| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 51,000 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 India | |
| Languages | |
| Gujarati • Mewari • Marathi | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism 100% | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Kori • Koshti • Sadh • Dhagi |
The Salvi are found in the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan in India. [1]
The Salvi trace their origin from the word Sal, which means a loom. They are said to have migrated from Gujarat to Malwa in the Middle Ages. The community is traditional associated with the art of weaving. They speak Mewari among themselves. [2]
While in Gujarat, the Salvi who are also known as the Patliwala or Patua, claim to have been brought from Maharashtra in the 11th Century by the Rajput rulers to Patan. They have been traditionally associated with silk weaving. [3] [4] As per the census of India, 1921 approximately 6.88 laks sale or salve people were living in Madras, Rajasthan, Hyderabad and Bombay provinces.
The community speak Mewari among themselves and Hindi with outsiders. They have two sub-divisions, the Marwari Salvi and Mewara Salvi, which are further sub-divided into smaller clans.
With the decline in there traditional occupation of weaving, they are now mainly a community of landless agricultural labourers. A small number are still involved with weaving, and make thick cotton clothes and turban. The Salvi are a Hindu community, their family goddess is Chamund Devi. [5]
The Salvi of are split into two distinct groupings, the Jain Salvi and the Vaishnav Hindu. Each of these groups restrict their marriages within their respective religious groups. They have exogamous clans such as the Sanghvi, Tapadia, Kapadia, Dhara and Rawalia. These clans regulate the matrimonial alliances. The Salvi consider themselves of Vaishya status. Most of Salvis have abandoned their traditional occupation and are now engaged in a number of trades. As small number continue with their traditional occupation which is silk weaving. The Salvi speak languages [6]
The Bhadala or Bhodala is a community of seamen and fishermen found in Sindh, Pakistan and Kutch and Saurashtra regions of Gujarat in India. In Pakistan, they are found mainly in Southern Sindh.
The Kahars are a community of palanquin bearers originating from the Gangatic region.
The Vagri also known as Devipujaks are a schedule caste found in the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat in India, and in the province of Sindh in Pakistan.
The Thori are a [Other Backward caste]] found in the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan and Haryana in India. They are also known as the Nayak.
The Tirgar are a scheduled caste found in the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan in India.
The Sunga are a Hindu caste found in the state of Rajasthan in India.
kharol are a Hindu Rajput caste found in the state of Rajasthan and Uttrakhand India.
The Lok Rajputs are Hindu caste found in the state of Rajasthan in India.
The Manka are a community found in the state of Gujarat in India. There are Hindu and Muslim Mankas.
The Salat are Hindu caste found in the state of Gujarat in India.
The Vanzha are Hindu caste found in the state of Gujarat in India. They are also known as Vanzhara.
The Rathodia are a Hindu caste found in the state of Gujarat in India.
The Shenva are a Hindu scheduled caste found in the state of Gujarat in India. They are also known as Sindhwa and Chenva.
Weaving and cloth trading communities of Western India particularly of Gujarat are called Vankar/Wankar/Vaniya. The four major woven fabrics produced by these communities are cotton, silk, khadi and linen. Today majority of these community members are not engaged in their ancestral weaving occupation still some population of these community contribute themselves in traditional handloom weaving of famous Patola of Patan, Kachchh shawl of Bhujodi in Kutch, Gharchola and Crotchet of Jamnagar, Zari of Surat, Mashroo of Patan and Mandvi in Kutch, Bandhani of Jamnagar, Anjar and Bhuj, Motif, Leheria, Dhamakda and Ajrak, Nagri sari, Tangaliya Shawl, Dhurrie, Kediyu, Heer Bharat, Abhala, Phento and art of Gudri. Vankar is described as a caste as well as a community.
The Sompura Brahmin are a Hindu caste found in the state of Gujarat and Rajasthan in India. They are a sub-group of the Brahmin community.
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 Godha are Jain tribal caste people found in the state of Gujarat in India having roots in Rajasthan. They are also known as Gondha and Gonda. The Godha sometimes use Dengar as a community surname.
The Dabgar are a Hindu caste found in the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh in India. They are also known as Dhalgar and have scheduled caste status in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, while they have Other Backward Class status in Gujarat. In Rajasthan, the community prefer the self-designation is Dhalgar.
The Gametia are a sub-division of the Bhil community indigenous to & found in the current state of Rajasthan in India. They are known variously as Gamet or Gametia.
The Mama are a sub-division of the Bhil community found indigenous to the current state of Rajasthan in India. They are known as Mama Bhil because they are followers of the Mama Baleshwar Dayal sect. The sect gets its name from Mama Baleshwar Dayal, who starting preaching to the Bhils of Kushalgarh tehsil of Banswara District. Their clans are referred to as ataks.