Brahma Kshatri

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The Brahma Kshatri, also known as Brahmkshatriya, are a Hindu Khatri caste found in the state of Gujarat in India.[1]

Origin

The word Brahma Kshatri literally means the warriors of the Brahmins. According to their traditions, they are descended from kshatriyas who took shelter with Maa Hingulaj to escape the wrath of Parshuram. The Brahma Kshatri have five endogamous groups based on territorial divisions. They are the Punjabi Brahma Kshatri, Sorathia Brahma Kshatri, Ahmedabad Brahma Kshatri and Kutch Brahma Kshatri. The Brahma Kshatri have a further six divisions, the Brahma Kshatri proper, the Chudgor, Dakhani, Dasa, Natravala, and Panch. Only the Brahma Kshatri proper and Dakhani interdine and intermarry.[2]

The community is said to have its origin in the city of Thatta, in what is now Pakistan. They are said to have left Thatta some five hundred years ago, with some groups settling in Kutch, while others settled in Ahmedabad and Amreli. The community is still found mainly in Kutch, particularly in Mandvi taluka, and speak the Kutchi language. The surnames like Rasputla,Katbamna belongs to this community.

Present Circumstances

The Brahma Kshatri are strictly endogamous, and practice clan exogamy. They originally consisted of nine clans, which over time expanded to over ninety six clans. The original nine clans were the Mehra, Kapoor, Tandon, Soning, Talvai, Chopade, Bohra, Kakkad and Sethia.[3]

A considerable number of Brahma Kshatri have migrated to East Africa and the Persian Gulf states. The majority of the community are now petty traders.[4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ People of India Gujarat Volume XXII Part One edited by R.B Lal, S.V Padmanabham & A Mohideen page 266 to 271 Popular Prakashan
  2. ↑ People of India Gujarat Volume XXII Part One edited by R.B Lal, S.V Padmanabham & A Mohideen page 266 to 271 Popular Prakashan
  3. ↑ People of India Gujarat Volume XXII Part One edited by R.B Lal, S.V Padmanabham & A Mohideen page 266 to 271 Popular Prakashan
  4. ↑ People of India Gujarat Volume XXII Part One edited by R.B Lal, S.V Padmanabham & A Mohideen page 266 to 271 Popular Prakashan
Brahmin communities
Kshatriya communities
Vaishya communities
Farming communities
Genealogist communities
Artisan communities
Tribal communities
Muslim communities
Jain communities
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