MathurVaishya is a sub-caste of Vaishya, a Hindu caste. They are also referred as Mathuria (Vaishya).

The Mathuria Vaish sub-caste of the Vaish were a part of trading community in Mathura until around 1018 CE. During the ancient period, Mathura was an economic hub, located at the junction of very important caravan routes. Mathura had historical links with Bateshwar, which is also located on the banks of river Yamuna. Bateshwar was founded by the king Śũrasena grandfather of lord Krishna according to legends. River Yamuna flow around Bateshwar in shape of Bel Patra (Aegle marmelos).

According to history, Mahmud Ghaznavi destroyed and plundered the temple city of Thanesar and massacred its inhabitants in 1014 CE. Mahmud Ghaznavi's army brought to Ghazni 20,000 captives, and much wealth. Then, in 1018, when the news of his imminent attack on Mathura broke out, panic spread in the city, causing mass migration from city of Mathura. One group of the business community (approximately 100 families) rushed to escape southwards along the bank of River Yamuna (about 100 km journey) to Bateshwar (and surrounding area Bah, Jarar). These migrants from Mathura came to be known as Mathuria[3] Vaishya (Vaishya, who came from Mathura), who were named as Mathur Vaishya[4] in British census.[5] Mathur Vaish have no connection with the Mathur (including so called Mathur Merchants) sub-caste of Kayastha, as well as Mathuria from other Varna apart from sharing the same ancestral homeland in the Mathura kingdom. Mathuria Vaish used to wear the sacred thread, which is the mark of the Dwija or twice-born. Since Mathur Vaish were forced by circumstances to leave most of their belongings back home in Mathura, most of them became poor. They could not retrieve their belongings afterwards, as almost the whole city was burned to ashes by the invaders.[6] They restarted their lives with small business opportunities. With the passage of time and broadening of opportunities, they followed other professions along with trading. Some of them moved to nearby village Samugarh (across the river Uttagan), now known as Fatehabad. Over time, the migration range widened to nearby villages Pinahat, IradatNagar and Shamsabad. During early part of British period (1804-1858 CE), Mathur Vaish took further steps in migration and moved beyond the northern bank of Yamuna (Shikohabad, Chandwar Nagar, Sirsaganj) and the southern bank of the Chambal (Ambah, Porsa, Morena) & south-west of ephemeral rivers Parbati / Banganga / Uttagan & Gambhiri / Khari-nadi (Dholpur, Mania).

Chandwar Nagar is located on the bank of river Yamuna and is south of current Firozabad city. Mathur Vaishya left Chandwar Nagar (only area of their homeland) where they deserted en masse) because of frequents dacoity. With the introduction of railways, Mathur Vaishya also migrated to big cities like Kanpur, Kolkata, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad. Now they are spread all over India and some abroad too. The Mathur Vaishya population is still well below a million. Firozabad has highest Mathur Vaishya population, followed by Agra. Most of the Mathur Vaishya in Firozabad are associated with the glass bangles business. In Firozabad, Mathur Vaishya are also referred to as Mathuria. Most of Mathur Vaishya use Gupta as their surname, while others write their Gotra as surname. The Mathur Vaishya speak Hindi or BrajBhasha, a dialect of Hindi spoken by people who evolved around the banks of Yamuna river. . Mathur Vaishya have traditionally been strictly vegetarian and non-alcoholic, though some have changed in the modern times. Mathur Vaishya worship deities Rama, Krishana, Shiva, Hanuman, Durga, Ganesha & Laxmi. Mathur Vaishya used to (even now) make a visit to the Mata KAILA devi temple at Karauli, Rajasthan to obtain blessing of Kuldevi after an auspicious occasion. Distinct features about Mathur Vaishya, unlike some other Vaishya communities are: Mathur Vaishya's initial migration from their home land was invariably to the big cities. Mathur Vaishya did not adopt or convert to other religions (including Jainism), despite surrounding areas under severe influence. Mathur Vaishya preferred wholesale nature of business instead of retail. The clan (exogomus division, also known as Gotra in non-Brahamin) nomenclature was derived from trading business of family's head in Mathura. Aloo (potato) Ka Rasa is an integral part of dinner meal, and cooked at least once a week in Mathuria Vaishya's home (probably exclusively). Aloo Ka Rasa is basically a sour yoghurt-based Indian curry or gravy primarily consisting of a sour yoghurt and water base thickened with boiled potato. Various herbs and spices (turmeric powder, corainder leaves, cumin seed etc.) are added to the 'Rasa' to give it a very distinct flavour.

Mathuria Vaishya ancestors in Mathura were wholesale traders, who were engaged in businesses of a variety of items including food grains, cloth, kitchen wares, gold, medicines, health supplements, beauty care products, building materials, wood, plant leaves, arms. Hence, the clan system was derived to preserve identity of family tree. Few more clans increased, as bigger clans got sub-divided. The comedy of error (misspellings) also helped to add few more clans. People from same clan were Gotriya brother and sistser. Later, Khandan was defined as seven contiguous generations through unbroken male siblings of a clan. S. No. Clan Name Business Type S.

• 01 Annawaria, Hindi: अनवरिया Food Grain
• 02 Athabariya, Hindi: अठबरिया / अठबैया Vedas
• 03 Arabhariya, Hindi: अरबहरया Bow & Arrow
• 04 Akharwar, Hindi: अखरवार Worship offerings
• 05 Alampuria, Hindi: अलापुरिया / आलमपुरिया Architect Material
• 06 Etiwar, Hindi: ऐतिवार Cannibas Resin
• 07 Oahawar, Hindi: ओहावार Conches
• 08 Auriya, Hindi: औरिया Ghee (Butter)
• 09 Theksere, Hindi: ेकसेरे Boat
• 10 Pengoria, Hindi: पैंगोरिया Books (Science & Fiction)
• 11 Pachadhari, Hindi: पचाधरी Art (Readymade)
• 12 Panwaria, Hindi: पनबरिया Plant Leaves
• 13 Paroliya, Hindi: पारौलिया Betting
• 14 Panniwar, Hindi: पन्नीवार Language Learning Tool
• 15 Pipraiya, Hindi: पिपरैया Wood
• 16 Suraiya, Hindi: सुरैया Music Instruments
• 17 Sanwasit, Hindi: संवासित Cosmetics
• 18 Sujanpuria, Hindi: सुजानपुरिया Colors
• 19 Sudaisak, Hindi: सुदैसक Diamond
• 20 Senkda, Hindi: सेंकड़ा Copper
• 21 Soni, Hindi: सोनी Jeweller
• 22 Sandilya, Hindi: साडिल्य Cap & Turban
• 23 Samasin, Hindi: समासिन Dance Costumes
• 24 Sakriwar, Hindi: साकरीवार Jaggery
• 25 Shanichara, Hindi: शनिचरा Oil
• 26 Shalya, Hindi: शल्या Medical Equipments
• 27 Shiroiya, Hindi: शिरोइया Mirror *
• 28 Shambashah, Hindi: शम्भाशाह Theatre
• 29 Raipuria, Hindi: रैपुरिया Iron
• 30 Rainguriya, Hindi: रैनगुरिया Cart
• 31 Rampuria, Hindi: रमपुरिया Ayurvedic products
• 32 Rainduha, Hindi: रैदेहुआ Chariot
• 33 Ramberiya, Hindi: रामबेरिया Ramayana
• 34 Revadi, Hindi: रेवाड़ी Sweets
• 35 Bagula, Hindi: बगुला Mustard
• 36 Baraiya, Hindi: बरैया Honey
• 37 Bagbular, Hindi: बगबुलार Berry
• 38 Bachharwar, Hindi: बछरवार Cattle
• 39 Balaiwar, Hindi: बलाईवार Health Supplements
• 40 Bansalas / Bansalwar, Hindi: बंसलवार Cloth
• 41 Bariwar, Hindi: बारीवार Cotton
• 42 Basoriya, Hindi: बासोरिया Bamboo
• 43 Babarpuria, Hindi: बाबरपुरिया Hunting Equipments
• 44 Bandesiya, Hindi: बन्देसिया Teak, Rose Wood
• 45 Badlas, Hindi: बादलस Horse
• 46 Bamaniya, Hindi: बामनियां Dry Fruits
• 47 Badua, Hindi: बादउआ Aroma
• 48 Virehua, Hindi: विरेहुआ Dumbbell
• 49 Virthariya, Hindi: विरथरिया Arrow Targets
• 50 Viroriya, Hindi: विरोरिया Howdah
• 51 Gajpuria, Hindi: गजपुरिया Transporter
• 52 Gidoriya, Hindi: गिंदौलिया / गिदौरिया Binoculars
• 53 Gangalas, Hindi: गांगलस Flower
• 54 Gulia, Hindi: गुलिया Water Vessel
• 55 Ganpati, Hindi: गणपति Fruits
• 56 Guteriya, Hindi: गुटेरिया Dice Games (e.g. Chaturaji)
• 57 Gotanlas, Hindi: गोतनलस Robes
• 58 Golas, Hindi: गोलस Milk & milk prodcts
• 59 Jatua, Hindi: जटुआ Hair Products
• 60 Jabrewa, Hindi: जबरेवा Tooth Powder
• 61 Jigariya, Hindi: जिगारिया Culinary Herbs (Digestive)
• 62 Jiroliya, Hindi: जिरौलिया Cumin Seed
• 63 Jigarwar, Hindi: जिगरवार Money Lender
• 64 Katheriya Hindi: कठैरिया Sword
• 65 Kashiwar, Hindi: काशीवार Jaree (Silk)
• 66 Kuteriya, Hindi: कुटेरिया Axe, Rammer
• 67 Kutwariya, Hindi: कुतवरिया Box & Vault
• 68 Kachchlas, Hindi: कच्��लस / कठछारस Spices
• 69 Katrauliya, Hindi: कतरौलिया Pulley
• 70 Kankatia, Hindi: कनकतिया Weaving Thread
• 71 Katas, Hindi: कातस Ignition Material
• 72 Kothiya , Hindi: कोठिया Lacquer ware
• 73 Mohaniya, Hindi: मोहनियॉं Trap & Cage
• 74 Modi, Hindi: मोदी Grocer
• 75 Merothiya, Hindi: मैरोठिया Knitting Material
• 76 Madhawar, Hindi: मढ़ावार Sorghum
• 77 Mathesuriya, Hindi: माठेसुरिया Flute & Pungi (Blow Pipe)
• 78 Murwaria, Hindi: मुरवारिया Pickle & Related products
• 79 Mahamaniya, Hindi: महामनियॉं Ivory
• 80 Mahawar, Hindi: महावार Calenders
• 81 Mandalas, Hindi: माडलस Magic Tools
• 82 Bhesanwar, Hindi: भेसनवार Cattle Feed
• 83 Bhatarkotia, Hindi: भतरकोठिया Building Material
• 84 Bhabhalpuria, Hindi: भभालपुरिया Mineral Goods
• 85 Bhadrauliya, Hindi: भदरौलिया Umbrella
• 86 Chandalas, Hindi: चॉदलस Lantern
• 87 Chaudahrana, Hindi: चौदहराना Smoking Pipe
• 88 Chausia, Hindi: चौसिया Areca Nut
• 89 Laghua, Hindi: लघउआ Photo Material
• 90 Therahmaniya, Hindi: तैरहमनिया Buddhist Text - Tipitaka
• 91 Tainguriya, Hindi: तैनगुरिया Latex Products
• 92 Ghagharwar, Hindi: घाघरवार Bride Dress
• 93 Khobadiya, Hindi: खोबड़िया Protective Gears
• 94 Khuteriya, Hindi: खुटैटिया Rope Halter
• 95 Fanjoloya, Hindi: फंजोलिया Basmati Rice
• 96 Farsaiya, Hindi: फरसैया Knife, Sickle
• 97 Hathkatia, Hindi: हतकतिया / हथकटिया Weaving Tools
• 98 Jayadeva, Hindi: जयदेवा Maths Learning Tools
• 99 Doneriya, Hindi: दोनेरिया Cup & Plates
• 100 Niboriya, Hindi: निबौरिया Preservatives
• 101 Naugaiya, Hindi: नौगैया Astrological Gems
• 102 Nirjawar, Hindi: निरजावार Stain Remover
• 103 Ghunnpuria, Hindi: गुन्पुरिया Insecticides

Obviously, the clan was very divergent. Some of clan names seems common in other varna, castes and / or sub-castes. Vaishya are those whose mind is engaged by the VISHAYA. VISHAYA means, subject or specialization or professional knowledge. When a product is sold in volume at consistent basis, it becomes profession. Hence, these migrants from Mathura were Vaishya from time immemorial in true spirit of Vedas. Some of descendents, from some of clans left Bateshwar area and / or joined their earlier relatives, as life was tough and business aveneues were limited. This has caused some clans big (e.g. Baccharwar), while some small (e.g. Basoriya). In case of adoption, both clan (bio-logical as well adopting) parents linkage was considered. However, marriages are forbidden within two degrees on the biological mother's side, and seven on the bio-logical father. The adopting father gotra becomes gotra of adopted child. Widow re-marriage was not allowed, however widower re-marriage was allowed. As life moved forward, there was additions in clan (clan names ending with letter 'AL') of those Vaishya of erstwhile Mathura (engaged in businesses mentioned below at time of joining), who could not join them earlier. These following clans were added generations later, when they arrived in Bateshwar area. S. No. Clan Name Business Type

• 01 Kotwal, Hindi: कोतवाल Confiscated Goods
• 02 Kaushal, Hindi: कौशल Astronomy Yantra (Instruments)
• 03 Bachhal, Hindi: बाछल Metal

In past, Mathur Vaishya did not marry, if any of four Gotra (of Father, Maternal Uncle, Grandmother & Maternal Grandmother) matched among themselves. The reasoning for same was the belief; that many years ago their elders belonged to one clan and hence are blood related brothers and sisters. This worked perfectly for centuries, as there were more than 100 clans. However, with imbalance in clan sizes and desire for specific type of lifemate in the community, forced a change in custom. Now only matching of Gotra of Father & Maternal Uncle is checked, along with check of bride / groom swapping on father's side among living generations (e.g. Bride's brother can not marry Groom's sister in future). Despite the above mentioned additions in community centuries ago, the community over these years has become localized, and may suffer in future the effects of DNA recessive mutations. According to tradition, the dasa are said to be the close relatives of Mathur Vaishya having non-Mathur Vaishya spouse & their descendants, though this concept is a thing of the past now.

Mathur vaish have an all India organization called Akhil Bharatiya Mathur Vaish Mahasabha which was founded in 1887 CE ( byHonourable Late lala Ganeshilal ji.), [8] (and also a women organisation called Mahila Sammelan), having its office in all big cities of India, and main offices at Agra & Jaipur. About 1970 CE, reforms were mooted in community again. It was suggested that the remarriage and rehabilitation of widows be permitted, and there was renewed demand for abolition of dowry, which continue to hurt community like double edged sword. Following are some of publications about community in Hindi language:

• S. No. Name
• 01 Mathurvaishya Bandhu
• 02 Mathurvaishya Chetna
• 03 Mathurvaishya Chitran
• 04 Mathurvaishya Darpan
• 05 Mathurvaishya Jagrati
• 06 Mathurvaishya Hiteshi

Mathur Vaish as a community have progressed tremendously. Today many of them are successful too, and moving up the ladder in business graph of India. In pre-independent British India, they actively participated in freedom struggle[9][10][11]. There were few MLA[12] (Member of Legislative Assembly), MLC[13] (Member of Legislative Council) and Mayor from Mathur Vaishya community, who represented the constituencies of Jhansi, Shikohabad, Fatehabad & Agra before caste polarization in Indian politics. In independent India, the initial preference among educated ones were professions of Doctor & Teacher. With the boom in outsourcing opportunities in India, Engineering has become the preferred profession among educated ones. In recent times, they are well placed in Corporate India.