There are large number of people of Indian origin settled in Bahrain. According to recent estimates there are 1,35,000 Indians in Bahrain. Sindhis are mostly engaged in trade.

Amongst the members of Indian community, the Bhatias numbering about 5000 have a colorful history. Originally from Jaisalmar in Rajasthan they left their birth place in the eleventh century due to religious reasons. They settled in Nagar Thata in Sind for centuties.

Bhatias are the first group of Indian businessmen to settle in Bahrain nearly 300 years ago. Although small in number they are the most successful group.

The first Thattai Bhatia whose name is taken among the established names in the gulf was Gangaram Tikamdas. He came to Bahrain in the early 1900's and joined an enterprising group of Thattai Bhatia entrepreneurs such as Dhamanmal Issardas, the Karanis, the Gajrias and the Janjanis. At that time, the Bhatias and been operating in the Gulf for a couple of decades and were known as “banias” businessmen who were highly-trusted by the Arabs as well as the British whose protectorate this region was in those days. Shri Gangaram Tikmdas soon established himself as a shrewd administrator and was appointed by the Ruler of Bahrain to set up the Customs Directorates of the country

The idea of establishing the present temple building was first pursued by Shri Gangaram Tikmdas and Shri Lalchand D.I. Prior to the temple committee being setup, these prominent Bhatias also acted for a time as trustees for temple affairs, along with Narain Maharaj. The construction of the present Manama temple was supervised by Shri Kushaldas Karani and the administrative work involved was carried out by Shri Ladharam or Ladhoba of the Haridas family.

Many Bhatia businessmen where involved in bringing new ideas to Arab lifestyle Shri Gangaram Tikmdas and Narain Maharaj two prominent members of the Bhatia community, helped in setting up the first Arabic school in Muharraq.

SINDHI ASSOCIATIONS

Sindhi Mitra Mandal
P.O. Box No. 6, Manama,
Bahrain 973-252177