A Unique Caste System Of Sindhis
By Sahib Bijani
As post partition Sindhis, we had often heard of Sindhi names/labels like Amils, Bhaibands, Sindhiwarkis, Hyderabadis and so on, but could not make sense of these so called ‘castes’ of the community. Sindhishaan requested veteran researcher Shri Sahib Bijani to simplify and explain the various ‘types’ to the Sindh community. Here is a summary of the extensive research conducted by Shri Bijani.
Sindhis don’t follow any caste system, but there are certain loosely defined ‘castes’ or ‘zaats’ that are distinct from each other as they have come to be associated with distinct cultural and behavioral characteristics. These qualities or traits arose either from their professional differences or from the cities and places of living. For example Hyderabadis are known because they lived in Hyderabad which was comparatively an advanced and prosperous city. Similarly Shikarpuris are people from Shikarpur. This way there are many classifications in the Sindhi community. We have tried to enumerate some of the better known types in this article.
AMILS – The word Amil comes from amal which means to practice. These are Hindu Kshatriyas who worked as accountants in the governments of Mirs and Kalhodas in Sindh. Nowadays their descendants are also known as Amils even though they may not be in service. Amils residing in Hyderabad would be known as Hyderabadi Amils. Some of the Amils also resided in Khairpur, Larkana and Sevanh. Hyderabadis are supposed to be of a higher Zaat, well educated and fair skinned because the city of Hyderabad in those days was an education and cultural hub.
BHAIBANDS – In Sindh, the business class of Sindhis was known as Bhaibands. These people were into trading and business activities in the kingdom of the Mirs. It would be possible to find one Amil brother and one Bhaiband brother in the same household. In those days Amils would marry only Amils and Bhaibands would marry only Bhaibands. Nowadays even though they may be in service, yet they are known as Bhaibands if their ancestors belonged to this caste.
SINDHWARKIS – Sindhwarkis are those Bhaibands of Sindh who traded in the materials made in Sindh and then exported it. In 1843, the British conquered Sindh and at that time, the Hyderabadi Bhaibands supplied the materials for daily needs to the British soldiers. Because of their contact with the British army they supplied all types of material to them, even from the villages of Sindh. Then these Bhaibands went to Bombay, from there to Columbia and Rangoon. In 1869 the Suez Canal was opened and many Sindhwarkis went to Europe and Singapore and then spread all over the world, and began trading from many other ports and cities. This is the now known category of Sindhi NRIs
CHHAPRUS – The word Chhapru comes from the word Chhappar meaning mountain. These people usually lived in the mountain regions in Sindh and later came down to stay in Karachi. Chhaprus have followed their own distinct rituals and customs. Some of the Chhaprus are also known as Saprus.
BHATIAS – Bhatias are descendants of Shri Krishna. There are thousands of Sindhi Bhatias all over the world today. They usually marry among themselves and are strict vegetarians. Many don’t even eat onions and garlic. Some of their sub-castes are Gajria, Kajria, Parmal etc.
MASANDS – Masands were appointed to spread Sikhism by the fourth Guru, Guru Ramdas. They would spread the message of Gurbani in small towns and villages and collect funds. Then on Diwali day they would go and meet their Guru and hand over the collection. They would then be honored by their Guru. Even today there are around 300 Masands in India; some of them are brilliant educationists and social workers.
THAKURS – These are the descendants of Lord Jhulelal. They are the official Brahmins of the Sindhi community. They head many Sindhi Tikanas and Durbars.
BHAGNARIS – There were two small villages in Baluchistan known as Bhag and Nari which explains the name of this Bhagnari community. They were the community of dry fruits and spice merchants of those days. Some Bhagnaris were also wine merchants. They strictly married in their own community. Some of the famous Bhagnaris are Popleys, Nanomal Issardas and so on.
LOHANAS – Lohanas are the desendants of Luv, the son of Bhagwan Ramchandra. They are the Kshatriyas who lived in an iron fort built by them in Punjab known as Loh-Ghar, which later came to be known as Lahore. They came to Sindh from Lahore from where many Lohanas migrated to Kutch. They are usually engaged in trading and other business.
There are many more such Jaatis in Sindhis and it is not possible to describe each and everyone in this small article. Efforts must be made to research, classify and tabulate these various castes and sub-castes because it has importance for the future generation.
First published in Sindhi Samachar September 2021 Issue
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Partition
By Chandroo D.
Recently my youngest grandson approached me and requested I be interviewed for his school project. Since I was present during the partition of British India, he chose the topic ‘The partition of India’.
The Partition of India was the division of British India in 1947. Two independent dominions, India and Pakistan were created. The British leaders decided that the partition was the best way to limit bloodshed between Hindus and Muslims.
Partition triggered riots, mass casualties, and a colossal wave of migration. Millions of people moved to what they hoped would be safer territory, with Muslims heading towards Pakistan, and Hindus and Sikhs in the direction of India. As many as 5 million or more people may have been eventually displaced, travelling on foot, in bullock carts and by train.
Hereunder is an excerpt of the interview…
Q: How old were you when it took place?
A: I was around 4 years old when the partition took place during August 1947.
Q: Where were you when the partition took place?
A: I was born in Hyderabad Sind, British India and was living there. Hyderabad Sind is now part of Pakistan.
Q: When were you told there was a partition and how did it feel? What was your reaction?
A: It was during August and the news was on the Radio and public announcements. Besides that, many family friends came over to inform us. There was panic all around and I could see that the family was shocked and extremely worried.
Q: Who were the people in your family?
A: My Mother, Grandmother and my 8 siblings. My father was in Rangoon, Burma during that time and international communication was impossible during that stage. Communication with him in the past was only by letters or telegrams.
Q: What was the first thing you did?
A: My mother consulted family friends and the main head of our neighbourhood to decide on what action we should take. The main head decided we, being Hindus, should all migrate to the Indian side together with close relations and friends for safety reasons.
Q: How were you affected by the partition - what did your family decide to do?
A: We decided to pack up our necessary and important belongings and leave our home to cross over the border by train to the Indian side.
Q: Moving out of your home, how did this impact you?
A: Moving out from our home was the most saddest thing in our family's life. Our family had been living there from past many generations and to suddenly leave everything behind was emotional for us. Mother and Grandmother were in tears when they shut the main door finally, probably wondering what the future would be like.
Q: What was it like to leave so suddenly and what about others like friends and teachers?
A: Can’t remember my friends or teachers. The only thing I remembered leaving behind was my wooden toy cars.
Q: What was it like on the streets when the partition was in place, were there any protesters, police etc..?
A: There was violence and houses on fire in the streets but I did not see it as we travelled discreetly in the night to the train station.
Q: Were you able to go to school, how did the partition affect your education?
A: During the riots and commotion, we were not allowed to leave our house under any circumstance.
Q: Did anything bad happen to your family, did you have to move out of your home? If so, where did you go?
A: Luckily we all escaped without any hitch. We travelled by train to the border into India, then all the way to Calcutta on the East side and then by a steamer (ship) to Rangoon, Burma.
Q: What Role did you play in the Partition?
A: Being too young at that time, I distinctly remember that at some time during the long journey to the border on a train, I was forcibly hidden with the females in the toilet as there were riots, looting and massacre all around by the Muslims whenever the train stopped for some reason.
Q: What do you think it would have been like if you hadn’t moved away from home?
A: Years ago, I did visit my birth place Hyderabad, Sind (now Pakistan) to look for our house. I was in the same area but could not find it despite many enquiries. It was very dusty and everything had changed. Before heading back to Karachi by car, I and a friend stopped by the Railway station. I noticed a roadside stall selling barbecued Palo (bony fish). We sat on a stool, ordered and ate it. That's when I thought to myself.. had I not migrated with the family to the Indian side, I may have turned out to be a fish vendor at the station today.
Our lives revolve around sad and sometimes happy circumstances. Thankfully, I am grateful to my mum and grandmother who had the strength to bravely guide the whole family safely on the long journey towards the border during the migration. The greatest relief and happiness finally came through once we arrived Rangoon and joined my father. Tears of happiness flowed all around!
