used for them frequently. However, many Sintis awaited the end of [[Ghaznavid]] rule, so that they could return back. Many did return back, but many were pushed westwards, and thus have never returned. Those who managed to return are called 'AARYAN', which is a term different to the sanskratic version 'ARYA'. |
|||
AARYAN in Sindhi means those who have come back. These tribes added 'ani'(southern sindh) and 'ja' (northern sindh) to their names. Already an Indo-Iranian race, the Sindhi Hindus, once becoming Sintis in distant lands acquiring a range of cultural habits of different cultures, and furthermore with many inter-cultural marriages, the fabric in the race of Sindhis varied tremendously. Different dialects in [[Sindh]] were born, and different dressing sense as well. The Aamil Sindhi for example were a cross-breed of Indo-Iranian Sindhis and Alexandrian [[Greeks]], and thus emphasized more on education. |
|||
The [[Bhaibund]] and [[Shikarpuri]] Sindhis, who returned back (Sintis) from [[Armenia]], [[Turkey]] and [[Egypt]], brought with them business skills and tactics. There are many more variations in the community, and it is quite difficult to identify who belongs where. Thus, 'nukhs' are the only way to identify one's roots. Furthermore, due to constant upheaval of Sindhis, and further [[migration]] and amalgamation with different migrant [[tribes]], a lot has changed, and Sindhi music and dance post Islamization has not remained the same. In such a scenario the Sinti music of the Gypsies can be called the pure sindhi dance and music. Islamization of [[Sindh]] further brought about Sufism, which further enhanced the culture of [[Sindh]]. |
|||
⚫ | |||
Until today, Hindus of the diaspora Sindhi community practice elements of Sufism in their day to day life. [[Jhulelal]], the Sufi pioneer of Sindh, revered by both [[Hindus]] and [[Muslims]], has been much of the reason, why still today the [[Hindu]] minority of [[Pakistan]] live in [[Sindh]]. In fact there is a joint temple and mosque at Oderolal (another name for [[Jhulelal]]), based on the emergence of [[Lord]] [[Jhulelal]], who appeared from the Sindhu river, and saved the Sindhi [[Hindus]] from being persecuted. A lot of the culture of Sindhi Hindus has been eroded, and with the Diaspora of the community, furthermore the essence of the community has been lost. Once again they are gypsies in foreign lands, and can be called 'a community destined to be homeless'. |
|||
⚫ | |||
[[Sufism]] has deep roots in Sindhi culture with many prominent Sindhi Sufis [[Dargah]]s all over [[Sindh]]. The Sufu mystic poets [[Rumi|Mawlana Jalaluddin Rumi]] and [[Hafez|Hafiz Shirazi]] deeply influenced Sindhi Sufis. Notable among them are : [[Shah Inayatullah|Shaheed Shah Inayat Sufi]], [[Shah Abdul Karim Bulri]], [[Makhdoom Bilawal]], [[Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai]], Saeen [[Sachal Sarmast]], [[Syed Misri Shah]], etc. |
[[Sufism]] has deep roots in Sindhi culture with many prominent Sindhi Sufis [[Dargah]]s all over [[Sindh]]. The Sufu mystic poets [[Rumi|Mawlana Jalaluddin Rumi]] and [[Hafez|Hafiz Shirazi]] deeply influenced Sindhi Sufis. Notable among them are : [[Shah Inayatullah|Shaheed Shah Inayat Sufi]], [[Shah Abdul Karim Bulri]], [[Makhdoom Bilawal]], [[Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai]], Saeen [[Sachal Sarmast]], [[Syed Misri Shah]], etc. |
||
Hindus of the diaspora Sindhi community also practice elements of Sufism in their day to day life. [[Jhulelal]], the Sufi pioneer of Sindh is revered by both [[Hindus]] and [[Muslims]]. |
|||
== Economy == |
|||
[[Sindh]] has became the most industrialized and urbanized province of [[Pakistan]]. The head offices of Pakistani companies and regional offices of the international companies are located in Sindh. The Sindhis have been in forefront in the economic development of the province. The new dams and canals have irrigated many thousands of acres of land that were barren. Sindh produces many agricultural products for exports. |
|||
The construction of multi-billion projects like the [[Port of Karachi]], [[KANUPP|Karachi Nuclear Power Plant]], [[Port Qasim]], [[Karachi Shipyard]] and [[Pakistan Steel Mills]] provided hundred of thousands of jobs to the residents of Sindh. The city of [[Karachi]] remain the hub of transportation in [[Pakistan]]. Karachi is the location of major airport, seaport, railway and land transportation in Pakistan employing hundred of thousands of people. |
|||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
India's [[Lal Krishna Advani]] is a well known politician and a candidate for the prime minister of [[India]]. |
|||
⚫ | |||
==Education== |
|||
Education in Sindh is divided into five levels: [[Primary education|primary]] (grades one through five); [[Middle school|middle]] (grades six through eight); [[Secondary education|high]] (grades nine and ten, leading to the [[Secondary School Certificate]]); [[Secondary education|intermediate]] (grades eleven and twelve, leading to a Higher Secondary School Certificate); and [[university]] programs leading to [[undergraduate education|graduate]] and [[post-graduate education|advanced]] degrees. |
|||
==Notable Sindhis== |
|||
The [[Primary education|primary]], [[Middle school|middle]] and [[Secondary education|high]] schools are established in all parts of [[Sindh]] providing, [[Sindhi language|Sindhi]], [[Urdu language|Urdu]] and [[English language|English]] medium schools. |
|||
⚫ | |||
The [[college]]s and [[University|universities]] are established in major towns and cities of [[Sindh]]. They provide [[Bachelor of Arts|(BA)]], [[Bachelor of Science|(BSc)]] and [[Bachelor of Commerce]] / [[Bachelor of Business Administration|BCom/BBA]] degree courses. The [[Medical school|Medical colleges]] and [[Engineering college]]s are also established in the major cities of Sindh. |
|||
⚫ | Pakistan's political scene is dominated by Sindhi politicians like [[Zulfikar Ali Bhutto]], [[Benazir Bhutto]], [[Muhammad Khan Junejo]], [[Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi]], [[Asif Zardari]], [[Muhammad Mian Soomro]] who served as [[President of Pakistan|President]], [[Prime Minister of Pakistan|Prime Minister]] and [[Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan|Senate chairman]] and major political leaders of [[Pakistan]]. While in the province of Sindh. the Sindhis have always dominated the government and its various departments. |
||
There are many [[Postgraduate education|Postgraduate]] and [[Research institute]]s in [[Sindh]] providing state of the art education to Sindhi students. |
|||
[[Lal Krishna Advani]], a leader of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] in India is also Sindhi. |
|||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
In 1947, [[Pakistan]] and [[India]] attained independence. Nearly 7 million [[Muslim]]s from India migrated to Pakistan while nearly equal number of [[Hindu]]s and [[Sikh]]s from [[Pakistan]] migrated to India. Today, [[Hindu]] Sindhis are predominantly found in [[India]] and many later migrated to other parts of the world. Some Hindus still continue living in Sindh ([[Pakistani Hindus]]), and it is estimated that [[Sindh]] has 2.3 million [[Hindus]].<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism_in_Pakistan Hinduism in Pakistan]</ref> |
|||
===Entertainment=== |
|||
Indian Sindhis today have re-invented themselves after the mass-scale uprooting and financial losses of Partition in 1947. On the ruins of Old Sindh has arisen a New Sindh, which truly has a Global presence today. Well known Sindhi Industrialists like the [[Hindujas]], [[Hiranandani Estate|Hiranandanis]] and Biyanis of [[Future group]], show the Sindhi businessman embodies that adventurous spirit, that inner strength which has made today's Sindhi a true Citizen of the World. |
|||
A number of Sindhis became prominent in [[Bollywood]]. They include actors [[Aftab Shivdasani]], [[Dalip Tahil]], [[Sadhna]]{{fact}}, [[Babita]]{{fact}}, [[Sangeeta Bijlani]], [[Hansika Motwani]], [[Preeti Jhangiani]] and [[Asrani]]; director [[Karan Johar]]{{fact}}, [[Tarun Mansukhani]], [[Rajkumar Hirani]], [[Nikhil Advani]] and [[Govind Nihalani]]; producers [[Ritesh Sidhwani]], [[Jatin Lalwani]] and [[Ramesh Taurani]]; and musicians [[Ehsaan Noorani]]{{fact}} and [[Vishal Dadlani]]. |
|||
They have build up the image of Indians abroad as a prosperous and dependable people. They are free from inhibitions of caste and creed. In Sindhi Temples you will find the images of Sri [[Rama]] and Sri [[Krishna]] placed, side by side, with those of [[Shiva]] and [[Durga]] and [[Guru Nanak]]. The Sindhis are [[cosmopolitan]] in their outlook. Someone said that today in [[India]] it is difficult to meet an Indian: every one belongs to one province or the other. The Sindhis are the only Indians in [[India]]. The Sindhis are an enterprising and industrious people - full of the spirit of faith and courage. They know the subtle psychology of influencing the customer. 'Sindhi merchants' rightly said an [[Englishman]], know how to "hypnotise the customers". |
|||
Notable television actors [[Hiten Tejwani]], [[Shilpa Saklani]] and [[Kitu Gidwani]] are also Sindhi. |
|||
⚫ | |||
The famous Sindhis in Bollywood include: [[Akshay Kumar]], [[Govinda Ahuja]], [[Aftab Shivdasani]], [[Karan Johar]], [[Tarun Mansukhani]], [[Ritesh Sidhwani]], [[Rajkumar Hirani]] , [[Dalip Tahil]], [[Shiny Ahuja]], [[Jatin Lalwani]], [[Ramesh Taurani]], [[Nikhil Advani]], [[Sadhna]], [[Babita]], [[Sangeeta Bijlani]], [[Hiten Tejwani]], [[Shilpa Saklani]], [[Preeti Jhangiani]], [[Kitu Gidwani]], [[Hansika Motwani]], [[Aarti Chhabria]], [[Ramesh Sippy]], [[G. P. Sippy]], [[Rohan Sippy]], [[Ramsay Brothers]], [[Govind Nihalani]], [[Vishal Dadlani]] and comedian [[Asrani]]. |
|||
== See also == |
== See also == |
Revision as of 08:30, 17 January 2009
, File:Pankaj gold medal.jpg, | |
Regions with significant populations | |
---|---|
Pakistan: 43,842,000[1] India: 4,890,000[2] | |
Languages | |
Sindhi | |
Religion | |
Islam, Hinduism,Sikhism & Christianity |
Sindhis (Sindhi: سنڌي ) are a Sindhi speaking socio-ethnic group of people originating from Sindh, now a province of Pakistan. Sindhis living in Pakistan are predominantly Muslim but there is a significant number of Hindus Sindhis, and a small minority of Christians. Most Hindu Sindhis migrated to India in 1948, following creation of the Islamic state of Pakistan in 1947. These Hindu Sindhis are presently a small but visible minority in India. There are also small populations of Sindhis in Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia,Nigeria, Europe and the Americas
History
The original inhabitants of ancient Sindh were believed to be aboriginal tribes speaking languages of the Indus Valley Civilization around 3000 BC. The ancient civilization centered around the towns whose modern names are Mohenjodaro and Harappa (both derived from the Sindhi language - the language of the Indus Valley Civilization remains undeciphered).
The Indus Valley Civilization went into decline for reasons that are not entirely known. Their decline coincided with the arrival of Aryan tribes from Central Asia. The Indo-Aryans are believed to have founded the Vedic Civilization that have existed between Sarasvati River and Ganges river around 1500 BC. This civilization helped shape subsequent cultures in the South Asia.
Muslim travelers, specifically the great Persian scholar Abū Rayhān Bīrūnī (Al-Beruni) in his book Kitab-ul-Hind, has declared that even before the advent of Islam into Sindh (711 A.D.), the Sindhi was prevalent in Sindh. It was not only widely spoken but written in different scripts. Al-Beruni has described many Sindhi words and reached the conclusion that the language, though widely spoken, had a limited vocabulary at that time.[citation needed]
Sindh was often the final stop for Persians, Greeks, Arabs, Turks and Pashtuns travellers.[citation needed] This gave Sindh a distinct and unique culture even before the arrival of Islam.
Because of its location at the Western edge of South Asia, Sindh was one of the earliest regions in the Indian subcontinent to be influenced by Islam. It was part of the Islamic empires of the Abbasids and Umayyids. Muslim technocrats, bureaucrats, soldiers, traders, scientists, architects, teachers, theologians and Sufis flocked from the rest of the Muslim world to the Islamic Sultanate in Sindh. Sufi missionaries played a pivotal role in converting millions of native Sindhis to Islam.[citation needed] Settled by Turks, Pashtuns, and Mughals, Sindh continued to evolve as a frontier state and by the time of British colonial occupation was ruled by Baloch kings.
Partition and mass exodus of Hindu Sindhis
In 1947, with the departure of the British from India, the state of Pakistan was created out of the Muslim-majority provinces of British India. All of Sindh was allotted to Pakistan. According to the 1941 census, 25% of the population of the province of Sindh was Hindu, about 23% was made up of Sindhi Baloch tribes and nearly one-third was made up of descendants of Muslim conquerors, administrators and missionaries who were mainly naturalized Arabs, Persians, Afghans and Turks (including the Mughals), who had assimilated with native Sindhis.[citation needed] Most of the Hindu Sindhis were city dwellers and were largely occupied with trade and commerce. They were responsible for export of products made in Sindh and contributed significantly to the economy of Sindh.[citation needed] A number of Sindhi Hindus opted to remain in Sindh even after Partition, because there was no history of conflict between Hindu and Muslim Sindhis.[citation needed] However, when waves of Muslim refugees from India (known as Muhajirs) started to pour into Sindh, violence erupted on the streets.[citation needed] Many Hindu Sindhis were forced to flee Sindh leaving everything behind.[citation needed] Popati Hiranandani, a Sindhi Hindu writes in her autobiography[3] that the local police were complicit in the anti-Hindu violence.[citation needed]. After the mass exodus of Hindus, their property was taken over by Mohajirs, making it impossible for them to return.[citation needed] These Hindus were settled in refugee camps in India, and went on to assimilate into the local population, mainly in Western India. The city of Ulhasnagar in Maharashtra, India presently houses a large number of Hindu Sindhis.[citation needed]
Present Day
The influx of Pashtun and Punjabi immigrants to Karachi and other parts of Sindh caused a great deal of resentment among the local Sindhi population. In 1972 the Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz movement was founded by G M Syed[4]. The aim of this movement was the liberation of Sindh and ethnic Sindhis from Pakistan. G M Syed was placed under house arrest until his death on 25th April 1995[5]. In spite of this, traditional Sindhi families remain prominent in Pakistani politics, especially the Bhutto dynasty. In recent years Sindhi dissatisfaction has grown over issues such as the construction of large dams, perceived discrimination in military and government jobs, provincial autonomy and overall revenue shares. The assassination of Benazir Bhutto has led to a renewal in separatist activity.[6].
Culture and society of Sindh
Muslim Sindhis
Dress
Most Sindhi women in Pakistan are still very traditional, but many wear very colorful clothes, while donning a Chador on their heads. Men traditionally wear white and/or blue clothes and sometimes wear turbans or a traditional Sindhi cap on their heads. This, however, has changed in cities where some more devout women can be seen wearing the Hijab, while the Shalwar Qameez and Western clothing have become common for men.
Names
Muslim Sindhis tend to have traditional Muslim names, but sometimes with localized variations.
Hindu Sindhis
Cuisine
Koki, kadhi, dal pakwan are popular Sindhi dishes.
Names
Sufism
Sufism has deep roots in Sindhi culture with many prominent Sindhi Sufis Dargahs all over Sindh. The Sufu mystic poets Mawlana Jalaluddin Rumi and Hafiz Shirazi deeply influenced Sindhi Sufis. Notable among them are : Shaheed Shah Inayat Sufi, Shah Abdul Karim Bulri, Makhdoom Bilawal, Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Saeen Sachal Sarmast, Syed Misri Shah, etc.
Hindus of the diaspora Sindhi community also practice elements of Sufism in their day to day life. Jhulelal, the Sufi pioneer of Sindh is revered by both Hindus and Muslims.
Notable Sindhis
Politics
Pakistan's political scene is dominated by Sindhi politicians like Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto, Muhammad Khan Junejo, Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi, Asif Zardari, Muhammad Mian Soomro who served as President, Prime Minister and Senate chairman and major political leaders of Pakistan. While in the province of Sindh. the Sindhis have always dominated the government and its various departments.
Lal Krishna Advani, a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party in India is also Sindhi.
Before partition, important Sindhi politicians included Darya Khan Rind, Raja Dahir, Hoshu Sheedi and Hemu Kalani.
Entertainment
A number of Sindhis became prominent in Bollywood. They include actors Aftab Shivdasani, Dalip Tahil, Sadhna[citation needed], Babita[citation needed], Sangeeta Bijlani, Hansika Motwani, Preeti Jhangiani and Asrani; director Karan Johar[citation needed], Tarun Mansukhani, Rajkumar Hirani, Nikhil Advani and Govind Nihalani; producers Ritesh Sidhwani, Jatin Lalwani and Ramesh Taurani; and musicians Ehsaan Noorani[citation needed] and Vishal Dadlani.
Notable television actors Hiten Tejwani, Shilpa Saklani and Kitu Gidwani are also Sindhi.
See also
References
- ^ Population Census Organization, Government of Pakistan - Population by Mother Tongue
- ^ Ethnologue report for India
- ^ Popati Hiranandani, one of the best-known Sindhi women writers, born in 1924 in Hyderabad, Sind
- ^ Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz
- ^ G. M. Syed - A national leader of the Sindhi people who struggled for human rights, democracy, secularism and freedom of Sindh
- ^ The Destabilization of Pakistan