Sindhi Panchayats
Historically the
institution of Panchayat (Painchat in Sindhi) dates back to the period of
Aryans. The village administration of Aryans was run by a group of elders,
similar to a Panchayat. The senior most person of a group of families was the
head of the Panchayat and the heads of various branches of the families were the
members of the Panchayat. They looked after administration, cultural and social
development of the inhabitants of the village. These villages were self
sufficient in all respects.
In rural Sindh this practice of having a Panchayat was continued.
Each village had its own Panchayat. In urban Sindh, besides a regular Panchayat
various trades people and different sections of the society formed their
respective Panchayats or Associations e.g. Bhaiband Panchayat, Amil Panchayat,
Sonara Association, Bajaji Association, etc. Many of such associations
sometimes overlapped the areas of work and often had common members.
This was the only cultural structure that Sindhis kept intact
when they settled down in different parts of India after their migration
in1947. In Sindh also whenever rural groups shifted to urban areas, peoples
with distinct shades of their rural origin kept themselves together by forming
their Panchayats as separate from other such groups. After 1947, in India too,
Sindhis migrating from a particular area or belonging to a particular sect or
group settled down together at one place and tried to stick together by
establishing separate Panchayats. But the question of livelihood forced some of
them to shift from one place to another and thus they had to adapt to the ways
of the groups of that place. In this way the society which was earlier divided
in various sects came together and the prejudices of the sects were either
minimised or wiped off totally.
In India the associations are named as Panchyats and Societies.
Various colonies in a city, where Sindhis are in good number have their
Panchayats and Societies. In some cities, societies of various colonies have
joined together in a mega Panchayat or Society representing the entire city. In
the same manner there are societies on an All India basis, which try to bind
Sindhis culturally nation-wide. All these associations called by whatever name
viz. Panchayat, Society, and Council, etc. try at their level for the
advancement of Sindhi literature, Sindhi Culture, and Sindhi Social structure.
An effort is being made to collect particulars of a large number
of such institutions in India and overseas. Sindhi world expects YOU to forward
information regarding such associations so that these are listed here to enable
Sindhis to contact one another.
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