Jump to content

Muhajir (Pakistan): Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Nestwiki (talk | contribs)
3,625 edits
mNo edit summary
Nestwiki (talk | contribs)
3,625 edits
wikify
Line 13: Line 13:
'''Muhajir''' ({{lang-ur|{{nq|مہاجر}}}},{{lang-ar|مهاجر}},{{lang-fa|مهاجر}}){{efn|sometimes referred to as '''"Urdu-speaking people"''' or '''"Urdumandan"''' ({{lang-ur|{{nq|اردومندان}}}}; singular '''"Urdumand"''' {{lang-ur|{{nq|اردومند}}}})}} is a term used in Pakistan to describe the immigrants from other parts of the [[South Asia]] and their descendants, who chose to settle in Pakistan and shifted their domicile after [[Pakistan Movement|independence]] of [[Pakistan]] from [[British Raj|British rule]]. Some had participated in the movement for a state of Pakistan in 1947. Most migrants migrated from the Muslim minority provinces to Muslim majority provinces within the British Raj.
'''Muhajir''' ({{lang-ur|{{nq|مہاجر}}}},{{lang-ar|مهاجر}},{{lang-fa|مهاجر}}){{efn|sometimes referred to as '''"Urdu-speaking people"''' or '''"Urdumandan"''' ({{lang-ur|{{nq|اردومندان}}}}; singular '''"Urdumand"''' {{lang-ur|{{nq|اردومند}}}})}} is a term used in Pakistan to describe the immigrants from other parts of the [[South Asia]] and their descendants, who chose to settle in Pakistan and shifted their domicile after [[Pakistan Movement|independence]] of [[Pakistan]] from [[British Raj|British rule]]. Some had participated in the movement for a state of Pakistan in 1947. Most migrants migrated from the Muslim minority provinces to Muslim majority provinces within the British Raj.


Muhajir identity no longer exists in Punjab as most of the families have been assimilated into local culture and are identified geographically as [[Punjabi people|Punjabis]] like other residents. Also the migrants remained active in local politics of the Punjab. General [[Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq]] was of Muhajir origin and he was born in the Indian side of Punjab and later migrated. Similarly famous politician of PMLN [[Khawaja Saad Rafique]] is the son of Khwaja Muhammad Rafique who migrated from Indian Punjab Indian to Pakistani Punjab after the [[Pakistan Movement|independence]] of Pakistan.
Muhajir identity no longer exists in Punjab as most of the [[Punjabi people|Punjabis]] families have been assimilated into local culture and are identified geographically as [[Punjabi people|Punjabis]] like other residents. Also the migrants remained active in local politics of the Punjab. General [[Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq]] was of Muhajir origin and he was born in the Indian Punjab and later migrated. Similarly famous politician of PMLN [[Khawaja Saad Rafique]] is the son of Khwaja Muhammad Rafique who migrated from Indian Punjab to Pakistani Punjab after the [[Pakistan Movement|independence]] of Pakistan in 1947.

Muhajir identity is more common in Sindh where some government policies led to the polarization between Sindhi and Urdu speakers.


==Etymology==
==Etymology==
The Urdu term ''muhājir'' ({{lang-ur|{{Nastaliq|مہاجر}}}}) comes from the Arabic ''muhājir'' ({{lang-ar|مهاجر}}), meaning a "migrant", and the term is associated in early [[History of Islam|Islamic]] history to the [[Hijra (Islam)|migration]] of [[Muslim]]s from [[Makkah]] to [[Madinah]]. After the [[Pakistan Movement|independence]] of [[Pakistan]], a significant number of Muslims emigrated or were out-migrated from territory that became [[Republic of India|India]].<ref>Vazira Fazila-Yacoobali Zamindar, ''The Long Partition and the making of modern South Asia: refugees, boundaries, histories'', New York: Columbia University Press, 2007.</ref> A large portion of these migrants came from [[East Punjab]], and settled in [[Punjab (Pakistan)|Pakistani Punjab]]. Sharing a common culture and with tribal linkages, many assimilated within a generation. Another significant percentage are of [[Gujarati people|Gujarati]] ethnicity.
The Urdu term ''muhājir'' ({{lang-ur|{{Nastaliq|مہاجر}}}}) comes from the Arabic ''muhājir'' ({{lang-ar|مهاجر}}), meaning a "migrant", and the term is associated in early [[History of Islam|Islamic]] history to the [[Hijra (Islam)|migration]] of [[Muslim]]s from [[Makkah]] to [[Madinah]]. After the [[Pakistan Movement|independence]] of [[Pakistan]], a significant number of Muslims emigrated or were out-migrated from territory that became [[Republic of India|India]].<ref>Vazira Fazila-Yacoobali Zamindar, ''The Long Partition and the making of modern South Asia: refugees, boundaries, histories'', New York: Columbia University Press, 2007.</ref> A large portion of these migrants came from [[East Punjab]], and settled in [[Punjab (Pakistan)|Pakistani Punjab]]. Sharing a common culture and with tribal linkages, many assimilated within a generation. Another significant percentage are of [[Gujarati people|Gujarati]] ethnicity.


However, the majority of the Muslim migrants who moved to [[Sindh]] migrated from what then were the British Indian provinces of [[Bombay]], [[Bihar]], Central Provinces and Berar, Delhi, and the United Provinces, as well as the [[princely states]] of [[Hyderabad State|Hyderabad]], [[Baroda]], [[Kutch]] and the [[Rajputana Agency]]. Most of these refugees settled in the towns and cities of Sindh, such as [[Karachi]], [[Hyderabad, Sindh|Hyderabad]], [[Sukkur]] and [[Mirpurkhas]]. Many spoke [[Urdu language|Urdu]], or dialects of the language such as [[Dakhani]], [[Khari boli]], [[Awadhi language|Awadhi]], [[Bhojpuri language|Bhojpuri]], [[Mewati language|Mewati]] and [[Marwari language|Marwari]]. Over a period of a few decades, these disparate groups sharing the common experience of migration, and political opposition to the military regime of [[Ayub Khan (Field Marshal)|Ayub Khan]] and his civilian successor [[Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto]] evolved into a distinct ethnic grouping.<ref>Oskar Verkaaik, ''A people of migrants: ethnicity, state, and religion in Karachi'', Amsterdam: VU University Press, 1994</ref>
However, the majority of the Muslim migrants who moved to [[Sindh]] migrated from what then were the British Indian provinces of [[Bombay]], [[Bihar]], [[Madhya Pradesh|Central Provinces]], [[Berar Province|Berar]], [[Delhi]], and the [[Uttar Pradesh|United Provinces]], as well as the [[princely states]] of [[Hyderabad State|Hyderabad]], [[Baroda]], [[Kutch]] and the [[Rajputana Agency]]. Most of these refugees settled in the towns and cities of Sindh, such as [[Karachi]], [[Hyderabad, Sindh|Hyderabad]], [[Sukkur]] and [[Mirpurkhas]]. Many spoke [[Urdu language|Urdu]], or dialects of the language such as [[Dakhani]], [[Khari boli]], [[Awadhi language|Awadhi]], [[Bhojpuri language|Bhojpuri]], [[Mewati language|Mewati]] and [[Marwari language|Marwari]]. Over a period of a few decades, these disparate groups sharing the common experience of migration, and political opposition to the military regime of [[Ayub Khan (Field Marshal)|Ayub Khan]] and his civilian successor [[Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto]] evolved into a distinct ethnic grouping.<ref>Oskar Verkaaik, ''A people of migrants: ethnicity, state, and religion in Karachi'', Amsterdam: VU University Press, 1994</ref>


==Reasons for immigration==
==Reasons for immigration==


The reasons for immigration of Urdu-speaking people to Pakistan needs to be put in context with the context of the time. For many Muhajirs, particularly the noble and aristocratic class, settling in Pakistan was strongly associated with the [[Pakistan Movement|independence]] movement.
The reasons for immigration of Urdu-speaking people to Pakistan needs to be put in context with the context of the time. For many Muhajirs, particularly the noble and aristocratic class, settling in [[Pakistan]] was strongly associated with the [[Pakistan Movement|independence]] movement.


<nowiki> </nowiki>The [[Pakistan movement]], to constitute a separate state comprising the Muslim-majority provinces of South Asia, was pioneered by the Muslim elite of the region and many notables of the [[Aligarh Movement]]. It was initiated in the 19th century when Sir [[Syed Ahmed Khan]] expounded the Muslim autonomy in [[Aligarh Muslim University|Aligarh]]. Many Muslim nobles, Nawabs (aristocrats and landed gentry) supported the idea. As the idea spread, it gained great support amongst the Muslim population of South Asia and in particular the rising middle and upper classes.
<nowiki> </nowiki>The [[Pakistan movement]], to constitute a separate state comprising the Muslim-majority provinces of South Asia, was pioneered by the Muslim elite of the region and many notables of the [[Aligarh Movement]]. It was initiated in the 19th century when Sir [[Syed Ahmed Khan]] expounded the Muslim autonomy in [[Aligarh Muslim University|Aligarh]]. Many Muslim nobles, Nawabs (aristocrats and landed gentry) supported the idea. As the idea spread, it gained great support amongst the Muslim population of South Asia and in particular the rising middle and upper classes.


The Muslims had launched the movement under the banner of the [[All India Muslim League]] and [[Delhi]] was its main centre. The headquarters of [[All India Muslim League]] (the founding party of Pakistan) was based here since its creation in 1906 in Dhaka (present day Bangladesh) and up to August 1947. The participation in the movement on ideological grounds and supporting its Muslim cause with approximately half of the entire mandate in 1945–46 elections.<ref>Prof. M. Azam Chaudhary, ''The History of the Pakistan Movement,'' p. 368. Abdullah Brothers, Urdu Bazar Lahore.</ref>
The Muslims had launched the movement under the banner of the [[All India Muslim League]] and [[Delhi]] was its main centre. The headquarters of [[All India Muslim League]] (the founding party of Pakistan) was based here since its creation in 1906 in [[Dhaka]] (present day Bangladesh) and up to August 1947. The participation in the movement on ideological grounds and supporting its Muslim cause with approximately half of the entire mandate in 1945–46 elections.<ref>Prof. M. Azam Chaudhary, ''The History of the Pakistan Movement,'' p. 368. Abdullah Brothers, Urdu Bazar Lahore.</ref>


The [[Pakistan Movement|independence]] of [[Pakistan]] in 1947 saw the settlement of [[Muslim]] refugees fleeing from [[Persecution of Muslims|anti-Muslim]] [[pogram]]s from India. In Karachi, the [[Urdu language|Urdu]] speaking Muhajirs form the majority of the population and gives the city its [[North Indian|northern Indian]] atmosphere.<ref>"[http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=72145 Karachi violence stokes renewed ethnic tension]". IRIN Asia. Retrieved 2007-05-17.</ref> The [[Muslim]] refugees lost their land and properties in India when they fled and were partly compensated by properties left by Hindus that migrated to India. The Muslim [[Gujarati people|Gujaratis]], [[Konkani Muslims|Konkani]], [[Hyderabadi Muslims|Hyderabadis]], [[Marathi people|Marathi]], [[Rajasthani people|Rajasthani]], [[Punjabi people|Punjabi]] fled India and settled in Karachi. There is also a sizable community of [[Malayali people|Malayali]] Muslims in Karachi (the [[Mappila]]), originally from [[Kerala]] in [[South India]].<ref>[http://www.dnaindia.com/world/report_where-malayalees-once-held-sway_4610 Where Malayalees once held sway], DNA India</ref> The non-Urdu speaking Muslim refugees from India now speak the [[Urdu language]] and have [[Cultural assimilation|assimilated]] and are considered as Muhajirs.
The [[Pakistan Movement|independence]] of [[Pakistan]] in 1947 saw the settlement of [[Muslim]] refugees fleeing from [[Persecution of Muslims|anti-Muslim]] [[pogram]]s from India. In Karachi, the [[Urdu language|Urdu]] speaking Muhajirs form the majority of the population and gives the city its [[North Indian|northern Indian]] atmosphere.<ref>"[http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=72145 Karachi violence stokes renewed ethnic tension]". IRIN Asia. Retrieved 2007-05-17.</ref> The [[Muslim]] refugees lost all their land and properties in India when they fled and some were partly compensated by properties left by Hindus that migrated to India. The Muslim [[Gujarati people|Gujaratis]], [[Konkani Muslims|Konkani]], [[Hyderabadi Muslims|Hyderabadis]], [[Marathi people|Marathi]], [[Rajasthani people|Rajasthani]], [[Punjabi people|Punjabi]] fled India and settled in Karachi. There is also a sizable community of [[Malayali people|Malayali]] Muslims in Karachi (the [[Mappila]]), originally from [[Kerala]] in [[South India]].<ref>[http://www.dnaindia.com/world/report_where-malayalees-once-held-sway_4610 Where Malayalees once held sway], DNA India</ref> The non-Urdu speaking Muslim refugees from India now speak the [[Urdu language]] and have [[Cultural assimilation|assimilated]] and are considered as Muhajirs.


Most of the Muhajirs now live in [[Karachi]] which was the first capital of [[Pakistan]]. After the [[Pakistan Movement|independence]] of [[Pakistan]] in 1947, the minority [[Hindu]]s and [[Sikh]]s [[Human migration|migrated]] to [[India]] while the [[Muslim]] [[refugees]] from India settled in [[Karachi]].<ref>[http://www.pqa.gov.pk/about_karachi.php Population increase in Karachi - Ref. from Port Qasim Official website]</ref>
Most of the Muhajirs now live in [[Karachi]] which was the first capital of [[Pakistan]]. After the [[Pakistan Movement|independence]] of [[Pakistan]] in 1947, the minority [[Hindu]]s and [[Sikh]]s [[Human migration|migrated]] to [[India]] while the [[Muslim]] [[refugees]] from India settled in [[Karachi]].<ref>[http://www.pqa.gov.pk/about_karachi.php Population increase in Karachi - Ref. from Port Qasim Official website]</ref>
Line 36: Line 34:
==Origin and ancestral roots==
==Origin and ancestral roots==


The [[Urdu language|Urdu]] speaking people of [[Pakistan]] and [[India]] has diverse roots. Many [[Sufi]] missionaries from [[Middle East]] and [[Central Asia]] migrated and settled in [[South Asia]]. The [[Delhi Sultanate]] and later [[Mughal Empire]] ruled the [[North India|northern India]] region. Many natives converted to [[Islam]] due to the [[missionary]] [[Sufi]] saints whose [[dargah]]s dot the landscape. During the [[Delhi Sultanate]] and later Mughal Empire attracted Muslim refugees, [[Nobility|nobles]], [[Technocracy|technocrats]], [[bureaucrat]]s, [[soldiers]], [[Merchant|traders]], [[scientist]]s, [[architect]]s, [[teacher]]s, [[poet]]s, [[artist]]s, [[Theology|theologians]] and [[Sufi]]s from the rest of the [[Muslim world]] and they migrated and settled in the [[South Asia]]. During the reign of [[Ghiyas ud din Balban|Sultan Ghyasuddin Balban]] (1266-1286) thousands of [[Central Asia]]n Muslims seek asylum and upwards of 15 sovereigns due to the [[Mongol invasion of Khwarezmia and Eastern Iran]]. At the court of [[Iltutmish|Sultan Iltemish]] in Delhi the first wave of these refugees escaping from the [[Mongol invasion of Khwarezmia and Eastern Iran|genocide]] perpetrated by the barbaric hordes of [[Genghis Khan]], brought administrators from [[Iran]], painters from [[China]], theologians from [[Bukhara]], divines and saints from all Muslim lands, craftsmen and men and maidens from every region, doctors adept in Greek medicine, philosophers from everywhere. The Muslims from various provinces such as [[Hyderabad Deccan]], [[Kerala]], [[Balochistan region|Balochistan]], [[Sindh]], [[Punjab region|Punjab]], [[Gujarat]], [[Kashmir]] and other parts of [[South Asia]] also moved to capitals of Muslim empire in [[Delhi]] and [[Agra]]. Millions of natives converted to [[Islam]] during the Muslim rule. [[Lodi dynasty]] was dominated by the [[Pashtun people|Pashtuns]] soldiers from [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]] and [[Afghanistan]] who settled in the northern India. After the [[Battle of Panipat (1526)]] [[Mughal Empire|Mughal Emperor]] [[Babur]] defeated the [[Lodi dynasty]] with [[Tajik people|Tajik]], [[Chagatai people|Chagatai]] and [[Uzbek people|Uzbek]] soldiers and nobility. Theses [[Central Asia]]n [[Turkic peoples|Turk]] soldiers and nobles were awarded estates and they settled in the northern India.[[Tahmasp I|Shah Tahmasp]] provided financial aid, 12,000 choice of cavalry and thousands of additional soldiers to Mughal Emperor [[Humayun]] to regain his Empire. [[Persian people|Persians]] [[Nobility|nobles]], [[Technocracy|technocrats]] and [[bureaucrat]]s, also joined Mughal Emperor [[Humayun]] and his Persian and [[Pashtun people|Pashtun]] soldiers in the reconquest of South Asia. Theses soldiers were awarded estates and they settled in the northern India. These diverse ethnic, cultural and linguistic groups merged over the centuries to the form [[Urdu language|Urdu]] speaking Muslims of [[South Asia]].
The [[Urdu language|Urdu]] speaking people of [[Pakistan]] and [[India]] has diverse roots. Many [[Sufi]] missionaries from [[Middle East]] and [[Central Asia]] migrated and settled in [[South Asia]]. Many natives converted to [[Islam]] due to eeforts of the [[missionary]] [[Sufi]] saints whose [[dargah]]s dot the landscape of [[South Asia]]. The [[Delhi Sultanate]] and later [[Mughal Empire]] ruled the [[North India|northern India]] region. During the [[Delhi Sultanate]] and later Mughal Empire attracted [[Muhajir|Muslim refugees]], [[Nobility|nobles]], [[Technocracy|technocrats]], [[bureaucrat]]s, [[soldiers]], [[Merchant|traders]], [[scientist]]s, [[architect]]s, [[artisan]]s, [[teacher]]s, [[poet]]s, [[artist]]s, [[Theology|theologians]] and [[Sufi]]s from the rest of the [[Muslim world]] and they migrated and settled in the [[South Asia]]. During the reign of [[Ghiyas ud din Balban|Sultan Ghyasuddin Balban]] (1266-1286) thousands of [[Central Asia]]n Muslims seeked [Right of asylum|asylum]] including more than of 15 sovereigns and their nobles due to the [[Mongol invasion of Khwarezmia and Eastern Iran]]. At the court of [[Iltutmish|Sultan Iltemish]] in Delhi the first wave of these Muslim refugees escaping from the [[Central Asia]]n [[Mongol invasion of Khwarezmia and Eastern Iran|genocide]] perpetrated by the barbaric hordes of [[Genghis Khan]], brought administrators from [[Iran]], painters from [[China]], theologians from [[Samarkand]], [[Nishapur]] and [[Bukhara]], divines and saints from all Muslim lands, craftsmen and men and maidens from every region, doctors adept in Greek medicine, philosophers from everywhere. The Muslims from various provinces such as [[Hyderabad Deccan]], [[Kerala]], [[Balochistan region|Balochistan]], [[Sindh]], [[Punjab region|Punjab]], [[Gujarat]], [[Kashmir]] and other parts of [[South Asia]] also moved to capitals of Muslim empire in [[Delhi]] and [[Agra]]. Millions of natives converted to [[Islam]] during the Muslim rule. [[Lodi dynasty]] was dominated by the [[Pashtun people|Pashtuns]] soldiers from [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]] and [[Afghanistan]] who settled in the [[North India|northern India]]. After the [[Battle of Panipat (1526)]] [[Mughal Empire|Mughal Emperor]] [[Babur]] defeated the [[Lodi dynasty]] with [[Tajik people|Tajik]], [[Chagatai people|Chagatai]] and [[Uzbek people|Uzbek]] soldiers and nobility. Theses [[Central Asia]]n [[Turkic peoples|Turk]] soldiers and nobles were awarded estates and they settled with their families in the [[North India|northern India]]. [[Safavid dynasty|Safavi Emperor]] [[Tahmasp I|Shah Tahmasp]] provided financial aid, 12,000 choice of cavalry and thousands of infantry soldiers to Mughal Emperor [[Humayun]] to regain his Empire. [[Persian people|Persians]] [[Nobility|nobles]], [[Technocracy|technocrats]] and [[bureaucrat]]s, also joined Mughal Emperor [[Humayun]] and his Persian and [[Pashtun people|Pashtun]] soldiers in the reconquest of South Asia. Theses soldiers were awarded estates and they settled with their families in the [[North India|northern India]]. These diverse ethnic, cultural and linguistic groups merged over the centuries to the form [[Urdu language|Urdu]] speaking Muslims of [[South Asia]].


The Rohilla leader Daud Khan was awarded the [[Katehar]] (later called [[Rohilkhand]]) region in the then northern India by [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] emperor [[Aurangzeb]] Alamgir (ruled 1658-1707) to suppress [[Rajput]] uprisings, which had afflicted this region. Originally, some 20,000 soldiers from various Pashtun tribes ([[Yusafzai]], Ghori, [[Ghilzai]], Barech, [[Marwat]], [[Durrani]], [[Tareen]], [[Kakar]], [[Naghar]], [[Afridi (Pashtun)|Afridi]] and [[Khattak]]) were hired by Mughals to provide soldiers to the Mughal armies and this was appreciated by Aurangzeb Alamgir, an additional force of 25,000 men was given respected positions in Mughal Army. Nearly all of them settled in the [[Katehar]] region and brought their families from modern [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]] and [[Afghanistan]]. During [[Nadir Shah]]'s invasion of northern India in 1739, the new wave of Pashtuns settled increasing their population to over 100,0000. Due to the large settlement of Rohilla [[Pashtun people|Afghans]], the [[Katehar]] region gained fame as Rohilkhand. [[Bareilly]] was made the capital of the Rohilkhand state. Other important cities were [[Moradabad]], [[Rampur (Uttar Pradesh)|Rampur]], [[Shahjahanpur]], [[Badaun District|Badaun]], and others.<ref>''An Eighteenth Century History of North India: An Account Of The Rise And Fall Of The Rohilla Chiefs In Janbhasha'' by Rustam Ali Bijnori by Iqtidar Husain Siddiqui Manohar Publications</ref><ref>''Imperial Gazetteer of India'' by W M Hunter</ref> After the [[Third Battle of Panipat]] fought in 1761 between the [[Ahmad Shah Durrani]] and [[Maratha Empire]] thousands of [[Pashtun people|Pashtun]] and [[Baloch people|Baloch]] soldiers settled in the northern India. These diverse ethnic, cultural and linguistic groups merged over the centuries to the form the [[Urdu language|Urdu]] speaking Muslims of [[South Asia]].
The Rohilla leader Daud Khan was awarded the [[Katehar]] (later called [[Rohilkhand]]) region in the then [[North India|northern India]] by [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] emperor [[Aurangzeb]] Alamgir (ruled 1658-1707) to suppress the [[Rajput]] uprisings, which had afflicted this region. Originally, some 20,000 soldiers from various Pashtun tribes ([[Yusafzai]], Ghori, [[Ghilzai]], Barech, [[Marwat]], [[Durrani]], [[Tareen]], [[Kakar]], [[Naghar]], [[Afridi (Pashtun)|Afridi]] and [[Khattak]]) were hired by Mughals to provide soldiers to the Mughal armies. Their performance appreciated by Aurangzeb Alamgir, an additional force of 25,000 Pashtun were recruited and were given respected positions in Mughal Army. Nearly all of them settled in the [[Katehar]] region and brought their families from modern [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]] and [[Afghanistan]]. During [[Nadir Shah]]'s invasion of northern India in 1739, the new wave of Pashtuns settled increasing their population to over 100,0000. Due to the large settlement of Rohilla [[Pashtun people|Afghans]], the [[Katehar]] region gained fame as Rohilkhand. [[Bareilly]] was made the capital of the Rohilkhand state. Other important cities were [[Moradabad]], [[Rampur (Uttar Pradesh)|Rampur]], [[Shahjahanpur]], [[Badaun District|Badaun]], and others.<ref>''An Eighteenth Century History of North India: An Account Of The Rise And Fall Of The Rohilla Chiefs In Janbhasha'' by Rustam Ali Bijnori by Iqtidar Husain Siddiqui Manohar Publications</ref><ref>''Imperial Gazetteer of India'' by W M Hunter</ref> After the [[Third Battle of Panipat]] fought in 1761 between the [[Ahmad Shah Durrani]] and [[Maratha Empire]] thousands of [[Pashtun people|Pashtun]] and [[Baloch people|Baloch]] soldiers settled in the northern India. These diverse ethnic, cultural and linguistic groups merged over the centuries to the form the [[Urdu language|Urdu]] speaking Muslims of [[South Asia]].


It is estimated that about 35% of Urdu speakers in Pakistan are of [[Pashtun people|Pashtun]] origin. Before the [[Pakistan Movement|independence]] of [[Pakistan]], in states such as Uttar Pradesh,
It is estimated that about 35% of Urdu speakers in Pakistan are of [[Pashtun people|Pashtun]] origin. Before the [[Pakistan Movement|independence]] of [[Pakistan]], in provinces such as [[United Provinces (1937–50)|Uttar Pradesh]] and [[Bihar]] had significant population of Pashtuns. These Pashtuns over the years lost their language [[Pashto language|Pashto]] and culture and adopted Urdu as their first language. Sub-groups also includes the [[Hyderabadi Muslims]], [[Memon people|Memon Muslims]], [[Bihari Muslims]] etc. who keep many of their unique cultural traditions.<ref>Karen Isaksen Leonard, ''Locating home: India's Hyderabadis abroad''</ref> Muslims from what are now the states of [[Delhi]], [[Bihar]] and [[Uttar Pradesh]] were themselves of heterogeneous origin.
and Bihar had significant population of Pashtuns. These Pashtuns over the years lost their language [[Pashto]] and culture and adopted Urdu as their first language. Sub-groups also includes the [[Hyderabadi Muslims]], [[Memon people|Memon Muslims]], [[Bihari Muslims]] etc. who keep many of their unique cultural traditions.<ref>Karen Isaksen Leonard, ''Locating home: India's Hyderabadis abroad''</ref> Muslims from what are now the states of [[Delhi]], [[Bihar]] and [[Uttar Pradesh]] were themselves of heterogeneous origin.


The [[Kayastha]] community that has historically been involved in the occupations of land [[Records management|record keeping]] and [[accounting]]. Many Hindu Kayasth found favour with [[Muslim]] rulers for whom the acted as [[Qanungoh Shaikh|Qanungo]]s. This close association, led to the conversion of many members of the [[Kayastha]] community to [[Islam]]. The [[Muslim Kayasths]] speak [[Urdu language|Urdu]]<ref name="ReferenceA">People of India Uttar Pradesh page 1047</ref> while they also speak [[Sindhi language|Sindhi]] and [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] in [[Pakistan]]. The Kayasth sometime use [[Siddiqui]], [[Quraishi]], [[Khan]], [[Shaikhs in South Asia|Shaikh]], [[Usmani]] and [[Farooqi]] as their surnames, and consider themselves belonging to the [[Shaikhs in South Asia|Shaikh]] community.<ref name="ReferenceC">Endogamy and Status Mobility among Siddiqui Shaikh in Social Stratication edited by Dipankar Gupta</ref>
The [[Kayastha]] community that has historically been involved in the occupations of land [[Records management|record keeping]] and [[accounting]]. Many Hindu Kayasth found favour with [[Muslim]] rulers for whom the acted as [[Qanungoh Shaikh|Qanungo]]s. This close association, led to the conversion of many members of the [[Kayastha]] community to [[Islam]]. The [[Muslim Kayasths]] speak [[Urdu language|Urdu]]<ref name="ReferenceA">People of India Uttar Pradesh page 1047</ref> while they also speak [[Sindhi language|Sindhi]] and [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] in [[Pakistan]]. The Kayasth sometime use [[Siddiqui]], [[Quraishi]], [[Khan]], [[Shaikhs in South Asia|Shaikh]], [[Usmani]] and [[Farooqi]] as their surnames, and consider themselves belonging to the [[Shaikhs in South Asia|Shaikh]] community.<ref name="ReferenceC">Endogamy and Status Mobility among Siddiqui Shaikh in Social Stratication edited by Dipankar Gupta</ref>

Revision as of 01:29, 14 July 2014

Muhajir people
مہاجر
File:Altaf Hussain MQM.jpg
File:Shahryarkhan-forsec.jpgFile:Chundrigar1957.jpg
1st row: Altaf Hussain · Liaqat Ali Khan · Pervez Musharraf
2nd row: Nawabzada Shahryar Khan · Shaukat Aziz · I.I Chundrigar
3rd row:Nazia Hassan · Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy · Abdul Sattar Edhi
Regions with significant populations
Pakistan Pakistan
Languages
Urdu
Religion
Islam

Template:Contains Urdu text Muhajir (Urdu: مہاجر,Arabic: مهاجر,Persian: مهاجر)[a] is a term used in Pakistan to describe the immigrants from other parts of the South Asia and their descendants, who chose to settle in Pakistan and shifted their domicile after independence of Pakistan from British rule. Some had participated in the movement for a state of Pakistan in 1947. Most migrants migrated from the Muslim minority provinces to Muslim majority provinces within the British Raj.

Muhajir identity no longer exists in Punjab as most of the Punjabis families have been assimilated into local culture and are identified geographically as Punjabis like other residents. Also the migrants remained active in local politics of the Punjab. General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq was of Muhajir origin and he was born in the Indian Punjab and later migrated. Similarly famous politician of PMLN Khawaja Saad Rafique is the son of Khwaja Muhammad Rafique who migrated from Indian Punjab to Pakistani Punjab after the independence of Pakistan in 1947.

Etymology

The Urdu term muhājir (Urdu: مہاجر) comes from the Arabic muhājir (Arabic: مهاجر), meaning a "migrant", and the term is associated in early Islamic history to the migration of Muslims from Makkah to Madinah. After the independence of Pakistan, a significant number of Muslims emigrated or were out-migrated from territory that became India.[2] A large portion of these migrants came from East Punjab, and settled in Pakistani Punjab. Sharing a common culture and with tribal linkages, many assimilated within a generation. Another significant percentage are of Gujarati ethnicity.

However, the majority of the Muslim migrants who moved to Sindh migrated from what then were the British Indian provinces of Bombay, Bihar, Central Provinces, Berar, Delhi, and the United Provinces, as well as the princely states of Hyderabad, Baroda, Kutch and the Rajputana Agency. Most of these refugees settled in the towns and cities of Sindh, such as Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur and Mirpurkhas. Many spoke Urdu, or dialects of the language such as Dakhani, Khari boli, Awadhi, Bhojpuri, Mewati and Marwari. Over a period of a few decades, these disparate groups sharing the common experience of migration, and political opposition to the military regime of Ayub Khan and his civilian successor Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto evolved into a distinct ethnic grouping.[3]

Reasons for immigration

The reasons for immigration of Urdu-speaking people to Pakistan needs to be put in context with the context of the time. For many Muhajirs, particularly the noble and aristocratic class, settling in Pakistan was strongly associated with the independence movement.

The Pakistan movement, to constitute a separate state comprising the Muslim-majority provinces of South Asia, was pioneered by the Muslim elite of the region and many notables of the Aligarh Movement. It was initiated in the 19th century when Sir Syed Ahmed Khan expounded the Muslim autonomy in Aligarh. Many Muslim nobles, Nawabs (aristocrats and landed gentry) supported the idea. As the idea spread, it gained great support amongst the Muslim population of South Asia and in particular the rising middle and upper classes.

The Muslims had launched the movement under the banner of the All India Muslim League and Delhi was its main centre. The headquarters of All India Muslim League (the founding party of Pakistan) was based here since its creation in 1906 in Dhaka (present day Bangladesh) and up to August 1947. The participation in the movement on ideological grounds and supporting its Muslim cause with approximately half of the entire mandate in 1945–46 elections.[4]

The independence of Pakistan in 1947 saw the settlement of Muslim refugees fleeing from anti-Muslim pograms from India. In Karachi, the Urdu speaking Muhajirs form the majority of the population and gives the city its northern Indian atmosphere.[5] The Muslim refugees lost all their land and properties in India when they fled and some were partly compensated by properties left by Hindus that migrated to India. The Muslim Gujaratis, Konkani, Hyderabadis, Marathi, Rajasthani, Punjabi fled India and settled in Karachi. There is also a sizable community of Malayali Muslims in Karachi (the Mappila), originally from Kerala in South India.[6] The non-Urdu speaking Muslim refugees from India now speak the Urdu language and have assimilated and are considered as Muhajirs.

Most of the Muhajirs now live in Karachi which was the first capital of Pakistan. After the independence of Pakistan in 1947, the minority Hindus and Sikhs migrated to India while the Muslim refugees from India settled in Karachi.[7]

Origin and ancestral roots

The Urdu speaking people of Pakistan and India has diverse roots. Many Sufi missionaries from Middle East and Central Asia migrated and settled in South Asia. Many natives converted to Islam due to eeforts of the missionary Sufi saints whose dargahs dot the landscape of South Asia. The Delhi Sultanate and later Mughal Empire ruled the northern India region. During the Delhi Sultanate and later Mughal Empire attracted Muslim refugees, nobles, technocrats, bureaucrats, soldiers, traders, scientists, architects, artisans, teachers, poets, artists, theologians and Sufis from the rest of the Muslim world and they migrated and settled in the South Asia. During the reign of Sultan Ghyasuddin Balban (1266-1286) thousands of Central Asian Muslims seeked [Right of asylum|asylum]] including more than of 15 sovereigns and their nobles due to the Mongol invasion of Khwarezmia and Eastern Iran. At the court of Sultan Iltemish in Delhi the first wave of these Muslim refugees escaping from the Central Asian genocide perpetrated by the barbaric hordes of Genghis Khan, brought administrators from Iran, painters from China, theologians from Samarkand, Nishapur and Bukhara, divines and saints from all Muslim lands, craftsmen and men and maidens from every region, doctors adept in Greek medicine, philosophers from everywhere. The Muslims from various provinces such as Hyderabad Deccan, Kerala, Balochistan, Sindh, Punjab, Gujarat, Kashmir and other parts of South Asia also moved to capitals of Muslim empire in Delhi and Agra. Millions of natives converted to Islam during the Muslim rule. Lodi dynasty was dominated by the Pashtuns soldiers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Afghanistan who settled in the northern India. After the Battle of Panipat (1526) Mughal Emperor Babur defeated the Lodi dynasty with Tajik, Chagatai and Uzbek soldiers and nobility. Theses Central Asian Turk soldiers and nobles were awarded estates and they settled with their families in the northern India. Safavi Emperor Shah Tahmasp provided financial aid, 12,000 choice of cavalry and thousands of infantry soldiers to Mughal Emperor Humayun to regain his Empire. Persians nobles, technocrats and bureaucrats, also joined Mughal Emperor Humayun and his Persian and Pashtun soldiers in the reconquest of South Asia. Theses soldiers were awarded estates and they settled with their families in the northern India. These diverse ethnic, cultural and linguistic groups merged over the centuries to the form Urdu speaking Muslims of South Asia.

The Rohilla leader Daud Khan was awarded the Katehar (later called Rohilkhand) region in the then northern India by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir (ruled 1658-1707) to suppress the Rajput uprisings, which had afflicted this region. Originally, some 20,000 soldiers from various Pashtun tribes (Yusafzai, Ghori, Ghilzai, Barech, Marwat, Durrani, Tareen, Kakar, Naghar, Afridi and Khattak) were hired by Mughals to provide soldiers to the Mughal armies. Their performance appreciated by Aurangzeb Alamgir, an additional force of 25,000 Pashtun were recruited and were given respected positions in Mughal Army. Nearly all of them settled in the Katehar region and brought their families from modern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Afghanistan. During Nadir Shah's invasion of northern India in 1739, the new wave of Pashtuns settled increasing their population to over 100,0000. Due to the large settlement of Rohilla Afghans, the Katehar region gained fame as Rohilkhand. Bareilly was made the capital of the Rohilkhand state. Other important cities were Moradabad, Rampur, Shahjahanpur, Badaun, and others.[8][9] After the Third Battle of Panipat fought in 1761 between the Ahmad Shah Durrani and Maratha Empire thousands of Pashtun and Baloch soldiers settled in the northern India. These diverse ethnic, cultural and linguistic groups merged over the centuries to the form the Urdu speaking Muslims of South Asia.

It is estimated that about 35% of Urdu speakers in Pakistan are of Pashtun origin. Before the independence of Pakistan, in provinces such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar had significant population of Pashtuns. These Pashtuns over the years lost their language Pashto and culture and adopted Urdu as their first language. Sub-groups also includes the Hyderabadi Muslims, Memon Muslims, Bihari Muslims etc. who keep many of their unique cultural traditions.[10] Muslims from what are now the states of Delhi, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh were themselves of heterogeneous origin.

The Kayastha community that has historically been involved in the occupations of land record keeping and accounting. Many Hindu Kayasth found favour with Muslim rulers for whom the acted as Qanungos. This close association, led to the conversion of many members of the Kayastha community to Islam. The Muslim Kayasths speak Urdu[11] while they also speak Sindhi and Punjabi in Pakistan. The Kayasth sometime use Siddiqui, Quraishi, Khan, Shaikh, Usmani and Farooqi as their surnames, and consider themselves belonging to the Shaikh community.[12]

The independence of Pakistan in 1947 saw the migration of Urdu speaking refugees from India fleeing from the anti-Muslim pograms. The majority of the Urdu-speaking and other non-Punjabi Muslim refugees that fled from various Indian states settled in Karachi, which is why the culture of the city is a blend of South Asia.

What defines a Muhajir now is education, urbanism and the Urdu language. Many Urdu speakers who settled in rural Punjab, such as the Ranghar and Meo, are no longer considered Muhajir. At the same time, Gujratis, Burmese, Memons, Bohras, Ismailis, Bengalis, Rajasthani Muslims, Marathi Muslims, Marwari Muslims, Konkani Muslims, people from Goa, people from Bombay State, Malwaris and Pashtuns of Afghanistan who were in India were counted as Muhajirs in Pakistan as they migrated to Pakistan after or during independence, and have urban lifestyles.

Settlement in Sindh

Most of the Urdu speaking Muslim refugees migrating from India to Pakistan settled mostly in the Sindh province. According to the 1951 Census of Pakistan, the Urdu speaking people constituted about 57% of the population of Karachi, 66.08% in Hyderabad; 54.08% in Sukkur; 68.42% in Mirpurkhas and 54.79% in Nawabshah[13].

Karachi

In 1947, Karachi was chosen as the capital of newly independent state of Pakistan. Before the independence of Pakistan in 1947, the population of Karachi was 450,000 and had a small majority of 51% Sindhi and Balochi Muslims. Nearly all Hindu and Sikh population of Karachi migrated to India after the independence of Pakistan. By 1951, Karachi’s population had increased to 1.137 million because of the influx of nearly 1 million Muslim refugees from India and the population of Karachi was over 96% Muslim.

Demographics and distribution within Pakistan

[14]

Census History of Urdu Speakers in Pakistan
Year Population of Pakistan Percentage Urdu Speakers
1951 33,740,167 7.05% 2,378,681
1961 42,880,378 7.56% 3,246,044
1972 65,309,340 7.60% 4,963,509
1981 84,253,644 7.51% 6,369,575
1998 132,352,279 7.57% 9,939,656
2011 173,593,439 7.69% 13,349,335
Provinces of Pakistan by Urdu speakers (1998)
Rank Division Urdu speakers Percentage
– Pakistan 9,939,656 7.57%
1 Sindh 6,407,596 21.05%
2 Punjab 3,320,320 4.51%
3 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 138,400 0.78%
4 Islamabad Capital Territory 81,409 10.11%
5 Balochistan 63,032 0.96%
6 Federally Administered Tribal Areas 5,717 0.18%

Muhajir diaspora

Many Muhajirs have emigrated from Pakistan and have settled permanently in Europe, North America and Australasia. There are also significant number of Muhajirs who are working in the Middle East, especially in the Persian Gulf countries:

Regions with significant populations:

Culture and lifestyle

Cuisine

The Muslims refugees brought with them the different cuisine from the different region of the South Asia. The Biryani, Nihari, Haleem, Pulao, etc dishes and their regional variations were introduced in Karachi.

Clothing

Before the independence of Pakistan, Mohammad Ali Jinnah frequently wore the Karakul hat and Sherwani and made it the national dress of Pakistan.[15]

Heritage

The rich heritage brought by migrants from the urban centres of India, such as Lucknow, Delhi and Hyderabad Deccan, which had been seats of Islamic culture and learning for centuries, were to have a major influence on the cities of Pakistan, especially Karachi. The notable 20th-century Islamic scholar/author Muhammad Hamidullah, was involved in formulating the first Constitution of Pakistan.

The use of the term "Muhajir" is no longer an acceptable colloquialism in Pakistan as it once was amongst the early immigrants. They came with particular traditions and customs from the various regions. People in their 20s and 30s today prefer to be considered "just-Pakistani" and rarely are aware of their British Indian origins. There have been numerous mixed marriages and growing assimilation within Karachi's neighborhoods over the last four generations.

Politics

1947-1958

Upon arrival in Pakistan, the Muhajirs did not assert themselves as a separate ethnic identity but were at the forefront of trying to a construct an Islamic Pakistani identity. Muhajirs dominated the bureaucracy of the early Pakistani state, largely due to their higher levels of educational attainment. Gradually as education became more widespread, Punjabis, Sindhis and Pashtuns, as well as other ethnic groups, have started to take their fair share of the pool. However, the critical early years was facilitated by the experience that many Muhajir had both in politics and in higher education.

Many Urdu speaking people had higher education, Aligarh Muslim University, and civil service experience working for British Raj and Muslim princely states. During 1947 to 1958 Urdu speaking Muhajirs held many more jobs in the Government of Pakistan than their ratio of only 3.3 percent of the country's population. In 1951, of the 95 senior civil services jobs, 33 were held by the Urdu speaking people and 40 by the Punjabis.

1958-1970

On 27 October 1958, General Ayub Khan had a coup and imposed Martial law in Pakistan[16]. The percentage of the Urdu speaking people declined in the civil service as the percentage of Pashtuns increased. In the Pakistani presidential election, 1965, the Muslim League split in two factions. The Muslim League (Fatmia Jinnah) supported Fatima Jinnah, the younger sister of Muhammad Ali Jinnah. While the Convention Muslim League supported General Ayub Khan. The Urdu speaking people had supported the Muslim League since before the independence of Pakistan in 1947 and now supported the Muslim League (Fatmia Jinnah). The Electoral fraud of Pakistani presidential election, 1965 and the triumphant march by Gohar Ayub Khan, son of General Ayub Khan, started ethnic clash between Pashtuns and Urdu speaking people in Karachi on January 4 1965[17].

On March 24, 1969, President Ayub Khan directed a letter to General Yahya Khan, inviting him to deal with the tense political situation in Pakistan. On 26 March 1969, General Yahya appeared in national television and announced to enforce a martial law in all over the country. The 1962 Constitution was abrogated, dissolved the parliament, and dismissed the President Ayub's civilian officials.[18]

1970-1977

The Pakistani general election, 1970 on 7 December 1970, Pakistan Peoples Party won the elections. The Urdu speaking people voted for the Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan and Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan. The Pakistan Peoples Party government nationalization the financial industry, educational institutions and industry. The nationalization of Pakistan's educational institutions, financial institutions and industry in 1972 by Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto of Pakistan Peoples Party impacted the Muhajirs hardest as their educational institutions, commerce and industries were nationalized without any compensation.[19] Then the quota system was introduced that limited their access to education and employment. Karachi is the largest commercial city of Pakistan and the Muhajirs are the main stakeholder in this city. The 1972 language riots were caused by the passage of "Teaching, Promotion and use of Sindhi Language" bill on 7 July 1972 by the Sindh Assembly declaring Sindhi to be the only offical language of Sindh[20]. Due to the clashes, Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto compromised and announced that Urdu and Sindhi will both be official languages of Sindh. The making of Sindhi as an equal language to Urdu for official purposes frustrated the Urdu speaking people as they did not speak the Sindhi language[21].

1977-1988

In the Pakistani general election, 1977, Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan and Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan joined in a coalition named Pakistan National Alliance. The the Urdu speaking people voted mostly for the Pakistan National Alliance. The Electoral fraud by Pakistan Peoples Party caused protests around the country. On July 5, 1977, Chief of Army Staff General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq imposed Martial Law.

1988-1993

2013-Present

President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain is a Urdu speaking textile businessman and politician[22] who has been President of Pakistan since 9 September 2013.

Quota system and ethnic clashes in Karachi

In 1973, the Government of Sindh imposed quota system in Sindh where the employment and admissions to the elite colleges and universities was not based on merit but to the ethnic origin and residency.[23] The quota system in the province of Sindh was imposed in 1973 for 40 years but in 2013 it was extended for another 20 years.[24] The Government of Sindh even after making huge investment in the interior Sindh for the last 40 years could not raise the educational standards and create employment in the rural areas.[25] In 2013 Sindh budget, Rs 675 billion were spent on the interior Sindh development and only Rs 30 billion in Karachi.[26] The huge investments in the interior Sindh's infrastructure and educational institutions was mostly wasted due to the poor planning, political corruption, feudalism and apathy of the rural population. The nationalization of Pakistan's financial institutions, industry and educational institutions in 1972 by Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto of Pakistan Peoples Party impacted the Muhajirs hardest as their commerce and industries were nationalized without any compensation.[19] Then the quota system was introduced that limited their access to education and employment.

Language

The phrase Zaban-e Urdu-e Mualla ("The language of the exalted") written in Nastaʿlīq script.

The original language of the Mughals had been Turkish. After their migration to South Asia, they came to adopt Persian and later Urdu. Urdu is an Indo-European language, and in the Indo-Aryan subdivision. The word Urdu is believed to be derived from the Turkish word 'Ordu', which means army (Hence Urdu is sometimes called "Lashkarī zabān", Persian for "the language of the army"). It was initially called Zaban-e-Ordu or language of the army and later just Urdu. The word 'Ordu' was later Anglicised as 'Horde'. Urdu, though of South Asian origin, came to be heavily influenced by Persian and Arabic and somewhat by Turkish; however, its grammatical structure is based on old Parakrit or Sanskrit. Urdu speakers have adopted this language as their mother tongue for several centuries.

Autograph and a couplet of Last Mughal Emperor, Bahadur Shah II, dated 29 April 1844

Urdu has been the medium of the literature, history and journalism of South Asian Muslims during the last 400 years. Most of the work was complemented by ancestors of native Urdu speakers in South Asia. The Persian language, which was the official language during and after the reign of the Mughals, was slowly starting to lose ground to Urdu during the reign of Aali Gohar Shah Alam II. Subsequently, Urdu developed rapidly as the medium of literature, history and journalism of South Asian Muslims. Most of the literary and poetic work was complemented by various historic poets of mughal and subsequent era, among which Mir Taqi Mir, Khwaja Mir Dard, Mir Amman Dehalvi, Mirza Ghalib, Bahadur Shah II Sir Syed Khan and Maulana Hali are the most notable ones. The Persian language, which had its roots during the time of Moguls, was then replaced later by Urdu. Mogul kings like Shah Jahan rendered patronage as well as support. Many poets in Pakistan such as Zafar Iqbal, Sir Mohammed Iqbal, Faiz Ahmad Faraz, Munir Niazi and Saifuddin Saif contributed their efforts for the Urdu language.

Dialects and languages

After the independence of Pakistan in 1947, when the Muslims refugees arrived in Pakistan, the values the migrants brought with them varied from region to region, depending on their origin. The Muslims refugees arrived from different provinces of South Asia often speaking different dialects of the Urdu language such as Awadhi, Khariboli, Braj, Bhojpuri[27], Bundeli, Rekhta, Hyderabadi or Dakhni, etc. These Urdu dialects were distinguished by their vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation (phonology, including prosody), humor and slangs. Many Muslims refugees spoke regional languages such as Gujarati, Kutchi, Marathi, Konkani, Telugu, etc. The Urdu syllabus taught in the Karachi schools with its strong emphasis on poetry and literature helped to standardise Urdu in Karachi. These dialects and languages slowly merged to form a standard dialect closer to the Awadhi dialect of the Urdu language over the decades. Even the Urdu dialect of Karachi is very diverse, and some neighborhoods such as Nazimabad has its own accent that is different from the Orangi speech; family background, educational level and everything else has an influence.

The Urdu language spoken in Karachi has became gradually more divergent from the Indian dialects and structure of Urdu, since it has engrossed many words, proverbs and phonetics from the regional languages like Sindhi, Pashto, Punjabi and Balochi. The pronunciation pattern of Urdu language also differs in Pakistan and the cadence and lilt are informal compared with corresponding Indian dialects[28]. The people of Karachi speak Urdu quiet faster than the Urdu speakers in India[29]. The Urdu speakers in Karachi consider their accent as the standard dialect of the Urdu language[30].

Contribution in literature

Ghalib poem in Nastaliq

Poetry

Muhajirs brought their rich poetic culture along with them which they held in their original states centuries ago prior to independence. Some of the most notable ones historic poets are Mir Taqi Mir, Mir Aman Dehalwi, Khawaja Mir Dard,Jigar Muradabad etc. Subsequent to independence, many notable Urdu poets migrated to Pakistan, besides a large number of less famous poets, authors, linguists and amateurs. Consequently, Mushaira and Bait Bazi became a part of the national culture in Pakistan. Josh Malihabadi, Jigar Moradabadi, Akhtar Sheerani, Tabish Dehlvi, Nayyer Madani and Nasir Kazmi are a few of the noteworthy poets. Later, Jon Elia, Parveen Shakir, Mustafa Zaidi, Dilawar Figar, Iftikhar Arif, Rafi Uddin Raaz and Raees Warsi became noted for their distinction.

Prose

See also: Urdu literature

With the emergence of Muhajirs in urban areas of Pakistan, Urdu virtually became the lingua franca. The country's first Urdu Conference took place in Karachi in April 1951, under the auspices of the Anjuman Taraqqi-i-Urdu. The Anjuman, headed by Maulvi Abdul Haq not only published the scattered works of classical and modern writers, but also provided a platform for linguists, researchers and authors. Among them Shan-ul-Haq Haqqee, Shahid Ahmed Dehlvi, Josh Malihabadi, Qudrat Naqvi, Mahir-ul-Qadri, Hasan Askari, Jameel Jalibi and Intizar Hussain are significant names. Whereas Akhtar Hussain Raipuri, Sibte Hassan and Sajjad Zaheer were more inclined to produce left-winged literature. Among women writers, Qurratulain Hyder, Khadija Mastoor, Altaf Fatima and Fatima Surayya Bajia became the pioneer female writers on feminist issues.

Contribution in science and technology

Muhajirs have played an extremely important and influential role in science and technology in Pakistan. Scientists such as Ziauddin Ahmed, Raziuddin Siddiqui and Salimuzzaman Siddiqui, gave birth to Pakistan Science and later built the integrated weapons program, on request of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Muhajir later forwarded to developed the Pakistan's space program and other scientific and strategic programs of Pakistan. Many prominent scientists come from the Muhajir class including Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, Dr. Ishfaq Ahmad, Ghulam Murtaza, Raziuddin Siddiqui, Dr. Pervez Hoodbhoy, Dr. Salimuzzaman Siddiqui, and Atta ur Rahman to name a few.

Contribution in art and music

The Muhajir community brings a rich culture with it. Muhajirs have and continue to play an essential role in defining and enriching Pakistani culture and more significantly, music. Some famous Muhajir Pakistani musicians include: Nazia Hassan, Mehdi Hassan, Munni Begum, and Ahmed Jahanzeb. Muhajirs contribution has not been limited to pop but has spanned various music genres, from traditional Ghazal singing to rock. Muhajirs in Pakistan are also famous for their contribution towards the art of painting. Syed Sadequain Ahmed Naqvi, one of the most famous painter of the world, was a Pakistani painter who was born in Amroha, India.

Contribution in business and industry

After the division of South Asia in 1947 by the then British Government through Indian Independence Act 1947; the Muslims who immigrated to Pakistan were well educated and consisted of journalists, urban intellectuals, professors, bureaucrats, lawyers, teachers, academics and scholers etc. Although there were those that had migrated who were the bourgeoisie consisting of merchants, industrialists or capitalists, a large number of those who immigrated from the rural areas and villages also consisted of labourers and artisans. The eminent business groups that shifted from India to Pakistan were Habib Bank, Muslim Commercial Bank, Orient Airways, among others. Other businesses were established in Pakistan by some of the notable figures as United Bank Limited, Hamdard Pakistan Limited, Schon group. It is also known that besides founding several Governmental organizations like State Bank of Pakistan, they played an influential role in initiating the Atomic Energy Commission, Kanup, and several other institutions. Muhajirs were also found in administration, establishment and politics.[31]

The initial business elites of Pakistan were Muhajirs. Prominents example of businesses started by them include Habib Bank Limited, Hyesons, M. M. Ispahani Limited, Schon group etc. Nationalization proved to be catastrphpic for Muhajir-owned businesses, and the final blow was delivered as a result of discriminatory policies during the dictatorship of Gen. Zia-ul-Haq. In recent years, many Muhajirs have established their businesses in Pakistan, with a focus on textile, garment, leather, food prodcts, cosmetics and personal goods industries. Many of Pakistan's largest financial institutions were founded or headed by Muhajirs, including the State Bank of Pakistan, EOBI, Pakistan Industrial Development Corporation, United Bank Limited Pakistan, First Women Bank et cetera.

Contribution in sports

Muhajir are active in many sports in Pakistan. Muhajir are playing in the Pakistani cricket team with well-known players such as Javed Miandad, Saeed Anwar, Mohsin Khan, Sikhander Bakht and Moin Khan. There are now younger players like Asad Shafiq, Fawad Alam, Khurram Manzoor playing for the international side. Muhajirs are notably involved hockey, tennis, squash and badminton. Bodybuilding and weightlifting are increasing in popularity among younger members of the Muhajir community.

Cuisine

Main article: Muhajir cuisine

Muhajirs clung to their old established habits and tastes, including a numerous desserts, savoury dishes and beverages. The Mughal and Indo-Iranian heritage played an influential role in the making of their cuisine. In comparison to other native Pakistani dishes, Muhajir cuisine tends to use traditional royal cuisine specific to the old royal dynasties of now defunct states of ancient India. Most of a dastarkhawan dining table include chapatti, rice, dal, vegetable and meat curry. Special dishes include biryani, qorma, kofta, seekh kabab, Nihari and Haleem, Nargisi Koftay, Roghani Naan, Naan, sheer-qurma (sweet), qourma, chai (sweet, milky tea), paan and Hyderabadi cuisine, and other delicacies associated with Muhajir culture.

Intermarriages

Since Pakistan's independence in 1947, there has been a steady rise in intermarriages that have taken place between Punjabis, Kashmiris, Sindhis, Balochs, Pashtuns, Brahuis and Muhajirs.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ sometimes referred to as "Urdu-speaking people" or "Urdumandan" (Urdu: اردومندان; singular "Urdumand" Urdu: اردومند)

References

  1. ^ Taken from The World Factbook figures based upon the 1998 census of Pakistan.
  2. ^ Vazira Fazila-Yacoobali Zamindar, The Long Partition and the making of modern South Asia: refugees, boundaries, histories, New York: Columbia University Press, 2007.
  3. ^ Oskar Verkaaik, A people of migrants: ethnicity, state, and religion in Karachi, Amsterdam: VU University Press, 1994
  4. ^ Prof. M. Azam Chaudhary, The History of the Pakistan Movement, p. 368. Abdullah Brothers, Urdu Bazar Lahore.
  5. ^ "Karachi violence stokes renewed ethnic tension". IRIN Asia. Retrieved 2007-05-17.
  6. ^ Where Malayalees once held sway, DNA India
  7. ^ Population increase in Karachi - Ref. from Port Qasim Official website
  8. ^ An Eighteenth Century History of North India: An Account Of The Rise And Fall Of The Rohilla Chiefs In Janbhasha by Rustam Ali Bijnori by Iqtidar Husain Siddiqui Manohar Publications
  9. ^ Imperial Gazetteer of India by W M Hunter
  10. ^ Karen Isaksen Leonard, Locating home: India's Hyderabadis abroad
  11. ^ People of India Uttar Pradesh page 1047
  12. ^ Endogamy and Status Mobility among Siddiqui Shaikh in Social Stratication edited by Dipankar Gupta
  13. ^ Language, Politics and Power in Pakistan: The Case of Sindh
  14. ^ 1998 census report of Pakistan. Islamabad: Population Census Organization, Statistics Division, Government of Pakistan, 2001.
  15. ^ Jinnah, Pakistan and Islamic Identity: The Search for Saladin - Akbar S. Ahmed - Google Books. Books.google.com. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
  16. ^ Aqil Shah (2014). Army and Democracy: Military Politics in Pakistan. Harvard University Press. ISBN 978-0-674-72893-6.
  17. ^ Who did the Massacre of January 4 1965 in Karachi
  18. ^ Omar, Imtiaz (2002). Emergency powers and the courts in India and Pakistan. England: KLUWER LAW INTERNATIONAL. ISBN 904111775X.
  19. ^ a b Riazuddin, Riaz. "Pakistan: Financial Sector Assessment (1990-2000)". Economic Research Department of State Bank of Pakistan. State Bank of Pakistan. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
  20. ^ LAW Department Government of Sindh
  21. ^ A leaf from history: Language frenzy in Sindh
  22. ^ Profile of presidential candidate Mamnoon Hussain, Presidential elections: PML-N picks Mamnoon Hussain for top job. The Express Tribune (Pakistan)
  23. ^ Divide and Malign Sind: Controversial Quota System
  24. ^ Provincial quota in jobs to remain intact for 20 more years
  25. ^ No escape: Quota system extended
  26. ^ What Quota System gave us in last 40 years?
  27. ^ Accent and history
  28. ^ Dialects of Urdu Language
  29. ^ Urdu: The Karachite dialect
  30. ^ Karachi, the Sleepless City
  31. ^ http://www.jmi.nic.in/Events/Events05/pmpdp_report.htm
  32. ^ http://www.angelfire.com/country/fauziaspakistan/nihari.html

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Muhajir_(Pakistan)&oldid=616853689"