Can Sindhis come in the group of Hindus?

 

Sindhi Hindus are indeed a significant group within the broader Hindu community. Let’s explore their history and identity:

1. Sindhi Hindus:

   • Sindhi Hindus are Sindhis who follow the Hindu religion.
   • They are spread across modern-day Sindh, Pakistan, and India.
   • After the partition of India in 1947, many Sindhi Hindus migrated from Pakistan to India, resulting in a wholesale exchange of Hindu and Muslim populations in some areas.

2. Population:

   • According to the 2017 census, there are approximately 4.18 million Sindhi Hindus residing within the Sindh province of Pakistan.
   • In India, the 2011 census listed 2.77 million speakers of Sindhi, including speakers of Kutchi, a number that does not include Sindhi Hindus who no longer speak the Sindhi language.

3. Cultural Identity:

   • Sindhi Hindus are the largest ethnolinguistic Hindu group in Pakistan.
   • They have a rich cultural heritage, including language, traditions, and festivals.

4. Historical Context:

   • Prior to Arab invasions, the majority of Sindh’s population practiced Hinduism, although a significant minority adhered to Buddhism as well.
   • After successful Arab invasions, collaboration by local Buddhist populations, and resistance by local Hindu populations, Sindh came under Muslim rule.

5. Survival and Flourishing:

   • Despite historical challenges, Hinduism persisted in Sindh as a minority religion.
   • The consistency of Hinduism in Sindh is credited to the dependency of the rural Hindu population on Brahmins.

In summary, Sindhi Hindus are an integral part of the Hindu community, and their cultural and religious identity has persisted throughout history. ^1 2 3 4 .