Article enhanced with better details |
CleanupBot (talk | contribs) m Robot: Replacing encoded entity with character |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Short description|Muslim group of India and Bangladesh}} | {{Short description|Muslim group of India and Bangladesh}} | ||
The '''Mal Muslims''' are a [[Muslim]] community found in north east [[India]] and [[Bangladesh]]. They are a [[Muslim]] converts from the [[Hindu]] [[Mal (caste)|Mal]] caste. The community is also known as Besati Mal or Churiwala. | The '''Mal Muslims''' are a [[Muslim]] community found in north east [[India]] and [[Bangladesh]]. They are a [[Muslim]] converts from the [[Hindu]] [[Mal (caste)|Mal]] caste. The community is also known as Besati Mal or Churiwala.<ref>Marginal Muslim Communities in India edited by M.K.A Siddiqui pages 357-370</ref> | ||
Mal Muslim are listed as [[Other Backward Classes]] by the Government of India and Government of West Bengal. | Mal Muslim are listed as [[Other Backward Classes]] by the Government of India and Government of West Bengal.<ref>{{cite web|title=Other Backward Classes State |url=http://www.anagrasarkalyan.gov.in/htm/obc_list.html|website = anagrasarkalyan.gov.in}}</ref> | ||
==Origin== | ==Origin== | ||
The community is traditionally associated with selling bangles and other traditionally jewellery. Little is known about the circumstances of their conversion to [[Islam]], although according to traditions took place some nine centuries ago. There relation to the [[Bisati]] community of [[North India]] is also unclear, although both groups are traditionally involved in peddling and hawking. The community is found mainly in the districts of [[Malda District|Malda]], [[Murshidabad District|Murshidabad]], [[24 Parganas]], [[Midnapore District|Midnapore]], [[Birbhum District|Birbhum]] and [[Howrah District|Howrah]]. They speak [[Bengali language|Bengali]] and belong to the [[Sunni]] sect of Islam. The Mal are also found in western [[Bangladesh]]. | The community is traditionally associated with selling bangles and other traditionally jewellery. Little is known about the circumstances of their conversion to [[Islam]], although according to traditions took place some nine centuries ago. There relation to the [[Bisati]] community of [[North India]] is also unclear, although both groups are traditionally involved in peddling and hawking. The community is found mainly in the districts of [[Malda District|Malda]], [[Murshidabad District|Murshidabad]], [[24 Parganas]], [[Midnapore District|Midnapore]], [[Birbhum District|Birbhum]] and [[Howrah District|Howrah]]. They speak [[Bengali language|Bengali]] and belong to the [[Sunni]] sect of Islam. The Mal are also found in western [[Bangladesh]].<ref>Marginal Muslim Communities in India edited by M.K.A Siddiqui pages 331-344</ref> | ||
==Present circumstances== | ==Present circumstances== | ||
The Besati Mal are a landless community, involved mainly in hawking. Smaller groups have taken to agriculture. The community buys its wares from [[Kolkata]], and then sells in the local markets. The Mal Besati live in multi-caste villages, although they occupy their own quarters known as paras. They are strictly endogamous, but have so system of clans. Each settlement includes a [[Panchayati raj|panchayat]] or [[caste]] council, that deals with community issues. | The Besati Mal are a landless community, involved mainly in hawking. Smaller groups have taken to agriculture. The community buys its wares from [[Kolkata]], and then sells in the local markets. The Mal Besati live in multi-caste villages, although they occupy their own quarters known as paras. They are strictly endogamous, but have so system of clans. Each settlement includes a [[Panchayati raj|panchayat]] or [[caste]] council, that deals with community issues.<ref>Marginal Muslim Communities in India edited by M.K.A Siddiqui pages 331-344</ref> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Latest revision as of 23:38, 21 March 2026
The Mal Muslims are a Muslim community found in north east India and Bangladesh. They are a Muslim converts from the Hindu Mal caste. The community is also known as Besati Mal or Churiwala.[1]
Mal Muslim are listed as Other Backward Classes by the Government of India and Government of West Bengal.[2]
Origin[edit | edit source]
The community is traditionally associated with selling bangles and other traditionally jewellery. Little is known about the circumstances of their conversion to Islam, although according to traditions took place some nine centuries ago. There relation to the Bisati community of North India is also unclear, although both groups are traditionally involved in peddling and hawking. The community is found mainly in the districts of Malda, Murshidabad, 24 Parganas, Midnapore, Birbhum and Howrah. They speak Bengali and belong to the Sunni sect of Islam. The Mal are also found in western Bangladesh.[3]
Present circumstances[edit | edit source]
The Besati Mal are a landless community, involved mainly in hawking. Smaller groups have taken to agriculture. The community buys its wares from Kolkata, and then sells in the local markets. The Mal Besati live in multi-caste villages, although they occupy their own quarters known as paras. They are strictly endogamous, but have so system of clans. Each settlement includes a panchayat or caste council, that deals with community issues.[4]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Marginal Muslim Communities in India edited by M.K.A Siddiqui pages 357-370
- ↑ "Other Backward Classes State". anagrasarkalyan.gov.in.
- ↑ Marginal Muslim Communities in India edited by M.K.A Siddiqui pages 331-344
- ↑ Marginal Muslim Communities in India edited by M.K.A Siddiqui pages 331-344