Salaat (caste)

The Salat are Hindu caste found in the state of Gujarat in India.^[1]

A photograph of a Salat man, early 20th century.

History and origin

The word Salat has been derived from Salaya which means stone. They are a community of stone cutters. The community is concentrated in Banaskantha, Sabarkantha and Mehasana districts, and they speak Gujarati. A small number of Salaat were converted to Islam and now form a distinct community of Muslim Salaat.^[2]

Present circumstances

The two divisions are divided into a number of clans, the main ones being the Rathore, Parmar, Solanki and Bijpar, which are exogamous. Their main occupation remains the selling and manufacture of grinding stones.^[3]

See also

• Muslim Salaat
• Sompura Salat

References

1. People of India Gujarat Volume XXI Part Three edited by R.B Lal, P.B.S.V Padmanabham, G Krishnan & M Azeez Mohideen pages 1224-1227
2. People of India Gujarat Volume XXI Part Three edited by R.B Lal, P.B.S.V Padmanabham, G Krishnan & M Azeez Mohideen pages 1224-1227
3. People of India Gujarat Volume XXI Part Three edited by R.B Lal, P.B.S.V Padmanabham, G Krishnan & M Azeez Mohideen pages 1224-1227