Vaishya Vani

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Vaishya Vani is a sub-caste of Vaishyas, one of the varnas of Hinduism. Because of their hereditary occupation as traders and merchants, they are found in many regions in India, including Konkan, Bihar, some parts of the Canara subregion of Karnataka & the Cochin area in Kerala. In the Konkan division of Maharashtra, there were subdivisions of Vani communities, like Kudali (coming from Kudal) in Savantwadi, Sangameshwari (from Sangameshwar) in Ratnagiri& Patne (from Patan) in Satara.[1][need quotation to verify] In the Goa state, they speak Konkani and Mahratti. In the Gujarat state and the Daman territory, they are also known as Vaishnav or Vaishnav Vanik.[2]

During the period of the Kadambas of Goa, they were known as Banajigas (merchants) who were engaged in trade. The reference to these Banajigas from Savoi Verem, Narve, Khandepar, Kapilagram, Bandivade and Taligram are mentioned in Khandepar copper plate of 1358 CE.[3][4]

OBC status was given to Vaishya Vanis in 2008 in Maharashtra, which was later removed in 2011[5]. At present, certain sections of the sub-caste can avail OBC status based on historical considerations. However, the sub-caste is not listed in the Central List for the State of Maharahstra. [6]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. Tripathi, Dwijendra (1984). Business communities of India: a historical perspective. Manohar. p. 90.
  2. Gazetteer of the Union Territory Goa, Daman and Diu: district gazetter by Vithal Trimbak Gune, Goa, Daman and Diu (India). Gazetteer Dept, published by Gazetteer Dept., Govt. of the Union Territory of Goa, Daman and Diu, 1979
  3. Tulpule, S.G. Pracina Mqrathi koriva lekha. pp. 271–276.
  4. Mitragotri, Vithal Raghavendra (1999). A socio-cultural history of Goa from the Bhojas to the Vijayanagara. Institute Menezes Braganza. pp. 68–69.
  5. "HC strikes down GR to include two sub-castes in OBCs". Hindustan Times. 2 October 2010. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  6. "National Commission for Backward Classes". www.ncbc.nic.in. Retrieved 19 July 2023.

Template:Ethnic and social groups of Goa and KonkanTemplate:Social groups of Maharashtra