The Sanas Surname: Origins in India's Dhangar (Shepherd) Community

The surname Sanas (also spelled Sanass, Sanas) is predominantly associated with the Dhangar community—a traditionally pastoral (sheep/goat herding) group classified as a Nomadic Tribe (NT) or Other Backward Class (OBC) in various Indian states.

Community Profile: The Dhangars

• Traditional Occupation: Sheep and goat herding, wool production, blanket weaving (kambal), pastoral migration.
• Primary Regions: Maharashtra (esp. Western Maharashtra, Marathwada, Vidarbha), Gujarat (Kutch, Saurashtra), Karnataka (North Karnataka), Andhra Pradesh/Telangana (Rayalaseema, Telangana), Madhya Pradesh (Malwa).
• Sub-groups: Hatkar (sheep herders), Gavli (cowherds), Khutekar (wool weavers), Thellari (goat herders), Sangar (shepherds).
• Language: Marathi, Gujarati, Kannada, Telugu dialects; many bilingual.
• Deity: Biroba / Khandoba (forms of Shiva), Jyotiba, Mariaai.
• Festivals: Dhangar festival (post-Diwali), Khandoba Yatra, Pola (cattle worship).

Sanas as a Clan (Kul) Name

Within the Dhangar community, Sanas functions as a kul (exogamous clan) identifier. Marriages within the same kul are traditionally prohibited. Other Dhangar kuls include: Gavade, Khade, Khedkar, Lambat, Markad, Nagargoje, Sangale, Shelar, Zende.

Geographic Concentration of Sanas Families

• Maharashtra: Pune, Ahmednagar, Solapur, Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur, Nashik, Aurangabad, Beed, Osmanabad districts.
• Gujarat: Kutch, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Surendranagar.
• Karnataka: Belgaum, Bijapur, Bagalkot, Dharwad.

Modern Context

• Many Dhangars have diversified into agriculture, military/police service, education, government jobs, business.
• Reservation benefits: Listed as NT-C (Dhangar) in Maharashtra; OBC in Karnataka, Gujarat, AP/Telangana; ST demand in some regions (pending).
• Notable Sanas individuals appear in Maharashtra politics, cooperative movement, academia, armed forces.

Genealogical Research Tips

1. Check village kul records (maintained by community elders/purohits).
2. Search British-era land records (Dhangars often held grazing rights).
3. Explore modi script documents (Marathi administrative script pre-1950).
4. Connect with Dhangar Samaj organizations (e.g., All India Dhangar Mahasabha, Maharashtra Dhangar Samaj).

The Sanas surname reflects a proud pastoral heritage—guardians of the grasslands, weavers of wool, keepers of ancient transhumance routes across the Deccan Plateau.