Varna Status
The Teli are generally considered to belong to the Vaishya (merchant) varna in Hinduism, though possibly of a lower or "less-pure" status. Other sources, however, classify them with the Shudra (cultivators), while others note that the Teli have attempted to avoid lower-classed activities and associations in an attempt to identify themselves as Vaishya.
A history of the Telis written by the Secretary of the Teli Society claimed a Vaishya origin.
Sahu is an surname belonging to the Teli caste of Vaishya varna. This is to be mentioned as a Bania sub-community or caste.
In Bengal, the Teli would be reckoned as Vaishya, along with other traders and bankers such as the Suvarnabanik, Gandhabanik, Saha, had not the Vaishya varna disappeared there.
In Rajasthan, the Teli claim Kshatriya (warrior) status, though their neighbors recognise them as Vaishya.
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