Bhadala

Bhadala

Regions with significant populations
• India • Pakistan
Languages
•Kutchi•Gujarati•Sindhi
Religion
Islam

TheBhadala(Gujarati:ભડાલા;Arabic:بدل;Hindi:भदाला) are anethnic groupfound in Pakistan and India. They are found mainly in theKutch DistrictofGujarat.In Pakistan, they are found mainly inKarachi. TheBhadala(Gujarati:ભડાલા;Arabic:بدل;Hindi:भदाला) are anethnic groupfound in Pakistan and India. They are found mainly in theKutch DistrictofGujarat.InPakistan,they are found mainly inKarachi.

Present circumstances

The Bhadala are divided into a number of 32 clans, the main ones being the Dekla, Jadeja, Sap, Jethwa, Ruknani, Fatwani, mokha, Madwani, Kana, Babar, Bhopal, Thaim, Bholim, Turk, Madyar,Bhojani, Vidhani, Chanaa, Sayani, Roomi, Juneja, Sodha, Sameja, Panjri, Palija, Koreja, Dosani, Bhatti, Ghohil, Saghani, Gunda and Siru. Many are names of well-knownSindhitribes, and could point to a diverse origin of the community. But community boundaries are clear, and there is no intermarriage with neighbouringMuslimMaldharicommunities like theJuneja,RoymaandKer.Each of their clans are of equal status and inter marry. The community have a well established caste association, the Muslim Bhadala Jamat, which is one of the oldest Muslim castes association inGujarat.It has offices inMombasa,Muscat,Dubai,Karachi(Keamari & Baba Island) andKeti Bandar,reflecting the widespread distribution of the community.

The Bhadala is still a seafaring community, and almost all theDhowcaptains on theDubaitoIndiaroute are Bhadala. Many are also employed by the merchant navies ofIndiaandPakistan.Generally eachdhowcrew is made up of close kinsmen. InPakistan,the Bhadala owns a significant part of that countries fishing fleet. InIndia,the Bhadala often employMuslimMachiyarorHinduKharwaon their fishing boats, while inPakistanmost of the crew is made up of ethnicBengali Muslims.

The Bhadala are entirelySunni,and follow the traditions of the other neighbouringMuslimcommunities.