Arabic and Sindhi manuscript collections in Sindh, Pakistan: Resources and perspectives from the Indian Ocean

Abstract

This article presents an introduction to an array of historical sources from Sindh (in modern-day Pakistan) in the Arabic and Sindhi languages. It highlights the sizeable number of Arabic manuscripts in Sindhi institutions and discusses some of the larger historical forces that shaped their collection in the colonial and pre-colonial periods. In addition, it reflects on the significance these sources may hold for the field of Indian Ocean history, especially in terms of legal and intellectual history. Finally, this article lists and discusses bibliographical resources and catalogs that researchers can use to navigate major libraries and archival institutions across Karachi, Jamshoro, and interior Sindh.