Book review by Anil Balchandani

Book Review: Sindhi Reflections
Anil N. Balchandani
Sindhi Reflections – 140 Lives and the Indian Partition by Lata Jagtiani


The book chronicles the lives of 140 Sindhi men and women who experienced partition. Most of them are first person accounts of the experience whist others are narrations by relatives and some biographies of well known Sindhi personalities. The author reproduces her labor of love by compiling these somber experiences into a well categorized book to record the difficulties by the Hindu community of the state of Sindh, now a part of Pakistan.The stories shed light on many types of sufferings experienced, not only by the Hindus but also the Muslims of Sindh. Some go further to articulate new found riches that have fallen on the community since their flight.

Like most oral histories, these reflections showcase the confusion that existed during the forgotten months between 1947 and 1948. The book has a few essays on the environment in Sindh in the decades after partition by those who migrated much later. The stories are well edited with the author's notes sprinkled amongst the many authoritative pieces. Not all stories are of hardship and horror. Some, like Dr. L.H. Hiranandani describe the blessing that befell his family and is thankful that partition gave him an opportunity he would never have otherwise. There is one poignant outcome from reading these reflections; not many wish or long to go back to visit Sindh.This book will bride a growing divide between many generations of Sindhis; the remaining few that experienced partition and choose not to discuss it and those who only associate it with a single date of a bygone era.Here is a summary of the book by the author:"Sindhi Reflections" is a compilation of 140 accounts of Hindu Sindhis who were terrorised out of their ancestral homes by Muslim mohajirs. These 140 accounts cover the broad spectrum of Sindhis from all parts of what is now Pakistan. These Hindu Sindhis believed that they were safe, they were used to the Sufis who lived in Sindh; they were in for a rude shock because they did not know Wahabi Muslims. The Mohajirs were mostly fortune-seekers who came to what was expected to be the capital of Pakistan; they continued presence of Hindus in Sindh irked their sensibilities. Many of them had seem bloodshed and were keen to settle scores. These 140 accounts are divided into 8 categories: Businessmen, educationists/writers, politicians, fighters, professionals, other professions, young Sindhis and spiritual lights such as Sadhu T.L.Vaswani. There is an introduction, followed by a brief Historical background of Sindh accompanied by a map of Sindh and bibliography, glossary, etc. It is a must read for all students of Indian History, especially for all those who are interested in the Partition of India."

These reflections showcase the confusion that existed during the forgotten months between 1947 and 1948. The book has a few essays on the environment in Sindh in the decades after partition by those who migrated much later. The stories are well edited with the author's notes sprinkled amongst the many authoritative pieces. Not all stories are of hardship and horror. Some, like Dr. L.H. Hiranandani describe the blessing that befell his family and is thankful that partition gave him an opportunity he would never have otherwise.There is one poignant outcome from reading these reflections; not many wish or long to go back to visit Sindh.This book will bride a growing divide between many generations of Sindhis; the remaining few that experienced partition and choose not to discuss it and those who only associate it with a single date of a bygone era. Here is a summary of the book by the author:"Sindhi Reflections" is a compilation of 140 accounts of Hindu Sindhis who were terrorised out of their ancestral homes by Muslim mohajirs. These 140 accounts cover the broad spectrum of Sindhis from all parts of what is now Pakistan. These Hindu Sindhis believed that they were safe, they were used to the Sufis who lived in Sindh; they were in for a rude shock because they did not know Wahabi Muslims. The Mohajirs were mostly fortune-seekers who came to what was expected to be the capital of Pakistan; they continued presence of Hindus in Sindh irked their sensibilities. Many of them had seem bloodshed and were keen to settle scores. These 140 accounts are divided into 8 categories: Businessmen, educationists/writers, politicians, fighters, professionals, other professions, young Sindhis and spiritual lights such as Sadhu T.L.Vaswani. There is an introduction, followed by a brief Historical background of Sindh accompanied by a map of Sindh and bibliography, glossary, etc. It is a must read for all students of Indian History, especially for all those who are interested in the Partition of India.


The book chronicles a community reduced to rags from riches, goes through harrowing experiences but finds its way back to riches, with no regrets or blame. A community that is beyond compare in the annals of history, one that cannot be put down.
Anil N. Balchandani