History of Muhajirs

 

The Muhajirs, also spelled Mohajirs, are a group of Muslim immigrants and their descendants who migrated from India to Pakistan during the partition of British India in 1947. They are primarily concentrated in the urban areas of Sindh and Southern Punjab provinces of Pakistan.

When British India was partitioned into India and Pakistan in 1947, millions of Muslims living in Hindu-majority regions of British India migrated to the newly formed Muslim-majority Pakistan. This mass migration of Muslims from India to Pakistan is referred to as the "Muhajir migration". The Muhajirs mainly came from the United Provinces (present-day Uttar Pradesh and Bihar), East Bengal (present-day Bangladesh), and Bombay Presidency (present-day Maharashtra and Gujarat).

Upon their arrival in Pakistan, the Muhajirs faced numerous challenges, including housing shortages, economic difficulties, and discrimination from the native population. Despite these challenges, they quickly established themselves as a powerful economic and political force in the new country. They played a key role in the formation and early years of Pakistan, with many Muhajirs occupying important positions in the government and civil service.

In recent history, the Muhajirs have been the victims of political marginalization, discrimination, and violence in Pakistan. They have been targeted by extremist groups and have faced ethnic violence in Karachi, the largest city in Pakistan with a large Muhajir population. They also have been subject to discrimination in the political and economic sphere, which led to the formation of Muhajir political parties in the 1980s and 1990s.

Despite the challenges they have faced, the Muhajirs have made significant contributions to Pakistan in various fields, including politics, education, and business. They have played a critical role in shaping the culture and society of Pakistan and continue to be an important part of the country's history and identity