Wani (surname)


Wani, Vani, or Wain is a Kashmiri caste. Both Wain and Wani/Vani are acceptable pronunciations. Historians agree that the Wani/Wain belonged to the Hindu merchant caste of Baniya. Even after many of the Wani/Wain accepted Islam, the profession of these people remained primarily in trade and commerce. Taareekh Hassan has mentioned that Wani Muslims became one of the highest castes among Sheikhs.
Wains are divided into several sub-castes such as Kesarwani, Tal-Wain, Pui-Wain, Baand-Wain, Bas-Wain, Tarangar-Wain, Kakar-Wain, and Par-Wain. Because of the adoption of different trades by members of the tribe, various branches of the tribe have come into existence. In the 1931 census about 72,311 people were identified with Wani caste. Some Wains have migrated to Punjab region.

People with the surname