Mansoori

The Mansoori (Mansuri) are a Indian Persian community found in the state of Gujarat in India. They are part of the larger Pinjara community which is found throughout North India.^[1]

History and origin

The community consists of local converts, and have been involved in the traditional occupation of cotton ginning. Historically, they were known as the Pinjara, a name still used by the community in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, but no longer in Gujarat. They speak Gujarati and are fairly orthodox , with many being members of the reformist Tableeghi Jamat. The Mansooris have two divisions, the Mansoori proper and the Laliwale. The latter do not practice cotton ginning, and have now taken to petty trade, .^[2] mansoori

Present circumstances

Their traditional occupation of cotton carding has been affected by industrialisation, and many have taken to the manufacturing of pillows, quilts and mattresses. Many are also employed in the textile mills of Ahmedabad, Surat and in Godhra. The Laliwale are successful businessmen, and aspire to Shaikh status. They have their own caste association, the Shahr Ahmadabad Samastha Mansoori Jamat, which plays a key role in the welfare activity of the community.^[3]

After partition, many mansoori families are engaged in diversified fields from trade and commerce to medicine, engineering and chartered accountancy.

References