Patni might be related to the Domba community of Assam and in some areas their names are used interchangeably. The main occupation of Patnis include ferrying boats, basket-making, trading and cultivating.[2][3] According to Patnis folklore Ishwari Patni ferries Goddess Annapurna on his boat, also mentioned by Bharatchandra.[4]
Patnis are also called Nadiyal and they mainly lived in Sylhet, Dacca, etc and migrated towards districts of Assam, West Bengal and Manipur.[5]
The Patnis are divided into five sub-castes:
- Jat-Patni, who are agriculturists and small traders.
- Ghat-Patni, Salami or Ghatwal who work as boatmen and take charge of ferries.
- Dom-Patni, Machhwa, or Nagarchi, who catch fish.[6]
- Sansphor and Dagara, who makes baskets of cane, and tie the framework of kancha houses.