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{{short description|A Hindu artisan caste}}
{{Short description|Indian artisan caste}}
The '''Soni''' are a [[Hindu]] [[Sikh]] [[caste]] found throughout India. They are traditionally [[goldsmith]]s or [[Khatri]] or [[Jat]] in India.<ref name="Lal">{{cite book | title = People of India Gujarat Volume XXI  Part  Three |editor1= R.B Lal |editor2=P.B.S.V Padmanabham |editor3=G Krishnan |editor4=M Azeez Mohideen | pages = 1318–1324 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IWrTs5yt1DkC&pg=PA1318}}</ref>
{{pp|small=yes}}
{{Self-contradictory|about=A bit paradoxical: they are either "found throughout India" or found "in the states of Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh". Which is it?|date=September 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2022}}
[[File:Soni Goldsmiths.png|thumb|Two Soni men]]
The '''Soni''' are a [[Hindu, Sikh,Jain and Muslim]] caste of goldsmiths found throughout India in the states of [[Punjab]], [[Rajasthan]], [[Gujarat]], [[Madhya Pradesh]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Perez |first=Rosa Maria |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GDRWAglUumEC&dq=Soni+caste&pg=PA79 |title=Kings and Untouchables: A Study of the Caste System in Western India |date=2004 |publisher=[[Orient Blackswan]] |isbn=978-81-8028-014-6 |location=[[New Delhi]], [[India]], [[Asia]] |pages=79 |language=en}}</ref>


== Present circumstances ==
== Present circumstances ==
The Soni are essentially still goldsmiths, with a few also involved in the manufacture of other items of jewellery. Like similar Hindu castes, they are [[endogamy|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. The community speak various dialects  of [[Gujarati language|Marwadi, Gujarati]] and [[Kutchi language|Kutchi]].<ref name="Lal" />
The Soni are essentially still goldsmiths, with a few also involved in the manufacture of other items of jewellery. Historically they were under shudra caste of metal workers but because of their access to gold and trade, they also claim vaishya caste.  <ref>{{Cite book |last=Others |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fEwOQh41NZMC&dq=Soni+caste&pg=PA189 |title=Reader In Urban Sociology |date=1991 |publisher=[[Orient Blackswan]] |isbn=978-0-86311-152-5 |location=New Delhi, India, Asia |pages=189 |language=en}}</ref> . They follow [[Vaishnavism]], and many belonging to the [[Swaminarayan]] sect.{{Citation needed|date=September 2025}}
 
== Shrimali Soni ==
This caste is mostly found in [[Gujarat]].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Habib |first1=Irfan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YE9QKdrBC1wC&dq=Soni+caste&pg=PA196 |title=The Making of History: Essays Presented to Irfan Habib |last2=Panikkar |first2=K. N. |last3=Byres |first3=T. J. |last4=Patnaik |first4=Utsa |date=2002 |publisher=Anthem Press |isbn=978-1-84331-053-2 |location=New Delhi, India, Asia |pages=196 |language=en}}</ref>


== See also ==
== See also ==
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== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
{{Social groups of Rajasthan}}{{Ethnic groups, tribes and clans of the Punjab}}
{{Social groups of Gujarat}}
{{Social groups of Gujarat}}


[[Category:Social groups of Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Social groups of Gujarat]]
[[Category:Social groups of Gujarat]]
[[Category:Indian castes]]
[[Category:Indian castes]]
[[Category:Hindu communities]]
[[Category:Hindu communities]]

Latest revision as of 19:07, 16 February 2026

Template:Self-contradictory

Two Soni men

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

Present circumstances[edit | edit source]

The Soni are essentially still goldsmiths, with a few also involved in the manufacture of other items of jewellery. Historically they were under shudra caste of metal workers but because of their access to gold and trade, they also claim vaishya caste. [2] . They follow Vaishnavism, and many belonging to the Swaminarayan sect.[citation needed]

Shrimali Soni[edit | edit source]

This caste is mostly found in Gujarat.[3]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  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.

Template:Ethnic groups, tribes and clans of the Punjab

Template:Social groups of Gujarat