Panar

The Panar are a Muslim community found in the state of Gujarat in India.

The word panar in the Gujarati language means a weaver, the traditional occupation of the community. They claim to have come from Central Asia and settled in the city of Patan, the historic capital of Gujarat. During the rule of Sultan Ahmad Shah, they spread all over north Gujarat, and are now found in Ahmedabad, Baroda, Mehsana, and Panchmahal. A section of the Panar are also found in the port city of Surat. They are a Gujarati speaking community, with many being bilingual in Urdu as well.