Banyan merchants

This article is about usage of the term around the Indian Ocean. For the caste, see Vaishya. For other usages, see Banyan (disambiguation).

Banyan merchants (Banyan through Portuguese banian and Arabic بنيان, banyān, from the Gujarati વાણિયો, vāṇiyo, meaning 'merchant'.) is an expression used widely in the Indian Ocean trade to refer to Indian merchants who are clearly distinguished from others, both by their clothing, and bt the manner in which they conduct trade.

Historical impressions of Banyan merchants

• Abdullah Yusuf Ali (1940) citing Bolt[s] in 1772:

"A Banyan" he explains... "is a person (either acting for himself, or as the substitute of some great black merchant) by whom the English gentlemen in general transact all their business. He is interpreter, head-bookkeeper, head-secretary, head-broker, the supplier of cash and cash-keeper, and in general also secret-keeper. He puts in the under-clerks, the porter or door-keeper, stewards, bearers of the silver staves, running-footmen, torch and branch-light carriers, palanquin-bearers, and all the long tribe of under-servants, for whose honesty he is deemed answerable; and he conducts all the trade of his master, to whom, unless pretty well acquainted with the country languages, it is difficult for any of the natives to obtain access. In short he possesses singly many more powers over his master, than can in this country [England] be assumed by any young spendthrift's steward, money-lender, and mistress all together; and farther serves very conveniently sometimes, on a public discussion, to father such acts or proceedings as his master does not avow. There is a powerful string of connections among these banyans who serve all the English in the settlements of Bengal, as well in all public offices as in their private affairs."

"Since the great influence acquired there by the English," continues Bolt, "many persons of the best Hindu families take upon them this trust or servitude, and can even pay a sum of money for serving gentlemen in certain posts; but principally for the influence which they acquire thereby, and the advantage of carrying on trade, which they could not otherwise do; and which in this situation they frequently do, duty-free,under cover of their master's dastaks. There have been few instances of any European acquiring such a knowledge in speaking, reading, and writing the Bengal language (absolutely necessary for a real merchant) as to be able to dispense with such a head-banyan." *
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* This sketch of the Banyan by Bolt[s] may be compared with Burke's sketch in his indictment of "Warren Hastings" (Speech on the Third day).

• W.S.W. Ruschenberger, M.D., commissioned on the second diplomatic mission of the USS Peacock, in Zanzibar September, 1835:

  Under the shed of the custom house were several fine-looking men, tall and straight, and of a lighter complexion and smoother skin than the Arabs. Their costume is highly picturesque. The head is shaved back to the crown, and the hair is permitted to grow long behind, but the tress is folded on top of the head and concealed beneath a red or white turban, made high, somewhat in the shape of a bishop's mitre; it is laid in fine transverse plaits, instead of being twisted like that of the Arab, and in the centre of the lower edge is a small knot, the form of which distinguishes the sect to which the wearer may belong. The dress consists of a white robe, which sets close about the neck like a collarless shirt, and is gathered about the hips in such wise, by the help of a girdle, as to leave the lower part of the thigh and leg bare. Behind the limb, it is folded from opposite sides, so as to form an acute angle, the point being uppermost. The sleeves are straight and large. The feet are protected by sharp-toed slippers, the points of which turn up over the top of the foot. Such is the attire of the Banyans, a race of people who are, among Mussulmans, what the Jews are among Christians, a thriving, money-making class. They are despised by the Arabs, and are obliged to submit to insult and indignity, without being able to retort, or avenge themselves, even if their religion permitted, which inhibits them, the shedding of blood; their diet consisting of milk, ghee or butter, and vegetables. Captain Hassan informed me, he had never heard of a murder committed by any of them, though he had known of frequent instances of their being slain by the Arabs.
  
  The features of the Banyan are regular, and the expression of the countenance is placid and benevolent; their figures are straight and well-proportioned. They are the principal store-keepers on the island; there is estimated to be about three hundred and fifty of them at Zanzibar. They occupy small shops, or holes, raised a foot or two above the street, in which they may be seen, sitting on the floor with their knees drawn up, noting their accounts. Their knees serve them for a desk whereon to rest their paper; and a pointed reed and a thick black fluid, for pen and paper. They leave their families in India, and are absent from them for four or five years together, at the expiration of which they return for a year or more.
  
  When Vasco de Gama and his followers first doubled the Cape of Good Hope, the greater part of the commercial wealth of India was in the hands of the Banyans. They were celebrated for their frankness. A very short time sufficed them to transact the most important business. They usually dealt in bazaars; the vender told the price of his goods in a subdued voice and in few words; the purchaser replied by taking his hand, and by a certain manner of doubling and extending the fingers, explained what abatement he wished in the price. The bargain was often concluded without speaking a word; and, to ratify it, the hand was again taken in token of its inviolability. If any difficulty occurred, which was rare, they preserved a decorum and politeness towards each other, which one would not readily imagine. Their sons were present at all contracts, and they were taught, from their earliest years, the peaceful mode of conducting business; scarcely had reason dawned upon them, before they were initiated into the mysteries of commerce, so that in some cases, they were capable of succeeding their fathers, at the early age of ten years.
  
  The Banyans held some Abyssinian slaves, whom they treated with singular humanity; they educated them as their own children or relations; instructed them in business; advanced them funds; and not only allowed them to enjoy the gains, but also permitted them to dispose thereof to their descendants.
  
  Their expenses were not in a ratio to their wealth; compelled, by the principles of their religion, to abstain from viands and strong liquors, they lived on vegetables and fruit solely. They never departed from their economy, except when they established their sons; on which occasions, large sums were spent in feasting, music, dancing and fireworks; and they boasted of the expensiveness of their weddings. The Banyan women had the same simple customs. All their glory was to please their husbands; they were taught, from their earliest years, to admire conjugal respect and love, and with them, this was a sacred point in religion. Their reserve and austerity towards strangers, with whom they never entered into conversation, was in accordance with such principles; and they heard in astonishment of the familiarity that existed between the sexes in Europe.*
  
  Such were the Banyans three centuries gone by, and we have reason to think, they have not been entirely changed.
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  * Establecimientos ultramarinos. Tom. III. Madrid 1786.^[4].

Citations

• William Bolts: Considerations on Indian Affairs, London, 1772.
• Raynal, Guillaume-Thomas-François, abbé (Scandate: 20071026) [Originally published 1785]. Historia política de los establecimientos ultramarinos de las naciones europeas, Volume 3 (Google eBook) (in Spanish). Madrid: Antonio de Sancha. OCLC 14135206. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |chapterurl= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)