| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| India | |
| Languages | |
| Urdu (Dakhani) • Kannada • Marathi | |
| Religion | |
 Islam (100%) | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Chhaparband |
The Chhaparband are a Muslim community found in the states of Karnataka and Maharashtra in India. They are Muslim converts from the Chhaparband community. [1]
Muslim Chhapparband VJ DT 14
The Chhaparband are a community that were historically connected with thatching of roofs, an occupation no longer practiced. In Hindi, the word chhapar means roof and the Persian suffix band means binder and maker. They claim to have been Rajput soldiers in the armies of the Mughal Empire, as said to have originated from Kathiawar and Rajasthan. Their conversion to Islam is said to have occurred at the hands a Sufi saint Pir Bhai Phir Makhan. The Chhaparband speak the Dakhani dialect of Urdu, and are entirely Sunni Muslim. They are found mainly in north west Karnataka, mainly in the districts of Bijapur, Dharwad and Belgaum and the districts of Kolhapur and Sholapur in Maharashtra. [2]
The Chhaparband are largely a landless community, with many employed as agricultural labourers or urban daily wage labourers. Apart from this, a significant number are now employed as truck drivers, carpenters, masons, fruit sellers and shop owners. Like other Muslim communities in the Deccan, they have a caste association, the Chhaparband Jamat. Each of their settlement also has an informal communal association known as a panchayat, which acts as an instrument of social control. [2]
The community is strictly endogamous, and marry close kin. They are divided into a number of clans, the main ones being the Bade bhai, Nane bhai, Cheghande and Baraghande. Each of these clans are of equal status, and intermarry.[ citation needed ]
The Bangali may refer to a Scheduled Caste found in northern India. They are distinct from the Bengali ethnic group of West Bengal. The Bangali are one of the many nomadic groupings found in India, and have customs similar to other nomadic communities such as the Kanjar.
The Bhadala are an ethnic group found in Pakistan and India. They are found mainly in the Kutch District of Gujarat. In Pakistan, they are found mainly in Karachi.
The Momin Ansari or Saudagar are a Muslim community of merchants found mainly in India, Pakistan, and Nepal. The surname originated from Ansar tribe, the Medinan people who helped the Islamic prophet, Muhammad, in his migration from Mecca to Medina. They were the first tribe in Arabia to accept Islam. The literal meaning of Ansar is "supporter". In North India, the community are known as Ansari or Shaikh while in Maharashtra the community are known as Momin or saudagar
The Qassab (Urdu: قصاب; from the Arabic word قصاب, are members of a north Indian community or biradari. Occasionally most Quresh caste members are referred to as the Qassab. At present, Qassab who are engaged in meat cutting and selling business are referred to as Qureshi.
The Qassar are a South Asian Muslim caste whose traditional occupation is washing clothes. They are considered to be Muslim converts from Hinduism, where the Dhobi castes are launderers. They are found in North India,East India as well as middle East India and Pakistan. The community is also known as Charhoa and Gazar in Pakistan and Qassar in India. They also use "Hawari" as a surname.
The Mirasi are a community found in North India and Pakistan. They are folklore tellers and traditional singers and dancers of a number of communities. The word "mirasi" is derived from the Arabic word (ميراث) mīrās, which means inheritance or sometimes heritage. In the strict grammatical sense of the term, they are considered to be propagators of the cultural and social heritage.
The Bagban are a Muslim community found in North as well as the Deccan areas of West India. In the Deccan region they are known as Bagwan.
The Bhatiara are a Pashtun community found in North India.
The Pateliya are a scheduled tribe found in the Indian states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and some parts of Maharashtra and Karnataka.
The Kagzi also pronounced kagdi are a Muslim community found in the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra in India.
Chhipi is a caste of people with ancestral roots tracing back to India. They are found in the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh of India. Chhipa are also found in Pakistan.
The Nat are a Hindu caste found in northern India.
The Halpati are found mainly in the Gujarat state of India. Minor populations are also found in surrounding states and union territories. They are also known as Talvia or Talvi Rathode.
The Faqir are a Muslim ethnic group in India. They are also known as Syed, Alwi, Shah, Sain Pir, Dewan Saheb, Miya Shah, Shah Saheb, Dewan Baba in India, Shah is now their preferred self-designation and in West Bengal they are called as Faqirbaba. Faqirs cast of Syed community is evident in the Deccan Region of Telangana State. Since the people of this community are the descendants of Sufi Saints belonging to Syeds lineage, is traced to Ali, so they are called as Syed, Shah, Mir, Shah-Diwan and by other surnames. They are also venerated as pir or peer saheb. Some Muslims also visit the holy shrines of Sufi Saint or peer fakir. They are respected in Muslims like Brahmins in Hindus. Some live in the Terai region of Nepal.
The Barda are tribal community found in the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra in India. They have scheduled tribe status. The community is also known as Adivasi or Khandeshi Bhil.
The Bharbhunja are a Muslim community found in the states of Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh in India. In Uttar Pradesh, the community are also known as Bharbhunja Shaikh.
The Bharbhunja are a largely Hindu caste found in North India and Maharashtra. They are also known as Kalenra in Maharashtra. A small number are also found in the Terai region of Nepal.
The Gavandi surname found in the state of Maharashtra in India.
The Chhaparband are a Hindu caste found in the states of Karnataka and Maharashtra in India. They are also known as Chhaparbasi, Chhaparwale and Rajput Chhaparband.
The Dabgar are a Hindu caste found in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat in India. They have Other Backward Class status in Gujarat. In Rajasthan, the community prefer to call themselves Dhalgar.