Multani (caste)

Not to be confused with the Saraiki people.

The Multani are a Muslim, Sikh and Hindu community found in the states of Gujarat and Punjab in India.

History and origin

The community derives its name from the city of Multan, situated in Pakistan. Multani literally means an inhabitant of the city of Multan. They are said to have immigrated from Multan during the reign of Sultan Mahmud Begada. The Multani are said to have originally belonged to the cotton/ salt traders community. They are further divided into four territorial groupings, the Zhalmed (those from Ahmadabad, the Gohilvad (from Surat), the Chorasi (from Rajkot) and the Kathiawari (from Kathiawar). Each division consists of ten to twelwe clans. For example, the Zhalmed Multanis have the following clans, the Hamod, Makhyola, Chauhan, Phor, Ghori, Vakani, Phanota and Solanki. Like many Gujarati Muslim communitues, they maintain the principles of gotra exogamy.

The ruling family of the former princely state of Zainabad were members of the Multani lineage.

Present circumstances

The community's traditional occupation remains cotton carding or ginning, but they are distinct from the Mansoori, another community associated with this occupation. Many Multanis are also employed in the diamond industry that has sprung up in the city of Surat. Like other Gujarati Muslims, they have their own caste association, which maintains social control over the community. In fact, each of the four divisions have their own caste associations.

Current day members of the Multani caste are involved in modern-day applications. Many members of the Multani caste live in both India and Pakistan, due to the creation of Pakistan, many migrated to India after the Partition of India.

See also

• Gujarati Muslims
• Pinjara