{{Short description|Caste in India}}
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| group = Tanti
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| langs = [[Gujarati language| Gujarati]], [[Marathi language| Marathi ]], [[Bhojpuri language| Bhojpuri]], [[Bengali language| Bengali]], [[Odia language| Odia]], [[Assamese language| Assamese]], [[Tripuri language| Tripuri]], [[Hindi]]
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”’Tanti”’ ({{langx|hi|तांती}} also anglicised as Tanty, Tantee, Tatwa, Tantubaya, Tantubai, Tati, Tatin) is a Hindu surname of cloth weaving and cloth merchant community in India. The greatest concentration is believed to be in the states of [[Gujarat]], [[Maharashtra]],
[[Jharkhand]], [[Bihar]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[West Bengal]], [[Assam]], [[Tripura]] and [[Odisha]].<ref name=”Mohanty2003″>{{cite book|author=Ramesh P. Mohanty|title=Dalits Development and Change: An Empirical Study|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tMCEOmVXhLkC&pg=PA40|year=2003|publisher=Discovery Publishing House|isbn=978-81-7141-696-7|pages=40–41}}</ref> Tanti is a Hindu surname used only by the cloth weaving and cloth trading communities across India.{{Citation needed|date=September 2025|reason=It is the “only” in that sentence that particularly cries out for an attribution}}
== Origin ==
The word tanti is derived from the [[Sanskrit language|Sanskrit]] word ”tantu”, which means “thread”, indicative of the community’s connection to weaving.<ref>{{cite web |title=Handloom Weavers Of Bengal: Meet The Tanti Community Creating Traditional Sarees |url=https://www.outlooktraveller.com/celebrating-people/tanti-handloom-weavers-of-west-bengal |website=Outlook Traveller |access-date=6 October 2025 |language=en |date=18 March 2025}}</ref> They are one of the many communities found in [[South Asia]], traditionally associated with cloth trading. The community is found in [[Gujarat]], [[Maharashtra]], [[Jharkhand]], [[Bihar]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[West Bengal]], [[Assam]], [[Tripura]] as well as [[Odisha]].The Tanti have Gotra’s- Nagasya, Sal, Shandilya, Kashyapa
The Tanti are said to have originated as sellers of cloth since the ancient days.Their main business was to sell manufactured cloths as they were completely imbibed in their cloth and textile business.The Tanti Community people are found mostly across the northeastern portion of India apart from the state of Gujarat .
== Social status ==
Tanti are considered as an [[Other Backward Class]] in Odisha,<ref> {{Cite web |date=22 January 2023 |title=Odisha to include 22 castes in state OBC list |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/others/odisha-to-include-22-castes-in-state-obc-list-101674372901930.html |access-date=16 July 2024 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}} </ref> Jharkhand,<ref>https://www.ncbc.nic.in/user_panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLtntPZrP1xnZG8nZ34XuoBfsHwTY%2f8cYIdPy3GhAzIle6lduoM7zNVH</ref> Bihar,<ref>{{Cite web |last=NETWORK |first=LIVELAW NEWS |date=14 December 2024 |title=Supreme Court Refuses To Give Scheduled Caste Benefit To ‘Tanti’ Caste Person In Bihar |url=https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/supreme-court-refuses-to-give-scheduled-caste-benefit-to-tanti-caste-person-in-bihar-278371 |access-date=15 April 2025 |website=www.livelaw.in |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=17 July 2024 |title=Top court quashes Bihar decision to classify Tanti-Tantwa as SC |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/top-court-quashes-bihar-decision-to-classify-tanti-tantwa-as-sc-9457846/ |access-date=15 April 2025 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> West Bengal,<ref>https://www.ncbc.nic.in/user_panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLsuCuiz9sxodXx6rFC7RUTUuP8uuQ4DdwcJR73toyBDjMzv%2fhn6ilCP</ref> Assam<ref>https://www.ncbc.nic.in/user_panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLvrfca7yFSI%2f925Go7SY9937UQ98B5lbFdbKCi85fJtx2wivIdOyNDx</ref>Tripura,<ref>https://www.ncbc.nic.in/user_panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLvdd7KihswbYVoTSx7XDi4wmRFbGxg%2b5XKv5f0QbHfa%2b6IJiXsS0CcD</ref> and Uttar Pradesh.<ref>{{cite web |title=National Commission for Backward Classes |url=https://www.ncbc.nic.in/user_panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLvxbegUDuc3MN4eB5E3Ecc1drRPAf1qXQ%2bl0IqIfhjN1xHrf4i2h5g0 |access-date=6 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
Tanti are considered a Forward community in Gujarat {{Citation needed|date=November 2025}}.
==Notable people==
Notable people with the surname ”’Tanti”’, ”’Tanty”’ or ”’Tantee”’ who may or may not belong to Tanti caste are as follows:
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<!—♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦—>
*[[Durga Charan Tanti]], Indian politician from the state of Odisha. He is a Member of Odisha Legislative Assembly from Raghunathpali as a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/elections/raghunathpali-election-result-2024-live-updates-highlights-assembly-winner-loser-leading-trailing-mla-margin-8916816.html|title=Raghunathpali Election Result 2024 LIVE Updates Highlights: Assembly Winner, Loser, Leading, Trailing, MLA, Margin|website=News18|accessdate=18 September 2025}}</ref>
*[[Gangadhar Meher]], an Odia poet of the 19th century.
*[[Bhadreswar Tanti]], Indian politician. He was elected to the Members of Parliament the lower house of Indian state from Kaliabor Lok Sabha constituency in Assam in 1984. He was a member of the Asom Gana Parishad. Later he joined Bharat Vikas Morcha.
*[[Bhimananda Tanti]], Indian politician from the state of Assam. He is a former Member of Assam Legislative Assembly and a former Deputy Speaker of the Assembly.
*[[Gajen Tanti]], Indian politician and cabinet minister of Assam (1972) from the Tea Labour Community. He was a member of Indian National Congress, Indian National Congress (Socialist) and Nationalist Congress Party.
*[[Kamal Kumar Tanti]], (born 1982) an Assamese poet from Assam, India.
*[[Sananta Tanty]], Indian poet of Assamese literature. Tanty was born to an Odia family in Kalinagar Tea Estate. He was educated at a Bengali-medium school but continued his literary works in Assamese.
*[[Tulsi Tanti]], Indian businessman, the founder and chairman-cum-managing director of Suzlon. He was known as the “Wind man of India”<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/naazneenkarmali/2022/10/02/tulsi-tanti-indias-wind-man-and-former-billionaire-dies-at-64/|title=Tulsi Tanti, India’s ‘Wind Man’ And Former Billionaire, Dies At 64|first=Naazneen|last=Karmali|website=Forbes|accessdate=18 September 2025}}</ref>
*[[Dileswar Tanti]], Indian politician from the state of Assam. He was elected to the Doom Dooma constituency 6 times and was a labour minister in the Hiteswar Saikia cabinet.
*[[Sameer Tanti]], Assamese language poet from India. He is the 2012 winner of the Assam Valley Literary Award.
*[[Krishna Kamal Tanti]], Bharatiya Janata Party politician from the Indian state of Assam. He has been elected in Assam Legislative Assembly election in 2021 from Rangapara. He is also a member of the advisory board on Child Labour.
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Weaver-surname}}
[[Category:Indian castes]]
[[Category:Social groups of Bihar]]
[[Category:Weaving communities of South Asia]]
[[Category:Social groups of Madhya Pradesh]]
[[Category:Social groups of Odisha]]
Caste in India
Ethnic group
Tanti (Hindi: तांती also anglicised as Tanty, Tantee, Tatwa, Tantubaya, Tantubai, Tati, Tatin) is a Hindu surname of cloth weaving and cloth merchant community in India. The greatest concentration is believed to be in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra,
Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, Tripura and Odisha.[1] Tanti is a Hindu surname used only by the cloth weaving and cloth trading communities across India.[citation needed]
Origin
The word tanti is derived from the Sanskrit word tantu, which means “thread”, indicative of the community’s connection to weaving.[2] They are one of the many communities found in South Asia, traditionally associated with cloth trading. The community is found in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, Tripura as well as Odisha.The Tanti have Gotra’s- Nagasya, Sal, Shandilya, Kashyapa
The Tanti are said to have originated as sellers of cloth since the ancient days.Their main business was to sell manufactured cloths as they were completely imbibed in their cloth and textile business.The Tanti Community people are found mostly across the northeastern portion of India apart from the state of Gujarat .
Social status
Tanti are considered as an Other Backward Class in Odisha,[3] Jharkhand,[4] Bihar,[5][6] West Bengal,[7] Assam[8]Tripura,[9] and Uttar Pradesh.[10]
Tanti are considered a Forward community in Gujarat [citation needed].
Notable people
Notable people with the surname Tanti, Tanty or Tantee who may or may not belong to Tanti caste are as follows:
- Durga Charan Tanti, Indian politician from the state of Odisha. He is a Member of Odisha Legislative Assembly from Raghunathpali as a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party.[11]
- Gangadhar Meher, an Odia poet of the 19th century.
- Bhadreswar Tanti, Indian politician. He was elected to the Members of Parliament the lower house of Indian state from Kaliabor Lok Sabha constituency in Assam in 1984. He was a member of the Asom Gana Parishad. Later he joined Bharat Vikas Morcha.
- Bhimananda Tanti, Indian politician from the state of Assam. He is a former Member of Assam Legislative Assembly and a former Deputy Speaker of the Assembly.
- Gajen Tanti, Indian politician and cabinet minister of Assam (1972) from the Tea Labour Community. He was a member of Indian National Congress, Indian National Congress (Socialist) and Nationalist Congress Party.
- Kamal Kumar Tanti, (born 1982) an Assamese poet from Assam, India.
- Sananta Tanty, Indian poet of Assamese literature. Tanty was born to an Odia family in Kalinagar Tea Estate. He was educated at a Bengali-medium school but continued his literary works in Assamese.
- Tulsi Tanti, Indian businessman, the founder and chairman-cum-managing director of Suzlon. He was known as the “Wind man of India”[12]
- Dileswar Tanti, Indian politician from the state of Assam. He was elected to the Doom Dooma constituency 6 times and was a labour minister in the Hiteswar Saikia cabinet.
- Sameer Tanti, Assamese language poet from India. He is the 2012 winner of the Assam Valley Literary Award.
- Krishna Kamal Tanti, Bharatiya Janata Party politician from the Indian state of Assam. He has been elected in Assam Legislative Assembly election in 2021 from Rangapara. He is also a member of the advisory board on Child Labour.
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