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| History
of Memon Community |
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Memon is
a courageous and unique position holder mercantile community.
It participates actively in all the social activities such as,
health, education and cultural programs. When the forefather
of this community embarrassed with Islam, they were named as
"Momin" and with the passage of time, they are now
known as "Memon". The conversion of the religion resulted
to a lot of calamities, which were faced with utmost courage,
and boldness to overcome calamities. They had to migrate from
their homeland. God accepted these trials for the sake of Islam
and He bestowed blessings and such a high capabilities that
Memon community is prominent in all walks of modern life. On
the occasion of the presentation of history of early period
of the community, we are highly thankful of God that we are
part and parcel of this community |
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| Summary
of the Rise and Sacrifices of Memon Nation |
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Before Islamisation,
Memon Nation belonged to Hindu Lohana Race, which was distinguished
into 84 branches. The peoples of Memon Nation accepted Islam
in 1424-25 A.D. During this period (824 Hijri), the capital
of Sindh was Thatta and it was governed by Mr. Murkab Khan.
Hajrat Yousufuddin Qadri (god bless him) came to Sindh during
the aforesaid period and he became permanent resident of Sindh
on the request of the governor. He preached Islam with great
zeal and Markab Khan and his minister Ayub Khan became discipal
of Hazrat Qadri. Sardar Seth Sundarji and Sardar Seth Hunsraj
were honourable members of the Darbar or Court of the Government.
They were sons of Sardar Seth Oji Bin Manik. First of all, Manakji
accepted Islam on the blessed hands of Hazrat Qadri. Later on
his son Oji and both son of the Seth Ravji named Sundarji and
Seth Hunsraj was embarrassed with Islam.
As a result of the acceptance of Islam by two well-known i.e.
Sardars, Seth Sundarji and Seth Hunsraj, seven hundred families
belonging to 84 branches of Lohana Hindu race were embarrassed
with Islam. Hazrat Qadri (God bless him) entitled them as Momin,
which was later on changed to Memon.
The Great Pir Hazrat Abdul Qadar Jilani (God bless him) at the
verge of death, advised his son Tajuddin to go and preach Islam
in Sindh. He, however, failed to do so, but a descendent of
Hazrat Jilani (God bless him). Hazrat Syed Yousufuddin Qadri
migrated from Arab (Iraq) to Sindh. He settled at Thatta, the
then Capital of Sindh, Soon he succeeded to convert Lohana Hindu
families and their Sardars (Leaders) to Muslims.
When 700 Hindu Lohana families accepted Islam, the Lohana Hindu
race was highly surprised and to stop the conversion of their
religion, they arranged a great meeting under the leadership
of their "groove" the great religious personalities,
such, as Joshi Takemal, Joshi Malmal, Joshi Odhemal, In this
meeting it was decided that the daughters and daughter-in-laws,
who were in possession of the Lohana Hindu families, must not
be allowed to keep relation, converted with newly "Nu-muslims"
so that they might not be converted from Hindu religion to Islam.
In addition to do this, they made social bye cot to Muslims
and stopped all trade and relations with Muslims.
This decision, naturally, resulted to great difficulties to
Nu-Muslim. The members of Nu-Muslim Lohana families had to face
a very complicated situation because many wives, daughters and
other relations were still Hindu and they had to either leave
them or to reject the change of the religion. These difficulties
may easily be realized.
In short, lot of relations was broken all trade relation purchasing
and selling activities were stopped. The necessary usage articles
of life were not available to Nu-muslims. It became highly difficult
to live in these circumstances. Majority of the population was
Hindu and the meager minority of Nu-Muslim could not face the
majority and only solution of the situation was migration from
their native land. They consulted this situation with Hazrat
Qadri, who advised to migrate from Thatta. In the light of this
advice the Nu-muslims migrated and populated to a nearby town
Waryah, Soon, the great shortage of sources of necessities of
life, compelled six hundred families of Nu-muslims to again
migrate to Halar Pargana of Kathiawar (Gujarat). Now remaining
100 families consisting of majority of women was left in Waryah
town. The families, who were named Kayaya families could not
migrated for one reason or other and kept living in the Waryah
Town till 947 Hijri.
Seth Adam was designated as the first "Amir" of Memon
Nation in Moj Waryah town and he constructed a residential house
in the town Markan, the son of Seth Adam, was named Ruknuddin
by Hazrat Qadri. He kept living his whole life in the Waryah
town, however his son namely Samat left the town and migrated
to Cutch in 1442 A.D. The then capital of Cutch was Bhuj and
Raja Khangarji governed it. He was the creator of Cutch State
and he invited Kunna Seth to settle in Cutch in 1597 A.D. (947
Hijri). Alongwith the family of Kunna Seth, Memon families also
migrated to Cutch. This second migration was made due to the
wishes of Raja Khangarji through Seth Kunna.
Till 1535 A.D. the population of 100 remained Memon families
was increased in Waryah town. Most of them also migrated to
various places of Cutch State. In this way small communities
of Memons were established at various towns of Cutch.
The migration of Memon Nation to far off towns of Kathiawar
(Gujarat) and Cutch created many Memon Communities locally.
Memons nation was divided into many classes or Biradari. |
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| Main
Biradari of Memon |
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(1) Halai
Memon: It has already said that six hundred Memon families were
migrated to Pargana Halar, Kathiawar and were settled permanently
over there. They remained at Halar for a long time and were
known as Halai Memon.
(2) Cutchi Memon: It has also said that many families migrated
to Cutch and they settled at Cutch permanently and were known
as Cutch Memon.
(3) Okhai Memon: Few Halai Memon families, later on, migrated
from Cutch to Okhai Bunder and remained there for a long time.
They were known as Okhai Memon.
(4) Sindhi Memon: The Memon families, who remained settled in
Sindh, were dispersed in far off towns of Southern Sindh. These
Memon Families were mostly agriculturist and they could not
leave their agriculture land. These were known as Sindhi Memon
or simply Memon, however the other Biradari of Memons called
them Sindhi Memon.
This distribution of Memons on the basis of their locations
becomes permanent. The different atmospheres and social and
economical tradition of these far off locations effected these
Memon Biradari. Now they appear different, however, origin of
the Memon Biradari is same.
In many aspects different Memon Biradari are different but one
thing in same in all these Communities. Each Memon Community
live under one classified system and this characteristic is
genetical. As a result of separate classes. These Biradari were
established and they began to live under a separate classified
system. This resulted to segregated and localized thinking.
This unliked and bad considerations divided Memon Community
into different Biradari permanently. In addition to this, the
aforesaid four Biradari (Halai Memon, Cutchi Memon, Okhai Memon
and Sandi Memon) were sub-divided into small Memon Biradari.
Soon Halai Memons was sub-divided into Kathiawar and Gujarat
Halai Memon Biradari. |
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| Sub
division of Halai Memon Biradari |
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The small
number of families living in a place created a small Memon Biradari.
In this way Kathiawar and Gujarat Memon Biradari created large
number of small Memon Biradari locally. Halai Memon were dispersed
at far off places of Halar Pargana, Kathiawar and Gujarat and
they established very small sub classes of Halai Biradari.
In the beginning, the entire local small Halai Memon Biradari
remained well connected under central Memon Biradari or Jamat
but soon the small Memon Biradari acquired importance and they
were started to be called Halai Memon of the particular place.
Although, Memon nation (Halai Memon, Cutchi Memon, Okhai Memon
and Sindhi Memon Biradari) was dispersed in various places of
Indo-Pakistan and they established small Memon Biradari at each
place. These small Memon Biradari were called on the basis of
the place, for example Cutchi Memon Jamat Karachi, Cutchi Memon
Jamat Bombay etc. However, the families of all these small Memon
Biradari were provided facilities equally, irrespective of separate
Memon Biradari. In all Jamat activities each Memon, irrespective
of separate Biradari, could participate as a member of the Jamat.
This condition still exists in Cutchi Memon Biradari but in
Kathiawar and Gujarat Memon Jamat this characteristic is lost.
Now Halai Memon Biradari is divided into many Jamats and number
of locally named Halai Memon Biradari is very many, however
important locally named Jamats are as follows:
Alpabarah (2) Upleta (3) Amarely (4) Ahmadabad (5) Uanamahal
(6) Brodra (7) Bhavnagar (8) Puchmahal (9) Porbunder (10) Palanpur
(11) Tirsai (12) Jadan (13) Jetpur (14) Junagarh (15) Jamnagar
(16) Dhoraji (17) Dhuwan (18) Bantva (19) Rajkot (20) Ranavav
(21) Surat (22) Sardargarh (23) Kodinar (24) Kutiyana (25) Keshod
(26) Kapadvanj (27) Gondal (28) Manawadar (29) Maisana (30)
Morbi (31) Nausari (32) Naryad (33) Vasawar (34) Veraval (35)
Vnthali (36) Padgarhi (37) Jodia.
THE CONDIITON OF HALAI MEMON BIRADARI
At one-time
members of Memon Bradari was populated in very small groups
of various places of Kathawar and Gujrat. In this period the
government of Gujarat was under the control of Marwaries who
showed unbearable cruelties to Muslims and it was very difficulty
time for Muslims. The great difficulty of this period was that
travelling from one place to another was impossible because
the journey through se was difficult due to Maratha and British
Government and the nation of Gujarat namely Saknma who looted
the travelers. Lands Passages were blocked by Maratha. The economic
condition of Gujarat Province was declining day by day. The
industrial and commercial activities were stand still. The Marwari
Mahajain was controlling all taxes system and they were very
harsh and cruel to Muslim merchants and Muslim landlords.
In this period, the prevailing economic condition of Gujarat
was destroyed totally and the condition of common men was worst
and they were living hand to mouth.
It was so difficult time in the history of Halai Biradari that
there was danger that whole Biradari may be completely finished.
However the Biradari remained disciplined, cooperative, united
and courageous and kept facing the difficult situation cool
mindedly. They work hard, remained patient and contributed their
mercantile activities under their genetical capabilities and
worst financial constrains could not stopped their commercial
and economical activities. In those days, there was no foreign
trade and local commercial active was under the control of Mercenaries.
However Memon Biradari kept mercantile activities at the lowest
possible rate did not left their profession.
The Memon merchant of this period was working ideally. They
used o travel with commercial groups or through their representatives
for exporting goods.
Many times hey take small quantity of grains and other articles
on the back of horse's donkeys and bull carriages, from one
village to another alone. There was nominal number as of bounded
Muslim merchants.
In the period of Shah Alam Sani the whole Gujarat province began
to be controlled by Maratha and they began to govern the province
totally, Now good peace conditions were prevailing however the
effects of pervious bad conditions of Memon Biradari were still
prevailing.
Later Memon Biradari tried hard to overcome their difficulties
and problems boldly. The British Government kept Gujarat as
separate state but role of local authorities was weakened and
British Agents acquired power from local authorities. During
this period, the conditions of Memon Biradari improved a lot
and many families became financially sound however, majority
could not achieved good conditions. At last a greater change
occurred and the Golden time of Memon Biradari started. This
was the period, when British Government was leaving and giving
Independence to the peoples of Indo-Pakisatn.
By the grace of God, this golden period of Memon Biradari is
still continued. It is to point out the major rule to acquirer
this condition was of small communities of Memon Biradari of
Kathiawar and Gujarat, which are now named on the basis of their
local cities.
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| The
condition of Okhai Memon Biradari |
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Okhai Memon
Biradari also faced the worst condition as detailed in connection
with Halai Memon Biradari. Okhai Bunder was not under direct
control of Maratha government, however Maratha used to reach
the coastal areas including Okha Bunder to kill, destroy and
snatch all commodities of the people, resulted to poverty of
Okhai Memon Biradari and this condition continued for a long
period. The Okhai Memon Biradari was religious minded and they
prevented them from Gambling known as "Satta Bazi".
It is a praise worthy act of the community which is still prevailing
in the members of the Biradari.
The progress of the communities started at the early period
of British Government slowly Many families are now in good financial
condition, however majority belong to middle class peoples.
This Biradari is characterized by ideally disciplined and united
community. In the beginning the commercial activates of the
Biradari was united and co-operative in a disciplined manner,
which resulted to epoch making success in British Government
period. They used to control the wholesale market untidily and
dictate the rates of Goods. So they became financially sound
suddenly. A bad aspect of this behavior of the Biradari was
that the losses of whenever occurred became unbearable by the
members of the Biradari. There were many reasons of these losses
such as sudden change in the rate of the goods and other competitors
tried to fail the united activities of this Biradari. Soon after
First World War the whole commercial activities dropped suddenly
and commerce market was effected badly. It resulted to damage
the trade of the Biradari and losses were so high that the majority
of the Biradari declared bankrupt and they stopped to participate
in trade of the country, however, many Okhai Memon continued
to take part in commercial activities individually. The practice
succeeded and in the last period of British Government, many
of them acquired stable condition. The families of Okhai Memon
are spreaded all over Indo-Pakistan and most of them are keeping
their trade profession. One thing is praise worthy that they
never sub-divided into local Memon Biradari like Halai Memon
and others. |
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| The
condition of Sindhi Memon Biradari |
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In Mughal
period, Sindhi Memon Biradari populated Thatta mostly, as it
was the great center of all commercial activities of Southern
Sindh. This Biradari participated not only in trade but also
in agriculture. Rahim dad Khan wrote in his book "Jannat-ul-Sindh"
that Memon merchants, were involved in the trade of dried fish
and Ghee .At that time Thatta was the centre of the trade of
dried fish and Memon merchants used to import this goods to
upper Sindh, Arabs and Zanzibar, The Ghee of Sindh was well
known all over India.
In 1147 A.D. Sardar of Kalhora Nation captured Sindh, which
was part of the Kingdom of Shehensha Mohammad Shah. The king
bestowed the permission to govern the province of Sindh. In
1182 A.D. Sarfraz Khan Kalhora was the king of the province
but he failed to control the internal law and order situation
of his kingdom and foreigner also invaded his Kingdom. It resulted
to complete destruction of Thatta and the trade of Thatta was
totally destroyed. The condition of Sindhi Memon Biradari was
badly effected and they left to participate in commercial activities.
They earn their livelihood by agriculture. This change in profession
made Sindhi Memon Biradari financial poor as compare to other
Memon Biradari.
In the meantime, many Sindhi Memon settled in Malir area of
Karachi city, which is now known as Memon Goth. They used to
cultivate their small peace of land by themselves and each member
of the family participated in all their cultivation activities.
By their hard work, they are now owner of large area of cultivated
land and are rich and can be compared with big landlords of
Sindh. In addition to this, many Sindhi Memons are highly qualified
and are working on high or low-level positions of the Government
of Pakistan. |
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| The
condition of Cutchi Memon Biradari |
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During the
worst period of Gujarat, Cutch remained peaceful and Cutchi
Memon remained peaceful due to appreciation of the ruling Raja
of the state. Moreover Cutch is far off from Gujarat where Maratha
were ruling with cruelty so Maratha could not harm Cutchi Memon.
In this good condition Cutchi Memon controlled all commercial
activities of the state. Cutchi is a place where famine prevails
off and on. This effected poor Cutchi Memon like other peoples
of Cutch, but soon they used to acquire their good condition
after famine Raja of Cutch used to give small amount of money
annually as taxes to Raja of Gujarat and govern Cutch independently.
There were well-known seaports in Cutchi such as Bastar, Rakhput
and Mandvi, Cutchi Memon used to export and import goods from
foreign countries through ships and boats on large scale. It
was good opportunity of Cutchi Memon because they were not controlled
by East India Company and the Britishers, who were dealing with
commercial activities of this part of India, were new in this
Commercial activities, So Cutchi Memon joined hands with hands
of Britishers and kept their supremacy in commerce. It resulted
to make Cutchi Memon as great merchants and they participated
in trade on large scale.
During First World War they earned unlimited wealth and Cutch
became a great centre of trade. It was declared as free port
and there was neither any hindrance on export and import nor
any tax was paid to Government. As a result foreign goods were
available on large scale and people from all over India used
to visit Cutch to purchase goods on very low price. Some Cutchi
Memon used to work as Money Exchanger and they were known as
"Wattao" (Exchanger of Money) the descendent of these
moneychangers are still known as "Wattawari" |
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| Settlement
of Memon Biradari in Karachi |
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Before creation
of Pakistan, certain middle class Cutchi Memon migrated to Karachi
and some of them became wealthy merchants of Karachi. Later
on a lot of poor Cutchi Memons migrated to Karachi. In those
days, Karachi was a small city consisting of old city areas
and Napier Quarters (now a day these areas are called Sarafa
Bazar, Kundan Bazar, Khajur Bazar, Juna Market, Judia Bazar,
Kaghzi Bazar, Kharadar, Methadar and Machchi Miani Road).
These were a residential hotel or Sarai for travelers at present
place of the building of Madarsa-tul-Islam and playground. The
old resident of Karachi city were living at Muchchi Miani Road.
Port trust Building was constructed in this area and the old
residents of Karachi were shifted to Khadda Basti.
Cutchi Memons were acquainted with British soldiers and military
and Civil officers and they habits were well aware of habits
so they started their trade from soldier camps and they established
a Bazar at the place which is now known as Soldier Bazar. They
were also settled at the buildings situated at this place. Cutchi
Memon constructed huge English styled buildings on this area
and these buildings may be been even today.
In 1868-69 A.D. great famine occurred at Cutchi, Kathiawar,
Gujarat and Marwar, as a result a large population of these
places migrated to Karachi permanently. Most of these migrated
peoples were poor and middle class Memons Naturally; the population
of Karachi was increased highly and new Muhallas were established
on financial basis. The Middle class Memons settled at a place,
which is now known as Ratan Talao (a pond or 'Talao" was
present in this area). The first Jama Masjid was constructed
in this Mohalla. This old mosque is now known as Memon Masjid
Saddar. The management of this mosque is still under a committee
of certain honourable Cutchi Memons although Cutchi Memons are
shifted from this area.
In the beginning of establishment Ratan Talao Mohalla, it was
populated by Cutchi Memons and their houses were constructed
on small plots. In 1889 A.D. the lands of Karachi areas were
surveyed by Government. On the recommendation of this survey,
organised plots of lands on low price were allotted to the residents
of this Mohalla at a place which is now called Aram Bagh Quarters
and the residents of Ratan Talao were shifted to this area.
Cutchi Memons are still living in this area and it is named
as Memon Mohalla Gari Khata.
The poor Cutchi Memons were settled at unpopulated or less polulated
area of Karachi. These areas are kmown as Bhimpura; Chakiwara
and Ghans gangi and these are thickly populated by Cutchi Memons.
In 1898 A.D. plague spreaded epidimically firstly and later
it was spreaded in 1898 A.D. and a1899 on large scale. It resulted
to killing of large number of Cutchi Memons. To save from this
disease, many Cutchi Memons shifted to nearby village's temporarity
and later came back to their homes in Karachi City.
In 1899-1900 A.D. serious famine was again spreaded in Cutch,
Kathiawar, Gujarat and Marwar. As it was occurred in Vikrama
1956, so it was called as Chapnia. As a result of this famine
numerous peoples migrated to Karachi. Migrated Cutchi Memon
population was now settled at area near Khadda Basti. They established
a separate association, which was called "Okhai Memon Anjuman".
In respect to the name of this association the new mohalla was
known as Memon Society.
In the meatime, many members of Sindhi Memon Community settled
in Karachi permanently. Some of these peoples were doing business
of fresh fruits, Vegetables and Ghee. With the increase in the
population of Karachi, Sindhi Hindu merchant shifted from all
over Sindh and captured the trade of Karachi. It resulted to
over throw Sindhi Memons merchants, however, Cutchi Memons remained
in high scale commercial activities, as they were involved in
this trade since First World War. After First War Cutchi Memon
bore great loses, due to decreased or lost of while foreign
trade of Karachi. Now many Cutchi Memons started to take part
in Government Service except a few peoples who remained involved
in trade.
In 1935 A.D., Sindh was separated from Bombay Province through
an Act of British Government. Now Karachi was declared as Capital
of the Province. By the time, the population of Karachi was
increased at very high rate and highly qualified Sindhi Memon
were settled in Karachi permantly and they were employed on
honourable posts in Government and Sindhi Memon Community was
established. Soon after independence of India in 1947, Memons
of all communities from all over Bharat migrated to Pakistan
and they were settled at various cities of Pakistan. Most of
these migrated Memons settled in Karachi. In this way, the largest
population of Memons is living in Karachi. It is estimated that
population of Memons in Karachi is nearly five lakhs. Most of
them are involved in business of various commodities and they
control commercial activities of Karachi. Some Memons posses
unlimited wealth and perform commercial activities on largest
possible scale. Most of the great industries are established
by Memons. In addition, certain Memons are highly qualified.
They are well known in the fields of health, education and other
technical activities.
In Karachi, a lot of small-scale associations of Memons are
established. Memons are associated with each other through their
associations and residing in Karachi peacefully. |
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| Thickly
populated areas of Memons |
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It has already
pointed out that the biggest population of Memons is settled
in Karachi, which is the biggest city of Pakistan. Bombay is
second in position with respect to population of Memons.
There are nearly twenty thousands Memons residing in Bombay
which is also one of the biggest city and centre of trade and
commerce of Bharat. Like Karachi, small-scale associations of
Memons are established in Bombay and Memons are living peacefully
in association with these associations.
A large population of Memons is residing at Memon Goth; the
oldest centre of Memon in Karachi and it was established 2,500
years ago. At least 2000 Memons are putting up at Memon Goth.
The old peoples of Memon community encourage us to serve all
needy persons and they also encourage us to offer sacrifices,
as and when, needed. As s result, Memons have shown interest
in construction of Mosques, schools, and dispensaries, orphan
hostels and education centers and is on fore front to serve
humanity. Before and after creation of Pakistan, Memons played
vital role in Pakistan as economically sound and well-known
country. |
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