Banaut
The Banaut[1] (also known as Bandaut)[2] is a branch of Banaphar / Bundela Rajput found in the Indian states of Bihar and Jharkhand.[3] They are said to have left Orchha , Jhansi, Mahoba and other parts of Bundelkhand during Mughal period and migrated to Bihar and Jharkhand.[3] In present Banauts are part of community of Anga Region.
Origin and History
.jpg.webp)
Banauts originated from Bundelkhand ,but later came to parts of Bihar and Jharkhand.[4] As they were from land owning community ,they became wealthy zamindars with time and also had strong political positions.[5]
Culture
Nature
The Banauts, over the generations, have acquired a particular set up of mind, a particular world view. This world view is highly materialistic, valuing landed property very highly, working hard on land, frugality or prudence in spending and high propensity to save money. They are tactful, highly adaptive, responsive to opportunities, and having a great patience; they bend down in adverse situations but remember who and what did hurt them and wait for an opportunity to pay the offenders back in their own coins often with appropriate returns thereon. In matters of material interest, they are highly individualistic to which all other relations are subservient or of little 5 significance. They also have a great tenacity and fearlessness in fighting. They remember enmity for long; they can hide their inner feelings and seek for an opportunity to avenge. The Banaut women are hardworking, highly practical, alert, tactful and cheerful. They also advise their husbands in most critical matters and their husbands pay an attention to their advice. They have a good sense of ‘persona’ and their appearance is pleasing and delightful.[6]
Deities
Banaut have their particular village deities such as Maa Kali , HanumanJi, Ram-Janaki and Radhakrishna.[5]
Gotra
The Gotras of Banaut Rajputs are Bhardwaj, Dhenu, Vaksh, Kaushik, Garg, Sandilya and Vishwamitra.[2]
Religion
All of the Banauts follow Sanatan Dharma as their religion.
Famous Kings and Warriors
Population and Language
Most of the Banauts live in the native villages of Anga Region of Bihar namely Bhagalpur, Munger, Katihar , Purnia , Banka and in some parts of Saharsa and Araria too. They live in parts of Jharkhand namely Hazaribagh and Chatra and Santhal Pargana Division . Many have migrated to bigger cities like Patna , Ranchi and Delhi for better job opportunities and lifestyle.
Majority of the Banaut Rajputs speak the regional language of Anga Region - Angika along with other languages like Hindi , English.[3]
Villages and Marriage
Some of the Villages of Banaut with significance:[6]
Bhagalpur District
- Tarar
- Dogachchhi
- Makarpur
- Bhawanpura
- Dharhara
- Kaharpur
Purnia District
- Sarsi
- Aligunj
- Dhamdaha
- Sukhasana
Madhepura District
- Kalasan
Katihar District
- Guagachhi
- Baluaghatti
- Chandwa
Araria District
- Tamghatti
- Pothiya
- Narhki
- Uphrail
- Narsimhapur
Their marriage relations are in those twenty and odd villages making them a closely connected and well-knit community.
References
- Singh, Krishna Ballave Kumar (1988). Marriage and Family System of Rajputs: A Study of Tradition and Change. Wisdom Publications.
- Singh, K. S. (1996). Communities, Segments, Synonyms, Surnames and Titles. Anthropological Survey of India. ISBN 978-0-19-563357-3.
- Singh, K. S.; India, Anthropological Survey of (1998). India's Communities. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-563354-2.
- Singh, K. S. (2008). People of India: Bihar (2 pts.). Anthropological Survey of India. ISBN 978-81-85579-09-2.
- Singh, K S (2008). People of India: Bihar, including Jharkhand (2 pts). Anthropological Survey of India. ISBN 978-81-7046-302-3.
- Mishra, Sudhanshu K. (12 March 2017). "A Nostalgic Socioeconomic History of Tarar". Journal of Social and Administrative Sciences. 4 (1): 108–123. ISSN 2149-0406.