https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Mal_MuslimMal Muslim - Revision history2026-07-30T22:32:18ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=Mal_Muslim&diff=449069&oldid=prevCleanupBot at 18:08, 21 March 20262026-03-21T18:08:57Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Muslim group of India and Bangladesh}}<br />
The '''Mal Muslims''' are a [[Muslim]] community found in north east [[India]] and [[Bangladesh]]. They are a [[Muslim]] converts from the [[Hindu]] [[Mal (caste)|Mal]] caste. The community is also known as Besati Mal or Churiwala.<ref>Marginal Muslim Communities in India edited by M.K.A Siddiqui pages 357-370</ref><br />
Mal Muslim are listed as [[Other Backward Classes]] by the Government of India and Government of West Bengal.<ref>{{cite web|title=Other Backward Classes State |url=http://www.anagrasarkalyan.gov.in/htm/obc_list.html|website = anagrasarkalyan.gov.in}}</ref><br />
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==Origin==<br />
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The community is traditionally associated with selling bangles and other traditionally jewellery. Little is known about the circumstances of their conversion to [[Islam]], although according to traditions took place some nine centuries ago. There relation to the [[Bisati]] community of [[North India]] is also unclear, although both groups are traditionally involved in peddling and hawking. The community is found mainly in the districts of [[Malda District|Malda]], [[Murshidabad District|Murshidabad]], [[24 Parganas]], [[Midnapore District|Midnapore]], [[Birbhum District|Birbhum]] and [[Howrah District|Howrah]]. They speak [[Bengali language|Bengali]] and belong to the [[Sunni]] sect of Islam. The Mal are also found in western [[Bangladesh]].<ref>Marginal Muslim Communities in India edited by M.K.A Siddiqui pages 331-344</ref><br />
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==Present circumstances==<br />
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The Besati Mal are a landless community, involved mainly in hawking. Smaller groups have taken to agriculture. The community buys its wares from [[Kolkata]], and then sells in the local markets. The Mal Besati live in multi-caste villages, although they occupy their own quarters known as paras. They are strictly endogamous, but have so system of clans. Each settlement includes a [[Panchayati raj|panchayat]] or [[caste]] council, that deals with community issues.<ref>Marginal Muslim Communities in India edited by M.K.A Siddiqui pages 331-344</ref><br />
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==References==<br />
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{{reflist}}<br />
{{Indian Muslim}}<br />
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[[Category:Social groups of West Bengal]]<br />
[[Category:Muslim communities of India]]<br />
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Bangladesh]]<br />
[[Category:Bengali Muslims]]<br />
[[Category:Social groups of Bangladesh]]<br />
[[Category:Indian castes]]<br />
[[Category:Other Backward Classes of West Bengal]]</div>CleanupBot