Shah Inyat Shaheed: A Career Revolutionary of Jhok-Sindh

Abstract

Since centuries monopolistic patterns of landownership prevail in Sindh, which guarantee unequal distribution of agriculture produce securing lion’s share of the produce for those who own land and resources rendering the tillers high and dry. However, in the first quarter of eighteenth century, this peripheral class led by sufi saint Shah Inyat Shaheed under the manifesto Jeko Kheray so Khaey ( the tiller has the right to the produce) had established Jhok communes to foil the exploitative manipulations. The local power elites in connivance with some religious mentors conspired against the commune trying to frustrate the struggle for rights. Thought movement was overwhelmed but it still reverberates in pockets of Sindh time and again. This paper attempts to highlight the peasants’ struggle in Sindh led by Shah Inyat and explores its impact on the social fabric as evidenced from the primary and secondary sources.