Banga Sainis

The Banga are a sub clan of the [Saini,Jatt, Rajput] caste. But some Banga's also are Jatts as there is always ambiguity between Rajput and Jatt gotras. They are mainly found in Punjab region, India. The stronghold of Banga Sainis is region in Jalandhar and Nawanshahr districts of Punjab where they are among the leading land owning group. The caste hierarchy in Punjab varies by the region. In Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr and Jalandhar, Sainis are ranked on top and are a very influential and affluent group . The MP of Hoshiarpur was generally always a Saini before the seat became reserved. On hills Banga clan name is also found among Dogra Rajputs as "Bangwai". Almost 100% of Saini clans are same as that of Hill Rajputs and both groups are of identical descent. The only difference is that Saini villages fell in Muslim ruled areas where Rajputs were being actively converted to Islam. This led to Rajputs on the plains starting to hide their Rajput identity to avoid persecution. Due to this reason Sainis and Mahtons (aka Sikh Rajputs) gradually cut adrift from Rajputs on hills and adopted farming identity even though both tribes are of proven Rajput descent. The town Banga is also named after Bangas. Currently, it is a Jat dominated town but the town was given Banga during Akbar's era when the latter became "Darbari Jats". There a number of Banga dominated villages still around this town.