Pakistan despite being a Muslim-majority nation has a Hindu ruler in the state of Umerkot. The place is not far away from Indian Border and people chose 53-year-old Hamir Singh to be the new Rana of Rajput community in the region.
Though it might come as a surprise for the majority of the people in India but the fact is that a Hindu Prince has been chosen as the next ruler in Umerkot. Interestingly, Hamir Singh had also served as Minister of Agriculture and Science and Technology in the second cabinet of Late Prime Minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto.
He is a popular figure among border residents of Pakistan and has served as Member of Legislative Assembly for three terms. He was also the Deputy Nizam of Umerkot state earlier. The crowning ceremony was much similar to any such crowning ceremony of a prince in the state of Rajasthan in India.
The cultural similarity is a reason for the crowning ceremony being similar to one which might be held in say Jodhpur. A prime reason for the same is that Indian district of Barmer is only 40 km from Umerkot in Pakistan.
Another main reason for a Hindu ruler in Umerkot is that both Hindu and Muslim community in the area recognize the authority of Hamir Singh. Though the tradition of having a King is only ceremonial in today’s era, it is heartening to see a Hindu ruler in the Muslim-majority state of Pakistan.
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