Soni (caste)
The Soni are a Hindu and Sikh artisan caste found throughout India in the states of Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat. They are traditionally Goldsmiths and Khatris.[1]
Present circumstances
The Soni are essentially still goldsmiths, with a few also involved in the manufacture of other items of jewellery. Like similar Hindu castes, they are endogamous and maintain a system of clan (gotra) exogamy. The various sub-divisions of the Soni have their own caste associations, such 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 Punjabi, Marwari, Gujarati and Kutchi.[1]
See also
References
- ^ a b 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.