Khandelwal subcaste of the Brahman caste, found in the United
Provinces. [152] Mr. Bhattacharya says of them: [153] "The Khandelwal
Banias are not inferior to any other division of the caste either in
wealth or refinement. There are both Vaishnavites and Jains among
them, and the Vaishnavite Khandelwals wear the sacred thread. The
millionaire Seths of Mathura are Khandelwal Banias."

Bania, Lad

_Bania, Lad._--This subcaste numbers about 5000 persons in the
Central Provinces, being settled in Nimar, Nagpur and all the Berar
Districts. The Lad Banias came from Gujarat, and Lad is derived from
Lat-desh, the old name for Gujarat. Like other Banias they are divided
into the Bisa and Dasa groups or twenties and tens, the Dasa being
of irregular descent. Their family priests are Khedawal Brahmans,
and their caste deity is Ashapuri of Ashnai, near Petlad. Lad women,
especially those of Baroda, are noted for their taste in dress. The
Lad Banias are Hindus of the Vallabhacharya sect, who worship Krishna,
and were formerly addicted to sexual indulgence. [154]

Bania, Lingayat

_Bania, Lingayat._--The Lingayat Banias number nearly 8000 persons in
the Central Provinces, being numerous in Wardha, Nagpur and all the
Berar Districts. A brief account of the Lingayat sect has been given
in a separate article. The Lingayat Banias form a separate endogamous
group, and they do not eat or intermarry either with other Banias or
with members of other castes belonging to the Lingayat sect. But they
retain the name and occupation of Banias. They have five subdivisions,
Pancham, Dikshawant, Chilliwant, Takalkar and Kanade. The Pancham or
Panchamsalis are the descendants of the original Brahman converts
to the Lingayat sect. They are the main body of the community
and are initiated by what is known as the eight-fold sacrament or
_eshta-varna_. The Dikshawant, from _diksha_ or initiation, are a
subdivision of the Panchamsalis, who apparently initiate disciples
like the Dikshit Brahmans. The Takalkar are said to take their name
from a forest called Takali, where their first ancestress bore a
child to the god Siva. The Kanade are from Canara. The meaning of
the term Chilliwant is not known; it is said that a member of this
subcaste will throw away his food or water if it is seen by any one
who is not a Lingayat, and they shave the whole head. The above form
endogamous subcastes. The Lingayat Banias also have exogamous groups,
the n