Kandu
| Kanu | |
|---|---|
| Jāti | Kanu/Baniya |
| Kuladevta (male) | Baba Ganinath ji Maharaj |
| Religions | Hindu Hinduism |
| Country | India • Nepal |
| Original state | Bihar • Jharkhand • West Bengal • Uttar Pradesh • Purvanchal area of Uttar pradesh |
| Populated states | Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhesh Province (Nepal) |
| Family names | Sah, Gupta, Mahajan, Seth |
| Endogamous | Yes |
| Related groups | Baniya |
| Historical grouping | Vaishya |
'Kanu' or Kandu is a Baniya or Vaishya caste that has been historically associated with trading activities-- sweet-making, shop-keeping, trading etc. in India and Nepal. One of their notable business activities is confectionery.
They have been associated with the states Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Purvanchal area of Uttar pradesh and Nepal (Madhesi region) Like many other Bania communities, they are undergoing urbanisation. Many rural Kanu’s are shopkeepers and trader. They have a state wise caste association, the Kanu Vaishya Mahasabha, which act as a both as an instrument of social control as well as communal welfare association.