Ambashtha

The term Ambastha, in Hindu social history, refers to an offspring begotten by a Brahmin father and a Vaishya mother, whose profession was usually medical practice.[1][2] Regarding the varna-status of this offspring, J. Muir (1868) says by citing the Mahabharata, that "A son begotten by a Brahman in the three castes [i.e. on a woman of either of the upper three classes] will be a Brahman" (same has been mentioned by G.S. Ghurye [3])), and mentions that "purity of caste blood was not much regarded among Hindus in early ages".[4]

In Indian history, a warrior tribe named Ambastha has been mentioned. During Alexander's invasion, they had 60000 infantry, 6000 horsemen and 500 chariots. In Mahabharata, they have been described as a resident of Northwestern part of Indian subcontinent (near Lahore), and they were conquered by Nakula and paid tribute to Yudisthira. They fought in the Kurukhetra war (initially for the Pandavas but later for Drona). It is assumed that they later migrated to eastern India and took to different professions like Priesthood, Medicine etc.[5]

There is also is a caste named Ambashtha Kayastha, which is sub-caste of the larger Kayastha community of India. The connection with Ambashtha tribe with these Kayasthas is suggested by Crooke, as some Kayasthas sometimes worked as surgeons. But generally it is thought that Ambastha Kayasthas take their name either after the Ameth region of Oudh or their patron deity Ambaji.[6]

History and origin

At present, we find a sub-caste called Ambashtha Kayastha, mainly found in the Hindi-speaking areas of India. According to the ancient Hindu theology, the Kayasthas originate from Chitragupta.

Early medieval Bengal

In the Brihaddharma Purana the Ambashthas and the Vaidyas were considered as the same caste in its list of 36 castes but another text, the Brahma Vaivarta Purana considered them as two separate sub-castes. Bharatmallik (17th century), the author of the Chandraprabha and Bhattitika has introduced himself as both Vaidya and Ambashtha, which indicates both the castes were considered as one in early medieval Bengal.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Ridgeon(edited), L. Major World Religions.
  2. ↑ Olivelle, P. Manu's Code of Law.
  3. ↑ Ghurye, G.S. Caste and Race in India. p. 85.
  4. ↑ Muir, J. The People of India, Their religions and institutions.
  5. ↑ Garg, G.R. Encyclopaedia of the Hindu World. p. 377.
  6. ↑ Russell, R.V>. The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India, Volume III of IV.
  7. ↑ Roy, Niharranjan (1993). Bangalar Itihas:Adiparba (in Bengali), Kolkata:Dey's Publishing, ISBN 81-7079-270-3, pp.227,246-7