Sherwani (Hindi: शेरवानी, Urdu: شیروانی) is a long coat-like garment worn in South Asia, very similar to an Achkan or doublet, it originated as a fusion of the Shalwar Kameez with the British frock coat. It is traditionally associated with the aristocracy of the northern Indian subcontinent. It is worn over the Kurta and Churidar, Khara pajama, a shalwar. It can be distinguished from the achkan by the fact that it is often made from heavier suiting fabrics, and by the presence of a lining.

History[link]

The Sherwani originated in South Asia and was the court dress of nobles of the royals of India, before being more generally adopted in the late eighteenth century. It appeared during the period of British India in 18th century, as a fusion of the Shalwar Kameez with the British frock coat. It was gradually adopted by most of the Indian aristocracy, and later by the general population, as a more westernized form of traditional attire. Like Urdu, it also became a symbol of Muslim nobility. Before the independence of India and Pakistan, the Sherwani was closely associated with founders of Aligarh Movement. Following Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, all the professors and students wore Sherwani. The name "Aligarh Sherwani" was also coined, inspired by the popularity of the design at Aligarh Muslim University.^[1] At the Aligarh Muslim University, these Sherwanis are still worn to keep alive a long running tradition of academics.

Pakistan[link]

After the independence of Pakistan, the founder of Pakistan, Mohammad Ali Jinnah frequently wore the Sherwani and made it the national dress of Pakistan. During his last years he was seen mostly in Sherwani and Karakul hat, which subsequently came to be known as "Jinnah cap" in Pakistan.

Following him most government officials in Pakistan such as the President and Prime Minister started to wear the formal black Sherwani over the shalwar qameez on state occasions and national holidays. But as Dr. Tariq Rahman writes about the western style officers that "the impeccably dressed South Asian officers, both civilian and military, never wore in public till the 1970s when Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto gave respectability to this dress by wearing it in public.^[2] However General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq made it complusory of all officers to wear Sherwani on state occasions and national holidays.

India[link]

Jawaharlal Nehru(left) wearing a Sherwani.

In India, the sherwani is generally worn for formal occasions in winter by those of North Indian descent, especially those from Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Hyderabadi-Muslims. The sherwani is generally associated with Muslims while the achkan was historically favored by Hindu nobles. The two garments have significant similarities, though sherwanis typically are more flaired at the hips. The achkan was also modified into the Nehru Jacket, which is popular in India.

The Hyderabadi Sherwani was the dress of choice of the Nizam of Hyderabad and Hyderabadi nobles. The Hyderabadi sherwani is longer than normal sherwani reaching below the knees.^[3]

Bangladesh[link]

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman also used to wear sherwani on special occasions. Even today Sherwani is worn on the special occasions, specially in Muslim weddings.

Ceylon[link]

In Ceylon, it was generally worn as the formal uniform of Mudaliyars during the British colonial period.

Modern sherwanis[link]

Achkans and sherwanis are worn by many Indian grooms as wedding dresses. These garments usually feature detailed embroidery or patterns.

Sherwanis have been designed by Rohit Bal for British Airways cabin crews serving on flights to South Asia.

Music director A.R. Rehman appeared in a black Sherwani to receive an Academy Award.

Notes[link]

See also[link]

• Shirvan
• Jinnah cap

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Imran Sherwani

Personal information
Born	April 9, 1962
Medal record Men's Field Hockey Competitor for  Great Britain Olympic Games Gold Seoul 1988 Team Competition

Imran Sherwani (born April 9, 1962 in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire) is a former English field hockey player. He was capped 45 times for Great Britain and 49 times for England.^[1] He played club hockey for Stourport, Stone and Leek,^[2] and is now Director of Hockey at Denstone College in Staffordshire.^[3]

He was a member of the gold medal winning Great Britain and Northern Ireland squad at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. He scored two of the three goals against Germany in the 1988 final and made one of the most significant contributions to the match.

Sherwani is of Pakistani descent. His father played hockey for Pakistan and his great uncles played football for Stoke City and Port Vale.^[1] He has worked as a police officer, a newsagent and an independent financial advisor.^[1]

He was selected as one of the torchbearers for the 2012 Summer Olympics torch relay.^[4]

References[link]

• British Olympic Committee^{[dead link]}

v t e Great Britain squad – 1988 Summer Olympics 1 Taylor 2 Pappin 3 Faulkner 4 Barber 5 Martin 6 Potter 7 Dodds 8 Grimley 9 Batchelor 10 Leman 11 Kirkwood 12 Bhaura 13 Kerly 14 Clift 15 Sherwani 16 Garcia Coach: Whitaker

This article about a field hockey Olympic medalist of the United Kingdom is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

This biographical article relating to a English field hockey figure is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e