Dhobi Dhobi Dhobi () is a caste group of India. Their traditional occupation was washing clothes, i.e. laundry. The word "dhobi" is derived from the Hindi word "dhona", which means to wash. Dhobis in various regions are likely to be of many different ethnic origins: their ancestors took the occupation of washing clothes, evolving over time into a distinct caste bound by rules of endogamy. Most Dhobis follow the customs and traditions of the region they live, so for example those in Karnataka speak Kannada, and in North India speak Hindi, while those in Maharashtra speak Marathi. The Dhobi rank themselves
Muslim Dhobi communities, they have their own caste association, the Dhobi Muslim Jamat. The Momin Kassar are a landless community, with their traditional occupation remains washing and cleaning of clothes. A few successful Momin Kassar have started their own businesses. The community are found mainly in Baroda, Ahmedabad, Banaskantha and Kaira districts. The Dilliwal Shaikh are a community of Muslim Dhobis, who are found in the cities of Lucknow, Kanpur and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. They are said to have migrated from Delhi some three centuries ago, and their name literally means someone from Delhi. In Lucknow, they are found mainly in