Teli

The term Teli is a business caste among Hindus. Muslim converts are called Roshandaar (रोशनदार).

The name Teli is given because of their profession of "making edible oil". In old times these people were having their small units to make edible oil. (In Marathi/Hindi/Oriya language they called it as TEL Ghana) and responsible for providing TEL to society. Telis also called themselves Sahu Vaishyas. They have various surnames such as Sa, Sahu, Bakane, Prusty, Jesty, Pradhan, Behera, Sav, Gupta, Nathile, Gulhane, Shirbhate, Misurkar, Sakarkar, Wathghate, Mandal, Saha, Wanjari, Gorai, Sadhu-Khan, Das, Chothave, Kardile, Dehadray, Shinde, Ghodmare, Waghmare, Karpe, Bele, Teli, Lanjewar Asamwar, Prasad, Pise and others. Telis are found throughout India. Hindu Teli are called Teli Sahu and Muslim Teli are called Teli Malik. In North Maharashtra, most of them hide their family name and suffix Chowdhary as their surname (last name). Teli is not seem a true caste but these are the peoples who were from the other caste like Rajputs who have adopted this profession in the 1857 or even before when the East India Company arrived at Sub Continent. Because that time this profession was very profitable. The blood line of the Teli tribes found in the Sialkot, Lahore and Gujranwala regions of Pakistan shows this fact. In these areas they are called Jungla and use Malik as a surname. Teli are spread all over India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Maldives and Nepal. In these area they have different surnames. Another view tells that the Teli are the descendants of the Prophet Ayoub. The son of the Prophet Ayoub Luqman started this profession. Hasso was the person who migrated to Hindustan. The tomb of Hasso is Present in Silakot District. Telis are brave, peaceful and hardworking peoples.

Narendra Modi is from this community. This caste is also subdivided into multiple Teli subcastes such as:

• Rathod teli
• Savji teli
• Malik
• Tirmal teli
• Ek baili teli
• Don baili teli
• Tilwan Teli
• Sahu Teli
• Vaddhar Teli
• Taheeme Teli
• Jairat teli
• Moodi

Teli Chauhan

Teli Chauhan are seen in Bhiwani, Hissar (Hisar) and other districts of Haryana, Rajasthan and after grand migration of 1947 in Pakistani East Southern Punjab. This fact, represents that Teli is not something like hereditary caste or bloodline. It was just a professional organization of any family or caste (like Rajputs) who adopted oil pressing profession, especially during the time East Indian Company and The Great Freedom Massacre of 1857, when oil-pressing is said to have become a profitable profession and business. In another view, Teli Chauhan were actually the Rajputs, who were profane to the foreign rule in India, and they went to the forests and wilderness so as they might not have to lower their heads in front of that rule. Many say, these profane freedom lovers were out-classed by their own fellow tribesmen and were declared as Teli, which in North India is not thought a very honourable icon. Teli Chauhans are found in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kashmir and Sialkot, Gujranwal, Lahore district of Western Punjab. It is suspected as if one may find copy of any such tribe council's declaration.

Famous persons

• Narinder Moodi, former Chief Minister of Gujrat
• Lallit Modi, a well known businessman and organiser of 20-20 cricket world cup
• Shoaib Malik, Pakistani Cricketer
• Salim Malik, former Pakistani Cricketer
• Sardar M. Yasin Malik, Chairman of Pakistan State Oil
• Siraj Kassam Teli, former President of Karachi Chamber of Commerce
• Marta Teli, a famous Indian actor
• Milan Chaudry, Famous Indian Film Director
• Venkatesh Parsad, Former Indian Cricketer