Thursday 3 May 2012

A Research Note on Origin of Bengali Kulin Brahmins


A Research Note on Origin of Bengali Kulin Brahmins
By
Dr. KK Debnath, Ph.D.
(drkkdebnath@gmail.com)

Abstract:
This is a pure research article of academic interest. An attempt has been made to trace the origin of “Kulin Brahmins” of Bengal, which has been evolved in Bengal around the end of 11th century. The author has considered various aspects as available in Vedic and Sramanic culture prevailing in India from ancient period. An analytical procedure has been adopted to find out the roots of Kulin Brahmins. Author is of the opinion that they are of indigenous origin and various stories have been developed over a period of time, due to various socio-political environments. In this study exceptions are ignored.
Author is grateful to historians, researchers, and contrutors in Google, without which it would not have been possible to carry out research towards this article.
Introduction:
It is very interesting to note in the cultural history of Bengal is primarily dominated by “Kulin Brahmins”, be it literary field, or scientific field or Medical or Engineering field or in Judiciary area or in administrative area or in political area. In other words the history of Bengal cannot be thought of without them, due to their immense contribution to the Bengali society. The list of these great Bengali Kulin Brahmin contributors is endless. However a small list is prepared and made available in annexure for ready reference at the end of this article.
This interesting factor made the author to trace the root to the extent possible, of this race as they claim that they are migratory Bengalis and not original native of Bengal.
However, it is extremely difficult as we need the data from religious history, cultural history, political history and social history of Bengal and its adjoining area to arrive at certain inference, provided all data are found to converge.

Indian history is found to be written, based primarily on Vedic literatures, Max Muller theory and various books authored by Europeans. Books written by Europeans are again based on their interviews with prominent people, hearsay and on Vedic literatures. While doing so the Sramanic/Sarmanic literature has been ignored. This may be due to the reason that during the development of Indian or Bengal history, the then civil society was dominated by Vedic people.
Vedic people are those people, who are believers of Vedic sanskriti and follow the Vedic social rules in their day to day life, and society is controlled and governed by Vedic intellectuals, who are known as Brahmins. They ranked at the top of the society. Among these Brahmins Kulin Brahmins occupy the highest position.
On the other hand there is no information available for people of other communities/castes. Informations and records are available only for Brahmins and it may not be possible to trace the origin of other community
However, modern historians and researchers have found out many interesting facts and author has tried to collect all these data and analyze them.


Various Classes of Brahmins from religion:
In North India Brahmins are found to be divided in five categories. These are 1) Saraswat Brahmins, 2)Konoujee Brahmins, 3) Maithili Brahmins, 4) Gauriya Brahmins and 5) Utkali Brahmins. 
1) Saraswat Brahmins: These are the Brahmins originated from the valley of Great Rig Vedic river Saraswati, used to flow through North western part of undivided India. Most of the Kashmiri and Panjabi Brahmins belong to this class of Brahmins.
2) Konoujee Brahmins: These are the Brahmins originated from Kanauj, situated in Panchal area (between river Ganga and Yamuna), presently in UP.
3) Maithili Brahmins: These Brahmins are originated from Mithilanchal area of ancient Bengal. Mithila was the capital of Upanishadic and Puranic king Janak. King Janak was the father of Sita maa of puranic Ramayana. Mithila is now a part of present Bihar state.
4) Gauriya Brahmins: These Brahmins are originated from Gaur. Gaur was ancient capital of Bengal and it is situated in karna subarna part of Bengal.  The area covered by present Maldah , Dinajpur and Bagura district of West Bengal and Bangla desh.
5) Utkali Brahmins: The Brahmins are originated from Puri area of ancient Utkal desh (present Orissa or Odisha). However Utkali Brahmins opines that their ancestors migrated from Gangeya Valley of North India.


Kula Panjika (Family Dictionary) records:
Kanoujee Brahmins:
According to family dictionary, Bengali Kulin Brahmins are not original inhabitants of Bengal. They migrated from Kanouj at the invitation of king Adisur of Bengal in late 11th century. Some Kulin Brahmins claim that they migrated to Bengal around 14th century at the invitation of king Adisur. Many also believes that Kulin Brahmins migrated around 10th Century.
The reason was justified by them, stating that  there was no Vedic Brahmin available in Bengal to perform Vedic rituals for the king. Later on the did not return to their native place and permanently settled in Bengal around Rarh or Radha area. The present Bardhaman, Birbhum area is known as Rarh area. They are all Upadhyaya Brahmins.

Gauriya Brahmins:
Gauriya Brahmin people are found to be settled in U.P. , Delhi, Haryana, Panjab, Gujrat, Maharashtra, and Konkon areas of India.
According to their family history they migrated from Gaur_Bangal of Bengal to Hastinapur during Mahabharata period. King Janmejaya the son of King Parikhsheet, wanted to perform “Sarpa Yagna” to kill all the snakes of the World to take revenge of the death of his father by snake bite. Since there was no Vedic Brahmin available in Hastinapur he invited 100 learned Brahmins from Gaur of Bengal to perform the Vedic ritual of “Sarpa Yagna”. These Brahmins were treated so nicely that they decided to settle at Hastinapur itself instead of returning to Gaur. They got married with locals of that place and as a result they are rough in their look with respect to Bengali Brahmins. Mahabharata war took place around 1000 BC according to historians. Therefore this migration must have been taken place around 1000 BC.

Maithili Brahmins:
Sage Yagnavalkya, Gautama and other learned Brahmins of Upanishads were at the court of King Janaka of Mithila. The accepted period of Upanishad by historians and researchers is around 700 BC. Mithila was a part of ancient Bengal. According to Jain literature 22nd jain Tirthamkara Lord Nemi Nath was born at Mithila of Bangadesh. Historically, Lord Krishna was a cousin brother of Lord Nemi Nath.
Utkali Brahmins:
They say their ancestors migrated to Utkal from Gangeya valley long back. This indicates that they are not original inhabitants of Utkal desh.

Analysis of the above:
Let us assume the migration theory is in order. In such case there was no Vedic Brahmins in Bengal, as a result one king by name Adisur invited learned Brahmins of Kanouj to come and settle in Bengal.
On the other hand, we find
1) Learned Brahmins like Yagnavalkya and others, who had composed the great philosophies as detailed in Upanishads, lived in this very Bangadesh at around 700 BC almost 1400 to 1500 years ago of king Adisur. This shows there was no shortage of learned people or Brahmins in Bengal some 1500 years prior to King Adisur.
2)  Learned Brahmins were invited from Bengal by the king of Hastinapur Janmejaya (Son of king Pareekhsheet and grandson of great pandava Arjuna) at around 1000 BC, ie. More than 2000 yrs prior to king Adisur of Bengal. This also indicates that there was no shortage of Brahmins in Bengal even 2000 years ago.

Besides the above, historians could not trace out a king by name Adisur of Bengal at any point of time who invited Vedic Brahmins from Kanouj to Bengal.
Historians could not find any trace of migration of learned Vedic Brahmins from Bengal during Mahabharata period.
The story is similar for other categories of Brahmins.
Therefore, it appears that there are a lot of contradictions and these occurred probably due to the fact that only Brahmins were literate as they were only eligible to read and write. Others were not allowed to do so due to religious strictures of Vedic religion. This has also allowed Brahmins to record and documented the social rules and literatures in their own way. As a result it becomes extremely difficult to trace the history of origin of this community.  
Therefore, it is necessary to look in to the details of AIT, political situation, social structure and the religious development in Bengal.


Historical information:
1) Aryan Connection:
Historians of 18th century were found to be mesmerized by Great German Scholar Max Muller. He was to be credited as the father of Indian history. He founded the theory of Aryan invasion (AIT) to Indus valley and spread the story of mixed blood of Aryan race and Indian race. Aryans were described as the best people of a great race in the World. Indian scholars also accepted this theory without any question, probably with an impression that, this would enhance their prestige in the society.
2) Ancient Political situation:
According to historians Kulin Brahmanism appeared in Bengal from the time of king Ballal Sena and no historical evidence found on Kulin Brahmins prior to Sena period.
Prior to Senas Bengal was ruled by Palas who were primarily of Buddhist faith. But their ministers were found to be Brahmins who were Maithily Brahmins in line with present day classification. Prior to Palas it was king Sashanka who was a devout Saiva and he was against Buddhists.
Further, prior to Palas and Sashanka, it was under the rule of Guptas. According to some historians, Guptas originated from Gaur area (present Maldah district). Samudra Gupta embraced Vaishnavaism and got declared as Khastriya under Vedic system. They were against Buddhist and used carrot and stick policy to convert Buddhist into Vedic religion. One side people were forced to embrace Vedic religion and on the other side Buddha was declared as an avatar of Vishnu, to please Buddhists and to bring them under Vedic fold. During this Gupta period the famous Buddha temple with the foot print of Buddha at Gaya was renamed as Vishnu temple with foot print of Vishnu.
Prior to Guptas, Bengal was ruled by Mauryas. Their founder Chandragupta Maurya and his son Bindusar were followers of Jainism; however Asoka, the son of Bindusar embraced Buddhism.
3)  Religious Development in Bengal:
According to Sahityacharya Dinesh Ch. Sen and others the earliest religion of Bengalis was probably Jainism. Prior to Bardhaman Mahavir, Jain religion was known as Nath or Arihant or Arihat religion.
Out of 24 Teerthamkaras 18 of them spent major portion of their lives in this very Bengal. The district name “Bardhaman” was named after 24th Tirthamkara Bardhaman Mahavir.
Sahityacharya Dinesh ch. Sen stated that the earliest known religion of Bengalis was probably Jainism. This can further be substanciated that famous Jain scholar and monk “Bhadra bahu” was from present “Bagura” dist. of Bangladesh. He was rajguru of King Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of Mourya Dynasty. He made Chandragupta Maurya to become a monk and lead him to Sravanbelegola of Karnataka to lead a Sarmanic life. This also shows that there was no shortage of learned and intellectuals in Bengal at any point of time.

The next major religion of Bengalis found to be Buddhism, followed by Saivaism and Saktaism. Lord Shiva is also known as “Kaula” or “Akula”, while Sakti is known as “Kula”. Prior to Sena rules in Bengal, Bengal and its adjoining areas were dominated by Buddhist “Kula” tantraism and Saiva “Kula” tantraism. According to historians there was hardly any difference among these two sections of Tantraism.
It may be of interest to mention here that there are 51 Sakti/Tantra Peethas and four Adi Sakti Peethas found in undivided India.
The brief on these four Adi Sakti/Tantra Peethas are described below:


1. Puri Jagannatha, Puri at Orissa:
According to historians, it was originally a Buddhist shrine; this was converted to Vaishnava shrine at a later period.
For Sakta Tantric Jagannatha is Bhairava and Bimala is Bhairavi. In the month of Asvina, during the Durga Puja, animal sacrifice is made before goddess Bimala which is the only of its kind in the otherwise bloodless rituals performed in the temple. The holy food offered to Shri Jagannatha is sanctified only after it is presented to Bimala and then acquires the character of Mahaprasad. The Goddess Bimala, a manifestation of the Mother Goddess and considered as Shakti of Lord Jagannatha.  
Puri is a prime Hindu pilgrimage centre located in Orissa. It is famous for Rath Yatra held in the month of Sravana. The place is well connected by Rails. Pilgrims may get down either at Bhubaneswar or at Khurda road Jn. on Main Howrah Chennai railway line and go to Puri by road or by Train.

2. Tara Tarini, Raipura, Ganjam; Orissa:
According to historians and researchers, it was originally a Buddhist Tantric temple. Historically Tara and Tarini both are Buddhist Goddesses.
It is said that the breasts of Sati fell at the Kumari Hills where the famous Tara Tarini Shakti Pitha has stood. It is said that the breasts of Sati fell at the Kumari Hills
Tara-Tarini Temple is situated on the Top of the Kumari hills. This hill stands on the bank of River Rushikulya near Purushottampur in Ganjam District. It is one of the most Prominent ancient Shakti peetha or Tantra Pitha of Orissa and this Pitha is among four of most important Shakta centers in India and Orissa has been considered to be one of the most important Shakti centre.
The Goddesses Tara-Tarini has been regarded as the presiding deity (Ista-Devi) in almost every house in South Orissa.
Tara was the Primordial deity of the Mahayana Buddhist Pantheon, indicates Buddhist influence at the Tara - Tarini Peetha.


3. Kamakhya Kamroop, at present Assam:
Historically, it was a famous Buddhist Tantra Peetha.  At a later stage, it became the place of Sadhana of Lord Matsyendra Nath and a temple was made. He was the Guru of Lord Gorokhsha Nath, and Matsendra Nath is credited as the founder of “Kula System” of Tantra in Bengal.
The current temple structure was constructed in 1565 by Chila Rai of the Koch dynasty in the style of medieval temples. The form of the earlier structure, destroyed by the Kala Pahar, is unknown.
According to puranic story, Devi's yoni fell here. Idols of temple are Devi as Kamakhya (personification of love) and Shiva as Umananda.
The Kamakhya Temple is a Shakti temple situated on top of the Nilachal Hill in western part of Guahati city in Assam on the northern banks of the river Brahmaputra (the son of Brahma), India. It is the main temple in a complex. There are various   individual temples dedicated to different forms of the mother goddess as the Dasa Mahavidya, including Bhuvaneshvari, Bagalamukhi, Chinnamasta, Tripura Sundari and Tara also built in the temple complesx over a period of time. It is an important pilgrimage destination for general Hindu and Tantric worshipers.
This is also a famous pilgrimage for women seeking fertility or love. The temple is supposedly built by Kamdev, the god of love. The Umananda temple is nearby in an islet on the river. It has many pet monkeys.
During the Ambuvaci festival each summer, the menstruation of the Goddess Kamakhya is celebrated. During this time, the water in the main shrine runs red with iron oxide resembling menstrual fluid.
The Kalika Purana, an ancient work in Sanskrit describes Kamakhya as the yielder of all desires, the young bride of Shiva, and the giver of salvation. Shakti is known as Kamakhya.
The Kamakhya Temple in Assam symbolizes the "fusion of faiths and practices" of Brahmanism and native elements in Assam. The Yogini Tantra mentions that the religion of the Yogini Pitha is of Kirata origin. According to Assamese literature, there existed a tradition among the priests established by Nara Narayana that the Garos, a matrilineal people, offered worship at the Kamakhya site by sacrificing pigs.
The goddess is worshiped according to both the Vamachara (Left-Hand Path) as well as the Dakshinachara (Right-Hand Path) modes of worship. According to the Kalika Purana, Kamakhya Temple denotes the spot where Sati used to retire in secret to satisfy her amour with Shiva, and it was also the place where her yoni fell after Shiva danced with the corpse of Sati. However, this is not corroborated in the Devi Bhagavata, which lists 108 places associated with Sati's body, though Kamakhya finds a mention in a supplementary list. The Yogini Tantra, a latter work, ignores the origin of Kamakhya given in Kalika Purana and associates Kamakhya with the goddess Kali and emphasizes the creative symbolism of the yoni.

4.  Kalighat (Calcutta) at West Bengal:
As per historical records Lord Gorokhsha Nath, a great religious and social reformer of Saiva Nath religion, who converted left hand Tantra to right hand Tantra, by transforming the Tantric Kula Bhairavi in to mother Goddess.  His Guru Lord Matsendra Nath was the founder of Kula System in Bengal. One of his disciples Chourangi Nath used to look after this temple and was the first priest of it. His seat was named as Chourangi and the road from his ashram to temple was named as Chourangi road.

Devi's four small toes from her right foot fell here and the idols are Devi as Kali and Shiva as Nakulish or Nakuleswar. This famous pilgrimage centre is located in Calcutta in the state of West Bengal. Kali is described as dark complexioned form of Sakti who has taste for blood and death. She rules over the cremation sites and is worshipped by devotees on a dark and moon less night. She is most popular deity of Bengal. Kali is the female version of Kala or end of time.
Beside the above there are 9 nos. of Sakti Tantra Peethas in Bardhaman and Birbhum area of Bengal only.
Analysis:
According to historians and researchers, Tantra was developed originally by Buddhist, followed by jains, Saivas, Vaishnavites and at last by Vaidikis.
Due to the liberalization and intrinsic benefits for intellectual, this probably tempted intellectuals of Non Vedic religion and they could not resist themselves, which finally drives them to accept and embraced the Vedic path.
What is this intrinsic benefit? Researchers and Historians opines that it is only the caste factor in the society, because during this transition period at the time of Sena period, there was no difference between  Saiva tantra and Buddhist tantra, as far as spirituality is concerned. This can be observed from the history of Adi Sakti Peethas.
The main difference was in the society, the caste system made the descendents of a Brahmin automatically to become a Brahmins and thus the interests of descendents are found to be well protected. The same was found to be supported, encouraged and propagated through Bhagavat Gita. This probably made Senas to establish the Vedic rules of Brahminic Society without much trouble.
In such case why these Kulin Brahmins identify themselves as “Konoujee Brahmins” or migratories from Konouj.
The reason may be traced out in the contemporary period. Historically Konouj  and Mithila were  never dominated by Buddhism, even during the period of Harsha. After Mahabharata war, Mithila was the prominent centre of Vedic learning but from the period of Harshabardhana Konouj became most prominent centre of Vedic studies. Therefore one probable reason was simply to adopt the name of Konouj or these intellectuals were deputed to Konouj for Vedic studies and to adopt the same under socio-political condition of the then Bengal. I other words they became the Alumini of various Vedic school of studies and they were accorded various gotra names according to the various intellectuals of Vedic period.
On return from Konouj they were relocated, else there was probably a fear of not receiving due honor from the locals as the proverb says that  “Gharka Murgi daal barabar” or “Geyo Yohi Bhik pai naa”.

On Surnames and Gotra Surmanes:
In Buddhist society, intellectuals of very high orders used to be honored by “Upadhyaya” tile, whereas intellectuals of lower order used to be honored by “Acharya” title. On the other hand Vedic system follows reverse of Buddhist System. In Vedic system intellectuals of very high orders used to be honored by “Acharya” title and of lower order by “Upadhyaya”. Thus we find, Dronacharya, Kripacharya, Sankaracharya, Madhavacharya, Ramanujacharya, Ballavacharya etc, but not a single Upadhyaya.
On the other hand, it is interesting to note that in Bangadesha  Upadhyayas are highest rank holders among Brahmins, instead of Acharyas.
This again shows that Bengali Upadhyayas were probably Buddhist.

Another Clue: The Gotra name of Upadhyayas (Mukhopadhyaya, Bondopadhyaya, Chottopadhyaya, Gongopaddhyaya) are “Deva sarma”. What is this Deva Sarma?
As stated earlier, there were mainly two religious system were founded in India viz. Vedic religious system and Sramanic/sarmanic system. All non vedic religions like Nathism, Jainism, Buddhism, Saivaism, Saiva-nathism, Ajjevakism etc These non vedic religions were also termed as “Bratya” religion, due to various Bratas observed Bratyas throughout the year.
The Buddhist and Saiva intellectuals were commonly termed as “Sarmana”, and on sanskritization it becomes “Sarma”. Commoners used to respect them as “Devata” or Deva for performing priestly work with the hope that they can reach heaven only through them. Thus it appears that Deva Sarma became a common honor of Buddhist intellectuals involving in priestly work and also formulating the procedures of priestly work.

Thus all the historical and religious, and cultural parameters strongly indicates Upadhyayas were in fact originally of Buddhist religion. They probably adopted Nathism during the period of Matsendra Nath, the founder of “Kula” system of Mother Worship and Lord Gorokhsha Nath the founder Maa Kali temple of Kalighat. During this period they were honored by people as “Kulin” as Kulins were the people to establish all the system and procedures to perform “Kula Worship”. It may of interesting to note that the famous Bengali Buddhist Scholar “Atish Dipankar”, who also made the war pact between Palas and Cholas; embraced Nathism at the instance of Lord Matsendra Nath and became a disciple of him. Therefore it is beyond doubt that when a person like “Atish Dipankar”, former chief of Great Nalanda University embraced Nathism, other intellectuals of high caliber from Buddhism too joined him in embracing Nathism.
Finally these Kulins embraced Vedic religion at the time of Sena period due to various advantages made in Vedic social system as stated earlier.
It is interesting to note that there are about 23 Sakti Peethas out of a total of 51 Sakti Peethas found in this very Bangadesha and 9 Sakti Peethas are found in Bardhaman and Birbhum districts only. It is to the credits of these Upadhyayas or Kulins, who have established various Sakti Peethas or Kula Peethas in Bengal.
However the fact is that, while embracing the Vedic religion, they had not left any good features of their religion, like worship of Sakti or Kula, performing various Bratas throughout the year as well as food habits.  These Kulins they indigenized the Vedic religion accordingly.
Thus it may be inferred that all Bengali Brahmins including Kulins are of indigenous origin. These have been proved on the basis of biological system also.

Annexure: Notable Kulin Brahmins
Banerjee: 
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Chatterjee: 
ganguly: 
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Mukherjee:
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