Manihar
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| • India • Pakistan • Nepal | |
| Languages | |
| • Urdu • English • Hindi | |
| Religion | |
•  Islam 100% • |
|
| Related ethnic groups | |
| • Chundrigar • Churigar •Shaikh Siddiqui •milki mirza pathan Shaikh • |
The Manihar or more commonly referred to as the Siddiqui Manihar, are a Muslim community, found mainly in North India, and the province of Sindh in Pakistan. A number of Manihar are also found in the Terai region of Nepal.
The word Manihar is derived from Man, meaning jewel in Urdu, and the agentive sufix har. Their traditional occupation is bangle seling, and they are also known as saudagar, this word being derived from They descent from the first Caliph of Islam, Abu Bakr, and as such are sub-group of the Shaikh Siddiqui community.
Their main clans are the Bachchal, Bhadauriya, Banjara, Chandchi, Milki, Gaddi, Kachchoiyana, Rana, Khalri, Talwar, Turk, Uzbek, Parmaar, Rohilla, Rajput, Rananjay and Raikwar. Some of these clans are territorial groupings, others reflect a background from originating from other communities, such as the Rajput, Kachwaha and Parmar. The community uses the surname Siddiqui. A sections of the Manihar to be Rajput converts to Islam.
Selling of glass bangles has been the traditional occupation of the Manihar. Some members of the community have now taken to other occupations, such as tailoring, others have opened shops, and many have taken formal education. The Manihar are one of the most widespread Muslim communities in India.
The Manihar of Uttar Pradesh also known as Soudagar or Saudagar in Madhya Pradesh have a traditional community council, which resolves disputes within the community. They are an endogamous community, and have a preference of cross - cousin and parallel cousin marriages. The Manihar are Sunni Hanafi Muslims and like other artisan communities in North India, have now become fairly orthodox. In Rajasthan, the Manihar are found in Jhunjhunu, Jaipur, Sikar, Churu and Ajmer districts. They are bangle makers and dealers in lac or sealing wax. They are divided into three territorial groupings, the Shishgar, Shekhawati and Padiya, which are further divided into several clans. Their main clans are the Balara, Chauhan, Kasali, Gori, Nausal, Milki, Kidwai, Bathhot, Sheikh and Mughal. The community speak the Shaikawati dialect of Rajasthani. They are endogamous community, and maintain a system of gotra exogamy.
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