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{{Nocasteism}}
The Hindi word Bania is derived from the Sanskrit vanika 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.
The Hindi word Bania is derived from the Sanskrit vanika 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.
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Revision as of 06:07, 25 January 2009

For Information only
ਜਾਣਹੁ ਜੋਤਿ ਨ ਪੂਛਹੁ ਜਾਤੀ ਆਗੈ ਜਾਤਿ ਨ ਹੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ (ਪੰਨਾ 349, ਸਤਰ 13, Nanak)

Sikhism does not endorse caste based distinctions in society that lead to unequal opportunities for some people. In fact, Sikhism completely rejects class or race based distinctions between humans, that leads us to make an inequitable society. Such distinctions have surfaced only due to ill interests of certain section of people, who, on the pretext of making a society more manageable through these classifications, eventually paved the way to an unequal grouping within the human race. This article is just for information purpose and to share how people from different castes came into the Sikh fold. So, please treat this article as a source of general information about this issue and kindly do not amend this article to highlight this important underlying Sikh principle. If you have any comments, please discuss them appropriately here

The Hindi word Bania is derived from the Sanskrit vanika 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 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 Gotras (clans) 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 to them and they carry on the name of Agrasen. As per Emperor Agrasen's guidance, the Aggarwals are in the forefront of social service. Many have become successful bussinessmen and have spread around the world.

Punjabi Banias

Punjabi Banias prior to the Partition

Punjabi Banias and non-Vaishya castes like Khatris, Aroras, Bhatias 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 comparison to 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' 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 the 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.

Gotras

Prominent Punjabi Bania gotras include:

  • Agarwals - Garg, Goyal, Singhal, Mittal, Earan, Dheran, Bansal, Kansal, Kosal.
  • Oswals are said to have 1,444 gotras.
  • 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.

Social Groups

Rajput ♣♣ Khatri ♣♣ Lohar ♣♣ Kumhar ♣♣ Nai ♣♣ Chamar ♣♣ Arora ♣♣ Bhatra ♣♣ Agrawal ♣♣ Bania ♣♣ Sindhi ♣♣ Saini ♣♣ Julaha