Gandhabanik

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]

Gandhabanik
Kuladevi (female)Gandheswari mata
ReligionsHinduism
LanguagesBengali
Populated statesWest Bengal, Jharkhand, Tripura, Assam

Varna Status

Gandhabaniks are generally considered as clean shudras(sat-shudras) in the caste hierarchy of Bengal.[7]

References
  1. The Eastern Anthropologist. Ethnographic and Folk Culture Society. 1963. pp. 66, 68.
  2. Proceedings of the Indian Science Congress. 1973. p. 589.
  3. Bhowmick, P. K. (1969). Occupational Mobility and Caste Structure in Bengal: Study of Rural Market. Indian Publications.
  4. Singh, K. S.; India, Anthropological Survey of (1998). India's Communities. Oxford University Press. p. 946. ISBN 978-0-19-563354-2.
  5. Sanyal, Hitesranjan (1981). Social Mobility in Bengal. Papyrus. p. 115.
  6. Singh, Kumar Suresh (1992). People of India: West Bengal (2 pts.). Anthropological Survey of India. p. 439. ISBN 978-81-7046-300-9.
  7. Mitra, A. (1953). The Tribes and Castes of West Bengal (Report). Census 1951. Land and Land Revenue Department, Government of West Bengal. p. 21.
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