Memon people

Memons have cultural similarities with the Khoja, Bohra, and other Gujarati peoples. They speak the Memoni language as their first language, which shares vocabulary with the Sindhi language, Kutchi language and Gujarati languages.

Today Memons are connected through globally recognized organisations such as the World Memon Organisation (WMO) and International Memon Organisation (IMO).

History

Sindhi and Gujarati origins

Memon lineage traces back to the Lohanas who traditionally practiced Hinduism, but who were converted to Islam by the Sufi saint Yusuffuddin Gilani, a descendant of Abdul Qadir Gilani in 1417. After their conversion, they left Thatta due to religious discrimination, but due to raiding they dispersed shortly thereafter across Sindh and Gujarat by the 1460s, especially to the region of Kathiawar.

The origin of the name comes from Mu'min (مؤمن, "believer" in Arabic) before it later evolved to the present name Memon. The Memon community was founded by 700 families comprising 6,178 individuals in total.

According to Anthovan, those Lohanas of Thatta, Sindh who converted from Hinduism to Islam became Memons and were invited by Rao Khengarji Jadeja, ruler of Bhuj in the 16th century, to settle in Bhuj. It is from there that Kutchi Memons migrated to Kathiawar and mainland Gujarat. Surat in Gujarat was an important trading centre from 1580 to 1680.

Merchant tradesmen

Due to the mercantile nature of the community, Memons began a significant migration beyond the borders of India in the 18th and 19th centuries. This led to communities developing in the Middle East, South Africa, Sri Lanka and East Asia. Memon traders set up a network of joint stock companies acting in coordination with other members in an area ranging from Central Africa to China. Memon donors made significant financial contributions to construct mosques during this time, including Juma Masjid Mosque and Jamia Mosque. By late 19th century several thousand Memons had settled in Mumbai due to trading. The area of Mumbai in which the Memon traders congregated later became known as the Memonwada.

20th century

The early 20th century saw a consolidation of the Memon community in South Asia as well as South Africa. They began to organise important societies including Memon Education and Welfare Society and Memon Chamber of Commerce. Memon communities made significant financial contributions to preserve the Ottoman Empire but were unable to prevent its decline.

The partition of India and the subsequent Hindu-Muslim riots after the annexation of Junagadh led to a significant refugee crisis for the community, with many eventually leaving Kathiawar, especially towards Pakistan.

The principal mass of Memons was and is composed of petty tradesmen. In Kutch, Karachi and on the Makran coast of present day Pakistan, the Memons are still engaged in commercial agriculture, gardening, and fishing, although many Memons, especially in Pakistan, have slowly become moguls in the media, in politics, and in business. Memons are one of the wealthiest ethnic groups in Pakistan.

In India, Memons are considered financially successful and are counted as "General Caste", one of only a handful of Muslim ethnic groups in this categoryl. Elsewhere, Memons have become renowned for business and entrepreneurship.

Branches

Subgroups of Memons from Kathiawar

Languages