The land of Hindustan, India, holds a remarkable historical fact often overlooked by many. Within this nation, rich in culture and religions, an estimated seven million individuals are direct descendants of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This unique demographic portrait connects the roots of Islamic history to the very heart of South Asia.
The surnames of those carrying the holy lineage of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) are scattered across various regions of India. In fact, a report from the website Defence mentions that over 15 million people in the South Asian region claim descent from the Prophet's lineage. This significant number comprises approximately three percent of the total Muslim population in the area, illustrating the profound reach of the Prophet's family across this subcontinent.
The Indo–Pakistan–Bangladesh region in Asia is believed to be home to the largest concentration of Sayyids, the title given to descendants of the Prophet. Within India itself, there are an estimated seven million Sayyids, a number nearly equal to that in Pakistan. Bangladesh, meanwhile, is home to around one million Sayyids, and Nepal has approximately 70,000. These figures paint a picture of the vast dispersal of the Prophet's descendants throughout South Asia.
The ancestors of these millions of Sayyids in India migrated from various parts of the Arab world, Persia (Iran), Central Asia, and Turkestan. Their arrival occurred during the Mongol invasions and other periods of upheaval, including the times of Mahmud Ghaznavi, the Delhi Sultanate, and the Mughal Empire, continuing until the late 19th century. These long journeys brought them to different corners of India, where they subsequently established lives and communities.
Some of the early migrant Sayyids even moved far into the highland regions of the Deccan. They sought refuge and support from local sultanates such as the Bahmani Sultanate, as well as the Qutb Shahi kings of Golconda, the Nizam Shahi of Ahmadnagar, and the other kingdoms of Bijapur, Bidar, and Berar. Interactions with these local rulers allowed them to integrate and flourish in new territories.
Besides political and security reasons, some Sayyids also came to India as traders or to escape the power struggles within major caliphates such as the Abbasid, Umayyad, and Ottoman Empires. Interestingly, the Prophet's descendants also held political power in India for a brief period during the Delhi Sultanate from 1414 to 1451.
Their names resurfaced in Indian history during the decline of the Mughal Empire. At that time, the Sayyid Brothers emerged as a significant political force, capable of making and unmaking emperors according to their will between 1714 and 1720. They also hold the distinction of being the first Muslims appointed by the British to the Council of India, as well as the first to hold a position on the Advisory Council.
The Sayyids played an important role in the military structure of the Mughal Empire. When the new British colonial power replaced the Mughals after the Battle of Buxar in 1764, the British government also made the pragmatic decision to work with various Sayyid jagirdars, who were landholders granted by the rulers.
Some Sayyid taluqdars in Awadh, substantial landowners under the British colonial regime, held significant economic influence. Many other Sayyids continued to play vital roles in state administration, demonstrating their ongoing contributions to governance.
Socially, the Sayyid community in India is known for its high levels of literacy. However, the independence and partition of India in 1947 brought profound trauma to this community. Many families were divided, with some members choosing to move to Pakistan, leaving behind relatives and property.
Following the partition, the zamindari system, a feudal land ownership system where land was redistributed to those who cultivated it, was abolished. Many Sayyids who remained on agricultural land became middle and small-scale farmers, adapting to the agrarian changes. Meanwhile, in urban areas, there has been a shift in occupations towards modern sectors, in line with the changing times.
In the southern region of Kerala, which has a two-thousand-year-old trade relationship with Arabia, the Muslim honorific title "Thangal" in Malayalam is almost equivalent to the Arabic term "Sayyid." This title is bestowed upon men believed to be descendants of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). For instance, the lineage of Bafaqi Thangal, a prominent Muslim leader in Kerala, can be traced back 35 generations to Fatima, the daughter of Prophet Muhammad.
The Thangals are believed to be descendants of Sayyid families who migrated from the historic city of Tarim in the Hadramawt province of Yemen during the 7th century. Their arrival aimed to spread Islam along the Malabar Coast, bringing with them the heritage and teachings of the Prophet.
The Sayyids chose coastal areas for their settlements. The Arakkal royal family in Kerala even has Thangal origins, and the last ruler of this kingdom, Ali Raja Mariumma Beevi Thangal, surrendered power to the Indian government after independence, marking the end of an era.
Today, the Sayyid population in India is dispersed across various states. An estimated 7,017,000 individuals reside in states such as Uttar Pradesh (1,493,000), Maharashtra (1,108,000), Karnataka (766,000), Andhra Pradesh (727,000), Rajasthan (497,000), Bihar (419,000), West Bengal (372,000), Madhya Pradesh (307,000), Gujarat (245,000), and Tamil Nadu (206,000).
New Delhi Times host Tarek Fatah highlighted the historical aspects of India and the interaction between Hindus and Muslims. According to him, less than a century after the death of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the descendants of Abu Sufyan seized control of the Islamic caliphate. They even fought against the Prophet's grandson, Imam Hussain, and his family.
In that tumultuous situation, many members of Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) lineage fled the Umayyad Caliphate and sought refuge in the Sindh kingdom of India. Raja Dahir, a Hindu ruler, warmly welcomed them and allowed them to settle under his protection. Today, the Sayyids are a precious historical link for India, connecting the past with the present, and enriching the nation's cultural mosaic.
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