Molesalam

Molesalam Thakur, Garasiya Rajput

Regions with significant populations
India
Languages
Kutchi Gujarati Marwari
Religion
Islam
Related ethnic groups
Rajputs of Gujarat Muslim Rajput Malik Miyana Marwar and northeast to eastern sindh

The Molesalam are a Muslim Rajput community found in the state of Gujarat Western Rajsthan in India and sindh in Eastern Pakistan]] mostly in district of Thar, Khairpur, Umarkot and nearly border of Rajsthan. They also refer to themselves as Molesalam Thakur and sometimes Molesalam Girasia (Grasiya).

History and origin

The word Molesalam comes from the word Mohrae Islam, which in Arabic means a Seal of Islam. They are descended from Rajputs who were converted to Islam during the rule of Mahmud Begada. The Molesalam were rulers of nineteen states, mainly in Kathiawar, during the British rule. They have a number of clans, the main ones being the Rathod, Rana,Gohil, Mahida, Vaghela, Sindhia, Sinhara, Manwara, Rawal, Rao, Dhirao, Bhalavat, Solanki, Parmar, Chauhan and Chavda. Mainly Molesalam Garasiyas are found in bhaal in which padara,indranaj,varasda,pandad,villages included as well as Napad and Napa villages in Anand District and villages of vadodara,narmada,bharuch district,area of vadodara to rajpipla which is also known as 'Mevas', with the surname the "Rathod".

Present circumstances

The Molesalam are found throughout Gujarat, by have concentrations in the following talukas, Savli and Bardoda in Vadodara District, Amod and Vaghva talukas of Bharuch and Kheda District. They are essentially a community of small landowners and cultivators. The community has its own caste association, the Molesalam Garasiya Pragati Mandal. Like other Muslim Rajput groups, they maintain the custom of gotra exogamy. Their customs are similar to other converted Rajput groups of Gujarat, such as the Malik, Miyana, and Nayak.

Sources

• Singh, Kumar Suresh; Lal, Rajendra Behari (2003). "Gujarat part 2". People of India. Vol. 22. Anthropological Survey of India. ISBN 978-8179911051. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)