Urdu Sindhi: The Journey of Muhajirs in Pakistan
Urdu Sindhi refers to the Mohajir community, a significant ethnic group in Pakistan. The term “Mohajir” (meaning immigrant) is used for those who migrated from different regions of India to Pakistan during and after the Partition in 1947. Today, a majority of these Urdu Sindhi people reside in the Sindh province, particularly in Karachi, Hyderabad, and other urban centers. They have played a crucial role in shaping the political, economic, and cultural landscape of Sindh.
Migration and the Two-Nation Theory
The migration of Urdu Speaking Muslims was rooted in the Two-Nation Theory, which advocated for a separate Muslim state due to religious and political differences between Hindus and Muslims in British India. Nearly 15 million Urdu speaking Muslims migrated to Pakistan, while an estimated 30 million Sindhi Hindus and others moved to India. Most of the migrants settled in Karachi, making it the largest hub of Urdu speaking Muslims in Pakistan.
Demographics and Settlement
According to the 2023 Pakistani census, Karachi’s population consists of various ethnic groups, but the Urdu speaking Sindhi community remains the largest, forming 50.60% of the city’s total population. Pathans make up 13.52%, while Sindhis constitute 11.12%. Karachi’s diverse population includes people from all provinces of Pakistan, as well as migrants from South Asia. The city continues to attract around 45,000 new migrants every month due to economic opportunities and urban expansion.
Cultural Integration and Coexistence
Over the decades, despite political and social conflicts, the Urdu speaking and native Sindhi communities have found ways to coexist peacefully. Today, there is significant cultural integration, with many Urdu speaking Sindhis adopting Sindhi customs and traditions. Intermarriages between Urdu-speaking and native Sindhis have become more common, further strengthening their social bonds.
Economic Contributions
Urdu Sindhis have made notable contributions to Pakistan’s economy. Karachi, Pakistan’s economic hub, thrives due to the business acumen and entrepreneurship of the Urdu speaking population. Many leading industries, businesses, and financial institutions are managed or influenced by this community, playing a vital role in national progress.
Challenges Faced by Urdu-Speaking Communities
The Urdu-speaking community in Sindh, often referred to as Urdu Sindhis (Muhajirs), has historically faced linguistic and cultural challenges in integrating with the native Sindhi speaking population. The language barrier has been a major point of contention, as Sindhi is the provincial language, while Urdu is the mother tongue of the migrants who settled in urban centers like Karachi, Hyderabad, and Sukkur.
This created a divide in education, employment, and governance, as many Urdu speakers struggled with Sindhi language requirements in official matters, while Sindhis perceived the dominance of Urdu in urban areas as a threat to their linguistic heritage. Beyond language, cultural differences have also been significant. Native Sindhis take pride in their traditional attire, including the Ajrak and Sindhi topi, which symbolize their rich history and identity.
In contrast, Urdu speaking Sindhis typically follow a more diverse and urbanized dress style, often influenced by North Indian and Mughal traditions. These differences, in the past, have contributed to social and political tensions, with both groups viewing each other as culturally distinct.
However, in recent years, a mutual understanding has gradually developed. The younger generations of both communities are now more open to interactions, intermarriages, and cultural exchanges. Many Urdu-speaking individuals have started embracing Sindhi traditions, while Sindhis in urban areas have adopted aspects of Urdu-speaking lifestyles. This growing acceptance has contributed to a more harmonious coexistence, bridging the historical divide and fostering a shared identity within Sindh.
Conclusion
Urdu Sindhis are an integral part of Pakistan’s socio-political and economic fabric. Their migration, struggle for identity, and integration into Sindh’s diverse society reflect the dynamic history of Pakistan. Today, as they continue to contribute to the development of Karachi and other urban centers, Urdu Sindhis stand as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of the migrant communities who made Pakistan their home.