The Banaut (also known as "Bandaut" and "Bandawat") is a branch of BundelaRajput clan found in the Indian states of Bihar and Jharkhand. Their loved ones called them Banaut which closely relates to them inhabiting the forest prone areas of Purnea , Bhagalpur and Hazaribagh. They are said to have left Orchha, Jhansi, Mahoba and other parts of Bundelkhand during Mughal Empire and migrated to Bihar and Jharkhand. Many of them died fighting against the invaders . They were prominent during the Independence Movement against the British East India Company.
Origin and History
Chhatris of Orchha on the bank of Betwa river of Bundela Rulers
The Banaut originated from Bundelkhand, but later came to parts of Bihar and Jharkhand. As they were from land-owning community, they became wealthy zamindars over time and also had strong political positions.They were able to acquire notable estates like Chandwa Rupaspur in Katihar under Thakur Dhanpat Singh and Shahkund under Babu Jaikaran Singh who also served as the tehsildar to Banaili Raj. Tarar Estate was dominated and ruled by Banauts . Babu Manorath Singh of Dharhara ,Babu Vishwanath Singh of Sarsi, Babu Rajkumar Singh of Bhawanpura and Babu Agrichand Rai of Aligunj are some of the notable landlords from their respective villages.
Deities
Banaut have their particular village deities such as Maa Kali, HanumanJi, Ram-JanakiRadhakrishna . For example , Maa Jaleshwari Mandir in Bhawanpura and Maa Bhadrakali Temple in Itkhori .
Gotra
The Gotras of Banaut Rajputs are Bhardwaj, Sandilya, Dhenu, Vaksh, Kashyap, Kaushik, Garg,and Vishwamitra.
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