Gujarati diaspora at 49L; 36L in India, 13L abroad
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Ahmedabad: The global footprint of the Gujarati-speaking community is both vast and vibrant, stretching from the bustling streets of New York to the serene landscapes of Wellington, and from the cultural hubs of Durban to the historic city of Antwerp.
However, a recent study reveals that the internal migration of Gujaratis within India significantly surpasses their international migration.
Conducted by Professor Chinmay Tumbe of the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A), the study estimates the Gujarati-speaking diaspora to be approximately 49 lakh. Of these, 36 lakh reside within India, while 13 lakh have settled abroad. This research, titled 'The Internal and International Diasporas of India', has been published in the latest issue of the Sage journal, 'Sociological Bulletin'.
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"Relative to the speaking population of over 60 million, around 8% of Gujaratis are part of a diaspora, making it the fifth most dispersed major language group in India," Prof Tumbe explained.
"The internal diaspora is nearly three times the size of the international diaspora." While the presence of Gujaratis in regions like East Africa, the UK, and the US is well-documented, the study also highlights a significant, albeit lesser-known, Gujarati community in Tamil Nadu.
The primary driver behind these migrations, both internal and international, appears to be business and trade opportunities. "Gujarat's long coastline has historically facilitated migratory connections with the Indian Ocean world," Prof Tumbe noted.
"While droughts may have initiated some migration streams, it is the community's entrepreneurial spirit that has fueled the majority of these movements."
The study provides a detailed breakdown of the Gujarati diaspora abroad, with the United States hosting 3.4 lakh Gujaratis, followed by 3 lakh in the UK, 2 lakh in Canada, 1.4 lakh in East Africa, and 1 lakh in West Asian countries.
Within India, the diversity of the Gujarati-speaking population is notable, even excluding Mumbai, which alone has an estimated 18 lakh Gujarati speakers. Prof Tumbe also highlights the internal diversity within Gujarat itself, where communities from various parts of India have settled. "In Gujarat, one can find a Marathi-speaking subculture.
Surat, in particular, is the most cosmopolitan city in Gujarat, with vibrant communities of Marathi, Sindhi, Punjabi, Odia, and Bihari speakers engaged in business and other activities," Prof. Tumbe added. The study also compares the total internal and external diaspora sizes of other Indian languages, with Hindi leading at 39.9 million, followed by Tamil (8.4 million), Telugu (7.9 million), Marathi (5.5 million), Gujarati (4.9 million), and Punjabi (4.3 million).
This research underscores the dynamic nature of the Gujarati diaspora, driven by a quest for new opportunities and a rich history of trade and migration.
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