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Sindhi refers to an ethnic group of people originating in Sindh which is part of present day Pakistan. Most Sindhis live in Pakistan, while many Sindhi Hindus emigrated to India when the subcontinent was partitioned in 1947. The Sindhi is an Indo-Aryan tongue with an eclectic history not unlike the Sindhis themselves.

History

The ancient civilization of what came to be known as Harappa and Mohenjodaro both derive their modern location names from the Sindhi language as opposed to the hypothetical Elamo-Dravidian language of the Indus Valley Civilization which remains undeciphered. In Sindhi, Mohan-jo-daro literally translates to Dead-of-Mound or the "mound of the dead."

The Sindhi language was brought to the region by Indo-European invaders millenia ago and a distinct culture emerged in the region. Over time, Sindh developed a multi-cultural society composed of Buddhists, Hindus, and other smaller religious and cultural groups. Sindh was often the final stop for invaders from the west such as the Persians, Greeks, and Arabs and this gave Sindh a distinct and unique culture even before Islamic invasions. The site of a great deal of historical activity, Sindh was at the crossroads of civilization sitting at the edge of South Asia. Sindh was also one of the few Indic regions to become predominantly Muslim and was part of the earliest Islamic empires of the Abbasids and Umayyids. Overrun by Turks, Afghans, and Mughals, Sindh continued to evolve as a frontier state and by the time of British involvement was ruled by Baluchi kings. In 1947, a majority of Sindhis voted to join the new state of Pakistan.

Culture and society

Sindhis are a Northern Indian people who have been modified by mainly Afghan and Turkic invaders over time. As a result of their geographic location and countless invasions and migration, the Sindhis display a wide variety of phenotypes.

Sindhi culture is a combination of Muslim and Northern Indian customs and civilizations. Religious tolerance was the norm in Sindh prior to partition as both Muslim and Hindu Sindhis found common ground through Sufism and veneration of Sufi saints remains common for both groups. 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 majority of Hindus who have remained in Pakistan. Predominantly Muslim Sindhis tend to follow the Sunni sect, but Shia Muslims are also quite numerous.

Sindhi women are still very traditional overall, but many wear very colorful clothes, while donning a 'chadore' on their heads; men traditionally wear a white or blue clothing and often wear turbans or a traditional Sindhi cap on their heads. This, however, has changed in cities where some more devout women can be seen wearing the hijab, while the shalwar kameez and Western clothing have become common for men.

Sindhis usually flourish in business particularly that of cloth and textiles. Most Hindu Sindhis are identifiable by the "ani" at the end their last names like Daswani, Mahboobani etc.

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