Background
Sindhi literature has been in existence for around five thousand years, through the civilizations of Moen-jo-Daro, Amri and Bhambhore. The Vedic texts were written by the banks of Sindhu (the River Indus) in Pakistan.
Literary relics in British museums today show Buddhist influences over early literary works. With the advent of Arabs, Sindh received the cultural impact of Islam, and the first complete translation of the Qur'an was completed in 884 CE in Sindh. The Soomra Dynasty (1026 to 1351 CE) was a period of renaissance of the Sindh language in literature. Religious verse also took life in this period; Pir Sadaruddin was a pioneer of verse who invented Ginan as a new genre in Sindhi literature. The Sama period is known as the golden age of Sindhi verse. Qazi Kadan, Shaikh Hamad, Ishaq Aahangar and Mamooi Fakirs were the leading poets of this period.
The times of the Arghons, the Trakhans and the Mughal Empire (1526 to 1858) gave rise to nationalistic feelings in Sindhi literature. The verse of Makhdoom Nooh Sarwar, Lutfullah Kadri, and Shah Inayat Rizvi convey the suffering experienced by the local people throughout 250 years of occupation. The time of the Kalhora Dynasty (1701 to 1783) is known as the summit of success of Sindhi literature. The Kalhoras were indigenous people of Sindh. Mystic poets like Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai were the product of this period. The verse of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai not only cast long shadows in social and political directions but also revolutionized the literacy taste and standard. Sachal Sarmast, Chain Rai Sami, Bachoo Mal Lund, Hamal Faqeer Laghari were poets of this period.
Though the British were non-native, soon after settling in Sindh they took up the task of formalizing Sindhi manuscript and soon succeeded. Sindhi language was standardized and official documents were published in it. This development gave an impetus to Sindhi literature by laying down the foundation for formal publication of Sindhi writing.
Read more about this topic: Sindhi Adabi Board
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