Soni (caste)
Regions with significant populations | |
---|---|
India • United Kingdom | |
Languages | |
Sindhi • Kutchi • Gujarati | |
Religion | |
Hinduism | |
Related ethnic groups | |
• Sunar • Shrimali Brahmins • Bania |
The Soni are a Hindu caste found throughout India. They are traditionally goldsmiths in the state of Gujarat. They are also found among the Indian diaspora of the United Kingdom.[1]
Present circumstances
The Soni are essentially still goldsmiths, with a few also involved in the manufacture other items of jewelry. Like similar Hindu castes, they are endogamous and maintain a system of gotra exogamy. The various sub-divisions of the Soni have their own caste associations, suich as the Patni Soni Mandal and Shrimali Soni Mandal. They follow Vaishnavism, and many belonging to the Swaminarayan sect. The community speak various dialects of Gujarati and Kutchi.[1]
Few of the Soni community members belong to Mairh Kshatriya (Marwaris) Community who basically hail from Rajasthan and They also bear surname Varma/Verma. These people are involved in the business of Manufacturing of Gold/Jewellery.
See also
References
- 1 2 R.B Lal, P.B.S.V Padmanabham, G Krishnan & M Azeez Mohideen (eds.). People of India Gujarat Volume XXI Part Three. pp. 1318–1324.