Thousands of Gujaratis are seen anywhere and everywhere in Sindh involved in various occupations
[Editor’s Note: This is Part 24 (Gujaratis of Karachi – Part – 1) of a series of articles based on a pre-partition book named “મારી સિંધ યાત્રા” (“منهنجي سنڌ جو سفر”) in Gujarati authored by a scholarly Jain sadhu Shri Vidyavijayji, narrating his experiences of Journey and his Stay in Karachi for about 2 and a half years between 1937 and 1939. It would be advisable to click on the Introductory Article and read it to better understand the series. – Nasir Aijaz, Editor Sindh Courier]
Vimal Shah, Mumbai
The Status of Gujaratis
There’s a saying ‘When you are in a foreign country even a dog from your nation is dear to you.’ After departing from Marwad if we meet any Gujarati Station Master or a railway staff, he and our entire group used to get thrilled. We used to keep talking all the time and even indulge in personal talks.
Gujaratis in a Village of Sindh
On the way from Mirpurkhas to Hala and Hala to Hyderabad murmurs like ‘Hey! See them! How come the Gurus of Baniyas are in this region?’ used to occasionally grab our attention. ‘Who are you, brother?’ ‘We are Vaghris (Baghris), Sir!’ ‘How come you are in this region? ‘We had to come to this sinful region for earning a living, Sir!’ – We all used to experience a different kind of feeling with such dialogues with them. Once we were resting in the veranda of a small cottage in a small village of Sindh. Some people were sleeping while others were awake. A group of five to ten people arrived with tambura (tanpura) and manjira (castanets). ‘Who are you all?’ ‘Bapji! (With respect) We are Dhedh.’ We could make out that they are Gujaratis. ‘How come you are here?’ ‘We harvest in fields here. We live here for several years, Sir!’ ‘We came to know that Maharaj has arrived from our native, so we came over to take darshan, etc. Shall we sing a few Bhajans?’ ‘Yes of course!’.
Then the atmosphere was filled with vigorous striking and beating of the musical instruments. The Harijans started singing in tunes. Those who were sleeping woke up and everyone was engrossed in listening to the Bhajans.
Gujaratis have penetrated even small villages of Sindh. Some are harvesting grains, and some are growing vegetables for earning their living. Some are sweepers, and some clean lavatories
We encountered many such incidents during the journey. Gujaratis have penetrated even small villages of Sindh. Some are harvesting grains, and some are growing vegetables for earning their living. Some are sweepers, and some clean lavatories. Thousands of Gujaratis are seen anywhere and everywhere in Sindh involved in various occupations.
We found a considerable population of Gujaratis in Hyderabad. The population of all the casts, whether – Vaniya or Brahmin, Teli or Tamboli, Darji or Sutar, Mochi or Bhangi – is in Hyderabad to more or less extent.
Gujarati Karachi
As opined by Shri Khandhadiya, Gujaratis have created a ‘Gujarati Karachi’ within Karachi. The population of Karachi is about three lakhs today. Out of that about eighty to nighty thousand are Gujaratis. These Gujaratis include Kutchis, Kathiyawadis, and Gujaratis. In the words of Bhai Hiralal Ganatra:
Adventurous Memons of Kutch Kathiyawad, Practical Bohras of Siddhapur, and Parsis the Heroes of Charity are also Gujaratis. There’s a large population of Harijans living in Karachi.
Gujaratis cannot remain from shining in any nation. The intelligence of Gujaratis, skills & tactics of Gujaratis, and the sharpness of Gujaratis cannot remain hidden. Even if there are just one or two Gujaratis in the smallest village of Bengal or Assam, they would have subdued the village! I remembered the words of the great Gujarati poet Nanalal after seeing the status of Gujaratis in Karachi:
“Gujaratis created a Gujarat wherever they migrated. Ram-Lakshman-Janaki (Seeta) inculcated Aaryan Culture in all the Aashrams in the wilderness across the Vindhyachal. Likewise, the Ram-Lakshman-Janakis of Gujarat, i.e., the dwellers of Gujarat inculcated bowers of Gujarati culture and established a Gujarat wherever they migrated in this world.”
The footsteps of a Gujaratan (Gujarati lady) are like footprints of kumkum (auspicious red turmeric). The way Janakiji had beautified the vatika of Panchavati (the site from where Ravan had abducted Sita), the Gujaratans have beautified the Gujarati mohallas.”
Today you would find Gujaratis belonging to all the castes in Karachi. Kutchi, Lohana, Bhatia, Jain, Bohra, Khoja, Mochi (cobbler), Hajjam (Nai / Barber), Vaghri, Meghwal, Kadia (mason), Mistry, Sutar, etc., all the castes are there.
Gujaratis created a Gujarat wherever they migrated
If you think of the religious angle, you will find people of all faiths present in Karachi. Whether Sanatani or Jain, Ramanuj or Vallabh Sampraday, Kabirpanth or Swaminarayan, Parsi or Musalman – followers of all faiths are there in Karachi. Faith is like the shadow of a man which follows it everywhere. The faith of a person follows him wherever he goes. By that rule followers of all faiths have turned this ‘An-arya Bhoomi’ (non-Aaryan land) into ‘Aarya Bhoomi’ (Aaryan land) by establishing their own places of worship. And revived the truth that ‘Sindh is the original homeland of Aaryans’. (Continues – Read Part 25th on Sunday July 30, 2023)
Click here for Part-I, Part-II, Part-III, Part-IV, Part-V , Part-VI , Part-VII , Part-VIII , Part-IX, Part-X, Part-XI, Part-XII, Part-XIII , Part-XIV, Part-XV, Part-XVI , Part-XVII, Part-XVIII , Part-XIX, Part-XX, Part-XXI, Part-XXII , Part-XXIII
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About the contributor of the series of Articles based on the book
Vimal Shah is a follower of Jainism by birth and is based in Mumbai, India. He is a Computer Engineer and holds a Diploma in Jainology from Mumbai University. He has an immense interest in reading, writing, studying, and teaching Jain Philosophical subjects. He conducts classroom as well as online sessions on Jain Philosophical courses. He continues to study various subjects and remains a student of Jain Philosophy. He has significantly contributed to the Translation Project of the ‘Compendium of Jainism’ from English to Gujarati – an initiative of the JAINA India Foundation. He is also associated with a Project for the translation of Jain Aagams (Scriptures) from Gujarati to English. He has a special interest in the history and preservation of the Jain Heritage in Pakistan. He was part of a Delegation of the Jain Heritage Foundation, New Delhi that visited various Jain Heritage Sites in Pakistan in May-2023.
