Chitpavan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Chitpavan Konkanastha Brahmins. (Discuss)
Castes of India
Chitpavan / Kokanastha Brahmins
Classification Brahmin
Subdivisions -
Significant populations in Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka,Andhra Pradesh,Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh in India and New York, New Jersy and San Francisco Bay Area in the United States of America[citation needed]
Languages Marathi, Chitpavani Konkani
Religions Hinduism

The Chitpavan, Chitpawan, or Konkanastha Brahmins (कोकणस्थ ब्राम्हण) are a Brahmin community of Konkan, the coastal belt of western Maharashtra. (Since Konkanastha is actually a general geographic label, meaning "Resident of Konkan" in Sanskrit, the name Chitpavan is preferable. In this text, however, the names Chitpavan and Konkanastha are used interchangeably. Chitpavan Brahmins' origins are unknown, though many theories exist to explain the same. Many chitpavan brahmins show a mixture of Caucasian characteristics like fair skin and light coloured eyes, which are peculiar if not uncommon in the Indian Subcontinent.

The Chitpavans gained prominence during the reign of Shahu in the 18th century and since have established themselves firmly in the Indian social hierarchy. In 1713, the fourth Chattrapati Shahu appointed a Chitpanvan Brahmin from Kokan, Balaji Vishwanath Bhat, as Peshwa or prime minister. After the death of Shahu from 1749 to 1761, the Peshwas enjoyed de facto status till battle of Panipat. Afterwards, with exception of Madhavrao, all other peshwas remained ceremonial head of Maratha confederacy like their master Chattrapati.

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Origins and Genetics

Well known for their 'European-like' features of light skin and grayish to green eyes, results of recent studies [4,5,6,7] on the genetics of Chitpavans have been quite interesting. It appears that the Chitpavans are a group of people with diverse genetic origins spanning Eurasia, the Middle-East, and the Indian sub-continent.

On the paternal side (based on Y-DNA), R1a1 is the most frequently found haplogroup. Incidentally this haplogroup is commonly found amongst many Indians [4,7], Central Asians, and a large number of East Europeans. Researchers believe a deep common ancestry to have existed between these regions. Some [8] have cited this as evidence for the controversial Indo-Aryan migration theory. J2a is another commonly found haplogroup in Chitpavans, and found across populations from Europe to India, with highest occurrence in the Mediterranean region. There is also a considerable presence of Haplogroups R2, L, and H1 believed to be of Indian origin and dominantly found in Western Indians [4,7].

Published data [6,7] on the maternal origins (based on mt-DNA) shows the South-Asian macrohaplogroup M* to be the single largest group. However there is a significant presence of various other Eurasian mt-DNA haplogroups, in particular, U, H, HV, X, R*, and N1.

Some [6] have suggested maternal gene flow to have been responsible for some of the unique racial characteristics found in the individuals of this caste. That such a gene flow might have occurred through a group of people arriving through the coastal route remains a popular theory with Chitpavan researchers. Unfortunately so far no concrete historical record has been found to back such an event.

There is no mention of Chitpavans in Indian history prior to the reign of the Peshwas because they did not hold any powerful position in the political structure and were content more or less in performing clerical jobs unlike their counterpart of desh who were performing religious duties.

The earliest reference to the Chitpavans in Indian literature can be found in the Sahyadri Khand, a section of the Skandha Purana. Considering that the version of Skandha in south India does not carry any reference to Chitpavans; It may have been later on composed sometime during 14-15th century by a scholar from a rival group and included as the Sahyadri Khand possibly in an attempt to explain / justify a sudden rise of chitpavans. (rival group, because firstly, most references and myth like story depicted in it does not speak very kindly of this community and secondly, the Skandh Purana with the Sahyadri khand inclusion traditionally would be a part of the rival group's literary collections.)

The following is the summary of the legend from Sahyadri Khand. Parashurama, the sixth avatara of Vishnu was so defiled by the slaughter of the Kshatriyas that Brahmins refused to perform any ceremonies for him. At that time the bodies of fourteen persons happened to be cast ashore by the sea which then washed the foot of the Sahyadri hills. These "corpses" Parashurama purified, by burning them on a funeral pyre or chita, and restored them to life. He taught them the Brahmin rituals, and made them perform ceremonies to free them from guilt. Parashurama wished to give these new Brahmins some land; and since the Deccan had already been given to other Brahmins, he prayed to the God of the sea to spare him some of his domain. Initially the sea god did not agree to reite. Hence, Parshurama decided to throw a Bramhastra (missile) on the sea to render it dry. Then the scared sea god agreed to retire as far west as the Bramhastra would hit the waters from the crest of the Sahyadris. The arrow was shot and reclaimed a belt of land about thirty miles broad. The banks of the Vashishthi, about forty miles north of Ratnagiri, were set apart for the new Brahmins, and in memory of the process by which they had been purified they were called Chitpavans ('chita - pavan', meaning 'pyre purified' in Sanskrit (it could also mean a 'pious mind' 'chit - mind, pavan - pious) and their settlement Chitpolan. After establishing this settlement, Parashurama retired to Gokarna in North Kanara.

[edit] Rise to power

Until the rise of Balaji Vishvanath Peshwa, who belonged to Chitpavan Brahmin sub-caste, they held a low position and were known chiefly as clerks in the Deccan. Even after several generations of living in the Deccan, with strict attention to Brahmin rituals and austere life, other classes of Brahmins refused to eat with them. One story is that when Bajirao II, the last of the Chitpavan Brahmin Peshwas (1796-1818), was in Nasik he was not allowed to go down to the Godavari river using the same flight of steps as the priests from the local Trimbakeshwar temple.

They were relatively unknown outside Konkan until the 16th century. Later the ruler of Maratha empireChhatrapati Shahu Maharaj appointed a Chitpavan Brahmin, Balaji Vishwanath Bhatt as his Peshwa or Prime Minister in, around 18th century. It was the first time a Brahmin of Konkan origin held an important position in Deccani politics in Maharashtra. Eventually, many Chitpavan Brahmins joined the service of Marattha kingdom and in due course called the plateau of Deccan their home.

Before the Peshwas, the community was predominantly found in the Konkan coastal belt of Maharashtra state of India but afterwards migrated to various parts of India. Today the community is found mainly in the state of Maharashtra particularly the Konkan coastal belt and the Deccan Plateau. They are also scattered in small pockets in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu in a tiny percentage. Many of these DNAs' are also found among the Coorgis (a warrior caste in south India). Many of this community members have migrated to the Middle East Gulf States -particularly U.A.E. and also to U.K, Australia and U.S.A. Together, they form less than 1% of Total Indian population. It is known that the Konkanastha Brahmins are a homogeneous community. It was only after the late 18th century, that they began to form sub DNA groups.

06:55, 2 January 2007 (UTC)24.21.135.10 "A typical Chitpavan has a fair of complexion, a sharp nose and hazel eyes. Baring these physical features, they are highly educated and are visible in almost all professions. Nanasaheb Peshwa (18th century), from a portrait that is available may be called the best specimen of a Chitpavan individual. Many historians and anthropologists are of the view that the Chitpavans came to India from Egypt, while others say they came from Greece. Many Chitpavans have sacrificed their lives for India which is why the Chitpavan community has produced a number of fiery patriots. Chitpavans are very proud of their heritage."

[edit] See also

[edit] Eminent/Famous Konkanastha Brahmins

This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources.
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. (help, get involved!)
Any material not supported by sources may be challenged and removed at any time. This article has been tagged since October 2006.

[edit] Literature/Scholars

  • Arun Kolatkar
  • Pandurang Shastri Athavale (Renowned Scholar, Spiritual and Social Reformist)
  • Vasant Sathe (Ex. Union Cabinet Minister of India)
  • G. N. Dandekar (Go Ni Dandekar)
  • [Prin. V.K. Joag (Modern Education Society)
  • Dattatreya Gopal Karve, professor and economist
  • Irawati Karve
  • Hari Narayan Apte
  • Gangadhar Gadgil
  • Shri. Ja. Joshi
  • Raghunath D. Joshi, Writer and Critic of Indian Philosophy
  • Na. Si. Phadke
  • Malti Bedekar, feminist and Marathi novel writer
  • Pandurang Vaman Kane (Bharat Ratna awardee)
  • S N Pendse (Shri Nā)
  • Vi Ka Rajwade (Itihasacharya Rajwade)
  • Vinda Karandikar (Jnanapeeth Awardee 2003)
  • Madhav Vaze
  • Vishram Bedekar
  • Krishnaji Keshav Damle(Keshavsoot)
  • Wrangler Paranjpe
  • Durga Bhagwat, Writer, Scholar and Critic of Indological studies
  • Vivekanand Godbole, Historian (author of ``Subhey Kalyan", ``Hindu Sanskruti Anee Kalyan")
  • Ashok Gadgil, Scientist with LBL.
  • Narendra Karmarkar, renowned computer scientist at Bell labs who invented his own algorithm for linear programming for which he won ACM's Paris Kanellakis Award
  • Navakanta Bhat, Swarnajayanti Fellowship, 2004-2005, IISc
  • Dr.Prabhakara Joshi, Yakshagana Talamaddale performer, Critic, Scholar, Educator
  • Daji Nagesh Apte, Sanskrit/Jyotish scholar
  • Prakash M. Apte, Eisenhower Exchange Fellow USA 1988, Town Planner of new capital of

Gujarat.

  • Dvijapati Sri Govindam Guruacharya Swami Patwardhana- Scholar and a Priest at the Famous Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple during the 1700s. His 3 generations to come, continued to hold the Graceful positions at the Devasthanam.

[edit] Administrators

  • Vijay Kelkar (Finance Secretary)

Bhalchandra Deshmukh (Secretary to Prime Minister)

[edit] Politics/Social Reform

  • Pandurang Sadashiv Sane(sane Guruji)
  • Achyutrao Patwardhan
  • Anant Kanhere
  • Bal Gangadhar Tilak
  • Balukaka Kanitkar
  • Bhai Vaidya
  • Bhausaheb Patankar
  • Chandrashekhar Hari Joshi
  • Chintamanrao Appasaheb Patwardhan(Padmabhushan, ruler of Sangli)
  • Dhondo Keshav Karve
  • Swantatryaveer Savarkar
  • Ganu Vaidya
  • Gopal Ganesh Agarkar
  • Gopal Krishna Gokhale
  • Gurudeo Ranade
  • Kakasaheb Gadgil
  • Krantiveer Chapekar
  • Krushnaji Gopal Karve
  • Mahadev Govind Ranade
  • N.G.Gore
  • Narubhau Limaye
  • Nathuram Godse
  • Peshawas (Balaji Bhat)
  • Raghunath Dhondo Karve
  • Ramray Kelkar Maharaj
  • S.M. Joshi
  • Senapati Bapat
  • Shankarrao Soman
  • Shivram Paranjape (Kaal Karte Paranjape)
  • Shivajirao Patwardhan{Padmashri}
  • Sudhir Joshi
  • Swami Swaroopananda
  • Vasant Bapat
  • Vinayak Damodar Savarkar (Swatantryaveer Savarkar)
  • Vinoba Bhave
  • S.G. Barve (x-Pune Commissioner)
  • Vitthalrao Gadgil
  • Wamanrao Joshi
  • Babarao Bhide
  • Yadavendra Patwardhan (Trainer) (Full name- Sri Balaji Yadavendra Aditya Mahendra Balajirao Dvijapati Kesava Guruacharyaswami Patwardhan

[edit] Industry

  • G.G. Dandekar (Rice Mill Machinery Manufacturers)
  • C.V. Joag (Bank of Maharashtra)
  • Shri Athawale [Shogini Technoarts]]
  • Chitale Bandhu (makers of fine sweets)
  • Dandekars (CAMLIN)
  • P. N. Gadgil (Bullionaires since 1832)
  • Waman Hari Pethe (Bullionaires since last 100 years)
  • Vishwas Pethe (Author of "Second Copy" : Int'l Award winning backup software)
  • Dadasaheb Velankar (coaching class owner)
  • Vikram Pandit
  • Mohan Vijay Vaze (Vaze Consultancy)
  • Mangesh Vijay Vaze (Vaze Consultancy)
  • Jayant Joshi (publishers of Pravasi Diary)
  • Sathe (Sathe biscuits and chocolates co.)
  • Dr. Anupam Bhide President and CEO,Calsoft Inc.
  • Mr. Mukund Bhogale MD, Nirlep Industries
  • Dattatraya Dhamankar, Founder, HICO Ltd.
  • G.M. Abhyankar, Former MD, HICO Ltd.
  • Mangesh Kale, MD, PARI
  • Sachin Joshi, Director and CIO, Infotek Netalia Limited.
  • Satish Parchure, Managing Director, US Interactive (India)

Vivek Bhaskar Gadgil, Executive Vice President and Head(C & UI and PT & D- GCC Countries), International Gulf, Larsen & Toubro Ltd.

[edit] Sport

[edit] Medicine

  • Anandibai Joshi, first woman doctor of India
  • Ajit Phadke, urologist and surgeon of Bombay.
  • Anita Dongre, Leading Fashion Designer, known for the AND brand
  • Ravi Bapat, surgeon at the K.E.M. Hospital
  • Ajit Phadke, Orthopaedic surgeon at Yavatmal, Maharashtra
  • Sudhakar Sane, noted Surgeon and Forensic Pathologist.
  • Nidhi Marathe, noted Electro-Homeopathic Practitioner at Durg, Chhattisgarh.
  • Vivek Gharpure Pediatric surgeon, at Aurangabad, Maharashtra
  • Santosh Karmarkar Pediatric surgeon, at Mumbai, Maharashtra
  • Govind Datar Pediatric Surgeon, at Pune, Maharashtra
  • Padma Karve Pediatric surgeon at Pune, Maharashtra
  • Sachin Watve Orthopaedic surgeon MRCS(Edin)UK
  • Sanjay Oak Pediatric surgeon, Dean, Nair Hospital
  • Uday Bhat Plastic surgeon, Nair Hospital
  • Ramesh Ghanekar Physical Medicene, Iselin, NJ
  • Ajit Joshi MD Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Pune, Maharashtra

[edit] Information Technology

°=== Cinema/Theatre ===

  • Aditi Govitrikar, Model turned actress
  • Archana Joglekar, Marathi Actress
  • Asawari Joshi
  • Ashvini Bhave-Bopardikar, Actress for many Marathi and Hindi films
  • Atul Parchure, Actor
  • Bhakti Barve, Actress on Marathi Theatre and Marathi films
  • Bhagyashree Patwardhan, Actress - Indian film/TV
  • Chittaranjan Kolhatkar
  • Dadasaheb Phalke
  • Madhuri Dixit-Nene, Famous Hindi film actress
  • Atul Pethe Director Experimental theater ( Marathi )
  • Mohan Agashe, Actor - Marathi and Hindi film/theatre/TV
  • Mohan Gokhale, Actor - Marathi & Hindi film, theatre and TV
  • Mohan Joshi, Actor - Marathi and Hindi film/theatre/TV
  • Mrunal Dev-Kulkarni, Actress - Marathi & Hindi film/theatre/TV
  • Dr.Girish Oak, Actor - Marathi and Hindi film/theatre/TV
  • Pradeep Bhide, Actor - Marathi film/theatre/TV
  • Prashant Damle, Actor - Marathi film/theatre/TV
  • Sai Paranjape, Director/Producer - Marathi & Hindi film/theatre/TV
  • Sanjay Mone, Actor - Marathi film/theatre/TV
  • Renuka Shahane, Actress/Anchor - Indian TV and Films
  • Rima Lagoo, Well known Actress - Marathi & Hindi film/theatre/TV
  • Rohini Oak-Hattangadi, Actress - Marathi & Hindi Films/TV/Theatre
  • Vidyadhar Gokhale
  • Vikram Gokhale, Well known Actor - Marathi & Hindi film/theatre/TV
  • Shriram Lagoo, Well known veteran Actor - Marathi & Hindi film/theatre/TV
  • Sudhir Joshi, Actor - Marathi & Hindi film/theatre/TV
  • Vikram Phadnis
  • Govind Ballal Deval (Natyacharya)
  • Vishnudas Bhave
  • Nachiket and Jayoo Patwardhan
  • Kiran Karmarkar
  • Rakesh Bapat (Hindi Movie: Tum Bin)
  • Milind Soman, Model turned Hindi film actor
  • Girish Sadashiv Joshi, An unknown man in this world ;-)
  • Sanjay Pethe (Professional Photographer)
  • Mylene Jampanoi-Soman

Defence Services Air Marshal CV Gole Air Marshal Dilip Jog Air Cmde Arun Sathaye Air Cmde RV Limaye Gp Capt Anil Patwardhan Flt Lt Pradeep Apte

[edit] Music

[edit] Typical Last Names

The List of Chitpavan last names enumerates all the last names found in the Chitpavan community.

[edit] Typical First Names

[edit] Male names

  • Atul
  • Abhijit/Abhijeet
  • Ajit
  • Amit
  • Aamod
  • Amol
  • Aditya
  • Amay/Amey/Ameya
  • Anand
  • Anant
  • Ashok
  • Ballal
  • Chandrashekhar
  • Chintamani
  • Deepak
  • Dhondo
  • Gajanan
  • Gopal
  • Hrishikesh
  • Kedar
  • Madhav
  • Madhukar
  • Mahesh
  • Mandar
  • Omkar/Onkar
  • Parshuram
  • Prashant
  • Rahul
  • Ranjan
  • Rohan
  • Sanjeet
  • Satish
  • Saurabh
  • Shantanu
  • Shreyash
  • Shridhar
  • Shrikant
  • Shripad
  • Shrirang
  • Tushar
  • Umesh
  • Vaman/Waman
  • Vasant
  • Vasudev
  • Vinay
  • Vinayak

[edit] Female names

  • Anagha
  • Anaya
  • Anuja
  • Anita
  • Aparna
  • Ashwini
  • Gauri
  • Ketaki
  • Manjiri
  • Namrata
  • Prajakta
  • Janhavi
  • Jayashri
  • Kanchan
  • Kumud
  • Madhuri
  • Medha
  • Nirmala
  • Nutan
  • Pranjali
  • Pushpa
  • Rasika
  • Sandhya
  • Shreya
  • Shruti
  • Shraddha
  • Vanita / Wanita
  • Vidya

[edit] Trivia

  • Sir Raghunathrao P. Paranjpe, grandfather of noted Hindi and Marathi film director Sai Paranjpe, was the first Indian Wrangler (Wrangler-Mathematics topper at Cambridge University, England). Sai, daughter of Sir R.P.P.'s daughter and a Russian father is a noted Hindi and Marathi movie and drama director, having given major hits like Chashme Baddoor, Katha, Sparsh, etc.

[edit] References

  1. Chitpawan - by Na. Go. Chapekar (1940, reprinted 1968)
  2. Amhi sare chitpawan - by M.C. Dixit (2002)
  3. Kokanasthanchi Kulkatha - by Dr. Dattatreya Vishnu Jog
  4. A prehistory of Indian Y chromosome: Evaluating demic diffusion scenarios - Sahoo et al. (2006)
  5. Polarity and Temporality of High-Resolution Y-Chromosome Distributions in India Identify Both Indigenous and Exogenous Expansions and Reveal Minor Genetic Influence of Central Asian Pastoralists - Sengupta et al. (2006)
  6. Molecular insight into the genesis of ranked caste populations of Western India - Gaikwad, Kashyap (2005)
  7. The Genetic Heritage of the Earliest Settlers persists Both in Indian Tribal and Caste Populations - Kivisild et al. (2003)
  8. Journey of man - Spencer Wells (2002)

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../c/h/i/Chitpavan.html"