Barnwal

Barnwal (also spelled Baranwal, Varanwal or Barnawal) is a Baniya community originating in India and Nepal.

Legend

The Barnwal community is descended from King Ahibaran, a Suryavanshi Kshatriya of Tomar origin and sometimes assumed to be the great grandson of the legendary king Agrasen. His ancestors had moved to Ahar in North India. He renamed the Ahar kingdom after himself and founded its capital as Varna-vati which was later called "Baran-sahar" (identified with modern Bulandshahar in present day Western Uttar Pradesh). His direct descendents were called Barnwals. They were the oldest and most prominent families of the Bulandshahr region.

The city of BulandShahar (literal meaning - High City, due to being situated at a high place) derives its name from the fort of Barnwals located at a very high mound/ hillock. The old name 'Baran' can be still be traced in the old Government documents and in all the historical documents written before or around 19th century.^{[citation needed]}

According to the book Agrasen Agroha Agrawal, written by Dr. Swarajya Mani Agrawal, the Barnwals were a part of the Agrawal community, but later separated out.

There are 36 gotras in Barnwals. These are Garg, Vatsil, Goval, Gohil, Kraw, Deval, Kashyap, Vats, Atri, Vamdev, Kapil, Galb, Sinhal, Aaranya, Kashil, Upmanyu, Yaimini, Parashar, Kaushik, Maunas, Katyaapan, Kaundilyam, Pulishh, Bhrigu, Sarvay, Angira, Krishnabhi, Udhhalak, Aashvalayan, Bhardwaj, Sankrit, Mudgal, Yamadgri, Chyevan and Vedpramiti.

History

It is traditionally believed by Barnwals that their ancestors adopted Vanika Dharma for promoting trade, commerce, development and peace in their region.