Bhumihar

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Castes of India
Bhumihar
Classification Brahmin
Subdivisions five main clans
Significant populations in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Maharashtra and Nepal
Languages Hindi, Bhojpuri and Magahi
Religions Hinduism

Bhumihar Brahmins (भूमीहर ब्राह्मण), also known as Bhumihars (भूमीहार) are an influential Brahmin subcaste who have traditionally resided in fertile regions of Indo-Gangetic plains of North India, in the states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand. They were referred to as Baabhans (बाभन) too, an apabhramsha word for Brahmin.

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[edit] Etymology

The word Bhumihar consists of the Sanskrit word, bhoomi (भूमी), meaning "land" and the Apabhramsha har (हार), meaning 'owner'.

The land owning tradition can be traced back to the "Agrahar" land (bhumi) grants given by the rulers of the Magadh Empires. It was a land grant from the crown, to the brahmins who followed the crown religion and became Buddhists. As Mr. Agyeya also suggests that Bhumihars are the category of brahmins who became Buddhists, when Buddhism held sway over a mojor part of the known world as a religion. Later, as Buddhism declined in India, the Bhumihars came back to the Sanatan Brahmin fold. Bhumihars are not involved in Karmkands and do not accept "Dakshina" (payment) for religious duties.

It is generally believed that they are called Bhumihars because they are agriculturists but there may be slight variation in the meaning of the word Bhumi, which generally means land. Take the example of district names as Singhbhum, Manbhum, Birbhum or Dhalbhum. These are all administrative units at present and were also revenue units during the British and Mughal periods.

[edit] Traditions

Ideally, Bhumihar Brahmins perform sixteen major Samskara (rites) during the course of their lifetime.[1] In the pre-natal stage, Garbhadharana (conception), Pumsavana (rite for consecrating a male child in the womb) and Simantonnayana (rite for parting the hair of a pregnant woman) are performed. During childhood, Jatakarma (birth ceremony), Namakarana (naming ceremony), Nishkarmana (first outing) Annaprasana (first feeding solid food), Choodakarana (first tonsure) and Karnavedha (ear piercing) are performed. During education of the child, Vidhyarambha (starting of education), Upanayanam (thread ceremony- initiation), Vedarambha (starting of the study of the Vedas), Keshanta or Godana (first shaving of the beard) and Samavartanam or Snaana (ending of studentship) are performed. During adulthood, Vivaha (marriage) and Anthyesthi (funeral rites) are the main ceremonies.

All the orthodox Bhumihar Brahmins try to adhere to these customs. But, as among all Brahmins throughout the country (the general masses), all Samskaras can no longer be practically performed. Only the most essential ones like Garbhadharana (conception), Jatakarma (birth ceremony), Namakarana (naming ceremony), Annaprasana (first feeding solid food), Choodakarana (first tonsure), Vidhyarambha (starting of education), Upanayanam (thread ceremony- initiation), Vivaha (marriage) and Anthyesthi (funeral rites) are performed.

[edit] Mentions by Historians

Mr Crook in his book, The Tribes and castes of UP and Oudh: Part II, page 64, has written: Bhumihar (Sanskrit Bhumi, 'land' and Kara(har), 'maker'): An important tribe and landowners and agriculturists in eastern districts. They are also known as Babhan, Zamindar Brahmin, Grihastha Brahman or Pachchima (Western) Brahmin.

They are also called Magadhan brahmin because they have their largest number of presence in the old Magadh region of Bihar

According to Sir Elliot's supplemental glossary, there are five divisions of the Kamkoobj Brahmins. They are Kamkoobj proper, Sunadh, Surwaria, Jijhotia and Bhoinhar.

Mr William Oldham in his book North Western Provinces Historical And Statical Memoir, has categorically mentioned that Bhoinhars, both by themselves and by ethnologists, are believed to be the descendants of Brahmins, who on becoming cultivators and landholders gave up their priestly functions.

Pundit Yogendra Bhattacharya in his book Hindu Castes and Set, writes that Bhumihar Brahmin literally means landholder. The Bhumihar Brahmins are evidently those Brahmins who held grants of land for secular services. Any Brahmin who held a secular fief was a Bhumihar.

The East India Company for the Bengal presidency exclusively recruited soldiers from the Bhumihar Brahmin & Rajput communities. It is a fact that British established their British empire in India with the help of this Bengal regiment. But this Bengal regiment soon revolted against British and bhumihars were the leading light of it.Mangal Pandey , the rebel leader of 1857 was a Bhumihar Brahmin.That is why in their discredited martial race theory they have not included any brahmin subcaste or any other caste from eastern India. And this has drawn lot of flak from historians who counter this martial race theory by giving examples like that of Mauryan era when the biggest empire and mightest empire ever in Indian subcontinent was Magadhan empire (part of present day Bihar) and that too at 322 BC when the means of transport and communication were not so developed.

All the great intellectuals like Chanakya ( the master strategist), Aryabhata ( greatest mathematician ), Charaka ( the master medicine practitioner ) , Vastyayan ( the writer of the greatest book on sex called Kamasutra) lived their life in Magadh and are the progenitors of present day bhumihar brahmins

[edit] Mythology

In the context of mythological perspective, Bhumihar Brahmins identify themselves with Bhagwan Parashurama, who was a Brahmin and who is believed to have killed all those Kshatriyas 21 times from the earth who had failed or forgotten their duties and had become retrograde. The descendants and associates of Parshuram are called Bhumihar brahmins in Eastern U.P. and Bihar, Goud Brahmins in U.P. and Rajasthan, Chitpawan Brahmins in Maharashtra, Anavil Brahmins in Gujarat, Havyak Brahmins in Karnataka, Iyer and Iyengar Brahmins of Tamil Nadu, Namboothiri Brahmins in Kerala, Bengali Brahmins in Eastern India and Mohyals in the Punjab region. Their variants are found with different names all across the Indian sub-continent.The records of Swami Sahajanand Saraswati in "Brahmarshi Vansha Vistar" and Acharya Chatursen Shastri in "Vayam Rakshamah" points towards the same origin by taking help of all ancient texts as well as prevailing customary practices and temparament of these illustrious Brahmins.

The Namboothiris' own mythology holds that Parashuraaman created the land (of Kerala) and bestowed it upon them. Thus their reverence of Parashuram shows that these two brahmin castes might be sharing the same lineage. The legend of Parasurama also exists amongst Brahmins of all India and he is worshipped in UP. Hence it has to be seen as a myth not exclusive to Namboothiris and Kerala alone. However, this myth also exist in an old Chera lore about King Velkezu Kuttavan. According to this myth, the king flings his spear into the sea to claim land from it. This lore must have modified later in Malayalam language by the Namboothiris as part of their campaign to establish themselves in Kerala. In the Namboothiri version, Parashuraaman uses his Parashu (Axe), to create new land for the Brahmins.

[edit] Present

The Bhumihars are or were predominantly farmers. Some are owners of vast quantities of land but many are small farmers too. At the time of Independence Bhumihars were 2.9% but had control of 45% agicultural land in Bihar

Presently, the majority of Bhumihars have been reduced to the status of peasants with the fall of zamindars and elite class. There is a propaganda by heavily paid journalists against them. They are termed as feudal and cruel when the fact of the matter is otherwise. Had the government given them the proper protection against Naxalites Ranveer sena would never have born. It is true that most of the zamindars in Bihar before independence were bhumihars but that does not mean that every bhumihar was a zamindar. There was a big majority of tenant section in bhumihar who were as dead against these big zamindars as a normal kurmi or yadav peasant. Because at that time it was a class struggle not a caste struggle. And this class struggle was led by none other than Swami Sahajanand Saraswati who formed the first Kisan Sabha in India. Many other nationalists like Pandit Karyanand Sharma, Pandit Jadunandan Sharma and Pandit Jamuna Karjee joined Swamiji in the upliftment of the peasantry which included people of all castes and communities and for the freedom of the motherland from colonial yoke. Furthermore, for the rights of labours and working class, the eminent Nationalist and Trade Unionist Shri Basawon Singh (Sinha) kept working relentlessly till the last day of his life. A normal bhumihar peasant is in no way concerned with the depredations of these big zamindars. But depicting all of them as cruel is like depicting all Muslims as terrorists.

Marriage of people in this community, like most of other social groups of India, is restricted to their own subcaste. In fact, it is one of the five most endogamous castes of India (Allele frequencies for STR loci of the Powerplex 16 multiplex system in five endogamous populations of India). English education was adopted very late by Bhumihar Brahmins because they have been very orthodox Brahmins along with being well off from the rest. There had been some exceptions to this but nowadays they are doing very well in all walks of life. Bhumihar Brahmins were just 2.9% of Bihar population (before partition of Jharkhand) but wielded a great political strength in Pre-Mandal politics of Bihar as Brahmins all over the country. At one time this caste contributed 19 MPs out of total 54 Lok sabha seats in Bihar. This caste is unnecessarily vilified in Bihar when it is a fact that Bhumihar Brahmin's contribution to the freedom struggle of India and the upliftment of downtrodden in Bihar is unmatched by any other community in Bihar. It is a fact that Bihar was the best administered state in India under the tenure of Dr.Sri Krishna Sinha, who was a Bhumihar Brahmin and Bihar saw most of its development under his tenure only. People who term them as feudal should also know that the first peasant struggle in India against zamindari was started by Shajanand Saraswati and the communities to benefit most from it were Yadav, Kurmi and Koeri (who belong to backward classes in India) who got the land ownership at the cost of Bhumihar Brahmin zamindars. He is still one of the most revered leaders of peasants. In 1990s the poltics in Bihar was done with the sole basis of targeting the upper castes, more particularly the Bhumihar Brahmins. One of the famous slogan of Laloo era was BHURA BAAL SAAF KARO. BHU stands for Bhumihar Brahmins RA for rajputs BA for brahmins (other brahmins) L for Lala(Kayastha) community. The bhumihar percentage has also increased in the state from lowly 2.9% to 4.6% after partition of Jharkhand, making them politically significant.

[edit] Bhumihar Brahmin clans

Usually Bhumihar clans are known by the original place from which they come. For example Bhumihars from Dighwa went to Barahiya and settled there and known as Dighwait Bhumihars, similarly, Eksaria Bhumihars belongs to Eksaar village in Balia but spread over complete Saran district of Bihar. But there are others like Jijhoutiya Bhumihar Brahmins who reside in Eastern U.P. and the region of Jhansi. Chitponia Bhumihar of Nawada are from Maharashtra. Also there are Kenwaar Bhumihar clans who own vast lands in few districts of Bihar, they are said to be very powerful and they held strong positions as Zamindars in the past century. In fact at times they are considered as a separate Brahmin sub-caste altogether. Swami Sahajanand Saraswati was from Jijhoutia clan of Bhumihar Brahmins. Then there are others like Bhriguvansh, claiming lineage from Maharishi Bhrigu as the name suggests. There are around two to three dozen such clans. Drona Ticar (Domkatar colloquially) is another Bhumihar clan. This clan is found in village Moke Under Thana Konch as well as in Tekari. Raja of Tekari is also a Domkatar. There were some famous zamindars and feudal lords like:

  • Kashi Naresh
  • Maharaja Of Hathwa
  • Maharaja of Bettiah
  • Raja of Amawan
  • Raja of Tekari
  • Zamindar of Chainpur, Sheohar, Pandooi
  • Zamindar of REOTITH-HAKAM in Old SARAN

The Village Eksar from where the origination of Eksaria started is situated in Ballia. The First clan of Eksaria Bhumihar Brahmins was Jaganath Dixit, who migrated probably from Indraprasth or from Hastinapur in the year 1551A.D. and became mantra guru of Nepal Mahraj. The eksaria migrated to Parsa garh and subsequently to Chainpur, Bagaura, Chittauli etc and famous "REOTITH-HAKAM" village Zamindaars are Eksaria Bhumihars.

[edit] Bhumihar Brahmin Surnames

Bhumihar Brahmin always used Brahmin Surnames as they are Brahmins but they also adopted titles of Rajputs, Muslims and many others communities suggesting the source of the land grants which they came to hold. Some scholars suggest that Bhumihar is itself a title of those Brahmins who came to hold land and political power through different periods of history in the Gangetic plain. Some of the surnames used by these Brahmins are given below:-

  • Thakur: A lot of Villages in Koiriyan(Rohtas), Kanti, Muzaffarpur natives have THAKUR as surname.
  • Chaudhary: Chaudhary is also visible in Kanti, Darbhanga,Muzaffarpur , KATIHAR, PURNIA . Some Bengali Brahmins and Maithil Brahmins also use this title. Present MP Loksabha Nikhil Chaudhary and Famous Industrialist Sri Durga Chaudhary are from Purnia.
  • Choubey: A lot of Villages in Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur.
  • Sharma: A large section of Bhumihar Brahmins as any other Brahmin have SHARMA as Surname. Majority of SHARMA are densed in and around ARWAL, Jehanabad, Bihar. Famous nationalists and peasant leaders Pandit Karyanand Sharma and Pandit Jadunandan Sharma, famous Leftist Historian R S Sharma.
  • Tiwari
  • Ojha: A few villages in Chhapara and Muzaffarpur have Bhumihars with OHJA as sirname. Sri D P Ojha , ex-DGP, Govt. of Bihar.
  • Mishra: Madhubani and Chhapara have surname as MISHRA. Muzaffarpur based SKMCH Medical college First principal Dr B P Mishra is from Chhapara .
  • Singh: This is a Surname of landlords and big Bhumihar Brahmin Zamindars. Moke-village-Bihar Konch-block.
  • Sinha: Many SINGH People converted their name as SINHA, MANOJ SINHA, ex-MP, GAZIPUR.
  • Pandey: Its avialbale in SAHABAD and Chhapara. Raghunath Pandey was native of Chhapara.
  • Shahi: They are found in MUZAFFARPUR and some part of DEORIA and GOPALGANJ (SARAN). HATHWA NARESH have SHAHI as Surname, L P Shahi (Congress leader).
  • Shukla: They are also found in VAISHALI
  • Dutt: Its taken from MAHIWAL or Mohyal; Sir Ganesh Dutt Singh
  • Prasad
  • Yajee: Its MOOL of Bhumihars and are from Bakhtiyarpur.
  • Karjee: GANGWA, Muzaffarpur is known for KARJEE bhumihars and Pt Yamuna Karjee was from Samastipur.
  • Dwivedi: Sitamadhi and West Champaran Land Lords Bhumihars are having Dwivedi as sirname.
  • Upadhyay: a few villages in ROHTAS / KAIMUR is having UPADHYAY as Sirname.
  • Rai: Almost all Bhumihars from Eastern UP have this as surname.
  • Khawn: KHAN / KHAWN is also a sirname of Bhumihars and even Maithil Brahmins have this as Surname.

[edit] Notable Bhumihars

[edit] Freedom Fighters, Politicians and Philanthropists(Pre Independence)

  • Swami Sahajanand Saraswati: Social worker, saint: Was the foremost leader of peasants of the previous century. International journalists term him as one of the ten most influential people of India of the last century. Our Indian journalist have largely glossed him over and ignored him as a caste leader when the fact is that he worked for all peasants irrespective of their caste. It was at the behest of the yadav peasants that he formed Kisan sabha which became the biggest anti -zamindari peasant movement of India. Landlords and big zamindars both respected and feared him. Other brahmins who lived off the donations of these hardworking brahmins like bhumihars, chitpawans, tyagis and anavails didn't consider them equal to their social status and consider them beneath them in social hierarchy. Swami shajanand worked for the equal status for these hardworking brahmins.
  • Shri Basawon Singh (Sinha), Great Nationalist, Trade Unionist and First Leader of Opposition in Bihar; earlier active with HSRA (Hindustan Socialist Republican Army) and later joined Congress Socialist Party. He had spent more than 16 years in prison fighting for India's independence. In the early phase of his life he was a revolutionary but later turned to Democratic Socialism. He was among the foremost proponents of Democratic Socialism in India.
  • Pandit Karyanand Sharma : Great nationalist and peasant leader.
  • Yogendra Shukla: among the greatest nationalist the country has produced and who also served in the Cellular Jail, Andamans(Kalapani), among the founders of HSRA (Hindustan Socialist Republican Army) Yogendra Shukla (1896-1966) as well as his nephew Baikunth Shukla (1907-1934) hailed from village Jalalpur in Muzaffarpur (now Vaishali), district of Bihar and were torch bearers of the revolutionary spirit of freedom struggle. Young Yogendra made his greatest contribution to the cause of Indian freedom between 1930 and 1942, as one of the leaders of the revolutionary movement in Bihar and U.P. becoming "Almost a legendary figure for his many exploits". He was a close associate of Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Datta. He had to serve prison terms for a total of more than sixteen and a half years for his revolutionary activities. During imprisonment in different jails of India, he was subjected to extreme torture, which corroded his iron constitution.
  • Baikuntha Shukla: great nationalist who was hanged for murdering Phanindrananth Ghosh who had become a government approver which led to hanging of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru. He was a nephew of Yogendra Shukla. Baikunth Shukla was also initiated into the freedom struggle at a young age taking active part in the 'Salt Satyagraha' of 1930. He was associated with revolutionary organisations like the Hindustan Seva Dal and Hindustan Socialist Republican Association. The execution of the great Indian revolutionaries Bhagat Singh,Rajguru and Sukhdev in 1931 as a result of their trial in the 'Lahore conspiracy case' was an event that shook the entire country. Phanindra Nath Ghosh, hitherto a key member of the Revolutionary Party had treacherously betrayed the cause by turning an approver, giving evidence, which led to the execution. Baikunth was commissioned to plan the execution of Ghosh as an act of ideological vendetta which he carried out successfully on 9 November 1932. He was arrested and tried for the killing. Baikunth was convicted and hanged in Gaya Central Jail on May 14, 1934. He was only 28 years old.
  • Ram Binod Singh: Great nationalist and revolutionary who was brought into the freedom struggle by Acharya J.B.Kripalani when he used to teach in Langet Singh College in Muzzafarpur. In fact, Acaryaji has also mentioned about him in his autobiography "My Time".
  • Ram Nandan Mishra: Nationalist and Socialist leader who spent years in jail in British India. A close associate of Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan, Ramnandan Mishra shot into fame when he, along with JP, scaled the walls of the Hazaribagh central jail during the Quit India movement to lead the underground movement against the British. After Independence he become SAINT. Lohiya always regarded him as his GURU .

In India’s struggle for Independence the "Champaran Satyagraha", marks a very important stage. Raj Kumar Shukla drew the attention of Mahatma Gandhi, who had just returned from South Africa, to the plight of the peasants suffering under an oppressive system established by European indigo planters. Besides other excesses they were forced to cultivate indigo on 3/20 part of their holding and sell it to the planters at prices fixed by the planters. This marked Gandhiji’s entry into the India’s Struggle for Freedom. On his arrival at Motihari, the district headquarters, accompanied by Raj Kumar Shukla, Gandhiji was ordered to leave by the next available train which he refused to do and was arrested. He was released and the ban order was withdrawn in the face of a, "Satyagraha" threat. Gandhiji conducted an open enquiry into the peasant’s grievances. The Government had to appoint an enquiry committee with Gandhiji as a member. This led to the abolition of the system. Raj Kumar Shukla has been described by Gandhiji in his "Atmakatha", as a man whose suffering gave him the strength to rise against the odds. In his letter to Gandhiji he wrote "Respected Mahatma, You hear the stories of others everyday. Today please listen to my story….. I want to draw your attention to the promise made by you in the Lucknow Congress that you would come to Champaran. The time has come for you to fulfil your promise. 19 lakhs suffering people of Champaran are waiting to see you." Gandhiji reached Patna on 10 April, 1917 and on 16 April he reached Motihari accompanied by Raj Kumar Shukla. Under Gandhiji’s leadership the historic "Champaran Satyagraha" began. The contribution of Raj Kumar Shukla is reflected in the writings of Dr. Rajendra Prasad, first President of India, Acharya Kriplani and of course, Mahatma Gandhi himself. Raj Kumar Shukla maintained a diary in which he has given an account of struggle against the atrocities of the indigo planters, atrocities so movingly depicted by Deen Bandhu Mitra in "Neel Darpan", a play that was translated by Michael Madhusudan Dutt. This movement by Mahatma Gandhi received the spontaneous support of a cross section of people, including Dr. Rajendra Prasad, who ultimately became the first President of India.

  • Sir Ganesh Dutt Singh : Only minister in the province of Bihar from 1923 to 1937 and great philanthropist who initiated World famous Prince of Wales Medical College, Patna University, Darbhanga Medical School etc.
  • Ram Dayalu Singh : First Speaker of Bihar Assembly. He was from GANGAWA village of Muzaffarpur and strong ADVOCATE of SRI BABU candidature of premiership of the province of Bihar in 1937 assembly election (first). There is a famous college in muzaffarpur which is named after him .
  • Pandit Yamuna Karjee: Pandit Yamuna Karjee was born in a small village name Deopar near Pusa in Darbhanga District of Bihar in 1898. His father Anu Karjee was a marginal farmer who died when Jamuna Karjee was just 6 months old.

From his school days itself, he was drawn towards India’s freedom struggle and the Kisan Movement and Peasant movement under Swami Sehganandji Saraswati’s leadership. For higher studies he went to the Presidency College, Calcutta, and also obtained a degree in Law.

In Calcutta he came in contact with several freedom fighters and Congress leaders like Dr. B.C. Roy, Dr. Shri Krishan Sinha, Rahul Sankritayan etc. Spurning the offers of several government jobs, he became a Hindi journalist of repute.

He joined the editorial wing of Hindi weekly Bharat Mirtra published in Calcutta. He also took part in Gandhiji’s non cooperation movement from 1920-21 and was jailed in 1929-30 for taking part in civil disobedience movement and Namak Satyagrah.

He won the first election for Bihar and Orissa Assembly in 1937 as a Congress candidate. He was one of the strongest pillars of the peasant movement in Bihar under the leadership of Swami Sahajanand Saraswati.

He along with Rahul Sankritayan and other Hindi literaries started publishing a Hindi weekly Hunkar from Bihar, in 1940. Hunkar later became the mouthpiece of the peasant movement and the agrarian movement in Bihar. He was elected to the post of President Bihar Journalist association in 1947-48.

He died of cancer in October 1953 at an early age of 55. After his untimely demise the peasant movement lost momentum in Bihar and became rudderless.

His name also appears in Bipan Chandra's masterpiece India's Struggle for Independence

Also refer :people.indiatimes.com/articleshow/813210.cms


  • Langet Singh : Rags to Riches and Philanthropist who started his career as simple Labour then created huge wealth and donated huge amount to then Bhumihar Brahmin College (Now L S College). His native was DHARHARA, Vaishali . His grandson Sri Digvijay Narain Singh represented MUZAFFARPUR Loksabha constituencies many times .
  • Sri Ram Charitra Prasad Singh: He was Bihar First Power Minister, Native of 'BIHAT' , Begusarai and a man of very strong will power. His Son Sri Chandrashekhar Singh became a very famous COMMUNIST Leader of BIHAR.
  • Sheel Bhadra Yajee (1906-1996) the fiery freedom fighter from Bihar was associated with the non-violent and the violent form of freedom struggle. Yajee's participation in the freedom movement began in 1928 when, as a student, he attended the Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress. He joined the Congress Socialist Party four years later and became involved in the Kisan movement. Later, he came in close touch with Subhas Chandra Bose, as well as Mahatma Gandhi. In 1939 he joined Subhas Chandra Bose to found the All India Forward Bloc. He was actively associated with the INA movement. Yajee raised his voice against caste prejudices and other social evils. He was a firm believer in the active participation of the peasants, workers and the middle classes in the struggle for the transformation of society. He authored several books like' A Glimpse of the Indian Labour Movement', 'Forward Bloc and Its Stand', 'Is Socialism a Necessity to India', and 'True Face of Monopolistic American Democracy'.The government of India issued a commemorative stamp on him on 28/01/2001.[]
  • Ganga Sharan Singh: Littrateur and Nationalist. He was the child of Shri Ram Prasad Sinha and Shirimati Chandramani Devi. He was born in 1905 and died on 22-8-1988. he was also a member of Rajya Sabha from 1956 till 1974. He was elected to the upper house from 3-4-1956 to 2-4-1962 and on 3-4-1962 to 2-4-1968 and was Nominated to the upper house from3-4-1968 to 2-4-1974. He was also the Chairman of PSP from 1956—59.


  • Pt. Jadunandan Sharma: Eminent nationalist and peasant leader .
  • Kishori Prassana Sinha (Singh): Nationalist.
  • Mithilesh Narayan Singh: Nationalist
  • Rai Hriday Narayan Singh: Native of Muzaffarpur. He was actively associated with development work during English rule. He was in the good book of Britons and enjoyed their support for his work. It was no one other than Mr. Narayan who made many roads and small bridges for the convenience of the local people.
  • Jagannath Singh: He was a freedom fighter and great grandson of Rai Hriday Narayan. His all the wealth was seized by the British government for his active participation in Indian freedom movement.
  • Sri Vishun Deo Narain Singh : A 1927 law graduate from a Zamindaar family who used to run a free Hostel for meritorious and talented BHUMIHAR BRAHMINs of SARAN district but at MITHANPURA in Muzaffarpur. Smt Krishna Sahi father Mahesh Pd Sinha were close associate of him. he become a GANDHIAN at very young but died in 1943 .
  • Sri Aparmita Prasad Singh : An IAS officer from UP Cadre (1964) batch, Mr. Singh has held notable positions in the Govt which have includes stints as District Magistrate, Mathura, Housing Commissioner, Chairman, Board of Revenue and Currently Serving as State Election Commissioner. He was one of the youngest officer to enter the IAS. Mr. Singh is originally from Benaras (UP) and the eldest son of Mr. Aparjita Prasad Singh.

[edit] Arts, Culture and Intelligentsia

  • Ram Briksh Benipuri : Great writer from Muzaffarpur.
  • Gopal Singh "Nepali" Great poet and writer in Hindi.
  • Ram Sharan Sharma is Professor Emeritus of History at Patna University. He has earlier taught at Delhi (1973-85) and Toronto Universities. He was also the founding chairman of the Indian Council of Historical Research.

He has been among the most renowned historians of ancient India. He belongs to the Marxist school of thought. His works include: Aspects of Political Ideas and Institutions in Ancient India (ISBN : 8120808983, Motilal Banarsidass Publishers), Perspectives in Social and Economic History of Early India (ISBN : 8121506727), Urban Decay in India c. 300-c. 1000 (ISBN : 8121500451), Sudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order Down to Circa A D 600 (ISBN : 8120808738), Higher Education (ISBN : 8171693202), Looking for the Aryans (ISBN : 8125006311) and many other scholastic works.

  • Prof G R Sharma: Native of Ghazipur and archeologist at Kausambi excavation.
  • Pandit M.S.M. Sharma : Eminent journalist who was involved in a legal tangle with the Government of Bihar over Parliamentary Privileges during the Chief Ministership of Shri Krishna Sinha.
  • Prof. R.N.Rai (BANARAS HINDU UNIVERSITY) has done great work to nourish the Indian English literature.

[edit] Famous Politicians

  • Krishna Kant Singh: Founder of Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH), Patna and Minister in Sri Krishna Sinha ministry and DE-facto CM in Bhola Paswan Ministry, he was main Initiator to establish Bhagalpur & Ranchi University as Education Minister in Bihar .He has served as PRESIDENT "Gandhi Museum" , patna for many years and also BSFC chairman. He was famous for his OPEN WORDs in favour of BHUMIHARs . He was single son of Karm Yogi and RajRishi NARAYAN BABU from Goreakothi .
  • Chandrashekhar Singh was deputy leader of the C.P.I. group in the State Legislature of Bihar and a Member of the National Council of CPI, and its Bihar State Secretariat He passed away on the 20 July, 1976 at the age of 61.He was born in December 1915. Shri Chandrashekhar Singh, graduated from Banaras Hindu University in 1937, and obtained his Master's Degree from Patna University in 1939.Shri Chandrashekhar Singh came to politics through the National Liberation movement against the British imperialism in 1934. At that time he was in the Congress Socialist party. He was elected first General Secretary of the Bihar Students Federation in 1938. In 1940 he joined the CPI and was arrested by the British Government. In 1949 he was arrested in connection with All India Railway strike. He worked in the Kisan Sabha from 1949 to 1956. In 1956 by-election, he was elected on a Communist ticket to the Bihar Legislative Assembly. He was continuously a member of the Bihar Legislative Assembly since 1962.In 1967 he became Minister for Power and Irrigation in the SVD, Government. He was also Deputy leader of the CPI, Legislative Party. He was the son of Sri Ram Charitra Pd Singh .
  • Sham Nandan Mishra: Famous Congress Leader who was also in the ministry of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. He was native of "PIPARA" , Nepal but worked hard as Politician in BEGUSARAI and in 1977 he was in the ministry of MORARJEE DESAI as State External Affairs Minister .
  • Mahesh Pd Sinha : A Native of Vaishali District and very close Lieutenant of SRI BABU. He did a lot for Muzaffarpur in every field of Philanthropy after opening various Schools & Colleges. There is a SCIENCE COLLEGE named after him in Muzaffarpur "M P Sinha Schience College".
  • L P Shahi : He joined Sri Babu ministry at very young age and served almost all CONGRESS Ministries in BIHAR. Later on Sri Rajiv Gandhi included L P Shahi in Central ministry in 1985 as HRD minister.
  • Kalapnath rai': He is called the vikash purush of Mau (UP). Served the Congress Government under Narashima Rao as Power minister and Agriculture minister
  • Raj Narain': Known as Giant-killer for defeating Indira Gandhi from Rai-Bareilly Lok-Shabha seat in 1977. He served the country as Health Minister in Janata Party Government. He was one of the relatives of the royal family of Benaras.
  • Rajiv Ranjan Singh 'Lalan': Presently Lok Sabha Member from Begusarai Bihar And State Chief of Janta Dal-U.
  • Rajo Singh: A famous congressman from Bihar. He represented Sheikhpura in Bihar LA and Begusarai In LS. Never lost an election. He was assassinated in 2005.
  • Maheshwar Prasad Sinha: Noted Bihari Politician.

[edit] Doctors, Engineers & Lawyers

  • Lal Narayan Sinha : Outstanding legal luminary who was the Attorney General of India during the Prime Minitership of Indira Gandhi. He is regarded for his legal skills because of defending Emergency. His son Lalit Mohan Sharma is also a reputed legal scholar who went on to become the Chief Justice of India.
  • Padmashri Dr.Chandreshwar Prasad Thakur commonly called Dr. C.P.Thakur, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, Patna Medical College, Patna, has also received the Ranbaxy Research Awards award in the field of Medical Sciences (Clinical Research) by the Hon'ble President of India , Dr. A.P. J. Abdul Kalam, presented the for his significant contribution towards the understanding of drug response in treatment of kala-azar. His new knowledge may soon lead in developing a drug from Ayurvedic medicine, for treatment of kala-azar, visceral leishmaniasis. He is the former Union Cabinet minister for Health and Family Planning and three time member of Lok Sabha from Patna constituency.
  • Vikas Singh is presently the Additional Solicitor-General of India in the Supreme Court. Mr. Singh started working as an advocate in the Supreme Court since 1990 and was designated as Senior Advocate in December 2004. He has handled constitutional, administrative, corporate, criminal and arbitration matters in the apex court and Delhi and Bombay High Courts.
  • P.K.Shahi is presently Advocate General of the Government of Bihar.

Dr. Krishna Nandan Singh is the former President of Patna High Bar Association. A Doon School pass-out who further did his doctorate from the Benares Hindu University. He has handled constitutional, administrative, corporate, criminal and arbitration matters in Patna and Ranchi High Courts primarily but also appears in matters in the Apex Court. Dr. K.N. Singh belongs to the highly-respected family of Sheohar Raj which traces its ancestry to Bettiah Raj.

  • R.V.Shahi: :Present power secretary of India. Worked as director of NTPC and chairman of BSES

[edit] Finance Professionals

  • Naveen Kumar Singh: He is a finance senior executive and is the first Bhumihar Branch Head of Heavy Engineering Corporation Ltd in Delhi who helped the company to bring out the company from brink of closure. He hails from village Moke-village-konch-block under block Konch-block. It is 4 miles from Tekari and approximately 2 miles from Konch. He is highly ambitious and honest officer.

[edit] Civil Servants

  • Sri.J.P.Rai: Deputy Director in Women and Child Welfare Department, Uttar Pradesh.
  • T P Singh (Junior): First Bhumihar ICS officer from very simple family of Ghataro, Vaishali .
  • Sri Shiva Jee Sinha: First Bhumihar IPS officer of batch 1948 . His son Sri Shakti Sinha is also a Civil Servant.
  • Sri B P N Shahi: 1950 , UPSC third batch IPS officer and Husband of famous Politician Smt. Krishna Shahi, daughter of Mahesh Babu and won many elections as MP from Begusarai. He died at very young age .
  • Sri Jagadanand: 1951 , UPSC fourth Batch IPS officer, native of Sher Ghati, Gaya. He got Scholarship in 1949 from an American university but he selected the IPS to serve India. He has served as Bihar Police's highest Position Director General of Police in 1985-86 for 13 Months. His Elder son Abhayanand a 1977 batch Bihar cadre IPS officer who runs the famous Super 30 coaching class in Patna.
  • Sri Bindeshwari Pd. Singh : Bihar Cadre IPS officer from Beagusarai.
  • Lalit Vijay Singh : A Bihar Cadre IPS officer from Barahiya, Monghyr district of Bihar. He was State Defence Minister in Chandrashekhar ministry in 1990 . He retired as DGP.
  • B.P. Singh : Culture Secretary and Home Secretary to the Government of India. Served as Executive Director and Ambassador at the World Bank, representing India and several of its neighboring countries. Currently Chancellor of the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies in Sarnath.
  • D.P.Ojha : Native of Saran district and a student of Nuclear Physics from Rajendra College & Patna Science College who joined Govt as IPS officer and ended his Police career with as DGP (Bihar Police).
  • Acharya Kishore Kunal : Bihar Cadre IPS officer from Muzaffarpur.
  • Sri Aparmita Prasad Singh : An IAS officer from UP Cadre (1964) batch, Mr. Singh has held notable positions in the Govt which have includes stints as District Magistrate, Mathura, Housing Commissioner, Chairman, Board of Revenue and Currently Serving as State Election Commissioner. He was one of the youngest officer to enter the IAS. Mr. Singh is originally from Benaras (UP) and the eldest son of Mr. Aparjita Prasad Singh.

[edit] Others

  • Sir C P N Sinha(Singh) : Governor of UP and first Ambassdor to NEPAL and later to Japan.*
  • S.P. Tyagi : Present Air chief Marshal of India
  • RD Tyagi  : Mumbai Joint commissioner at the time of 1993 Mumbai riots
  • AN ROY  : Present Mumbai police commissioner
  • Dr. P.D. Ojha : Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India from 29.04.1985 to 28.04.1990.
  • Shandali Sinha: The actress of movie Tum Bin

shivnarain chanderpaul:the star cricketer of west indies (citation:telecast and broadcast in star news direct from chandepaul's home in west indies at 8.30 am on 10 march 2007 tracing the history of chanderpaul's family)


[edit] Former States and Big Zamindars

  • Bettiah Raj: There were two-three other prominent estates which emerged out of Bettiah Raj at a later date. The most prominent ones are Sheohar Raj and Madhuban Raj, but all of them share the same ancestry. To get a complete picture of the family lineage of the Bettiah Raj and Sheohar Raj in particular, it is suggested to go through the book named 'Shaktapramod'.
  • Tekari Raj
  • Hathua Raj: in Saran District of Bihar, they are close kin of Deoria situated Tamukhi Raaj, Presently its Maharaja is Maharaja Bahadur Sri Mrighendra Pratap Shahi is an Industrialist.
  • Tamkuhi Raaj : in Deoria District of EAST UP . Angauta estate was created by Sri Gauri Shanker Sahi a native of village Angauta in Siwan District. A lawyer by profession he took up litigation and carved out a large estate from the remnants of Tekari and Tamkuhi Raj .
  • Babu Awadheshwar Prasad Singh of Barahiya. Most prominent of landowners in Bihar. Barahiya is one of the most famous townships of Bhumihars. He is known for being a prominent bulwark against naxalite-maoist insurgency problems in the state, acting with grit and ruthlessness.

[edit] Industrialists

  • Dr. Kalika Sharan Singh- a native of Nawalpur, Maharajganj, Siwan has been a successful medical practitioner. Later he resigned the government job to start his own Pharmaceutuical company M/s Hi-Tec Laboratories Limited, based at New Delhi with marketing network in four states namely Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Orissa. Dr. Singh is a highly ambitious person and soon Hi-Tec Labs is getting diversified into other business activities i.e. consumer durables.
  • Mahendra Prasad Singh: Native of Jahanabad and better known as King Mahendra. He is the owner of Aristo Pharmaceuticals which is among top 10 pharma company in India.
  • Sharmanand Sharma: Owner of Aglowmed Ltd. and belong to Jahanabad.
  • Samprada Singh: He is the owner of Alkem Ltd. having more than 150 different products.

[edit] See also

[edit] Further reading

  • http://bhumiharbrahmin.blogspot.com
  • The Bhumihars: Caste of eastern India (ISBN 81-86208-37-2), published 2005 by Raj Publishing House, Jaipur, India.
  • "Brahmarshi Vansha Vistar" by Dandi Sanyasi Swami Sahajanand Saraswati (published in 1915)
  • Allele frequencies for STR loci of the Powerplex 16 multiplex system in five endogamous populations of India. Forensic Sci Int. 126:178-186. Kashyap VK, Sarkar N, Trivedi R. (2002) Online citation.
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