Punjabi Banias

Infobox caste
caste_name=Punjabi Banias
classification=Vaishya
subdivisions=-
populated_states=Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and other parts of Northern India
languages=Punjabi and Hindi
religions=Hinduism and Jainism

The Hindi word "Bania" is derived from the Sanskrit vanika (वणिक)or trader. Punjabi Banias, like their counterparts in other parts of India, are tradesmen. Banias or the Vaishya Varna of the Indian Caste System have a special connection with the Punjab. This is because the origin of the Banias can be traced to Haryana, which formed part of the ancient Punjab region.

Agroha, the original center of Agrawal Banias

The name Agarwal is derived from Agroha (Sanskrit "Agrotaka") the original center of the Agarwals(the main Bania gotra), which is near Hisar in Haryana. From this region, they migrated to Punjab, Delhi, western Uttar Pradesh and throughout India. Those living in the Shekhawati region in Rajasthan came to be called Marwaris.

Among other Banias of the Punjab, the Oswals are originally from Osian, Rajasthan, Khandelwals from Khandela, Rajasthan and Rastogis, Rohatgis are from Rohtak, Haryana.

Mythological origin

The Agarwal community was founded by Emperor Agrasen. According to the "Mahalaksmi Vrat Katha", Emperor Agrasen was a Kshatriya and a Suryavanshi (lineage from the Sun) born during the last stages of the Dwapar Yuga. The young prince Agrasen was an icon of non-violence, messenger of peace and well known for his compassion. He never discriminated against anyone and his subjects were happy and contented.Hindu mythology says that the king of the devas, Indra wanted to marry Queen Madhavi, the wife of Agrasen and waged a long war. Eventually Narada negotiated peace between them.

Agrasen was moved by the suffering of his subjects during the war. He prayed to Goddess Lakshmi to grant his kingdom long-term peace. The goddess blessed him and asked him to give up the Kshatriya tradition and take up the trading tradition. She also asked that in return for her eternal presence with his descendants, he establish a new Kingdom. Around 3200 B.C., Emperor Agrasen and Queen Madhavi established and ruled Agroha, which existed near what is now the city of Hisar in Haryana, India. Agroha soon became prosperous. Agrasen established 18 clans (or Gotras) for each of his 18 sons based on the names of their Guru. He proceeded to conduct 18 Maha Yagnas and divided his kingdom among his 18 sons. Trade, agriculture and industry continued to flourish. During the centuries that followed, the prosperous Agroha Empire was invaded many times by foreign conquerors. The descendants of the Gotras were forced to migrate to other parts of India.

Today, these people are known as Agarwals. They still have the same 18 gotras that were given tothem and they carry on the name of Agrasen. As per Emperor Agrasen's guidance, the Aggarwals are in the forefront of social service.

Punjabi Banias

Punjabi Banias prior to the Partition

Punjabi Banias and non-Vaishya castes like Khatris / Kshatriya, Aroras, and Soods were the premier mercantile communities of the province as opposed to Rajputs, Gujjars and Jats, who were primarily agriculturalists.

Prior to the Partition, Banias were spread all over the Punjab, from the northwestern districts bordering the North West Frontier Province to Delhi in the southeast; and from Multan in the southwest, bordering Sindh to Jammu in the northeast. However, the majority were in the east(present-day Haryana, Delhi and Punjab(India)).These areas were encompassed by the Jullunder and Delhi divisions.

In the villages of the province, Banias sometimes used to be the only shopkeepers. In comparisonto the more urbane Khatris/Aroras/Bhatias/Soods, Banias tended to be more rural. In addition to being shopkeepers, they also acted as small-time traders, middle-level tradesmen, money-lenders and rich industrialists. The title, 'Lala' or 'Seth' was common to Banias as well as the other four communities

Banias in West Punjab, like other Hindus and Sikhs, were forced to flee in the terrible ethnic cleansing that followed in the wake of the Partition. However, with most of their population in East Punjab, Punjabi Banias were not hit as badly as their Khatri and Arora counterparts, the bulk of whose population was in West Punjab, and hence were forced to migrate thereby losing their homes, businesses, properties and even bank accounts.

Gotras

Prominent Punjabi Bania gotras include: among the Agarwals - Garg, Goyal, Singhal, Mittal, Earan, Dheran, Bansal, Kansal, Kosal. The Oswals are said to have 1,444 gotras. The Khandelwalas are divided into 84 gotras.

Religion

Punjabi Banias are mostly Vaishnavite Hindus. The majority are devout Sanatan Dharmis, but some are also members the Arya Samaj, Dev Samaj, Radhaswami, Namdhari and Nirankari sects.

Like their counterparts in other parts of India, many Punjabi Banias are followers of Jainism.Marriages between Vaishanva Banias and Jain Banias is very common.

In addition to this, Banias in the Punjab are also influenced by Sikhism. Hence, it is not uncommon to find them paying visits to Gurdwaras.

Cuisine

Punjabi Banias, like their counterparts elsewhere are known to be strict vegetarians. Jain families, in accordance with their faith, don't include roots and tubers such as onion and garlic in their food.

Punjabi Banias today

Punjabi Banias have contributed extensively to Punjabi and Indian industry. They are among the most well-off groups in Punjabi society.

See also

*Barnwal
*Vaishya
*Bania

References

*"Agrasen Agroha Agrawal", by Dr.Swarajya Mani Agrawal
*"Agrawal Jati Ka praachin Itihaas" by Satyaketu Vidyalankar
*Agarwal
* [http://punjabrevenue.nic.in/gaz_ldh8.htm Religion and castes in Punjab]