Sindhi people
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 |
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| Sindhis |
|---|
  |
| Benazir Bhutto, Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi |
| Total population |
|
64.8 million |
| Regions with significant populations |
 Pakistan: 39,842,000 [1] India: 1,890,000 [2]
|
| Languages |
| Sindhi, Urdu |
| Religions |
| Islam, Hinduism |
| Related ethnic groups |
| Indo-Aryans: Khojas • Memons • Persian people • Gujaratis • Seraikis • Biharis • Marathis • Punjabis • Sindhi Baloch |
Sindhis (سنڌي) are an Indo-Aryan language speaking socio-ethnic group of people originating in Sindh in Pakistan. Sindhis that live in Pakistan are predominantly Muslim but there are also smaller minorities of Parsis, Hindus and Christians. Many Sindhi Hindus imigrated to India when British India was divided in 1947. The Sindhi language is an Indo-Aryan tongue with an eclectic history like the Sindhis themselves. Sindhis are very festive and one of the most famous Sindhi Festivals is Cheti Chand.
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[edit] History
The original inhabitants of ancient Sindh were believed to be aboriginal tribes speaking languages related to Munda languages. The Dravidian culture blossomed over the centuries and gave rise to the Indus Valley Civilization of Ancient Sindh (now in present-day Pakistan) around 3000 BC. The Indus Valley Civilization went into decline; historians cannot agree on the cause of the decline, but some theories include arrival of tribes from Eastern Europe or the change in the path of the Indus River.
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, Moen-Jo-Daro (Moen means "dead people", Jo means of and Daro means mound), so it 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 migrants 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 South Asia.
Muslim travellers, specifically the great Iranian scholar Abū Rayhān al-Bīrūnī in his book 'Kitab-ul-Hind', has declared that even before the advent of Islam into Sindh (711 A.D.), Sindhi was prevalent in Sindh. It was not only widely spoken but written too in different scripts. Al-Beruni has described many Sindhi words leading to the conclusion, that Sindhi was widely spoken and rich in vocabulary in his times.
Sindh was often the final stop for Middle Eastern and Central Asian empires such as the Persians, Greeks, Arabs, Turks and Afghans this gave Sindh a distinct and unique culture even before the arrival of Islam.
The site of a great deal of historical activity, Sindh was at the crossroads of civilization sitting at the edge of South Asia. Sindh was also one of the regions to become predominantly Muslim and was part of the earliest Islamic empires of the Abbasids and Umayyids. The Muslim technocrats, bureaucrats, soldiers, traders, scientists, architects, teachers, theologians and Sufis flocked from the rest of the Muslim world to Islamic Sultanate in Sindh. The Muslim Sufi missionaries played a pivotal role in converting the millions of native people to Islam. Settled by Turks, Afghans, and Mughals, Sindh continued to evolve as a frontier state and by the time of British involvement was ruled by Balouchi kings.
[edit] Mass exodus of Hindu Sindhis
In 1947, India attained independence. The partition of India took place, and Pakistan (West Pakistan and East Pakistan, which is present day Bangladesh) was created. Sindhis voted overwhelmingly in favour of Pakistan and opposed to be labeled as being "Indian". Pakistan's Sindh province is home to the country's largest minorities. At the time of independence, many Hindu Sindhis were encouraged by Indian politicians to leave Pakistan for India. Today, Sindhis are scattered throughout the world. A large Sindhi community now lives in the city of Ulhasnagar, which was originally an army barrack used to settle the Hindu Sindhi refugees. Due to conflict between the two nations, many of them have not been able to return to their native Sindh, and many of them have become assimilated into India as a result.
[edit] Culture and society of Sindh
Culture is a sense of ultimate values possessed by a particular society which it has expressed in its collective institutions, which its individual members express in their dispositions, feelings, attitudes and manners as well as in significant forms which they give to material objects.
This definition can also be taken up further. Given all that is explicitly laid out in the above definition, we can think of a group of people with the sense of common history - each successive wave of aggressions settling down to take up arms against the next wave. Common traditions as well as multiplication of common interests give rise to the flourishing of a civilization.
Culture and civilization require to be perfectly distinguished from each other. We have seen a lot of controversy over the demarcation between the two. It is not necessary that culture and civilization should go together. History is full of interesting situations to vouchsafe for this opinion. One of the major civilizations, considered to be highly virile and forward -looking has been accused by some of the world's eminent Kultrekritikers as being devoid of culture. This is the Roman civilization. Another good example, this time quite the reverse, is provided by Christianity which is said to have provided the distinct cultural norms but no civilization at all. This points out to the fact that a civilization, by having the clan vital of a culture in its muscles stands a good chance of flourishing if it manages to keep its distinguishing essence intact. It is quite difficult to trace the fundamentals of Sindhi culture in this short paper. But Sind, has its specific culture. Culture is, no doubt, quite an abstract term inspite of the veritability of the physical and mental existence.
Every society has to pass through the idealistic phase in its mental make-up and some shades of a cultural group's mental make-up defy any attempt at complete erasure. Together with this, it is also worthwhile to look into the ultimate standards or norms a people treat as Absolutes in their journey through time. It is so useful to enquire as to what the changes are which the idealistic contours of a given case undergo in the face of internal and external challenges
[edit] Hindu Sindhis
Hindu Sindhis are predominantly found in India but also other parts of the world such as Spain, Lagos, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore, London, and especially, the United States. The geographic distribution of Hindu Sindhis strongly reflects historical and contemporary trade routes, as well as cultures open to Sindhi migration following the turmoil of the Partition of India in 1947. During Partition, indian politicians in an attempt to suffocate the Sindh province (then and still the economic back-bone of Pakistan), encouraged the hindu business community to come to india where many of them remain. Still others bore the brunt of the incoming Muslim refugees who were massacred and pushed out of india during independence. The survivors fled to India where they had to begin new lives as penniless refugees, marginalized in their new homes by the existing power structures. Shaped by their history and the immigrant work ethic, the generation of Partition eventually migrated overseas, seeking opportunities to rebuild their fortunes, and today they have set up businesses all over the world and are by and large entrepreneurs and professionals.
Hindu Sindhis are divided into 3 major sects that have certain different cultural nuances: the Amil, Shikarpuri and Bhaiband. Hindu Sindhis are a cosmopolitan community and transcend all caste, racial and national barriers. Historically, the Amils, or government servants, filled many appointments in the civil service. This conferred a status upon them which set them above others and was marked by a difference in attire. In the past they worked for Moslem rulers who often gave gifts of land in return - thus they came to be small landowners known as Zamindars or Jageerdars. Under British rule these posts became administrative ones where they held positions as collectors and commissioners, highly respected by the British as well as the common man of Sind. The other large group of Sindhis were involved in trade and commerce of various types. Sindhuvarkis, or Bhaibands, established trading posts throughout the world and dealt in fabrics. Many are extremely rich and their women-folk are renowned for their richly dressed, bejewelled appearances . Shikarpuris were bankers who carried on business throughout the Middle East and the Vanya were shopkeepers of all types. Sindhis themselves had no untouchable caste which in other Indian societies did the menial work.
One of the most striking features of the Sindhi Hindus is their lack of emphasis on the caste system as of importance. This is in stark contrast to almost any other Hindu group in India. There is no doubt that it is this feature which gives Sindhis their distinctive and unusual adaptability and which is reflected in many aspects of their culture. Indeed, many Hindus regard the Sindhis as a rather decadent example of Hinduism because of their non-rigid traditions and have condemned their casteless sectarian approach, ridiculing their non-parochial behaviour.
Like most communities in India who live a life full of color, festivity and hospitality, the Sindhis are no exception. Whether Hyderabadis or Shikarpuris, Sindhis enjoy food that are rich with the aromas of spices, ghee and exotic masalas. They are fond of wearing colorful and expensive clothing and jewellery.
Sindhi entrepreneurs have also been an important catalytic agent of economic development in many areas of India and have come up from a refugee history to a high standard of living all over the world. Today they are a well educated business community largely due to their hard work, relentless effort and famous business acumen. They bear an influence disproportionate to their numbers, much like another famous Indian community: the Parsis, who share several common cultural traits with the Sindhis. Conscious of their own struggles as a refugee community in 1947, Sindhis have since set up large educational institutes and major hospitals that are well known for supporting lower income students and patients, irrespective of background, and have thus been a strong positive force in Modern India.
Important Sindhi saints are Jhulelal, Sri Asaramji Bapu, Sadhu Vaswani, Sajan Kasai, Bhagat Kanwar Ram Sahib, Sai Vasan Shah Sahib, and Swami Ananda Swaroop Maharaj.
[edit] Jhule Lal
Jhulelal - A water God also known as Lal Sai, Uderolal, Varun Dev, Doolhalal & Zinda Pir
Faith has established Jhulelal as the Asht Dev (community God) of sindhis. His Birthday "Cheti Chand" second tithi of Chaitra auspicious for sindhis and is celebrated the world over with traditional pomp and gaiety. But how, when and where in history was the lord of sind born?
The Hindu legend of Jhulelal or the River Diety has its historical or semi-historical beginnings in Sind, an erstwhile province of united India and now a state of Pakistan. During the days of Sapt-Sindhu (land of seven rivers), the mainstream Sindhu and its tributaries were considered life-givers to the people who lived on its banks and drew sustenance from its waters. It was precisely the lure of plentiful water that brought invading hordes of Muslim rulers from the neighbouring Arabian Kingdoms to Sind and India. Having conquered Sind and its adjoining territories, they spread Islam at the point of the sword. In the 10th century A.D. Sind came under the rule of Samras. The Samras being converts from Hinduism to Islam were neither bigots nor fanatics. However, there was no exception in the Sumra region. Being far away from its capital, Thatta maintained its separate identity and influence. Its rulers Mirkshah was not only a tyrant but also a religious fanatic. And as in the wont of many a tyrant, Mirkshah too was surrounded by sycophants. These friends advised him one day : "Spread Islam and you will be granted 'Janat' or eternal bliss after death."
Swayed by the promise, Mirkshah summoned the 'panchs' (representatives) of the Hindus and ordered them : "Embrace Islam or prepare to die". The terrified Hindus begged Mirkshah for time to consider the 'shahi firman' or royal edict. The pompous Mirkshah relented and agreed to give the desperate Hindus forty days to plead with their God.
Faced with imminent death, the Hindus turned to God Varuna, the God of the River, to come to their aid. For forty days, they underwent penance. They neither shaved nor wore new clothes, praying and fasting and singing songs in the praise of God Varuna. They beseeched him to deliver them from the hands of their persecutor.
On the fortieth day, a voice was heard from Heaven : "Fear not, I shall save you from the wicked Mirkshah. I shall come down as a mortal and take birth in the womb of Mata Devki in the house of Ratanchand Lohano of Nasarpur". After forty days of chaliho, the followers of Jhulelal even today celebrate the occasion with festivity as Thanksgiving Day.
The oppressed Hindus now anxiously awaited the birth of their deliverer. After three months, the second tithi of Asu month, they got confirmation of the news that Mata Devki has indeed conceived. The River God has incarnated himself in her womb. The Hindus rejoiced and praised the Lord.
On Cheti Chand, two tithis from the new moon of Chaitra, Mata Devki gave birth to a boony boy, A miracle hailed the child's birth. The babe opened his mouth and behold! there flowed the Sindhu with an old man sitting cross-legged on a pala fish. The pala fish as everyone knows is a tasty fish which always swims against the current.
To welcome the newborn 'avatar', unseasonal clouds gathered and brought down torrential rains. The child was named 'Udaichand' (Uday in Sanskrit means moon-beams). Udaichand was to be the light in the darkness. An astrologer who saw the child predicted that he would grow up to be a great warrior and his fame would outlive the child. Udaichand was also called 'Uderolal' (Udero in Sanskrit means 'one who has sprung from water'). Inhabitants of Nasarpur lovingly called the child 'Amarlal' (immortal) child. The cradle where little Udero rested began to sway to and fro on its own. It is because of this that 'Uderolal' became popularly known as 'Jhulelal' or the swinging child. Soon after the child's birth Mata Devki passed away. A little later Ratanchand remarried.
News of the birth of the mysterious child reached Mirkshah who once again summoned the Panchs and repeated his royal threat. Hindus, now quite confident that their saviour had arrived, implored him for some more time informing him that their saviours was none other than the Water God himself. Mirkshah scoffed at the very idea of a child saving the Hindus. "Neither am I going to die nor are you, people going to leave this land alive", he jeered. "I shall wait. When your saviour embraces Islam, I am sure you will also follow suit." With this remark, the haughty Mirkshah threw a challenhe to his Hindu subjects.
The maulvis pressed Mirkshah hard not to let the Hindus of the hook. But the very thought of the child proving more than a match for him amused the conceited ruler. He therefore told the maulvis to wait and watch. As a token precaution, he asked one of his ministers Ahirio, to go to Nasarpur to see things first hand, Ahirio did not want to take any chances. So he took along a rose dipped in deadly poison.
At the very first glimpse of the child, Ahirio was astonished. He had never seen a child so dazzling or more charming. He hesitated, then mustering courage proferred the rose to the child. The child gave a meaningful smile while accepting the rose. He then blew away the flower with a single breath. The flower fell at Ahirio's feet. Ahirio watched stupefied as the babe changed into an old man with a long beard. All of a sudden the old man turned into a lad of sixteen. And then he saw Uderolal on horseback with a blazing sword in his hand. There were row upon row warriors behind him. A cold shiver ran down Ahirio's spine and he bowed his head in reverence. "Have mercy on me Sindhu Lord", he prayed "I am convinced".
On his return Ahirio narrated the miraculous happening to Mirkshah. But Mirkshah was not convinced. He hardened his heart even more. "How can a little baby turn into an old man ? " he mocked. "It looks like you have been fooled by simple magic." But in his heart, Mirkshah was afraid. That night he dreamt a dreadful dream. A child was sitting on his neck. The vision changed to an old man with a flowing beard. And again to a warrior with a drawn sword confronting Mirkshah on the battlefield. Next morning Mirkshah called for Ahirio and gave him orders to counter the threat posed by the child. Ahirio, however, advised Mirkshah not to rush matters.
Meanwhile, the child Uderolal grew in stature and spirit performing miracles and comforting the sick. Residents of Nasarpur wre fully convinced that God had come to save them. Uderolal also received the 'Gur Mantar of 'Alakh Niranjan' from Goraknath.
To earn money for the family, Udero's stepmother would send him to the market to sell baked beans, Instead of going to the market, Uderolal would go to the banks of the Sindhu. There he would distribute half of the beans among beggars, the poor and the sadhus. The other half, he would offer to the Sindhu. He would them spend the rest of the speaking to little children and the elderly about spiritual wealth. In the evening when it was time to go home, Udero would fish out from the river a container full of fine quality rice. This he would take home and give it to his step mother.
Growing suspicious about her step son's behaviour, the step mother one day despatched Ratanchand to follow him. When Ratanchand witnessed the miracle, he bowed to Uderolal froma distance and accepted him as the Saviour.
Mirkshah on the other hand was being pressurised by the Maulvis to bring Hindu infidels into the fold of Islam. They gave him the ultimatum. "Order the Hindus to convert or be branded as associate of kafirs." Fearing the wrath of the clerics, Mirkshah decided to meet Uderolal face to face. He asked Ahirio to arrange for a private meeting with Udero.
Ahirio who had in the meantime become a devotee of Daryashah, went to the banks of the Indus and pleaded with the Water God to come to his rescue. To Ahirio's amazement, he saw the same old man with a white beard floating on a pala fish. Ahirio's head bowed in adoration and he understood that Uderolal, the Water God, was in fact the other form of Khwaja Khirz. Ahirio then saw Udero leap onto a horse and gallop away with a sword in one hand and a flag in the other.
Udero appeared before Mirkshah and explained to the stubborn ruler : "Whatever you see around you is the creation of only one God, whom you call 'Allah' and the Hindus call 'Ishwar'." The maulvis urged Mirkshah not to pay any heed to the infidels's talks and to arrest him. Mirkshah dithering as usual ordered hos soldiers to arrest Udero.
As the officials of the court moved towards Udero, great waves of water leaped forth inundating the courtyard and crowning Mirkshah and his courtiers. Fire too broke our and the palace was consumed by the flames. All escape routes were sealed. Udero spoke again, "Mirkshah, think it over. Your God and mine are the same. Then, why did you persecute my people ?"
Mirkshah was terrified and begged Udero, "My Lord, I realise my foolhardiness. Please save me and my courtiers." All at once the water receded and the fire died away. Mirkshah bowed respectfully and agreed to treat Hindus and Muslims alike. Before they dispersed, Uderolal told the Hindus to think of him as the embodiment of light and water. He also told them to build a temple in memory of transformation of Mirkshah. "Day in and out", he said "light a candle in the temple and always keep available water for daat (holy sip)".
Uderolal named his cousin, Pagad, as the first Thakur (Priest of the religious sect that believes in Water God). Pagad followed Uderolal wherever he went. Uderolal gave seven sysmbolic things to Pagad. These seven from the essential elements of the Daryahi sect. Uderolal asked Pagad to continue the sacred work of building temples and spread the message.
Selecting a place near village Thijahar, Uderolal gave up his earthly form. Both Hindus and Muslims were present in the large number to witness this mysterious happening. Mirkshah's representatives were also there. No sooner Uderolal's soul left his body, they took charge and wanted to build a 'Turbat' or 'Qaba" at the site according to the dictates of Islam. The Hindus wanted to erect a 'Samadhi' according to Hindu custom. While the debate regard, heavy rains came down a voice said : "Behold ! You shall make my shrine acceptable both to Hindus and Muslims. Let its one face be a temple and the other a Dargah (Shrine). I belong to all of you."
Jhulelal continues to be the unifying force and the centre of all cultural activities of the Sindhi community. The word Sindhi is derived from the river Sindhu (now in Pakistan)." When Sindhi men venture out to sea their women pray to him for their safe return. They offer the Lord prasad of akha, a sweet made from rice, ghee, sugar and flour. Sindhis all over the world greet each other with "Jhulelal Bera-Hee-Paar".
[edit] References
- ^ Population Census Organization, Government of Pakistan - Population by Mother Tongue
- ^ Ethnologue report for India
