By Indus Zone Media Desk | Updated: November 24, 2025 | Sindh and India: History, Heritage and Rajnath Singh’s Remark Explained
India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently sparked debate by saying that international borders evolve over time and that Sindh could one day return to India. His comments revived interest in the centuries-old cultural, political and historical ties surrounding Sindh, one of the most significant regions of the subcontinent.
This detailed explainer explores why Sindh holds profound meaning for both India and Pakistan, how its history shaped modern geopolitics, and whether the idea of Sindh reuniting with India has any ground reality.
Why Sindh Matters: A Tale of Shared Heritage and Political Identity
Sindh occupies a unique place in the subcontinent’s memory.
For India, Sindh represents a core part of its civilisational identity—a legacy reflected in the Sindhu River finding mention in the national anthem. The region’s ancient roots run deep into the Indus Valley Civilisation, one of humanity’s earliest urban cultures.
For Pakistan, Sindh is just as crucial. The area played an instrumental role in the Pakistan Movement, and the Sindhi Muslim leadership strongly supported the demand for a separate nation. Sindh’s religious and cultural landscape helped shape the ideological foundation of Pakistan.
This dual claim—India’s civilisational bond vs. Pakistan’s political origin—creates a fascinating paradox that continues to define Sindh’s significance today.
How Sindh Got Its Name: The Legacy of Sapta-Sindhu
The word “Sindh” traces directly to the ancient Sindhu (Indus) River.
Over thousands of years:
Persians transformed “Sindhu” to Hindu
Greeks rendered it as Indos
Which later evolved into the name India
Sindh, meaning “land of the Sindhu,” reflects one of the earliest recorded geographic identities in South Asian history. The Rig Veda, one of the oldest Sanskrit texts, frequently references the region—highlighting its importance in early Indian civilisation.
From Ancient Kingdoms to Arab Rule: Sindh’s Early Turmoil
Before the 8th century, Sindh was ruled by a succession of powers—
Achaemenids, Mauryans, and the Chach dynasty—and witnessed a competitive coexistence of Hinduism and Buddhism.
Its strategic location along the Arabian Sea made it a gateway for culture, trade and war.
In 711 AD, Arab commander Muhammad bin Qasim conquered Sindh, integrating it into the Umayyad Empire and introducing Islam, which permanently reshaped the region’s cultural fabric.
Mughals, Kalhoras, Talpurs and the British Takeover
Sindh later came under:
Mughal rule under Akbar in the late 1500s
Kalhora dynasty in the early 1700s
Talpur dynasty, until the British defeated them in 1843
The British then attached Sindh to the Bombay Presidency, a decision that would spark political tensions two decades later.
Sindh Before Partition: The First Real Separation
In the 1920s, Sindh’s Muslim-majority population demanded separation from the Bombay Presidency.
Their wish was granted in 1936, when Sindh became an independent province with its own assembly.
Sindh became the first province to vote in favour of joining Pakistan during the final days of British rule in 1947. This decision triggered a massive migration of Sindhi Hindus to India, completing the political break from its past.
Could Sindh Ever Rejoin India? Ground Reality Explained
Despite discussions triggered by Rajnath Singh’s remark, there is no significant political movement in Sindh calling for a merger with India.
Sindh does have nationalist groups such as the Jeay Sindh factions, but their demands are focused on:
Greater autonomy within Pakistan, or
Creation of an independent Sindhudesh
These movements do not advocate union with India.
Even their ideological roots—led by figures like G.M. Syed, who once supported Pakistan’s creation—focus on ethnic and cultural pride, not geopolitical realignment.
Meanwhile, Pakistan continues to face internal unrest in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but Sindh remains politically stable compared to these regions.
In short:
The idea of Sindh returning to India is symbolic, not political.
Conclusion: A Historical Bond, Not a Political Possibility
Sindh’s history is deeply intertwined with India’s ancient civilisation and cultural roots. Yet its political journey has been firmly aligned with Pakistan for nearly eight decades.
Rajnath Singh’s statement can be seen as:
A reference to the shared civilisational past of undivided India
A reminder of the region’s historical importance
And an aspirational remark, rather than a feasible geopolitical forecast
As of today, there is no political momentum or public movement within Sindh that favours reunification with India.
