Sorathiya Muslim Ghanchi Jamat
About Our Origin
Our community “Sorathiya Muslim Ghanchi Jamat” is popularly known as GHANCHI. It represents our community mainly as “SAHU” which means merchants. The word ‘GHANCHI’ is of Hindi origin and it means a producer, trader and vendor of oils. People from Ghanchi community are mainly found in cities like Ahmedabad, Saurashtra, Amreli, Bagasra, Bilkha, Bhavnagar, Damnagar, Junagadh, Kalol, Kadi, and many other Parts of Gujarat.
A large population of Muslim Ghanchi community is found to be spread all over metropolitan Mumbai, Gujarat and various other regions too.
Some of the popular and common Sorathiya Muslim Ghanchi Surnames are Agwan, Bilakhiya, Dayatar, Deraiya, Jogiya, Kachara, Solanki, Parmar, Chouhan, Mehtar, Saiyad, Malaviya, Mahida, Rathod, Selot, Sarvaiya, Shah, Sakhani, etc.
Our forefathers became ardent followers of Islam under the able guidance, blessings and teachings of “Kadpeer Shahgora (R.A)” of Lathi village, Saurashtra, Gujarat.
The year 1856 holds a very dear and special place in our hearts because this is the year we remember as when our ancestors first migrated from Kathiyawad (Saurashtra) in Gujarat to Bombay (present day Mumbai), the city of dreams as it is popular known the world over. The migration that started with just four to five families in pursuit of better livelihood, bigger opportunities and prosperous life set a trend in our Kathiyawad and hundreds and thousands of people have followed them and come to Bombay since then. All of us, including our ancestors are so full of gratitude for Mumbai and the people of Mumbai, which lovingly welcomed us with open arms and plethora of opportunities for our progress.
Had it not been for those ancestors of ours who migrated to this city, we would not have been in this wonderful city, that has now become an inseparable part of our life.
Lot of our “GHANCHI” brothers and sisters have contributed immensely for the betterment and growth of opportunities as well as promotion of religious faith, respect and to tolerance for people of all faiths in this cosmopolitan Mumbai.
Our festivals and religious congregations are very popular and distinct for its colorful and resplendent rituals and bonhomie among our youngsters.
Education plays an important role in promoting the interests of people and many of our young enthusiastic people have been suitably employed at various decent, prestigious and high positions in different fields.
Our community also contributes a lot of entrepreneurs with a good vision in Mumbai and Gujarat and who created lot of employment opportunities for others in the society.
Our forefathers blessed with foresight have since then, established our community Sorathiya Muslim Ghanchi Jamat as staunch believers of “Kadpeer Shahgora (R.A)”.
Since then till 1951, the members of our Sorathiya Muslim Ghanchi Jamat community spread all across the city of Mumbai and have followed the rule of Patelshahi.
But since 1951 onwards, the youth of our community with the support & blessings of our elders changed the running of our community to a more progressive norm of Democracy.