Sindhis: Difference between revisions
If you read my comments you will see that I am not deleting because I doubt the authenticity, but because of the slanted language. Please discuss this on the talk page. |
Removed statement of doubtful authenticity, Removed doubtful names - Sounds like you have clear your personal doubts before you start editing |
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{{Infobox Ethnic group |
{{Infobox Ethnic group |
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|group=Sindhis<br>سنڌي सिन्धी |
|group=Sindhis<br>سنڌي सिन्धी |
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|image= [[Image:Advani.jpg|72px]][[Image:Pankaj-advani2.jpg|75px]][[Image: |
|image= [[Image:Advani.jpg|72px]][[Image:Pankaj-advani2.jpg|75px]][[Image:Danish_K.jpg|63px]], [[Image:Benazir Bhutto.jpg|68px]][[Image:Karan-johar.jpg|75px]][[Image:ArunJaitley.jpg|72px]] |
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|caption= [[L.K. Advani]], [[Pankaj Advani]], [[Danish Kaneria]], [[Benazir Bhutto]], [[Karan Johar]], [[Arun Jaitley]] |
|caption= [[L.K. Advani]], [[Pankaj Advani]], [[Danish Kaneria]], [[Benazir Bhutto]], [[Karan Johar]], [[Arun Jaitley]] |
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==History== |
==History== |
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===Ancient history=== |
===Ancient history=== |
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{{main|Indus Valley Civilisation}} |
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[[Image:Mohenjodaro Sindh.jpeg|thumb|220px|Excavated ruins of [[Mohenjo-daro]], [[Pakistan]].]] |
[[Image:Mohenjodaro Sindh.jpeg|thumb|220px|Excavated ruins of [[Mohenjo-daro]], [[Pakistan]].]] |
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[[Image:CiviltàValleIndoMappa.png|thumb|right|200px|Location of the [[Indus Valley]] civilisation.]] |
[[Image:CiviltàValleIndoMappa.png|thumb|right|200px|Location of the [[Indus Valley]] civilisation.]] |
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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 |
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). |
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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]]. |
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]]. |
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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]] was prevalent in Sindh. |
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. |
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===Post 712 A.D.till 1947=== |
===Post 712 A.D.till 1947=== |
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History reveals, in the ancient days, since the [[Vedic period]] until 712 AD, [[Sindh]] had only [[Hindu]] inhabitants. Subsequently, as a result of the many [[Arab]] invasions there were mass religious conversions and people adopted [[Islam]]. The Hindus who lived in [[Sindh]] in those days, either converted to [[Islam]], or having refused to accept Islam were compelled by the then rulers to pay heavy taxes. Many, in the effort to protect their religion left [[Sindh]] and settled in places such as [[Aror]] and [[Punjab]]. But the interesting part remains, that even those Sindhis who became Muslims, continued with their earlier surnames, and thus you can find Sindhi surnames ending in ANI even amongst Sindhi Muslims, such as Lakhani, Shahani (descendants of [[Shah Mohammad]]), etc. Some of the [[Gujrathi]] [[Hindus]] and [[Gujrathi]] [[Muslims]] too have adopted the practice of adding the [[suffix]] ‘'''ani'''’ to the name of their grandfather as their surnames. A well-known example of the same is [[Dhirubhai Ambani]] of [[Reliance Industries]]. <ref> http://www.sindhishaan.com/newsletter/2_11_sundar.htm </ref> |
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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]]. 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.<ref>[http://www.sindhudesh.com/sindhudesh/thesindhi_matlani.html/ Sindhi Language and Literature]</ref> |
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]]. 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.<ref>[http://www.sindhudesh.com/sindhudesh/thesindhi_matlani.html/ Sindhi Language and Literature]</ref> |
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===Partition and mass exodus of Hindu Sindhis=== |
===Partition and mass exodus of Hindu Sindhis=== |
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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 [[Muslim]] |
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. 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. 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. However, when waves of [[Muslim]] refugees from India (known as [[Muhajir (Pakistan)|Muhajirs]]) started to pour into [[Sindh]], violence erupted on the streets. Many Hindu Sindhis were forced to flee Sindh leaving everything behind. <ref> http://www.iccs.edu/HEJ/History%20of%20Sindh.html </ref> [[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. After the mass exodus of Hindus, their property was taken over by Mohajirs, making it impossible for them to return. 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 Sindhis which served as a refugee camp for Sindhis who fled from [[Pakistan]].<ref> http://www.sindhishaan.com/ourroots/sindhi_statistics.htm </ref> |
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===Post 1947=== |
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It is said in [[Sindh]] that [[Hindus]] who have been forcibly converted to [[Muslims]] and compelled to undergo [[circumcision]], recite the [[Kalima]], attend the [[mosque]], and eat beef, can be re-converted into their original Dharma by going through certain ceremonies. People say that [[Chawlas]] are the reconverted Hindus. The [[Amils]] had adopted the Muslim costume, wore the topi (cylindrical hat), the beard long, the shalwar and only shaved the crown of the head. They did not however trim the moustache according to [[Sunnat]], but often put on the tilak and wear the shirt with a gore across the left breast, whereas the Muslims always had the opening down the right side.<ref> http://www.sindhishaan.com/newsletter/2_7_inhabitant.htm </ref> |
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Even today the small population of [[Hindus]] left in [[Sindh]] are often subject to [[kidnapping]]s for [[ransom]], [[robberies]] and other threats. <ref> [http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/south-asia/hindus-protest-against-rising-incidents-of-robberies-in-karachi_10076759.html Hindus protest against rising incidents of robberies in Karachi] </ref> |
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===Sindhi separatist movements=== |
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[[Image:JSQM.GIF|left|frame|National flag of '''[[Sindhudesh]]''']] |
[[Image:JSQM.GIF|left|frame|National flag of '''[[Sindhudesh]]''']] |
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The influx of [[Pashtun]] and [[Punjabi people|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 25 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> A recent [[demonstration]] by Sindhi nationalists in [[Pakistan]] against the arrival of [[Internally displaced persons]] (IDPs) from the [[Swat Valley]] into Sindh |
The influx of [[Pashtun]] and [[Punjabi people|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 25 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> A recent [[demonstration]] by Sindhi nationalists in [[Pakistan]] against the arrival of [[Internally displaced persons]] (IDPs) from the [[Swat Valley]] into Sindh has lead to the killings of Sindhi activists, which has angered [[World Sindhi Institute]]. The [[World Sindhi Institute]], a human rights organization based in [[Washington DC]], [[United States]] banned in [[Pakistan]], has released the following statement: ''"The World Sindhi Institute urges members of the Sindhi Diaspora to pressurize Governments in their own countries of citizenship, emphasizing that Sindh and Sindhi [[Sufi]] values are a bulwark against the spread of [[Wahabi]] extremism."'' The [[WSI]] is of view that IDP's from [[Swat Valley]] should and can easily be accommodated in [[NWFP]], [[FATA]], [[Punjab]] and the Capital Area, all much closer to their home base and culturally more aligned to their customs and traditions. Yet the state authorities have colluded to move IDPs to [[Sindh]] in '''a deliberate move to further destabilize Sindhi society and render them a [[minority]] in their own [[homeland]]'''. <ref>[http://www.unpo.org/content/view/9698/141/ Sindh: Condemnation of Murdered Sindhi Activists]</ref> |
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==Ethnicity== |
==Ethnicity== |
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The two main [[Rajput]] tribes of Sind are: the [[Samma]], descendants of the [[Samma Dynasty]] tha ruled [[Sindh]] during (1351 - 1521 A.D.); and the [[Sumra]], descendants of the [[Sumra Dynasty]] who ruled Sindh during (750 - 1350 A.D.). Among other [[Sindhi Rajput]]s are the [[Bhutto]]s, [[Bhatti]]s, Buriros, Lakha, Sahetas, [[Lohana]]s, Mohano, Dahars, Indhar, Chachar, Dhareja, [[Rathor]]s, Dakhan, [[Langah]] etc. |
The two main [[Rajput]] tribes of Sind are: the [[Samma]], descendants of the [[Samma Dynasty]] tha ruled [[Sindh]] during (1351 - 1521 A.D.); and the [[Sumra]], descendants of the [[Sumra Dynasty]] who ruled Sindh during (750 - 1350 A.D.). Among other [[Sindhi Rajput]]s are the [[Bhutto]]s, [[Bhatti]]s, Buriros, Lakha, Sahetas, [[Lohana]]s, Mohano, Dahars, Indhar, Chachar, Dhareja, [[Rathor]]s, Dakhan, [[Langah]] etc. |
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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 population of [[Sindh]]. [[Balochi]] tribes are spread over Balochistan, Sindh and the south-western districts of the Punjab. This group is almost entirely Muslim. |
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]]. [[Balochi]] tribes are spread over Balochistan, Sindh and the south-western districts of the Punjab. This group is almost entirely Muslim. |
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A third sub-stock of the Sindhi population comprises the descendants of [[Muslim]] conquerors, administrators and missionaries who were [[Arabs]], [[Persians]], [[Afghans]] and [[Turkic peoples|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''. 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. |
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 [[Turkic peoples|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. |
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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 |
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. |
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The last group of immigrants are the Urdu speaking [[Muhajir Urdu|Muhajir]]s who |
The last group of immigrants are the Urdu speaking [[Muhajir Urdu|Muhajir]]s who occupied Sindh after the [[Partition of India]].<ref>[http://www.scribd.com/doc/13455764/The-People-and-the-Land-of-Sindh/ The People and the land of Sindh]</ref> |
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===Islamic influence=== |
===Islamic influence=== |
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==Culture== |
==Culture== |
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===Dress=== |
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Sindhi women in Pakistan are still very traditional overall, can be seen wearing [[Salwar kameez|Shalwar Qameez]], 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. |
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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.<ref> http://www.aryashaadi.com/SocialOrganisation/sindhi/sindhi_main.aspx </ref> |
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===Sindhi names=== |
===Sindhi names=== |
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{{main|Sindhi naming conventions}} |
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Muslim Sindhis tend to have traditional Muslim names, but sometimes with localized variations. |
Muslim Sindhis tend to have traditional Muslim names, but sometimes with localized variations. |
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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. |
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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 [[Europe]]an 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'. |
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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. |
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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]]. |
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===Sufism=== |
===Sufism=== |
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{{Main|Jhulelal}} |
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[[Image:Jhule Lal.JPG|thumb|right|170px|'''Lord [[Jhulelal]]''']] |
[[Image:Jhule Lal.JPG|thumb|right|170px|'''Lord [[Jhulelal]]''']] |
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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 Uderolal (another name for [[Jhulelal]]), based on the emergence of [[Lord]] [[Jhulelal]], who appeared from the [[Sindhu]] river during the 10th century AD. |
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Sindhis culture has been strongly influenced by Sufism. [[Jhulelal]], the Sufi pioneer of Sindh, is revered by both [[Hindus]] and [[Muslims]]. A common greeting among Sindhis "Jhulelal Bera-Hee-Paar".<ref>http://www.jhulelal.com/infotainment/story.html About Jhule Lal Sai</ref> |
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[[Jhulelal]] continues to be the unifying force and the centre of all [[cultural]] activities of the Sindhi community. Sindhis all over the world greet each other with "Jhulelal Bera-Hee-Paar". |
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<ref>http://www.jhulelal.com/infotainment/story.html About Jhule Lal Sai</ref> |
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==Notable Sindhis== |
==Notable Sindhis== |
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===Entertainment=== |
===Entertainment=== |
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The famous Sindhis in Bollywood include: [[Aftab Shivdasani]], [[Jackky Bhagnani]], [[Vashu Bhagnani]], [[Karan Johar]] |
The famous Sindhis in Bollywood include: [[Aftab Shivdasani]], [[Jackky Bhagnani]], [[Vashu Bhagnani]], [[Karan Johar]], [[Tarun Mansukhani]], [[Ritesh Sidhwani]], [[Rajkumar Hirani]] , [[Gopal Raghani]], [[Dalip Tahil]]<ref>http://www.sindhiinfo.com/actor.asp Sindhism in Bollywood</ref>, [[Jatin Lalwani]], [[Ramesh Taurani]], [[Nikhil Advani]], [[Sadhana Shivdasani]], [[Babita]], [[Sangeeta Bijlani]], [[Hiten Tejwani]], [[Shilpa Saklani]], [[Preeti Jhangiani]], [[Kitu Gidwani]], [[Hansika Motwani]], [[Shahana Goswami]], [[Ramesh Sippy]], [[G. P. Sippy]], [[Rohan Sippy]], [[Ramsay Brothers]], [[Govind Nihalani]], [[Vishal Dadlani]], [[Ehsaan Noorani]], [[Govinda]] and comedian [[Asrani]]. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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* [http://www.SindhiJagat.com Sindhi Jagat: All India Sindhi Consolidating Centre.] |
* [http://www.SindhiJagat.com Sindhi Jagat: All India Sindhi Consolidating Centre.] |
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* [http://www.dalsabzi.com/books/sindhi_surnames/sindhi_surnames.htm Sindhi Surnames Origin - Trace your roots] |
* [http://www.dalsabzi.com/books/sindhi_surnames/sindhi_surnames.htm Sindhi Surnames Origin - Trace your roots] |
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[[Category:Sindhi people| ]] |
[[Category:Sindhi people| ]] |
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Revision as of 22:51, 25 June 2009
 File:Pankaj-advani2.jpgFile:Danish K.jpg,  File:Karan-johar.jpgFile:ArunJaitley.jpg | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
 Pakistan | 43,842,000[1] |
 India | 4,890,000[2] |
| Languages | |
| Sindhi, Hindi, Urdu | |
| Religion | |
| Islam, Hinduism | |
Sindhis (Sindhi: سنڌي ) are a Sindhi speaking socio-ethnic group of people originating from Sindh now a province of Pakistan. Today Sindhis that live in Pakistan are predominantly Muslim but there are also smaller minorities of Hindus and Christians. After the Partition of India in 1947, a large number of Indian Muslims(Muhajirs) flocked into Pakistan and settled in the prosperous Sindh region. At the same time Sindhi Hindus migrated to India in large numbers, while many of those who remained converted to Islam.
History
Ancient 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.
Post 712 A.D.till 1947
History reveals, in the ancient days, since the Vedic period until 712 AD, Sindh had only Hindu inhabitants. Subsequently, as a result of the many Arab invasions there were mass religious conversions and people adopted Islam. The Hindus who lived in Sindh in those days, either converted to Islam, or having refused to accept Islam were compelled by the then rulers to pay heavy taxes. Many, in the effort to protect their religion left Sindh and settled in places such as Aror and Punjab. But the interesting part remains, that even those Sindhis who became Muslims, continued with their earlier surnames, and thus you can find Sindhi surnames ending in ANI even amongst Sindhi Muslims, such as Lakhani, Shahani (descendants of Shah Mohammad), etc. Some of the Gujrathi Hindus and Gujrathi Muslims too have adopted the practice of adding the suffix ‘ani’ to the name of their grandfather as their surnames. A well-known example of the same is Dhirubhai Ambani of Reliance Industries. [3]
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. 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.[4]
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. 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. 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. However, when waves of Muslim refugees from India (known as Muhajirs) started to pour into Sindh, violence erupted on the streets. Many Hindu Sindhis were forced to flee Sindh leaving everything behind. [5] Popati Hiranandani, a Sindhi Hindu writes in her autobiography[6] that the local police were complicit in the anti-Hindu violence. After the mass exodus of Hindus, their property was taken over by Mohajirs, making it impossible for them to return. 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 Sindhis which served as a refugee camp for Sindhis who fled from Pakistan.[7]
Post 1947
It is said in Sindh that Hindus who have been forcibly converted to Muslims and compelled to undergo circumcision, recite the Kalima, attend the mosque, and eat beef, can be re-converted into their original Dharma by going through certain ceremonies. People say that Chawlas are the reconverted Hindus. The Amils had adopted the Muslim costume, wore the topi (cylindrical hat), the beard long, the shalwar and only shaved the crown of the head. They did not however trim the moustache according to Sunnat, but often put on the tilak and wear the shirt with a gore across the left breast, whereas the Muslims always had the opening down the right side.[8] Even today the small population of Hindus left in Sindh are often subject to kidnappings for ransom, robberies and other threats. [9]
Sindhi separatist movements
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[10]. 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 25 April 1995[11]. 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.[12] A recent demonstration by Sindhi nationalists in Pakistan against the arrival of Internally displaced persons (IDPs) from the Swat Valley into Sindh has lead to the killings of Sindhi activists, which has angered World Sindhi Institute. The World Sindhi Institute, a human rights organization based in Washington DC, United States banned in Pakistan, has released the following statement: "The World Sindhi Institute urges members of the Sindhi Diaspora to pressurize Governments in their own countries of citizenship, emphasizing that Sindh and Sindhi Sufi values are a bulwark against the spread of Wahabi extremism." The WSI is of view that IDP's from Swat Valley should and can easily be accommodated in NWFP, FATA, Punjab and the Capital Area, all much closer to their home base and culturally more aligned to their customs and traditions. Yet the state authorities have colluded to move IDPs to Sindh in a deliberate move to further destabilize Sindhi society and render them a minority in their own homeland. [13]
Ethnicity
Original Inhabitants and later migrants
Ethnic Sindhis are the direct descendants of the Great Sindhu Kingdom and followed Hinduism. Over the centuries the name of Sindhu has taken many forms: Indus, Indos, India, Sindhus, Sindhos, Sinthos, Hindus, Hindos, Hindu, Hind, Hindustan.
As regards the composition of the Non Ethnic Sindhi population the two main stocks that inhabited Sind are related to, and common, one with the Punjab and another with Balochistan. The majority stock is that of Rajputs and Jats who are the partial descendants of Sakas, Kushans and Huns. During Kalhora rule a number of Jat tribes such as the Sials, Joyas 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.
The two main Rajput tribes of Sind are: the Samma, descendants of the Samma Dynasty tha ruled Sindh during (1351 - 1521 A.D.); and the Sumra, descendants of the Sumra Dynasty who ruled Sindh during (750 - 1350 A.D.). Among other Sindhi Rajputs are the Bhuttos, Bhattis, Buriros, Lakha, Sahetas, Lohanas, Mohano, Dahars, Indhar, Chachar, Dhareja, Rathors, Dakhan, Langah etc.
The smaller stock is that of Balochi tribes 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. Balochi tribes are spread over Balochistan, Sindh and the south-western districts of the Punjab. This group is almost entirely Muslim.
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.
The last group of immigrants are the Urdu speaking Muhajirs who occupied Sindh after the Partition of India.[14]
Islamic influence
With Sindh’s stable prosperity and its strategic geographical possession, it is not surprising that it was subject to successive onslaughts by foreign invaders. The Arabs persistently attempted to conquer the country but were unsuccessful until 712 A.D., when Sindh was annexed into the Arab empire and became the ‘Arabian gateway’ into India (later to become known as Babul Islam, the gate of Islam). After the conquest by the Arabs, the people of Sindh were influenced by the new faith of Islam. [15]
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.
Culture
Dress
Sindhi women in Pakistan are still very traditional overall, can be seen wearing Shalwar Qameez, 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.
Sindhi women in India however, can be seen wearing Shalwar Qameez, colourful tops with Jeans, while the Western clothing have become common for men.[16]
Sindhi names
Muslim Sindhis tend to have traditional Muslim names, but sometimes with localized variations.
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, 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.
Sufism
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 Uderolal (another name for Jhulelal), based on the emergence of Lord Jhulelal, who appeared from the Sindhu river during the 10th century AD.
Jhulelal continues to be the unifying force and the centre of all cultural activities of the Sindhi community. Sindhis all over the world greet each other with "Jhulelal Bera-Hee-Paar". [17]
Notable Sindhis
Politics
Pakistan's political scene is dominated by Sindhi politicians like G M Syed, 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. In the province of Sindh, Sindhis have been dominant in the government and its various departments.
In India, Lal Krishna Advani, the head of the Bharatiya Janata Party along with Arun Jaitley and Ram Jethmalani are some of the notable Sindhi Politians.
Before partition, important Sindhi politicians included Raja Dahir, Darya Khan Rind, Soreh Badshah, Hoshu Sheedi and Hemu Kalani.
Entertainment
The famous Sindhis in Bollywood include: Aftab Shivdasani, Jackky Bhagnani, Vashu Bhagnani, Karan Johar, Tarun Mansukhani, Ritesh Sidhwani, Rajkumar Hirani , Gopal Raghani, Dalip Tahil[18], Jatin Lalwani, Ramesh Taurani, Nikhil Advani, Sadhana Shivdasani, Babita, Sangeeta Bijlani, Hiten Tejwani, Shilpa Saklani, Preeti Jhangiani, Kitu Gidwani, Hansika Motwani, Shahana Goswami, Ramesh Sippy, G. P. Sippy, Rohan Sippy, Ramsay Brothers, Govind Nihalani, Vishal Dadlani, Ehsaan Noorani, Govinda and comedian Asrani.
See also
References
- ^ Population Census Organization, Government of Pakistan - Population by Mother Tongue
- ^ Ethnologue report for India
- ^ http://www.sindhishaan.com/newsletter/2_11_sundar.htm
- ^ Sindhi Language and Literature
- ^ http://www.iccs.edu/HEJ/History%20of%20Sindh.html
- ^ Popati Hiranandani, one of the best-known Sindhi women writers, born in 1924 in Hyderabad, Sind
- ^ http://www.sindhishaan.com/ourroots/sindhi_statistics.htm
- ^ http://www.sindhishaan.com/newsletter/2_7_inhabitant.htm
- ^ Hindus protest against rising incidents of robberies in Karachi
- ^ 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
- ^ Sindh: Condemnation of Murdered Sindhi Activists
- ^ The People and the land of Sindh
- ^ http://www.usindh.edu.pk/shaikh_ayaz_conf_07/sindh.html Historical perspective of Sindhis
- ^ http://www.aryashaadi.com/SocialOrganisation/sindhi/sindhi_main.aspx
- ^ http://www.jhulelal.com/infotainment/story.html About Jhule Lal Sai
- ^ http://www.sindhiinfo.com/actor.asp Sindhism in Bollywood