A small but close-knit merchant community of Muslims, the Shia Ismaili Tayabji Dawoodi community practices an Islam tinged with Hinduism. The Bohras believe in an esoteric interpretation of the Quran behind the manifest meaning. Since they lost political rule in Egypt in the 12th century and Yemen in the 16th century, they have kept their esoteric faith intact from the persecuting Sunni rulers by practising the doctrine of `Taqqiya.` It permits them to deny their identity to outsiders when under extreme pressure.

History of Dawoodi Bohra Community: This community has its origin in Gujarat. It is probably because of this reason that there are lots of customs that are quite similar to that of the Hindus. With good business skills and aptitudes, they took advantage of the new opportunities offered in foreign trade and contracting which appeared in the 19th century with the establishment of British rule.

Religion: This particular Muslim community like other Shias, recognise the hereditary rights of Ali over the first three elected caliphs; assert the claims of Ismail as the 7th Imam; accept Mustali as the rightful Fatimid Caliph of Egypt; believe that the Imam Tayyib went into seclusion leaving as his vice-regent on earth a Dail Mutlaq (supreme summoner) pending the return of the Imam; and hold that Dawoodis are those who acknowledge the legal succession of the Dai Dawood bin Qutb Shah in 1589 as against the rival claimant, Suleiman ibn Hasan, who founded the Sulaimani Bohras.

The Bohras offer prayers 3 times a day instead of five by combining the afternoon and evening prayers; have no sermon on Friday; use the astronomical lunar calendar to determine the beginning of each month and place a special paper (raqqa) in the hands of the dead person.

Society of Dawoodi Bohra Community: This Muslim community has business acumen. In their social strata organization has a major role to play.