Multani (caste)

The Multani are a Jat and Labana (also known as Agnivanshi, Suryavanshi, and Chandervanshi Rajputs) community found in the states of Haryana and Punjab in India. [1]

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 emigrated 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 twelve clans. For example, the Zhalmed Multanis have the following clans, the Hamod, Makhyola, Chauhan, Phor, Ghori, Vakani, Babar Phanota and Solanki. Like many Gujarati Muslim communitues, they maintain the principles of gotra exogamy.[2]

The ruling family, the Mehtani kindred, of the former princely state of Zainabad were members of the Multani lineage. Those of the Mehtani family were of royalty and contributed greatly to the states vast wealth and prosperity. The male head of the Mehtani family wore the crown and ruled the land for an indeterminate amount of time, before passing his seat on The Thrown to his first born son. This continued for centuries. Descendants of the Mehtani family dispersed from Zainabad after centuries of ruling the princely land, and many of their male kin still hold titles of “Prince” even to this day. [3]

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.[4]

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

References

  1. ↑ People of India Gujarat Volume XXI Part Two edited by R.B Lal, P.B.S.V Padmanabham, G Krishnan & M Azeez Mohideen pages 977-982
  2. ↑ People of India Gujarat Volume XXI Part Two edited by R.B Lal, P.B.S.V Padmanabham, G Krishnan & M Azeez Mohideen pages 977-982
  3. ↑ "Zainabad". Genealogical Gleanings. Soszynski, Henry. University of Queensland. Retrieved 2010-04-12.
  4. ↑ People of India Gujarat Volume XXI Part Two edited by R.B Lal, P.B.S.V Padmanabham, G Krishnan & M Azeez Mohideen pages 977-982
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