Socio-Political Resistance in Sindh: From Ancient times to British India

Abstract

If there is a discussion about the resistance in Sindh it had played an important role in history. It helped Sindh on the two fronts. One of the fronts of resistance had helped Sindh to preserve and maintain the age-old separate and distinct Identity from the foreign aggressions. Sindhi people have boldly stood against foreign invaders. It is another matter that like any other nation, Sindhi people sometimes succeeded in this regard to defend their motherland, and sometimes, they failed. But it is clear evidence that Sindh has staunchly opposed the foreign plunderers and attackers. The second important level of resistance is within the society. Sindhi people have initiated individual and collective levels movements against prevailing exploitation and injustice in the society. Sufis have played their part in this regard to curtail religious extremism and to strive hard to bring religious tolerance, harmony, and peace loving society. Besides the Sufis movement, Sindhi scholars, students, women, peasants have long struggled for the major contradictions and injustice in society. Like every other society, now there are various political parties and organizations working in Sindh. A variety of leftist political parties and innumerable rightist political parties are doing their politics. There exists civil society, women’s organizations, and student organizations working for the downtrodden class of society. Nationalist politics with respect to the vested interests of Sindh is commonplace. This was the brief nature of resistance which had remained insignificant in shaping and preserving the separate and distinct identity of Sindh.