Hindus once formed the majority in Hyderabad prior to 1948, and today account for the largest religious minority in Hyderabad - forming 5% of the total population of the city. Hyderabad's "Amil" Hindus clan of the Lohana caste had been employed previously the Talpur Mirs for their Persian language proficiency and skills in bureaucracy - this role continued under the British as the "Amils" were recruited into colonial administration. The "Amils" formed the Amil Colony, which was where some of Hyderabad's finest colonial architecture was found. The "Bhaiband" clan, also of the Lohana caste, dominated commerce in the city.