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The Hindu Sufis of South Asia: Partition, Shrine Culture and the Sindhis in India
Within the complex religious landscape of modern India, the community of Sindh stands out as a powerful example of interfaith relations. This Hindu community moved to India and practiced Sufism following Sindh's inclusion to Pakistan in the 1947 partition. Drawing on a close analysis of literature and poetry, interviews with key informants, and a reading of historic rituals and architectures, Michel Boivin demonstrates that this active religious minority has managed to retain its unique Hindu-Sufi identity amidst the rigidification of official religions in both India and Pakistan. Of particular significance, Boivin argues, was the creation of sacred spaces called darbars. These shrines include a religious building where the Hindu Sindhis worship Sufi saints, chant Sufi poetry and perform Sufi rituals.
In looking at this vibrant community as a trans-religious culture capable of navigating the challenges of the modern nation state, this book is an important contribution to understanding the Muslim-Hindu encounter in India.
In looking at this vibrant community as a trans-religious culture capable of navigating the challenges of the modern nation state, this book is an important contribution to understanding the Muslim-Hindu encounter in India.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published September 5, 2019
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August 13, 2024
"Sufi Mandir" on the cover caught my attention and piqued my interest instantly
As a third generation half Sindhi, who is agnostic and grappled with an identity crisis for the most part, this is a well researched copy for anyone who is attempting to understand their roots better, along with the major role Sufism plays in the religious legacy, or to put it in more eloquent terms , "spiritual legacy"
I've always had these questions in mind:
-why was there no separate state for sindhis post partition ?
-why was the suffering downplayed just because it didn't involve "violence"?
-how did the creation of a separate "god" come into being?
I've personally witnessed the subtle trauma trickle down for generations- always warped in an awkward silence that no one voluntarily spoke about
While this book answers some of these pertinent questions, it also makes me wonder, what it truly means to be a Sindhi in India today with the constant Hinduization ; safe to say the originality and essence is entirely lost
Maybe there is no clear cut answer. Or maybe one needs to traverse our neighboring land in order to gain them?
As a third generation half Sindhi, who is agnostic and grappled with an identity crisis for the most part, this is a well researched copy for anyone who is attempting to understand their roots better, along with the major role Sufism plays in the religious legacy, or to put it in more eloquent terms , "spiritual legacy"
I've always had these questions in mind:
-why was there no separate state for sindhis post partition ?
-why was the suffering downplayed just because it didn't involve "violence"?
-how did the creation of a separate "god" come into being?
I've personally witnessed the subtle trauma trickle down for generations- always warped in an awkward silence that no one voluntarily spoke about
While this book answers some of these pertinent questions, it also makes me wonder, what it truly means to be a Sindhi in India today with the constant Hinduization ; safe to say the originality and essence is entirely lost
Maybe there is no clear cut answer. Or maybe one needs to traverse our neighboring land in order to gain them?
Displaying 1 of 1 review