CHINOTI’S

P R E S E N T E D BY A H M E R A B B A S

M E H I W S H WA Z E E R

Cultural Profile

INTRODUCTION

ORIGION

Chiniot is the headquarters of Chiniot District of Punjab province of Pakistan with a catchment area population of nearly 1 million inhabitants (rural and urban), is located on the banks of Chenab, southwestern Punjab

Chinot is situated about 160 kms to the west of Lahore.. It is linked with the rest of the country by road and by rail.

The founder of the Chiniot City was " RANNI JANAN". The Shahi Mosque is the most historical place of Chiniot. Umar Hayat Palace is well known in history and "Rakhti" is also very famous

castle (Fort) in the history of Chiniot. Chiniot City is very famous for woodcarving and furniture, brass and iron inlay.

Copper and brass work is done within the walled city of Lahore since ages.

HISTORY OF CHINIOTI

CHINIOTIS’ Are one of the leading industrialists of Pakistan. They come from a

small town of  Chiniot. Chinioti term is reserved only for those residents and their

descendants who migrated to far off Indian cities in the late 19th or early 20th century to set up small businesses

The ancestors of Chiniotis’ belonged to two Hindu caste groups ; Khatri and Arora. After embracing Islam they called themselves Khoja and adopted Sheikh or Mian as title. They are also known as Chinioti Sheikh or Khoja Sheikh

Chiniotis comprised different castes including Vohras, Maghoons, Mannoos, Vadhavans and Saigols and pointed out that several Saigols are represented on various organizations set up by the Chiniotis

Elements of Cultural

MATERIAL CULTURETechnology The most famous technology is hand wood Carving hand and furniture which

has become the identity of Pakistan worldwide

Economics Chiniotis’ are the leading industrialist of Pakistan. They owned various industries and have Vital stakes in Government

organizations. Colony Textile Mills at Multan in 1945 Valika Textile Mills Karachi F P Textile Mills, Peshawar, Absorbents Cotton Plant Multan, Second Linter

Plant Multan, Sukdev Baksh Flour Mills Multan and cotton ginning factories at Mian Chonu

Equity in Multan Electric Company Franchise of Toyota motor cars in Pakistan.

Companies Owned by Chiniotis on KSE

S. No

Name No. of Companies

1 Crescent 21 2 Nishat 13 3 United 9 4 Saphire 8 5 Sargodha 8 6 Colony 6 7 Fazal Sons 5 8 Ibrahim 5 9 Arshad 5 10 Fatima 4 11 Tata 3 12 Nagina 3 13 Jehangir

Elahi 4

14 JSK 2

S. No Name No. of Companies

15 Ayesha 2

16 Monnoo 2

17 Mian Habib Ullah 2

18 Sunshine 2

19 Chenab 2

20 Din 1

21 Ali Asghar Textile 1

22 Adamjee Industries

1

23 Nusrat Textile 1

24 Ruby Textile 1

25 Quetta Textile 1

26 Khurshid Spinning

1

27 Diamond Industries

1

Elements of Cultural

Social Organization:Institution Chiniotis’ belief serving in Community and to help people of community. There are

welfare organizations to meet the purpose Chiniot sheikh welfare organization Chiniot Anjuman Islamia: A registered general Welfare organization founded in

1983 Projects in Karachi Chiniot General Hospital Chiniot Maternity & Child Hospital Bakht Bari Chiniot Hospital Projects in Fasilabad Chiniot Blood Bank and Dialysis Centre Projects in in Chiniot The Islamia Hospital Mobile Dispensaries

Elements of Cultural

Education

Education is considered on the moderate level in this community. To built the standard up. Welfare organizations are playing major role.

Chiniot Islamia Public School & College in Karachi Din College in Chiniot

Politics Chiniotis take pride that they are born businessmen and serve through

industry. There are very few prominent Chinioti professionals or civil servants. Mazhar

Rafi, former Secretary Defense Production was the most well known Chinioti to succeed outside

Chinioti's welfare organizations have yearly elections.

Elements of Cultural

Belief Systems The ancestors were belonged to two Hindu caste

groups ; Khatri and Arora. After embracing Islam they called themselves Khoja and adopted Sheikh or Mian as title. They are also known as Chinioti Sheikh or Khoja Sheikh

Language The most spoken language amongst Chinioti's is Punjabi

Aesthetics The woodcarvings and furniture are the enough example to describe

the aesthetics of Chinioti's’ people. Very delicate and focus to minute details of any art form.

Beautiful Architecture of old buildings and old Punjabi poetry also the part of their skills

Maqbra Mai Jiwaan, Moh. Mozam Shah, Chiniot

Hindu Mandir in chinoit

Hand Wooden Carving

Elements of Cultural

Functions of Cultural

Food Chinioti’s are fond of many things. Food is the part of their cultural diversity. The main

dishes which distinguished them amongst other cultures are Kunna Dampukht Biryani Paye Nihari EtcClothing There is no special dress which could be identity of this culture. Shalwar Qameez is

the most wearable dress.Sports of chiniot Chinioti's’ enjoy all sort of sports, now a days they are very much into Cricket. They

have many community teams and regularly organize tournamentsDances and music Chinioti’s passionately loves folk tales and songs. There is special dance style “Ghoomer” which they perform on wedding occasions.

Functions of Cultural

High And Low Context Cultures

FACTOR HIGH LOWLawyers Less Important MorePerson’s Word Is his/her bond Get it in writing

Resp. for Error Highest Level Pushed to lowest level

Space Breathe on each Bubble of private other.

space.Time Polychronic Monochronic

and linear.

Negotiations Lengthy Proceed quickly.Competitive Bid Infrequent Common

Dimension of Cultural Framework

Hofstede (1980) INDIVIDUSLISTIC Chionti people consider to live individually in nuclear family system. They give priority to Task prevails over relationship, business and work are always

comes first in their life. Low context POWER DISTANCE LARGE PDI Chinioti’s have Large power distance . They want their business to be within their

community and for that matter they believe in intermarriages The most respectful thing is to be considered when a son look after his fathers’

business.

UNCERTINATY AVOIDANCE STRONG UAI MASCULINE SHORT TERM

Manifestations of Culture

SYMBOLS Chiniot is world famous for its exotically carved and brightly lacquered furniture. Chinioti's

craftsmen and artisans have for centuries carved flowers and geometric patterns onto cellulose fibers. Masons from Chariot are thought to have been employed during the construction of Taj Mahal and Golden Temple both now in India.

Apart from furniture, there are more attractions for any visitor Shahi Mousque Shah Jahan Shahi Mosque Delhi Umar Hayat Palace

HEROES Chiniot produced many intelligent personalities and talented artisans who occupied positions

in the Mughal courts  Nawab Saad Ullah Khan  Nawab Wazir Khan  Prime Minister of India  Governor of Lahore 

RITUALS Chinioti’s celebrate Islamic occasions with great arrangements. As on 12 Rabi' al-awwal,

1440th birthday celebration of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad, weddings and Eid.