8.7 Evolution of Bhumihar Brahmin
community
The myths of origin,
population figure and the places of settlement captured in the census data and
their correlation with each other from the socio-cultural development
perspective helps to understand the evolution of Bhumihar Brahmin community in a
concrete way.
8.7.1 Origin after the mythical event of
Parashurama killing Kshatriyas
The belief prevalent in the
Bhumihar community regarding their origin is associated with the mythical event
in which Parashurama killed Kshatriyas of earth 21 times. We have seen earlier
that this is more of a myth and less of an actual event. The myth is an
exaggerated version of war happened between Parashurama and the Chandravanshi
Heheya Kshatriyas ruling over the central and western India. The war is
mentioned in detail in the epic Mahabharata which was edited to incorporate the
Brahmanical thoughts during the Gupta Empire of 4th century AD. Historians consider
this myth as a sentiment of Brahmins against Kshatriyas when the two faiths
started by the Kshatriya sages Buddha and Mahavira challenged the very
supremacy of Brahmins over the spiritual and religious works. Even though, if
we assume the Heheya Kshatriyas to be exterminated by Parashurama, then the
same was not true for the entire Kshatriya class of northern India. We know
that Kosala, Kasi, Kuru-Panchala and so on were not only present but
flourishing during the early Vedic period when Prashurama lived. Also there is
no mention of Brahmin dynasties in ancient religious texts until the Brahmin
Sunga dynasty dethroned the Mauryas in the 2nd century BC. Moreover the Babhan
community is found in the land of ancient Magadha and therefore the origin from
Brahmins occupying the position of Kshatriyas after the latter’s massacre by
Parashurama looks a myth only. However, the myth indicates towards their
acceptance of the fact that their ancestors left Brahmanical way of living in
society since long back.
8.7.2 Low caste people promoted to the rank
of Brahmins
This myth can be said to be
propagated in the society by few to offend the Bhumihars in a region where the
caste based feelings were extremely high in the medieval period. In fact, many
such stories are also floating in the society about other non-priestly Brahmins
found across India. Regarding Bhumihars, the population has a homogeneous
physical appearance and can be classified under Indo-Aryan category. Therefore
the community descending from the lower castes i.e. Shudra or Dasa population
of the ancient Magadha, who mostly belonged to the Dravidian-Mongoloid human
races, is directly ruled out.
8.7.3 Origin from the Buddhist Brahmins
This hypothesis put forward
by various historians looks valid as the community is chiefly found in Magadha
Mahajanpada which historically was the place of Vratya Brahmins who were not
well versed with the Brahmanic rituals and found difficult to utter the
Sanskrit words. Further, the rock edicts of Ashoka mention about Babhans, which
is another popular name by which the Bhumihar Brahmins are known in these
regions. It can be said that these populations belong to the early lot of
Indo-Aryan priestly classes who with time lagged behind their counterparts of
Kuru- Panchala with respect to performing the expanded Brahmanic rituals and
dissociation from the agricultural activities. With the rise of Buddhism, when
most Kshatriya populations turned towards this new faith, they too joined them
only to return in Brahmanism faith when Buddhism started declining after 6th
century AD. After returning in Brahmanism faith, they successfully tried to
dissociate themselves from doing agricultural work similar to priestly or
orthodox Brahmins. However they continued with only three duties against six
duties performed by priestly Brahmins and that included non-performing of
priestly duties of sacrifices. It must be noted that the Bhumihars are not the
only Brahmin people to lose their full rights over priestly activities across
India, but many such communities exist and the reason behind the loss of their
priestly status was similar social factors that prevailed over those regions
from 500 BC to 1300 AD.
8.8 Evolution of Mall -
Sainthwar community - click here to read
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Index Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10
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