Soni (caste)

Two Soni men

The Soni are a 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.

Shrimali Soni

This caste 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.