Bhumihar - Revision history

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	The distinctive Bhumihar caste [[ethnic identity development\|identity]] was largely created through military service.<ref name="Susan2001">{{cite book \|first=Susan \|last=Bayly \|title=Caste, Society and Politics in India from the Eighteenth Century to the Modern Age \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HbAjKR_iHogC&pg=PA203 \|date=22 February 2001 \|publisher=Cambridge University Press \|isbn=978-0-521-79842-6 \|page=203}}</ref> During early days of [[Company rule in India\|British expansion]] in India, Bhumihars under [[Maharaja Chait Singh\|Raja of Banaras, Cheyt singh]] participated in revolts against the [[East India Company]].<ref name="Pradeep2005">{{cite book \|first=Pradeep \|last=Barua \|title=The State at War in South Asia \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FIIQhuAOGaIC&pg=PA76 \|year=2005 \|publisher=U of Nebraska Press \|isbn=0-8032-1344-1 \|page=76}}</ref> After his defeat, the Company started recruiting Bhumihar [[sepoy]]s in large numbers until the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]].<ref name="Kaushik2004">{{cite book \|first=Kaushik \|last=Roy \|title=India's Historic Battles: From Alexander the Great to Kargil \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jpXijlqeRpIC&pg=PA98 \|year=2004 \|publisher=Orient Blackswan \|isbn=978-81-7824-109-8 \|page=98}}</ref>		The distinctive Bhumihar caste [[ethnic identity development\|identity]] was largely created through military service.<ref name="Susan2001">{{cite book \|first=Susan \|last=Bayly \|title=Caste, Society and Politics in India from the Eighteenth Century to the Modern Age \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HbAjKR_iHogC&pg=PA203 \|date=22 February 2001 \|publisher=Cambridge University Press \|isbn=978-0-521-79842-6 \|page=203}}</ref> During early days of [[Company rule in India\|British expansion]] in India, Bhumihars under [[Maharaja Chait Singh\|Raja of Banaras, Cheyt singh]] participated in revolts against the [[East India Company]].<ref name="Pradeep2005">{{cite book \|first=Pradeep \|last=Barua \|title=The State at War in South Asia \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FIIQhuAOGaIC&pg=PA76 \|year=2005 \|publisher=U of Nebraska Press \|isbn=0-8032-1344-1 \|page=76}}</ref> After his defeat, the Company started recruiting Bhumihar [[sepoy]]s in large numbers until the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]].<ref name="Kaushik2004">{{cite book \|first=Kaushik \|last=Roy \|title=India's Historic Battles: From Alexander the Great to Kargil \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jpXijlqeRpIC&pg=PA98 \|year=2004 \|publisher=Orient Blackswan \|isbn=978-81-7824-109-8 \|page=98}}</ref>

	In [[History of India (1947–present)\| post independence India]], according to author Rumela Sen, majority of upper caste households, including those of Bhumihars, had such landholdings which qualified them as "middle peasants". Though there existed few big landholders among them, but vast majority of them had economic status similar to middle peasants of [[Koeri]], [[Kurmi]] and the [[Yadav]] caste.<ref name="Sen">{{cite book\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EtEiEAAAQBAJ\|title=Farewell to Arms: How Rebels Retire Without Getting Killed\|author=Rumela Sen\|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]\|year=2021\|isbn=978-0197529867\|pages=48–49\|access-date=12 July 2022\|quote=the majority of these high-caste households were small landlords with landholdings that might also qualify them as "middle peasants." Their economic status was very similar to the middle peasant households among the backward-caste (Bania, Yadav, Kurmi, and Koeri). Although the Maoists identified these backward castes as a sympathetic class, some landowning, backward-caste households actually had economic interests in common with the upper-caste farming families.\|archive-date=12 July 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712115253/https://books.google.com/books/about/Farewell_to_Arms.html?id=EtEiEAAAQBAJ\|url-status=live}}</ref> The general categorisation of all the Bhumihars being landlords is thus not a factually correct idea, as in urban areas latter were found to be engaged in variety of occupation. The ~~upper crust among~~ Bhumihars in urban areas were professionals ~~and~~ bureaucrats ~~but many of them also worked as~~ [[factory worker]]s, [[coal miner]]s and even load carriers ~~(''Mazdoors'' or the labourers)~~.<ref>{{cite book\|title= India after Naxalbari: Unfinished History\|author=Bernard D'Mello		In [[History of India (1947–present)\| post independence India]], according to author Rumela Sen, majority of upper caste households, including those of Bhumihars, had such landholdings which qualified them as "middle peasants". Though there existed few big landholders among them, but vast majority of them had economic status similar to middle peasants of [[Koeri]], [[Kurmi]] and the [[Yadav]] caste.<ref name="Sen">{{cite book\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EtEiEAAAQBAJ\|title=Farewell to Arms: How Rebels Retire Without Getting Killed\|author=Rumela Sen\|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]\|year=2021\|isbn=978-0197529867\|pages=48–49\|access-date=12 July 2022\|quote=the majority of these high-caste households were small landlords with landholdings that might also qualify them as "middle peasants." Their economic status was very similar to the middle peasant households among the backward-caste (Bania, Yadav, Kurmi, and Koeri). Although the Maoists identified these backward castes as a sympathetic class, some landowning, backward-caste households actually had economic interests in common with the upper-caste farming families.\|archive-date=12 July 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712115253/https://books.google.com/books/about/Farewell_to_Arms.html?id=EtEiEAAAQBAJ\|url-status=live}}</ref> The general categorisation of all the Bhumihars being landlords is thus not a factually correct idea, as in urban areas latter were found to be engaged in variety of occupation. The Bhumihars in urban areas were professionals, bureaucrats, teachers, Judges [[factory worker]]s, [[coal miner]]s and even load carriers.<ref>{{cite book\|title= India after Naxalbari: Unfinished History\|author=Bernard D'Mello
	\|publisher=NYU Press\|year=2018\|		\|publisher=NYU Press\|year=2018\|
	isbn=978-1583677087\|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=8K07DwAAQBAJ&q=india+after+naxalbari\|quote=		isbn=978-1583677087\|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=8K07DwAAQBAJ&q=india+after+naxalbari\|quote=

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	== Common surnames ==		== Common surnames ==
	~~In Bihar,~~ the Bhumihars ~~started using the surname [[Sharma]]~~ and ~~the title [[Pandit]] in the 20th century~~.<ref name="~~NLGupta1974~~">{{cite book \|first=~~N. L.~~ \|last=~~Gupta~~ \|title=~~Transition from capitalism to socialism and other essays~~ \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=~~4JVWAAAAMAAJ~~ \|year=~~1974~~ \|publisher=~~Kalamkar Prakashan~~ \|~~page~~=~~165~~ }}</ref> ~~Other common traditional Brahmin surnames used by~~ the Bhumihars ~~include Mishra, Chaudhary, Dikshit, Tivan, Pathak, Pande~~ and ~~Upadhyaya~~.<ref name="~~Virendra1992~~">{{cite book ~~\|first=Virendra Prakash~~ \|last=~~Singh~~ \|~~title~~=~~Community And Caste In Tradition~~ \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=~~tOXZAAAAMAAJ~~ \|~~year~~= ~~1992~~ \|publisher=~~Commonwealth Publishers~~ \|~~isbn~~=~~978-81-7169-242-2~~}}</ref> It is also common for Bhumihars to affix [[Singh]] to their name.<ref>{{cite book \|title=Asian Studies at Hawaii \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0YfiAAAAMAAJ \|year=1978 \|publisher=Asian Studies Program, University of Hawaii \|page=64 }}</ref><ref name="Virendra1992"/>		The traditional Brahmin surnames used by the Bhumihars include Mishra, Chaudhary, Dikshit, Tivan, Pathak, Pande and Upadhyaya.<ref name="Virendra1992">{{cite book \|first=Virendra Prakash \|last=Singh \|title=Community And Caste In Tradition \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tOXZAAAAMAAJ \|year= 1992 \|publisher=Commonwealth Publishers \|isbn=978-81-7169-242-2}}</ref> In Bihar, the Bhumihars started using the surname [[Sharma]] and the title [[Pandit]] in the 20th century.<ref name="NLGupta1974">{{cite book\|last=Gupta\|first=N. L.\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4JVWAAAAMAAJ\|title=Transition from capitalism to socialism and other essays\|publisher=Kalamkar Prakashan\|year=1974\|page=165}}</ref> It is also common for Bhumihars to affix [[Singh]] to their name.<ref>{{cite book \|title=Asian Studies at Hawaii \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0YfiAAAAMAAJ \|year=1978 \|publisher=Asian Studies Program, University of Hawaii \|page=64 }}</ref><ref name="Virendra1992"/>

	== See also ==		== See also ==

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	== Common surnames ==		== Common surnames ==
	In Bihar, the Bhumihars started using the surname [[Sharma]] and the title [[Pandit]] in the 20th century.<ref name="NLGupta1974">{{cite book \|first=N. L. \|last=Gupta \|title=Transition from capitalism to socialism and other essays \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4JVWAAAAMAAJ \|year=1974 \|publisher=Kalamkar Prakashan \|page=165 }}</ref> Other common traditional Brahmin surnames used by the Bhumihars include Mishra, Chaudhary, Dikshit, Tivan, Pathak, Pande and Upadhyaya.<ref name="Virendra1992">{{cite book \|first=Virendra Prakash \|last=Singh \|title=Community And Caste In Tradition \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tOXZAAAAMAAJ \|year= 1992 \|publisher=Commonwealth Publishers \|isbn=978-81-7169-242-2}}</ref> It is also common for Bhumihars to affix [[Singh]] ~~(usually identified with Kshatriyas, especially Rajputs)~~ to their name.<ref>{{cite book \|title=Asian Studies at Hawaii \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0YfiAAAAMAAJ \|year=1978 \|publisher=Asian Studies Program, University of Hawaii \|page=64 }}</ref><ref name="Virendra1992"/>		In Bihar, the Bhumihars started using the surname [[Sharma]] and the title [[Pandit]] in the 20th century.<ref name="NLGupta1974">{{cite book \|first=N. L. \|last=Gupta \|title=Transition from capitalism to socialism and other essays \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4JVWAAAAMAAJ \|year=1974 \|publisher=Kalamkar Prakashan \|page=165 }}</ref> Other common traditional Brahmin surnames used by the Bhumihars include Mishra, Chaudhary, Dikshit, Tivan, Pathak, Pande and Upadhyaya.<ref name="Virendra1992">{{cite book \|first=Virendra Prakash \|last=Singh \|title=Community And Caste In Tradition \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tOXZAAAAMAAJ \|year= 1992 \|publisher=Commonwealth Publishers \|isbn=978-81-7169-242-2}}</ref> It is also common for Bhumihars to affix [[Singh]] to their name.<ref>{{cite book \|title=Asian Studies at Hawaii \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0YfiAAAAMAAJ \|year=1978 \|publisher=Asian Studies Program, University of Hawaii \|page=64 }}</ref><ref name="Virendra1992"/>

	== See also ==		== See also ==

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	=== Varna status ===		=== Varna status ===

	~~Among various narratives regarding their origin, composition and varna status, one states that there is an element of a low caste tribe called "Bhuyans" who gained land and assimilated with the~~ Bhumihars~~.<ref>{{cite book\|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=rkjqDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA242\|last=George\|first=A\|year=2016\|title=Social Ferment~~ in ~~India\|place=United Kingdom\|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing\|page=242\|isbn=9781474291125 }}</ref> Many communities do~~ not ~~give them~~ the ritual status of priestly Brahmins, as most of them were cultivators during the British Raj.<ref name="Arvind1982"/> Some of the early censuses of British India categorised Bhumihars of Bihar as [[Shudra]]s, the lowest of the four [[varna in Hinduism\|varnas]]. This was considered insulting, especially since several [[zamindar]]s (land-owning aristocrats) were Bhumihars.<ref name="Jeffrey2013">{{cite book \|first=Jeffrey \|last=Witsoe \|title=Democracy against Development: Lower-Caste Politics and Political Modernity in Postcolonial India \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sQcGAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA31 \|date=5 November 2013 \|publisher=University of Chicago Press \|isbn=978-0-226-06350-8 \|page=31}}</ref> Unlike the Brahmans or Rajputs, the Bhumihars did not participate in the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857\|rebellion against British rule in India]] in 1857, but to their dismay, they were classified as belonging to the [[Vaishya\|third ''varna'']] in the ad-hoc census of 1865 and the regular census of 1881.<ref>KUMAR, PURUSHOTTAM. “BHUMIHARS STRUGGLE FOR BRAHMIN STATUS (1857-1911).” Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, vol. 56, Indian History Congress, 1995, pp. 739–41, http://www.jstor.org/stable/44158695.</ref>		The Bhumihars were categorised as Brahmins in the Later British Era Censuses however they are generally not given the full ritual status of priestly Brahmins, as most of them were cultivators during the British Raj.<ref name="Arvind1982"/>

	Like many other castes, the Bhumihars followed the process of [[sanskritisation]] to achieve their end. The Bhumihar zamindars and princely state rulers established caste-based associations (''sabha''s) to form a community network and to advance their claims to Brahmin status. The ''Pradhan Bhumihar Brahman Sabha'' ("Chief Assembly of Bhumihar Brahmins") was established in [[Patna]] in 1889. Its objective was "to improve moral, social and educational reforms of the community and to represent the wants of the community to the government".<ref>{{cite book \|title=Action Sociology and Development \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l2Qt9tv2nSkC&pg=PA121 \|date=1 January 1992 \|publisher=Concept Publishing Company \|isbn=978-81-7022-726-7 \|page=121}}</ref> The Bhumihar Brahmin Mahasabha ("great assembly") was established in 1896.<ref>{{cite book \|first=Ramacandra \|last=Kshirasagara \|title=Dalit Movement in India and Its Leaders, 1857-1956 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Wx218EFVU8MC&pg=PA385 \|date=1 January 1994 \|publisher=M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. \|isbn=978-81-85880-43-3 \|page=385}}</ref> The local ''Bhumihar Brahmin Sabha''s included the ones at [[Muzaffarpur]] (1899), Patna (1899), [[Gaya, India\|Gaya]] (1900) and Saran (1908).<ref name="Ashwini2008_210"/>		The ''Pradhan Bhumihar Brahman Sabha'' ("Chief Assembly of Bhumihar Brahmins") was established in [[Patna]] in 1889. Its objective was "to improve moral, social and educational reforms of the community and to represent the wants of the community to the government".<ref>{{cite book \|title=Action Sociology and Development \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l2Qt9tv2nSkC&pg=PA121 \|date=1 January 1992 \|publisher=Concept Publishing Company \|isbn=978-81-7022-726-7 \|page=121}}</ref> The Bhumihar Brahmin Mahasabha ("great assembly") was established in 1896.<ref>{{cite book \|first=Ramacandra \|last=Kshirasagara \|title=Dalit Movement in India and Its Leaders, 1857-1956 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Wx218EFVU8MC&pg=PA385 \|date=1 January 1994 \|publisher=M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. \|isbn=978-81-85880-43-3 \|page=385}}</ref> The local ''Bhumihar Brahmin Sabha''s included the ones at [[Muzaffarpur]] (1899), Patna (1899), [[Gaya, India\|Gaya]] (1900) and Saran (1908).<ref name="Ashwini2008_210"/>

	These associations made numerous petitions to be classified as Brahmins in the [[census of India prior to independence\|1901 census report]].<ref name="William1996">{{cite book \|first=William R. \|last=Pinch \|title=Peasants and Monks in British India \|url=http://publishing.cdlib.org/ucpressebooks/view?docId=ft22900465;chunk.id=s1.3.13;doc.view=print \|date=19 May 1996 \|publisher=University of California Press \|isbn=978-0-520-91630-2 \|pages=83–84}}</ref> Persistent pressure from the Mahasabha, who glorified the history of the community, led to official recognition of the Bhumihars as Brahmins in the later Raj censuses. According to Ashwani Kumar, the Bhumihar claim to Brahmin status means that today "unlike other upper castes, [they] guard the local caste hierarchy more zealously for they perpetually feel the pressure of being dislocated and discredited in the topsy-turvy world of caste."<ref name="Ashwani2008_125"/>		These associations made numerous petitions to be classified as Brahmins in the [[census of India prior to independence\|1901 census report]].<ref name="William1996">{{cite book \|first=William R. \|last=Pinch \|title=Peasants and Monks in British India \|url=http://publishing.cdlib.org/ucpressebooks/view?docId=ft22900465;chunk.id=s1.3.13;doc.view=print \|date=19 May 1996 \|publisher=University of California Press \|isbn=978-0-520-91630-2 \|pages=83–84}}</ref> Persistent pressure from the Mahasabha, who glorified the history of the community, led to official recognition of the Bhumihars as Brahmins in the later Raj censuses.

	~~Besides campaigning for the Brahmin status, the~~ caste associations also played an important role in general welfare of the community. In 1899, the Bhumihar Brahmin Mahasabha, with financial aid from a zamindar, established a college at Muzaffarpur. This was accredited to award degrees in the following year and it was a significant development because education in the area was improving rapidly but students desirous of furthering it had to travel to [[Bhagalpur]], [[Calcutta]] or Patna. By 1920, 10 per cent of Bhumihars in Bihar were literate, making them one of the few literate castes; in this achievement, however, they were well behind the [[Kayastha]]s (33 per cent) and some other groups.<ref>{{cite book \|title=Education and Social Changes in Bihar, 1900-1921: A Survey of Social History of Bihar from Lord Curzon to Noncooperation Movement \|first=Shreedhar Narayan \|last=Pandey \|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass \|year=1975 \|isbn=9780842609869 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9PX938QYfmsC&pg=PA6 \|pages=6–7, 161, 172–173}}</ref> In the first half of the 20th century, the Bhumihars suffered increasing economic hardships due to the steady fragmentation of land rights among heirs and the decline in agricultural prices during the [[Great Depression in India\|Great Depression]]. During this period, the Bhumihar associations served as community networks that facilitated access to English education and urban employment.<ref name="Jeffrey2013"/> As with the Rajputs, Kayasthas and other high castes of Bihar – and as opposed to the methods used by most lower castes – neither the Mahasabha nor any other formal body exercised power to make and enforce caste rules.<ref>{{cite book \|title=Education and Social Changes in Bihar, 1900-1921: A Survey of Social History of Bihar from Lord Curzon to Noncooperation Movement \|first=Shreedhar Narayan \|last=Pandey \|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass \|year=1975 \|isbn=9780842609869 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9PX938QYfmsC&pg=PA171 \|page=171}}</ref>		The caste associations also played an important role in general welfare of the community. In 1899, the Bhumihar Brahmin Mahasabha, with financial aid from a zamindar, established a college at Muzaffarpur. This was accredited to award degrees in the following year and it was a significant development because education in the area was improving rapidly but students desirous of furthering it had to travel to [[Bhagalpur]], [[Calcutta]] or Patna. By 1920, 10 per cent of Bhumihars in Bihar were literate, making them one of the few literate castes; in this achievement, however, they were well behind the [[Kayastha]]s (33 per cent) and some other groups.<ref>{{cite book \|title=Education and Social Changes in Bihar, 1900-1921: A Survey of Social History of Bihar from Lord Curzon to Noncooperation Movement \|first=Shreedhar Narayan \|last=Pandey \|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass \|year=1975 \|isbn=9780842609869 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9PX938QYfmsC&pg=PA6 \|pages=6–7, 161, 172–173}}</ref> In the first half of the 20th century, the Bhumihars suffered increasing economic hardships due to the steady fragmentation of land rights among heirs and the decline in agricultural prices during the [[Great Depression in India\|Great Depression]]. During this period, the Bhumihar associations served as community networks that facilitated access to English education and urban employment.<ref name="Jeffrey2013">{{cite book\|last=Witsoe\|first=Jeffrey\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sQcGAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA31\|title=Democracy against Development: Lower-Caste Politics and Political Modernity in Postcolonial India\|date=5 November 2013\|publisher=University of Chicago Press\|isbn=978-0-226-06350-8\|page=31}}</ref> As with the Rajputs, Kayasthas and other high castes of Bihar – and as opposed to the methods used by most lower castes – neither the Mahasabha nor any other formal body exercised power to make and enforce caste rules.<ref>{{cite book \|title=Education and Social Changes in Bihar, 1900-1921: A Survey of Social History of Bihar from Lord Curzon to Noncooperation Movement \|first=Shreedhar Narayan \|last=Pandey \|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass \|year=1975 \|isbn=9780842609869 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9PX938QYfmsC&pg=PA171 \|page=171}}</ref>

	The Bhumihar Brahmin Mahasabha held annual sessions in different parts of present-day Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Among its prominent leaders was [[Sahajanand Saraswati]], a leader of the Bhumihar Brahmin Sabha of Patna. During the Balia session of 1914, Sahajanand defended the Brahmin status of the Bhumihars, using quotes from Hindu scriptures to argue that priestly functions do not alone define Brahmins. In 1916, he published a book titled ''Bhumihar Brahmin Parichay'' ("Introduction to Bhumihar Brahmins"), which outlined these arguments. He classified Brahmins into two categories – begging (''yachak'') and non-begging (''ayachak'') – and stated that the Bhumihars were among the non-begging Brahmins. The Bhumihars of [[Uttar Pradesh]] attempted to popularise the term "Bhumihar Brahmin", while discarding the term "Babhan". However, the term "Babhan" remained popular in Bihar.<ref name="Ashwini2008_210">{{cite book \|first=Ashwani \|last=Kumar \|title=Community Warriors: State, Peasants and Caste Armies in Bihar \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=num2I4NFGqIC&pg=PA210 \|year=2008 \|publisher=Anthem Press \|isbn=978-1-84331-709-8 \|page=210}}</ref> The recognised Brahmins did not favour the Bhumihar attempts to claim an equal status, and even stopped going to Bhumihar homes to perform ceremonies.<ref name="Sinha1991">{{cite book \|first=Arun \|last=Sinha \|title=Against the few: struggles of India's rural poor \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mS25AAAAIAAJ \|year=1991 \|publisher=Zed Books \|isbn=978-0-86232-718-7}}</ref>		The Bhumihar Brahmin Mahasabha held annual sessions in different parts of present-day Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Among its prominent leaders was [[Sahajanand Saraswati]], a leader of the Bhumihar Brahmin Sabha of Patna. During the Balia session of 1914, Sahajanand defended the Brahmin status of the Bhumihars, using quotes from Hindu scriptures to argue that priestly functions do not alone define Brahmins. In 1916, he published a book titled ''Bhumihar Brahmin Parichay'' ("Introduction to Bhumihar Brahmins"), which outlined these arguments. He classified Brahmins into two categories – begging (''yachak'') and non-begging (''ayachak'') – and stated that the Bhumihars were among the non-begging Brahmins. The Bhumihars of [[Uttar Pradesh]] attempted to popularise the term "Bhumihar Brahmin", while discarding the term "Babhan". However, the term "Babhan" remained popular in Bihar.<ref name="Ashwini2008_210">{{cite book \|first=Ashwani \|last=Kumar \|title=Community Warriors: State, Peasants and Caste Armies in Bihar \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=num2I4NFGqIC&pg=PA210 \|year=2008 \|publisher=Anthem Press \|isbn=978-1-84331-709-8 \|page=210}}</ref> The recognised Brahmins did not favour the Bhumihar attempts to claim an equal status, and even stopped going to Bhumihar homes to perform ceremonies.<ref name="Sinha1991">{{cite book \|first=Arun \|last=Sinha \|title=Against the few: struggles of India's rural poor \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mS25AAAAIAAJ \|year=1991 \|publisher=Zed Books \|isbn=978-0-86232-718-7}}</ref>

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	== Etymology ==		== Etymology ==

	The word ''bhūmihār'' is of relatively recent origin, first used in the records of [[United Provinces of Agra and Oudh]] in 1865. It derives from the words ''bhūmi'' ("land") and ''hāra'' ("one who seizes or confiscates"),<ref>{{Cite web\|title=MW Cologne Scan\|url=https://www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/scans/csl-apidev/servepdf.php?dict=MW&page=1289\|access-date=2021-08-03\|website=www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de}}</ref> referring to the caste's landowner status. The term ''Bhumihar Brahmin'' was adopted by the community in the late 19th century ~~to emphasise their claim of belonging to the priestly [[Brahmin]] class~~.<ref name="Ashwani2008_125">{{cite book\|last=Kumar\|first=Ashwani\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=num2I4NFGqIC&pg=PA125\|title=Community Warriors: State, Peasants and Caste Armies in Bihar\|publisher=Anthem Press\|year=2008\|isbn=978-1-84331-709-8\|pages=210}}</ref> The alternate name ''~~Babhan~~'' has been described as an [[apabhramsha]] for ''brāhmaṇ'' (Brahmin).<ref>{{cite journal \|last1=Sinha \|first1=Gopal Sharan \|first2=Ramesh Chandra \|last2=Sinha \|date=September 1967 \|title=Exploration in Caste Stereotypes \|jstor=2575319 \|journal=Social Forces \|volume=46 \|issue=1 \|pages=42–47 \|publisher=University of North Carolina Press \|doi=10.1093/sf/46.1.42}}</ref>		The word ''bhūmihār'' is of relatively recent origin, first used in the records of [[United Provinces of Agra and Oudh]] in 1865. It derives from the words ''bhūmi'' ("land") and ''hāra'' ("one who seizes or confiscates"),<ref>{{Cite web\|title=MW Cologne Scan\|url=https://www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/scans/csl-apidev/servepdf.php?dict=MW&page=1289\|access-date=2021-08-03\|website=www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de}}</ref> referring to the caste's landowner status. The term ''Bhumihar Brahmin'' was adopted by the community in the late 19th century.<ref name="Ashwani2008_125">{{cite book\|last=Kumar\|first=Ashwani\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=num2I4NFGqIC&pg=PA125\|title=Community Warriors: State, Peasants and Caste Armies in Bihar\|publisher=Anthem Press\|year=2008\|isbn=978-1-84331-709-8\|pages=210}}</ref> The alternate and older name ''Bābhan'' has been described as an [[apabhramsha]] for ''brāhmaṇ'' (Brahmin).<ref>{{cite journal \|last1=Sinha \|first1=Gopal Sharan \|first2=Ramesh Chandra \|last2=Sinha \|date=September 1967 \|title=Exploration in Caste Stereotypes \|jstor=2575319 \|journal=Social Forces \|volume=46 \|issue=1 \|pages=42–47 \|publisher=University of North Carolina Press \|doi=10.1093/sf/46.1.42}}</ref>

	== History ==		== History ==

Feralgrace: removed invalid link

2026-08-27T19:30:47Z

removed invalid link

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	== History ==		== History ==

	As with many castes in India, there are numerous ~~[[myth of origin\|~~myths regarding the ~~origins]]~~ of the Bhumihar community, According to one community tradition, the Bhumihars claim descent from Parashurama, the sixth avatar of Vishnu. Because Parashurama was a Brahmin who engaged in warfare like a Kshatriya, Bhumihars claim the characteristics of both varnas. While various other theories regarding the origins of the community exist, none are supported by historical evidence or endorsed by mainstream historians.<ref name="Ashwani2008_125"/>		As with many castes in India, there are numerous myths regarding the origin of the Bhumihar community, According to one community tradition, the Bhumihars claim descent from Parashurama, the sixth avatar of Vishnu. Because Parashurama was a Brahmin who engaged in warfare like a Kshatriya, Bhumihars claim the characteristics of both varnas. While various other theories regarding the origins of the community exist, none are supported by historical evidence or endorsed by mainstream historians.<ref name="Ashwani2008_125"/>

	[[File:Majaraja of Benares and Suite, 1870s.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Ruler of the [[Benares State]] in 1870s]]		[[File:Majaraja of Benares and Suite, 1870s.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Ruler of the [[Benares State]] in 1870s]]

Feralgrace: rephrased the origin section to avoid giving undue weightage to a particular folklore, not supported by historical evidences or endorsed by strong academic work. The self identification of the community as mentioned, has been retained without endorsing it as a fact.

2026-08-27T19:26:55Z

rephrased the origin section to avoid giving undue weightage to a particular folklore, not supported by historical evidences or endorsed by strong academic work. The self identification of the community as mentioned, has been retained without endorsing it as a fact.

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:56, 28 August 2026
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	== History ==		== History ==

	As with many castes in India, there are numerous [[myth of origin\|myths regarding the origins]] of the Bhumihar community~~. One legend states that they are~~ the ~~offspring~~ of a ~~union between [[ Rajputs in Bihar\|Rajput]] men and~~ Brahmin ~~women, while according to another, they derive from [[Brahman]]-[[Buddhist]]s~~ who ~~lost their high position~~ in ~~Hindu society~~. ~~The Bhumihars themselves dislike these narratives involving "hybridity"~~ or ~~"fallen status", and claim to be pure Brahmins~~.<ref name="Ashwani2008_125"/>		As with many castes in India, there are numerous [[myth of origin\|myths regarding the origins]] of the Bhumihar community, According to one community tradition, the Bhumihars claim descent from Parashurama, the sixth avatar of Vishnu. Because Parashurama was a Brahmin who engaged in warfare like a Kshatriya, Bhumihars claim the characteristics of both varnas. While various other theories regarding the origins of the community exist, none are supported by historical evidence or endorsed by mainstream historians.<ref name="Ashwani2008_125"/>

	[[File:Majaraja of Benares and Suite, 1870s.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Ruler of the [[Benares State]] in 1870s]]		[[File:Majaraja of Benares and Suite, 1870s.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Ruler of the [[Benares State]] in 1870s]]

Feralgrace: Added common nomenclature sources from an already cited book

2026-08-27T19:13:08Z

Added common nomenclature sources from an already cited book

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:43, 28 August 2026
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	}}		}}

	'''Bhumihars''', also locally called '''Bhuinhar'''<ref>{{cite book \|last=Freitag \|first=Sandra B. \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9zKBWJejblgC&pg=PA8 \|title=Culture and Power in Banaras: Community, Performance, and Environment, 1800-1980 \|publisher=University of California Press \|year=1992 \|isbn=978-0-52008-094-2 \|page=8}}</ref> '''<ref name="Ravindra2012">{{cite book \|last=Jain \|first=Ravindra K. \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cy6pAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA4 \|title=Nation, Diaspora, Trans-nation: Reflections from India \|publisher=Routledge \|year=2012 \|isbn=978-1-136-70414-7 \|page=4}}</ref>''', are a [[Hindu]] [[Indian caste system\|caste]] mainly found in [[Bihar]] (including the [[Mithila (region)\|Mithila]] region),<ref>{{cite book \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A0i94Z5C8HMC&pg=PA33 \|title=Anthropology of Ancient Hindu Kingdoms: A Study in Civilizational Perspective \|first=Makhan \|last=Jha \|page=33 \|publisher=MD Publications \|year=1997 \|isbn=9788175330344 }}</ref> the [[Purvanchal]] region of [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Jharkhand]] .		'''Bhumihars''', also locally called '''Babhan'''<ref name="Ashwani2008_125" /> and '''Bhuinhar'''<ref>{{cite book \|last=Freitag \|first=Sandra B. \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9zKBWJejblgC&pg=PA8 \|title=Culture and Power in Banaras: Community, Performance, and Environment, 1800-1980 \|publisher=University of California Press \|year=1992 \|isbn=978-0-52008-094-2 \|page=8}}</ref> '''<ref name="Ravindra2012">{{cite book \|last=Jain \|first=Ravindra K. \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cy6pAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA4 \|title=Nation, Diaspora, Trans-nation: Reflections from India \|publisher=Routledge \|year=2012 \|isbn=978-1-136-70414-7 \|page=4}}</ref>''', are a [[Hindu]] [[Indian caste system\|caste]] mainly found in [[Bihar]] (including the [[Mithila (region)\|Mithila]] region),<ref>{{cite book \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A0i94Z5C8HMC&pg=PA33 \|title=Anthropology of Ancient Hindu Kingdoms: A Study in Civilizational Perspective \|first=Makhan \|last=Jha \|page=33 \|publisher=MD Publications \|year=1997 \|isbn=9788175330344 }}</ref> the [[Purvanchal]] region of [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Jharkhand]] .

	They have traditionally been a land-owning group of eastern India, and controlled some small [[princely state]]s and [[zamindari]] estates in the region in the early 20th century. They played an important role in the [[peasant movement]]s and [[politics of Bihar]].		They have traditionally been a land-owning group of eastern India, and controlled some small [[princely state]]s and [[zamindari]] estates in the region in the early 20th century. They played an important role in the [[peasant movement]]s and [[politics of Bihar]].
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	== Etymology ==		== Etymology ==

	The word ''bhūmihār'' is of relatively recent origin, first used in the records of [[United Provinces of Agra and Oudh]] in 1865. It derives from the words ''bhūmi'' ("land") and ''hāra'' ("one who seizes or confiscates"),<ref>{{Cite web\|title=MW Cologne Scan\|url=https://www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/scans/csl-apidev/servepdf.php?dict=MW&page=1289\|access-date=2021-08-03\|website=www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de}}</ref> referring to the caste's landowner status. The term ''Bhumihar Brahmin'' was adopted by the community in the late 19th century to emphasise their claim of belonging to the priestly [[Brahmin]] class.<ref name="Ashwani2008_125">{{cite book ~~\|first=Ashwani~~ \|last=Kumar \|~~title~~=~~Community Warriors: State, Peasants and Caste Armies in Bihar~~ \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=num2I4NFGqIC&pg=PA125 \|~~year~~=~~2008~~ \|publisher=Anthem Press \|isbn=978-1-84331-709-8 \|pages=~~125–127~~ }}</ref> The alternate name ''Babhan'' has been described as an [[apabhramsha]] for ''brāhmaṇ'' (Brahmin).<ref>{{cite journal \|last1=Sinha \|first1=Gopal Sharan \|first2=Ramesh Chandra \|last2=Sinha \|date=September 1967 \|title=Exploration in Caste Stereotypes \|jstor=2575319 \|journal=Social Forces \|volume=46 \|issue=1 \|pages=42–47 \|publisher=University of North Carolina Press \|doi=10.1093/sf/46.1.42}}</ref>		The word ''bhūmihār'' is of relatively recent origin, first used in the records of [[United Provinces of Agra and Oudh]] in 1865. It derives from the words ''bhūmi'' ("land") and ''hāra'' ("one who seizes or confiscates"),<ref>{{Cite web\|title=MW Cologne Scan\|url=https://www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/scans/csl-apidev/servepdf.php?dict=MW&page=1289\|access-date=2021-08-03\|website=www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de}}</ref> referring to the caste's landowner status. The term ''Bhumihar Brahmin'' was adopted by the community in the late 19th century to emphasise their claim of belonging to the priestly [[Brahmin]] class.<ref name="Ashwani2008_125">{{cite book\|last=Kumar\|first=Ashwani\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=num2I4NFGqIC&pg=PA125\|title=Community Warriors: State, Peasants and Caste Armies in Bihar\|publisher=Anthem Press\|year=2008\|isbn=978-1-84331-709-8\|pages=210}}</ref> The alternate name ''Babhan'' has been described as an [[apabhramsha]] for ''brāhmaṇ'' (Brahmin).<ref>{{cite journal \|last1=Sinha \|first1=Gopal Sharan \|first2=Ramesh Chandra \|last2=Sinha \|date=September 1967 \|title=Exploration in Caste Stereotypes \|jstor=2575319 \|journal=Social Forces \|volume=46 \|issue=1 \|pages=42–47 \|publisher=University of North Carolina Press \|doi=10.1093/sf/46.1.42}}</ref>

	== History ==		== History ==

2409:40C4:31D:F13E:B50B:F219:AE47:3002 at 13:44, 17 June 2026

2026-06-17T13:44:34Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:14, 17 June 2026
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	'''Bhumihars''', also locally called '''Bhuinhar'''<ref>{{cite book \|last=Freitag \|first=Sandra B. \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9zKBWJejblgC&pg=PA8 \|title=Culture and Power in Banaras: Community, Performance, and Environment, 1800-1980 \|publisher=University of California Press \|year=1992 \|isbn=978-0-52008-094-2 \|page=8}}</ref> '''<ref name="Ravindra2012">{{cite book \|last=Jain \|first=Ravindra K. \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cy6pAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA4 \|title=Nation, Diaspora, Trans-nation: Reflections from India \|publisher=Routledge \|year=2012 \|isbn=978-1-136-70414-7 \|page=4}}</ref>''', are a [[Hindu]] [[Indian caste system\|caste]] mainly found in [[Bihar]] (including the [[Mithila (region)\|Mithila]] region),<ref>{{cite book \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A0i94Z5C8HMC&pg=PA33 \|title=Anthropology of Ancient Hindu Kingdoms: A Study in Civilizational Perspective \|first=Makhan \|last=Jha \|page=33 \|publisher=MD Publications \|year=1997 \|isbn=9788175330344 }}</ref> the [[Purvanchal]] region of [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Jharkhand]] .		'''Bhumihars''', also locally called '''Bhuinhar'''<ref>{{cite book \|last=Freitag \|first=Sandra B. \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9zKBWJejblgC&pg=PA8 \|title=Culture and Power in Banaras: Community, Performance, and Environment, 1800-1980 \|publisher=University of California Press \|year=1992 \|isbn=978-0-52008-094-2 \|page=8}}</ref> '''<ref name="Ravindra2012">{{cite book \|last=Jain \|first=Ravindra K. \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cy6pAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA4 \|title=Nation, Diaspora, Trans-nation: Reflections from India \|publisher=Routledge \|year=2012 \|isbn=978-1-136-70414-7 \|page=4}}</ref>''', are a [[Hindu]] [[Indian caste system\|caste]] mainly found in [[Bihar]] (including the [[Mithila (region)\|Mithila]] region),<ref>{{cite book \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A0i94Z5C8HMC&pg=PA33 \|title=Anthropology of Ancient Hindu Kingdoms: A Study in Civilizational Perspective \|first=Makhan \|last=Jha \|page=33 \|publisher=MD Publications \|year=1997 \|isbn=9788175330344 }}</ref> the [[Purvanchal]] region of [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Jharkhand]] .

	They have traditionally been a land-owning group of eastern India, and controlled some small [[princely state]]s and [[zamindari]] estates in the region in the early 20th century. They played an important role in the [[peasant movement]]s and [[politics of Bihar]]. They [[Brahmin\|Shudra]] status, although their ''[[Varna (Hinduism)\|varna]]'' has been subject to much debate.<ref name="Arvind1982">{{cite book \|last=Das \|first=Arvind N. \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GL_yRdwbQP8C&pg=PA51 \|title=Agrarian Movements in India: Studies on 20th Century Bihar \|publisher=Psychology Press \|year=1982 \|isbn=978-0-7146-3216-2 \|pages=51–52}}</ref>		They have traditionally been a land-owning group of eastern India, and controlled some small [[princely state]]s and [[zamindari]] estates in the region in the early 20th century. They played an important role in the [[peasant movement]]s and [[politics of Bihar]].

	== Etymology ==		== Etymology ==

104.22.48.134 at 20:12, 16 April 2026

2026-04-16T20:12:26Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:42, 17 April 2026
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	== Customs and traditions ==		== Customs and traditions ==

	~~The Bhumihars follow a subset of the Brahmin rituals, and claim to be "tri-karma" Brahmins.<ref name="Ravindra2012"/>~~

	Some Bhumihars in [[Muzaffarpur]] trace their lineage to [[Husseini]] Brahmins, and participate in the [[Mourning of Muharram\|Muharram processions]].<ref>{{cite news \|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Hindus_take_part_in_Muharram_in_Patna/articleshow/2716459.cms \|title=Hindus participate in Muharram \|work=[[The Times of India]] \|date=21 January 2008 \|access-date=2008-04-05 \|first1=Faizan \|last1=Ahmad }}</ref> The Bhumihars outside Purvanchal-Bihar region may follow the respective local customs and traditions. For example, in Chandipur village of [[Murshidabad district]] ([[West Bengal]]), a section of Bhumihars became the landlords after death of the British [[indigo revolt\|indigo]] plantation owners. They are now "thoroughly [[Bengali people\|Bengali]]": they worship [[Kali]] as their primary deity, and are regarded as Brahmins by others in the village.<ref name="Ralph2003">{{cite book \|first=Ralph W. \|last=Nicholas \|title=Fruits of Worship: Practical Religion in Bengal \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yLI7nyI2UVYC&pg=PA35 \|date=1 January 2003 \|publisher=Orient Blackswan \|isbn=978-81-8028-006-1 \|page=35}}</ref>

	== Common surnames ==		== Common surnames ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:44, 6 September 2026
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	The distinctive Bhumihar caste [[ethnic identity development\|identity]] was largely created through military service.<ref name="Susan2001">{{cite book \|first=Susan \|last=Bayly \|title=Caste, Society and Politics in India from the Eighteenth Century to the Modern Age \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HbAjKR_iHogC&pg=PA203 \|date=22 February 2001 \|publisher=Cambridge University Press \|isbn=978-0-521-79842-6 \|page=203}}</ref> During early days of [[Company rule in India\|British expansion]] in India, Bhumihars under [[Maharaja Chait Singh\|Raja of Banaras, Cheyt singh]] participated in revolts against the [[East India Company]].<ref name="Pradeep2005">{{cite book \|first=Pradeep \|last=Barua \|title=The State at War in South Asia \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FIIQhuAOGaIC&pg=PA76 \|year=2005 \|publisher=U of Nebraska Press \|isbn=0-8032-1344-1 \|page=76}}</ref> After his defeat, the Company started recruiting Bhumihar [[sepoy]]s in large numbers until the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]].<ref name="Kaushik2004">{{cite book \|first=Kaushik \|last=Roy \|title=India's Historic Battles: From Alexander the Great to Kargil \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jpXijlqeRpIC&pg=PA98 \|year=2004 \|publisher=Orient Blackswan \|isbn=978-81-7824-109-8 \|page=98}}</ref>		The distinctive Bhumihar caste [[ethnic identity development\|identity]] was largely created through military service.<ref name="Susan2001">{{cite book \|first=Susan \|last=Bayly \|title=Caste, Society and Politics in India from the Eighteenth Century to the Modern Age \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HbAjKR_iHogC&pg=PA203 \|date=22 February 2001 \|publisher=Cambridge University Press \|isbn=978-0-521-79842-6 \|page=203}}</ref> During early days of [[Company rule in India\|British expansion]] in India, Bhumihars under [[Maharaja Chait Singh\|Raja of Banaras, Cheyt singh]] participated in revolts against the [[East India Company]].<ref name="Pradeep2005">{{cite book \|first=Pradeep \|last=Barua \|title=The State at War in South Asia \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FIIQhuAOGaIC&pg=PA76 \|year=2005 \|publisher=U of Nebraska Press \|isbn=0-8032-1344-1 \|page=76}}</ref> After his defeat, the Company started recruiting Bhumihar [[sepoy]]s in large numbers until the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]].<ref name="Kaushik2004">{{cite book \|first=Kaushik \|last=Roy \|title=India's Historic Battles: From Alexander the Great to Kargil \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jpXijlqeRpIC&pg=PA98 \|year=2004 \|publisher=Orient Blackswan \|isbn=978-81-7824-109-8 \|page=98}}</ref>

	In [[History of India (1947–present)\| post independence India]], according to author Rumela Sen, majority of upper caste households, including those of Bhumihars, had such landholdings which qualified them as "middle peasants". Though there existed few big landholders among them, but vast majority of them had economic status similar to middle peasants of [[Koeri]], [[Kurmi]] and the [[Yadav]] caste.<ref name="Sen">{{cite book\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EtEiEAAAQBAJ\|title=Farewell to Arms: How Rebels Retire Without Getting Killed\|author=Rumela Sen\|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]\|year=2021\|isbn=978-0197529867\|pages=48–49\|access-date=12 July 2022\|quote=the majority of these high-caste households were small landlords with landholdings that might also qualify them as "middle peasants." Their economic status was very similar to the middle peasant households among the backward-caste (Bania, Yadav, Kurmi, and Koeri). Although the Maoists identified these backward castes as a sympathetic class, some landowning, backward-caste households actually had economic interests in common with the upper-caste farming families.\|archive-date=12 July 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712115253/https://books.google.com/books/about/Farewell_to_Arms.html?id=EtEiEAAAQBAJ\|url-status=live}}</ref> The general categorisation of all the Bhumihars being landlords is thus not a factually correct idea, as in urban areas latter were found to be engaged in variety of occupation. The ~~upper crust among~~ Bhumihars in urban areas were professionals ~~and~~ bureaucrats ~~but many of them also worked as~~ [[factory worker]]s, [[coal miner]]s and even load carriers ~~(''Mazdoors'' or the labourers)~~.<ref>{{cite book\|title= India after Naxalbari: Unfinished History\|author=Bernard D'Mello		In [[History of India (1947–present)\| post independence India]], according to author Rumela Sen, majority of upper caste households, including those of Bhumihars, had such landholdings which qualified them as "middle peasants". Though there existed few big landholders among them, but vast majority of them had economic status similar to middle peasants of [[Koeri]], [[Kurmi]] and the [[Yadav]] caste.<ref name="Sen">{{cite book\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EtEiEAAAQBAJ\|title=Farewell to Arms: How Rebels Retire Without Getting Killed\|author=Rumela Sen\|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]\|year=2021\|isbn=978-0197529867\|pages=48–49\|access-date=12 July 2022\|quote=the majority of these high-caste households were small landlords with landholdings that might also qualify them as "middle peasants." Their economic status was very similar to the middle peasant households among the backward-caste (Bania, Yadav, Kurmi, and Koeri). Although the Maoists identified these backward castes as a sympathetic class, some landowning, backward-caste households actually had economic interests in common with the upper-caste farming families.\|archive-date=12 July 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712115253/https://books.google.com/books/about/Farewell_to_Arms.html?id=EtEiEAAAQBAJ\|url-status=live}}</ref> The general categorisation of all the Bhumihars being landlords is thus not a factually correct idea, as in urban areas latter were found to be engaged in variety of occupation. The Bhumihars in urban areas were professionals, bureaucrats, teachers, Judges [[factory worker]]s, [[coal miner]]s and even load carriers.<ref>{{cite book\|title= India after Naxalbari: Unfinished History\|author=Bernard D'Mello
	\|publisher=NYU Press\|year=2018\|		\|publisher=NYU Press\|year=2018\|
	isbn=978-1583677087\|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=8K07DwAAQBAJ&q=india+after+naxalbari\|quote=		isbn=978-1583677087\|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=8K07DwAAQBAJ&q=india+after+naxalbari\|quote=

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:39, 6 September 2026
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	=== Varna status ===		=== Varna status ===

	~~Among various narratives regarding their origin, composition and varna status, one states that there is an element of a low caste tribe called "Bhuyans" who gained land and assimilated with the~~ Bhumihars~~.<ref>{{cite book\|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=rkjqDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA242\|last=George\|first=A\|year=2016\|title=Social Ferment~~ in ~~India\|place=United Kingdom\|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing\|page=242\|isbn=9781474291125 }}</ref> Many communities do~~ not ~~give them~~ the ritual status of priestly Brahmins, as most of them were cultivators during the British Raj.<ref name="Arvind1982"/> Some of the early censuses of British India categorised Bhumihars of Bihar as [[Shudra]]s, the lowest of the four [[varna in Hinduism\|varnas]]. This was considered insulting, especially since several [[zamindar]]s (land-owning aristocrats) were Bhumihars.<ref name="Jeffrey2013">{{cite book \|first=Jeffrey \|last=Witsoe \|title=Democracy against Development: Lower-Caste Politics and Political Modernity in Postcolonial India \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sQcGAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA31 \|date=5 November 2013 \|publisher=University of Chicago Press \|isbn=978-0-226-06350-8 \|page=31}}</ref> Unlike the Brahmans or Rajputs, the Bhumihars did not participate in the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857\|rebellion against British rule in India]] in 1857, but to their dismay, they were classified as belonging to the [[Vaishya\|third ''varna'']] in the ad-hoc census of 1865 and the regular census of 1881.<ref>KUMAR, PURUSHOTTAM. “BHUMIHARS STRUGGLE FOR BRAHMIN STATUS (1857-1911).” Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, vol. 56, Indian History Congress, 1995, pp. 739–41, http://www.jstor.org/stable/44158695.</ref>		The Bhumihars were categorised as Brahmins in the Later British Era Censuses however they are generally not given the full ritual status of priestly Brahmins, as most of them were cultivators during the British Raj.<ref name="Arvind1982"/>

	Like many other castes, the Bhumihars followed the process of [[sanskritisation]] to achieve their end. The Bhumihar zamindars and princely state rulers established caste-based associations (''sabha''s) to form a community network and to advance their claims to Brahmin status. The ''Pradhan Bhumihar Brahman Sabha'' ("Chief Assembly of Bhumihar Brahmins") was established in [[Patna]] in 1889. Its objective was "to improve moral, social and educational reforms of the community and to represent the wants of the community to the government".<ref>{{cite book \|title=Action Sociology and Development \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l2Qt9tv2nSkC&pg=PA121 \|date=1 January 1992 \|publisher=Concept Publishing Company \|isbn=978-81-7022-726-7 \|page=121}}</ref> The Bhumihar Brahmin Mahasabha ("great assembly") was established in 1896.<ref>{{cite book \|first=Ramacandra \|last=Kshirasagara \|title=Dalit Movement in India and Its Leaders, 1857-1956 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Wx218EFVU8MC&pg=PA385 \|date=1 January 1994 \|publisher=M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. \|isbn=978-81-85880-43-3 \|page=385}}</ref> The local ''Bhumihar Brahmin Sabha''s included the ones at [[Muzaffarpur]] (1899), Patna (1899), [[Gaya, India\|Gaya]] (1900) and Saran (1908).<ref name="Ashwini2008_210"/>		The ''Pradhan Bhumihar Brahman Sabha'' ("Chief Assembly of Bhumihar Brahmins") was established in [[Patna]] in 1889. Its objective was "to improve moral, social and educational reforms of the community and to represent the wants of the community to the government".<ref>{{cite book \|title=Action Sociology and Development \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l2Qt9tv2nSkC&pg=PA121 \|date=1 January 1992 \|publisher=Concept Publishing Company \|isbn=978-81-7022-726-7 \|page=121}}</ref> The Bhumihar Brahmin Mahasabha ("great assembly") was established in 1896.<ref>{{cite book \|first=Ramacandra \|last=Kshirasagara \|title=Dalit Movement in India and Its Leaders, 1857-1956 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Wx218EFVU8MC&pg=PA385 \|date=1 January 1994 \|publisher=M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. \|isbn=978-81-85880-43-3 \|page=385}}</ref> The local ''Bhumihar Brahmin Sabha''s included the ones at [[Muzaffarpur]] (1899), Patna (1899), [[Gaya, India\|Gaya]] (1900) and Saran (1908).<ref name="Ashwini2008_210"/>

	These associations made numerous petitions to be classified as Brahmins in the [[census of India prior to independence\|1901 census report]].<ref name="William1996">{{cite book \|first=William R. \|last=Pinch \|title=Peasants and Monks in British India \|url=http://publishing.cdlib.org/ucpressebooks/view?docId=ft22900465;chunk.id=s1.3.13;doc.view=print \|date=19 May 1996 \|publisher=University of California Press \|isbn=978-0-520-91630-2 \|pages=83–84}}</ref> Persistent pressure from the Mahasabha, who glorified the history of the community, led to official recognition of the Bhumihars as Brahmins in the later Raj censuses. According to Ashwani Kumar, the Bhumihar claim to Brahmin status means that today "unlike other upper castes, [they] guard the local caste hierarchy more zealously for they perpetually feel the pressure of being dislocated and discredited in the topsy-turvy world of caste."<ref name="Ashwani2008_125"/>		These associations made numerous petitions to be classified as Brahmins in the [[census of India prior to independence\|1901 census report]].<ref name="William1996">{{cite book \|first=William R. \|last=Pinch \|title=Peasants and Monks in British India \|url=http://publishing.cdlib.org/ucpressebooks/view?docId=ft22900465;chunk.id=s1.3.13;doc.view=print \|date=19 May 1996 \|publisher=University of California Press \|isbn=978-0-520-91630-2 \|pages=83–84}}</ref> Persistent pressure from the Mahasabha, who glorified the history of the community, led to official recognition of the Bhumihars as Brahmins in the later Raj censuses.

	~~Besides campaigning for the Brahmin status, the~~ caste associations also played an important role in general welfare of the community. In 1899, the Bhumihar Brahmin Mahasabha, with financial aid from a zamindar, established a college at Muzaffarpur. This was accredited to award degrees in the following year and it was a significant development because education in the area was improving rapidly but students desirous of furthering it had to travel to [[Bhagalpur]], [[Calcutta]] or Patna. By 1920, 10 per cent of Bhumihars in Bihar were literate, making them one of the few literate castes; in this achievement, however, they were well behind the [[Kayastha]]s (33 per cent) and some other groups.<ref>{{cite book \|title=Education and Social Changes in Bihar, 1900-1921: A Survey of Social History of Bihar from Lord Curzon to Noncooperation Movement \|first=Shreedhar Narayan \|last=Pandey \|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass \|year=1975 \|isbn=9780842609869 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9PX938QYfmsC&pg=PA6 \|pages=6–7, 161, 172–173}}</ref> In the first half of the 20th century, the Bhumihars suffered increasing economic hardships due to the steady fragmentation of land rights among heirs and the decline in agricultural prices during the [[Great Depression in India\|Great Depression]]. During this period, the Bhumihar associations served as community networks that facilitated access to English education and urban employment.<ref name="Jeffrey2013"/> As with the Rajputs, Kayasthas and other high castes of Bihar – and as opposed to the methods used by most lower castes – neither the Mahasabha nor any other formal body exercised power to make and enforce caste rules.<ref>{{cite book \|title=Education and Social Changes in Bihar, 1900-1921: A Survey of Social History of Bihar from Lord Curzon to Noncooperation Movement \|first=Shreedhar Narayan \|last=Pandey \|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass \|year=1975 \|isbn=9780842609869 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9PX938QYfmsC&pg=PA171 \|page=171}}</ref>		The caste associations also played an important role in general welfare of the community. In 1899, the Bhumihar Brahmin Mahasabha, with financial aid from a zamindar, established a college at Muzaffarpur. This was accredited to award degrees in the following year and it was a significant development because education in the area was improving rapidly but students desirous of furthering it had to travel to [[Bhagalpur]], [[Calcutta]] or Patna. By 1920, 10 per cent of Bhumihars in Bihar were literate, making them one of the few literate castes; in this achievement, however, they were well behind the [[Kayastha]]s (33 per cent) and some other groups.<ref>{{cite book \|title=Education and Social Changes in Bihar, 1900-1921: A Survey of Social History of Bihar from Lord Curzon to Noncooperation Movement \|first=Shreedhar Narayan \|last=Pandey \|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass \|year=1975 \|isbn=9780842609869 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9PX938QYfmsC&pg=PA6 \|pages=6–7, 161, 172–173}}</ref> In the first half of the 20th century, the Bhumihars suffered increasing economic hardships due to the steady fragmentation of land rights among heirs and the decline in agricultural prices during the [[Great Depression in India\|Great Depression]]. During this period, the Bhumihar associations served as community networks that facilitated access to English education and urban employment.<ref name="Jeffrey2013">{{cite book\|last=Witsoe\|first=Jeffrey\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sQcGAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA31\|title=Democracy against Development: Lower-Caste Politics and Political Modernity in Postcolonial India\|date=5 November 2013\|publisher=University of Chicago Press\|isbn=978-0-226-06350-8\|page=31}}</ref> As with the Rajputs, Kayasthas and other high castes of Bihar – and as opposed to the methods used by most lower castes – neither the Mahasabha nor any other formal body exercised power to make and enforce caste rules.<ref>{{cite book \|title=Education and Social Changes in Bihar, 1900-1921: A Survey of Social History of Bihar from Lord Curzon to Noncooperation Movement \|first=Shreedhar Narayan \|last=Pandey \|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass \|year=1975 \|isbn=9780842609869 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9PX938QYfmsC&pg=PA171 \|page=171}}</ref>

	The Bhumihar Brahmin Mahasabha held annual sessions in different parts of present-day Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Among its prominent leaders was [[Sahajanand Saraswati]], a leader of the Bhumihar Brahmin Sabha of Patna. During the Balia session of 1914, Sahajanand defended the Brahmin status of the Bhumihars, using quotes from Hindu scriptures to argue that priestly functions do not alone define Brahmins. In 1916, he published a book titled ''Bhumihar Brahmin Parichay'' ("Introduction to Bhumihar Brahmins"), which outlined these arguments. He classified Brahmins into two categories – begging (''yachak'') and non-begging (''ayachak'') – and stated that the Bhumihars were among the non-begging Brahmins. The Bhumihars of [[Uttar Pradesh]] attempted to popularise the term "Bhumihar Brahmin", while discarding the term "Babhan". However, the term "Babhan" remained popular in Bihar.<ref name="Ashwini2008_210">{{cite book \|first=Ashwani \|last=Kumar \|title=Community Warriors: State, Peasants and Caste Armies in Bihar \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=num2I4NFGqIC&pg=PA210 \|year=2008 \|publisher=Anthem Press \|isbn=978-1-84331-709-8 \|page=210}}</ref> The recognised Brahmins did not favour the Bhumihar attempts to claim an equal status, and even stopped going to Bhumihar homes to perform ceremonies.<ref name="Sinha1991">{{cite book \|first=Arun \|last=Sinha \|title=Against the few: struggles of India's rural poor \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mS25AAAAIAAJ \|year=1991 \|publisher=Zed Books \|isbn=978-0-86232-718-7}}</ref>		The Bhumihar Brahmin Mahasabha held annual sessions in different parts of present-day Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Among its prominent leaders was [[Sahajanand Saraswati]], a leader of the Bhumihar Brahmin Sabha of Patna. During the Balia session of 1914, Sahajanand defended the Brahmin status of the Bhumihars, using quotes from Hindu scriptures to argue that priestly functions do not alone define Brahmins. In 1916, he published a book titled ''Bhumihar Brahmin Parichay'' ("Introduction to Bhumihar Brahmins"), which outlined these arguments. He classified Brahmins into two categories – begging (''yachak'') and non-begging (''ayachak'') – and stated that the Bhumihars were among the non-begging Brahmins. The Bhumihars of [[Uttar Pradesh]] attempted to popularise the term "Bhumihar Brahmin", while discarding the term "Babhan". However, the term "Babhan" remained popular in Bihar.<ref name="Ashwini2008_210">{{cite book \|first=Ashwani \|last=Kumar \|title=Community Warriors: State, Peasants and Caste Armies in Bihar \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=num2I4NFGqIC&pg=PA210 \|year=2008 \|publisher=Anthem Press \|isbn=978-1-84331-709-8 \|page=210}}</ref> The recognised Brahmins did not favour the Bhumihar attempts to claim an equal status, and even stopped going to Bhumihar homes to perform ceremonies.<ref name="Sinha1991">{{cite book \|first=Arun \|last=Sinha \|title=Against the few: struggles of India's rural poor \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mS25AAAAIAAJ \|year=1991 \|publisher=Zed Books \|isbn=978-0-86232-718-7}}</ref>