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{{Short description|Hindu and Sikh caste of goldsmiths in India}} | |||
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{{use Indian English|date=January 2018}} | {{use Indian English|date=January 2018}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}} | ||
{{infobox caste | |||
| caste_name = Sunar/Sonar | |||
| caste_name_in_local = | |||
| image = | |||
| image_size = | |||
| alt = | |||
| caption = | |||
| kula_daivat = | |||
| region = [[India]] | |||
| religions = [[Hinduism]], [[Sikhism]], [[Islam]]<ref>{{cite book|title=India's communities Volume 6 |author=KS Singh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jHQMAQAAMAAJ&q=india%27s+communities+ks+singh+sunar |year=1998 |publisher=OUP|page=3336|isbn=978-0-19-563354-2 |quote=In most of the states the Sunar are Hindu. But in Punjab and Delhi, they follow either Sikhism or Hinduism. In Jammu and Kashmir, the Sunar are referred to as Sanur and are mostly Muslims.}}</ref> | |||
}} | |||
The '''Sunar''' (alternately''', Swarnkar, Soni, Sonar, Sonkar''') is a caste in India. The Sunar community works as traders of gold or as [[goldsmith]]s.<ref>''People of Tiben'': Lhasa (Volume XLII) edited by A Hasan & J C Das page 1500 to 150</ref> The community is primarily [[Hindu]], [[Sikhism|Sikh]], Muslim and found all over India. In the state of [[Haryana]], Muslim Sunars{{Clarify|reason=Muslim Sunar?|date=September 2025}} are on the [[Other Backward Class]] list and Hindu Sunars{{Clarify|reason=Hindu Sunar, right?|date=September 2025}} are [[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes|Scheduled Castes]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=List of Backward Classes {{!}} Directorate of Welfare of Scheduled Caste & Backward Classes, Government of Haryana |url=http://haryanascbc.gov.in/reservation-in-haryana/list-of-backward-classes |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250424045832/http://haryanascbc.gov.in/reservation-in-haryana/list-of-backward-classes |archive-date=2025-04-24 |access-date=2025-08-03 |website=haryanascbc.gov.in |language=en}}</ref> | |||
==Etymology== | |||
The term ''Swarnkar'' may derive from the [[Sanskrit]] ''suvarna kār'', "worker in gold".<ref>{{cite book|author=R.V. Russell|title=The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India | volume=IV | url=http://www.gutenberg.org/files/20668/20668-h/20668-h.htm#d0e3452|accessdate=6 July 2011|date=October 1995|publisher=Published Under the Orders of the Central Provinces Administration, Macmillan and Co., Limited St. Martin's Street, London. 1916 |pages=517}}</ref> | |||
The Swarnkar are still involved in their traditional occupation, that is being [[goldsmith]]s. There is however a steady process in taking up other occupations, and the community in [[Haryana]] and [[Punjab]] as whole is fairly successful, having produced several professionals.<ref>''People of India'': Haryana (Volume XXIII) edited by M.L Sharma and A.K Bhatia pages 475 to 479 Manohar Books</ref> | |||
The | |||
The | ==Social status== | ||
The Sunars are generally considered a part of [[Vaishya]] varna.<ref> | |||
* {{Cite book|quote=The ''Swarnkars'', in that age of material splendour, enjoyed a higher social status in the stratified social set-up. Later on, when the professional guilds came to be identified as the sub-castes , the goldsmith community was inducted to the Vaishya caste|page=142|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JFPnh9B5zncC&dq=sunars+are+accepted+as+vaishyas&pg=PA142 |title=Textiles, Costumes, and Ornaments of the Western Himalaya |author=Omacanda Hāṇḍā |isbn=8173870764 |year=1997 |publisher=Indus Publishing Company}}</ref> | |||
==Factions== | ==Factions== | ||
The Sunars are divided into a large number of territorial and non-territorial groupings called alla. Some of the major alla are the Santanpuriya, Dekhalantiya, Mundaha, Bhigahiya, Samuhiya, Chilliya, Katiliya Kalidarwa, Naubastwal, Berehele, Gedehiya, Shahpuriya, Mathureke Paliya, Katkaria and Nimkheriya. Each lineage is associated with a particular area. To which its ancestors belonged to. The | The Sunars are divided into a large number of territorial and non-territorial groupings called alla. Some of the major alla are the Jhankhad, Santanpuriya, Lal sultaniya, Dekhalantiya, Mundaha, Bhigahiya, kulthiya, Parajiya, Samuhiya, Chilliya, Katiliya Kalidarwa, Naubastwal, Berehele, Gedehiya, Shahpuriya, Mathureke Paliya, Katkaria and Nimkheriya, Vaibhaha. Each lineage is associated with a particular area. To which its ancestors belonged to. The Sunars use Soni, Swarnkar, Verma, Wadichar, Saraf, Shah, Sonik, Singh etc. as their surnames. In [[Gujarat]] and [[Rajasthan]], the community is also known as [[Soni (caste)|Soni]].<ref>''People of India'': Uttar Pradesh (Volume XLII) edited by A Hasan & J C Das page 1500</ref> In Haryana, the Sunars are often known as Swarnkar, [[Soni (caste)|Soni]], Suri and [[Verma]], are their common surname.<ref>''People of India'': Haryana (Volume XXIII) edited by M.L Sharma and A.K Bhatia page 475 Manohar Books</ref> In [[Sindh]] they are called Sonaro, In Punjab, Haryana and [[Rajasthan]], [[Mair (caste)|Mair]] community work as goldsmiths. | ||
==Sunar in Nepal== | |||
Sunar (Sunar in the Nepal census) Sunar surname is used by [[Khas people|khas]] of Nepal . And also use by subgroup within the broader social group of [[Madheshi people|Madheshi]] Other Caste.<ref>[https://nepal.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/Population%20Monograph%20V02.pdf Population Monograph of Nepal, Volume II]</ref> At the time of the [[2011 Nepal census]], 64,335 people (0.2% of the population of Nepal) were Sunar. | |||
==Notable members== | |||
<!---♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their OWN article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦---> | |||
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦---> | |||
* [[Raj Babbar]] Film Actor & Politician<ref>{{cite web | url=https://translate.google.com/translate?u=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/how-and-why-congress-chose-raj-babbar-to-head-up-fight/&hl=hi&sl=en&tl=hi&client=srp&prev=search | title=Why Congress chose Raj Babbar to lead party in UP elections | date=14 July 2016 }}</ref> | |||
* [[Gurpreet Singh (artist)|Gurpreet Singh]], Artist is an internationally recognized painting artist. | |||
* [[Parmish Verma]] Punjabi Singer & Performer | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
*[[Mair caste]] | * [[Mair (caste)]] | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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==Further reading== | ==Further reading== | ||
*R.K. Gupta, S.R. Bakshi. [https://books.google.com/books?id=eKGhCWZs59oC | * R.K. Gupta, S.R. Bakshi. [https://books.google.com/books?id=eKGhCWZs59oC&dq=sunar+rajput&pg=PA56 Studies In Indian History: Rajasthan Through The Ages The Heritage Of Rajputs (set Of 5 Vols.)]. Sarup & Sons, 2008. {{ISBN|81-7625-841-5}}, {{ISBN|978-81-7625-841-8}} | ||
{{Authority control}} | {{Authority control}} | ||
[[Category:Goldsmith castes]] | [[Category:Goldsmith castes]] | ||
[[Category:Social groups of Rajasthan]] | [[Category:Social groups of Rajasthan]] | ||
[[Category:Social groups of Uttar Pradesh]] | [[Category:Social groups of Uttar Pradesh]] | ||
[[Category:Social groups of Haryana]] | [[Category:Social groups of Haryana]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Social groups of Bihar]] | ||
[[Category:Social groups of Jharkhand]] | |||
Latest revision as of 07:47, 8 February 2026
| Sunar/Sonar | |
|---|---|
| Religions | Hinduism, Sikhism, Islam[1] |
| Region | India |
The Sunar (alternately, Swarnkar, Soni, Sonar, Sonkar) is a caste in India. The Sunar community works as traders of gold or as goldsmiths.[2] The community is primarily Hindu, Sikh, Muslim and found all over India. In the state of Haryana, Muslim Sunars[clarification needed] are on the Other Backward Class list and Hindu Sunars[clarification needed] are Scheduled Castes.[3]
Etymology[edit | edit source]
The term Swarnkar may derive from the Sanskrit suvarna kār, "worker in gold".[4]
The Swarnkar are still involved in their traditional occupation, that is being goldsmiths. There is however a steady process in taking up other occupations, and the community in Haryana and Punjab as whole is fairly successful, having produced several professionals.[5]
Social status[edit | edit source]
The Sunars are generally considered a part of Vaishya varna.[6]
Factions[edit | edit source]
The Sunars are divided into a large number of territorial and non-territorial groupings called alla. Some of the major alla are the Jhankhad, Santanpuriya, Lal sultaniya, Dekhalantiya, Mundaha, Bhigahiya, kulthiya, Parajiya, Samuhiya, Chilliya, Katiliya Kalidarwa, Naubastwal, Berehele, Gedehiya, Shahpuriya, Mathureke Paliya, Katkaria and Nimkheriya, Vaibhaha. Each lineage is associated with a particular area. To which its ancestors belonged to. The Sunars use Soni, Swarnkar, Verma, Wadichar, Saraf, Shah, Sonik, Singh etc. as their surnames. In Gujarat and Rajasthan, the community is also known as Soni.[7] In Haryana, the Sunars are often known as Swarnkar, Soni, Suri and Verma, are their common surname.[8] In Sindh they are called Sonaro, In Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, Mair community work as goldsmiths.
Sunar in Nepal[edit | edit source]
Sunar (Sunar in the Nepal census) Sunar surname is used by khas of Nepal . And also use by subgroup within the broader social group of Madheshi Other Caste.[9] At the time of the 2011 Nepal census, 64,335 people (0.2% of the population of Nepal) were Sunar.
Notable members[edit | edit source]
- Raj Babbar Film Actor & Politician[10]
- Gurpreet Singh, Artist is an internationally recognized painting artist.
- Parmish Verma Punjabi Singer & Performer
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ KS Singh (1998). India's communities Volume 6. OUP. p. 3336. ISBN 978-0-19-563354-2.
In most of the states the Sunar are Hindu. But in Punjab and Delhi, they follow either Sikhism or Hinduism. In Jammu and Kashmir, the Sunar are referred to as Sanur and are mostly Muslims.
- ↑ People of Tiben: Lhasa (Volume XLII) edited by A Hasan & J C Das page 1500 to 150
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ R.V. Russell (October 1995). The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India. Vol. IV. Published Under the Orders of the Central Provinces Administration, Macmillan and Co., Limited St. Martin's Street, London. 1916. p. 517. Retrieved 6 July 2011.
- ↑ People of India: Haryana (Volume XXIII) edited by M.L Sharma and A.K Bhatia pages 475 to 479 Manohar Books
- ↑
- Omacanda Hāṇḍā (1997). Textiles, Costumes, and Ornaments of the Western Himalaya. Indus Publishing Company. p. 142. ISBN 8173870764.
The Swarnkars, in that age of material splendour, enjoyed a higher social status in the stratified social set-up. Later on, when the professional guilds came to be identified as the sub-castes , the goldsmith community was inducted to the Vaishya caste
- Omacanda Hāṇḍā (1997). Textiles, Costumes, and Ornaments of the Western Himalaya. Indus Publishing Company. p. 142. ISBN 8173870764.
- ↑ People of India: Uttar Pradesh (Volume XLII) edited by A Hasan & J C Das page 1500
- ↑ People of India: Haryana (Volume XXIII) edited by M.L Sharma and A.K Bhatia page 475 Manohar Books
- ↑ Population Monograph of Nepal, Volume II
- ↑ "Why Congress chose Raj Babbar to lead party in UP elections". 14 July 2016.
Further reading[edit | edit source]
- R.K. Gupta, S.R. Bakshi. Studies In Indian History: Rajasthan Through The Ages The Heritage Of Rajputs (set Of 5 Vols.). Sarup & Sons, 2008. ISBN 81-7625-841-5, ISBN 978-81-7625-841-8