Banyans

Banyans (Banians), a numerous Gujarati people, West India, of the Vaicya or trading caste; are the chief merchant element in Gujarat and Bombay; type, Hindu mixed with Jat (pre-Aryan) elements. The term Banyan is now generally applied to all the Indian traders long settled in the seaports of East Africa, South Arabia, etc., though they have no necessary connection with the Banian tribe. The Banyans are extremely intelligent, thrifty, and moral, according to their religious standard. Besides their mother tongue, Gujarati, many speak both Hindustani and English.