Sindhs

Sindhs are residents and a cultural group associated with the Sindh region of South Asia. The term is used for people who identify with Sindh's heritage and, in modern usage, for Sindhi-speaking communities in Pakistan, India, and abroad. The word Sindh is derived from Sindhu, the historic name for the Indus River.

Geography and demography: Sindh is a coastal region in southern Pakistan, bounded by the Arabian Sea, the Indus River, and neighboring provinces; it includes major urban centers such as Karachi and Hyderabad. The population is diverse, with a majority of Sunni Muslims, along with Hindu and other religious minorities. Sindhi is the predominant language, with Urdu and other regional languages also spoken. The Sindh region has a large global diaspora.

History: The Sindh region was home to the Indus Valley Civilization, one of the world’s earliest urban cultures. It later came under Persian, Greek, and Arab influence, with Arab conquest in the 8th century integrating the area into successive empires. In the modern era, it became part of British India and subsequently the province of Sindh after Pakistan’s founding in 1947. The post-partition period saw demographic and economic shifts, including migration to urban centers.

Culture and economy: Sindh’s cultural heritage includes Sufi poetry and music, Ajrak block printing, and traditional embroidery. Cuisine features rice, fish, and lentils. Economically, Sindh is a commercial and agricultural hub; Karachi is a major port city with textiles, chemicals, and other industries. Agriculture relies on the Indus river system, with crops such as cotton and rice playing important roles.