Mansoori

Mansoori (Mansuri) is the community of an Indian Muslim, and this community belongs to Pathans and Rajputs. They are regionally known as Mansoori, Naddaf and Pinjara. They are found in the states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and North India.

History

This community consist of local converts and migrated from subcontinent, such as Persia and Afghanistan. In the ancient time this tribe used to work, traditional occupations of cotton farming, trading, and making carpets.

Those converted were migrated from Rajasthan to Gujarat during the era of Ran Singh, and started living there. Even today their main caste - Rao, Deora, Chauhan, Bhati, which is also a Rajput clan. Some belongs to Gauri and Thakur clan in Amroha and throughout Uttar Pradesh. Rest are Pathans. Tipu Sultan Fateh Ali Sahab Tipu belongs to this community.

Caste titles were not used initially in this community because they have divided geographically in entire India, and settled down, that cause dispersed their Pathan identity. They were called Dhuna and Pinjara by the Hindu community, according to the Indian caste system which was based on profession. Many members of the community migrated to Pakistan in 1947 and settled in Karachi and Sindh.

Origin

The name Mansoori derived from a Sufi saint, Khwaja Mansoor Al Hallaj Al-Hallaj (c. 858-922).The reason of Adoption the title as Mansoori, famous sufi saint Khwaja Mansoor Al Hallaj (c. 858-922) had done same profession.

Development

Their traditional occupation of cotton carding was eliminated by industrialization. Few continued to work as cotton carders or traders. Many turned towards manufacturing or other sectors. Marriages with members of other castes of the same status are occasionally permitted. Gujarati Mansoori are mostly active in the semiprecious stone business or in engineering or accounting.

The Mansoori are Sunni Muslim of the Barelvi and Deoband sect. They speak Urdu and various dialects of Hindi. Their customs are similar to other Uttar Pradesh Muslims.

See also

• Gujarati Muslims