| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 51,000 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 India | |
| Languages | |
| Gujarati •Mewari •Marathi | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism 100% | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Kori •Koshti •Sadh • Dhagi |
The Salvi are found in the states ofGujarat andRajasthan inIndia.[1]
The Salvi trace their origin from the word Sal, which means a loom. They are said to have migrated fromGujarat toMalwa in the Middle Ages. The community is traditionally associated with the art of weaving. They speak Mewari among themselves.[2]
While inGujarat, the Salvi who are also known as the Patliwala or Patua, claim to have been brought fromMaharashtra in the 11th Century by theRajput rulers toPatan. They have been traditionally associated with silk weaving.[3][4]As per the census of India, 1921 approximately 6.88 laks sale or salve people were living in Madras, Rajasthan, Hyderabad and Bombay provinces.
The community speakMewari among themselves andHindi with outsiders. They have two sub-divisions, the Marwari Salvi and Mewara Salvi, which are further sub-divided into smaller clans.
With the decline in there traditional occupation of weaving, they are now mainly a community of landless agricultural labourers. A small number are still involved with weaving, and make thick cotton clothes and turban. The Salvi are a [] community, their family goddess is juses[5]
The Salvi of are split into two distinct groupings, theJain Salvi and the VaishnavHindu. Each of these groups restrict their marriages within their respective religious groups. They have exogamous clans such as the Sanghvi, Tapadia, Kapadia, Dhara and Rawalia. These clans regulate the matrimonial alliances. The Salvi consider themselves ofVaishya status. Most of Salvis have abandoned their traditional occupation and are now engaged in a number of trades. As small number continue with their traditional occupation which is silk weaving. The Salvi speak languages[6]