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Until two or three decades before the partition of India, the majority of Agrawals lived in the villages of Haryana, Delhi and a number of the adjoining districts of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. This part is now generally referred to as Vishal Haryana. They carried on flourishing business there and exercised complete economic domination over the life of the other communities, particularly the agricultural. They were the bankers and the moneylenders and were perhaps the most respected and even feared people. But there has been a widespread feeling that the Banias exploited the ignorance and illiteracy of the villagers. Their critics charge them with irregularities and excesses in the maintenance of accounts and realization of debts and loans.
Although most of the 'mandis' and business centres in cities and towns of the northern states like Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi are the real strongholds of the community today, Agrawals can be found in almost every state, particularly in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Assam and West Bengal.
By and large being businessmen and traders, the Agrawals enjoy a fair share of representation in several other professions as well. If the community has produced numerous renowned businessmen and industrialists like the Dalmias, Modis, Singhanias, Srirams and Bajajs, it has also produced a number of distinguished jurists, educationists, scientists, engineers, politicians, doctors, philosophers, poets and scholars.
Being engaged in one of the most lucrative professions, the Agrawals are generally looked upon as affluent class. But except for a small percentage of rich businessmen and industrialists and some others, the hard core of the community consists of ordinary shopkeepers and tradesmen.
The Marwari Agrawals of Rajasthan excel the rest in business acumen. They have done particularly well in Assam and West Bengal where some have built huge industrial empires.
It is a virile, dynamic community, full of life, drive and initiative that rejoices during the various social, religious and national functions and festivals with great zest.
(Last Updated on : 08-04-2009)
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