Khudabadi Sindhi Swarankar

The Khudabadi Sindhi Swarankar (alternately Khudabadi Sonara Community) is a Sindhi community historically associated with the cities of Khudabad and Hyderabad, Sindh. They are alternatively known as the Sonara community (from Sunar, meaning goldsmith) that is affiliated to the Lohana caste.[1]

History

Independence of India and Partition

Following India's independence from British rule on 15 August 1947, Sindh became a part of the new nation of Pakistan. This partition was accompanied by sectarian violence in both Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan. Sindhi Hindus found themselves discriminated against, and were unable to divest their properties due to their being declared Intended Evacuees by the Pakistani government, which planned to resettle them in India. The Sonaran goldsmiths were further troubled by legislation stating that no jewelry pawned by Muslim Pakistanis could be taken from Pakistan during the official evacuation of Hindu migrants.

Sonaras living on the Indian side of the Partition supported the emigrants during the partition, employing Association funds. Due to the large number of Sonarans living overseas, considerable funds were raised to assist Sonarans leaving Pakistan, and it is estimated that only 10% of Sonaran families were forced to stay in refugee camps following the move.[2] Jhamandas F. Purswani and Tikamdas B. Purswani acquired from Dept. of Custodium-Evacuees Properties a building 'Navab Ki Haveli' in Vidhyadar Ka Rasta, Jaipur and shifted there all those community families from the refugees camps and widows living in Jaipur.[3] They also constructed a Panchayati Hall for community and social activities and a temple of Goddess Durga, in the 'Navab Ki Haveli' with the funds remitted by the overseas Sonaran.[4] Sonarans were further aided by the presence of Sonarans within the Rehabilitation Office who aided them in getting refugee and ration cards. With this community support, the Sonaran refugees quickly established themselves as merchants of cloth and sundry goods, and in their traditional occupation as goldsmiths.

Following the 1962 Gold Control Act, only a few goldsmiths could get a license to own gold, and only in small quantities. As a result, the members of Khudabadi Sonara community, who were dependent on their traditional occupation of making gold ornaments, suffered serious financial harm.

See also

References

  1. ↑ R. V. Russell. The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India. McMillan & Co. Ltd., London, 1916. e-book
  2. ↑ Watumal Purswani. "Biography of Jhamandas F. Purswani" Jaipur, India, 18 February 1962
  3. ↑ Watumal Purswani. "Biography of Jhamandas F. Purswani" Jaipur, India, 18 February 1962
  4. ↑ Watumal Purswani. "Biography of Jhamandas F. Purswani" Jaipur, India, 18 February 1962

External links

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