According to Robert Vane Russell, Meos called themselves by Hindu names with the exception of Ram, and Singh is a frequent affix, though not so common as Khan.[2]
The Meo represent a blending of Hinduism and Islam. Meo profess the beliefs of Islam but the roots of their ethnic structure are in Hindu caste society. In fact, the neighbouring Hindu Jats,[3] Minas, Ahirs and Rajputs share the same bans.[4] According to some sources, the Meo community may have a common origin with the Meenacommunity.[5][page needed]
Hindu inhabitants of Mewat, although belonging to the same Kshatriya castes to which the Meos belonged before conversion to Islam, are not called Meo. Thus the word "Meo" is both region-specific and religion-specific. Apparently, Meos come from many Hindu castes who converted to Islam and amalgamated as Meo community
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