Malik clan (Gujarat)
The Malik is a community found in the state of Gujarat in India. Many members of the Malik clan that migrated to Pakistan after independence settled in Karachi, Sindh.
History and origin
The community claims a warrior in the army of Alauddin Khalji and was given the title Malikayo Azorn, with the rights to collect taxes. These rights were confirmed by the British colonial authorities upon his descendents. They were a community of petty feudal lords in the Kheda District. The word malik in Arabic means lord or master.
Present circumstances
The Malik are now distributed in twenty seven villages, the main ones being Padal, Kuni, Vaso, Sandheli, Saloon, Sanadra, Vangroli, Nanadra, Vadad, Jargal, Palaiya and Vanoda in the Thasra taluka of Kheda District. They remain a land owning community, with very few members being landless. Many have now also migrated to the towns and cities of Gujarat from their traditional home land. The community has a caste association known as the Baragaon Malik Samaj, which deals with the welfare of the community. They speak Urdu and Gujarati and have customs similar to other converted Muslim Rajput groups such as the Miyana, Nayak and Molesalam Rajput.
Occupation
The community basically involves itself in the business of Agriculture with the selling of tobacco topping the list. The selling of tobacco is conducted during the months of March and April of every year. A number of community members serve in different sectors of government establishments and services, as well as public owned groups and private sectors. The income of the community has surged to the great extent improving the overall life style of the community.