Bengali Brahmins

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Bengali Brahmins
Religions Hinduism
Country Indian subcontinent
The Bengali Brahmins are those Hindu Brahmins who traditionally reside in the Bengal region of the Indian
subcontinent, currently comprising the Indian state of West Bengal, Tripura, Assam and Bangladesh. When
the British left India in 1947, carving out separate nations (see partition), a number of families moved from
the Muslim-majority East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) to be within the borders of the newly defined Republic
of India, and continued to migrate for several decades thereafter.
In the 19th (held at Prayag) and 20th (held at Lucknow) national convention of Kanyakubja Brahmins by
Kanyakubja Mahati Sabha, in 1926 and 1927 respectively, it appealed for unity among Kanyakubja
Brahmins whose different branches included Sanadhya, Pahadi, Jujhoutia, Saryupareen, Chattisgarhi,
Bhumihar Brahmins and different Bengali Brahmins.
[1]
Historically, the Bengali Brahmins have been the
standard bearers of Madhyadeshiya culture in Bengal (Madhyadesh is the historic-cultural region of the
upper GangesYamuna doab which was the seat of Panch-Gauda brahmins).
Bengali Brahmins are categorized as Pancha-Gauda Brahmins (the Brahmins who traditionally lived to the
north of the Vindhyas).
[2]
Contents
1 History
2 Traditional accounts
3 Divisions among Bengali Brahmins
4 Notable Bengali Brahmins
4.1 Pre-1757
4.2 17571947
4.3 Post-1947
5 Notes
6 References
History
The earliest historically verifiable presence of brahmins in Bengal can be ascertained from Dhanaidaha
copper-plate inscription of Kumargupta 1 of the Gupta Year 113 (433 C.E.) which records the grant of land
to a brahmin named Varahasvamin of the Samavedi school.
[3]
A copper-plate grant from the Gupta period
found in the vicinity of Somapura mentions a Brahmin donating land to a Jain vihara at Vatagohali. Literary
sources like Ramayana, Mahabharata, Jain and Buddhist works, however record the presence of brahmins in
various parts of Bengal during earlier periods.
[4]
Historical evidence also attests significant presence of
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Brahmins in Bengal during the Maurya period. The Jain Acharya Bhadrabahu, regarded to be the preceptor
of Chandragupta Maurya is said to have been born in Brahmin family of Pundravardhana ( or Pura, the
region north of the Ganges and west of Brahmaputra in Bengal, later known as Vrendra). Such evidences
suggest Pura or Vrendra and regions west of Bhagirathi (called Radha in ancient age) to be seats of
brahmins from ancient times; Rdhi and Varendra are still chief branches of Bengali brahmins settled in
these regions.
[5]
Medium to large scale migrations of Brahmins from various parts of India like Mithila,
Kanyakubja region, Kolancha, southern India and Pushkar in Rajasthan, among other places, occurred from
time to time, especially during Pala and Sena periods.
[6]
Traditionally, Bengali brahmins are divided into the following categories:
[4][7][8]
Rdhi from Radh (region south-west of the Ganges)
Varendra, from Vrendra region (North-East) or Pura. Vrendra originally meant rain-maker
magicians.
[9]
Vaidika (migrants, originally experts of Vedic knowledge)
Paschatya Vaidika (Vedic brahmins from west of Bengal)
Dakshinatya Vaidika (Vedic brahmins from south of Bengal)
Madhya Sreni (brahmins of the midland country)
Shakdvipi(migrant brahmins of Shakdvipa in Central Asia)
Grahavipra (Brahmins associated with practice of Astrology) (a major surname: Acharya although
all 'Acharya's do not benlong to Grahavipra class)
Saptaati
Traditional accounts
The different brahmin communities of Bengal have their own traditional accounts of origin, which are
generally found in various genealogical texts known as kulagranthas or kulapanjikas. Other details may also
be obtained from court chronicles of various kings of Bengal. Important writers are Harimishra (13th century
C.E), Edu Mishra (13th century C.E), Devivara Ghatak (15th century C.E), Dhruvananda Mishra (post 15th
century C.E), Vachaspati Mishra, Rajendralal Mitra among others.
[4]
Radhi and Varendra
The traditional origin of both Radhi and Varendra brahmins has been attributed to a king named dira who
is said to have invited five Brahmins from Kolancha (as per Edu Mishra and Hari Mishra
[10]
) and/or from
Kanyakubja,
[11]
(as per Dhruvananda Mishra) so that he could conduct a yaja, because he could not find
Vedic experts locally. Some traditional texts mention that dira was ancestor of Balll Sena from maternal
side and five brahmins had been invited in 1077 C.E.
[12]
Other texts like Varendrakulapanjika, Vachaspati
Mishra's account and Edu Mishra's account attribute a date of 732 C.E for the migration. Additionally, other
sources like Sambandhanirnaya, Kulanrava and others attribute various dates like 942 C.E, 932 C.E and
others.
[4]
Historians have located a ruler named dira ruling in north Bihar, but not in Bengal. But Balll Sena and
his predecessors ruled over both Bengal and Mithila (i.e., North Bihar). It is unlikely that the brahmins from
Knyakubja may have been invited to Mithila for performing a yaja, because Mithila was a strong base of
brahmins since Vedic age.
[13]
However some scholars have identified dira with Jayanta, a vassal chief of
the Gauda king around middle of 8th century C.E.
[4]
and is also referred to as a contemporary of Jayapida
(779 to 812 C.E) of Kashmir (grandson of Lalitaditya) in Kalhana's Rajatarangini.
[14]
Paschatya Vaidikas
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Traditionally they are believed to have migrated from Kanyakubja (or Kanauj), the traditional origin of both
Radhi and Varendra brahmins, to Bengal via Tirhoot, during the commencement of Muslim rule in India.
Most of the vaidikas were invited by Hindu chiefs and rajas who used to rule in various parts of Bengal
during the Muslim ascendancy.
[15]
Dakshinatya Vaidikas
Traditionally it is believed that during his reign, Vijaya Sena (1097 1160 C.E), brought brahmins from
South India to Bengal, who integrated themselves with the varendra barhmins and came to be known as
Dakshinatya vaidika barahmins.
[16]
Divisions among Bengali Brahmins
Both Brahmins and Kayasthas in Bengal have followed a system that ranks the clans hierarchically. The
Kulinas formed the higher ranking clans.
Rdhi (also Rhi in some old texts) is the major branch of Western Bengali brahmins. The descendants of
these five Pancyjika brahmins were hierarchically organised into three categories:
rotriya is the second rank among the descendants of these five brahmins because they were deft in
Vedic knowledge but were considered to be somewhat inferior to the Kulina brahmins (possessing 8
out of 9 noble qualities).
Vamaja is the third rank which was a result of kulinas marrying outside kulinas.
[17]
Jti-Bhkar mentions that those who were given grants along the Ganges by Balll Sena were called
Gangopdhyya (literally 'the Vedic teachers in the regions around the Ganges').
[18]
Mukhopdhyya means chief Vedic teacher. Bandopdhyya is a Sanskritized form of 'Banodha +
updhyya', Banodha being the ancient name of Raebareli-Unnva whence their ancestors had come
from.
[19]
Notable Bengali Brahmins
Pre-1757
Acharya Bhadrabahu (4th and 3rd centuries BC) Jain religious teacher, preceptor of the Mauryan
emperor Chandragupta, author of several important texts like Upsargahara Stotra and Kalpasutra.
Sridhara (870930) mathematician.
Krittibas Ojha (13811461) composer of the Bengali Ramayan.
Nityananda Ojha (b. 1474 CE), was a Vaishnava saint
Raghunatha Siromani (14771547) a noted Nyaya philosopher.
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (14861534) Hindu religious teacher of the cult of Bhakti yoga, ascetic, social
reformer, humanist, supporter of universal brotherhood, rejected caste-system, founder of Gaudiya
Vaishnavism.
Nityananda (14781532), companion and disciple of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
Advaita Acharya (14341539), companion and disciple of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
17571947
Raja Ram Mohan Roy (17741833) socio-religious reformer (mostly remembered for the abolition of
sati), educationist.
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Dwarkanath Tagore (17941846) one of the first Indian industrialists and enterprueners
Niharranjan Ray (1903-1981)Indian historian
Kisari Mohan Ganguli first translator of the Mahabharata to English in prose form
Ramtanu Lahiri (18131898) Young Bengal leader, teacher, and social reformer
Debendranath Tagore (18171905) socio-religious reformer, leader of the Brahmo Samaj, educationist
Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar (18201891) polymath, writer, social reformer (mostly remembered for
the introduction of widow remarriage) and educationist
Harish Chandra Mukherjee (18241861) journalist, associated with the Hindu Patriot, supported the
Indigo Revolt and fought against the indigo planters for the rights of the peasants
Ramakrishna (Gadadhar Chattopadhyay) (18361886) Hindu religious teacher and saint, humanist,
one of the earliest advocaters of universal brotherhood and equality of world religions, responsible for
Hindu revival through the efforts of his disciple Swami Vivekananda
Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay (18381894), writer and novelist who coined Vande Mataram which
became the war-cry of the Indian revolutionaries
Dwijendranath Tagore (18401926) poet, lyricist, philosopher, mathematician, and a pioneer in
Bengali shorthand and musical notations
Satyendranath Tagore (18421923) author, lyricist, linguist social reformer
Dwarkanath Ganguly (18441898) social reformer, writer
Womesh Chandra Bonerjee (18441908) politician, one of the founders of the Indian National
Congress
Sivanath Sastri (18471919) scholar, writer, historian, educationist and socio-religious reformer
Troilokyanath Mukhopadhyay (18471919) author
Surendranath Banerjee (18481925) one of the founders of the Indian National Congress
Jyotirindranath Tagore (18491925) playwright, lyricist, musician, editor and painter
Sarada Devi (18531920) "Holy Mother", religious leader, wife of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa
Haraprasad Shastri (18531931) writer, historian, archivist and famous for the discovery of
Charyapada, the earliest known examples of Bengali literature
Swarnakumari Devi (18551932) writer, poet, novelist, musician and social-worker
Nabin Chattopadhyay (d. 1930) philosopher, saint, advocater of an amalgamation of Advaita Vedanta
and Mahayana doctrines
Rabindranath Tagore (18611941) polymath, writer, poet, novelist, lyricist, musician, painter,
playwright, educationist, social-reformer, the first Nobel Laureate of Asia. He was also a follower of
Brahmo Samaj.
Dwijendralal Ray (18631913) writer, poet, lyricist and playwright
Ramendra Sundar Tribedi (18641919) writer, mainly known for his essays on science and philosophy
Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee (18641924) educationist, vice-chancellor of the University of Calcutta
(19061924)
Gaganendranath Tagore (18671938) artist, painter and cartoonist, one of the founders of the Bengal
School of Art
Abanindranath Tagore (18711951) artist, painter, one of the founders of the Bengal School of Art,
writer, novelist
Provatkumar Mukhopadhyay (18731932) writer and novelist
Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay (18761938) writer, novelist
Bagha Jatin (Jatindra Nath Mukherjee) (18791915) freedom fighter and revolutionary leader
Sarojini Chattopadhyay (18791949) writer, poet, social and political activist
Virendranath Chattopadhyaya (18801937) Indian revolutionary
Rakhaldas Bandyopadhyay (18851930) archaeologist, credited with finding and excavating the
Mohenjo-daro (Indus Valley Civilization)
Bipin Behari Ganguli, (18871952) freedom fighter
Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay (18941950) writer, novelist (author of Pather Panchali)
Tarashankar Bandopadhyay (18981971) writer, novelist
Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay (1899-1970) writer, novelist
Bonophul (Balai Chand Mukhopadhyay) (18991979) writer, novelist
Shibram Chakraborty (19031980) writer, humorist and revolutionary
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Satinath Bhaduri (19061950) writer, novelist and politician
Manik Bandopadhyay (19081956) writer, novelist
Radhika Mohan Maitra (19171981) musician, sarod player
Narayan Gangopadhyay (19181970) writer, dramatist and novelist
Narayan Sanyal (19242005) writer, novelist, dramatist
Ravi Shankar, sitar player
Post-1947
Shreya Ghoshal, singer
Richa Gangopadhyay, actress
Rachana Banerjee, actress
Sayantika Banerjee, actress
Jenni Banerjee, actress
Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, former mayor of Kolkata
Hrishikesh Mukherjee, film director
Basu Chatterjee, film director
Sourav Ganguly, former captain of the Indian cricket team
Notes
^ Saraswati, Swami Sahajanand (2003). Swami Sahajanand Saraswati Rachnawali in Six volumes (in
Volume 1). Delhi: Prakashan Sansthan. pp. 519 (at p 6869) (Volume 1). ISBN 81-7714-097-3.
1.
^ A History of Brahmin Clans, p.288 2.
^ cf. Some Historical Aspects of the Inscription of Bengal, page xii 3.
^
a

b

c

d

e
cf. Banger Jatiya Itihash, Brahman Kanda, Vol 1 4.
^ cf. History of Brahmin Clans, p. 281 5.
^ cf. Banger Jatiya Itihash, Brahman Kanda, Vol 3, Chapter 1 6.
^ cf. Hindu Castes and Sects, Jogendranath Bhattacharya, Part III, Chap 1, Pg 35 7.
^ cf. Samaj Biplab ba Brahman Andalon, Dinabandhu Acharya Vedashastri 8.
^ Vri+indra, Vri meant water : cf.A History of Brahmin Clans , p. 283. 9.
^ cf. Harimishra,

10.
^ cf. History of Brahmin Clans,page 281283 11.
^ cf. History of Brahmin Clans,page 281 : this book quotes Krishna-Charita by Vidysgar for dating. 12.
^ cf. D.D. kosambi, p. 123. 13.
^ cf. Rajatarangini, Tarang 4, Verse 421 14.
^ cf. Hindu Castes and Sects, Jogendranath Bhattacharya, Part III, Chap 1, Pg 36 15.
^ Samaj Biplab ba Brahman Andalon, Dinabandhu Acharya Vedashastri 16.
^ Kuladpk quoted in History of Brahmin Clans,page 283 17.
^ Jti-Bhkar quoted in History of Brahmin Clans,page 285 18.
^ History of Brahmin Clans,page 287 19.
References
Swami Sahajanand Saraswati Rachnawali (Selected works of Swami Sahajanand Saraswati),
Prakashan Sansthan, Delhi, 2003.
Kalhana's Rajatarangini: A Chronicle of the Kings of Kashmir; 3 Volumes > M.A.Stein (translator),
(Introduction by Mohammad Ishaq Khan),published by Saujanya Books at Srinagar,2007, (First
Edition pub. in 1900),ISBN 81-8339-043-9 / 8183390439.
A History of Brahmin Clans (Brhmaa Vash k Itihsa) in Hindi, by Dorill arm,published by
Rtriya Brhamana Mahsabh, Vimal Building, Jamirbd, Mitranagar, Masdbd,Aligarh-1, 2nd
ed-1998. (This Hindi book contains the most exhaustive list of Brahmana gotras and pravaras together
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their real and mythological histories).
Jti-Bhkara by Pt. Jwl Prasd Misra, published by Khemaraj Shrikrishnadas, (1914).
An Introduction to the Study of Indian History, by Damodar Dharmanand Kosmbi, Popular
Prakasan,35c Tadeo Road, Popular Press Building, Bombay-400034, First Edition: 1956, Revised
Second Edition: 1975.
Nagendra Nath Basu, Banger Jatiya Itihas (in Bengali), 2 vols, Calcutta, 1321 BS.
Atul Sur, Banglar Samajik Itihas (Bengali), Calcutta, 1976
NN Bhattacharyya, Bharatiya Jati Varna Pratha (Bengali), Calcutta, 1987
RC Majumdar, Vangiya Kulashastra (Bengali), 2nd ed, Calcutta, 1989.
Benoychandra Sen, Some Historical Aspects of the Inscription of Bengal, Calcutta, 1942.
[hide]
v
t
e (https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Template:Bengali_Hindu_people&action=edit)
Bengali Hindus
Castes
Aguri
Bagdi
Baidya
Baishya Kapali
Baishya Saha
Barujibi
Bauri
Brahmin
Chunaru
Dom
Gandhabanik
Hari
Kaibartya
Kansabanik
Karmakar
Kayastha
Mahato
Mahishya
Malla
Namasudra(Namassej)
Pirali Brahmin
Pundra
Sadgop
Shunri
Yogi
Sects
Brahmo
Kartabhaja
Shaiva
Shakta
Vaishnava
Religious
bodies
Adi Brahmo Samaj
Ananda Marga
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Bharat Sevashram Sangha
Brahmo Samaj
Gaudiya Math
International Society for Krishna Consciousness
Matua Mahasangha
Ramakrishna Math
Ramakrishna Mission
Ramakrishna Order
Ramakrishna Sarada Math
Ramakrishna Sarada Mission
Sadharan Brahmo Samaj
Self-Realization Fellowship
Sri Aurobindo Ashram
Vedanta Society
Yogoda Satsanga Society of India
Festivals,
ceremonies,
Holy Days,
etc.
Poila Baisakh
Rabindra Jayanti
Akshaya Tritiya
Shashthi
Savitri Brata
Ambubachi Mela
Dhamrai Jagannath Roth
Jhulan Purnima
Janmashtami
Bhadu
Ganesh Chaturthi
Vishwakarma Puja
Durga Puja
Lakshmi Puja
Diwali
Kali Puja
Bhai Phonta
Nabanna
Jagaddhatri Puja
Swami Vivekananda's Birthday
Makar Sankranti
Saraswati Puja
Maha Shivaratri
Dol Purnima
Holi
Gajan
Pratapaditya Utsav
Ekadashi
Kumbh Mela
Gangasagar
Baruni Snan
Folk arts
Dhokra
Sholapith
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Folk
dances
Raibenshe
Chhau
Paika
Dhamail
Folk songs
Alkap
Kavigan
See also
Bengali Hindu mythology and culture
Bengali Hindu diaspora
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Categories: Bengali Hindu castes Social groups of West Bengal Bengali people
Brahmin communities by language
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