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Are Punjabis Indian or Pakistani?

Published in Ethnolinguistic Identity 2 mins read

Punjabis are an ethnolinguistic group whose ancestral home, the Punjab region, spans areas of both northwestern India and eastern Pakistan. Therefore, individuals identifying as Punjabi can be citizens of either India or Pakistan.

Understanding Punjabi Identity Across Borders

The identity of Punjabis transcends a single national boundary. They are an Indo-Aryan ethnolinguistic group primarily associated with the historical Punjab region. This region, culturally and linguistically cohesive, was partitioned during the 1947 division of British India, leading to its bifurcation into an eastern part within India and a western part within Pakistan.

A Shared Heritage Divided by Borders

Despite the political division, Punjabis on both sides of the border share a rich cultural heritage, including language, cuisine, music, and traditions. The common thread is the Punjabi language, with various dialects spoken across the entire region.

Geographical Distribution of Punjabis

The majority of Punjabis reside in either the Indian state of Punjab or the Pakistani province of Punjab.

National Segment Primary Country Capital City (National Segment) Dominant Religion (Historical/Major)
East Punjab India Chandigarh Sikhism, Hinduism
West Punjab Pakistan Lahore Islam

Linguistic and Cultural Unity

Even with national borders, the cultural and linguistic ties remain strong:

  • Language: Punjabis generally speak Standard Punjabi or various Punjabi dialects. In Indian Punjab, Gurmukhi script is primarily used, while in Pakistani Punjab, Shahmukhi script (a variant of the Perso-Arabic script) is prevalent.
  • Cuisine: Signature dishes like sarson da saag, makki di roti, and tandoori items are enjoyed across the entire region.
  • Music and Dance: Folk dances such as Bhangra and Giddha, and musical forms like Sufi Qawwali, are integral to Punjabi culture on both sides.

National Identity Versus Ethnolinguistic Identity

It is important to differentiate between an individual's ethnolinguistic identity and their national citizenship. Being Punjabi refers to one's ethnic and linguistic background, while being Indian or Pakistani refers to one's nationality.

  • A Punjabi person living in Amritsar, India, holds Indian citizenship.
  • A Punjabi person living in Lahore, Pakistan, holds Pakistani citizenship.

Both are Punjabis by ethnicity and language, yet they belong to different nations due to geopolitical divisions. This dual existence underscores the complex nature of identity in regions historically unified but politically divided.