Kesarvani
Encyclopedia
The Kesarwani are a Bania
sub-caste found in North India
. They are also known as Bani or Bakkal. While in Bihar
, they are also known as Keshri.
. They use the surnames Gupta and Kesarwani in western Uttar Pradesh
, while those of eastern Uttar Pradesh & Bengal use the surname Shaw, Shah, Sah or Saw. The Kesarwani speak various dialects of Hindi
such as Awadhi, Bundeli and Bhojpuri. They have two sub-divisions, the Purbi or eastern and Paschami or western branch.
Bania
s, and historically been associated with business, trade and industry. They are the main traders of food grain and oil seed in North India
. In addition, many are dealers in gold and silver, building materials, iron and automobile parts. Many are also petty traders in the market towns of Uttar Pradesh
. Money lending also remains a mainstay of this community. They have their own caste association, the Kesarwani (/Kesharwani) Vaishya Sabha.
Bania
Bania may refer to:* Bania or Vanika, a trader or merchant belonging to the Indian business class** Punjabi Banias* Bănia, a commune in Caraş-Severin County, Romania* Bănia River, a tributary of the Nera River in Romania...
sub-caste found in North India
North India
North India, known natively as Uttar Bhārat or Shumālī Hindustān , is a loosely defined region in the northern part of India. The exact meaning of the term varies by usage...
. They are also known as Bani or Bakkal. While in Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
, they are also known as Keshri.
History and origin
There two traditions as to the origin of the community. According to one of the traditions, they originated in Bihar/UP. While according to other sources, they were cultivators or traders of saffron, Kesar in HindiHindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
. They use the surnames Gupta and Kesarwani in western Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
, while those of eastern Uttar Pradesh & Bengal use the surname Shaw, Shah, Sah or Saw. The Kesarwani speak various dialects of Hindi
Hindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
such as Awadhi, Bundeli and Bhojpuri. They have two sub-divisions, the Purbi or eastern and Paschami or western branch.
Present circumstances
The Kesarwani are HinduHindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
Bania
Bania (caste)
Bania is an occupational caste of bankers, money-lenders, dealers in grains, spices and in modern times numerous commercial enterprises. Baniya is a distinct caste mostly coming from Western India and Central India but spread now all over India...
s, and historically been associated with business, trade and industry. They are the main traders of food grain and oil seed in North India
North India
North India, known natively as Uttar Bhārat or Shumālī Hindustān , is a loosely defined region in the northern part of India. The exact meaning of the term varies by usage...
. In addition, many are dealers in gold and silver, building materials, iron and automobile parts. Many are also petty traders in the market towns of Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
. Money lending also remains a mainstay of this community. They have their own caste association, the Kesarwani (/Kesharwani) Vaishya Sabha.