Niyogi

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Castes of India
Niyogis
Classification Caste/Brahmin
Subdivisions -
Significant populations in Andhra Pradesh
Languages Telugu
Religions Hinduism

Niyogis are a sect of Brahmins and are predominantly Telugu speakers.

Contents

[edit] Theories of Origin

According to one belief, Aruvela Niyogis emerged when a Kshatriya ruler selected six thousand brahmins (priests) to fight a crucial battle for him as his own army had been decimated (Niyonginchuta in Telugu means "to assign"). Hence, Niyogis are commonly referred to as Aaru-vela niyogulu(Six thousand Niyogis).

According to another story, the word "Aruvela" is derived from six thousand (Aruvelu) villages in the Vela Nadu area of Andhra Pradesh. Some believe that Arvela Nadu is an alternate name for Vela Nadu and hence the Niyogi Brahmins of that region are called as Aruvela Niyogis.

A third theory (narrated by R.E.Frykenberg) holds that the Niyogis are the descendants of six thousand Brahmins brought down from the Kanyakubja region (Kanauj) of Northern India in the eleventh century to look after the local administration. It is also said that the great Timmarusu(Appaji) selected six thousand brahmins for assisting Krishnadevaraya in ruling the Vijayanagara Empire

[edit] Etymology

According to Jogendranath Bhattacharya, the word Niyogi is derived from Yoga, which means "religious contemplation" or "meditation", as opposed to Yaga, which means "religious sacrifice". Niyogin in Sanskrit also means "employed" or "appointed" and it is probable that Niyogis were given this name because they accept secular employment.

[edit] Subdivisions

Over the past millennium the Niyogis have been further divided further into various groups:

  • Pradhamasakha (The First Branch)
  • Aruvela
  • Nandavarika
  • Karanakamma
  • Velanati
  • Telaganya
  • Dravida
  • Karanalu
  • Sristikaranalu/Sistukaranalu/Sistakaranalu
  • Kasalanati
  • Pakanati

The Aruvelas are the largest Niyogi group. They as well as the majority of Brahmins in Andhra Pradesh belong to the Krishna Yajurveda (black) School.

The exception is the Pradhamasakha group which belongs to the Shukla Yajurveda (white) School. In Maharashtra too, there is a group of Brahmins called Pradhamasakha.

These group also called a Yagnavalkya

[edit] Niyogis today

Niyogis are those brahmins, who took up various secular vocations including military ones like their counterparts in other states such as Chitpavans in Maharashtra,Patnaiks in Orissa, Mohyals in the Punjab, Bhumihars in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, Tyagis in most parts of Northern India and the Ambalavasi of Kerala. For this they gave up religious occupations such as priesthood.

Despite this, the Niyogis are considered to be eligible for priestly service. But they will never either accept a religious gift or partake of Shraadha food (food given to Brahmins duiring death related rituals).

Niyogis depend and emphasize on modern education, administration (Niyogis have traditionally been well represented in the lower cadres of local administration in Andhra Pradesh), management etc. In the past, they were Zamindars, Ministers in the courts of kings and feudatories. Many of them were village accountants/clerks, Karanams (in Andhra) or Patwaris (in Telangana), until recently.

They were very rich and influential.It is said they could accustom and excel in almost anything they get into. The famous saying goes "Yendu Niyogimpavalenanna Niyogimpadagina vaadu Niyogi" (He who can be trusted for successful completion of task is a Niyogi).

[edit] Niyogis and other Telugu Brahmins

The Aruvela group is said to be extremely proud and their pride in not accepting help from others is often referred to as "Niyogikam". Other Telugu Brahmins are soft spoken and docile as opposed to the Niyogis which is said to be the reason for the lesser number of matrimonial alliances between rest of the Telugu Brahmin sub-castes and Niyogis.

[edit] Famous Niyogis

[edit] Trivia

Niyogi is also a common Bengali family name, and means "recruiter".

V.V.S.Laxman

[edit] References

  1. "Andhra Viprula Gotramulu, Indla Perlu, Sakhalu," by Emmesroy Sastri.
  2. "Hindu Castes and Sects," Jogendranath Bhattacharya.
  3. "History and Culture of Andhra Pradesh," Rao PR.
  4. Brahmins
  5. Brahmins of Andhra Pradesh
  6. Poverty Stricken Brahmins
  7. Source: Vepachedu Educational Foundation Inc.
  8. Permission

[edit] External links

Bengali Niyogi in Wikipedia:

Some Bengali Niyogis on the web:

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../n/i/y/Niyogi.html"
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