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101-709: The Gujarati people , or Gujaratis , are an Indo-Aryan ethnolinguistic group who reside in or can trace their ancestry or heritage to a region of the Indian subcontinent primarily centered in the present-day western Indian state of Gujarat . They primarily speak Gujarati , an Indo-Aryan language. While Gujaratis mainly inhabit Gujarat, they have a diaspora worldwide. Many notable independence activists were Gujarati, including Mahatma Gandhi , Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Vallabhbhai Patel . Despite significant migration primarily for economic reasons, most Gujaratis in India live in
202-550: A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest Buddhist monument in the world. The subsequent rise of the Hindu Majapahit Empire in the 13th century marked another golden age in Indonesian history. Under the leadership of powerful rulers such as King Hayam Wuruk and his prime minister Gajah Mada , Majapahit extended its influence over much of modern-day Indonesia, as well as parts of Malaysia, Singapore, and
303-518: A campaign of "de-Indianization", eventually resulting in the expulsion and ethnic cleansing of Uganda's Indian minority. Gujarati and other Indians started moving to the Kenya colony at the end of the 19th century when the British colonial authorities started opening up the country with the laying down of the railroads . A small colony of merchants, however, had existed on the port cities such Mombasa on
404-709: A diverse collection of peoples speaking Indo-Aryan languages in the Indian subcontinent . Historically, Aryans were the Indo-Iranian speaking pastoralists who migrated from Central Asia into South Asia and introduced the Proto-Indo-Aryan language . The early Indo-Aryan peoples were known to be closely related to the Indo-Iranian group that have resided north of the Indus River ; an evident connection in cultural, linguistic, and historical ties. Today, Indo-Aryan speakers are found south of
505-403: A historically significant trade hub and a key player in regional and global affairs. Historically, the Indonesian archipelago was influenced by various cultures and empires, including Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms, Islamic sultanates, and European colonial powers, before gaining independence in 1945 as the state of " Indonesia ". The archipelago comprises around 6,000 inhabited islands, with
606-530: A lesser extent, Central Asian steppe pastoralists. South Indian Tribal Dravidians descend majorly from South Asian hunter-gatherers, and to a lesser extent Iranian hunter-gatherers. Additionally, Austroasiatic and Tibeto-Burmese speaking people contributed to the genetic make-up of South Asia. Indigenous Aryanism propagates the idea that the Indo-Aryans were indigenous to the Indian subcontinent, and that
707-684: A long history in Tanzania starting with the arrival of Gujarati traders in the 19th century. There are currently over 50,000 people of Indian origin in Tanzania. Many of them are traders and they control a sizeable portion of the Tanzanian economy. They came to gradually control the trade in Zanzibar . Many of the buildings constructed then still remain in Stone Town , the focal trading point on
808-656: A long tradition of seafaring and a history of overseas migration to foreign lands, to Yemen Oman Bahrain , Kuwait, Zanzibar and other countries in the Persian Gulf since a mercantile culture resulted naturally from the state's proximity to the Arabian Sea. The countries with the largest Gujarati populations are Pakistan, United Kingdom, United States, Canada and many countries in Southern and East Africa. Globally, Gujaratis are estimated to constitute around 33% of
909-648: A lot of enthusiasm even from the generations brought up in UK. Gujarati Hindus also maintain their caste affiliation to some extent with most major castes having their own community association in each population center with significant Gujarati population such as Leicester and London suburbs. Patidars form the largest community in the diaspora including Kutch Leva Patels, followed closely by Lohanas of Saurashtra origin. Gujarati Rajputs from various regional backgrounds are affiliated with several independent British organizations dependent on caste such as Shree Maher Samaj UK, and
1010-579: A migrant past. Early European travelers like Ludovico di Varthema (15th century) traveled to Gujarat and wrote on the people of Gujarat. He noted that Jainism had a strong presence in Gujarat and opined that Gujaratis were deprived of their kingdom by Mughals because of their kind heartedness. His description of Gujaratis was: ...a certain race which eats nothing that has blood, never kills any living things... and these people are neither moors nor heathens... if they were baptized, they would all be saved by
1111-682: A part of Pakistan's small Hindu community . A number of them belong to the dalit community. There is relatively a large number of Gujarati Muslims settled in Sri Lanka. They mainly represent the Dawoodi Bhora and the Memon community , and there is also a minority of Sindhi people in Sri Lanka. These communities are mainly into trading businesses and lately, they have diversified into different trades and sectors. Gujarati Muslims started their trading route between India and Ceylon (Sri Lanka) in
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#17327661414051212-736: A pivotal role in establishing Islam in the region. Miller (2010) presented a theory that the indigenous scripts of Sumatra ( Indonesia ), Sulawesi (Indonesia) and the Philippines are descended from an early form of the Gujarati script . Tomé Pires reported a presence of a thousand Gujaratis in Malacca ( Malaysia ) prior to 1512. The Gujarati language continues to be spoken in Singapore and Malaysia. The Gujarati community in Hong Kong
1313-509: A policy of Africanization. The 1968 Committee on "Africanisation in Commerce and Industry" in Uganda made far-reaching Indophobic proposals. A system of work permits and trade licenses was introduced in 1969 to restrict the role of Indians in economic and professional activities. Indians were segregated and discriminated against in all walks of life. During the middle of the 1960s many Asians saw
1414-553: A reputation as merchants, industrialists and business entrepreneurs and have therefore been at forefront of migrations all over the world, particularly to regions that were part of the British Empire such as Fiji , Hong Kong , Malaya , Singapore , East Africa , and South Africa . Diasporas and transnational networks in many of these countries date back to more than a century. In recent decades, larger numbers of Gujaratis have migrated to English-speaking countries such as
1515-968: A spiritual mystic who was honored with the title, ' Koh-i-Noor of Kathiawar ' made literary contributions to Jain philosophy and promoted Ratnatraya . Gujarati theatre owes a lot to bhavai. Bhavai is a musical performance of stage plays. Ketan Mehta and Sanjay Leela Bhansali explored artistic use of bhavai in films such as Bhavni Bhavai , Oh Darling! Yeh Hai India and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam . Dayro (gathering) involves singing and conversation reflecting on human nature. Indo-Aryan peoples Pontic Steppe Caucasus East Asia Eastern Europe Northern Europe Pontic Steppe Northern/Eastern Steppe Europe South Asia Steppe Europe Caucasus India Indo-Aryans Iranians East Asia Europe East Asia Europe Indo-Aryan Iranian Indo-Aryan Iranian Others European Indo-Aryan peoples are
1616-532: A strategically important position at the mouth of the Persian Gulf , has been the primary focus of trade and commerce for medieval Gujarati merchants for much of its history and Gujaratis, along with various other ethnic groups, founded and settled its capital port city, Muscat . Some of the earliest Indian immigrants to settle in Oman were the Bhatias of Kutch , who have had a powerful presence in Oman dating back to
1717-660: A study, 80% of Malayali parents felt that "children would be better off with English", compared to 36% of Kannada parents and only 19% of Gujarati parents. Significant Gujarati communities existed here before 1947 Partition of India. Many of them migrated after the Partition of India and subsequent creation of Pakistan in 1947. These Pakistani Gujaratis belong mainly to the Ismāʿīlī , Khoja , Dawoodi Bohra , Chundrigar , Charotar Sunni Vohra , khatri Muslims Kutchi Memons and Khatiawari Memons ; however, many Gujaratis are also
1818-400: A total land area of 1,904,569 square kilometers (735,358 sq mi), including 93,000 square kilometres (35,908 sq mi) of inland seas such as straits , bays , and other bodies of water. The surrounding sea areas increase the generally recognized territory of the Indonesian archipelago (land and sea) to about 5 million km². The exclusive economic zone is 6,159,032 km² (2,378,016 sq mi), bringing
1919-441: A wide range of species but also provide crucial resources and livelihoods for millions of Indonesians. The Indonesian archipelago is characterized by significant ethnic diversity, comprising approximately 1,300 distinct native ethnic groups . The majority of Indonesians are descended from Austronesian peoples , whose languages trace back to Proto-Austronesian , likely originating in present-day Taiwan . Another prominent group
2020-401: Is also a small, but vibrant Gujarati-speaking Parsi community of Zoroastrians present in the country, dating back to the bygone era of Dadabhai Navroji , Shapurji Saklatvala and Pherozeshah Mehta . Both Hindus and Muslims have established caste or community associations, temples, and mosques to cater for the needs of their respective communities. A well known temple popular with Gujaratis is
2121-561: Is closely associated with the historical era of Majapahit in Java, a period marked by extensive maritime dominance in the region. Majapahit's influence extended through trade networks, maritime routes, and a shared cultural heritage that shaped the region's identity over centuries. The term " Malay Archipelago " ( Indonesian : Kepulauan Melayu ) is sometimes used interchangeably with the Indonesian Archipelago, highlighting
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#17327661414052222-714: Is home to a large Gujarati community. As per the 2021 Canadian census , Gujarati Canadians number approximately 210,000 and account for roughly 0.6% of Canada's population. The majority of them live in Toronto and its suburbs - home to the second largest Gujarati community in North America, after the New York Metropolitan Area . Gujarati Hindus are the second largest linguistic/religious group in Canada's Indian community after Punjabi Sikhs , and Toronto
2323-533: Is home to approximately 28,000 species of flowering plants, including around 2,500 species of orchids. Some of the most notable plants include the Rafflesia arnoldii , which produces the world’s largest flower, and the titan arum, known for its enormous inflorescence and distinctive odor. The fauna of Indonesia is equally diverse and includes many endemic species. The archipelago hosts around 1,531 bird species, 515 of which are endemic. Notable avian residents include
2424-604: Is home to the largest Navratri raas garba festival in North America. The Muslim Ismaili Khoja form a significant part of the Canadian diaspora estimated to be about 80,000 in numbers overall. Most of them arrived in Canada in the 1970s as either refugees or immigrants from Uganda and other countries of East Africa . Religious breakdown of Gujarati Canadians (2021) Former British colonies in East Africa had many residents of South Asian descent. The primary immigration
2525-491: Is one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet, and it is among the 17 Megadiverse countries identified by Conservation International . This vast area spans both the Asian and Australian biogeographic zones, resulting in a unique and rich array of flora, fauna, and marine life. Indonesian archipelago diverse ecosystems, ranging from lush rainforests to mangroves and savannas, support a variety of plant life. The archipelago
2626-640: Is the Melanesians , who primarily reside in eastern Indonesia , including the Maluku Islands , Western New Guinea , and the eastern part of the Lesser Sunda Islands. The Javanese are the largest ethnic group, making up 40.2% of the population and holding considerable political influence. They are predominantly located in the central and eastern parts of Java , with significant numbers spread across various provinces. Following
2727-509: Is the world's largest archipelago , with five main islands— Sumatra , Java , Borneo (shared with Malaysia and Brunei ), Sulawesi , and New Guinea (shared with Papua New Guinea ). The Indonesian archipelago is known for its rich biodiversity, unique wildlife, and varied ecosystems, ranging from tropical rainforests to active volcanoes. The archipelago boasts a diverse cultural heritage, with thousands of ethnic groups and languages . Its strategic location and natural resources have made it
2828-655: Is tiny but nevertheless contributed to progress and growth of Hong Kong over the years. The Hong Kong University: In 1911 a Gujarati Parsi businessman in Hong Kong, Sir Hormusjee Naorojee Mody donated HK$ 150,000 towards the construction and HK$ 30,000 towards other costs to build the Hong Kong University . Star Ferry: Dorabjee Naorojee Mithaiwala founded of the Kowloon Ferry Company in 1888 for transporting passengers and cargo (especially bread) between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. The company
2929-615: The Aceh War (1873-1904). The struggle for independence intensified in the early 20th century, with the rise of nationalist movements and organizations such as the Budi Utomo , Sarekat Islam , and the Indonesian National Party (PNI) founded by Sukarno . The Proclamation of Indonesian Independence on August 17, 1945, by Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta , marked a pivotal moment in the archipelago's history. However,
3030-920: The BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Neasden, London. A popular mosque that caters for the Gujarati Muslim community in Leicester is the Masjid Umar . Leicester has a Jain Temple that is also the headquarters of Jain Samaj Europe. Gujarati Hindus in the UK have maintained many traditions from their homeland. The community remains religious with more than 100 temples catering for their religious needs. All major Hindu festivals such as Navratri , Dassara, and Diwali are celebrated with
3131-681: The East Africa coast in towns such as Kilwa , Bagamoyo , Mombasa and Malindi . International trade by Gujarati merchants increased with the advent of the Gujarat Sultanate at the beginning of the 1400s. The trade involved gold, ivory and slaves from Africa in exchange for cotton and glass beads from India. The important Gujarati traders active in the Indian Ocean trade at different periods of history included Jains; Hindu Bhatias and Lohanas; Muslim Khojas, Memons, and Bohras; and
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3232-675: The Great Sumatran fault contributing to seismic activity and tsunamis, exemplified by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami . The archipelago is rich in mineral resources, including oil , natural gas , coal , gold , tin , copper , and nickel . Unique geological formations also create karst landscapes, such as the Gunung Sewu and Maros-Pangkep areas, with cave systems and hills. Varied geology also leads to features like underground rivers in karst areas and crater lakes in volcanic regions, such as Lake Toba . The Indonesian Archipelago
3333-658: The Greek words "Indos" (India) and "nesos" (island), refers to Indonesia , the world's largest archipelago, comprising not only major islands like Sumatra, Java, Borneo (Kalimantan), Sulawesi, and Papua, but also thousands of smaller islands across the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Within this archipelago, the " Sunda Islands " form a significant subgroup, divided into the Greater Sunda Islands —including Sumatra, Java, Borneo ( Kalimantan ), and Sulawesi—known for their size, population density, and economic significance, and
3434-867: The Gujarati language and follow Shia Islam and the Memon people speak the Memon language and they follow the Sunni Hanafi Islam . The United States has the second-largest Gujarati diaspora after Pakistan. The highest concentration of the population of over 200,000 is in the New York City Metropolitan Area , notably in the growing Gujarati diasporic center of India Square in Jersey City , New Jersey , and Edison in Middlesex County in Central New Jersey . Significant immigration from India to
3535-583: The Lesser Sunda Islands , extending eastward from Bali and characterized by smaller islands such as Lombok , Sumbawa , Flores , and Timor , each with distinct cultural and ecological attributes. The term " Nusantara ”, originating from Old Javanese , is commonly used in Indonesia to denote the Indonesian archipelago. This term emphasizes unity as a maritime nation with diverse cultures and landscapes spanning Southeast Asia and Oceania. It
3636-571: The Orthodox Jewish community which previously dominated this industry in Belgium. The 1961 takeover of Portuguese Goa by India made life difficult for the Indian population in the then Portuguese colony of Mozambique. The independence of Mozambique like in other African countries led to many Gujaratis to move to Portugal. Many Hindu Gujaratis have moved from Portugal to Great Britain since the 1990s. Canada, just like its southern neighbour,
3737-1003: The Pacific Ring of Fire . Between 1972 and 1991, there were 29 volcanic eruptions, mostly on Java. The western archipelago, including Sumatra and Java , features a volcanic arc from the subduction of the Indo-Australian Plate beneath the Eurasian Plate, resulting in volcanoes like Mount Merapi and Mount Kerinci . The central and eastern regions, such as Sulawesi and the Maluku, are shaped by interactions of multiple plates, creating diverse geological features and island arcs. Indonesia has around 150 active volcanoes , with volcanic activity contributing to fertile soils, especially in Java . Frequent earthquakes result from constant tectonic movement, with fault lines such as
3838-613: The Rivonia Trial , and many became martyred fighting to end racial discrimination. In the second half of the 1800s, many Gujarati Hindus belonging to the Vaniya community migrated to the South of Mozambique , in particular to the provinces of Inhambane and Lourenço Marques to run businesses. This was followed by migration of Hindus of various artisan castes from Diu to the region. Later in 1800s, immigration restrictions imposed by
3939-714: The Uganda Railway that started in the Kenyan port city of Mombasa and ended in Kisumu on Kenyan side of Lake Victoria . Most of the surviving Indians returned home, but 6,724 individuals decided to remain in the African Great Lakes after the line's completion. Many Asians, particularly the Gujaratis, in these regions were in the trading businesses. They included Gujaratis of all religions as well many of
4040-661: The United Kingdom , Australia , New Zealand , Canada and the United States . In anthropological surveys conducted in India about 60% of the people claim that their community is a migrant to their state or region. In Gujarat that number is around 70%. In the state, 124 Hindu communities out of 186 claim a migrant past. For example, the Audichya Brahmins claim migration from present day Uttar Pradesh. With Muslims in Gujarat, 67 out of 86 communities claim
4141-549: The 16th century. At the turn of the 19th century, Gujaratis wielded enough clout that Faisal bin Turki , the great-grandfather of the current ruler, spoke Gujarati and Swahili along with his native Arabic and Oman's sultan Syed Said (1791-1856) was persuaded to shift his capital from Muscat to Zanzibar , more than two thousand miles from the Arabian mainland, on the recommendation of Shivji Topan and Bhimji families who lent money to
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4242-794: The BMAC, and then migrated further south into the Levant and north-western India. The migration of the Indo-Aryans was part of the larger diffusion of Indo-European languages from the Proto-Indo-European homeland at the Pontic–Caspian steppe which started in the 4th millennium BCE. The GGC , Cemetery H , Copper Hoard , OCP , and PGW cultures are candidates for cultures associated with Indo-Aryans. The Indo-Aryans were united by shared cultural norms and language, referred to as aryā 'noble'. Over the last four millennia,
4343-547: The Gujarati Arya Kshatriya Mahasabha-UK. Endogamy remains important to Gujaratis in UK with the existence of matrimonial services specifically dedicated to their community. The Gujarati Muslim society in the UK have kept the custom of Jamat Bandi, literally meaning communal solidarity. This system is the traditional expression of communal solidarity. It is designed to regulate the affairs of the community and apply sanctions against infractions of
4444-426: The Gujarati immigrant generation have also made high levels of advancement into professional fields, including as physicians , engineers and politicians. The third largest overseas diaspora of Gujaratis, after Pakistan and United States, is in the United Kingdom. At a population of around 600,000 Gujaratis form almost more than half of the Indian community who live in the UK (1.2 million). Gujaratis first went to
4545-498: The Gujarati propensity for business enterprise, a number of them opened shops and motels. While they may make up only around 0.1% of the population in the United States, Gujarati Americans control over 40% of the hospitality market in the country, for a combined net worth of over US$ 40 billion and employing over one million employees. Gujaratis, especially the Patidar samaj, also dominate as franchisees of fast food restaurant chains such as Subway and Dunkin' Donuts . The descendants of
4646-537: The Gujarati traders were Muslims but there were Hindu and Jains too despite religious prohibitions. Gujarati merchants operating in Southeast Asia were primarily involved exporting India cotton to Southeast Asia in exchange for spices from the islands which were then exported to Persia. Surat was the principal port for this trade. Gujaratis played a big part in the Indian ocean trade. The Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama noted presence of Muslim and Hindu navigators and merchants from Gujarat in Zanzibar and Pemba and along
4747-444: The Indian diaspora worldwide and can be found in 129 of 190 countries listed as sovereign nations by the United Nations . Non Resident Gujaratis (NRGs) maintain active links with the homeland in the form of business, remittance , philanthropy , and through their political contribution to state governed domestic affairs. Gujarati parents in the diaspora are not comfortable with the possibility of their language not surviving them. In
4848-412: The Indo-Aryan culture has evolved particularly inside India itself, but its origins are in the conflation of values and heritage of the Indo-Aryan and indigenous people groups of India. Diffusion of this culture and language took place by patron-client systems, which allowed for the absorption and acculturation of other groups into this culture, and explains
4949-475: The Indo-Aryans developed, are identified with the Sintashta culture (2100–1800 BCE), and the Andronovo culture , which flourished ca. 1800–1400 BCE in the steppes around the Aral Sea , present-day Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The Proto-Indo-Aryan split off around 1800–1600 BCE from the Iranians, moved south through the Bactria-Margiana Culture , south of the Andronovo culture, borrowing some of their distinctive religious beliefs and practices from
5050-463: The Indo-European languages spread from there to central Asia and Europe. Contemporary support for this idea is ideologically driven, and has no basis in objective data and mainstream scholarship. Indonesian archipelago The Indonesian archipelago ( Indonesian : Kepulauan Indonesia ) is a vast and diverse collection of over 17,000 to 18,000 islands located between the Indian and Pacific Oceans in Southeast Asia and Oceania . It
5151-441: The Indonesian portion of Borneo, known as Kalimantan, spanning 743,330 square kilometers. The Indonesian archipelago is complex and dynamic, shaped by millions of years of tectonic activity and volcanic processes. It sits at the convergence of several major tectonic plates: the Eurasian , Indo-Australian , Philippine Sea , and Pacific Plates . This interaction has created one of the most geologically active areas on Earth, part of
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#17327661414055252-460: The Indus, across the modern-day regions of Bangladesh , Nepal , eastern- Pakistan , Sri Lanka , Maldives and northern- India . The introduction of the Indo-Aryan languages in the Indian subcontinent was the result of a migration of Indo-Aryan people from Central Asia into the northern Indian subcontinent (modern-day Bangladesh , Bhutan , India , Nepal , Pakistan , and Sri Lanka ). These migrations started approximately 1,800 BCE, after
5353-454: The Javanese, the Sundanese are the next largest group at 15.4%, with other notable groups including the Malay , Batak , Madurese , Betawi , Minangkabau , and Bugis . The linguistic landscape of Indonesia is equally diverse, with over 700 indigenous languages spoken across the archipelago. Despite this diversity, Indonesian also known as “Bahasa Indonesia” serves as the national language and unifying lingua franca. Religious diversity
5454-430: The Kenyan coast for hundreds of years prior to that. The immigrants who arrived with the British were the first ones to open up businesses in rural Kenya a century ago. These dukanwalas or shopkeepers were mainly Gujarati (Mostly Jains and Hindus and a minority of Muslims). Over the following decades the population, mainly Gujarati but also a sizable number of Punjabi, increased in size. The population started declining after
5555-420: The Parsee communities. The Jains were active during the Solannki period trading with Arabian and Red sea ports. The Portuguese also preferred Jains to the Arab traders. Orthodox Gujarati society, which was mercantile by nature, was historically organized along ethno-religious lines and shaped into existence on the strength of its Mahajan (" guild assemblies"), and for its institution of Nagarsheth ("head of
5656-416: The Philippines. The Majapahit Empire is often remembered for its cultural achievements, administrative sophistication, and military prowess. The arrival of Islam in the 13th century brought about significant cultural and religious changes. Islamic traders from the Middle East, India, and China played a crucial role in spreading the religion, leading to the establishment of powerful Islamic sultanates across
5757-435: The South African Gujarati diaspora include high amounts of Southern Gujaratis and a disproportionately high amount of Surti Sunni Vohra and Khatiawari Memons . Post apartheid, a sizeable number of new immigrants have settled in various parts of South Africa, including many Gujarati. Indians have played an important role in the anti-apartheid movement of South Africa. Many were incarcerated alongside Nelson Mandela following
5858-413: The Sultan. In modern times, business tycoon Kanaksi Khimji, from the famous Khimji family of Gujarat was conferred title of Sheikh by the Sultan, the first ever use of the title for a member of the Hindu community. The Muscati Mahajan is one of the oldest merchants associations founded more than a century ago. Gujaratis had a flourishing trade with Southeast Asia in the 15th and 16th centuries, and played
5959-429: The UK in the 19th century with the establishment of the British Raj in India. Prominent members of this community such as Shyamji Krishna Varma played a vital role in exerting political pressure upon colonial powers during the Indian independence movement . Gujaratis in Britain are regarded as affluent middle-class peoples who have assimilated into the milieu of British society. They are celebrated for revolutionizing
6060-496: The United States started after the landmark Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 . Early immigrants after 1965 were highly educated professionals. Since US immigration laws allow sponsoring immigration of parents, children and particularly siblings on the basis of family reunion, the numbers rapidly swelled. A number of Gujarati are twice or thrice-migrant because they came directly from the former British colonies of East Africa or from East Africa via Great Britain respectively. Given
6161-525: The archipelago, such as Flores , Sulawesi , and Papua , dating back of thousands of years. The discovery of early human remains on Flores, including the famous Flores Man or Homo floresiensis, sheds light on the ancient inhabitants of these islands. Indonesia is also home to some of the world's oldest known cave paintings, discovered particularly in the caves of Sulawesi and Kalimantan . These paintings, which depict hand stencils and images of animals, are over 45,500 years old, offering valuable insights into
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#17327661414056262-457: The archipelago. The Sultanate of Demak in Java, the Sultanate of Aceh in Sumatra, and the Sultanate of Ternate and Tidore in the Maluku Islands became important centers of Islamic learning and culture. These sultanates fostered a vibrant maritime trade network and contributed to the spread of Islam throughout the region. The European colonial era began in the early 16th century with the arrival of Portuguese explorers, who sought to control
6363-439: The artistic expressions of ancient human inhabitants. Recent discoveries, such as those in Sulawesi's Leang Karampuang caves, dated to approximately 51,200 years ago, establish them as the oldest known paintings globally. By the first millennium CE, the Indonesian archipelago had become a crucial maritime trade route connecting the East and West. Early trade networks facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures between
6464-442: The broader cultural and historical identities of the region. Together, these classifications highlight the rich diversity and historical significance of the Indonesian Archipelago, showcasing a dynamic blend of cultures and natural environments. The history of Indonesian archipelago is a rich and complex tapestry of human migration, cultural exchange, trade, and colonization that has shaped the region over millennia. Human presence in
6565-407: The castes and Quoms. Since the representation of Indians in these occupations was high, stereotyping of Indians in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanganyika as shopkeepers was common. A number of people worked for the British run banks. They also worked in skilled labor occupations, as managers, teachers and administrators. Gujarati and other South Asians had significant influence on the economy, constituting 1% of
6666-488: The city. As of 2012 350 diamond firms in Hong Kong were owned by Gujaratis. There estimated around 31,500 Gujarati in Malaysia. Most of this community work as traders and settled in the urban parts of Malaysia like Melaka, George Town, Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh. Gujaratis in Fiji represent an important trading community within the large Indian population. Kavi Kant , Kalapi and Abbas Abdulali Vasi are Gujarati language poets. Ardeshar Khabardar , Gujarati-speaking Parsi who
6767-477: The colonial authorities in neighboring South Africa and the Boer republic made Mozambique the preferred destination for many Gujarati Hindus from the Saurashtra (namely, Rajkot and Porbandar) and Surat regions. The 1961 takeover of Portuguese Goa by India made life difficult for the Indian population in the then Portuguese colony of Mozambique. The independence of Mozambique like in other African countries led to many Gujaratis to move to Portugal. Oman , holding
6868-418: The communal code. Gujarati Muslim communities, such as the Ismāʿīlī , Khoja, Dawoodi Bohra , Sunni Bohra , and Memon have caste associations, known as jamats that run mosques and community centers for their respective communities. Two Gujarati business communities, the Palanpuri Jains and the Kathiawadi Patels from Surat, have come to dominate the diamond industry of Belgium . They have largely displaced
6969-402: The community is far smaller than before 1972 when Ugandan ruler Idi Amin expelled most Asians, including Gujaratis. In the late 19th century, mostly Sikhs , were brought on three-year contracts, with the aid of Imperial British contractor Alibhai Mulla Jeevanjee to build the Uganda Railway from Mombasa to Kisumu by 1901, and to Kampala by 1931. Some died, while others returned to India after
7070-515: The corner shop, and energising the British economy which changed Britain's antiquated retail laws forever. Demographically, Hindus form a majority along with a significant number of Jains and Muslims, and smaller numbers of Gujarati Christians . They are predominantly settled in metropolitan areas like Greater London , East Midlands , West Midlands , Lancashire and Yorkshire . Cities with significant Gujarati populations include Leicester and London boroughs of Harrow , Barnet and Brent . There
7171-412: The critically endangered Javan Hawk-Eagle and the beautiful Birds of Paradise. Mammalian diversity is also significant, with species such as the Sumatran tiger , orangutan , and the Borneo pygmy elephant . Indonesia is also home to the Komodo dragon , the largest living lizard on Earth, found exclusively on a few islands within the archipelago. Indonesia's marine biodiversity is among the richest in
7272-626: The cultural and linguistic connections among Malay-speaking peoples across these islands. This term was derived from the archaic European concept of a ' Malay race ,' referring to a culturally similar, non-Oceanian subset of the Austronesian peoples . This concept was based on observations by European explorers of the influence of the Srivijaya Empire, which was centered on the island of Sumatra . However, this usage has sparked some controversy in Indonesia, as it raises questions about
7373-454: The edge of Maritime Southeast Asia to the fringes of Oceania . This expansive archipelago spans approximately 5,120 kilometres (3,181 mi) from east to west and 1,760 kilometres (1,094 mi) from north to south, straddling the equator between 6°N and 11°S latitude and 95°E to 141°E longitude. Comprising over 17,000 islands, of which about 6,000 are inhabited, it is the world's largest archipelagic state . The Indonesian archipelago has
7474-603: The end of their contracts, but few chose to stay. They were joined by Gujarati traders called "passenger Indians", both Hindu and Muslim free migrants who came to serve the economic needs of the indentured labourers, and to capitalise on the economic opportunities. After the 1972 expulsion, most Indians and Gujaratis migrated to the United Kingdom. Due to the efforts of the Aga Khan , many Khoja Nizari Ismaili refugees from Uganda were offered asylum in Canada. Indians have
7575-669: The fate of a class of Indian indentured labourers who were transported to work on the sugarcane plantations of Natal Colony in dire conditions. Passenger Indians, who initially operated in Durban, expanded inland, to the South African Republic ( Transvaal ), establishing communities in settlements on the main road between Johannesburg and Durban. After wealthy Gujarati Muslim merchants began experiencing discrimination from repressive colonial legislation in Natal , they sought
7676-735: The guild assembly"); a 16th-century Mughal system akin to medieval European guilds which self-regulated the mercantile affairs of multi-ethnic, multi-religious communities in the Gujarati bourgeoisie long before municipal state politics was introduced. Historically, Gujaratis belonging to numerous faiths and castes , thrived in an inclusive climate surcharged by a degree of cultural syncretism , in which Hindus and Jains dominated occupations such as shroffs and brokers whereas, Muslims , Hindus and Parsis largely dominated sea shipping trade. This led to religious interdependence , tolerance, assimilation and community cohesion ultimately becoming
7777-1157: The hallmark of modern-day Gujarati society. The Gujarati people are predominantly Hindu . There are also minority of Muslims , Jains , Christians , Sikhs , Buddhists , Parsis , Jews , and followers of the Baháʼí Faith . The major communities in Gujarat are farmers and livestock herders (such as oad Patidar , Koli , Rabari , Bharvad , Ahir ), traders (such as Bania , Bhatia , Soni ), sailor and seafood exporters (such as Kharwa ), artisan and business communities (such as Prajapati , Varaiya , Mochi ), Brahmin communities (such as Joshi , Anavil , Nagar , Modh , Shrimali ), genealogists (such as Barot ), Kshatriya communities (such as Koli Thakor , Bhanushali , Karadia , Nadoda , Jadeja , Dabhi , Chudasama , Maher , Lohana ), Tribal communities (such as Bhils , Meghwal , Gamit , Konkani , varli ) and Devipujak (such as Dataniya, Dantani, Chunara , Patni ). The majority of Gujarati Muslims are Sunni Muslim . Minority communities include Twelver , Nizari Ismailis, Daudi Bohra , Khoja , Pathans, Shaikhs, Maliks. Gujaratis have
7878-566: The help of one young lawyer, Mahatma Gandhi to represent the case of a Memon businessman. Umar Hajee Ahmed Jhaveri was consequently elected the first president of the South African Indian Congress . Indians in South Africa could traditionally be bifurcated as either indentured labourers (largely from Tamil Nadu, with smaller amounts from UP and Bihar) and merchants (exclusively from Gujarat). Peculiarities of
7979-409: The independence of Kenya in the 1960s. At that time the majority of Gujaratis opted for British citizenship and eventually moved there, especially to cities like Leicester or London suburbs. Famous Kenyans of Gujarati heritage who contributed greatly to the development of East Africa include Thakkar Bapa , Manu Chandaria , There is a small community of people of Indian origin living in Uganda, but
8080-636: The invention of the war chariot, and also brought Indo-Aryan languages into the Levant and possibly Inner Asia . Another group of Indo-Aryans migrated further westward and founded the Mitanni kingdom in northern Syria (c. 1500–1300 BC); the other group was the Vedic people. Christopher I. Beckwith suggests that the Wusun , an Indo-European Caucasoid people of Inner Asia in antiquity , were also of Indo-Aryan origin. The Proto-Indo-Iranians , from which
8181-456: The island. The Indian community in South Africa is more than a 150 years old and is concentrated in and around the city of Durban . The vast majority of immigrant pioneer Gujaratis who came in the latter half of the 19th century were passenger Indians who paid for their own travel fare and means of transport to arrive and settle South Africa, in pursuit of fresh trade and career opportunities and as such were treated as British subjects , unlike
8282-680: The islands and neighboring regions, including Mainland China , Indian subcontinent , and the Middle East . This period saw the rise of influential Hinduism and Buddhist kingdoms, which played a significant role in shaping the cultural and political landscape of the archipelago. One of the earliest and most powerful of these kingdoms was the Srivijaya Empire, which emerged in the 7th century in Sumatra . Srivijaya dominated trade in Southeast Asia for several centuries, controlling
8383-464: The late 1880s. Great number of Gujarati Muslims migrated after the Partition of India in 1947 . These communities are well known for their social welfare activities in Sri Lanka. In addition, Gujarati Muslims have shown their excellence in business and various trades by developing large enterprises in Sri Lanka. Few of them are: Expolanka and Brandix . Members of these community maintain their Indian Gujarati culture in their everyday life. Bhoras speak
8484-669: The local sultanates. In the 19th century, following the bankruptcy of the VOC, the Dutch government took direct control of the archipelago, consolidating its territories into the Dutch East Indies . The colonial period brought significant social, economic, and infrastructural changes, but it was also marked by resistance and uprisings from local populations. Notable revolts include the Java War (1825-1830) led by Prince Diponegoro and
8585-609: The lucrative spice trade. The Portuguese established a foothold in the Maluku Islands, but their influence was soon challenged by the Dutch and the British . The Dutch East India Company (VOC) emerged as the dominant colonial power, establishing a network of trading posts and fortresses across the archipelago. By the 17th century, the VOC had effectively monopolized the spice trade and exerted considerable political influence over
8686-541: The medieval and early modern period, ports in Gujarat such as Diu , Surat , Mandavi , Cambay , and Porbandar became important. Gujarati merchants operating from these ports operated not only in India Ocean but also in Southeast Asia. It is estimated that there were 1000 Gujarati merchants resident in Malacca in fifteenth century with a thousand others operating in the Bay of Bengal and Indonesian archipelago . Most of
8787-467: The path to full sovereignty was fraught with conflict, as the Dutch sought to re-establish control after World War II. The ensuing Indonesian National Revolution involved diplomatic negotiations and armed struggle, culminating in the recognition of Indonesian independence by the Dutch in 1949. The Indonesian archipelago is a vast and diverse island chain located in Southeast Asia , stretching from
8888-469: The population while receiving a fifth of the national income. For example, in Uganda, the Mehta and Madhvani families controlled the bulk of the manufacturing businesses. Gated ethnic communities served elite healthcare and schooling services. Additionally, the tariff system in Uganda had historically been oriented toward the economic interests of South Asian traders. One of the oldest Jain overseas diaspora
8989-411: The region dates back over 2 million years, with the discovery of Homo erectus remains, famously known as Java Man , on the island of Java. These findings represent some of the earliest evidence of human habitation in Southeast Asia, highlighting the archipelago's significance in the study of human evolution. Archaeological evidence further reveals the existence of early societies in various parts of
9090-467: The remainder being uninhabited. These islands vary in size and significance, from densely populated and culturally influential Java to small, remote islets. Notable islands include Bali , Sumatra, and Komodo Island , each known for specific attributes such as tourism, natural resources, and unique wildlife. The Maluku , or Spice Islands, are historically significant for their role in the global spice trade. The term "Indonesian Archipelago", deriving from
9191-605: The state of Gujarat in Western India. Gujaratis also form a significant part of the populations in the neighboring metropolis of Mumbai and union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu , formerly colonial possessions of Portugal . There are very large Gujarati immigrant communities in other parts of India, most notably in Mumbai , Pune , Delhi , Kolkata , Chennai , Bangalore and other cities like Kochi . All throughout history. Gujaratis have earned
9292-516: The strategic Malacca and Sunda Straits and facilitating the spread of Hinduism and Buddhism throughout the region. The wealth and influence of Srivijaya were reflected in its capital, Palembang , which became a major center of learning and culture. In the 8th and 9th centuries, the Sailendra dynasty rose to prominence in Central Java , leaving behind the magnificent Borobudur temple,
9393-422: The strong influence on other cultures with which it interacted. Genetically, most Indo-Aryan-speaking populations are descendants of a mix of Central Asian steppe pastoralists, Iranian hunter-gatherers, and, to a lesser extent, South Asian hunter-gatherers—commonly known as Ancient Ancestral South Indians (AASI). Dravidians are descendants of a mix of South Asian hunter-gatherers and Iranian hunter-gatherers, and to
9494-490: The total area to approximately 7.9 million km². The archipelago is composed of several major island groups, including the Greater Sunda Islands , Lesser Sunda Islands , Maluku Islands , and Western New Guinea . Among these, the largest islands are Sumatra , Java , Borneo (shared with Malaysia and Brunei), Sulawesi , and the western half of New Guinea . These islands vary greatly in size, with Sumatra covering 473,481 square kilometers, Java 138,794 square kilometers, and
9595-465: The virtue of their works, for they never do to others what they would not do unto them. In 1790 and 1791, an epidemic devastated numerous parts of Gujarat during which 100,000 Gujaratis were killed in Surat alone. An outbreak of bubonic plague in 1812 has been claimed to have killed about half the Gujarati population. Ports on the western coast of India have been engaged in trade for millennia. During
9696-503: The world, making it a critical hotspot for marine conservation. The coral reefs in the Coral Triangle , which includes parts of Indonesia, are teeming with life, hosting over 500 species of coral and more than 2,000 species of reef fish. The waters around Indonesia also support populations of large marine animals such as whale sharks , manta rays , and various species of sea turtles . The vibrant marine ecosystems not only support
9797-716: The writing on the wall and started moving either to UK or India. However, restrictive British immigration policies stopped a mass exodus of East African Asians until Idi Amin came to power in 1971. He exploited pre-existing Indophobia and spread propaganda against Indians involving stereotyping and scapegoating the Indian minority. Indians were stereotyped as "only traders" and "inbred" to their profession. Indians were labelled as "dukawallas" (an occupational term that degenerated into an anti-Indian slur during Amin's time), and stereotyped as "greedy, conniving", without any racial identity or loyalty but "always cheating, conspiring and plotting" to subvert Uganda. Amin used this propaganda to justify
9898-468: Was mainly from Gujarat and to a lesser extent from Punjab. They were brought there by the British Empire from India to do clerical work in Imperial service, or unskilled and semi-skilled manual labour such as construction or farm work. In the 1890s, 32,000 labourers from British India were brought to the then British East African colonies under indentured labour contracts to work on the construction of
9999-643: Was of Gujarat. Their number was estimated at 45,000 at the independence of the East African countries in the early 1960s. Most members of this community belonged to Gujarati speaking Halari Visa Oshwal Jain community originally from the Jamnagar area of Saurashtra . The countries of East Africa gained independence from Britain in the early 1960s. At that time most Gujarati and other Asians opted to remain as British Subjects. The African politicians at that time accused Asians of economic exploitation and introduced
10100-431: Was president of Gujarati Sahitya Parishad was a nationalist poet. His poem, Jya Jya Vase Ek Gujarati, Tya Tya Sadakal Gujarat (Wherever a Gujarati resides, there forever is Gujarat) depicts Gujarati ethnic pride and is widely popular in Gujarat. Swaminarayan paramhanso, like Bramhanand, Premanand, contributed to Gujarati language literature with prose like Vachanamrut and poetry in the form of bhajans . Kanji Swami
10201-463: Was renamed in 1898 to Star Ferry , which today transports passengers throughout Hong Kong. Ruttonjee Hospital: Jehangir Hormusjee Ruttonjee born in a Gujarati Parsi family in Mumbai moved to Hong Kong in 1892 to join his father. Ruttonjee donated a great deal of money to build Ruttonjee Sanatorium, now Ruttonjee Hospital , to fight against tuberculosis. Gujaratis also dominate the diamond trade in
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