Ghanchi (Muslim)

The Ghanchi (Ghaanchi) are a Gujrati Muslim community found in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan in India. A small number of Ghanchi are also found in the city of Karachi in Pakistan.[1]

Ghanchi (Shaikh)
Origin
Language(s)Gujarati
Region of originIndia
Ghanchi
Regions with significant populations
India • Pakistan
Languages
Gujarati • Kutchi • Mewari
Religion
Islam 100%
Related ethnic groups
Pinjara • Ghori • Ghilji • Pathan • Sandhi • Sumra

Origin

The Muslim Ghaanchi are traditionally a community associated with the manufacturing of cooking oil, but have no connection with the Muslim Teli of North India. They are found mainly in the districts of Bhavnagar, Sabarkantha and Banaskantha and North Gujarat & Saurashtra. The towns of Godhra, Lunawada, Kalol, Ranpur, Botad, Sihor, Palitana, Paliyad, Dhandhuka, Wadhwan and amreli Kadi are centres of the Ghanchi community in Gujarat. They have no connection with the Ghanchi-Pinjara community, who were also traditionally associated with the manufacture of oil.[2]

In Rajasthan, the Ghanchi are said to get their name from the ghanch, a traditional oil pressing machine. They are distributed in the districts of Dungarpur, Banswara, Jodhpur and Udaipur. The Ghanchi of Rajasthan speak Mewari, with many also speaking Urdu.[3]

Present circumstances

In Gujarat

The Ghanchi are traditionally involved in the manufacture of cooking oil. The advancement of modern technology has led the Ghanchi to take up other occupations. Many are now businessmen and have become transporters.[2] in lunawada punchmahals ghanchi work in gulf country.

Most of the Ghanchis speak Gujarati in Kutch they speak Kutchi and in Rajasthan, they speak Mewari.

Like other Gujarati Muslims, they follow the principle of jamat bandi and have their own association, the Ghanchi Jamat. Most Ghanchis in Karachi, Pakistan are Sunni Muslims and belong to the deobandi hanfi sub-sect.

In Rajasthan

In Rajasthan, the Ghanchi are still involved with oil pressing. A large number of the community are now cultivators. The Ghanchi of Rajasthan have a statewide caste association, the Ghanchi Jamat. They are strictly endogamous, marrying close kin, practising both parallel cousin and cross cousin marriages.[4]

In India

Mumbai and Gujarat in India are home to a large community of Ghanchis. Many are settled in the locality of Ghanchi, as well as other parts of Ghanchi Jamatkhana in Mumbai and Gujarat.

In Pakistan

The city of Karachi in Pakistan is home to a large community of Ghanchis All District. Many are settled in the localities of Ghanchi Para, Ranchore Line, Chakiwara, Baldia, Garden East and West, PIB Colony, Malir, Gulburg, Peoples Colony and Aagra Taj Colony, as well as other parts of Karachi.

References
  1. People of India Gujarat Volume XXI Part One edited by R.B Lal, P.B.S.V Padmanabham, G Krishnan & M Azeez Mohideen pages 397–400
  2. People of India Gujarat Volume XXI Part One edited by R.B Lal, P.B.S.V Padmanabham, G Krishnan & M Azeez Mohideen pages 346–350
  3. People of India Rajasthan Volume XXXVIII Part One edited by B.K Lavania, D. K Samanta, S K Mandal & N.N Vyas pages 363 to 365 Popular Prakashan
  4. People of India Rajasthan Volume XXXVIII Part One edited by B.K Lavania, D. K Samanta, S K Mandal & N.N Vyas pages 217 to 220 Popular Prakashan
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