Soni (caste)

Two Soni men

The Soni are a Hindu caste of goldsmiths found throughout India in the states of Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh. ^[1]

Present circumstances

The Soni are essentially still goldsmiths, with a few also involved in the manufacture of other items of jewellery. ^[2] 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.^{[ citation needed ]}

Shrimali Soni

This caste is mostly found in Gujarat. ^[3]

See also

• Sunar

References

1. 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.
2. Others (1991). Reader In Urban Sociology. New Delhi, India, Asia: Orient Blackswan. p. 189. ISBN   978-0-86311-152-5.
3. 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.