Saturday 22 October 2011

Evolution of Baidya Community of Bengal – Its Origin and development

Evolution of Baidya Community of Bengal – Its Origin and development
By   Dr.K.K.Debnath
(drkkdebnath@gmail.com)

NOTE: This article is an outcome of research work. There is no intention to harm the sentiment of any individual or community, knowingly or unknowingly. The Bengalis, who are really truth seekers and ready to face the bitter truth, are only requested to go through this article and others may kindly ignore it. The initial request came from my in laws who are Baidyas to find out their origin.

Baidyas are classified as a high caste Hindu community. They rank next to Brahmins but above Kayasthas of Bengal, with respect to social structure. It is said that their ancestors were supposed to be the practicener of medicine.
Invariably, Baidyas are found to be Saktas and are worshippers of Godess Kalika. They are found to be very progressive and dynamic community. Their adaptability and adoptability qualities are supposed to be very good. As a result they accept and adopt new things, new system under prevailing circumstances towards the benefit for the society/community. On the other hand they are equally conservative and orthodox which made them to preserve and practice old traditions.
Their principal places of settlement before independence of India, were Senhati, Chandam mahal, Dashpara, Puigram, karoria, Sendia, Itna, Bhattapratap in Jessore, Poraghacha in Bikrampur, Dasora and Chandpratap in Dacca.
The community is very well knit and united. They are strong in cultural and social arena of Bengal. Their society is known as “Baidya Samaj” and pays a good respect to its President. The most prominent President was Raja Raj Ballbh of Raja Nagar on the south bank of the Padma River.
During the period of Raja Ram Mohon Roy, many of the Baidyas joined Brahma Samaj. Maharaja Kesav Chandra Sen credited as one of the founder of “Brahmo Samaj” was most prominent Baidya personality.
The origin of this community is found to be very controversial and as on date various stories are available and briefed below:
1) Their ancestor was born through a Vaishya Mother and Brahman father. The profession was practice of medicine.
2) Another story says, their mother was a Brahmin woman, who was pregnented by Aswin Kumars of Khastriya race and was classified as Sudra, since the mother belonged to a superior caste.
3) According to Skanda Purana their mother was a Vaishya woman by name Birbhadra and was pregenented by Galava Muni. The child born became known as Dhanavantri. Since the child had no legal father, he belonged to the family of his mother.
Primarily Baidyas are divided in to three main groups /classes. These are
1) Siddha Baidya,
2) Saddhya Baidya and
3) Kastha Baidya.
The details of family titles coming under the above groups are as under:
1) Siddha Class: Dash/Das, Gupta and Sen
2) Saddhya Class: Dutta, Duli, Dhar and Kar
3) Kastha Class: Chandra, Kundu, Nag, Nandi, Raja, Rakshit and Soma
These names and divisions appeared to be of Non-Vedic origin and found only in Tantric Literatures.
During the establishment of Vedic social system in Bengal spearheaded by Sena Kings, Baidyas were divided into various sub groups depending on their area of settlements and these sub groups are Rarhi, Bangaja, Barendra and Pancha Koti.These groups are endogamous type. Another type is called Hypergomous and known as Kulin, Bangsaja and Mallik.
Even though , there is no historical base nor any logical foundation can be traced on these above stories, there are a lot of hidden clues traceable which are very closely related, if an analysis is done on socio religious development of Bengalis.

Historical evidence and its analysis
The last reformation took place during the period of Maharaja Keshav Chandra Sen and at his instance many of the Baidya community joined Brahma Samaj. However this was not very successful and got rotten and merged with Vedic social system.
Prior to this, the major reformation and probably most significant change was carried out during Sena period by Ballala Sena and Laxman Sena. As a result of this the basic characteristic of Baidya Groups, which was based on their quality instead of heredity, was changed and new groups were formed according to their place of settlements irrespective of quality.
During this period of decline of Buddhism and growth of influence of Vedic system, the Baidyas were brought under Vedic brahminical system and Gotra was introduced by Vedic Brahmins. These gotras are named in the name of Vedic Rishis, who were residents of present Pakistan and Afghanistan
Prior to Vedic system, Bengalis were divided in to various faiths like, Buddhism, Jainism, Nathism or Saivaism or Koulaism or Nath-Koulaism, and Nath-Koula-Kula (or simply Kula ism), Ajeebakism (Believers of destiny). All the faiths were found to be completely dominated by Tantra, Mantra and Yantra (Popularly known as Tantra System). The last development of this spiritual system was Yantra or Sakta system. Among Jains we find Godess Padmavati, in Buddhism there are Goddesses Tara, Tarini , Chinna masta etc, among Saivas we find Kalika , Chamunda, etc.
Vedic intellectuals were grouped under the categories of Rishis, as Rishi, Maha-Rishi (Maharshi), Raja-Rishi (Rajarsee), Deva-Rishi (Devarsee), Brahma-Rishi (Brahmarsee), where as Non Vedic intellectuals were classified as Muni, Siddha, Saddhya and Kastha. Also among the Siddhas or Saddhyas there were people who used to practice medicine, they were known as Raseshwar and Medicines generally used to be called as ‘Siddhai medicine’.
It is already stated that their initial groups are Siddha, Saddhya and Kastha indicates that they were Non Vedic.
Besides, Baidyas are primarily Sakta, which indicates closeness of Baidyas towards non Vedic religion Saktism or Tantra.

Now let us study the developments of Tantra, Mantra and Yantra (Kundalini Jagoran).
Tantra: It is a “Non-Vedic beliefs and practices that emphasized the existence in man of divine powers that could be activated and experienced by means of special spiritual procedures.” However, it was adapted and adopted by Hinduism at a later stage.
It is subject which deals with ‘Tan’ or body (the name tantra came from ‘Tan’ in Bengali) to become a spiritual person “Siddha” of highest calibre.
Montra: It deals with concentration of ‘Mon’ or mind ( the name mantra derived from ‘Mon’).
Tantra and Montra together if worked out in a synergic way yield much more better result in a short period of time.  The last stage of this spiritual process is Yontra.
Yontra: This subject deals with the issue of “Yoni” also called as ‘Yoni Vidya’ or simply ‘Yontra’. To go for this type of activities one has to become a perfect or Siddha in ‘Tontra’ and ‘Montra’, or else off springs are bound to be created. People who were successful and were perfect in Montra and Tontra were only allowed to go in for Yontra type of meditation. As said, it is highly dangerous because any failure may create problem and was kept highly secret for very long time.
Gradually, in course of time it got diluted and ultimately a lot of off springs were generated and since they were fathered by Brahmins, through non Brahmin woman, they could not be made equal to Brahmins in social and religious status and were placed below and the identity of father remained ‘gupto’ or secret, for avoiding any embarrassment and disgrace to father and his legal family.
In view of above, it appears that Baidyas probably are outcome of Tantra Sadhana of intellectuals or Brahmins who were not perfect in fulfilling the pre conditions to perform Yontra Sadhana.
There are many bitter truths and facts, and very difficult to accept.
However, I fell the best way to live is accept the truth and proceed and there is no harm to accept and in fact will highlight the mistakes so that the same can be prevented for a better future.
Once again, the work is not intended to harm or to insult any individual or community. I repeat this due to its sensitivity.


The End

16 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. Dear Mr.Debnath,

    Don't you feel you should think twice before making such assumptions about a caste? It's a shameful thing that you could say such insulting and fanciful things about a respected community. Did you realize that you are just calling a community "bastard" without any proof ? The history of the surname "gupta" is totally different and recent, it was not used by vaidyas before 18 th century. You have made an error on the first place by assuming the non-vedic origin of vaidyas by their Sakta incline(if that is to be accepted then Maithil and many other brahmins will be non-aryan), still that can be debated. But calling them "begotten by a tantric in a non-brahmin womb and paternal identity kept secret" is a sin to say the least. I request you to either come with proofs of what you say or otherwise remove it. It is entirely unacceptable and insulting and terming it as "bitter truth" does not make it a truth.

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  3. Dear mr. Raibatak,

    It is clearly said that there is no intention to hurt the feelings of anybody. The proofs wherever required is mentioned.
    Aryan theory on race founded by Max Meular and later on he himself had discarded the same. Modern Historians have already discarded the same, however by that period damage was already done.
    Can you give how Hindustan can be derived from the Arya? No reference is avl. in Vedic literature starting from Rig-Veda to Bhagavat Gita on Hindustan as Aryavarta.
    The place of settlement of Aryan might be known as Airan, which became known as Iran, Airab to Arab might also derived from Aryan, Airab might be changed further Airap the Airop and finally to Europe.
    In Vedic Literature Aryanya mean Jungle or Forest, and It may be appropriate to address natives of Aryanya as Arya. That indiactes they are Jungli. There is another word in our literature wich is known as "Barbarian" means Barber Aryans. This also indicates their basic characteristic.
    However, when an European scholar says that origin of Indians and Europeans are same, the newly educated Indians of 18th Century became proud to accept the same , due to natural reason to be on the same platform.
    The fact is that now modern historians (Eatern as well as Western) nullified the the theory that Indians are the descendents of Native Indian Mother and Aryan Father.

    You may refer to my other articles on Bengali race Vs Aryan Race;
    Development of Religion of Bengal. , Development of Casteism in Bengal, Origin of Kulinism in Bengal, Development of Bengali Language, The geographical history of Bengal, The political history of Bengal, Sakti peethas of India.

    Detailed references are avl. there.

    You may kindly go through Bengali race, and Bengali religion atleast.

    I welcome constructive criticism and suggestions on the above to improve.

    Regards,

    (Dr. KK Debnath)





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    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. Regarding Aryan theory, I totally agree with you that aryan invasion thing was 'created' by max mueller and some other westren historians with hidden agenda. I also have a feeling that given the gurukula tradition (mentioned in upanishad)being carried in jungle, aranya might indeed have a connection with "Arya". But "barbarian' thing, however, is debatable.

      Regards,

      Raibatak

      Delete
    3. Finally,

      "Baidyas were brought under brahminical system" . I have proofs that Vaidyas are migrants from North ,west and southern india and are part of Saraswat Brahmin community. Saraswata brahmins have accepted it and included it in even their website.[http://saraswatdirectory.com/saraswat6.php] All the vaidya kulaji granthas talk of migrations and their connections and marital relation with brahmins from orisaa, maharsthra and other places["chandraprabha" by Bharat mallik or "vaidyakula chandrika" by jay sen biswas, for example] The communities which have been brought into brahmin-fold after brahmins came here were given common gotras like kashyap, sandilya etc.(it was given according to their priest's gotra) , vaidya gotras are rare (Dhanvantari, Shaktri etc) and are not found in bengali kulin brahmins. These gotras are only found in saraswat brahmins from punjab, maharashtra etc. the vaidya clan and its equivalents are found in saraswat clan mostly.

      Delete
    4. Dear Dr. Debnath,

      Thanks for referring to your other articles, but my question is direct and to the point. I don't want to go to the technicalities regarding aryan race/bengali race etc and the shaktipeethas. I am studying the history of Vaidyas for the last 10 years and it is clear to even a novice that ethnic identity of a clan is more or less independent of ever-changing religious inclinations. The vaidyas were pivotal in vaishnav religion movement also, and a lage number of vaidya families have Gopal/krishna/Radhamadhav as their kuladevata.

      I repeat, no proof has been given by you in support of your hypothesis regarding the Vaidyas being born from indisciplined tantriks into non-brahmin wombs. You are virtually claiming that Vaidyas are a "bastard" race without even going deep into their antiquity. such theories are unacceptable(I hope you will realize it) . we are ready to accept a bitter truth , but it has to be a "truth" first. I again request you to either come with proofs about that 'claim' of yours or remove it. if you are interested, I can write to you about the information I have gathered in my several years of study regarding vaidya history from various sources.

      yours faithfully,

      Raibatak

      Delete
    5. Respected Sir,
      I belong to Baidya Bansha and for a long time I am very interested regarding its origin and pride.. But the recorded history speaks very little about the Baidyas,.,.... Since very long till today the Brahmin priests treat we Baidyas as equivalent of shudras,.,.. Being the highest class of Brahmins the Baidyas are still quite unknown in the greater section of Bengali Community!! Infact the Wikipedia is providing similar informations closer to Dr. Debnath,, which is very untrue and disappointing..

      I insist you that its time to remove the false curtains from the eyes of the society and let the Baidyas have pride in their antiquities.. Scholars like you should rise and enlight the whole generation to classify the truthfulness about this Selfless Clan..... I request you to make some proper blog or website with detailed information and evidences about the origin and evolution of the Baidyas....

      Thanking You..

      Yours Truly,,
      Avhishek DasGupta..

      Delete
  4. I was told by my father about some of the Vaidyas, for example in my gotra (Shaktri) as originating from the constellation of the Pleiades, and not of this earth, and that the sage Shaktri (or Shaktari?) therefore was a cosmologist working with Dhanvantari as a guide to administer medicines at the right time according to the stars. I am interested if anyone knows about this. Sarada Sen.

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  5. These kind of hypothesis without any kind of concrete proof is totally shambolic. Dr. KK Debnath you should have given more concrete evidence. But since are unable to provide any evidence supporting your whimsical claims. You must discontinue this site. It's totally unethical and disgraceful on your behalf. Such mean and obnoxious view can only indicate that your mental state is degenerating.

    ReplyDelete
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