Soni (Caste)

Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. The soni are a Hindu caste found in the state of Rajasthan and Gujarat in India. They are the traditional goldsmiths of Gujarat. The soni use the following surnames, Pala, Lodhia, Raninga, Khera, Changhada, Hanj, Didani, Rathigara, Dholakia, Chedia, Kadecha, Solanki and Srimali. There also found in the Indian diaspora in the United Kingdom. The soni and swan in Hindi and Sanskrit means gold and those who work with gold are known as soni. Literally the word in Hindi and Gujarati has the same meaning as goldsmith. The soni of Gujarat are a number of distinct endogamous communities. For example the Parjiya Soni are so named after the village of Prajar in Junagadh District, and claim to be Rajputs. Another group, found in and around the Girnar mountains is known as the Girnara Soni.