Who Are the Punjabi?
The Punjabi are an ethnic group of approximately 150 million, divided between Pakistan's Punjab province (approximately 110 million, forming Pakistan's largest ethnic group) and India's Punjab and Haryana states (approximately 40 million). They speak Punjabi, an Indo-Aryan language and the world's 10th most spoken language. The Punjab ("Land of Five Rivers") is one of the world's most fertile agricultural regions—the Green Revolution transformed it into the breadbasket of both nations. The 1947 Partition divided Punjab with devastating violence; millions fled, died, or were displaced. Despite the border, Punjabi cultural unity persists—in music, food, and festivals—across religious and national divisions.
Partition Trauma
The 1947 Partition of British India divided Punjab between India and Pakistan, triggering one of history's largest mass migrations and worst communal violence. An estimated 10-20 million people fled—Muslims to West Punjab (Pakistan), Hindus and Sikhs to East Punjab (India). Violence killed 200,000-2 million; women faced targeted assault. Lahore, the cultural capital, became Pakistani; Amritsar, with the Sikh Golden Temple, remained Indian. This trauma—loss of homeland, family separation, witnessed horrors—shaped Punjabi identity on both sides. Partition literature, family memories, and the divided border at Wagah keep this history alive.
Religion and Diversity
Punjabi identity transcends religion despite partition. Pakistani Punjab is predominantly Muslim; Indian Punjab is Sikh-majority (the only Sikh-majority state globally); significant Hindu Punjabis live in Haryana and Delhi. Sikhism originated in Punjab; the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) in Amritsar is Sikhism's holiest site. Sufi shrines dot Pakistani Punjab—Data Darbar in Lahore draws millions. This religious diversity creates complex Punjabi identity: shared language, food, folk music (bhangra, gidda), and agricultural culture unite across Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh divisions, even as religious identity creates political boundaries.
Culture and Diaspora
Punjabi culture is vibrant and influential. Bhangra music and dance, originally celebrating harvest, became global phenomenon through British-Asian fusion. Punjabi cuisine—butter chicken, naan, lassi—is among world's most popular. Agricultural strength made Punjab vital to both nations' food security. The Punjabi diaspora is substantial—UK, Canada, USA, and Gulf states host millions. Southall (London), Surrey (Canada), and Yuba City (California) are diaspora centers. Bollywood features Punjabi culture prominently; Punjabi pop music crosses national boundaries. This global reach makes Punjabi culture visible far beyond South Asia.
Contemporary Punjabi
Modern Punjabi face distinct challenges in each nation. In Pakistan, Punjabi political dominance creates both power and resentment from other provinces; Punjabi language faces official neglect in favor of Urdu. In India, water stress threatens agricultural viability; drug addiction has reached crisis levels; Sikh political movements (from autonomy demands to the 1984 Golden Temple crisis) create ongoing tensions. Environmental degradation affects both sides. Cross-border cultural connections—through media, music, and diaspora—persist despite political hostility. How Punjabi maintain shared identity across borders and religions while addressing local challenges shapes their future.
References
- Talbot, I. (2000). Inventing the Nation: India
- Singh, K. (1956). Train to Pakistan
- Matringe, D. (2009). Literature, langues et histoire au Panjab