Kasuadhan
The Kasaudhan (sometimes pronounced Kasaundhan) are a Hindu caste found in the states of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh in India. Their Gotra is Kashyap made after rishi Kashyapa, hence they use surname as 'Kashyap' or 'Kasaudhan' .[1]
Origin
The name Kasaudhan is said to be derived from the words kaansa ("bell-metal") and dhana ("wealth"). They are divided into the Teen, Terah, Sath and Eksath groups.[1]
In Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, the Kasaudhan claim to have originated from Kashmir, and settled in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and other places during the period of the Mughal Empire. They are found mainly in the districts of Varanasi, Sultanpur, Gorakhpur, Faizabad, Bhagalpur and Munger. The Kasaudhan of UP and Bihar speaks Hindi and Angika language mainly.[2]
Present circumstances
In early times Kasaudan were primarily farmers and small shop-owners. But now in modern time Kasaudhan Samaj has shown very good progress in every field.
In Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, many Kasaudhan were landowners, but now there is a growing urbanization. Many are now petty businessmen, trading in spices, grocery and hardware. The new generation of Kasaudhan Samaj are doing very well in studies too, graduating from top university like IIT and IIM.