Roots of Sindhi Civilization
Its Glory & Greatness — by G.T. Shahani, Research & Reference Center, New Delhi
Very little has been said of ancient Sindhi culture, traditions and heritage. This article invites attention to Bhagwan S. Gidwani's Return of the Aryans — published by Penguin Books (ISBN: 0-14-024053-5) — which brings out the glory and greatness of Sindhi culture from pre-ancient times, even before the advent of the Vedic era.
Key Historical Facts
Birth of Hinduism
Birth and beginning of Hinduism took place in Sind, along the Sindhu river, prior to 8,000 BC.
OM & Namaste
It was a man from Sind who first uttered the auspicious 'OM' mantra and devised the salutation of Namaste.
The Swastika
The Swastika seal was originated in Sind to spread the message of Daya, Dana & Dharma. It later spread to Europe.
First Written Language
It was along the Sindhu river that the world's first written language was evolved — "the language that can be seen."
"A generation that remains unaware of its roots is truly orphaned — and the present silence about our ancient past represents a theft from our future generations." — G.T. Shahani
A Disappearing Culture?
Much of the memory of Sind's ancient culture remained alive till the 8th century AD when Arabs under Mohammed Bin Qasim conquered Sindh. For centuries our culture remained suppressed, books were burnt, temples destroyed. With the Partition of 1947, nearly three million Sindhi Hindus found refuge in India — and nearly two hundred thousand settled in UK, USA, Hong Kong, Singapore, Nigeria, Thailand, Canada, Australia, Dubai, and Spain.
The stark reality is that in the midst of this progress, Sindhi community as a cultural entity is disappearing. Sindhi language is vanishing. It is my hope that greater awareness of our roots will inspire Sindhis to preserve their identity and heritage for generations to come.
This article may be freely reproduced without permission. — G.T. Shahani