Silawat

The Silawat (Urdu: وٹہسلا‎) are a Muslim community found in the province of Sindh in Pakistan and state of Rajasthan in India. They are also known as Sangtarash and Gazdar, especially in Sindh.

Today silawats have been spread out in 22 states of India including Gujarat. And the jamaat/panchayat is called 22 kheda silawatan jamaat which has its main headquarter in medta Rajasthan

History and origin

The Silawat were a community historically associated with the occupation of stonemasons and builders. The word Silawat is a corruption of the Sanskrit slipwat, literally signifying a follower of the Hindu god Slip-shastar, who is traditionally associated with the art of architecture. They were also known by the name Sootardhar from the Sanskrit soot meaning a thread, which they kept for measurements.

The Silawat have two major divisions - the Mertia and the Nagauri - so called after the towns of Merta and Nagaur. But there are also groups such as the Khilji and Behlim, claim Turkic ancestry while Sayyid claim Arabian ancestry. This possibly reflects the fact that the Silawat are of a heterogeneous origin, incorporating a number of groups who took to the profession of stonemasons. The community is now bound by the rules of endogamy, and there is also no intermarriage with non Silawats. But in today's time many silawat does permit or get marry outside cast to other Muslims.