Nagar Brahmins

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Nagar/Kayasth Gujarati Brahmins are believed to be one of the oldest of the Brahmin groups.

Contents

[edit] Overview

Historians claim the origin of Nagars to be purely Aryan, having come to India from Southern Europe and Central Asia[citation needed]. They migrated through the Hindu Kush to either Trivishtapa or Tibet; later through Kashmir (Kashmir is Central Asia and its original borders are close to Tajikistan) and settled around Kurukshetra.

Surname Majmundar is basically given to those people who were collecting TAX in the state of Gujarat under the rule of Kind Sayajirao Gayakwad.

The earliest written book dealing with the origin of Nagars is the Skanda Purana containing some 81,000 Slokas, or hymns. With a view to prorogate the Brahmin Dharma as against the Buddh belief various writers wrote the Skanda Purana from 300 to 770 A.D. sponsored by Skanda Gupta and vallabhi emperors. The elite Brahmins, called Nagars were assigned the task of furthering the Brahmin religions. These Nagars were expert interpreters of religion and were working without salary. Mostly they inhabited around Vadnagar or Anandnagar. The kings therefore gave them land for maintenance. These Nagars traveled far and wide and established the shiv belief in Egypt, Babylon, Brazil, Kabul, Indo-china and Cambodia. It is said that after the death of emperor Ashoka (232 B.C.) the Shakas and Yavanas made inclusions.(www.nagar-setu.com)

It is also believed that before Nagars first came to Gujarat in 404 A.D., they lived in Sindh. According to Sir Herber Ridley, Nagars are a cross-breed of "Shaks" & "Dravids." Dr. Bhandaarkar also considers that Nagars have origin outside our country. Nagars from across the borders came first to Kashmir and then they spread out in the states of Rajasthan, Punjab, Utter Pradesh, Bengal, Malva, and Gujarat. After migrating from Kurukshetra they had first settled in Anandpur - Vadnagar of today.

Another view asserts Nagars to be of Greek origin[citation needed]. When Alexander invaded India, he had came with his army through Kashmir. While returning, many Greek soldiers settled in Kashmir. They came into close contact of Pundit community of Kashmir and the progeny that resulted was known as Nagars. Afterwards, Nagars migrated to other parts of the country. Nagars and Greeks are considered similar even today so far as their physical appearance is concerned.

A famous historian from Junagadh and a well known Nagar Shri Shambhuprasad Desai had mentioned in his book about the history of Nagars that Nagars first came from Greece, Macedonia, Syria or regions surrounding these places. There is a Nagar ground near Jordan and Israel. Besides, there is a place called Nagar. Also there is also a Nagar community in Iran. They might have come from there first to Kangda (old NAGARKOT) of Himalayas. "NAG" means a mountain and "NAAG" means persons living in mountain region. "R" is a word of sixth tense. All these three put together becomes " NAAGARA " This leads us to to believe that Nagars must be living in the beginning in the regions surrounded by mountains. (Nagar - a man protected by NAG-a mountain)

Current research speculates the Aryan origin to be Hatak or Ladhakh, where the predominant deity is Hatak, Hatkesh or Hatkeshwar. According to the Skandapurana, the land of Hatkeshwar was a gift from Lord Shiva for the Nagars to colonize.

Another version of the legend claims the King of Anarta rebuilt an abandoned city, Chamatkarpur, and consecrated a temple to Hatkeshwar to show his gratitude to the Brahmins. Through the years, and many name changes, the town is currently known as Vadnagar. The inhabitants of the city were known as Nagars.

As time passed, the city of Vadnagar was invaded on more than one occasion. Nagars sought refuge in the nearby areas of Saurashtra and Rajasthan. During this time, they did their best to observe and preserve the code in order to guard their identity. After King Vishaldev conquered Gujarat (around A.C.E. 1040), the King of Ajmer established the cities of Vishnagar (formerly Vishalnagar), Chitrod (or Chitakutpati), Prashnipur, Krashnor, and Sathod (or Shatpad). He offered these cities to the Brahmins who were descendants or an offshoot of the Nagars from Vadnagar.

As per the origin place of the Nagars, gradually they are called with. Like Visnagara from Visnagar, Vadnagara from Vadnagar, Prashnora from Prashnipur (Rajasthan) now settled in Bhavnagar and other region in Gujarat, Krashnora from Krashnor, Sathodara from Shatpad etc.

[edit] Nature of Nagars

Nagar community known for its cultural and administrative virtues. They found very powerful in the field of administration from early days. They are very good at Music and arts. Some examples are:

Alka Yagnik Well Known playback singer of Indian Film Industry.

Urmila Nagar - Renowned Kathak dancer and Vocalist awarded by President of India with Sangeet Natak Academy award for her contribution to performing arts.

Kanaiyalal Munshi - Politician, Writer
Vijaykumar M Trivedi Lawyer and Politician Minister in Gujarat/>

Balwant Bhatt - Blind Classical Singer trained under Ustad Bade Gulam Ali Khan at Varanasi
Sir Prabhashankar Pattani - Diwan of Bhavnagar state in Gujarat, well known for his maturity
Uday Majmudar - Singer
Vishal Nagar - One of the most promising young Tabla virtuoso.

Shyamal / Saumil / Aarti Munshi - Singers
Chinmay Kalpak Pandya - Researcher and Student in field of "Biometrics in Cryptography"
Dilip Dholakiya - Music Director
Pandit Vinayak Vora, one of the few players of a relatively rare instrument, the Taar Shehnai
Ujwal Nagar - Hindustani Vocalist with an amazing talent at a very young age. "Ruchit Nagar" - Young Indian Tabla Player who has won many awards

Ashit Desai, singer and composer of rare merit. He has the distinction of having assisted Pandit Ravi Shankar on various prestigious projects
Dipti Desai - Classical Singer from Bhavnagar
PADMA BHUSHAN PANDIT BHAGWANT RAO MANDLOI , CHIEF MINISTER OF MADHYA PRADESH , FREEDOM FIGHTER , MEMBER OF THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY.

Zandu Bhattaji (PRASHNORA)-- Famous ayurvedic practitiones.A famous manufacturing co. has bnen nemed after him,

Shari Ravishanksr S.BhaTT ( PRASHNORA)=== First chairman of Unit trust Of India. economist. Nayab Divan of Bhavnagar.

Ramnarayan Pathamk ( dwiref )(PRASHNORA) authority on grammar of Poetry. Story writer, poet.

Yashvant Pandya ( Prashnora) writrer of Childen dramas. considerted to be first writer of one act play in Gujrati,

Mukund Parasharya ( Prashnora) Poet.Th

Jagdip Virani Poet, Painter,Violinist, composer.

---Bhagvanlal Indraji (research)prashnora

Nanabhai Bhatt (education) (Prashnora)

MuLshankar Mulani ( author old gujrati theatre) Prashnora

Bhanushankar Vyas -Swapnasth nPoet Prashnora

Nautam Bhatt (Scientist) prashnora

Harikrishna Pathak Poet Prashnora

Vinoo Mankad Cricketer perhaps the best allrounder ever

Ashok Mankad Cricketer

Nirupama Mankad (Tennis)

Harsh Mankad ( Tennnis)

Ashok Mankad

Late Shri Jaisukhlal Hathi, former Central Minister and Governor of Punjab and Haryana

[edit] Narsinh Mehta (1414 - 1481)

Narsi Mehta was a saint from the Nagar Brahmin community. Mahatma Gandhi included his famous bhajan `Vaishnava Jana to tene kahiye' in his daily prayers. This devotional song has become so popular that it has been rendered into almost all Indian and many non-Indian languages. Herein are idealised the virtues of a gentleman. They are so universal that every social thinker would endorse them, and accept them as his own ideal.

Vaishnava Jana to tene kahiyeje, peed parayi jaane re...

He is a Vaishnava who feels for the suffering of another And forgets the good he does to another, never taking pride in it. Who cares not for the praise and condemnation of the world nor himself indulges in it. He is not attached to women and wealth; such a one is praiseworthy and a jewel to his family. He is the same to all, is desireless and the women of others he considers like unto his mother. He never speaks falsehood nor has he his eye on another one's wealth. He is no slave of any passion or attachment, and the spirit of renunciation rules his mind. His heart is fixed on the Lord, whom he is restless to meet, really his body is indeed a pilgrim's garb. He is neither avaricious, nor vile nor a victim to wrath and desire. Says Narsi, verily that such a person shall find release from the cycle of rebirth.

[edit] Typical Nagar last names

Major Nagar groups (Naati) also derived in such way like Vadnagara from Vadnagar, Visnagara from Visnagar, Prashnora from Kathiawad, Sathodra from Sathod and Chitroda from Chitod

[edit] Derived from Geographical (Village or City) Names

* Anjaria

  • Avasia
  • Buch
  • Chhaya
  • Dhebar
  • Dholakia
  • Ghoda
  • Hathi
  • Joshipura
  • Jhala
  • Kharod
  • Kukasia
  • Mahudhia
  • Majmundar
  • Mankad or Mankar
  • Mankodi
  • Oza
  • Pattani
  • parghi
  • Rana
  • Trivedi
  • Unakar
  • Vahia
  • Vasavada
  • Veravala
  • Vaishnav
  • Vora
  • Kachhy

[edit] Derived from Family Ancestry

  • Antani
  • Anantani
  • Bavani
  • Bhayani
  • Kharode
  • Kikani
  • Maknani
  • Majmundar
  • Premapuri
  • Rindani
  • Savani
  • Vachh(a)rajani
  • Vaishnav

for Creating your Own Family Tree you can visit NAGAR SAMAJ www.nagars.info http://ejunction.nagars.info/Family/

[edit] Derived from Titles Awarded by Rajput and Muslim Rulers

These rulers ruled Gujarat for about eight centuries. Nagars were on prominent positions and were awarded many titles. These twenty surnames include names such as:

  • Baxi
  • Bhagat
  • Desai
  • Divan
  • Durkal
  • Hazrat
  • Janita
  • Jathhal
  • Jha
  • Kazi
  • Medh
  • Munshi
  • Parghi
  • Pota
  • Saiyad
  • Swadia
  • Jhala

for Creating your Own Family Tree you can visit NAGAR SAMAJ www.nagars.info

http://ejunction.nagars.info/Family/

[edit] Derived from Professional Titles

Most of Nagars are professionals. Many surnames were derived from the profession they were engaged in. These names include:

  • Pandya
  • Pandit
  • Acharya
  • Buch
  • Druv
  • Jikar
  • Mehta
  • Nanavati
  • Pathak
  • Pandit
  • Purohit
  • Vaidya

[edit] Other Names

  • bhatt
  • jani
  • Dave

There are several surnames used in various regions in Gujarat.

[edit] From Kachchh

  • Kachchhi
  • Maru
  • Oza
  • Jhala

[edit] From Kathiawad

  • Dholakia
  • Pancholi
  • Jha
  • Oza

[edit] Other Nagar last names in Gujarat

  • Shukla
  • Vyas
  • Derasari
  • Divetia
  • Dwivedi
  • Dixit
  • Joshi
  • Maharaja
  • Naik
  • Pathak
  • Pathakji
  • Raval
  • Tripathi
  • Trivedi
  • Vora
  • Pattani
  • Yodh
  • Yagnik

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

http://www.nagar-setu.com/