Banas

Banas is a term used in the Indian subcontinent to denote several geographic and onomastic entities. It functions as a river name, a district identifier in Gujarat, and a surname found among various communities in the region. The multiple uses reflect common patterns in Indian place-names, where rivers and geographic features often lend their names to nearby settlements and administrative units.

Banas River refers to a river in northwestern India that is part of the Chambal river basin. It runs through portions of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh and is a tributary of the Chambal. The river plays a role in local hydrography and irrigation, and it figures in regional geographic and historical contexts as a watercourse shaping settlements along its course.

Banaskantha is a district in northern Gujarat named in part after the Banas River and the historical Kantha region. Its administrative center is Palanpur. The district is known for agriculture and regional trade, with towns such as Deesa contributing to its economic activity. The use of Banas in its name highlights the common practice of naming districts after nearby rivers or geographic features.

Banas also appears as a surname in parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan, among other communities in India. As a toponym and family name, it is encountered in historical records, official documents, and modern usage, reflecting the broader pattern of river- or feature-based naming in the region.