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Banga in Punjab is Saini subcaste. Saini's of Punjab are not in OBC and are a forward caste. The stronghold of Banga Sainis is region in Jalandhar and Nawan Shahr districts of Punjab where they are among the leading land owning group. The caste hierarchy in Punjab varies by the region. In Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr and Jalandhar, Sainis are ranked on top and are a very influential and affluent group. The MP of Hoshiarpur was generally always a Saini before the seat became reserved.
Identity
On hills Banga clan name is also found among Dogra Rajputs as "Bangwai". Almost 100% of Saini clans are same as that of Hill Rajputs and both groups are of identical descent. The only difference is that Saini villages fell in Muslim ruled areas where Rajputs were being actively converted to Islam or asked to marry their girls with them. This led to Rajputs on the plains starting to hide their Rajput identity to avoid persecution. Due to this reason Saini's and Mahtons (aka Sikh Rajputs) gradually cut adrift from Rajputs on hills and adopted farming identity even though both tribes are of proven Rajput descent (SS Gahlot, 1989;Hugh Kennedy Trevaskis, 1928).
Prominent Figures
Few prominent Banga Saini's in public space are Dr. Indu Banga (renowned historian of Punjab).Ajay Banga (President of the World Bank/Ex Master Card CEO) and Manvinder Banga (the Chairperson of UK Government Investments/Ex CEO of Unilever). Lt.General H.S.Banga (retd), the father of Banga brothers, is also a decorated army general, Harindarpal Banga(Founder of Caravel Group in HongKong),Navpreet Banga(Punjabi Actress),Gurdyal Kaur Banga Wife of Subedar Joginder Singh Sahnan. Additional DIG of CRPF, Hari Ram Banga, is another prominent Banga Saini police officer decorated for gallantry.
All this would tell you that Bangas are people of formidable standing, education and influence.
Connection to Banga Town
The town Banga is also named after Banga Rajputs or Sainis. Currently, it is a Jat dominated town the town was given to Mann Jats during Akbar's era where they later became "Darbari Jats". There a number of Banga Saini dominated villages still around this town.
