Sindh Regiment

[A1Kaid]

The Sindh Regiment

The Sindh Regiment had 29 battalions as of 2008 and was based near Hyderabad. The Sindh Regiment (also called the Sindh or Sindhi Regiment) was created in 1980 to be a military force comprised primarily of Sindhis. This ethnic group inhabits the southern coastal region of Pakistan and has tensions with the northern Pashutun and Punjabi peoples. Several battalions were transferred from the Punjab and Baloch Regiments to the new Sindh Regiment when the latter was founded. Initially, the new unit was still dominated by Punjabis, who hold a reputation for warfare that the Sindhis lack. To compensate, in 1989 a quota was set ensuring that at least 50% of the Regiment's men be Sindhis. The Regimental badge shows crossed Sindhi axes surmounted by the star and crescent appearing above a title scroll in Urdu. All ranks wear the Cherry Pink colour beret with a red feather hackle.

Sind Regiment is the most recent infantry addition in the Pakistan Army. The Sind Regiment Centre was raised initially with eleven Punjab and ten Baloch Battalions Eight additional battalions were raised in the period from 1988 to 1999. As of 2008 the Regiment comprises total of 29 battalions. 40 Horse (Sind) is also affiliated with Sind Regiment. The Regiment is proud of the Chiva Rous History and has earned so for one NISHAN-E-HAIDER, 6 SITAR-E-JURRAT, 6 SITARA-E-BASALAT, 12 TAMGHA-E-JURRAT and 28 TAMGHA-E-BASALAT.

Pakistan Rangers (Sindh Regiment)

Sindh Regiment, 23 March Parade

On 1st July 1980, the independent training Battalion of Baloch Regiment at Sukkur was re-designated and it started functioning as Sind Regiment Centre with raising of five training companies. Sind Regimental Centre moved from Sukkur to Petaro which is approximately 35 KM from Hyderabad Cantonment. It shifted to its present location in October 1981 and the centre has come up as one of most modern complexes in the Army. Sind Regimental Centre has a unique monument of Indus civilization.

It was an indigenous development that arose out of the evolution of developed village cultures in a favorable environment “A GREAT TRADITION” marked both urban and rural element evolved out of Hyderabad’s little communities and characteristic of Indus valley. In other words civilization of Indus in a minimum sense of term is the art of living in town with all that the condition implies in respect of social skill and discipline. This traditional house is also specimen of one of the clans of Sind, who even today decorate their houses with high profile of their ethnological skills. Models of all are preserved in a Monument established in Sind Regimental Centre.

In eighth century the Arabian Sea was dominated by pirates. An Arab vessel which was carrying women and children were looted by those pirates. A young girl wrote a message to Hajaj Bin Yousaf for this Brutality. Hijaj Bin Yousaf nominated Muhammad Bin Qasim (The youngest general in the history) to redress. Muhammad Bin Qasim on 711 A.D. entered in Sind and captured Debal Fort, presently known as Bambhore. It was most important fort because of trade communication and security. Muhammad Bin Qasim with his 12000 Men, 3000 Horses and 3000 Camels attacked amphibiously. The fort of Debal that was the center of gravity of professionalism and fighting skill of Muslims resulted in the capture of Area up to Multan. The ardent Muslim expedition not only saved Arab traders from brutal clutches of robbers in sea but also opened gateway to Islam in subcontinent (Indo-Pak). Bambhore Debal is located 44 KM from Thatta on National Highway.

Hyderabad Fort and city of Hyderabad was one of the strongest places in Sind. Ghulam Shah Kalhora founded the Capital of Sind at the Hyderabad in 1758. The city occupies the site of ancient city of Nerima Kot. The foundations of both were laid in 1758 by Ghulam Shah Kalhora and in 1789 by Mir Fateh Ali Khan Talpur. The successor continued status of Hyderabad as a capital. Hyderabad was the chosen residence of the Ameers and their families upto 1843. After that fort was held by the European officers of the Garrison.

Rani Kot Fort is situated approximately 75 miles North West of Hyderabad and 18 miles west of Railway Station Sann on the Kotri Larkana line. A fort holding gigantic fortification walls runs down the contours on bare hills. The fort saved the life of its inhabitants, whenever they faced the invaders. A small river runs in the middle. The fort are three fortresses within the fort area are: Miri Kot; Sher Garh and Mohan Kot. From time to time construction work was carried out on the fort. In 1812 A.D. Nawab Wali Muhammad Khan Leghari Prime Minster of Sind and Talpur Government also carried out construction of wall. Mir Sher Khan extended wall in 1st quarter of 19th century A.D. to resist against British forces. Fort was also meant to serve as a strong hold and place of refuge for the Mirs in case they could not contain the march of British.

Umer Kot Fort was founded by Umer the king of the Soomra-Dynasty-(1405-A.D to 1439). The town had a conspicuous fort which was perhaps built in 13 century A.D. Each side of the fort was about 500 feet long, 40 feet height and the wall were so wide that at one time two horse riders could pass easily over it. It was connected with four bastions at each corner and had to stone bastions at the main gate. These stone bastions were brought from Jodpur station. In the center of the fort there was a watch tower created during the period of Kalhora with regime seven heavy cannons displayed on the raised ground near watch - tower. Humayun and his army once moving to Persia stayed in the town. It was the possession of Talpur rulers when British Army occupied Sind in 1843 AD.

Kot Diji (Fort) was buitl by Mir Shorab Khan Talpur several hundred years back. Kot Diji fort was a strong hold of a member of Talpur ruling families spreading over an area of about 3 KM. It is situated 15 miles south of Khairpur town and north of Kot Diji on National high way. The “S” shaped lies prominent on rang of low line. Stone hills proceeding in a direction from southeast to northwest and reaching the Indus at Rohri. It was built of burnt bricks. Whereas at intervals Rohri stone was used. Some cannons of those days have been removed and placed at important building at main thoroughfare of Khairpur. Sir Charles Napier and his army encamped during their advance to destroy the fort of Imam Garh located on the border of Sind Jaisalmir in the desert area.

Source: Sindh Regiment


23 March Parade photos courtesy of: PAKISTANFUN: Some Good Stills from Pakistan Day Prade and http://saddaesindh.wordpress.com/

 

[A1Kaid]

Recent News about the Sindh Regiment in action in defending Pakistan.



Sindhi Soldiers Of Pakistan Army Repel Terrorists From Afghanistan

Written by Ahmed Qureshi Local, Pakistan Aug 11, 2009


The tide is turning and the morale is high. ‘Our boys from Sukkur’ create a good feeling through military ranks today.



Ambush attacks usually work in favor of the attackers because of the element surprise and the relative unpreparedness of the ambushed target.

10th Mountain Division, ANA, ABP service members patrol Khas KunBut not today. The soldiers of the 1st Sindh Regiment Battalion who were part of a convoy passing through Asad Khel, south of the town of Miranshah in North Waziristan, numbering about 80 soldiers, repelled today a huge attack by terrorists from Afghanistan and their local recruits.

According to Brig. Samson Simon Sharaf, a retired officer and an honorary Colonel of the Battalion of 1st Sindh Regiment, the young men of the regiment, which is based in Sukkur, Sindh, and consists of young Pakistani soldiers from Sindh, repelled up to 500 attackers, according some of the estimates.

Usually, ambushes in the mountainous region have been the weakest point of the Pakistani military battling terrorists in the area, mainly because of the terrorists taking advantage of the terrain and using high mountain positions to launch their attacks.

The tribal belt of north and south Waziristan has been the scene of growing terrorism between 2004 and early 2009, supported by foreign elements based in Afghanistan.

Today the young men of 1st Sindh Regiment not only pushed back the attackers but managed to inflict heavy damage on the terrorists.

At least three bodies of the attackers were brought back to the base. Interestingly, all of them are Uzbek, and all three of them are uncircumcised, something highly unusual for those supposedly fighting a jihad and calling themselves Pakistani Taliban.

This lends credence to an established fact now that most of the ruthless terrorists operating inside Pakistan have actually been inserted from Afghanistan. This is the work of organized military or intelligence people, especially considering the supply lines for these terrorists that come from Afghanistan and sustain the anti-Pakistan insurgency of these terrorists.

Pakistani security forces have found a large number of uncircumcised bodies among the well trained fighters of the so-called Pakistani Taliban. Some analysts believe that military and intelligence operatives from India and Karzai’s puppet regime is training, arming and financing this anti-Pakistan terrorism. This also raises question marks on the role of the US military and CIA since Afghanistan is an American-controlled territory.

According to one analyst, there is a high probability that these terrorists belong to the private army of Abdul Rashid Dostum, who is part of the Karzai government and a close ally of the US military and the CIA. His fighters are mercenaries known for their ruthlessness. The fake Taliban inside Pakistan have inflicted

The Asad Khela attack repelled today by “our boys from Sindh,” as Brig. Sharaf calls them, is also a sign of the changing tide in the area. The Pakistani military has managed to turn the tide, militarily and diplomatically.

On the ground, almost the entire setup of these terrorists and fake Taliban has been destroyed. Their supply lines in Afghanistan have also been identified. The Pakistani military raised these issues with the American side. The result was that CIA began attacking the territory of chief terrorist Baitullah Mehsud, and US officials asked India to scale down its intelligence presence in Afghanistan.

Brig. Sharaf reports that today’s action by the 1st Sindh Regiment was well received within ranks of the military. This adds to the achievements of the rest of the five regiments of the Pakistan Army.


Source: Sindhi Soldiers Of Pakistan Army Repel Terrorists From Afghanistan | Pakistan Daily


Excellent news of the 1st Sindh Regiment numbering 80 young soldiers repelling an organized and large ambush of what some estimates say of 500 militants!

 

[nollvllad]

capt. col. sher khan shaheed was a part of sindh reg.?

 

[jupiter2007]

How many men from Sindh in "Sindh Regiment"?

 

[pakistanheritage]

Sindh is a repository of varied cultural values and has remained the seat of civilization and meeting point of diverse cultures from times immemorial. After Independence on August 14, 1947 with the influx of Muslims from India, its culture has progressively assumed a new complexion. Sindh’s cultural life has been shaped, to a large extent, by its comparative isolation in the past from the rest of the subcontinent. A long stretch of desert to its east and a mountainous terrain to the west served as barriers, while the Arabian Sea in the south and the Indus in the north prevented easy access. As a result, the people of Sindh developed their own exclusive artistic tradition. Their arts and craft, music and literature, games and sports have retained their original flavor. Sindh is rich in exquisite pottery, variegated glazed tiles, lacquer-work, leather and straw products, needlework, quilts, embroidery, hand print making and textile design. According to renowned European historian H.T. Sorelay, Sindhis had not only contributed to literature but also to astronomy, medicine, philosophy, dialectics and similar subjects.

Melas (fairs) and malakharas (wrestling festivals) are popular. Falconry, horse and camel breeding and racing are characteristic pastimes. Sindhi fishermen float earthen pots to catch the palla fish in the Indus, bullock cart racing and cockfighting are also typical of the province.

Genuine love for fellow beings, large heartedness and hospitality constitute the very spirit of Sindhi culture and it is the association of the cultural elements that elevate it and keep aloft its banner among the contemporary cultures of South-Asia. Having lived for centuries under the changing sway of various dynasties i.e. the Arabs, Mughals, Arghuns, Turkhans and Soomras, Sammahs, Kalhoras and Talpurs, Sindhi culture is a fusion of multiple culture patterns. These splendor and enrichment are reflected in Sindhi art and architecture, habits and customs. The old tombs and buildings in Thatta, Sehwan, Hyderabad, Sukkur and the excavations at Bhambore, Brahmanabad and Debal bear ample evidence in support of the above statement. These places fostered in their environment, some of the best cultural values which were handed down to the inhabitants of the adjoining areas. Today, these values form the very foundation of Sindhi culture.

The Sindhi language has pure Sanskrit basis and is closely related to the ancient Prakrit. Its alphabet contains fifty-two letters. The Rev. Mr.G. Shirt of Hyderabad, one of the first Sindhi scholars, considered that the language is probably, so far as its grammatical construction is concerned, the purest daughter of Sanskrit. It has small sprinkling of Dravidian words, and has in later times received large accessions to its vocabulary from Arabic and Persian. After the advent of Islam, a number of Sindhi scholars not only wrote books in Arabic on various aspects of Islam, but also composed poetry of a high order in that language. During the rule of Soomras and Sammas, Sindhis produced excellent poetry, and amongst the earliest and best-known poets we find the name of Syed Ali and Qazi Qadan both of Thatta and their younger contemporary, Shah Abdul Karim of Bulrhi, the great-grandfather of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai.

Qazi Qadan (870-985 A.H.) introduced Philosophy into Sindhi poetry. He has in his poetry laid great emphasis on purity of mind and the study of the self. In one of his verses he says, “Even if you master thoroughly the great Arabic works Qudoori and Kafia you will only be like an ant sitting within a well in a limited environment knowing nothing of the world outside”.

Then comes Shah Abdul Karim of Bulrhi. In 98 couplets he has explained the intricacies of human philosophy. In one of his couplets, he says “The best way of Living in the world is to give your heart to the beloved and be bodily connected with fellow human beings”.

Shah Latif and his contemporaries, Shah Inayat, Muhammad Moeen Thattvi lsso Mian and Misri Shah, were also pioneers in the field of the well-known Sindhi Kafi Lyric. Others who contributed to kafi were Qasim, Hyder Shah, Fazil Shah, Pir Mohammad Ashraf, Assooran and Qaleech Beg. Misri Shah is considered to be the undisputed monarch in the domain of Kafi. The term Kafi was originally taken from Shah Abdul Latif’s waie, which correspond to Ghazal. Sachal Sarmast added glory to Kafi in his lyrics.

POETRY

After the advent of Islam, a number of Sindhi scholars not only wrote books in Arabic on various aspects of Islam, but also composed poetry of high order in that languages. It is presumed that these scholars also wrote in their own language. During the rule of Sumras and Sammas, Sindhis produces excellent poetry, and amongst the earliest and best-known poets, we find the name of Syed Ali and Qazi Qadan both of Thatta and their younger contemporary, Shah Abdul Karim of Bulrhi, the great-grand father of Shah Abul Latif Bhitai.

Long before the British rule, under the influence of Persian poetry, the Sindhi poets borrowed many ideas from Persian poets. There were, however, some poets such as Mohammad Qasim, Murtaza Thattavi, Gul Mohammad Gul, Syed Gada, Hafiz Hamid, Mir Abdul Hussain Sangi, Zaman Shash and others who, in spite of having adopted Persian forms, derived their inspiration from the classical Sindhi poets. Theirs works have, therefore been popular among the masses, as well as people of more sophisticated tastes. Others, who continued to compose in indigenous styles, using the Sindhi language in its purest from, include Misree Shah, Mahdi Shah, and Hafiz Shah. Sahibdion Shah, Wali Mohammad Leghari and Hammal Faqir.

Qazi Qadan (870-985 A.H.) of Sehwan was the Sindhi poet who introduced philosophy and mysticism into Sindhi poetry. He has in his poetry laid prate emphasis on purity of mind and the study of self. In one of his verses he says: ” Even if you master thoroughly the great Arabic works Qudoor and Qafa you will only be like an ant sitting within a well in a limited environment, knowing nothing of the world outside.

Kafi the Shah and his contemporaries, Shah Inayat, Muhammad Moeen Thattvi, Isso Mian and Misri Shah, were also pioneers in the field of the well-known Sindhi Kafi Lyric. Others who contribute to Kafi were Qasim, Hyder Shah, Fazil Shah, Pir Mohammad Ashraf, Assooram and Qaleech Beg. Misri Shah is considered to the undisputed monarch in the domain of Kafi. The term Kafi was originally taken from Shah Abdul Latif’s waie, which corresponds to ghazal. Sachal added glory to kafi in his lyrics. After Khalifo Gul Mohammad a host Sindhi poets contributed to the development of the ghazal. The following poets deserve special mention: Qasim Shamsuddin Bulbul, Mir Abdul Hussain Saangi, Bewas Lekhraj Kishanchand Aziz, Zia Fani, Farid, Fakir Abdul Rahim of Groroh and Hafiz Mohammad Hayat.

Humour Shamsuddin Bulbul was the first poet to introduce humor in Sindhi poetry. He can very well be compared to Akbar Allahabadi.

In this field Mohammad Hashim Mukhlis and more particularly Mirza Qaleech Beg, the father of modern Sindhi poetry and prose have left an indelible mark. The latter’s humor is much more polished and constructive. ” Saudai Khan” is a modest collection of his poetry dealing wit the experiences of life and the ravages of time. The book is in two volumes, and each column consists of homage paid to his ancestors and guide. He composed only 14 ghazals in Urdu.

SHAH ABDUL LATIF BHITAI

Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai (1689-1752) perfected Sindhi poetry both in from and in content and is reckoned as the peerless master of Sindhi verses. The most salient feature of his poetry is Sufism, which he had presented with dexterity in his famous work, Shah Jo Risalo. The main characteristics of Shah Leif’s poetry is that it is a ‘remarkable record of God-intoxicated man’s longing to rise above his level of life in order to meet his Maker”. He had a command to express and interpret the joys and sorrows, hopes and aspirations of the people of Sindh. Shah Latif’s poetry depicts nature and its manifestations in a most vivid and vivacious manner. He had composed beautiful verses on the river Indus, the shining surface of lakes and the barren ranges of hills. He had also versified on the behavior of the sea and the boats and boatsmen living on the shore of the sea. He was the most prolific writer and poet of his age. His poetry is deeply rooted in the soil of Sindh, yet it has a universal appeal.

So great is the impact of his immortal work on Sindhi literature that one hears its distinct echo in all the poetry produced by later generations. From the time of shah Latif to the British conquest of Sindh, there were a large number of Sindhi poets, such as Mohammad Zaman of Luwar, Abdul Grohari, Sachal Sarmast, Bedil, Bekas, Sami, Pir Ali Gohar Asghar (Pir Pagaro), Roohal Faqir, Pir Asghar Ali, Pir Ghulam Shah Rashidi and Sabit Ali Shah Sabit, whose works a still to be found. During the days of the Sumras, the Sammas and later on during the Kalhora and the Talpur period, Sindh was the court languag.

SACHAL SARMAST

Sachal Sarmast (Abdul Wahab) is another Sufi poet of distinction who composed verses on philosophy and Sufism. He was at home in a number of languages and composed poetical pieces in Arabic, Sindhi, Saraiki or Multani, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu and Persian. His poetry is replete with Divine Love. It is on Monotheism, the Glorious Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon him). He also composed poems of high order in Urdu and Persian. The great Sufi poets-Attar, Jami and Roomi influenced him.

Hiis Sindhi poetry encompasses a wide range of subjects and possesses its own individuality. He perfected a great deal of old style i.e. Abyat and Dohas greatly in vogue before hi, While Shah Latif enhanced the standard of Sindhi to the highest level of excellence in style, diction and subject matter, Sachal Sarmast took the lead in raising the standard and level of kafi, ghazal and marsia in /Sindhi poetry. Unlike Shah Latif, whose compositions are woven around local and folk themes, Sachal has touched on all Great Sufi saints, fountains of knowledge and learning, besides the most popular folktales of the Indus valley. The images, similes, metaphors and allegories employed by Sachal give him a prominent place in Sindhi literature after Shah Latif.

It was in the British period that really good prose began to be produced. Syed Miran Mohammad Shah-I of Tikhar, Diwan Kewal Ram, Ghulam Hussain and Akhund Latifullah are among the early prose writers. But Shamsul Ulema Mirza Qaleech Beg can rightly be called the father of modern Sindhi prose. He is said to have written or translated from other languages about 400 books of poetry, novel short stories, essays etc.

“Diwan-e-Qaleech” is a collection in alphabetical order of his poetry in Sindhi. In contains about 433 verses. Another work of importance is his translation of Rubaiyat-e-Omar Khayyam in which he has followed the same meter as employed in the original Persian work. This translation has filled an important gap in Sindhi literature.

Music the patronage of music in Sindh started wit the advent of Muslims. In 72AD; when the famous Arab General Muhammad Bin Qasim was engaged in his conquest of Sindh, the Sammas of Central Sindh gave him a rousing reception. Headed by musicians, playing the Dhol-and-Shahnai, “Orchestra”, and skilled dancers giving their performances, they came to greet Muhammad Bin Qasim, who echoed the whole show. The grandeur of the musical performance and the big crowd impressed a lieutenant of Muhammad to such an extent that he suggested to the General that their army should pray to God that such a powerful tribe had been subjugated so easily. Muhammad who had a good sense of humor”. The Dhol-and-Shahnai performance whish has been the traditional ” Orchestra” of Sindh, before and since 8th century AD. Is most popular throughout the province even today.

Interest in the classical ‘Hindustani’ as well as the indigenous music in Sindh reached its height in 16th century during the reign of the Turkhan rulers, Mirza Jani Beg and his son Mirza Ghazi Beg. Both the father and the son were great patrons of poets like the famous Talib Amuli and others, and of numerous musicians who invented new musical forms, naghams, and a variety of tunes. Both the rulers were accomplished musicians themselves. Their capital Thatta was the rendezvous.

SINDH CULTURE