Oswal Jains are a well-known Jain community traditionally linked to Osian in Rajasthan. They are primarily a trading/bania group and are found in Śvetāmbara circles (though there are Oswal families in other Jain traditions as well). In social terms, they use gotras (clan lineages) to identify families and guide exogamy (marrying outside one’s gotra). The list and names of gotras can vary by region and lineage, and many Oswal families recognize a large number of gotras, including well-known ones such as Gadiya, Bafna, Firodia, Kankariya, Patni, Sangar, Chopda, Lodha, Soni, Dugar, Kothari, Parekh, and many others. Gotra identity helps with lineage awareness and marriage arrangements, but it is a social matter, not a spiritual criterion in Jain Dharma. There are variations in how gotras are listed between Śvetāmbara and Digambar communities and across regions. For more on Oswal gotras and their role, you can read: Gotras of Oswal.

• Oswal jains and gotra context: Oswals are a prominent Jain lay community, many following Śvetāmbara practices, with gotras serving as ancestral/clan identifiers used in social planning and exogamy. You can read more about Oswal Jains and their traditions here: tell me about oswal jains.

Note: In Jainism, gotras are social lineage markers rather than spiritual ranks. The exact list of gotras can differ by family, town, and ethinic subgroup (Oswal, Porwal, etc.), and Digambar vs. Śvetāmbara traditions may emphasize different local lineages.