Soni (caste)


The Soni are a Hindu caste found throughout India. They are traditionally goldsmiths in the state of Rajasthan.

Present circumstances

The Soni are essentially still goldsmiths, with a few also involved in the manufacture of other items of jewellery. Like similar Hindu castes, they are endogamous and maintain a system of gotra exogamy. The various sub-divisions of the Soni have their own caste associations, such as the Patni Soni Mandal and Shrimali Soni Mandal. They follow Vaishnavism, and many belonging to the Swaminarayan sect. The community speak various dialects of Gujarati and Kutchi.