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Sunar or Sonar or Swarnkar is a Hindu caste in India referring to the community of people who work as goldsmiths.

“Sunar: The occupational caste of goldsmiths and silversmiths. The name is derived from the Sanskrit Suvarna kār, a worker in gold. In 1911 the Sunārs numbered 96,000 persons in the Central Provinces and 30,000 in Berār. They live all over the Province and are most numerous in the large towns.”

“The Sunārs also have a story that they are the descendants of one of two Rājpūt brothers, who were saved as boys by a Sāraswat Brāhman from the wrath of Parasurāma when he was destroying the Kshatriyas. The descendants of the other brother were the Khatris. This is the same story as is told by the Khatris of their own origin, but they do not acknowledge the connection with Sunārs, nor can the Sunārs allege that Sāraswat Brāhmans eat with them as they do with Khatris.”

“Owing to their association with the sacred metal gold, and the fact that they generally live in towns or large villages, and many of their members are well-to-do, the Sunārs occupy a fairly high position, ranking equal with, or above the cultivating castes.”

Sunar or Sonar = Goldsmith.

There are 6 factions in it:

Kshatriya Sunar/Sonar/Swarnkar: People of this caste believe that they are Kshatriya (which means Warriors) descendants of Suryavanshi(Solar Dynasty) King Ambarish.
Ayodhyawasi or Purabiya Sunar/Sonar/Swarnkar: These people believe they are sub caste of Vaishya(which means businessman).
Mair Kshatriya Sunar/Sonar/Swarnkar:
Kanujia Sunar/Sonar/Swarnkar:
Mahawar or Mahaur Sunar/Sonar/Swarnkar:

Khudabadi Sindhi Swarankar Community

References

1. R.V.Russell assisted by Rai Bahadur Hira Lal; The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India; published under the orders of the Central Provinces Administration, McMillan and Co. Ltd., St. Martin Street, London, 1916
2. R.V.Russell assisted by Rai Bahadur Hira Lal; The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India; published under the orders of the Central Provinces Administration, McMillan and Co. Ltd., St. Martin Street, London, 1916
3. R.V.Russell assisted by Rai Bahadur Hira Lal; The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India; published under the orders of the Central Provinces Administration, McMillan and Co. Ltd., St. Martin Street, London, 1916

There are one more type of swarankar say Rastogi sunar.This faction is available in and around a few districts of middle UP state in India.These districts are LUCKNOW,KANPUR,UNNAO,SITAPUR,HARDPI,SHAHJAHANPUR,LAKHIMPUR,BAREILLY,RAEBARELI,GONDA,BAHRAICH,BARABANKI,They do the marriages in themselves. They are again divided in 36 sections.These are in tiers- 3 tiers of 6,12,18 houses.They are close society mainly engaged in jewllery making. Nowa days there are professionaly qualified youths in this community. People in Hindu society specificall hate this caste worst than any other caste- it is seen by eyes since childhood. The mythology says taht sunar got gold as the dust/bodu ubtan from lakshmi ji and it was metal Gold. They made beutiful jewelley to please Maaa Lakshmi. they are wonderful artisans The jewellery is not valued for its Gold but for its workmanship. Bengali gold smith are very efficient.

Some of the factions of Rastogi swarankar demanded thir livelihood back.A democratically elected Govt can nottouch the fabric so the meeting should be India-ethno-stub}}

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