سنڌي ورچوئل لائبرري

It is not an easy task to write about the history of anything, particularly the history of language and literature of Sindhi Language, which has a very glorious past and a bright future. I am fully aware of the risk when I write these words. I leave it, therefore, to the readers to decide whether I have been successful in drawing a vivid picture of the history of Sindhi language and its literature; whether I have done justice to the subject or not. Although I am sure that this book does not contain the detailed history of Sindhi language and literature, even then by putting a glance over the given material, readers can definitely be aware of an outline of the history of Sindhi language and literature. For a detailed study, the readers should inevitably read other histories written in Sindhi.

As a student of Sindhi Linguistics and Literature, I feel myself constrained for not contributing much in the field of the history of Sindhi language and literature.

The men of letters of Sindhi have particularly been witness to the fact that comprehensive histories of Sindhi literature have been written by only a few literary historians. We do get some books on the history of Sindhi literature in Sindhi, English and Urdu, written by M/s K.B. Siddique Memon, Dr. Abdul Jabbar Junejo, Dr. Memon Abdul Majid Sindhi, Mr. Mazhar Jameel  and  also by some Indian Sindhi writers but Sindhi language demands more from us.

I preferred to write a small book like this one for persons who can not read and understand Sindhi language. I am fully conscious that this is just a glance at the history of Sindhi language and literature which I have been able to write, as desired by my old friend Dr Tanvir Abbasi. He desired in one of the meetings of the Board of Governors of Sindhi Language Authority that I should write a book in this field.

I am really indebted to the Sindhi Language Authority, particularly Dr. Fahmida Hussain who took keen interest in getting this book published, the manuscript of which was finalized by me in 2000.

This is an humble effort, and labour of my love for my mother tongue Sindhi. I have every hope that my efforts will be appreciated by the readers.

I have mentioned earlier that it is not a complete comprehensive history but just an outline for those non-Sindhi readers who want to know about the history of Sindhi language and literature and its various forms etc.

I am grateful to Mr. Taj Joyo, Secretary Sindhi Language Authority, Mr. Ameen Muhammad Laghari, Director Bureau of Publication and Production, and Mr Khalid Azad, Publication Officer, Sindhi Language Authority for their interest in getting this book published. I shall be grateful if any suggestion, observation and opinions are conveyed to me by the readers.

May Allah, the Almighty help and guide us all to serve the cause of Sindhi Language, its Literature and Culture. Aameen.

Dr. G.A. Allana

Hyderabad, Sindh

15.1.2009