Soomro (Brife in History)

 Sardar Sajjad Hussian Soomro 

Chairman  All  Pakistan  Soomra  Ithad

Dur Muhammad Soomro

Taluka President Kamber All Pakistan Soomra Ithad

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Soomro or Soomra or Sumrah (Sindhi: سومرو) is a Sindhi tribe mainly in Sindh, parts of Punjab bordering Sindh and in Balochistan, Pakistan. Other cities also have some Soomro population who have been there for work reasons but their origins remain in Sindh.

History and origin

Theory of origin from Rajputs

Soomro are a branch of the Sumrah clan of Jats. H.A Rose, who made a comprehensive glossary of the Tribes of Punjab and North West Frontier, mentions Sumra as one of the Jat Tribes of the Western Plains  and quotes from other writers like E.O'Brein and describes the Sumra as originally Rajputs. "In A.D.750 they expelled the first Arab invaders from Sindh and Multan, and furnished the country with a dynasty which ruled in Multan from 1445 to 1526 A.D., when it was expelled by the Samma". Colonel James Tod refers to them as a part of the twin clans of Umra and Sumra Rajputs who were a subdivision of Sodha tribe of Rajputs, which in turn has been mentioned as a grand division of Parmar Rajputs who in remote times held all the Rajputana desert. Frequently combining with their brethren the Umars, gave name to a large tract of country, which is even still recognized as Umra-Sumra and Umarkot, and within which Alor and Bhukkar is situated.

Some streams of Parmar Rajput are:

01.Shankhala, 02.Kher, 03.Vahal, 03.Mepvat, 04.Alhar, 05.Kaba, 06.Unmar, 07.Rehott, 08.Dhundhar, 09. Soraha, 10.Harir, 11.Maonara, 12.Khimad, 13.Sukhada, 14.Parkora, 15.Bhopura, 16.Sampal, 17. Bhikha, 18.Kalavsar, 19.Kalmoh, 20.Kohwa, 21.Pocha, 22.Dhudh, 23.Kahorava, 24.Deva, 25.Barahar, 26.Jepra, 27.Pansav, 28.Dhuna, 29.Rakomva, 30.Teeka, 31.Mori, 32.Sumrah, 33.Sodha.

Theory of origin from Egypt and Iraq

Following the 985 CE expulsion of the Qarmatian Muslim sect from Iraq and Egypt, the Qarmatians relocated to Sindh. The grey part of history is that some say that when they relocated they were called Sumero along with some suggesting suggest that they were the possibly the first converts to Islam in Sindh, however, there is no evidence of this as their presence becomes evident later on after they became rulers of Sindh and when they did they had Arabic names. The term Soomro, spelled Soomro in English, but pronounced Soomera or Soomara, means 'of Samarra' in Sindhi. There is also a wide accepted concept of Soomera being men brought by bin Qasim and left there after he went back but according to the lack of information on this part of history, the facts are blurred.

When Sindh was under the Ummayad caliphate, the Habbari dynasty was in control. The Ummayads appointed Aziz al Habbari as the governor of sindh. Habbaris ruled Sindh until Mahmud Ghaznavi defeated the Habbari's in 1024. Mahmud Ghaznavi viewed the Abbasids to be the Caliphs thus he removed the remaining influence of the Ummayad Caliphate in the region. Following the defeat of the Habbari's, the Abbasid Caliphate made Al Khafif from Samarra the new governor of Sindh for a better, stronger and stable government. Once he became the governor he allotted several key positions to his family and friends, thus Al-Khafif or Sardar Khafif Soomro formed the Soomra Dynasty in Sindh and became its first king. Until the Siege of Baghdad (1258) the Soomra dynasty was the Abbasid Caliphate's functionary in Sindh but after that it became independent. Since then some soomra's intermarried with local women and adopted some local customs as well. It be noted that Mansura was the first capital of the Soomra Dynasty and the last of the Habbari dynasty.

Also a majority of Hindu Sindhi names end with ni thus to distinguish them from Hindu Rajputs they were called Soomero, written Soomro in English, and not Soomerni by the Hindu Rajputs of Sindh. The overwhelming majority of Soomros are Sunni and a significant number who adheres to Sufi Islam and Shiite Islam like most of Sindhis but these days due to the rising influence of Wahhabi Islam a large number are Wahhabi as well. The Soomra Dynasty was established by the Soomro tribe of Sindh. The Soomra ruled Sindh from 1024-1351.

The Soomra shifted there capital to Tharri, nearly 14 km eastwards of Matli on the Puran river. Puran was later abandoned due to changes in the course of the river. Thatta was the capital of the empire for about 95 years until the end of Soomra rule in 1351 AD. Hindus who had not converted to Islam under the Ghaznavids moved from Sindh to Vegh Kot and Lakhpat (Kutch) around 1028 A.D., to avoid sectarian violence and live under a Hindu ruler. During this period, Kutch was ruled by the Jadeja branch of the Samma Dynasty, who enjoyed good relations with the Soomro tribe in Sindh.

Historical significance

The Soomro tribe were one of the earliest Muslims in sindh. They are very old feudals and were termed "Princes of Peace" by the British. They ruled Sindh for a long time. however all the information mentioned in the chachnama is not true and some things even seem baseless.


The Soomro Dynasty (Sindhi: سومرو راڄ) was established by Soomro clan of Sindh.
The Soomras ruled Sindh from 1024-1351. Their first ruler is named Al Khafif who took over Mansura after the last ruler of Habbari dynasty died in 1010 A.D.The Soomra Dynasty started with a definite and rigid law of succession, unlike the contemporary Ghazni and Delhi Sultanates which always faced trouble and where sword was the natural method of deciding the right of succession. The Soomra rule, therefore continued uninterrupted for about 350 years and their territories were never annexed though they acted as the vassals of Delhi for some time.

Soomra dynasty

Early History

The Umayyad Caliphs appointed Aziz al Habbari as the governor of Sindh. The Habbari dynasty was controlling Sindh under the orders of the Ummayad Caliphate. When troubles began between the Ummayads and the Abbasids Habbari rule became semi independent, though it still remained under the influence of the Ummayad Caliphate indirectly. Habbaris ruled Sindh until Mahmud Ghaznavi defeated the Habbaris in 1024 because Mahmud Ghaznavi, viewed the Abbasids to be the legitimate caliphs. Following the defeat of the Habbaris, the Abbasid Caliphate made Al Khafif from Samarra the new governor of Sindh for a stronger and stable government. Al Khafif allotted key positions to his family and friends thus Al-Khafif or Khafif Soomro became the first ruler of the dynasty in Sindh. Until the Siege of Baghdad the Soomro Dynasty was the Abbasid Caliphate's functionary in Sindh but after that it became independent. Since then some Soomros intermarried with several local women and adopted some local customs as well. Mansura was the first capital of the Soomro dynasty and the last of the Habbari dynasty.

Soomro period

The Soomro Dynesty later shifted their capital to Tharri, nearly 14 km eastwards of Matli on the Puran. Puran was later abandoned due to changes in the course of Puran river. Afterwards, Thatta was made the capital of Sindh for about 95 years until the end of their rule in 1351 AD. During this period, Kutch was ruled by the Samma Dynasty, who enjoyed good relations with the Soomros in Sindh.

Salient features

Renaissance in Sindh

In 1011 AD, the first Soomro King, Al Khafif was given control of Sindh by the Abbasid Caliphate to build a stronger government when Mahmud Ghaznavi defeated the Habbaris. in The beginning Soomro's had Arabic names thus admitting of their Arab past. since then some intermarried with local women. The Soomro Dynasty lost ties with the Abbasid Caliphate after the Siege of Baghdad (1258) and the Soomro kings Soomar, Bhoongar and Dodo-1, established their rule from the shores of the Arabian Sea to Multan, Bahawalpur, Sadiqabad and Uch in the north and in the east to Rajistan and in the west to Balochistan.
The Renaissance started from 1092 AD when Princess Zainab Tari Soomro became the sovereign Queen of Sindh. As a first step, attention was paid to Sindhi language, which had remained dominated by Arabic during the last three centuries. Not only reforms were made in promoting Sindhi language for good governance, but fast progress was made in arts and crafts, architecture, agriculture and music, both instrumental and vocal. Sports like horse and camel races, wrestling known "Mulluh" and other marshal sports were patronized.
A lot about Soomros is mentioned in the Chachnama though not all of it is true even some of it is even baseless.

Language and literature

As everywhere in the world, the literature had a poetic start, so in Sindh also, the minstrels and bards made great strides in Sindhi folk poetry. They composed their poetry around popular myths, folk tales, historical events and romances. A minstrel named Sumang Charan stands prominent among all other minstrels and bards of the early period.
In this period, "Doha (couplets)", "Gaha", "Geech (marriage songs)" "Gaya (songs of Soomro women)", forms of Sindhi poetry developed as a part of dramatic narration. Later on new dimensions were brought to Sindhi poetry, after the battle of Dodo Chanesar, the Soomro kings with the armies of Sultan Allaulddin of Delhi, in 1313 AD near the city of "Thaar Banghar" which gave rise to epic form of poetry in Sindh.
A minstrel named Bhagu Bhan, also a court poet of Soomro Kings, was renowned as composer and singer of epic poetry. He was an expert in playing local musical instruments, especially "Surando". This instrument could be called the violin of the East.
There were other master musicians and singers as Chand Fakir, Bahiro Mangto, Lado Bhag and many others from Charans, Mangtas and Manganhars tribes. From the women poets, Mai Markha Shaikh was a remarkable poet of that time. They all played their part towards poetical progress in Sindhi literature during the rule of Soomro Dynasty in Sindh.
The great historical dramatic romances that took place in the reign of the last few Soomro kings were Lilan Chanesar, Umar Marvi and Momal Rano. Earlier than this, the love tales of Sassui Punhun, Suhni Mehar and Sorath-Rai Dyach were narrated in melodious poetry by minstrels and bards in public musical evenings patronized by the Soomro Kings.
Centuries afterwards, the tales of these historic romances became the subject matter of Sufistic poetry by the famous Sufi poet of Sindh, Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, who immortalized these tales. He transformed these tales into different Surs i.e. musical composition with classical norms. Since then great Sindhi, master musicians and singers keep singing these soulful melodies even in this 21st.

Golden period of Sindhi women

Like Arabs, Soomros were also the sons of desert. Arabs were nomad tribes of the Arabian desert which comprised vast areas of huge sand dunes, dry hills and rugged mountains with no rivers of sweet water flowing anywhere. Scattered oasis and wells were the only source of water for them. Similarly, Soomros were also settled in the Thar Desert of Sindh though they were not indigenous, but they had the advantage of the waters of the mighty River Indus which then flowed along the western ridge of the Thar Desert.
The Soomros had the temperament of desert people and were great warriors.
The Arabs conquered Sindh in 711–712 AD from Hindu Rajas and established the rule of Sharia of Islam, throughout Sindh. A vast majority of Sindhis who were Hindus, embraced Islam and those who kept following the religion of their forefathers were allowed to do so. but according to Sharia. They were required to pay the Jizya tax for non-Muslims.
Many Rajput clans who became Muslims, intermarried their sons and daughters in Arab families. The women of these families, along with their Muslim names, called their children with local Sindhi names also.
Their rule was well established. They had built their capital city and named it Mansura, the same capital of the Soomro dynasty. They built mosques, Madarsas, Qazi Court for rendering justice, Army Garrisons, roads and Caravanserais etc. They built sea ports and improved agricultural system. The foreign and local trades flourished.
Most of the system of government already established by Arabs remained intact except that the Soomro kings had realised that the people of other religions i.e. Hindus, Budhists, Jains and the people of other cults needed relaxation as minorities. Sindhi was re-instated as the national language as Arabic language favored the Arabs in every field of life. The decisions of Panchaits (system of justice) and similarly the decisions taken by Jirgas of Muslim tribes were respected and accepted.
These efforts brought peace and tranquility among the populace.
For the women, it was their golden period as they enjoyed all the rights under Islamic Sharia and were revered as mothers, daughters, sisters and housewives. The women of the Royal families were educated especially in Arabic, Sindhi and in local dialects. They were trained to rule and fight in wars to defend their Country. Even the common women were sturdy and brave, helped the warriors in the battle and treated the wounded. They excelled in arts and crafts. The government protected their property, trade and merchandise. They were bestowed with the highest honours when we find that the Princess Zainab Tari was made the first ever Muslim queen of Soomro dynasty of Sindh, when her father King Asamuddin Daula Dodo-I retired from kingship to live a pious peaceful life.
Queen Zainab Tari Soomro ruled Sindh wisely and bravely as an independent sovereign queen for 10 years without any interruption. In the subsequent period also, there were Soomro queens who held the reins of the kingdom for short periods and they ruled with the assistance of their kinsmen and the council Ministers.
The Sindhi women were undaunted, brave and patriotic. They maintained their high moral standards. They stood side by side with men in every walk of life and never shrank from their duties and sacrificed their lives for their families and their Country.
Since those times, Sindhi women have never enjoyed such freedom, power and reverence under the rule of any subsequent ruling Dynasty of Sindh, even up to this most civilised 21st century they do not have the absolute independent equality with men in Sindh and elsewhere in the Islamic World.
In the history of Sindh, the period of the Islamic Kingdom of Soomro Dynasty, was, therefore the golden period for the women of Sindh.

Warriors

Soomro were great warriors during and after their reign, they defeated and killed many of their enemies and other calumniators. Dodo Soomro was a great warrior in the history of the Malikate of Sindh

Fall of the Soomro dynasty

The Siege of Baghdad (1258), saw the dynasty lose its ties with Abbasid Caliphate. Since then The Sultans of Delhi wanted a piece of Sindh. The Soomros successfully defended their kingdom for about 100 years but their dynasties soon fell to the might of the massive armies of the Sultans of Delhi, such as the Tughluks and the Khiljis because of a rebellion led by Chanesar who joined forces with the Khiljis and Dodo Bin Al Khafif died fighting in battle with the Khiljis