Surti Sunni Bohras

The Surti Sunni Bohras are a distinctive Muslim community predominantly found in the city of Surat and its surrounding districts in the Indian state of Gujarat. Their origins are rooted in a complex tapestry of religious, cultural, and economic shifts that occurred over centuries in India and the broader Islamic world. Known for their unique blend of Sunni Islam, a vibrant commercial spirit, and deep-rooted cultural traditions, the Surti Sunni Bohras present a fascinating case of communal evolution.  

The Sunni Bohras’ history is inextricably linked to the larger Bohra community. The term "Bohra" itself is derived from the Gujarati word vohrvu or vyavahar, meaning "to trade," reflecting the community’s historical occupation as merchants and traders. The Bohras are widely believed to be descendants of locals who embraced Islam between the 11th and 12th centuries, heavily influenced by the arrival of Muslim traders and Sufi missionaries on the western coast of India.  

The initial wave of Islamization in Gujarat saw the rise of the Shia Ismaili Bohra community, particularly under the influence of the Fatimid Caliphate and later the Dawoodi Bohra leadership. However, religious divisions began to surface within the broader Bohra community over the centuries. During the reign of the Muzaffarid dynasty in Gujarat (starting around the late 14th century) and moving into the 16th century, a faction of Bohras in Surat and surrounding agricultural and maritime hubs chose to align themselves with Sunni Islam. The transition to Sunni orthodoxy was largely influenced by the teachings of prominent Sunni scholars and the growing influence of Sufi orders in Gujarat.  

Surat, as a key trading port during the Mughal era, became the focal point for these merchants. The city’s prominence in international maritime trade attracted people from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds. Surti Sunni Bohras, particularly those originating from historic enclaves like Rander and Barbodhan, capitalized on Surat’s flourishing economy. By the late 17th and early 18th centuries, they were a dominating force in the Indian Ocean maritime trade. Historical records note that merchants like Mulla Abdul Ghafur, a prominent Bohra, were among the wealthiest traders in the world during this era, specializing in textiles, commodities, and spices.  

The 19th and early 20th centuries marked a significant period of global migration for the community. While the British colonial era saw many Indians travel as indentured laborers, a large portion of Surti Sunni Bohras traveled as "passenger immigrants", paying their own way to establish commercial enterprises abroad.

This entrepreneurial drive led to the establishment of vibrant diaspora communities in South Africa, Burma, Reunion (where they are known as "Zarabes"), and Mauritius. In Mauritius, for instance, Surti Sunni migrants began arriving in the 1830s and 1850s, setting up vital commercial hubs in the Central Business District of Port Louis. Operating along Corderie and Desforges streets, they created the renowned "Surtee Bazaar" and were affectionately known by locals as marchands Arabes. They played a monumental role in the local economy, heavily investing in real estate, shipping, and the import-export trade.  

Despite their doctrinal differences with the Dawoodi Bohras, the Sunni Bohras maintained many traditional Gujarati customs and cultural practices, including their distinct Surti-Gujarati dialect and a rich culinary heritage known for its heavily spiced meats, fowl, and fish curries. However, they adhered strictly to Sunni jurisprudence, following the Hanafi school of thought.  

Today, the Surti Sunni Bohras remain a vibrant, globally connected community. While estimating their exact population is challenging due to their seamless integration into the broader Sunni Muslim community, tens of thousands still trace their roots back to South Gujarat. The community is widely recognized for its emphasis on education and philanthropy. Many prominent Sunni Bohra families have continuously contributed to the development of educational institutions, hospitals, and social services, both in Gujarat and across their extensive global diaspora in the UK, Canada, the UAE, and beyond.  

Sources for Further Reading:

• Blank, Jonah. Mullahs on the Mainframe: Islam and Modernity among the Dawoodi Bohras. University of Chicago Press, 2001.

• Asani, Ali S. The Ismaili Bohras: A Case Study of a Shia Sect in India. Oxford University Press, 1994.

• Engineer, Asghar Ali. The Bohras. Vikas Publishing House, 1980.

• Indian History Congress. Proceedings: The commercial world of Gujarat at the beginning of the 18th century. 1998.

• Kalla, Abdool Cader. Gandhijis hosts in Mauritius. (Detailing the role of Surtee merchants in colonial Mauritius).