Muslim Dhobi

Muslim Dhobi

Regions with significant populations
Nepal [1]  • Pakistan  • India
Languages
• Urdu • Hindi • Gujarati • Punjabi • Seraiki
Religion
Islam
Related ethnic groups
Malik • Shaikh

The Muslim Dhobi are a South Asian Muslim caste whose traditional occupation is washing clothes. They are converts from Hinduism to Islam here^{[ where? ]} the Dhobi castes are launderers. ^[2] Muslim Dhobis are found throughout the Indian subcontinent.^{[ citation needed ]} They are OBC in Haryana. ^[3] Now they are demanding ST rights. ^[4]

The community is also known as Charhoa and Gazar in Pakistan, and Qassar in India. They also use "Hawari" as a surname.^{[ citation needed ]}

Present circumstances

In Pakistan

In Pakistan, the Punjab Qassar are mainly a rural community. The Qassar are an artisan caste, receiving a fixed share of the agricultural produce for their services. The Gazar sub-division, found in southern Punjab, have taken to agriculture. The Gazar and Charhoa are Seraiki speaking, while the Qassar in central Punjab speak Punjabi. ^[5]

See also

• Salmani
• Malik
• Momin Ansari

References

1. "Dhobi Muslim" (PDF). Asia Harvest. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
2. "मुस्लिम धोबी समाज ने मांगा आरक्षण". www.livehindustan.com (in Hindi). 8 January 2022. Archived from the original on 8 December 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
3. "List of Backward Classes | Directorate of Welfare of Scheduled Caste & Backward Classes, Government of Haryana". haryanascbc.gov.in. Archived from the original on 24 April 2025. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
4. "हवारी विकास संगठन ने तेज की आरक्षण में शामिल करने की मांग". www.livehindustan.com (in Hindi). 13 May 2025. Archived from the original on 24 June 2025. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
5. Chaudhary, Muhammad Azam (1999). Justice in Practice: Legal Ethnography of a Pakistani Punjabi Village. Oxford University Press. pp. 7–9.