Kasuadhan

The Kasaudhan (sometimes pronounced Kasaundhan) are a Hindu caste found in the states of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh in India. There Gotra is Kashyap made after rishi Kashyapa, hence they use surname as 'Kashyap' or 'Kasaudhan' or 'Gupta' .

Origin

The name Kasaudhan is said to be derived from the words kaansa ("bell-metal") and dhana ("wealth"). According to other traditions, their ancestors migrated from Kashmir. The Kasaudhan are a Bania sub-caste. They are divided into the Sath and Eksath groups. The Kasaudhan are endogamous, although there are cases of intermarriage with other Bania communities such as the Kesarvani, Kalwar, Baranwal and Jaiswal.

In Bihar, the Kasaudhan claim to have originated from Kashmir, and settled in Bihar during the period of the Mughal Empire. They are found mainly in the districts of Bhagalpur and Munger. The Kasaudhan of Bihar speak the Angika dialect of Hindi.

Present circumstances

The Kasaudan are primarily are trading community. Many are also absentee landowners. They are also the traditional money lenders in the Awadh villages. Their customs are similar to other Bania communities.

In Bihar, many Kasaudhan are landowners, but there is a growing urbanization. Many are now petty businessmen, trading in spices, grocery and hardware.

See also

• Kandu