Muhajir (Volk)

2015-01-07T20:14:10Z

Themastertree: /* Demographics and distribution within Pakistan */

{{infobox ethnic group
|group= Muhajir people {{Nastaliq|مہاجر}}
|image = [[File:Altaf Hussain MQM.jpg|75px]][[File:Liaquat Ali Khan.jpg|75px]][[File:Pervez Musharraf 2004.jpg|75px]] [[File:Shahryarkhan-forsec.jpg|75px]][[File:Shaukat Aziz.jpg|75px]][[File:Nazia Hassan.jpg|75px]][[File:Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy World Economic Forum 2013.jpg|75px]][[File:Abdul Sattar Edhi.jpg|75px]]
|caption=1st row: [[Altaf Hussain]]{{·}}[[Liaqat Ali Khan]]{{·}}[[Pervez Musharraf]] 
2nd row: [[Shahryar Khan|Nawabzada Shahryar Khan]]{{·}}[[Shaukat Aziz]]{{·}}[[Ibrahim Ismail Chundrigar|I.I Chundrigar]] 3rd row:[[Nazia Hassan]]{{·}}[[Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy]]{{·}}[[Abdul Sattar Edhi]] 
|poptime=12-13 million<ref>Taken from [[The World Factbook]] figures based upon the 1998 census of Pakistan.</ref>
|popplace={{Flag icon|Pakistan}} [[Pakistan]]
|rels= [[Islam]]
|langs=[[Urdu]], [[Punjabi language]] in [[Punjab]] region
}}
{{Contains Urdu text}}
'''Muhajir''' ({{lang-ur|{{nq|مہاجر}}}},{{lang-ar|مهاجر}},{{lang-pa|مهاجر}}) is an [[Arabic language|Arabic]]-origin term used in [[Pakistan]] to describe the mostly [[Urdu language|Urdu]] speaking [[Muslim]] refugees who fled from regions of [[India]] and their descendants, who settled in [[Pakistan]] after the [[Pakistan Movement|independence]] of India from [[British Raj|British rule]] in 1947.

There are [[Urdu language|Urdu]] speaking Muhajirs in major cities of [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]], especially in [[Lahore]], [[Rawalpindi]], [[Multan]] and [[Faisalabad]]. The [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] speaking Muslims refugees have been easily assimilated they were also [[Punjabi people|Punjabis]] like other residents. Also the migrants remained active in local politics of the Punjab. General [[Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq]] was of Muslims refugee and he was born in the Indian Punjab and later migrated. Similarly famous politician of PMLN [[Khawaja Saad Rafique]] is the son of Khwaja Muhammad Rafique who migrated from Indian Punjab to [[Punjab, Pakistan|Pakistani Punjab]] after the [[Pakistan Movement|independence]] of Pakistan in 1947.

==Etymology==
The Urdu term ''muhājir'' ({{lang-ur|{{Nastaliq|مہاجر}}}}) comes from the Arabic ''muhājir'' ({{lang-ar|مهاجر}}), meaning a "migrant", and the term is associated in early [[History of Islam|Islamic]] history to the [[Hijra (Islam)|migration]] of [[Muslim]]s from [[Makkah]] to [[Madinah]]. After the [[Pakistan Movement|independence]] of [[Pakistan]], a significant number of Muslims emigrated or were out-migrated from territory that became [[Republic of India|India]]. A large portion of these migrants came from [[East Punjab]], and settled in [[Punjab (Pakistan)|Pakistani Punjab]]. Sharing a common culture and with tribal linkages, many assimilated within a generation. Another significant percentage are of [[Gujarati people|Gujarati]] ethnicity.

However, the majority of the non-[[Punjabi people|Punjabi]] Muslim refugees who moved to [[Pakistan]] migrated from what then were the British Indian provinces of [[Bombay]], [[Bihar]], [[Madhya Pradesh|Central Provinces]], [[Berar Province|Berar]], [[Delhi]], and the [[Uttar Pradesh|United Provinces]], as well as the [[princely states]] of [[Hyderabad State|Hyderabad]], [[Baroda]], [[Kutch]] and the [[Rajputana Agency]] became commonly known as Muhajirs. Most of these refugees settled in the towns and cities of [[Sindh]], such as [[Karachi]], [[Hyderabad, Sindh|Hyderabad]], [[Sukkur]] and [[Mirpurkhas]]. Many spoke [[Urdu language|Urdu]], or dialects of the language such as [[Dakhani]], [[Khari boli]], [[Awadhi language|Awadhi]], [[Bhojpuri language|Bhojpuri]], [[Mewati language|Mewati]], [[Sadri language|Sadri]] and [[Marwari language|Marwari]] and Haryanvi. Over a period of a few decades, these disparate groups sharing the common experience of migration, and political opposition to the military regime of [[Ayub Khan (Field Marshal)|Ayub Khan]] and his civilian successor [[Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto]] evolved or [[Cultural assimilation|assimilated]] into a distinct ethnic grouping.<ref>Oskar Verkaaik, ''A people of migrants: ethnicity, state, and religion in Karachi'', Amsterdam: VU University Press, 1994</ref>

==Reasons for immigration==

The reasons for immigration of Urdu-speaking people to Pakistan needs to be put in context with the context of the time. For many Muhajirs, particularly the noble and aristocratic class, settling in [[Pakistan]] was strongly associated with the [[Pakistan Movement|independence]] movement.

The [[Pakistan movement]], to constitute a separate state comprising the Muslim-majority provinces, was pioneered by the Muslim elite of the region and many notables of the [[Aligarh Movement]]. It was initiated in the 19th century when Sir [[Syed Ahmed Khan]] expounded the Muslim autonomy in [[Aligarh Muslim University|Aligarh]]. Many Muslim nobles, Nawabs (aristocrats and landed gentry) supported the idea. As the idea spread, it gained great support amongst the Muslim population and in particular the rising middle and upper classes.

The Muslims had launched the movement under the banner of the [[All India Muslim League]] and [[Delhi]] was its main centre. The headquarters of [[All India Muslim League]] (the founding party of Pakistan) was based here since its creation in 1906 in [[Dhaka]] (present day Bangladesh) and up to August 1947. The participation in the movement on ideological grounds and supporting its Muslim cause with approximately half of the entire mandate in 1945–46 elections.<ref>Prof. M. Azam Chaudhary, ''The History of the Pakistan Movement,'' p. 368. Abdullah Brothers, Urdu Bazar Lahore.</ref>

The independence of [[Pakistan]] in 1947 saw the settlement of [[Muslim]] refugees fleeing from [[Persecution of Muslims|anti-Muslim]] [[pogram]]s from India. In Karachi, the [[Urdu language|Urdu]] speaking Muhajirs form the majority of the population and gives the city its [[North Indian|northern Indian]] atmosphere.<ref>"[http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=72145 Karachi violence stokes renewed ethnic tension]". IRIN Asia. Retrieved 2007-05-17.</ref> The [[Muslim]] refugees lost all their land and properties in India when they fled and some were partly compensated by properties left by Hindus that migrated to India. The Muslim [[Gujarati people|Gujaratis]], [[Konkani Muslims|Konkani]], [[Hyderabadi Muslims|Hyderabadis]], [[Marathi people|Marathi]], [[Rajasthani people|Rajasthani]], [[Punjabi people|Punjabi]] fled India and settled in Karachi. There is also a sizable community of [[Malayali people|Malayali]] Muslims in Karachi (the [[Mappila]]), originally from [[Kerala]] in [[South India]].<ref>[http://www.dnaindia.com/world/report_where-malayalees-once-held-sway_4610 Where Malayalees once held sway], DNA India</ref> The non-Urdu speaking Muslim refugees from India now speak the [[Urdu language]] and have [[Cultural assimilation|assimilated]] and are considered as Muhajirs.

Most of the Muhajirs now live in [[Karachi]] which was the first capital of [[Pakistan]]. After the [[Pakistan Movement|independence]] of [[Pakistan]] in 1947, the minority [[Hindu]]s and [[Sikh]]s [[Human migration|migrated]] to [[India]] while the [[Muslim]] [[refugees]] from India settled in [[Karachi]].<ref>[http://www.pqa.gov.pk/about_karachi.php Population increase in Karachi - Ref. from Port Qasim Official website]</ref>
==Origin and Conversion theories==
Considerable controversy exists both in scholarly and public opinion as to how conversion to Islam came about in [[Indian subcontinent]], typically represented by the following schools of thought:<ref name="der Veer">der Veer, pg 27–29</ref>
#That the bulk of Muslims are descendants of migrants from the [[Iranian plateau|Iranians]] or [[Arabs]].<ref name="Eaton">Eaton, Richard M.'The Rise of Islam and the Bengal Frontier, 1204–1760''. Berkeley: University of California Press, c1993 1993, accessed on 1 May 2007</ref>
#Conversion was a result of the actions of [[Sufi]] saints and involved a genuine change of heart.<ref name="der Veer"/>
#Conversion came from [[Buddhist]]s and the masses of conversions of lower caste [[Hindus]] as they were the vulnerable and enticed by uniformity under Islam. (See [[Indian caste system|Indian caste structures]]).<ref name="Eaton"/>
#Conversion was a combination, initially by violence, threat or other pressure against the person followed by a genuine change of heart.<ref name="der Veer"/>
#As a socio-cultural process of diffusion and integration over an extended period of time into the sphere of the dominant [[Muslim world|Muslim civilization and global polity]] at large.<ref name="Eaton"/>
#That conversions occurred for non-religious reasons of pragmatism and patronage such as social mobility among the Muslim ruling elite<ref name="der Veer"/><ref name="Eaton"/>
==Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire==
[[File:Delhi History Map.png|thumb|300px|right|[[Delhi Sultanate]]]]
The [[Hindustani language|Hindustani]] speaking people of [[Pakistan]] and [[India]] has diverse roots. Many [[Sufi]] missionaries from [[Middle East]] and [[Central Asia]] migrated, settled and converted locals to [[Islam]]. The [[Delhi Sultanate]] and later [[Mughal Empire]] ruled the [[North India|northern India]] region. During the [[Delhi Sultanate]] and later Mughal Empire attracted Muslim refugees, [[Nobility|nobles]], [[Technocracy|technocrats]], [[bureaucrat]]s, [[soldiers]], [[Merchant|traders]], [[scientist]]s, [[architect]]s, [[artisan]]s, [[teacher]]s, [[poet]]s, [[artist]]s, [[Theology|theologians]] and [[Sufi]]s from the rest of the [[Muslim world]] and they migrated and settled in the area. During the reign of [[Ghiyas ud din Balban|Sultan Ghyasuddin Balban]] (1266-1286) thousands of [[Central Asia]]n Muslims sought [[Right of asylum|asylum]] including more than of 15 sovereigns and their nobles due to the [[Mongol invasion of Khwarezmia and Eastern Iran]]. At the court of [[Iltutmish|Sultan Iltemish]] in Delhi the first wave of these Muslim refugees escaping from the [[Central Asia]]n [[Mongol invasion of Central Asia|genocide]] perpetrated by the barbaric hordes of [[Genghis Khan]], brought administrators from [[Iran]], painters from [[China]], theologians from [[Samarkand]], [[Nishapur]] and [[Bukhara]], nobles from [[Muhajir Khwarezm|Khwarezm]], divines and saints from all Muslim lands, craftsmen and men and maidens from every region, doctors adept in Greek medicine, philosophers from everywhere. The Muslims from various provinces such as [[Hyderabad Deccan]], [[Kerala]], [[Balochistan region|Balochistan]], [[Sindh]], [[Punjab region|Punjab]], [[Gujarat]], [[Kashmir]] and other parts of [[South Asia]] also moved to capitals of Muslim empire in [[Delhi]] and [[Agra]]. Millions of natives converted to [[Islam]] during the Muslim rule. After the [[Battle of Panipat (1526)]] [[Mughal Empire|Mughal Emperor]] [[Babur]] defeated the [[Lodi dynasty]] with [[Tajik people|Tajik]], [[Chagatai people|Chagatai]] and [[Uzbek people|Uzbek]] soldiers and nobility. These [[Central Asia]]n [[Turkic peoples|Turkic]] soldiers and nobles were awarded estates and they settled with their families in the [[North India|northern India]]. [[Safavid dynasty|Safavi Emperor]] [[Tahmasp I|Shah Tahmasp]] provided financial aid, 12,000 choice of cavalry and thousands of infantry soldiers to Mughal Emperor [[Humayun]] to regain his Empire. [[Persian people|Persians]] [[Nobility|nobles]], [[Technocracy|technocrats]] and [[bureaucrat]]s, also joined Mughal Emperor [[Humayun]]. Theses soldiers were awarded estates and they settled with their families in the [[North India|northern India]]. These diverse ethnic, cultural and linguistic groups merged over the centuries to the form the [[Urdu language|Urdu]] speaking Muslims.
[[File:The Mughal Empire.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[Mughal Empire]]]]
The Rohilla leader Daud Khan was awarded the [[Katehar]] (later called [[Rohilkhand]]) region in the then [[North India|northern India]] by [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] emperor [[Aurangzeb]] Alamgir (ruled 1658-1707) to suppress the [[Rajput]] uprisings, which had afflicted this region. Originally, some 20,000 soldiers from various Pashtun tribes ([[Yusafzai]], Ghori, [[Ghilzai]], Barech, [[Marwat]], [[Durrani]], [[Tareen]], [[Kakar]], [[Naghar]], [[Afridi (Pashtun)|Afridi]] and [[Khattak]]) were hired by Mughals to provide soldiers to the Mughal armies. Their performance was appreciated by [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] emperor [[Aurangzeb]] Alamgir, and an additional force of 25,000 Pashtuns were recruited from modern [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]] and [[Afghanistan]] and were given respected positions in Mughal Army. Nearly all of Pashtuns settled in the [[Katehar]] region and also brought their families from modern [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]] and [[Afghanistan]]. During [[Nadir Shah]]'s invasion of [[North India|northern India]] in 1739, the new wave of Pashtuns settled increasing their population to over 100,0000. Due to the large settlement of Rohilla [[Pashtun people|Afghans]], the [[Katehar]] region gained fame as Rohilkhand. [[Bareilly]] was made the capital of the Rohilkhand state and it became Pashtun majority city with [[Gali Nawaban]] as the main royal street. Other important cities were [[Moradabad]], [[Rampur (Uttar Pradesh)|Rampur]], [[Shahjahanpur]], [[Badaun District|Badaun]], and others.<ref>''An Eighteenth Century History of North India: An Account Of The Rise And Fall Of The Rohilla Chiefs In Janbhasha'' by Rustam Ali Bijnori by Iqtidar Husain Siddiqui Manohar Publications</ref><ref>''Imperial Gazetteer of India'' by W M Hunter</ref> After the [[Third Battle of Panipat]] fought in 1761 between the [[Ahmad Shah Durrani]] and [[Maratha Empire]] thousands of [[Pashtun people|Pashtun]] and [[Baloch people|Baloch]] soldiers settled in the northern India. These diverse ethnic, cultural and linguistic groups merged over the centuries to the form the [[Urdu language|Urdu]] speaking Muslims.

Sub-groups also includes the [[Hyderabadi Muslims]], [[Memon people|Memon Muslims]], [[Bihari Muslims]] etc. who keep many of their unique cultural traditions.<ref>Karen Isaksen Leonard, ''Locating home: India's Hyderabadis abroad''</ref> Muslims from what are now the states of [[Delhi]], [[Bihar]] and [[Uttar Pradesh]] were themselves of heterogeneous origin.

The [[Kayastha]] community that has historically been involved in the occupations of land [[Records management|record keeping]] and [[accounting]]. Many Hindu Kayasth found favour with [[Muslim]] rulers for whom the acted as [[Qanungoh Shaikh|Qanungo]]s. This close association, led to the conversion of many members of the [[Kayastha]] community to [[Islam]]. The [[Muslim Kayasths]] speak [[Urdu language|Urdu]]<ref name="ReferenceA">People of India Uttar Pradesh page 1047</ref> while they also speak [[Sindhi language|Sindhi]] and [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] in [[Pakistan]]. The Kayasth sometime use [[Siddiqui]], [[Quraishi]], [[Khan (surname)|Khan]], [[Shaikh]], [[Usmani]] and [[Farooqi]] as their surnames, and consider themselves belonging to the [[Shaikh]] community.<ref name="ReferenceC">Endogamy and Status Mobility among Siddiqui Shaikh in Social Stratication edited by Dipankar Gupta</ref>

The [[Pakistan Movement|independence]] of [[Pakistan]] in 1947 saw the migration of [[Urdu language|Urdu]] speaking refugees from [[India]] fleeing from the [[Persecution of Muslims|anti-Muslim]] [[pogroms]]. The majority of the [[Urdu language|Urdu]]-speaking and other non-[[Punjabi people|Punjabi]] Muslim refugees that fled from various Indian states settled in Karachi.

What defines a Muhajir now is education, urbanism and the Urdu language. [[Gujarati people|Gujratis]], [[Burmese people in Pakistan|Burmese]], [[Memon people|Memons]], [[Bohra people|Bohras]], [[Ismaili people|Ismailis]], [[Bengali people|Bengalis]], [[Rajasthani Muslims]], [[Marathi Muslims]], [[Marwari Muslims]], [[Konkani Muslims]], people from [[Goa]], people from [[Bombay State]], [[Malwari]]s who were in India were counted as Muhajirs in Pakistan as they migrated to Pakistan after or during [[Pakistan Movement|independence]].

==Decline of Mughal rule==
{{See also|Maratha Empire|Sikh Empire}}
[[Maratha Empire]](1674-1818) ruled large parts of India following the decline of the Mughals. The long and futile war bankrupted one of the most powerful empires in the world. Mountstart Elphinstone termed this a demoralizing period for the Mussalmans as many of them lost the will to fight against the [[Maratha Empire]].<ref>{{Cite journal | url = http://books.google.com/?id=1VgOAAAAQAAJ&pg=PR27&dq=mountstuart+elphinstone+zulfiqar+khan#v=onepage&q&f=false | title = The History of India: The Hindú and Mahometan Periods | author1 = Elphinstone | first1 = Mountstuart | last2 = Cowell | first2 = Edward Byles | year = 1866}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | url = http://books.google.com/?id=3amnMPTPP5MC&pg=PA295&dq=amir+khan+baji+rao+1737#v=onepage&q=amir%20khan%20baji%20rao%201737&f=false | title = Dictionary of Battles and Sieges | isbn = 9780313335372 | author1 = Jaques | first1 = Tony | year = 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | url = http://books.google.com/?id=ViSYYQZZWEcC&pg=PA246&dq=british+army+maratha+delhi+1803#v=onepage&q=british%20army%20maratha%20delhi%201803&f=false | title = Fall of the Mughal Empire: 1789-1803 | isbn = 9780861317493 | author1 = Sarkar | first1 = Jadunath | year = 1992}}</ref> Maratha empire at its peak was stretched from Tamil Nadu (Trichinopoly) "present [[Tiruchirappalli]]" in the south to the Afghan border in the north.<ref>Mehta, J. L. [http://books.google.com/books?id=d1wUgKKzawoC&lpg=PA204&dq=nizam%201743%20trichinopoly&pg=PA204#v=onepage&q=nizam%201743%20trichinopoly&f=false ''Advanced study in the history of modern India 1707–1813'']</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.google.co.in/books?id=jBBYD2J2oE4C&pg=PA43&dq=marathas+peshawar&hl=en&sa=X&ei=9V0IT5ibFMLorQes6s3ZDw&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=marathas%20peshawar&f=false |title=Conflict and Conquest in the Islamic World: A Historical Encyclopedia [2 ... - Google Books |publisher=Books.google.co.in |date=2011-07-22 |accessdate=2014-08-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.google.co.in/books?id=zp0FbTniNaYC&pg=PA103&dq=maratha+plunder+rohilkhand&hl=en&ei=kh0tTuaaEIjsrQeo3qGyDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC4Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=maratha%20plunder%20rohilkhand&f=false |title=War, Culture and Society in Early Modern South Asia, 1740-1849 - Kaushik Roy, Lecturer Department of History Kaushik Roy - Google Books |publisher=Books.google.co.in |date=2011-03-30 |accessdate=2014-08-18}}</ref> In early 1771, Mahadji, a notable Maratha general, recaptured Delhi and installed Shah Alam II as the puppet ruler on the Mughal throne. In north India, the Marathas thus regained the territory and the prestige lost as result of the defeat at Panipath in 1761.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.google.co.in/books?id=uPq640stHJ0C&pg=PA8&lpg=PA8&dq=1771+scindia&source=bl&ots=Ohxv9jrPpo&sig=gdLcPTomT2FOmazdsOmytJmiiFE&hl=en&sa=X&ei=JF2_T_PEF8PYrQfPkNW2CQ&ved=0CE4Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=1771%20scindia&f=false |title=The Great Maratha Mahadaji Scindia - N. G. Rathod - Google Books |publisher=Books.google.co.in |date= |accessdate=2014-08-18}}</ref> Mahadji ruled the Punjab as it used to be a Mughal territory and Sikh sardars and other Rajas of the [[cis-Sutlej states|cis-Sutlej region]] paid tributes to him.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.google.co.in/books?id=D_v3Y7hns8QC&pg=PA13&lpg=PA13&dq=mahadji+sindhia+punjab&source=bl&ots=Kdt4ycmwu_&sig=A4SMoH7_sJahnYm5QrdIARtprBQ&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Cp7AT5CFGpDIrQfppqS5CQ&ved=0CE8Q6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=mahadji%20sindhia%20punjab&f=false |title=History of the Marathas - R.S. Chaurasia - Google Books |publisher=Books.google.co.in |date= |accessdate=2014-08-18}}</ref> A considerable portion of the Indian subcontinent came under the sway of the [[British Empire]] after the [[Third Anglo-Maratha War]], which ended the Maratha Empire in 1818.

[[File:Sikh Empire.JPG|thumb|[[Sikh Empire]], established by [[Ranjit Singh]] in North-west India.]]
[[File:India-1760-map.jpg|260px|left|thumb|[[Maratha Empire]] at its zenith in 1760 (yellow area) stretching from the Deccan into present Pakistan. The discussed abolishing the [[Mughal Empire]] and placing Vishwasrao on the [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] imperial throne in [[Delhi]].]]

In northwest India, in the Punjab, [[Sikhs]] developed themselves into a powerful force under the authority of twelve Misls. By 1801, [[Ranjit Singh]] captured [[Lahore]] and threw off the Afghan yoke from North West India.<ref>{{Cite journal | url = http://books.google.com/?id=6NRcKIZ2Y00C&pg=PA12&dq=ranjit+singh+lahore+1799#v=onepage&q=ranjit%20singh%20lahore%201799&f=false | title = Making Lahore Modern: Constructing and Imagining a Colonial City | isbn = 9780816650217 | author1 = Glover | first1 = William J | year = 2008}}</ref> In Afghanistan [[Zaman Shah Durrani]] was defeated by powerful [[Barakzai]] chief Fateh Khan who appointed [[Mahmud Shah Durrani]] as the new ruler of Afghanistan and appointed himself as Wazir of Afghanistan.<ref>{{Cite journal | url = http://books.google.com/?id=tp5IrLhWbTkC&pg=PA142&dq=fateh+khan+wazir+afghanistan+shah+mahmud#v=onepage&q=fateh%20khan%20wazir%20afghanistan%20shah%20mahmud&f=false | title = Historical Dictionary of Afghanistan | isbn = 9780810879577 | author1 = Adamec | first1 = Ludwig W | date = 2011-11-10}}</ref> Sikhs however were now superior to the Afghans and started to annex Afghan provinces. The biggest victory of the [[Sikh Empire]] over the [[Durrani Empire]] came in the [[Battle of Attock]] fought in 1813 between Sikh and Wazir of Afghanistan Fateh Khan and his younger brother [[Dost Mohammad Khan]]. The Afghans were routed by the Sikh army and the Afghans lost over 9,000 soldiers in this battle. Dost Mohammad was seriously injured whereas his brother Wazir Fateh Khan fled back to [[Kabul]] fearing that his brother was dead.<ref>{{Cite journal | url = http://books.google.com/?id=K2ulKHNUktYC&pg=PA192&dq=mokham+chand+dost+mohammad+khan+attock#v=onepage&q=mokham%20chand%20dost%20mohammad%20khan%20attock&f=false | title = Ranjit Singh and the Sikh Barrier Between Our Growing Empire and Central Asia | isbn = 9788120619180 | author1 = Griffin | first1 = Lepel H | last2 = Griffin | first2 = Sir Lepel Henry | year = 1905}}</ref> In 1818 they slaughtered Afghans and Muslims in trading city of [[Multan]] killing Afghan governor Nawab Muzzafar Khan and five of his sons in the [[Siege of Multan]].<ref>{{cite book |title = Ranjit Singh: And the Sikh Barrier Between British Empire and Central Asia| isbn = 9788130700304 | author1 = Hunter | first1 = William Wilson | year = 2004}}</ref> In 1819 the last Indian Province of [[Kashmir]] was conquered by Sikhs who registered another crushing victory over weak Afghan General Jabbar Khan.<ref>{{Cite journal | url = http://books.google.com/?id=tW_eEVbVxpEC&pg=PA938&dq=misr+diwan+chand+kashmir+1819#v=onepage&q=misr%20diwan%20chand%20kashmir%201819&f=false | title = Dictionary of Battles and Sieges | isbn = 9780313335396 | author1 = Jaques | first1 = Tony | year = 2007}}</ref> The [[Koh-i-Noor]] diamond was also taken by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1814. In 1823 a Sikh Army routed Dost Mohammad Khan the Sultan of Afghanistan and his brother Azim Khan at Naushera (Near Peshawar). By 1834 the [[Sikh Empire]] extended up to the [[Khyber Pass]]. [[Hari Singh Nalwa]] the Sikh general remained the governor of Khyber Agency till his death in 1837. He consolidated Sikh hold in tribal provinces. The northernmost Indian territories of [[Gilgit]], [[Baltistan]] and [[Ladakh]] was annexed between 1831-1840.<ref>{{Cite journal | url = http://books.google.com/?id=fCaaQmq-u-YC&pg=PA302&dq=general+zorawar+singh+kuldip+singh#v=onepage&q&f=false | title = War Despatches: Indo-Pak Conflict 1965 | isbn = 9781935501299 | author1 = Singh | first1 = Harbakhsh | date = July 2010}}</ref>

==British Raj==
During British Raj, the [[Muslim]] aristocracy remained above the common Muslims.

==Pakistan Movement==

{{Empty section|date=August 2014}}

==Independence and migration to Pakistan==

===Karachi===
In 1947, [[Karachi]] was chosen as the capital of newly [[Pakistan Movement|independent]] state of [[Pakistan]]. Before the [[Pakistan Movement|independence]] of [[Pakistan]] in 1947, the population of [[Karachi]] was 450,000 and had a small majority of 51% [[Sindhi people|Sindhi]] and [[Balochi people|Balochi]] [[Muslim]]s. Nearly all [[Hindu]] and [[Sikh]] population of [[Karachi]] migrated to India after the [[Pakistan Movement|independence]] of [[Pakistan]]. By 1951, Karachi’s population had increased to 1.137 million because of the influx of nearly 1 million Muslim refugees from India and the population of Karachi was over 96% [[Muslim]].

==Demographics and distribution within Pakistan==
<ref>1998 census report of Pakistan. Islamabad: Population Census Organization, Statistics Division, Government of Pakistan, 2001.</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+'''Census History of Urdu Speakers in Pakistan'''
 
|-
! '''Year''' || '''Population of Pakistan''' || '''Percentage''' || '''Urdu Speakers'''
|-
| 1951 || 33,740,167 || 7.05% || 2,378,681
|-
| 1961 || 42,880,378 || 7.56% || 3,246,044
|-
| 1972 || 65,309,340 || 7.60% || 4,963,509
|-
| 1981 || 84,253,644 || 7.51% || 6,369,575
|-
| 1998 || 132,352,279 || 7.57% || 9,939,656
|-
| 2011 || 173,593,439 || 7.69% || 13,349,335

|-
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+'''Provinces of Pakistan by Urdu speakers ([[Khariboli]] dialect) (1998)'''
 
|-
! Rank || Division || Urdu speakers || Percentage
|-
| – || '''Pakistan''' || '''9,939,656''' || '''7.57%'''
|-
| 1 || [[Sindh]] || 6,407,596 || 21.05%
|-
| 2 || [[Punjab (Pakistan)|Punjab]] ( Definition of Muhajir has become blurred in Punjab) || 3,320,320 || 4.51%
|-
| 3 || [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]] || 138,400 || 0.78%
|-
| 4 || [[Islamabad Capital Territory]] || 81,409 || 10.11%
|-
| 5 || [[Balochistan (Pakistan)|Balochistan]] || 63,032 || 0.96%
|-
| 6 || [[Federally Administered Tribal Areas]] || 5,717 || 0.18%
|}

==Muhajir diaspora==
{{main|Muhajir diaspora}}
Many Muhajirs have emigrated from [[Pakistan]] and have settled permanently in [[Europe]], [[North America]] and [[Australasia]]. There are also significant number of Muhajirs who are working in the [[Middle East]], especially in the [[Persian Gulf]] countries:

Regions with significant populations:
*{{flagcountry|United Kingdom}} 500,000
*{{flagcountry|United States}} 170,000
*{{flagcountry|Saudi Arabia}} 150,000
*{{flagcountry|Canada}} 90,000
*{{flagcountry|United Arab Emirates}} 80,000

==Culture and lifestyle==
{{main|Muhajir culture}}

===Cuisine===
The Muslims refugees brought with them the different cuisine from the different regions. The [[Nihari]], [[Haleem]], [[Pilaf|Pulao]], etc. dishes and their regional variations were introduced in [[Karachi]].

===Clothing===
Before the [[Pakistan Movement|independence]] of [[Pakistan]], [[Mohammad Ali Jinnah]] frequently wore the [[Karakul (hat)|Karakul hat]] and [[Sherwani]] and made it the national dress of Pakistan.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=YGdiqF6V8wYC&pg=PA99&dq=national+dress+of+pakistan&hl=en&sa=X&ei=aIPZT7KnCIXJ0QXcsuj3Aw&ved=0CEUQ6AEwAA |title=Jinnah, Pakistan and Islamic Identity: The Search for Saladin - Akbar S. Ahmed - Google Books |publisher=Books.google.com |date= |accessdate=2012-06-14}}</ref>

===Heritage===
The rich heritage brought by migrants from the urban centres of India, such as [[Lucknow]], [[Delhi]] and [[Hyderabad|Hyderabad Deccan]], which had been seats of Islamic culture and learning for centuries, were to have a major influence on the cities of Pakistan, especially [[Karachi]]. The notable 20th-century Islamic scholar/author [[Muhammad Hamidullah]], was involved in formulating the first [[Constitution of Pakistan]].

The use of the term "Muhajir" is no longer an acceptable colloquialism in Pakistan as it once was amongst the early immigrants. They came with particular traditions and customs from the various regions. People in their 20s and 30s today prefer to be considered "just-Pakistani" and rarely are aware of their British Indian origins. There have been numerous mixed marriages and growing assimilation within Karachi's neighborhoods over the last four generations.

==Politics==

===1947-1958===
Upon arrival in Pakistan, the Muhajirs did not assert themselves as a separate ethnic identity but were at the forefront of trying to a construct an Islamic Pakistani identity. Muhajirs dominated the bureaucracy of the early Pakistani state, largely due to their higher levels of educational attainment. Gradually as education became more widespread, [[Punjabi people|Punjabis]], [[Sindhi people|Sindhis]] and [[Pashtun people|Pashtuns]], as well as other ethnic groups, have started to take their fair share of the pool. However, the critical early years was facilitated by the experience that many Muhajir had both in politics and in higher education.

Many Urdu speaking people had higher education, [[Aligarh Muslim University]], and civil service experience working for [[British Raj]] and [[Princely state|Muslim princely states]]. During 1947 to 1958 Urdu speaking Muhajirs held many more jobs in the [[Government of Pakistan]] than their ratio of only 3.3 percent of the country's population. In 1951, of the 95 senior civil services jobs, 33 were held by the Urdu speaking people and 40 by the [[Punjabi people|Punjabis]].

===1958-1970===
On 27 October 1958, [[Ayub Khan (Field Marshal)|General Ayub Khan]] had a [[1958 Pakistani coup d'état|coup]] and imposed [[Martial law]] in [[Pakistan]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Army and Democracy: Military Politics in Pakistan|author=Aqil Shah|publisher=Harvard University Press|year=2014|isbn= 978-0-674-72893-6}}</ref> The percentage of the Urdu speaking people declined in the [[Central Superior Services of Pakistan|civil service]] as the percentage of [[Pashtun people|Pashtuns]] increased. In the [[Pakistani presidential election, 1965]], the [[Muslim League (Pakistan)|Muslim League]] split in two factions. The [[Pakistan Muslim League|Muslim League (Fatmia Jinnah)]] supported [[Fatima Jinnah]], the younger sister of [[Muhammad Ali Jinnah]]. While the [[Convention Muslim League]] supported General Ayub Khan. The Urdu speaking people had supported the Muslim League since before the [[Pakistan Movement|independence]] of Pakistan in 1947 and now supported the [[Pakistan Muslim League|Muslim League (Fatmia Jinnah)]]. The [[Electoral fraud]] of [[Pakistani presidential election, 1965]] and the triumphant march by [[Gohar Ayub Khan]], son of General Ayub Khan, started ethnic clash between Pashtuns and Urdu speaking people in Karachi on January 4, 1965.<ref>[http://pkpolitics.com/discuss/topic/who-did-the-massacre-of-january-4-1965-in-karachi Who did the Massacre of January 4 1965 in Karachi]</ref><ref>[http://mqmhistory.wordpress.com/2013/08/14/the-great-muhajir-massacre-of-1965/ The Great Muhajir Massacre of 1965]</ref>

On March 24, 1969, [[President of Pakistan|President]] Ayub Khan directed a letter to [[Yahya Khan|General Yahya Khan]], inviting him to deal with the tense political situation in Pakistan. On 26 March 1969, General Yahya appeared in [[Pakistan Television Corporation|national television]] and announced to enforce a [[Military coups in Pakistan|martial law]] in all over the country. The [[Constitution of Pakistan of 1962|1962 Constitution]] was abrogated, dissolved the [[Parliament of Pakistan|parliament]], and dismissed the President Ayub's civilian officials.<ref name="KLUWER LAW INTERNATIONAL">{{cite book|last=Omar|first=Imtiaz|title=Emergency powers and the courts in India and Pakistan|year=2002|publisher=KLUWER LAW INTERNATIONAL|location=England|isbn=904111775X|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=o6-wZP7Tz8YC&pg=PA59&dq=Yahya+Khan&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Wm9PU7ypJ8WvyASb2ICIBQ&ved=0CEUQuwUwAw#v=onepage&q=Yahya%20Khan&f=true}}</ref>

===1970-1977===
The [[Pakistani general election, 1970]] on 7 December 1970, [[Pakistan Peoples Party]] won the elections. The Urdu speaking people voted for the [[Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan]] and [[Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan]]. The [[Pakistan Peoples Party]] government [[Nationalization in Pakistan|nationalization]] the financial industry, educational institutions and industry. The [[Nationalization in Pakistan|nationalization]] of Pakistan's educational institutions, financial institutions and industry in 1972 by [[Prime minister of Pakistan|Prime Minister]] [[Zulfikar Ali Bhutto]] of [[Pakistan Peoples Party]] impacted the Muhajirs hardest as their educational institutions, commerce and industries were nationalized without any compensation.<ref name="State Bank of Pakistan">{{cite web|last=Riazuddin|first=Riaz|title=Pakistan: Financial Sector Assessment (1990-2000)|url=https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:mAryvHSL5uoJ:www.sbp.org.pk/publications/fsa/Contents.pdf+Nationalization+process+in+Pakistan&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEEShmkWUJpZtA1eXm_C8NwVGnEezf-2eX5dH9PTFGvJzRNcsEj4yC675klHLB4O5fyGbUXvFHu30MS2nOZPHDONWOY9Xlr1Zq9r4Q7OyzxaZblfkSKPbU819ATdUUlH034-POgyLG&sig=AHIEtbQHaDZkwToNIFPQaAQ660UzY3CuXg|work=Economic Research Department of State Bank of Pakistan|publisher=State Bank of Pakistan|accessdate=2 June 2012}}</ref> Then the quota system was introduced that limited their access to education and employment. Karachi is the largest commercial city of Pakistan and the Muhajirs are the main stakeholder in this city. The 1972 language riots were caused by the passage of "Teaching, Promotion and use of Sindhi Language" bill on 7 July 1972 by the [[Sindh Assembly]] declaring [[Sindhi language|Sindhi]] to be the only official language of Sindh.<ref>[http://www.lawdepartment.gos.pk/setup/publications/PUB-13-000641.pdf LAW Department Government of Sindh]</ref> Due to the clashes, [[Prime minister of Pakistan|Prime Minister]] [[Zulfikar Ali Bhutto]] compromised and announced that [[Urdu language|Urdu]] and [[Sindhi language|Sindhi]] will both be official languages of Sindh. The making of Sindhi as an equal language to Urdu for official purposes frustrated the Urdu speaking people as they did not speak the [[Sindhi language]].<ref>[http://www.dawn.com/news/754685/a-leaf-from-history-language-frenzy-in-sindh A leaf from history: Language frenzy in Sindh]</ref>

===1977-1988===
In the [[Pakistani general election, 1977]], [[Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan]] and [[Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan]] joined in a coalition named [[Pakistan National Alliance]]. The Urdu speaking people voted mostly for the [[Pakistan National Alliance]]. The [[Electoral fraud]] by [[Pakistan Peoples Party]] caused protests around the country. On July 5, 1977, [[Chief of Army Staff (Pakistan)|Chief of Army Staff]] General [[Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq]] imposed [[Martial Law]].

===1988-1993===

{{Empty section|date=August 2014}}

===2013-Present===
[[President of Pakistan]] [[Mamnoon Hussain]] is a [[Urdu]] speaking textile businessman and politician<ref>[http://dunyanews.tv/index.php/en/Pakistan/184789-Profile-of-presidential-candidate-Mamnoon-Hussain Profile of presidential candidate Mamnoon Hussain], [http://tribune.com.pk/story/581249/presidential-elections-pml-n-picks-mamnoon-hussain-for-top-job/ Presidential elections: PML-N picks Mamnoon Hussain for top job]. ''The Express Tribune'' (Pakistan)</ref> who has been [[President of Pakistan]] since 9 September 2013.

==Quota system and ethnic clashes in Karachi==
{{main|Quota System in Pakistan}}

In 1973, the [[Government of Sindh]] imposed [[Quota System in Pakistan|quota system]] in [[Sindh]] where the employment and admissions to the elite colleges and universities was not based on [[Meritocracy|merit]] but to the [[ethnic origin]] and [[Residency (domicile)|residency]].<ref>[http://www.mqmusa.com/content/divide-and-malign-sind-controversial-quota-system Divide and Malign Sind: Controversial Quota System]</ref> The quota system in the province of [[Sindh]] was imposed in 1973 for 40 years but in 2013 it was extended for another 20 years.<ref>[http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-13-26936-Provincial-quota-in-jobs-to-remain-intact-for-20-more-years Provincial quota in jobs to remain intact for 20 more years]</ref> The [[Government of Sindh]] even after making huge investment in the interior Sindh for the last 40 years could not raise the educational standards and create employment in the rural areas.<ref>[http://www.dawn.com/news/1032714 No escape: Quota system extended]</ref> In 2013 Sindh budget, [[Pakistan Rupee|Rs]] 675 billion were spent on the interior Sindh development and only [[Pakistan Rupee|Rs]] 30 billion in Karachi.<ref>[http://www.zemtv.com/2014/01/09/what-quota-system-gave-us-in-last-40-years/ What Quota System gave us in last 40 years?]</ref> The huge investments in the interior Sindh's [[infrastructure]] and [[educational institutions]] was mostly wasted due to the poor planning, [[political corruption]], [[Feudalism in Pakistan|feudalism]] and [[apathy]] of the rural population. The [[Nationalization in Pakistan|nationalization]] of Pakistan's financial institutions, industry and educational institutions in 1972 by [[Prime minister of Pakistan|Prime Minister]] [[Zulfikar Ali Bhutto]] of [[Pakistan Peoples Party]] impacted the Muhajirs hardest as their commerce and industries were nationalized without any compensation.<ref name="State Bank of Pakistan"/> Then the quota system was introduced that limited their access to education and employment.

==Language==
[[Image:Zaban urdu mualla.png|left|thumb|The phrase ''Zaban-e Urdu-e Mualla'' ("The language of the exalted") written in [[Nastaʿlīq script]].]]
The original language of the Mughals had been [[Chagatai language|Turkish]]. After their migration to the area, they came to adopt [[Persian language|Persian]] and later Urdu. [[Urdu]] is an [[Indo-European language]], and in the [[Indo-Aryans|Indo-Aryan]] subdivision. The word ''Urdu'' is believed to be derived from the Turkish word 'Ordu', which means ''army'' (Hence Urdu is sometimes called "Lashkarī zabān", Persian for "the language of the army"). It was initially called ''Zaban-e-Ordu'' or ''language of the army'' and later just ''Urdu''. The word 'Ordu' was later [[Anglicisation|Anglicised]] as 'Horde'. Urdu was heavily influenced by Persian and Arabic and somewhat by Turkish; however, its grammatical structure is based on old Parakrit or Sanskrit. Urdu speakers have adopted this language as their mother tongue for several centuries.
[[File:Autograph of His Majesty Bahadur Shah of Delhi 29th April 1844.jpg|right|400px||thumb|Autograph and a couplet of Last [[Mughal Empire|Mughal Emperor]], [[Bahadur Shah II]], dated 29 April 1844]]

Urdu has been the medium of the literature, history and journalism of Muslims in the area during the last 400 years. Most of the work was complemented by ancestors of native Urdu speakers in the region. The Persian language, which was the official language during and after the [[Mughal emperors|reign of the Mughals]], was slowly starting to lose ground to Urdu during the reign of Aali Gohar Shah Alam II. Subsequently, Urdu developed rapidly as the medium of literature, history and journalism of South Asian Muslims. Most of the literary and poetic work was complemented by various historic poets of mughal and subsequent era, among which [[Mir Taqi Mir]], [[Khwaja Mir Dard]], [[Mir Amman]] Dehalvi, [[Mirza Ghalib]], [[Bahadur Shah II]] Sir Syed Khan and [[Maulana Hali]] are the most notable ones. The Persian language, which had its roots during the time of Moguls, was then replaced later by Urdu. Mogul kings like Shah Jahan rendered patronage as well as support. Many poets in Pakistan such as Zafar Iqbal, Sir Mohammed Iqbal, Faiz Ahmad Faraz, Munir Niazi and Saifuddin Saif contributed their efforts for the Urdu language.

===Dialects and languages===
After the [[Pakistan Movement|independence]] of [[Pakistan]] in 1947, when the Muslims refugees arrived in Pakistan, the values the migrants brought with them varied from region to region, depending on their origin. The Muslims refugees arrived from different regions often speaking different dialects of the [[Urdu language]] such as [[Awadhi language|Awadhi]], [[Khariboli dialect|Khariboli]], [[Braj Bhasha|Braj]], [[Bhojpuri language|Bhojpuri]],<ref>[http://www.languageonthemove.com/recent-posts/accent-and-history Accent and history]</ref> [[Bundeli language|Bundeli]], [[Rekhta]], [[Hyderabadi Urdu|Hyderabadi or Dakhni]], etc. These Urdu dialects were distinguished by their vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation ([[phonology]], including [[prosody (linguistics)|prosody]]), humor and [[slang]]s. Many Muslims refugees spoke regional languages such as [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]], [[Kutchi language|Kutchi]], [[Marathi language|Marathi]], [[Konkani language|Konkani]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]], etc. The Urdu [[syllabus]] taught in the Karachi schools with its strong emphasis on [[Urdu poetry|poetry]] and [[Urdu literature|literature]] helped to standardise Urdu in Karachi. These dialects and languages slowly merged to form a standard dialect closer to the [[Awadhi language|Awadhi]] dialect of the [[Urdu language]] over the decades. Even the Urdu dialect of Karachi is very diverse, and some neighborhoods such as [[Nazimabad]] has its own [[Accent (sociolinguistics)|accent]] that is different from the [[Orangi]] [[speech]]; family background, educational level and everything else has an influence.

The [[Urdu language]] spoken in [[Karachi]] has became gradually more divergent from the Indian dialects and structure of Urdu, since it has engrossed many words, proverbs and phonetics from the regional languages like [[Sindhi language|Sindhi]], [[Pashto language|Pashto]], [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] and [[Balochi language|Balochi]]. The pronunciation pattern of Urdu language also differs in [[Pakistan]] and the [[Cadence (poetry)|cadence]] and lilt are informal compared with corresponding Indian dialects.<ref>[http://urdureading.blog.com/2011/03/02/dialects-of-urdu-language/ Dialects of Urdu Language]</ref> The people of Karachi speak Urdu quiet faster than the Urdu speakers in India.<ref>[http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=2697164 Urdu: The Karachite dialect]</ref> The Urdu speakers in Karachi consider their accent as the standard dialect of the [[Urdu language]].<ref>[http://blogs.thenews.com.pk/blogs/2012/07/karachi-the-sleepless-city/ Karachi, the Sleepless City]</ref>

==Contribution in literature==
[[Image:Ghalib poem in Nastaliq.jpg|thumb|left|400px|[[Ghalib]] poem in [[Nastaliq]]]]

===Poetry===

Muhajirs brought their rich poetic culture along with them which they held in their original states centuries ago prior to independence. Some of the most notable ones historic poets are Mir Taqi Mir, Mir Aman Dehalwi, Khawaja Mir Dard,Jigar Muradabad etc. Subsequent to independence, many notable Urdu poets migrated to Pakistan, besides a large number of less famous poets, authors, linguists and amateurs. Consequently, Mushaira and Bait Bazi became a part of the national culture in Pakistan.
Josh Malihabadi, Jigar Moradabadi, Akhtar Sheerani, Tabish Dehlvi, Nayyer Madani and Nasir Kazmi are a few of the noteworthy poets. Later, Jon Elia, Parveen Shakir, Dilawar Figar, Iftikhar Arif, Rafi Uddin Raaz and [[Raees Warsi]] became noted for their distinction.

===Prose===
{{See also|Urdu literature}}
With the emergence of Muhajirs in urban areas of Pakistan, Urdu virtually became the [[lingua franca]]. The country's first Urdu Conference took place in Karachi in April 1951, under the auspices of the [[Anjuman Taraqqi-i-Urdu]]. The Anjuman, headed by [[Maulvi Abdul Haq]] not only published the scattered works of classical and modern writers, but also provided a platform for linguists, researchers and authors. Among them [[Shan-ul-Haq Haqqee]], [[Shahid Ahmed Dehlvi]], Josh Malihabadi, [[Qudrat Naqvi]], [[Mahir-ul-Qadri]], [[Hasan Askari]], [[Jameel Jalibi]] and [[Intizar Hussain]] are significant names. Whereas [[Akhtar Hussain Raipuri]], [[Sibte Hassan]] and [[Sajjad Zaheer]] were more inclined to produce left-winged literature. Among women writers, [[Qurratulain Hyder]], [[Khadija Mastoor]], [[Altaf Fatima]] and [[Fatima Surayya Bajia]] became the pioneer female writers on feminist issues.

==Contribution in science and technology==
Muhajirs have played an extremely important and influential role in science and technology in Pakistan. Scientists such as [[Ziauddin Ahmed]], [[Raziuddin Siddiqui]] and [[Salimuzzaman Siddiqui]], gave birth to [[Science in Pakistan|Pakistan Science]] and later built the [[Pakistan and weapons of mass destruction|integrated weapons program]], on request of [[Zulfikar Ali Bhutto]]. Muhajir later forwarded to developed the [[Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission|Pakistan's space program]] and other scientific and strategic programs of Pakistan. Many prominent scientists come from the Muhajir class including Dr. [[Abdul Qadeer Khan]], Dr. [[Ishfaq Ahmad]], [[Ghulam Murtaza (physicist)|Ghulam Murtaza]], [[Raziuddin Siddiqui]], Dr. [[Pervez Hoodbhoy]], Dr. [[Salimuzzaman Siddiqui]], and [[Atta ur Rahman (scientist)|Atta ur Rahman]] to name a few.

==Contribution in art and music==
The Muhajir community brings a rich culture with it. Muhajirs have and continue to play an essential role in defining and enriching [[Culture of Pakistan|Pakistani culture]] and more significantly, music. Some famous Muhajir Pakistani musicians include: [[Nazia Hassan]], [[Mehdi Hassan]], [[Munni Begum]], and [[Ahmed Jahanzeb]]. Muhajirs contribution has not been limited to pop but has spanned various [[music genre]]s, from traditional [[Ghazal]] singing to rock. Muhajirs in Pakistan are also famous for their contribution towards the art of painting. [[Syed Sadequain Ahmed Naqvi]], one of the most famous painter of the world, was a Pakistani painter who was born in Amroha, India.

==Contribution in business and industry==
After partition in 1947 by the then British Government through [[Indian Independence Act 1947]]; the Muslims who immigrated to Pakistan were well educated and consisted of journalists, urban intellectuals, professors, bureaucrats, lawyers, teachers, academics and scholers etc. Although there were those that had migrated who were the bourgeoisie consisting of merchants, industrialists or capitalists, a large number of those who immigrated from the rural areas and villages also consisted of labourers and artisans. The eminent business groups that shifted from India to Pakistan were Habib Bank, Muslim Commercial Bank, Orient Airways, among others. Other businesses were established in Pakistan by some of the notable figures as United Bank Limited, Hamdard Pakistan Limited, Schon group. It is also known that besides founding several Governmental organizations like State Bank of Pakistan, they played an influential role in initiating the Atomic Energy Commission, Kanup, and several other institutions. Muhajirs were also found in administration, establishment and politics.<ref>http://www.jmi.nic.in/Events/Events05/pmpdp_report.htm</ref>

The initial business elites of Pakistan were Muhajirs. Prominents example of businesses started by them include [[Habib Bank Limited]], Hyesons, [[M. M. Ispahani Limited]], Schon group etc. Nationalization proved to be catastrphpic for Muhajir-owned businesses, and the final blow was delivered as a result of discriminatory policies during the dictatorship of Gen. [[Zia-ul-Haq]]. In recent years, many Muhajirs have established their businesses in Pakistan, with a focus on textile, garment, leather, food prodcts, cosmetics and personal goods industries. Many of Pakistan's largest financial institutions were founded or headed by Muhajirs, including the [[State Bank of Pakistan]], EOBI, [[Pakistan Industrial Development Corporation]], [[United Bank Limited Pakistan]], [[First Women Bank]] et cetera.

==Contribution in sports==
Muhajir are active in many sports in Pakistan. Muhajir are playing in the Pakistani cricket team with well-known players such as Javed Miandad, Saeed Anwar, Mohsin Khan, Sikhander Bakht and Moin Khan. There are now younger players like Asad Shafiq, Fawad Alam, Khurram Manzoor playing for the international side. Muhajirs are notably involved hockey, tennis, squash and badminton. Bodybuilding and weightlifting are increasing in popularity among younger members of the Muhajir community.

==Cuisine==
{{Main|Muhajir cuisine}}

<gallery>
File:Nihari.JPG|[[Nihari]], the national dish of [[Pakistan]] was brought to Pakistan by the Muhajir people from India<ref>http://www.angelfire.com/country/fauziaspakistan/nihari.html</ref>
Image:Boti Kabab.jpg| Boti Kebab
Image:Vegetarian Curry.jpeg|Thali with [[naan]], [[dal|sultani dal]], [[raita]], and [[shahi paneer]]{{dubious|date=December 2011}}
Image:Kebab.jpg|[[Kebab]]s are an important part of the ancient Muslim cuisine.
Image:Faluda.JPG|[[Faluda]], an ancient Hyderabadi dessert.
Image:Paan Making.jpg|[[Paan]] Shop
Image:Hyderabadihaleem.JPG|[[Haleem]]
Image:Samosa 1.jpg|The [[samosa]]
Image:India food.jpg|Traditional cuisine originated from the [[Lucknow#Culture|Old Lukhnow Nawab dynasties]].
Image:Chickenbiryani.JPG|[[Biryani#Hyderabadi biryani|Old Hyderabadi Biryani]].
Image:Navratan Korma.jpg|[[Korma]], a traditional cuisine originated from ancient Lukhnow royals.
Image:Bihari Kabab.JPG|Bihari Kabab, a traditional cuisine originated from [[Bihar]].
Image:Mirchi ka salan and Dahi chutney.jpg|Chilli Sauce and Yougurt chutney – Biryani Accompaniments
</gallery>
Muhajirs clung to their old established habits and tastes, including a numerous desserts, savoury dishes and beverages. The [[Mughlai cuisine|Mughal]] and [[Indo-Iranians|Indo-Iranian]] heritage played an influential role in the making of their cuisine. In comparison to other native [[Pakistani cuisine|Pakistani dishes]], Muhajir cuisine tends to use traditional royal cuisine specific to the old royal dynasties of now defunct states of ancient India. Most of a ''[[Dastarkhān|dastarkhawan]]'' dining table include [[Chapati|chapatti]], rice, [[dal]], vegetable and meat [[curry]]. Special dishes include [[biryani]], [[Korma|qorma]], [[kofta]], [[Kebab|seekh kabab]], [[Nihari]] and [[Haleem]], [[Kofta|Nargisi Koftay]], Roghani Naan, [[Naan]], [[Sheer korma|sheer-qurma]] (sweet), qourma, [[Masala chai|chai]] (sweet, milky tea), [[paan]] and [[Hyderabadi cuisine]], and other delicacies associated with Muhajir culture.

==Intermarriages==
Since Pakistan's independence in 1947, there has been a steady rise in intermarriages that have taken place between [[Punjabi people|Punjabis]], [[Kashmiri people|Kashmiris]], [[Sindhi people|Sindhis]], [[Baloch people|Balochs]], [[Pashtun people|Pashtuns]], [[Brahui people|Brahuis]] and Muhajirs.

==See also==
* [[List of Muhajirs in Pakistan]]
* [[Bangladeshis in Pakistan]]
* [[Burmese people in Pakistan]]
*[[Muhajir Sooba]]

==Notes==
{{notes}}

==References==
{{reflist|2}}
* [http://ca.encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761560851/Pakistan.html Pakistan] ([http://www.webcitation.org/5kx5Ej06X Archived] 2009-11-01) at [[Encarta]]
* [http://www.conflict-prevention.net/page.php?id=40&formid=73&action=show&surveyid=15/ Pakistan: The Sindhi-Muhajir confliict]
* [http://www.scribd.com/doc/24567580/Muhajir-diaspora Muhajir diaspora]

==External links==
* [http://www.yespakistan.com/education/edu_quotas.asp Quotas and Karachi]{{clarify|date=October 2010}}
* [http://www.krepublishers.com/02-Journals/T-Anth/Anth-10-0-000-08-Web/Anth-10-1-000-08-Abst-PDF/Anth-10-1-005-08-432-Ara-G/Anth-10-1-005-08-432-Ara-G-Tt.pdf Gene Diversity among Some Muslim Populations of Western Uttar Pradesh]
* [http://www.antrocom.net/upload/sub/antrocom/090113/02-Antrocom.pdf Gene Diversity Analysis and Microdifferentiation Process in North Indian Muslim Populations]

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2011}}
{{Muhajir communities}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Muhajir People}}
[[Category:Muhajir people| ]]
[[Category:Muhajir communities]]
[[Category:Social groups of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Social groups of Sindh]]
[[Category:Social groups of Punjab, Pakistan]]
[[Category:Indo-Aryan peoples]]
[[Category:Indo-European peoples]]

Wikipedia - Benutzerbeiträge [de]

Muhajir (Volk)