Gumbal گمبل
Indian oil sardine · Clupeidae
Halal · Ja'fari fiqh
Rs 350 per kg
harbour wholesale · 2026-08-10 · recorded 44 days ago
Source: presenter video, single-vendor morning rate
FAO Species Identification Sheets for Fishery Purposes, Fishing Area 51 (Western Indian Ocean), 1983
Scales always cycloid (smooth to touch), but often shed rather easily; no lateral line.
https://www.fao.org/docrep/pdf/009/ad468e/ad468eCR.pdf
Fiqh basis: Sistani (only scaled fish + shrimp); Khamenei ('only scaled fish, shrimp and some sea birds are Halal. The rest are Haram'); Khomeini (partial scales suffice)
Gumbal at a glance
| English name | Indian oil sardine |
|---|---|
| Urdu name | گمبل |
| Scientific family | Clupeidae |
| Scales | True scales, smooth |
| Bones | Moderate bones |
| Taste | Oily |
| Typical weight | ~100 g |
| Best for | Fry (fresh) |
| Also sold as | Gumbat, گمبٹ |
Common questions
Is Gumbal halal?
Under Ja'fari (Shia) fiqh, Gumbal is halal. True scales, smooth. Ja'fari fiqh requires a fish to have true scales; most Sunni schools do not, so this verdict is specific to Ja'fari fiqh.
What is Gumbal called in English?
Gumbal (گمبل) is called Indian oil sardine in English. It is also sold as Gumbat, گمبٹ.
What is the price of Gumbal in Karachi?
Rs 350 per kg (harbour wholesale), from 2026-08-10 — recorded 44 days ago.
Does Gumbal have a lot of bones?
Moderate bones.