Mughals: Migrants Who Became a Recognized Caste in Sindh

The origins of the Mughals (مغل) have been a subject of historical debate, but most scholars agree that they were a mix of Mongol and Turkic heritage. The term “Mughal” itself is derived from the Persian word for Mongol, yet the dynasty that ruled Great Hind Sindh traced its lineage through Timor (a Turkic conqueror) and Genghis Khan (a Mongol leader).

The Mughal emperors invaded Sindh multiple times, beginning with Emperor Babur in 1524 during his campaigns in the Indian subcontinent. However, it was Emperor Akbar who fully annexed Sindh in 1591, integrating it into the Mughal Empire. Under Akbar’s rule, Sindh became an important province, contributing to trade, administration, and military affairs. Later, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb reinforced Mughal control, developing infrastructure and strengthening their rule.

As the Mughals ruled Sindh for centuries, many Mughal families migrated and settled in the region, integrating into Sindhi society. Over time, they adopted Sindhi-Indus culture, language, and traditions while retaining “Mughal” (مغل) as their surname, marking their historical lineage. Today, the Mughal community in Sindh consists of descendants of these settlers, many of whom now identify as Sindhi Mughals.

Additionally, some Mughals in Sindh have Punjabi origins, having migrated from Punjab over different periods. Regardless of their roots, these Mughals have become a recognized caste in Sindh, contributing to various fields, including education, arts, and governance. For instance, Mahmood Mughal, a PTV artist and professor in Pharmacy, is a prominent figure representing this cultural assimilation.

Origins and Ancestry

Barlas Tribe: These descended from the Barlas tribe, which was originally Mongol but had become heavily Turkicized over time. The Barlas people adopted Turkic customs, language, and Persian culture, making them distinct from the original Mongols of Genghis Khan’s era.
Timurid Lineage: They were descendants of Timur (Tamerlane), who was a Turkic warlord of the Chagatai Khanate. He married into the family of Genghis Khan through his ancestor, Kara Barlas, who wed a Chagatai princess.
Babur’s Identity: Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, referred to himself as a Turk, not a Mongol, in his memoirs (Tuzuk-i-Babari). This was likely due to his cultural and linguistic affiliation with the Turks of Central Asia rather than the Mongols.

Were the Mughals Mongols or Turks?

Mongol Connection: Their lineage can be traced to Mongol ancestry through Genghis Khan’s descendants.
Turkic Influence: The Barlas tribe had become Turkic-speaking, and the Mughals culturally identified with Persianate and Turkic traditions rather than Mongol customs.

Sindhi birth and the Adoption of Sindhi Culture

Since the Mughal Empire, many of them who settled in Sindh gradually adopted the Indus culture. Over generations, these migrants integrated into the local society, embracing Sindhi traditions, language, and customs while retaining the Mughal surname as their caste identity.

For example, Mahmood Mughal, an artist, columnist, writer, on PTV and a retired professor of pharmacology at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sindh, is one such individual belonging to the Mughal sindhi surname in Sindh. Many others in Sindh continue to carry the Mughal surname, symbolizing their historical presence in the region while being fully assimilated into the Sindhi way of life.

Conclusion

While the Mughals had Mongol ancestry, they were primarily Turkic in culture and language. It would be more accurate to refer to them as “Barlas Turks” rather than “Barlas Mongols.” However, their mixed heritage played a crucial role in shaping the Mughal identity, blending Persian, Turkic, and Indian influences. In Sindh, the Mughals who settled there gradually adopted the Sindhi Indus culture, integrating deeply into the region’s traditions and forming a distinct Mughal caste within Sindh’s social fabric.