Banaut

The Banaut (also known as Bandaut) is a   Bundela  Rajput clan found in the Indian states of Bihar and Jharkhand. Their loved ones called them banaut which means who meditate and save Ban (forest). They are said to have left Orchha, Jhansi, Mahoba and other parts of Bundelkhand during Mughal period and migrated to Bihar and Jharkhand.

Origin and History
Bundelas originated from Bundelkhand, but later came to parts of Bihar and Jharkhand. As they were from land owning community, they became wealthy zamindars with time and also had strong political positions.

Deities
Banaut have their particular village deities such as Maa Kali, HanumanJi, Ram-Janaki and Radhakrishna.

Subclans
The Gotras of Banaut Rajputs are Bhardwaj, Dhenu, Vaksh, Kaushik, Garg, Sandilya and Vishwamitra.

Notables of Bundela Rajput clan

 * 1) Chhatrasaal Bundela
 * 2) Rudra Pratap Singh
 * 3) Alha Singh
 * 4) Udal Singh

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.

Villages and Marriage
Some of the Villages of Bundela with significance:

Bhagalpur District

 * Tarar
 * Dogachchhi
 * Makarpur
 * Bhawanpura
 * Dharhara
 * Kaharpur

Munger district (Munger District)

 * Belari
 * Rahmatpur
 * Sahjadpur
 * Lakhanpur
 * Asarganj (township and surrounding villages)

Purnia district (Purnia District)

 * Sarsi
 * Dhamdhaha
 * Aligunj
 * Sukhasana

Hazaribagh district (Hazaribagh District)

 * Doiya
 * Fulang
 * Ranik
 * Selhara
 * Ichak

Araria district (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.