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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