The Molesalam are a Muslim Rajput[citation needed] community found in the state of Gujarat in India.[1] They also refer to themselves as Molesalam Thakur and sometimes Molesalam Girasia or मॉलेसलाम[1] (Grasiya). There is some documentation of "nomadic Molesalam", but it is unclear from the single source of the relationship with the "origin community".[2]
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 108,000[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| India | |
| Languages | |
| Gujarati[1] | |
| Religion | |
| Sunni Islam[1] | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
The Molesalam were targeted in an oppressive shuddhi ‘purification’ campaign launched by the Arya Samaj Hindu organization in 1908. In March of 1926, the Molesalam held an anti-shuddhi conference in Charotar, led by a prominent leader of their community and member of the Bombay Legislative Assembly, Sardar Naharsinhji Ishvarsinhji.[3]: 114