A famous Muslim missionary took incharge of converting thousands of Hindus into Muslim in the 14th century in India. These Muslims were called Memons which means exemplary Muslim. Their ideas and expertise in business made them create massive dynasties. Their survival was mainly based on their social involvement and charitable practices. Their generosity made them different from other traders in India.
The Memon caste is basically a converted Hindu community dwelling in the areas of Gujarat and Pakistan. The Sindhi Muslims are often subdivided into groups of kutchu, Memon, bantwa Memon, and Kathiawar Memon.
Syed Yousuf Uddin Qadri embraced all the Muslims who migrated from Gujarat, Kutch and other regions. The Sindhi Hindu Lohanas were converted muslims by their followers in 1524. The Memon community is the sunni Muslim community who is traditionally involved in the mercantile profession. The group is incredibly diversified and practises multiple professions. The Muslim ethnic group originated in India and is specifically known for their involvement in philanthropy.
Memons have built many dispensaries, hospitals, societies, and Musafir Khanas. With time, they settled in different parts of India for the motive of welfare and growth. A handful of Memons reside in Pakistan despite their majority being settled in India. Apart from India and Pakistan, the community also has its existence in the areas of Kenya, Mauritius, Tanzania, Australia, Singapore and Burma.
What language do Memon caste people speak?
Memons have a different language than the usual Hindi or Urdu. They speak Memon language that relates to its origin.The script of this language can be found in Sindhi dialect which remains profoundly understood by the local lights. Since, Memon borrowed its culture from Gujarati and Kutch, they have lately started speaking Urdu and Hindi as well. Memon language doesn’t carry its script but can be written using Urdu and Gujarati literature.
Memon language is currently written using the latest digital methods and gadgets such as computers and mobile phones. The Memon community is not an ordinary industrialist or business community. They are very progressive and have a rich history in India. They are Hindus who were converted into Muslims and got engaged in animal husbandry, agriculture and industrial tasks vividly. They embraced the teachings of Lord Buddha and became ardent believers of Lord Shiva with time.
The spread of the Memon community was a total mix of Buddhism, Hindu and Muslim culture altogether. Memons resided in different regions of Okha, Kutch and halal which made them develop certain particularities and characteristics region wise. Even after carrying one surname, they were quite different from one another. Their sense of pride and differences exist events till date.
Final words
The ever changing social patterns have resulted in Memons being involved in a number of different occupations. They are now found in each and every part of India. Their ideas and approach for trade and business have given them a distinct establishment in the country.