Today, if there is one name that the Sindhis dedicate everything to for their unity and adherence to their core culture, it would be none other than Lord Jhulelal. The history of Sindhis has been rough since the partition of India. Sindh province is the South-eastern part of present-day Pakistan.
Post partition, many Hindu Sindhi followers moved to Gujarat and Punjab states of India while most Muslim Sindhis stayed back in Pakistan. In this article, we will witness how the Sindhi community of India retained their traditions and integrated the broader Hindu rituals which are centered around their beloved Lord Jhulelal.
If we trace the history of the Sindh culture, we will come across the era of the oldest Indus Valley Civilization. Since the Sindh region is located along the Indus River (also known as the Sindhu River) and the Arabian Sea, the Sindhi people engaged in trading business and became skilled in it. Before partition, the Sindh province embraced major parts of Punjab (Pakistan), Kutch, Kathiawar, and western parts of India.
During the Indus Valley Civilization, a similar civilization called “Harappan” grew along the Indus and Sarasvati rivers. However, around the year 1700 BC, a major decline took place in both civilizations. The reason is believed to be the disappearance of the Sarasvati River and many disturbances occurring in the Indus River (floods). People faced many losses in their trading businesses.
As a result, the civilizations met a dead end. After the decline of the Indus Valley and Harappan civilizations, Sindh became part of the early Vedic period. There was a significant rise in Hindu temples in the region. Sindhis were also influenced by Islamic rule and it is believed that Sindh was one of the first regions to come under it.
During this era, Sufi Islam was particularly on the rise in Sindh – the Muslim population was increasing but Hinduism continued to have its presence in the Sindhi community. Now, Sindhis were known for their religious harmony and tolerance. The early 19th century was the British Colonial Period and Sindh was now captured by the British emperors.
The Britishers made Karachi a major trading port that again brought Sindh into the global market. But in 1947, the partition of India took place and this was a significant turning point for the Sindhi community. Pakistan was created and Sindh became part of Pakistan. Most of the Sindhi Muslims stayed back there.
However, most Sindhi Hindus had to migrate to different parts of India as disturbances knocked between the Muslim and Hindu communities. They took their shelter in states such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. Having business skills in their blood, Sindhis are especially well known for their entrepreneurial contributions.
Lord Jhulelal is the primary and central figure in Sindhi tradition who is given the topmost reverence. He is believed to be the incarnation of Lord Varuna, the controller of water bodies, who appeared in the family of a religious family in Sindh in the 10th century. From a very young age, he exhibited many special qualities and possessed divine powers and so he brought a ray of hope in the lives of the Sindhi people.
He was called Uderolal. Affected by religious conversions, Hindu Sindhis would pray to the Almighty for their relief and it was now that their intense prayers were being answered. The name “Jhulelal” means “the one who swings on the waves”. The Sindhis who were mostly related to the trading business, believed him to be the protector of the sailors and travelers.
The Islamic rule of Mirkhshah was distorting the integrity of Sindhi culture. But Lord Jhulelal stood against the forced conversions and embraced the peaceful means to convince Mirkhshah to allow Sindhis to practice their faith. He also established unity among the Sindhi community amidst the external influences and thus preserved their spiritual identity.
Not only this, but their music, artistic, and linguistic cultures were carried forward. The Sindhis were connected to their roots and Lord Jhulelal ensured that they held on to it no matter what happens in the future. Peace and unity were his main messages to Sindhi society. During the persecution, the Sindhis maintained good relationships with other communities and built harmony.
This led to mutual respect between the Hindu Sindhis and Muslim people of Sindh. This peaceful coexistence helped them maintain their roots of tradition and customs. Even after the partition, they retained their religious practices and stood the test of time.
Sindhi people’s lives revolve around family values and spirituality and they have a strong sense of attachment to the traditional customs they inherited from their ancestors. Since Sindhi culture is an interesting blend of Indian, Sindhi, and Pakistani cultural aspects, it is expressed in their cuisine, rituals, lifestyle, and language.
Sindhi cuisine is known for its rich flavors of spices and aromatic dishes that include fresh seasonal vegetables, lentils, rice, and grains. Traditionally, the dishes are prepared by the slow-cooking method to bring the flavor of every element. Although native to Pakistan, Sindhi food is now enjoyed all over India for its delicious taste at every bite. Some of the famous Sindhi recipes and dishes are:
Sindhi Kadhi – Gram flour curry and plenty of vegetables such as Drumstick, Okra, Potato, Tomato, Capsicum, and Carrot, Sindhi Kadhi is the most well-known recipe which waters the mouth due to its spiceful aroma. It is generally eaten with rice.
Saibhaji – This is a Sindhi-style spinach sabzi with fried onions on top and is complemented with rice. Soaked Chana dal, tomatoes, and tamarind juice bring an element of crunchiness and tanginess to the recipe.
Dhaarun Ji Chutney – This is a tangy coriander chutney which is a great complementary to any snack in a Sindhi household. It is prepared by making a paste out of mint leaves, green chilli, ginger, and cilantro leaves. A few pomegranate seeds are garnished on top.
Khorak (Burfi) – This sweet has a special significance in a marriage ceremony in a Sindhi family. Made with wheat flour, ghee, sugar, and lots of dry fruits, the cooked mixture is set into cubical shapes. At the time of marriage, this sweet is given to the bride and is considered auspicious.
Karachi/Bombay Halwa – This halwa is a famous Sindhi sweet dish with a gelatinous texture and form. It is mainly made of corn flour and uses a great amount of ghee, sugar, and cashew nuts.
The Sindhi language is linguistically rich and uses words that are an interesting blend of Arabic, Persian, and Hindi. If we go toward the Pakistani Sindh region, Arabic will be more common to hear. However, on the side of India, the Hindi dialect is more prominent.
Influenced by the Islamic period, British rule, Vedic culture, Buddhism, and Sufism, Sindhi literature boasts a wide range of spiritual concepts. Other themes revolve around their core culture, poetry, stories, and dramas which the Sindhis enjoyed even in ancient times. Modern Sindhi literature also covers the challenges and issues faced by the community post-partition.
A collection of several stories and narratives, this book describes what the situations were for the Sindhi community when the 1947 partition took place. Unbiased and rational, the author has captured their experiences in the pages that tell about their lost homes, friends, belongings, culture, and the memories that remained only memories. The book also highlights how the Hindu Sindhis rebuilt their lives in post-partition India and struggled to claim their identity in the new land.
This anthology compiles many works of Sindhi poets from the fifties to the modern period. In these decades, Sindhi poetry was mainly based on how the Sindhis witnessed a poignant shift in their lives after the partition. One may also witness the evolution of Sindhi poetry in using creative language that gets to the hearts of the readers.
As the name of the book suggests, it is about the ancient history and culture of the Sindhi community. The author is known for his deep research into the old civilizations, especially the Indus Valley and Harappan Civilizations which were the backbone of Sindhis. In this book, he has elaborately explained all the influences which led to a crack in the identity and validation of Sindhis.
Sindhi cuisine is known for its rich flavors of spices and aromatic dishes that include fresh seasonal vegetables, lentils, rice, and grains. This book boasts 90 Sindhi recipes which are appealing to modern food enthusiasts and are easy to prepare.
Cheti Chand is the day which marks the beginning of the Sindhi New Year and is the main festival for the Sindhi community which usually falls in March or April. It also celebrates the birthday of Lord Jhulelal. People exhibit their gratitude and devotion towards him.
Days before the Cheti Chand day, Sindhi families, especially the womenfolk, begin their preparations by cleaning and decorating their houses. This is similar to the onset of the Diwali festival. Paintings and frames of Lord Jhulelal are hung on walls to seek his blessings. The entrance is decorated with colorful rangoli. The house is adorned with aesthetic lights and lamps are lit to make everything auspicious.
Baharana Sahib consists of the traditional worship of the deity of Lord Juhlelal which involves the use of a water pot, coconut, wheat, flowers, and sugar as paraphernalia. A lamp placed on top of the pot is carried to the sea or river. Baharana Sahib symbolizes the deity of Lord Jhulelal. The pot is then offered to the water body. This is often linked to Lord Jhulelal’s original form as the lord.
On the day of Cheti Chand, the Sindhi people organize processions in a traditional way. Dressed in cultural attire and carrying immense love for Jhulelal in their hearts, they sing various Jhulelal Bhajans and dance to them along the procession. This creates a spiritual environment and helps younger generations of the Sindhi community to be educated about Lord Jhulelal’s blessings upon them.
When all the offerings have been made and the procession has ended, Sindhis gather for a wonderful feast for which delicious Sindhi recipes are made for everyone to enjoy. The dishes include Sai Bhaji, Sindhi Kadhi, Sindhi Biryani, Dal Pakwan, Papad, and many sweet savories. They also organize a cultural program for entertainment and to make their day extra special. Traditional songs dedicated to Lord Jhulelal are played, which the Sindhis dance to and relish.
As an offering to Lord Jhulelal, the Sindhi devotees observe fasts all day long and perform special Pujas devoted to the deity. They visit temples and seek blessings and protection from Jhulelal. The fast is usually broken after the sun has set but some people break it only when special Puja has been offered to Lord Jhulelal. This becomes a part of their austerity.
Sindhis are known for their empathetic quality and cultural unity in their community. As much as they have experienced atrocities in ancient times, they continue to inspire every other society and community to remain absorbed in their rich heritage, traditions, and values.
Sindhi people consider these elements as the causeless mercy of Lord Jhulelal who acted as their spiritual guide and saved them from falling from their foundation. His teachings and principles continue to be practiced in the community and are unforgettable in the future.
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