Soni (caste)
The Soni are a Hindu caste of goldsmiths found throughout India in the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh.[1] The Soni caste of Gujarat, don't take food touched by Rajputs because Rajputs are inferior to the Soni caste.[2]
Present circumstances[edit]
The Soni are essentially still goldsmiths, with a few also involved in the manufacture of other items of jewellery.[3] 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.
Shrimali Soni[edit]
This caste mostly found in Gujarat.[4]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Perez, Rosa Maria (2004). Kings and Untouchables: A Study of the Caste System in Western India. New Delhi , India, Asia: Orient Blackswan. p. 79. ISBN 978-81-8028-014-6.
- ^ Singhji, Virbhadra (1994). The Rajputs of Saurashtra. New Delhi, India, Asia: Popular Prakashan. pp. 15–16. ISBN 978-81-7154-546-9.
- ^ Others (1991). Reader In Urban Sociology. New Delhi, India, Asia: Orient Blackswan. p. 189. ISBN 978-0-86311-152-5.
- ^ Habib, Irfan; Panikkar, K. N.; Byres, T. J.; Patnaik, Utsa (2002). The Making of History: Essays Presented to Irfan Habib. New Delhi, India, Asia: Anthem Press. p. 196. ISBN 978-1-84331-053-2.