G. M. Syed: Life, Struggle

G. M. Syed stands as one of the most influential political philosophers and nationalist leaders in South Asian history. Widely recognized as the Founder of the Sindhudesh ideology, the architect of the Jeay Sindh struggle and the Father of the Sindhi Nation, his life and struggle shaped the political identity of modern Sindh in decisive ways.

Sindh is as an occupied nation under Pakistani control, holds one of the world’s most ancient civilizational legacies. Its cultural origins trace back to 7000–5000 BCE, and it served as the core of the Indus Valley Civilization (3300–1300 BCE), renowned for its urban sophistication and humanistic worldview. For thousands of years, Sindh remained sovereign until its annexation by the British Empire in 1843. After the 1947 partition, Sindh was incorporated into Pakistan & still as occupies territory.

Today, Sindh spans 54,407 square miles, has nearly 60 million inhabitants, and is home to Karachi, a global megacity of 17 million. Economically, Sindh is the engine of Pakistan, contributing 32% of the GDP and generating nearly 73% of federal revenue, reinforcing its role as the country’s economic backbone. But in reverse Sindh is facing injustice and slavery.
Against this historical and political backdrop, G. M. Syed emerged as a formidable intellectual and nationalist voice. Known for his uncompromising principles and moral integrity, he remains perhaps the only major Pakistani political figure never accused of corruption. His lifelong commitment to secularism, Sufism, democracy, and non-violence shaped not only his political philosophy but also the foundations of Sindhi national consciousness.

Early Life and Entry into Politics (1904–1920)

Born on 17 January 1904 in Sann, Dadu District, into a Sufi lineage tracing back to Syed Haider Shah Sanai, G. M. Syed inherited both spiritual and cultural responsibilities. Becoming Sajjada-nashin of his family shrine at a young age, he grew up without formal schooling, yet self-educated himself in Sindhi, English, Arabic, and Persian. His intellectual curiosity led him to explore history, philosophy, and political science intensely.

By 1918–1920, around the age of 14, he had already begun participating in public affairs. In 1920, he formally entered politics through the Khilafat Movement, marking his first involvement in national political struggle.

Rise of a Young Leader (1920–1936)

G. M. Syed quickly rose through local leadership ranks. In 1919, he became Chairman of the School Board of his tahsil. By 1929, he was serving as both member and later President of the Karachi District Local Board. His activism extended into agrarian politics when, in 1930, he organized the Sindh Hari Conference, championing the rights of peasants and becoming its secretary.

His most significant early achievement came in 1936, when he played a decisive role in securing Sindh’s separation from the Bombay Presidency, a historic step that restored Sindh’s political identity and autonomy.

National Leadership and Political Disillusionment (1937–1955)

Elected to the Sindh Legislative Assembly in 1937, and later appointed Sindh’s Minister of Education in 1940, G. M. Syed became an important figure in provincial politics. However, the years following the 1947 partition brought deep disillusionment. From 1947 to 1953, he grew increasingly critical of Pakistan’s central leadership for failing to honor commitments regarding Sindh’s autonomy, cultural rights, and resource control.

In 1954, he became Chairman of the Sindhi Adabi Board, reinforcing his commitment to preserving Sindhi language and literature. A year later, in 1955, he helped form the Pakistan National Party and emerged as a staunch opponent of the oppressive One Unit Policy with Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan and Mola Bhashani, which dissolved Sindh’s provincial status—a move widely condemned as political colonization.

The Turn Towards Cultural Campaign (1966–1971)

During the late 1960s, G. M. Syed’s political philosophy underwent a decisive transformation. In 1966, he founded Bazm-e-Soofia-e-Sindh to revive Sindh’s Sufi, pluralistic, and humanistic traditions. His political activism intensified in 1969 with the formation of the Sindh United Front, advocating against authoritarianism and for provincial rights.

The Sindhudesh Movement and Years of Repression (1972–1990)

From 1972–1973, G. M. Syed articulated the ideology of Sindhudesh, a call for liberation from Pakistani domination and the establishment of a sovereign Sindhi homeland. He founded the Jeay Sindh Movement, defining its political foundations through secularism, non-violence, human dignity, and Sufi tolerance. He told that after freedom of Sindh (Sindhu Desh) will become member of United Nations and work with philosophy of Paighma I Sindh for: World Unity, Universal peace and Human Development.

His political stance led to relentless state persecution, such as his continuous surveillance, repeated arrests, extended house arrests and a complete ban on his political activities.
Despite these restrictions, his intellectual output flourished. He authored 65 books on history, Sufism, comparative religion, politics and nationalism, works that continue to shape Sindhi identity and thought. His personal qualities, simplicity, courage, sharp insight, hospitality, and moral clarity depended on his stature among admirers.

Final Years: House Arrest and Recognition (1992–1995)

On 19 January 1992, the Pakistani state declared his Karachi residence a sub-jail, placing him under one of the strictest forms of house arrest. In 1994, Amnesty International recognized him as a Prisoner of Conscience, acknowledging his peaceful political struggle.
G. M. Syed passed away on April 25, 1995, still under arrest in a hospital. Throughout his lifetime, he spent more than 30 years in prison or solitary confinement, mostly without trial, making him one of the most repressed political thinkers in South Asia.

Legacy

G. M. Syed is widely regarded as the father of modern Sindhi nationalism and is revered by his supporters as the “Soul of Sindh.” His work laid the ideological foundation for Sindhi national consciousness, political resistance, and cultural revival. Rooted in secularism, spiritual humanism, and national dignity, Syed’s vision of Sindh continues to inspire the ongoing struggle for Sindhi rights, identity, and liberation.

Syed’s vast literary contributions—encompassing political manifestos, historical analyses, and cultural critiques—remain the core texts of Sindhi nationalist ideology. Through his writings, he transformed local grievances into a coherent and powerful mass movement that has endured for decades. His steadfastness in the face of state repression further solidified his image as a national martyr and a symbol of resistance.

Today, his philosophy continues to guide activists, political groups, student organizations, and cultural bodies advocating for justice, autonomy, and the preservation of Sindh’s unique cultural identity. His emphasis on national dignity, economic equality, and cultural preservation remains central to the Sindhi nationalist discourse.

The aspiration for Sindhudesh, envisioned as a sovereign, secular, and democratic Sindh, stands as the ultimate political goal for his followers. The contemporary struggle for Sindhi rights and identity flows directly from the ideological and political legacy established by G. M. Syed, ensuring that his influence endures across generations.