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Our History page.
Origin
Memons (Gujarati script: મેમણ ) are an ethnic (linguistics) group that
originated from lower Sindh near the Indus delta region. They are well
respected Muslim Entrepreneurs, Philanthropist and Humanitarian in the
Indian subcontinent and elsewhere. Memon are, generally, well known for
being honest, hardworking and innovative that contributed greatly to their
commercial success.
There are two unsubstantiated theories, according to Sayad Amir-ud-din
Nuzhat (1873) - In early 15th century A.D near Nagar-Thatta, during the rule
of Markab Khan of Samma dynasty (A.D. 1351-1521), several Hindu families
accepted Islam from a well respected Sufi Sheikh who had given this tribe a
new name Mu’amin and overtime the name tainted to Memon. If this theory is
accepted, then the Memons were originally Hindu. Second theory is that
according to Karimbaksh Khalid is that Certain soldiers of Arab tribe of Banu
Tamim, of Qatif, near Ta’if, came to Sindh along with Muhammad bin Qasim,
they were known as Maymenah, right-wingers in the army , and later this word
was corrupted to Memons. If this theory is accepted, then the Memons were
originally Arabs.
Migration
16th and 17th Century
Soon after their entering into Islam, 15th century A.D., some Memons began
to migrate toward the south west of Sindh approaching Coastal region of
Arabian Sea into neighboring regions such as Kutch and Kathiawar for
security and/or business reasons.
18th Century
The history books have often described Memons as the "sailor businessmen
of India" who had spread out from native Sindh and Gujarat taking residence
and setting business in various Indian cities and faraway such as Asian and
African continents
19th Century
Beginning of 19th century, a mass settlement of Memons began throughout
India, and a few decades later they also emigrated beyond its borders, chiefly
to the countries of the Indian Ocean basin . By the end of the 19th century,
rich communities of Memons were appearing in the ports of the Red Sea and
the Persian Gulf, in Ceylon, Burma and East South Africa. By the end of 19th
century, a sizeable Memon community was reported to have entrenched itself
in East Asia . Memons have also established themselves in the Republic of
Mauritius.The Cutchee Memons have even built in or around 1955 and
manages till now one of the biggest and most beautiful Mosque in Mauritius :
Jummah Masjid [www.jummahmasjid.org].
20th Century
Pre-Partition
August 14, 1947 A new nation Pakistan was created and gain independence
from British 9-10 November 1947' Occupation of Junagadh State and the
population of Kutiyana was attacked by the Sikh Regiment Novemebr 16- 30
1947 Migration to Pakistan
Post-Partition
Religion
Memons are Sunni Muslims and follow the Hanafi Islamic legal system (Fiqh).
Language
Previously they used to speak Sindhi language, because of their migration to
the neighboring regions Kutch and Khatiwar and their excessive use of the
Gujrati language in their businesses, their language evolved into a dialect
called Memoni , which is unwritten. Until 1970’s Memon businesses kept their
books, records and business doucments in Gujrati. Toward the end of 20th
century Memoni further under went some changes in Pakistan and elsewhere
due to Urdu language as Urdu has been widely accepted and used as a
Islamic language by the Muslims in the Indian subcontinent and eventually
English is being replaced by Gujarati.
Demographics
Prior to the Partition of India most Memons lived in Kutch and Khatiwar. Those
who settled in Kutch were called Kutchi Memon / Cutchi, and those who
settled in Kathiawar were called Kathiawadi Memons and those who remained
in Sindh were called Sindhi Memon. Memons further distinguished themselves
to a town where their forefathers last settled in India. Example Banatva
Memonn Kutiyana Memon. Many Memons also settled in major Indian cities
such as Ahmedabad, Surat, Bombay, Calcutta, Cochin, Madras, Colombo etc.
After Partition of India Many later settled in Pakistan. Today, they are
scattered throughout India and Pakistan, with significant communities in the
United Kingdom, Canada, USA, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, UAE, and South
Africa, East Africa and Burma. There are no definite population figure and it is
estimated that, it is over one million (2005) for Khatiwari Memon alone. This
are no estimate available for Kutchi and Sindhi Memons