Ethnicity is a complex social construct that refers to a shared sense of identity among a group of people, often based on common ancestry, language, religion, cultural practices, and historical experiences. It encompasses both tangible and intangible aspects of cultural life, including rituals, dietary practices, dress codes, and moral values, as well as an awareness of belonging to a distinct community. Ethnic identity is not static; it is shaped and reshaped through interactions with other groups, socio-political contexts, and processes of migration. In sociological and anthropological studies, ethnicity is often seen as a source of solidarity, pride, and social cohesion, yet it can also become a site of negotiation, differentiation, and contestation, particularly in multi-ethnic societies. Sub-ethnicity, on the other hand, refers to the smaller, more specific identities within a broader ethnic framework. These may arise due to regional differences, linguistic variations, caste affiliations, or occupational specializations within a larger ethnic group. For instance, among the Indian diaspora, one may observe distinctions between Gujarati Hindus, Tamil Christians, or Punjabi Sikhs, each forming a sub-ethnic identity while maintaining a connection to a broader Indian ethnic heritage. Sub-ethnicity allows communities to retain distinct practices, maintain internal cohesion, and navigate social interactions both within the diaspora and with the host society. It functions as a mechanism for both inclusion and differentiation, offering members a sense of belonging at multiple levels, and influencing patterns of settlement, organization, and cultural reproduction. The relationship between ethnicity, sub-ethnicity, and diaspora formation is deeply intertwined. Diaspora, in its broadest sense, refers to the dispersion of a people from their original homeland to multiple regions across the globe while retaining a connection to their place of origin. The formation of diasporic communities is often influenced by the desire to maintain ethnic identity and cultural continuity in a foreign context. Ethnic identity provides the ideological and cultural foundation upon which diaspora communities build their networks, social institutions, and cultural practices. It becomes a critical marker of distinction from the host society and a means to preserve communal memory, values, and traditions across generations. For the Indian diaspora, the role of ethnicity is particularly salient due to India’s vast cultural, linguistic, and religious diversity. Historical waves of Indian migration, such as indentured labor movements to the Caribbean, East Africa, and Southeast Asia