After the partition of India in 1947, over a million Sindhi Hindus left their homes in Sind and became dispersed all over India. Many of them settled down in major trading centres such as Mumbai, Kolkata and Kandla.

They became divided into two major groups: the Bhaibands and the Amils. Though they were originally farmers, the Bhaibands have become a trading and shop keeping community. The latter had always been and still continue to pursue professions like teachers, civil services and scholars. Most of the Muslim rulers of Sind had Hindu dewans who were Amils.

These two groups cannot be classed as castes as they are fluid and interchangeable in the sense that families from one can enter the other and vice versa if one of the professions of the group being entered is practised for a generation or so.

The present family names of Sindhis are derived from an ancestor, usually a great-grandfather. Some take the names of the professions followed. There is no taboo regarding marriage between the two groups. Economic factors may isolate certain Bhaiband families into an endogamous group but this constitutes no `caste` bar. While in Sind, very few members of the land owning or trading Bhaiband community had attained higher education.

The Sindhi is adaptable. They can wear what those around them wear and worship as they do. In Maharashtra, a Sindhi is seen attending a Ganapati mela, in Uttar Pradesh a Janmashtami gathering, in West Bengal, Durgapuja and in the South, Pongal. He has sturdy self-reliance and he overvalues economic security. Having been deprived of their original work connected with the land, the Sindhis have taken up trading, banking and small independent enterprises, all occupations that depend on resourcefulness and the use of one`s wits.

Religion Of The Sindhis: Religious rites for the Sindhi Hindu community are the same as for most other Hindu communities in the country. All the boys wear the sacred thread and have the mundan ceremony.