Kesarwani
The Kesarwani or Kesharwani or Kesarvani are a Bania sub-caste found in India.[1] While in Bihar and Bengal, they are also known as Kesari or Keshri.[2]
History and origin
The name Kesar-Wani is interpreted as Saffron-Traders (“Kesar” – Saffron / Zaffran and “Wani” – Traders). When the Kesarwanis were settled in Kashmir they traded in Kesar. Saffron is native to the Mediterranean and introduced in India probably by the Kesarwanis.
Many books and periodicals of some antiquity refer to Kesarwani as Kasarwani. But it should not be confused with a community in Gujarat who trade in “Kasa” utensils. It is to be noted that the corruption in spelling from “Kasrwani” to “Kasarwani” to “Kesarwani” is not as pronounced while speaking. In speech the pronunciation is often still “Kasr-wani”.
Physically the Kesarwanis do not resemble Indus valley people who were a bit darker in complexion. The Kesrwanis of Kashmir resemble the Aryans but they were not warriors they were traders.
They use the surnames Gupta and Kesharwani in western Uttar Pradesh, while those of eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar use Keshri, Kesari, Keshari and in Bengal use the surnames Shaw, Shah, Saha, Sah or Saw.[3]
See also
References
- ^ People of India Uttar Pradesh, Volume XLII. Part Two, edited by A Hasan & J C Das, pages 769 to 775
- ^ People of India Bihar, Volume XVI, Part One, edited by S Gopal & Hetukar Jha, pages 501 to 505, Seagull Books
- ^ People of India Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII, Part Two, edited by A Hasan & J C Das, page 769