The Mansoori (Mansuri) is a community of Indian Muslims belonging to both Pathan and Rajput heritage. They are regionally known as Mansoori, Naddaf, and Pinjara, and are primarily found in the Indian states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and across North India.
The community consists of both local converts and migrants from regions such as Persia and Afghanistan. Traditionally, they were engaged in cotton farming, trading, and carpet making — occupations that formed a major part of their livelihood in ancient times.
During the era of Ran Singh, some Mansooris who converted to Islam migrated from Rajasthan to Gujarat and settled there. Even today, many Mansooris retain their ancestral Rajput clan names such as Rao, Deora, Chauhan, and Bhati. In Uttar Pradesh and Amroha, several belong to the Gauri and Thakur clans, while others trace their lineage to Pathan ancestry.
The name Mansoori is derived from the revered Sufi saint Khwaja Mansoor Al Hallaj (c. 858–922). It is believed that many members of this community adopted his name due to their shared profession in cotton work.
Initially, caste titles were not used in the community due to their wide geographical spread across India, which led to a dispersion of their Pathan identity. In the Indian caste system, they were often referred to as Dhuna or Pinjara by the Hindu community, based on their traditional occupation.
Following the Partition of India in 1947, a number of Mansoori families migrated to Pakistan and settled in Karachi and Sindh.
The traditional occupation of cotton carding gradually declined with industrialization. While a few continued this trade, many transitioned into manufacturing, trading, and various other business sectors.
Marriages with members of other Muslim castes of similar social standing are sometimes permitted. The Gujarati Mansoori community, in particular, has been successful in the semiprecious stone business, engineering, and accounting.
The Mansoori are Sunni Muslims belonging primarily to the Barelvi and Deobandi sects. They speak Urdu and various regional dialects of Hindi. Their cultural practices and customs closely resemble those of other Muslim communities in Uttar Pradesh and North India.
One of the most notable historical figures believed to belong to the Mansoori community is Tipu Sultan (Fateh Ali Sahab Tipu).