Stories of Sindh

Subash Bijlani was born on 6th September 1942 in Thatta, Sindh, British India to parents Khanchand and Jassie. Following Partition, Subash says his family was fortunate as they were in relative safety up to the time they left, aided by the Muslim community. These days, Subash divides his time between the state of Maryland in the United States of America and Gurgaon, Haryana, India and this is his story. Subash (middle - blue t-shirt) with wife and children and their families Subash Bijlani is one of seven siblings - three brothers and four sisters. His father, Khanchand, was a Sessions Judge in Sukkur and his mother, Jassie, a homemaker. With his father's job as a Judge, the family lived in the designated Judge's residences, which was an independent bungalow on a small hilltop - an environment that undoubtedly is one of the reasons that Subash describes life in Thatta as peaceful. Due to the location of the residence, the family did not have any immediate neighbours but had a n...

Meena Arjandas Daswani (maiden name Vishni Daryanani) was born on 16th July 1935 in Hyderabad, Sindh, British India in a family of 11 sisters and six brothers. Despite having to leave Sindh post-Partition because it was no longer safe, Meena clearly remembers the support her family received from her Muslim neighbours in guiding them to safety. Today, Meena lives in Singapore and this is her story. Meena and her husband, Arjandas Note: Some graphic descriptions ahead, reader discretion is advised Meena Arjandas Daswani was the seventh child in a family of 17 siblings to parents Parpati and Kotumal Daryanani. Before settling down in Sindh, her father worked in a Sindhi firm in Japan and later in Hong Kong, eventually coming to work in Bhaiband Bank in Hyderabad, Sindh. Meena studied two grades in Sindhi in the Nav Vidyala School in Hyderabad. Her eldest paternal uncle, whom they called  Baba ,  was a school principal. So, he took the responsibility to enrol them in school. Meena...

Indur Manghanmal Malkani was born on 10th March 1938 in Sakhar (also known as Sukkur), Sindh, British India, the son of Manghanmal and Bhagwanti Malkani. Following Partition, Indur says the family was fortunate enough to leave early, so he did not witness any violence that others may have. Today, Indur lives in Mumbai, India but remains nostalgic for the homeland that he left behind. Indur, third from left, with his four daughters and one son Indur Manghanmal Malkani was born the eldest child in a family of four brothers and three sisters. Together with his immediate family, they lived in a joint household with his grandmother, two chachas (paternal uncles) and their families, as was the norm in those days. Indur says his family was well-off. His father, in partnership with his two brothers, were in the jewellery business. They owned a jewellery shop called Anandram Morandram Sonaro (‘sonaro’ means goldsmith). The shop was on the ground floor of a three-storey building, while the up...