World Memon Organization
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 1,800,000 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| India | 900,000 |
| Pakistan | 700,000 |
The term Memon refers to a Muslim commercial community from the western part of South Asia, including Memons historically associated with Kathiawar. It also can refer to Kutchi Memons and Sindhi Memons. They are associated with the Memon language. Many Memons migrated to Karachi after the Partition of India in 1947.
Memon lineage traces back to Lohanas of Multan and Sindh. The origin of the name comes from Mu'min (مؤمن , “believer” in Arabic) and later evolved to present name Memon. The Memon community was founded in the 15th century by 700 families comprising 6,178 persons total. According to Anthovan, those Lohanas of Thatta who converted to Islam became Memons and were invited by Rao Khengarji Jadeja, ruler of Bhuj in the 16th century, to settle in Bhuj. It is from there that Kutchi Memons migrated to Kathiawar and mainland Gujarat. Surat in Gujarat was an important trading centre from 1580 to 1680 and Memons made their bounty there. Memons became significantly affluent as a result of trading in Surat.
Due to the mercantile nature of the community, Memons began a significant migration beyond the borders of India in 18th- and 19th-centuries. This led to communities developing in Sri Lanka, South Africa, Middle East and East Asia. Memon traders set up a network of joint stock companies acting in coordination with other members in an area ranging from Central Africa to China. Memon donors made significant financial contributions to construct mosques during this time, including Juma Masjid Mosque and Jamia Mosque. By late 19th century several thousand Memons had settled in Bombay due to trading. Memon representative leaders traded with British capitalists to develop their Indian monopolies. The area of Bombay which the Memon traders ended up congregating in later became known as the Memonwada.
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