Sindhis are vegetarian or non vegetarian

The Sindhi community is primarily non-vegetarian, though they have a very rich tradition of vegetarian cooking. Unlike some other merchant communities in India (like Marwaris or Gujaratis) who are often strictly vegetarian, meat and fish are staple parts of the traditional Sindhi diet.

Here is a breakdown of how dietary habits work within the community:

1. Traditional Diet: “Omnivorous”

Historically, the Sindh region (around the Indus River) provided an abundance of freshwater fish and livestock.

Fish is Central: The Pallo (Hilsa) fish is considered a delicacy and is central to Sindhi identity. Dishes like Pallo Machi (fried or barbecued) are iconic.
Meat: Mutton is the most popular meat. Signature dishes include Seyal Teevan (slow-cooked mutton in an onion gravy) and Sindhi Biryani, which is distinct from other biryanis for its use of potatoes and dried plums.

2. The Exception: Strict Vegetarians

While the majority eat meat, certain sub-sects and religious followers are strictly vegetarian:

Bhatias: Many Sindhi Bhatias (like the Thathai and Halai Bhatias) follow the Pushtimarg (Vallabhacharya) sect of Hinduism and are strictly vegetarian, often avoiding even onion and garlic.
Religious Influence: Some Sindhis follow the Radhasoami or Dada Vaswani’s Sadhu Vaswani Mission, both of which promote a strictly vegetarian lifestyle.

3. Cultural “Veg Days”

Even meat-eating Sindhi households often follow specific “Veg Days” based on religious or lunar cycles. It is very common for Sindhis to abstain from non-veg on:

Mondays or Saturdays (dedicated to specific deities).
Gyaras (Ekadashi) and Satyanarayan (Full Moon) days.
Thadri: A festival where food is cooked the day before and eaten cold; while it can be non-veg, many families stick to traditional vegetarian items like Mithi Loli.

4. Famous Vegetarian Staples

Because of their history of trade and travel, Sindhis mastered “Vaishnu” (vegetarian) cooking to a high degree. You might recognize:

Dal Pakwan: A crispy fried bread served with chana dal.
Sindhi Kadhi: A tangy, vegetable-loaded gram flour curry served with rice and Aloo Tuk (double-fried potatoes).
Sai Bhaji: A nutritious mash of spinach, sorrel, and lentils.
Bhee (Lotus Root): A favorite ingredient often cooked with potatoes (Bhee Patata).

Summary: Most Sindhis are “non-veg,” but they have a deep respect for vegetarian traditions and specific groups within the community who do not touch meat at all.

Environment straining diet order through food production : Jain diet > Vegetarian > Meat (Jain diet : Vegetarian minus Root vegetables)

Farming and harvesting root vegetables like potato destroys entire plant leading to wastage as opposed to plucking vegetables which grow above soil which can regrow, which makes Jain diet even more environment friendly than simply vegetarian diet.

Vegan is stupid as it is devoid of milk – making it devoid of the only source of vitamin B12, Vitamin D (edible) and bodily required animal fat (butter/ghee). Milk is also an important source of proteins for vegetarians.

Taking care of cows in return for their milk and banning beef, is a beautiful symbiotic relationship already established by Jains between humans and cows. Beef production also leads to highest carbon footprints creation. All this comes on top of valuing animal and plant life and for the selfish reason that Jain diet is the healthiest diet.

Low IQ – Meat eaters (shorter life span)

Leftist – Vegan (shortest life span)

High IQ – Vegetarian (live long)

High IQ – Jain Diet (live the longest)

The below is a map of India which is not accurate but does its job of showing the influence of Jains on Indian subcontinent. The map cannot capture changes due to partition of India into Pakistan in 1947 which changed demographics of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh significantly; their numbers would be less if it wasn’t for Muslim population migrating to Pakistan side. In Sindh region (now Pakistan) nearing Gujarat and Marwar, a percentage of Hindus are vegetarian. Also, note the caste demographics of Jains in South India is different from NW India affecting influencing ability, and Jainism reached South India later in history.

Ancient Greece influenced by Jains had a certain percentage vegetarian population.

Lactose Intolerance means vegetarian diet needs to be adjusted by them by limiting or skipping milk for yogurt, and maybe even that may not work in completeness for some as a replacement of meat based diet.

Animal welfare and Environmentalism, goes hand in hand –

Animal welfare is related to Environment concerns. History is filled with Jains working for animal welfare. Jains run an extremely high number of cow shelters. Jains also run animal hospitals and donate money for animal welfare.

Marwar is one of the most Jain influenced region left. Bishnois in Rajasthan are strongly Jain influenced by their mindset when it comes protecting animals and plants and are known for their dedication towards them; Bishnoi sect of Vaishnav Hinduism started in Marwar.