1. Plural of banian; Hindu merchants or traders, especially those engaged in commerce in India during the colonial period.
Usage: historical; often capitalized; also spelled 'banians' or 'banyans'
2. Plural of banian; Hindu merchants who served as intermediaries or agents for European trading companies in India.
Usage: historical; colonial context

Examples

• The banians played a crucial role in facilitating trade between European merchants and local suppliers.
• During the British colonial period, banians often served as interpreters and financial intermediaries.
• The banians accumulated considerable wealth through their commercial activities in the Indian subcontinent.
• Many banians were Hindu members of the merchant class who worked for the East India Company.
• The banians' knowledge of local markets made them invaluable to foreign trading enterprises.