Mali caste

The Malis are an occupational caste among the Hindus who traditionally worked as gardners. The word Mali is derived from Sanksrit mala (garland). They also call themselves phul Mali who derived their names from their occupation of growing flowers.

People from Mali community pursued various occupations and by virtue of this they were known accordingly. Thus, those pursuing gardening known as Baghban, threshing/husking paddy as Dhankuta or Kuta Mali, doing grass cutting/selling as Sasia Mali, vegetable growers/sellers as Jadon Mali, and those growing flowers to the deity known as Phool Mali. Likewise, the Malis living near the river Ganga, Saharanpur and Haridwar are known as Bhagrathi Mali or Gola Mali. Likewise, there are Mathur Mali, Rohtaki Mali, Dilwali Mali and so on. Besides there are Mahar Mali, Var Mali, Kachchi Mali, Lodh Mali, Jeera Mali and Dhanya Mali. They are known as Mohal, Malaya, Malni, etc.

References

• People of India: Haryana, Kumar Suresh Singh, Madan Lal Sharma, A. K. Bhatia, Anthropological Survey of India, Published by Published on behalf of Anthropological Survey of India by Manohar Publishers, 1994

• Rajasthan , Kumar Suresh Singh, B. K. Lavania, Dipak Kumar Samanta, S. K. Mandal, N. N. Vyas, Anthropological Survey of India

• Marwar Darbar, 1894. Report on the Census of India, 1891, The Castes of Marwar, Jodhpore: Census Supdt. of Marwar Vol. II.

• Crooke, W, 1896. The Tribes and Casts of The North Western India, Calcutta: Government Printing Press; reprint 1974 Delhi: Cosmo Publications, Vol.II pp 458

• Russel R.V & Hiralal, 1975 The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India, London: Macmillan and Co., reprint 1975 New Delhi: Cosmo Publication. Vol IV.