Memon people

Lohana is a Kshatrya Hindu caste which is positioned high up in the caste system, a position only next to that of the Brahmins and confers the responsiblity of rulership. The Lohanas trace their roots in history right up to the advents of Aryas in the Indian sub-continent (which then included today's Afghanistan), making theirs the oldest surviving community in the world. According to Puranic (ancient Indian texts of lore and legends) sources the Aryan civilization was established by king Ishaku (Ikshvaku) some two or three millennia before Christ (BC). His 63rd descendant was the great king Raghu, a great conqueror, who established the Rahguvansh Dynasty.

Lohanas' history begins with king Raghu, who belonged to the Suryavanshi lineage, so called because they worshiped the Sun (Surya). Raghu"s grandson was king Dashratha of Ayodhya, who had four sons with Rama being the oldest and the other three being Laxmana, Bharat and Shatrughna. Rama is the hero of Ramayana, which is ranked along with Mahabharata as the greatest epics of the world and perhaps the oldest, too. Rama was considered an Avatar or God-incarnate of Lord Vishnu, the protector of the Universe according to Vedic or Hindu mythology. Lord Rama divided his vast kingdom into eight parts, giving one each to his three brothers' eight children. Elder of Ram's two sons was Kush, who was given a land, called Kaushal, which was in the Gangetic basin. His younger son Luv was given the northeast region of his kingdom, which came to be, called Luvalka or Luv's land. Luv is portrayed as a brave warrior. In one of the episodes of the Ramayana even though he is a mere boy in the hermitage, he brings the entire army of his father Lord Rama (under the command of his uncle Laxman) to a standstill by the prowess at archery (of course along with his older brother Kush). His descendants too were cast in the same mould, but they were not satisfied with Luvalka and pushed to the west and annexed today's Afghanistan and adjoining areas.

Around 580 BC when king Bimbisara ruled over Bharat (India), the society came to be divided into different communities based on their occupation. One of their communities was called Kshatriyas and King Luv's descendants were classed with them and came to be known as Luvanam, which was also referred to as Luvana. The Luvanas from Loharghat became known as Loharana (masters of swords), which later became Lohana Chinese traveller Fa-hien, who visited India between 414 and 399 B.C., calls Lohanas a brave community ruling the northwest territory of India, in his diary. Another Chinese traveler, Kurmang who came in the eleventh century A.D. speaks of a Lohana kingdom as a mighty power. Historian Burton writes Lohanas were brave people and says they were spread over today's Baluchistan (Pakistan), Afghanistan and eastern fringes of Central Asia. Col. Todd, who delved into history of Rajasthan, describes Lohanas as the oldest Kshatriya community From Fa-hien downward all pay tribute to the Lohanas as brave. A possible reason for the bravery is that they had placed themselves for centuries in the direct path of invaders from northwest like Persians, Macedonians, Huns, Mughals, etc. Ruling in Afghanistan for many centuries they braved onslaughts of invaders looking for converts in India. From 7th to 11th century A.D., living on the small hills in the northwest which saw hordes of Muslim invaders at the gates of India, the Lohanas fought bravely against these invaders. They held their grounds for long in northwest but finally had to fall back and moved initially to the Sindh province of today's Pakistan. Meanwhile, Prophet Mohammed established Islam. His followers spread out in different directions to preach His religion and in due course they turned towards India too. When these hordes reach northwest, they had to contend with the brave Lohanas and were held back for many years. But finally they lost when one Kualnger of Narsvat community (the Brahmins who performed rites for the Lohanas) betrayed Loharana king Chahir Ray. So Sindh fell to Muslims and Lohanas disintegrated into small segments. But the saga of this brave community did not end there. After the community split, they found a new leader. He was Veer Jashraj, who is revered as Dada Jashraj, who was born in the city of Lohar (today's Lahore in Pakistan), which was the capital of Lohargadh. His domain extended from Lahore to Multan (also in Pakistan today).

As the story goes, Mongol invader Changez Khan, attacked Multan and was killed by Dada Jashraj, Rana of Lohargadh. A plaque in Chinese language on the great Khan's grave says " Killed by Rana Jashraj of Lohergadh". This finds mention in folklore, which say, " King of Mongols was killed by Mirana, the tiger of Multan fort". His descendants who proudly carry the surname of 'Mirana' preserve the memory of this great warrior king. He was treacherously killed when only 28 - a life so short but full of heroic deeds.

After the death of Dada Jashraj, the decline of Lohanas began and their reign at Lohargadh ended. They came to Sindh from Lahore where still is found the Loh Mandar, Temple of Loh, in the old Fort. At this time, king Dahir ruled at Naryankot (today's Hyderabad in the Sindh province of Pakistan). Disunity among Lohanas weakened his kingdom and he died in a fight with Muslims. The Muslims took over Narayankot and Sindh and the mighty Lohanas fell to a hard time, many of them having been converted to Islam. But again a new ruler came to their aid. His name was Uderlal who is revered as Dariyalal. His father was Ratnarai Thakur, who lived in Nasasrapur, about 90 miles from Hyderabad (Pakistan). Uderlal fought with the Muslim chief Markah and initiated him into the truth of religion. He won freedom for Hindus from Muslims and devoted the rest of his life in the service of humanity. At last he disappeared, entering the earth. Even today he is revered both by Hindus and Muslims who visit the site of his samadhi. In Gujarati, Lohanas performing the puja (ritual worship) of Dariyalal are known as Pujaras and Dariyalal's descendants as Ratnani. The Lohanas felt their identity was increasingly threatened in Sindh so they migrated to Thar, and then towards Kutchchh, Saurashtra and Gujarat. Famous warriors once, they took to trade and business. Their instincts of the warrior past were tested in 1764, when Gulam Shah Kora attacked Kutchchh and they had to account for themselves in the battle of Zora. Lohana women fought alongside their men in this battle and the land of Kutchchh is strewn with memorial stones marking the deaths of brave Lohanas. A saying in Gujarati eulogies Lohana women thus: Only Rajputani, Loharani and Miyanai bring forth gem of children. Lohanas are still to be found in Afghanistan and Pakistan, which are now Islamic states. In Afghanistan, they still maintain their religious identity and are known as Lokhathra. The Lohanas who keep their Hindu identity in Sindh are known as Sindhi Lohana.

The Lohana community descends from Lord Rama. This is Royal blood, they are Raghuvansi.

Those Kshatryia Lohanas who were converted to Islam are known as Memons. Some of them retain their Hindu names.

Praising Lohanas, Akha Bhagat said:

"Thakkars went for name, not for money Worked in front for fame, and did not fail."

Lohanas Accept Islam

Memons are a merchant class in line with their ancestors, the Lohanas, a Hindu sect confined to business. They speak an Indo-Aryan language called Memoni. The Memon Community is a peace loving business community. Memons are by nature generous, kind-hearted and charitable people. Some estimates put the number of Memons worldwide at one million. The origin of the Memons as a community dates back to a period in history listed as around 824 AH or the year 1422 C.E at a place called Nagar Thatta, then a capital, in the province of southern Sindh, then in India and now in Pakistan, when some 700 Hindu families, representing some 6178 people belonging the old and famous Lohana community of Sindh, accepted Islam. In adopting the Islamic faith, the new adherents accepted a new form of dress and style of living that differed substantially from their fore bearers. But certain customs and elements of unity remained an inherited tradition throughout their lives and it is on account of this that they were and are easily distinguishable from other Muslim communities. The Arabs ruled Sindh for almost 300 years and in that time the brotherhood, culture, morality and spiritualism of Islam produced a profound effect on the people of the region. It came as no surprise when 700 families of the Lohana community, settled at Thatta, accepted Islam under the auspicious hands of Sayed Yusuffuddin Qadri (May the mercy of Allah be upon him) and followed the Hanafi Sunni path, and became his followers, or murid. That is why Memons have extreme faith in the Peers and Aulias, as a matter of gratitude, for their conversions to Islam. Particularly to Sheikh Abdul Kader Jilani R.A., whom they refer to as peran-e-Peer Dastagir, Gausal-e-Azam, Vado Peer and Gaus Paak as a mark of respect and reverence. Pir Yusuffuddin Saheb was a saint of a high order, coming from the sainthood dynasty of the world renowned Hazrat Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani of Baghdad (May the mercy of Allah be upon him). It was after a revelation descended on him at Holy tomb of Sayed Abdul Razzak Tajudin Saheb (May the mercy of Allah be upon him) that Pir Yusuffuddin came to Sindh from Baghdad and settled in Thatta in 15th century, to preach Islam. It was Pir Yusuffuddin who originated the term Momin that was to later become the designation of a million followers of Islam. Impressed by the strength and character as well as the determination, courage and dedication of the new adherents to Islam had called them Momins and appointed Adam (Sunderji) as their leader and guide. Pir Saheb then gave Adam a set of clothes-a long shirt, trouser, a waistcoat, a jacket and a turban-clearly identifying the new leader and his flock. In so doing Pir Saheb introduced the dress form that was to become a tradition for centuries. Pir Yusuffuddin's address to Adam and his flock (as recorded for posterity): "Dear Brethrens, from today onwards you are Muslims, you have one Allah, one Prophet, one Holy Book (Quran) and you are all brothers. Believe in Allah; follow His Path and act according to the orders given in the Quran. You will be honored in religion as well as in the world and you and your off springs will prosper for a long time". When the people of Sindh saw the spread of Islam, they severed all their social, economic and religious ties with the new adherents of Islam. The new concerts of Thatta, Hindu Lohans were forced to migrate because of the persecution by the native Hindus. The new wave of opposition led Adam and his people to Pir Saheb for his wise counsel and guidance saying; "As we have accepted Islam, our people are displeased with us. They have broken all social contacts and have ceased all transactions with a view to make us revert to our old faith. What shall we do now? We are prepared to follow your advice." Pir Saheb replied: "I advise you to migrate from here so that you can easily perform your duties to Islam after reaching another place. Our Great Prophet (May the blessings and mercy of Allah be upon him) once before advised Muslims to migrate during the early years of Islam. You, too, should now, likewise, go to another place." The work of promoting Islam was left to the preachers and saints like Pir Yusuffuddin. During this period the Province of Sindh and, in particular, the city of Thatta, had several saints and men of religion. When Pir Saheb ordered Adam and his people to migrate, between a 100 and 150 families of Momins (Memons) left the city of Thatta to settle on the banks of a nearby river, the Varaya. However, peace was never fully realized by the Memon community in spite of having left their homes in their original settlements in Sindh. Between 859 AH and 866 AH when Jam Sanjar ruled Sindh, chaos and disorder followed a weak government in control. In the border areas between Southern Sindh and Gujarat, the powerful Balochis spread havoc by raiding and looting caravans plying trade. As a result, movement between Sindh and Gujarat was halted and the Memons (who were mainly in business) found life intolerable and were forced to migrate again this time from Varaya. With their livelihood threatened and uncertainty about the future, the Memons split and small groups ventured out in different directions - an event in history that subsequently divided one big Memon community into different factions. One group, under the leadership of Ladha, migrated to the State of Halar in Kathiawar and became known as the Halari Memons. Another group proceeded towards Karachi, a port of Sindh, and they became known as Sindhi Memons. A third group, made up of fifty young men, proceeded towards Punjab and settled in Lahore. The Cutchi Memons, on the other hand, migrated to Bhuj, the Capital of Cutch. They originally settled there under the leadership of Kaneya Seth, the son of Markun Seth who assumed the Islamic name of Rukunuddin. Markun Seth was the son of Adam Seth, the first leader of the Memon Community (appointed by Pir Yusuffuddin). When the Memons migrated in different directions from Varaya, those left behind followed Kaneya Seth to Cutch. The migration and movement of the Memons from their original home in Nagar Thatta in Sindh caused stress and severe hardship, forcing families to fight starvation and, for most, it was a virtual hand-to-mouth survival. Throughout these trying times they were stead fast in their faith and pursued the principles of Islam with a great sense of devotion and dedication. The great bond that was established in such circumstances, united families, made sharing a priority of the time and, more important, made them realize the importance of oneness. These simple people who put their trust and faith in Allah and never once wavered through out the long, arduous struggle to survive, were handsomely rewarded-Allah eventually took mercy and showered them with His generosity and an abundance of fortune. For the believers in the power of Allah, the true testing time had come and gone and, after 400 years of wandering and search of a true permanent home, the Memons had finally set roots. Their arrival in different parts of India heralded a new beginning, a life of plentiful and an abundance of fortunes as the business acumen of these Islamic migrants set the stage for continuing success and prosperity. A mass settlement of Memons of Gujarat throughout India started towards the end of 18th century. Memons are often described as " the sailor businessmen of India" who had fanned out of native Gujarat in the 18th century, making abodes and setting business in Indian cities and far-off places in the Asian and African continents. By the end of 19th century, a sizeable Memon community was reported to have entrenched itself in Burma, Sri Lanka, Far East and countries in East and South Africa. Being a minority and saddled with apprehensions of persecution, the Muslim business communities of Gujarat felt protected under British rule and had strong business ties with them, as is evident from number of title holders among the Memons like Sir Abdullah Haroon, Sir Dawood Adamjee and Sir Sultan Chinoy. Memons played a prominent role in the Indian Freedom struggle against British rule and occupation both physically and financially. Interestingly, Mahatma Gandhi (who came from the same area in India as the Memons) was retained by a Memon businessman to look after his legal affairs in Durban, South Africa. It was in South Africa that Gandhi launched his political activities. By the close of the 19th Century when the struggle assumed noteworthy proportions, a number of Memons courted imprisonment and wealthy members of the community made large-scale donations. Such notables were the Late Umer Sobani and Sir Adamjee Hajee Dawood who spontaneously associated themselves and their families with Mrs. Annie Besant's Home Rule League that spearheaded the freedom struggle. They joined the movement from its inception and gave liberally towards its expenses. During the War years the Memons amassed considerable wealth and this was invested in a systematic importation of valuable goods, shares in new industries and landed property but financial disasters overtook the Memons as well as other major investors after the War had ended. Prices dropped dramatically and traders suffered heavy losses. There was a chain reaction new industries in India, which prospered on account of the shortage and high prices of foreign goods during the war years, were forced to shut down. Industrial shares, which dropped dramatically, found no takes and, added to this, the price of landed properties fell to add to the woes of the business sector. This was the age of depression and the collapse of the Indian commercial empire sent shock waves through the nation, as bankruptcy became the order of the day. However, most Memons, in order to maintain credit in the commercial sector, struggled along to meet their commitments and liabilities by resorting to extreme measures. These measures included the sale of all their properties and other assets as well as the traditional gold and precious ornaments of their womenfolk. One result of this action to overcome the financial depression of the time was the continuance of the Memon tradition in commerce while others panicked and opted out, the Memons, in spite of the heavy losses sustained, endured the depressive years and continued to trade. But the chance to recoup and regain their prestige was, however, blunted by yet another disaster with the post-war fall in the exchange value of the rupee. On account of this the Indian merchant had to pay twice the original amount for imported goods. As the Memons were heavily involved in the importation of goods, they suffered heavy losses. Just as it seemed the commercial sector of India was set to recover, other losses seemed inevitable on account of the momentum gained by the combined efforts of the Khilafat Movement, the Non-co-operation Movement of India and the Swadeshi Movement. Launch of the powerful Swadeshi Movement, there was a nation-wide spontaneity for the boycott of British manufactured goods. Within a short time, British goods, valued at millions of crores of rupees, piled up in godowns (warehouses). Nobody volunteered when the goods were offered for sale well below cost and eventually, following pressure by the Indian boycotters, it all went up in smoke. It must be recorded here that the Memons represented a substantial group involved in the importation of British manufactured goods and needed little encouragement to associate themselves with the founders of the Swadeshi Movement. The many factors that contributed to the financially depressive years drove many Memons in another direction in search of financial rewards. This time they invested heavily in landed properties which Offered Low Returns But Seemed Moreover Secure. In effect some dramatic changes were undergone the comforts of life were curtailed to counter the changing situation of limited income and high expenditure that highlighted the period. All India Khilafat Committee was established in Bombay in 1919 at a meeting of Muslim leaders held at Chhotani Manzil, the residence of Seth Mohammad Mian Jan Mohammad Chhotani. He was elected President of the organization and remained at the helm of affairs during the most active four years of the committee. Abdullah Haroon was the main creator of the First Province of Pakistan in 1937. After continuous efforts of more than a decade, he was able to separate Singh from the Bombay Presidency mainly due to the religious basis. Abdullah Haroon in his speech as the chairman of the Reception Committee of Sindh Muslim League Conference held in Karachi in October 1938, urged to adopt a policy, which should ultimately lead towards the creation of "Hindu India" and "Muslim India" in the sub-continent. The League Council in its Delhi session in December 1938 formed a committee for the purpose, with Abdullah Haroon as its Chairman. Among many schemes presented at Lahore session of Muslim League in March 1940, the scheme finally selected was known as "Abdullah Haroon Committee Scheme" which demanded two Muslim states, one in the Northwest and the other in the Northeast of the sub-continent. The resolution based on this scheme was passed in the session and became better known as the "Pakistan resolution". During the partition, as a result of the atrocities committed in Bantva and Kutiyana by the Indian army and the Hindu farm laborers of adjoining villages, the Memons from other towns and cities including Dheraji, Jetpur, Gondal, Upleta, Mangrol, Jamnagar etc, realized that it was no longer safe for them to continue living in their hometowns, migrated to Pakistan. They were helped in settling down in Karachi and other towns of Sindh by the Memon Relief Committee in Karachi. In Pakistan Memons fell in difficult times during six year rule of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto during the 1970’s when almost all of Memons industries and business’s where nationalized by the government of Pakistan Peoples Party. Memons had led the first wave of industrial development in Pakistan but it were they who suffered most in the separation of East Pakistan and Bhutto’s nationalization. The decline of Memon businesses can be judged from the fact that in 1970, Haroons had 20 companies in their fold, Adamjee known as the Jute King had majority shares in 30 companies, Bawany's controlled 20 companies, Valika had 20 companies, Dadabhoys 17, Jaffer Bros 17 and Karim 14 companies. Today Rangoonwala-Bengali group, Haroon, Jaffer and Karim have one company each listed on KSE and the number of Memons and their ranking among the top 22 families has drastically gone down as compared to the 1970's. In 1971 there were 13 Memons among the top 42 including Adamjee, Dawood, Bawany, Gul Ahmad, Karim, Rangoonwala, Haroon, Hussain Ibrahim, Ghani, Adam, Dada, Dadabhoy, Hasham but in 1995 their number among the top 45 has been reduced to seven i.e. Dawood, Gul Ahmad, Bawany, Al-Noor, Fecto, Tawakkal and Yunus Bros. Ten of the top Memon Groups from 1970's have disappeared. Three among the survivors have drastically have drastically gone down in ranking while four new Memons groups have joined the ranks. Dawood on top in 1970 is now at number 8, Gul Ahmad at 9 and Bawany at 23. Several leading Memons industrialists like Adamjee, Jaffer Bros and Fecto who were in process of setting up fertilizer factories and tractor plants in the 1970 had to abandon these because of the nationalization order. Investments by Memons was switched off, as if the leaders of Memon community held a meeting and decided to invest no more in Pakistan. The only projects of some industrial consequence set up by the Memons during last 25 years are Poineer Cable by Bawany and Pakistan-Synthetic by the Al-Karam group. This business community had been seasoned by persecutions of different types in their abodes in India and Burma, and therefore, they responded in the only way that was expected in such a situation, i.e. switch over investment and move abroad. They setteled in U.S.A, England and Canada. It is not surprising that several leading industrial families of the 1970 era have not setup a single big industrial project Pakistan in 25 years since nationalization. “Memons are finished in Pakistan. They have been wiped out deliberately” maintained Yusuf Haroon, a top Memon industrialist and first chief minister of Sindh after Pakistan’s independence in 1947. The success of many Memons has aroused some jealousy from other ethnic groups, who sometimes stereotype Memons as greedy money-lovers. As in earlier times, confronted as they were with numerous difficulties, the Memon spirit of adventure never ceased. The political upheavals, the changing social patterns, the call of the professions and occupations, all combined to encourage Memon movement and settlement throughout India and the rest of the world. Wherever they went and settled, the Memons left lasting impressions with their mosques, welfare and educational institutions, hospitals and musafarkhanas that emerged through Jamat's (community based organisations) that were constituted every where.

Ethnically Lohana, + Spiritually Muslim, = Memon