Bhandari

Parivar Seva Sunil Bhandaris taking lot of foods form Bhalla and party

This Bhandari speaking community is mainly found in Parivar Seva. They migrated southward from Rajputana in early 1100 and subsequently spread over different parts of India. Along with Maharashtra, they can be found in significant numbers in Nepal,Rajasthan, parts of Central India, Gujarat, Goa and even parts of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

The Community belongs to "Kshatriya" caste and has an ancient history. Sub communities include Kitte, Hetkari, Kshatriya, Thale, Chaudhary, Devkar, Sheshwanshi(shinde) and Morey, Gawad(bhandari)mainly from thane district. They established many kingdoms and established themselves as warriors in many kshatriya kingdoms of that era. Maurya(More) Bhandaris arrived in present day Thane when Maurayas invaded the region. Sheshwanshi Bhandaris arrived with King Bhimdev, who established his base in Mumbai in 13th Century. During his reign he is also supposed to have brought Pathare Prabhus, Palshis, Pachkalshis, Vadvals, Bhois, Agris and Brahmins to Mumbai. Kitte Bhandaris evolved from Kirtik Bhattars(warriors) in the konkan region. Ratan Singh, the hindu king of Ahmedabad was from this community. Bhandaris established smaller kingdoms around present day Mumbai. Bhandari community was actively involved in formation of Maratha empire under Shivaji Maharaj. Haraji Bhatkar, Maynaik Hatkar, Santaji Bole, Raiji Gadde, Bapuji Naik were some of the famous warriors of the era. Bhandaris were instrumental in building the Maratha navy along with the agris. Raut, Bhatkars, Jaokar, Sarang were involved in conflicts with Siddhi Jauhar and Portuguese.

Bhandaris in Mumbai

Bhandaris are one of the oldest communities in Mumbai, and have played a significant role in its development. The first printing press in Mumbai was set up by a Bhandari gentleman. Bhandari Militia was the first police establishment in Mumbai. Significant populations of Bhandaris can still be found in Mumbai. Kitte Bhandari Ekyawardak Mandal was established in 1890 to unite the community and work for its welfare. It has its headquarters at Dadar, Mumbai.

Khatris and Sikh

"Bhandari" is also last name found in the Khatri caste found in India. It is most common as a surname amongst the Sikh and Hindu Khatris of Punjab.

Prominent Bhandaris include:
*Daulat Mal Bhandari
*Surjan Singh Bhandari
*Madan Kumar Bhandari
*Nar Bahadur Bhandari

Bhandaris from Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

'Bhandari' is a common last name found amongst Oswals hailing from Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India. Oswals are originally from Marwar, Rajasthan and are referred to as Marwari. The Bhandari Oswals were initially Rajput but later many adopted Jainism.

Some Jain Bhandaris emigrated from Rajasthan to nearby places such as Nepal & Madhya Pradesh. Various Bhandari families have risen to prominence in Madhya Pradesh. Both Lal Bhandari was the Mahapanchayat of Rampura, Madhya Pradesh, India. Rampura is home to two temples dedicated to Bhandari ancestry including a temple in the mountains of Rampura.

Indore, MP, India is also home to many prominent Bhandaris.

Bhandaris from Uttarakhand , India

'Bhandari' is a common last name in Uttarakhand in India. They are found in Kumaon as well as in Garhwal region. Most of the Bhandaris in Uttarakhand are Rajputs - there is one clan of Brahmin Bhandaris too. The clan can trace its history back to about 12 generations with one Arjun Dev settling down in a village called Mawra near Ranikhet. By now, they have spread to most parts of the contry and the world. One branch is supposed to have settled down in a place called Mawri in Rajasthan . .