The
Ghanchi (, , }}) are a
Muslim community found in the states of
Gujarat and
Rajasthan in
India. A small number of Ghanchi are also found in the city of
Karachi in
Pakistan.
Origin
The Muslim Ghanchi are were traditionally a community associated with the manufacturing of cooking oil, but have no connection with the
Muslim Teli of
North India. The Ghanchi claim to be of
Shaikh status. They are found mainly in the districts of
Panchmahal,
Sabarkantha and
Banaskantha. The town of
Godhra is a centre of the community in
Gujarat. They have no connection with the
Ghanchi-Pinjara community, who were also traditionally associated with the manufacture of oil.
In Rajasthan, the Ghanchi are said to get their name from the ghanch, a traditional oil pressing machine. They are distributed in the districts of Dungarpur, Banswara, Jodhpur and Udaipur. The Ghanchi of Rajasthan speak Mewari, with many also speaking Urdu.
Present Circumstances
In Gujarat
The Ghanchi are traditionally involved in the manufacture of cooking oil. But with the advancement of modern technology, has led to the Ghanchi to take up other occupations. Many of now petty businessmen and many have now become transporters.
The Ghanchi are strictly endogamous. Like other Gujarati Muslims, they follow the principle of jamat bandi, and have their own caste association, the Ghanchi Jamat. The Ghanchi are Sunni Muslims, and belong to the Deobandi sub-sect.
In Rajasthan
In
Rajasthan, the Ghanchi are still involved with oil pressing. A large number of the community are now cultivators. The Ghanchi of
Rajasthan have a state wide
caste association, the Ghanchi Jamat. They are strictly endogamous, marrying close kin, practicising both parallel cousin and cross cousin marriages.
Ghanchi of Pakistan
The city of
Karachi in
Pakistan is home to a large community of Ghanchis. Many are settled in the locality of
Ghanchi Para, as well as other parts of
Saddar Town in
Karachi.
See also
Ghanchi
References
Category:Social groups of Gujarat
Category:Muslim communities of India
Category:Muslim communities of Gujarat
Category:Muhajir communities
Category:Social groups of Sindh
Category:Muslim communities of Rajasthan
Category:Social groups of Rajasthan