The Sindhi people are an ethnic group with a rich cultural and historical heritage. Originally from the Sindh region of Pakistan, many Sindhis have also made their home in India, particularly in the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra. In this article, we will explore the history, culture, and contributions of Sindhis living in India. From their migration and settlement in India following the partition of the country in 1947, to their vibrant cultural traditions and impact on various fields in Indian society, we will delve into the unique and diverse experiences of Sindhis in India.
Mohenjo-daro, which is one of the oldest cities in the subcontinent lies in the Sindh province of Pakistan. Whether it is the bronze dancer or the Devi’s statue, our oldest artifacts come from sindh. So no matter how much people try to separate Pakistan from India, the truth is a lot of our culture stemmed from the same root. Along the way, politics and religion have drawn lines and build walls. But today Sindhi can trace his ancestry back to ancient India as much if not more than every other Indian. Perhaps this is why Rabindranath Tagore knew it was important to include the name sindh in our national anthem, geographically, it may not be a part of India due to political reasons, but it will always be a part of who we are as people. Every now and then certain verses rise up trying to have it removed from the National Anthem, but I hope it stays today the most important city in sindh, Pakistan is Karachi. And there are more Muslims in these in Pakistan than Hindus in these in India. The energy of that land is so powerful that even after 70 odd years of Pakistan’s existence, it is still the most cosmopolitan region with most of the Parsis, Hindus, Christians and Sikhs living there in that one state. Perhaps it is important to know that Karachi is closer to Mumbai than it is to Islamabad, Lahore and peshawar. Now here’s a fun fact the first civil aviation flight that took place not only in India, but in South Asia for some Karachi to Bombay.
History of Sindhis in India
The history of Sindhis in India is closely intertwined with the history of the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947. At the time of partition, the Sindh region of what is now Pakistan was home to a large population of Hindus, including Sindhis. When India and Pakistan were divided along religious lines, many Hindus living in the newly formed Pakistan faced persecution and discrimination. As a result, many Sindhis and other Hindus migrated to India in search of safety and a new home.
The migration of Sindhis to India was a traumatic and difficult experience for many. Many Sindhis lost their homes, businesses, and possessions as they fled to India. The journey itself was also perilous, with many people losing their lives along the way. Despite these challenges, however, Sindhi’s persevered and made their way to India, where they settled in various parts of the country. The initial lot that came by sea settle in either Gujarat or Bombay. Those who came by road went to Jaipur and those who came by train settled in Ajmer. And till today, these cities have the largest pockets of the community.
Upon arriving in India, Sindhis faced the task of building new lives and integrating into Indian society. Many Sindhis were able to rebuild their businesses and establish themselves in their new communities. In the 70 odd years since independence, they’ve gone from being broke refugees to the biggest names in real estate, media and education. Today, most of the prestigious educational institutes, hospitals and housing societies are owned and operated by sindhi’s. Their strong entrepreneurial spirit, hard work, and strong family ties helped them to overcome adversity and build successful lives in their new home.
But sindh’s contribution to our country has a historical significance that everyone should know India’s very name comes from the indus river. which is the English way of pronouncing the Sindhu river. India, Indus and sindhu are all the same, the Persians and Mughals convert to the word Sindhu to Hindu, the Greeks converted that to indos. So from sindh and sindhu we get Hindu, Hindustan, Hindi, India and Indian.
Is Sindhi language dying?
There are concerns that the language may be dying out in India, as younger generations of Sindhis are increasingly opting to speak other languages, particularly English and Hindi. A lot of in sindhi’s are at loggerheads with the Indian government to start a sindhi TV channel. There are sindhi TV channels, but all of these are stationed in Pakistan. But thanks to internet, we do have a Sindhi YouTube channels.
This trend is thought to be driven by a variety of factors, including the influence of English as a global language, the increasing importance of Hindi in Indian society, and the pressures of assimilation into mainstream Indian culture. As a result, there are fears that the rich cultural heritage of Sindhi language and literature may be lost in the coming years. However, there are also efforts being made to preserve and promote Sindhi language and culture in India, and it is important that these efforts continue in order to ensure the survival of this unique and valuable part of India’s cultural heritage.
Sindhis in other parts of the world
Sindhis are not just found in India and Pakistan, but can also be found in other parts of the world. Many Sindhis have migrated to other countries in search of economic opportunities, education, and a better quality of life. Some countries with large Sindhi communities include the Hongkong, United Arab Emirates, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
In these countries, Sindhis have often been able to build successful lives and contribute to their new communities. Many have established successful businesses and become leaders in their fields. Sindhi culture has also been able to thrive in these countries, with Sindhi festivals, music, and cuisine being celebrated and enjoyed by people of all backgrounds.
Despite the distance from their homeland, Sindhis have been able to maintain their cultural identity and traditions in other parts of the world. This is due in part to the strong sense of community that exists within the Sindhi diaspora, as well as the efforts of organizations and individuals to preserve and promote Sindhi culture.
Why sindhi Surname end with ani?
People like making fun of the fact that the way Parsee surnames end with Wala – sindhi surnames end with ani. But the route of this is the Sanskrit word ansh which means descended from or descent of a common male ancestor.
Ansh colloquially became ani and therefore we have Sindhi surname like Vaswani , gopalani , chandnani and so on, which signifies that their descendent were Gopal, Vasu, Chandan.
Sindhi Cuisine
Sindhi cuisine is a blend of Hindu and Muslim influences. The Sindhis are a community of people originating from the Sindh province of present-day Pakistan. Due to their Sufi roots, Sindhi cuisine is known for its spiciness and sweetness. There are many popular Sindhi dishes, such as sai bhaji (a spinach dish), biryani, and kofta (meatballs).
Sindh has a long coastline, so seafood is also a popular ingredient in Sindhi dishes. The most common spices used in Sindhi cuisine are cumin, chili peppers, turmeric, cloves, and cardamom. Sindhi food is often served with raita (a yogurt-based sauce) and chutney.
As we know that people tease sindhis about is their love for papad.
And this every sindhi will admit is true atleast partially.In sindhi Papad, Urad daal salt and minerals came together to form a crisp snack that was nutritious and good for digestion.
There are so many delicious dishes in the Sindhi cuisine such as Sai baji , Sindhi curry, aloo tuk and seyal maani just to name a few.
They even have their own version of macroni. The story goes that the Italian sindhis would bring macaroni back home which the women of that time didn’t know how to cook, but they knew that aloo and tomatos make a dish very tasty
so they took tomatos, chopped them and turned them into “macaroni ki sabji” i.e sindhi style macaroni
conclusion
In conclusion, the Sindhi people are an integral and valued part of the cultural fabric of India. Their rich and diverse cultural and historical background has contributed significantly to the vibrancy and diversity of Indian society. From their migration to India following the partition of the country in 1947, to their contributions in various fields and their vibrant cultural traditions, Sindhis have made a lasting impact on their new home.
It is important to understand and celebrate the diversity of cultures within India, and to recognize the unique and valuable contributions of each community. By learning about and appreciating the rich cultural heritage of Sindhi’s and other minority groups in India, we can work towards a more inclusive and harmonious society.
Q1. Which state has most Sindhis in India
The state of Gujarat has the highest number of Sindhis in India.
Q2. Sindhi’s are veg or non veg?
Sindhis in India are predominantly vegetarian, although some may also include non-vegetarian dishes in their diet.
Q3. Where do originally Sindhis come from?
Sindhis are an ethnic group native to the Sindh province of Pakistan.
Q4. Why did sindhis leave pakistan?
Many Sindhis migrated to India after the partition of India in 1947, which led to the creation of the independent countries of India and Pakistan. Some Sindhis may have also left Pakistan for other reasons, such as economic opportunities.
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