Dhawad

The Dhawad are a Muslim community found in the state of Maharashtra in India.^[1]

Origin

The Dhawad community were historically involved in the extraction of metal alloys from the earth. Little is known about the origin of this community, except that they are said to have immigrated from Bijapur District in Karnataka about two hundred years ago. They are now found mainly in south western Maharashtra, mainly in the districts of Satara, Kolhapur and Pune. The community speak Marathi, although most members are also speak Urdu.^[2]

Present circumstances

The Dhawad are strictly endogamous, and the community practice clan exogamous, and are the only Muslim community is Maharashtra to do so. They no longer practice their traditional occupation, and most are involved in daily wage labour. They occupy their distinct quarters in the towns and villages they inhabit. The community has a caste association, the Dhawad Jamat, which acts as an institution of community welfare.^[3]

See also

• Muslim Chhaparband

References

1. ^ People of India Maharshtra Volume XXX Part One edited by B.V Bhanu, B.R Bhatnagar, D.K Bose, V.S Kulkarni and J Sreenath pages 510-513
2. ^ People of India Maharshtra Volume XXX Part One edited by B.V Bhanu, B.R Bhatnagar, D.K Bose, V.S Kulkarni and J Sreenath pages 510-513
3. ^ People of India Maharshtra Volume XXX Part One edited by B.V Bhanu, B.R Bhatnagar, D.K Bose, V.S Kulkarni and J Sreenath pages 510-513