Kashmiri diaspora

The Kashmiri diaspora refers to Kashmiri people who have migrated out of the Kashmir region, consisting of Azad Kashmir, as well as Jammu and Kashmir, into other areas and countries, and their descendants.

Pakistan

Within Pakistan, Kashmiris have migrated towards many provinces outside of Azad Kashmir and from Indian Jammu and Kashmir.

Punjab

Migration from Kashmir to the Punjab has been historic, given that both regions border each other. For centuries, Kashmiri traders would migrate to Punjab during the winter months to trade goods. Regions of northern Punjab including Rawalpindi District and particularly central Punjab have large population of Kashmiris, and have adopted the Punjabi language over the course of generations. The major migration from Kashmir valley towards neighboring Punjab was during the 1800s when severe famines hit Kashmir Valley due to repeated prolonged winters with heavy snows and the worst hit communities were Muslim rural Kashmiris who migrated in large numbers towards central Punjab in areas such as Gujrat, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Amritsar and Ludhiana, after 1947 all the Kashmiri Muslims living in Amritsar and Ludhiana migrated again towards western parts of Punjab mainly in Lahore and Faisalabad areas. Some ethnic clans in Punjab which draw Kashmiri ancestral roots include Butt, Mir, Dar, and Lone. The vast majority Kashmiris in Punjab have roots from rural/village areas of Kashmir valley which helped them integrate in central Punjabi social life which had similar rural values.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is home to one of the largest Mirpuri/Pahari diasporic populations. The overwhelming number of Mirpuris in the UK are from the city of Mirpur in Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. According to various estimates, nearly half of the total one-million British Pakistani population is of Mirpuri/Pahari origin; they settled in the UK following the completion of the Mangla Dam in Mirpur in the late 1950s which led to the destruction of hundreds of villages. Up to 5,000 people from Mirpur (five per cent of the displaced)[1] left for Britain, the displaced Mirpuris being given legal and financial assistance by the British contractor which had built the dam.[2] Over time, the Mirpuri/Pahari diaspora in Britain grew rapidly.

Australia

The Kashmir Council of Australia was set up by Kashmiri expatriates in Australia.[3] Notable Kashmiri Australians include Hanifa Deen and Peter Qasim.

India

Himachal Pradesh, India

The state of Himachal Pradesh in India has the second-largest Kashmiri language speakers after Kashmir Valley and adjoining areas. A number of Kashmiri Pandits after the eruption of Armed rebellion and subsequent human rights violation in the valley migrated to this region over centuries and the numbers increased between 1947–48 and 1989-91.

Delhi, NCR and other parts of India

Delhi has been abode to Kashmiris for centuries, and the number increased in 1947-48 and after start of armed conflict in 1989. A number of Kashmiri organisations have been existence for over half a century in Delhi, including Kashmiri Pandit Sabha, Panun Kashmir, Vyeth Television, and N. S. Kashmir Research Institute.

Organisations outside India

All entire Kashmiri Pandit organisations spread the message of peace and tranquility. These organisation are trying to preserve Kashmiri language and heritage by teaching youngsters their language, culture and history. Kashmiri Pandit Sabha is the biggest organisation of Kashmiri outside Kashmir, and they have a number of sister chapters across India.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Muslims In Britain: Past And Present". Islamfortoday.com. Retrieved 2010-04-27.
  2. ↑ Kinship and continuity: Pakistani families in Britain. Routledge. 2000. ISBN 978-90-5823-076-8. Retrieved 2010-04-27.
  3. ↑ Kashmir Council of Australia

External links