Gandhabanik Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gandhabanik
| Gandhabanik | |
|---|---|
| Kuladevi (female) | Gandheswari mata |
| Religions | Hinduism |
| Languages | Bengali |
| Populated states | West Bengal, Jharkhand, Tripura, Assam |
Gandhabanik is a Bengali Hindu trading caste, who as the caste name suggests, traditionally used to trade in perfumes, cosmetics, spices etc.[1][2] They were also engaged in agriculture.[3][4] They are one of the fourteen castes belonging to 'Nabasakh' group.[5] There is almost one hundred percent literacy among the present gandhabanik generation.[6]
Varna Status[edit]
Gandhabaniks are generally considered as clean shudras(sat-shudras) in the caste hierarchy of Bengal.[7]
References[edit]
- ^ The Eastern Anthropologist. Ethnographic and Folk Culture Society. 1963. pp. 66, 68.
- ^ Proceedings of the Indian Science Congress. 1973. p. 589.
- ^ Bhowmick, P. K. (1969). Occupational Mobility and Caste Structure in Bengal: Study of Rural Market. Indian Publications.
- ^ Singh, K. S.; India, Anthropological Survey of (1998). India's Communities. Oxford University Press. p. 946. ISBN 978-0-19-563354-2.
- ^ Sanyal, Hitesranjan (1981). Social Mobility in Bengal. Papyrus. p. 115.
- ^ Singh, Kumar Suresh (1992). People of India: West Bengal (2 pts.). Anthropological Survey of India. p. 439. ISBN 978-81-7046-300-9.
- ^ Mitra, A. (1953). The Tribes and Castes of West Bengal (Report). Census 1951. Land and Land Revenue Department, Government of West Bengal. p. 21.
