Soni (caste) explained

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.

Shrimali Soni

This caste mostly found in Gujarat.^[3]

See also

• Sunar

Notes and References

1. Book: Perez, Rosa Maria . Kings and Untouchables: A Study of the Caste System in Western India . 2004 . . 978-81-8028-014-6 . . 79 . en.
2. Book: Others . Reader In Urban Sociology . 1991 . . 978-0-86311-152-5 . New Delhi, India, Asia . 189 . en.
3. Book: Habib . Irfan . The Making of History: Essays Presented to Irfan Habib . Panikkar . K. N. . Byres . T. J. . Patnaik . Utsa . 2002 . Anthem Press . 978-1-84331-053-2 . New Delhi, India, Asia . 196 . en.