Magahi Sahu Vaishya

Magahi Sahu Vaishya are a Bania caste that originate from the historic Magadha region, situated in the present-day state of Bihar, India.

History and origin

They derive their name Sahu, or sometimes pronounced Sao and Sah, from their ancestral family business of bankers and money lending: from the Hindi word SAHUKAR, meaning, in a sense, persons dealing with money.

Magahi Sahu Vaishya also have traditional business of oilseeds and oil milling. With the passage of time they have spread to many parts of India, particularly eastern India. Communities similar to Magahi Sahu Vaishya are also found in other parts of India and they have similar caste names. Prefix "Magahi" denotes subcaste being natives of Magadha.

See also

• Bania