Bhumihar - Revision history

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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 ==

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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 ==

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	== Influence in other fields ==		== Influence in other fields ==

	Being one of the early literate groups of British India, the Bhumihar community produced several prominent literary figures. These include [[Ramdhari Singh Dinkar~~]], [[Rahul Sankrityayan~~]], [[Rambriksh Benipuri]] and [[Gopal Singh Nepali]].<ref name="ET2004_poster"/>		Being one of the early literate groups of British India, the Bhumihar community produced several prominent literary figures. These include [[Ramdhari Singh Dinkar]], [[Rambriksh Benipuri]] and [[Gopal Singh Nepali]].<ref name="ET2004_poster"/>

	== Customs and traditions ==		== Customs and traditions ==

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	\|group =Bhumihar		\|group =Bhumihar
	\|region1 =[[East India]]		\|region1 =[[East India]]
	\|pop1 =Estimated 6% of [[Bihar]]i population (i.e. over 7.2 million) plus significant population in [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[Jharkhand]], and [[West Bengal]]		\|pop1 =Estimated 2.43% of [[Bihar]]i population (i.e. over 7.2 million) plus significant population in [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[Jharkhand]], and [[West Bengal]]
	\|ref1 =<ref name="Kumar05">{{cite news \| url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Patna/Bhumihars_rooted_to_the_ground_in_caste_politics/articleshow/msid-1001601,curpg-2.cms \| title=Bhumihars rooted to the ground in caste politics \|last=Kumar \|work=[[The Times of India]] \| date=25 January 2005 \| access-date=2008-04-05 }}</ref>		\|ref1 =<ref name="Kumar05">{{cite news \| url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Patna/Bhumihars_rooted_to_the_ground_in_caste_politics/articleshow/msid-1001601,curpg-2.cms \| title=Bhumihars rooted to the ground in caste politics \|last=Kumar \|work=[[The Times of India]] \| date=25 January 2005 \| access-date=2008-04-05 }}</ref>
	\|languages =[[Hindi]], [[Bhojpuri]], [[Magadh]]i, [[Maithili language\|Maithili]], [[Angika]], [[Bajjika dialect\|Bajjika]], [[Bundeli]]		\|languages =[[Hindi]], [[Bhojpuri]], [[Magadh]]i, [[Maithili language\|Maithili]], [[Angika]], [[Bajjika dialect\|Bajjika]], [[Bundeli]]
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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> ~~and~~ '''~~Babhan~~<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]], the [[Bundelkhand]] region of [[Madhya Pradesh]], and [[Nepal]].<ref>{{cite book\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pINgUv_hxcYC&pg=PA45 \|title=Political Economy and Class Contradictions: A Study \|first=Jose J. ~~\|last=Nedumpara \|date=January 2004 \|publisher=Anmol \|isbn=9788126117185 \|access-date=2012-07-12}}{{Page needed\|date=June 2014}}</ref>~~		'''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 ~~claim~~ [[Brahmin]] 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]]. 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>

	== Etymology ==		== Etymology ==

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	{{Short description\|Caste of India}}		{{Short description\|Caste of India}}
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>Marcocapelle: /* Further reading */more specific categorization

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Further reading: more specific categorization

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{{Use British English|date=March 2013}}
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{{Infobox ethnic group
|group =Bhumihar
|region1 =[[East India]]
|pop1 =Estimated 6% of [[Bihar]]i population (i.e. over 7.2 million) plus significant population in [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[Jharkhand]], and [[West Bengal]]
|ref1 =<ref name="Kumar05">{{cite news | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Patna/Bhumihars_rooted_to_the_ground_in_caste_politics/articleshow/msid-1001601,curpg-2.cms | title=Bhumihars rooted to the ground in caste politics |last=Kumar |work=[[The Times of India]] | date=25 January 2005 | access-date=2008-04-05 }}</ref>
|languages =[[Hindi]], [[Bhojpuri]], [[Magadh]]i, [[Maithili language|Maithili]], [[Angika]], [[Bajjika dialect|Bajjika]], [[Bundeli]]
|religions =[[Hinduism]]
|related_groups = [[Muslim Bhumihar]]
}}

'''Bhumihars''', also called '''Babhan''', 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]], the [[Bundelkhand]] region of [[Madhya Pradesh]], and [[Nepal]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pINgUv_hxcYC&pg=PA45 |title=Political Economy and Class Contradictions: A Study |first=Jose J. |last=Nedumpara |date=January 2004 |publisher=Anmol |isbn=9788126117185 |access-date=2012-07-12}}{{Page needed|date=June 2014}}</ref>

The Bhumihars claim [[Brahmin]] status, and are also referred to as '''Bhumihar Brahmin'''.<ref name="Arvind1982">{{cite book |first=Arvind N. |last=Das |title=Agrarian Movements in India: Studies on 20th Century Bihar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GL_yRdwbQP8C&pg=PA51 |year=1982 |publisher=Psychology Press |isbn=978-0-7146-3216-2 |pages=51–52 }}</ref> In Bihar, they are also known as '''Babhan'''<ref name="Ravindra2012">{{cite book |first=Ravindra K. |last=Jain |title=Nation, Diaspora, Trans-nation: Reflections from India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cy6pAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA4 |year=2012 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-136-70414-7 |page=4 }}</ref> and they have also been called '''Bhuinhar'''.<ref>{{cite book |title=Culture and Power in Banaras: Community, Performance, and Environment, 1800-1980 |first=Sandra B. |last=Freitag |publisher=University of California Press |year=1992 |isbn=978-0-52008-094-2 |page=8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9zKBWJejblgC&pg=PA8}}</ref>

The Bhumihars were a prominent land-owning group of eastern India until the 20th century, and controlled some small [[princely state]]s and [[zamindari]] estates in the region. The Bhumihar community played an important role in the [[peasant movement]]s of India, and was highly influential in politics of Bihar in the 20th century.

== Etymology ==

The word ''Bhumihar'' is of relatively recent origin, first used in the records of [[United Provinces of Agra and Oudh]] in 1865. It derives from the word ''bhoomi'' ("land"), 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 "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 ==

As with many castes in India, there are numerous [[myth of origin|myths regarding the origins]] of the Bhumihar community. One legend claims that their ancestors were Brahmins who were set up to take the place of the [[Kshatriya]]s slain by [[Parashurama]] but some non-Bhumihars have implied that they are the mixed-race offspring of Brahmin men and Kshatriya women.<ref name="Jogendra">{{cite book |title=Hindu Castes and Sects |first=Jogendra Nath |last= Bhattacharya| url=https://archive.org/stream/hinducastesands00bhatgoog#page/n132/mode/2up |year=1896 |publisher=Jogendra Nath Bhattacharya |pages=109–113}}</ref> Other legends state that they are the offspring of a union between [[Rajput]] men and Brahmin women, or that 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"/>

[[File:Majaraja of Benares and Suite, 1870s.jpg|thumb|right|Ruler of the [[Benares State]] in 1870s]]
By the 16th century, the Bhumihars controlled vast stretches of land in eastern India, particularly in north Bihar. By the late eighteenth century, along with [[Bihari Rajputs]], they had established themselves as the most prominent landholders of the region.<ref name="Anand1998">{{cite book |first=Anand A. |last=Yang |title=Bazaar India: Markets, Society, and the Colonial State in Gangetic Bihar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D5lQutvzAp4C&pg=PA139 |year=1998 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0-520-91996-9 |page=139}}</ref> Oral legends suggest that along with Muslims and Rajputs, they displaced the [[Bhar]] and [[Chero dynasty|Chero]] natives of the region.<ref name="Anand1989">{{cite book |first=Anand A. |last=Yang |title=The Limited Raj: Agrarian Relations in Colonial India, Saran District, 1793-1920 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ck4jmD7H34UC&pg=PA57 |year=1989 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0-520-05711-1 |page=57}}</ref> The weakening of the [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] suzerainty over the region gave rise to several small Bhumihar states. For example, the revenue contractors for the Mughal province of [[Awadh]] declared themselves the [[Maharaja]] of [[Benares State|Benares]]. They successfully defended their independence against the [[Nawab of Awadh]] in the 1750s and 1760s, before becoming a British dependency.<ref name="CABayly1988">{{cite book |first=Christopher A. |last=Bayly |title=Rulers, Townsmen and Bazaars: North Indian Society in the Age of British Expansion, 1770-1870 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xfo3AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA17 |date=19 May 1988 |publisher=CUP Archive |isbn=978-0-521-31054-3 |pages=17–18}}</ref> Other [[princely state]]s and [[zamindari|fiefdoms]] ruled by Bhumihars included [[Bettiah Raj|Bettia]], [[Tekari Raj|Tekari]], [[Hathwa Raj|Hathwa]], Tamukhi, [[Sheohar]], [[Mahishadal]], [[Pakur]] and [[Maheshpur Raj|Maheshpur]].<ref name="Jogendra"/>

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, a large number of Bhumihars participated in battles and 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> The Company also recruited Bhumihar [[sepoy]]s in large numbers.<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>

=== Varna status ===

Bhumihars claim to be descendants of Brahmins who held land grants, a theory supported by [[Jogendra Nath Bhattacharya]].<ref name="Jogendra"/>
However, Bhattacharya also promoted a more popular narrative according to which they were a "low caste" group who were promoted to the status of Brahmin on the order of a Raja who wanted presence of a large number of Brahmins to celebrate his religious festivals. The other popular narratives about their origin is that they belonged to a low caste tribe called "Bhuyans" who gained land and proverted themselves as Brahmins when faced unequal treatment at the hands of sacerdotal authorities. A class of Bhumihar also claim descent from Rati Raut, a gwala (''cowherd'') who ruled Rati pargana in the north Bihar.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Be3PCvzf-BYC|title= A Social History of India|author= S. N. Sadasivan|page=238|publisher=APH Publishing|year=2000|isbn=817648170X|access-date=2020-12-14}}</ref> Other communities also 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> The designation of Shudra for them is also supported by Arun Sinha. Sinha describes the cultural revolution of the late 19th century as a cause behind socio-cultural emancipation of some of the erstwhile Shudra castes of which included [[Kayastha]] and Bhumihars castes of Bihar apart from many agricultural and artisan communities.<ref name=Sinha/> According to Sinha:
{{quote|a powerful current was sweeping Bihar's society in an entirely unforeseen direction. It was a current that had started building up towards the end of the nineteenth century with the cultural mobility of the Shudras to seek equality with the bipolar elite of Brahmin and the Rajputs. Of these Shudras, Kayastha and Bhumihars achieved recognition as the upper castes early on the strength of their economic status, education and political influence.<ref name=Sinha>{{cite book | last=Sinha | first=A. | title=Nitish Kumar and the Rise of Bihar | page=93 |publisher=Viking | year=2011 | isbn=978-0-670-08459-3 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rT2xWp_iTCYC&pg=PA93 | access-date=7 April 2015}}</ref> }}

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"/>

These associations made numerous petitions to be classified as Brahmins in the [[census of India prior to independence|1901 census report]]. [[Edward Albert Gait]], the author of the census report, stated that the Bhumihars did not remain Brahmins, although there was evidence favouring their Brahmin origin. He wrote that the general Hindu public considered them a separate caste, which is "generally, but not always, regarded as slightly superior" to the Rajput Kshatriyas.<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> [[Herbert Hope Risley]], the [[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India|Census Commissioner of British India]], believed them to be an offshoot of the Rajputs.<ref name="Jogendra"/> 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"/>

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 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>

== Political influence ==

Being traditional landlords and one of the early literate castes, the Bhumihars have been influential in the politics of Bihar since the British days. Noted Bhumihar princely state rulers included [[Harendra Kishore Singh]] (Raja of [[Bettiah Raj|Bettiah]]) and [[Vibhuti Narayan Singh]] (Raja of the [[Benares State|Benares]]).

The Bhumihars played a pioneering role in organising [[peasant movement|peasant]], [[list of communist parties in India|leftist]] and [[Indian independence movement|independence]] movements since the 1910s.<ref name="ToI2004_eye">{{cite news | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/767453.cms | title=BJP, Cong eye Bhumihars as Rabri drops ministers | first= Abhay |last=Singh |work=[[The Times of India]] | date=6 July 2004 | access-date=2014-11-11 }}</ref> In 1914 and 1916, the Bhumihars of Pipra and Turkaulia revolted against [[indigo revolt|indigo cultivation]].<ref name="Judith1974">{{cite book |first=Judith M. |last=Brown |title=Gandhi's Rise to Power: Indian Politics 1915-1922 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HUo4AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA55 |date=26 September 1974 |publisher=CUP Archive |isbn=978-0-521-09873-1 |page=55}}</ref> When [[Mahatma Gandhi]] launched a [[Champaran Satyagraha|satyagraha]] against indigo cultivation in [[Motihari]] in 1917, a number of Bhumihar intellectuals joined the protest. These included [[Shri Krishna Singh (politician)|Shri Krishna Singh]] (or Sinha), Ram Dayalu Singh, Ramnandan Mishra, Shilbhadra Yaji, [[Karyanand Sharma]] and Sahajanand Saraswati.<ref name="ET2004_poster">{{cite news |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2004-03-16/news/27368418_1_bhumihars-caste-political-space |title=These days, their poster boys are goons |date=16 March 2004 |access-date=2014-11-11 |work=The Economic Times }}</ref>

While a section of Bhumihars were landowners, the vast majority belonged to [[tenantry]]. Starting in 1914, two factions emerged in the Bhumihar Mahasabha: the landowner-dominated faction led by [[Ganesh Dutt]], and the tenant-dominated faction led by Sahajanand Saraswati. Sahajanand came from a zamindar family, which had been reduced to tenant status. He attracted a large number of followers who, as tenants, were exploited by the rich landlords. His support for the [[non-cooperation movement]] also alarmed the landlords, who were loyal to the British colonial administration. The growing differences between the two factions resulted in a split in the Mahasabha, in 1925-26. Sahajanand established an ashram at [[Bihta]], which started attracting tenants and peasants from other castes as well. When the rich Bhumihar landlords stopped supporting Sahajanand's activities, he declared that caste associations were a means to continue their supremacy.<ref name="Arvind1982"/> He established a caste-agnostic peasants movement, which later evolved into [[All India Kisan Sabha]]. In Bihar, Kisan Sabha, as well as the [[Communist Party of India]] (which was heavily inspired by Kisan Sabha), were identified as Bhumihar-dominated organisations for years.<ref name="Jeffrey2013"/>

After Sahajanand gave up [[caste politics in India|caste politics]], [[Ganesh Dutt]] emerged as the leader of Bhumihar Mahasabha. He later entered the [[Bihar Legislative Council]], and distributed patronage to other members of his caste. This patronage was extended further, when Shri Krishna Singh became the Premier and [[Chief Minister of Bihar]].<ref name="Sajjad2014">{{cite book |first=Mohammad |last=Sajjad |title=Muslim Politics in Bihar: Changing Contours |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0iVHBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA22 |date=13 August 2014 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-55982-5 |page=22}}</ref> His tenure saw the rise of a number of influential Bhumihar leaders including Mahesh Prasad Sinha, Krishnakant Singh, L. P. Shahi, Basawan Sinha, and [[Kailashpati Mishra]].<ref name="Ashwni2009"/> Singh also worked for the welfare of the lower castes. He was the first chief minister in India to abolish the zamindari system.<ref name="ToI2004_eye"/> He also led [[Dalit]]s' entry into [[Baidyanath Temple]].<ref name="Kumar05" />

After Shri Krishna Singh's death in 1961, the Bhumihar political hegemony gradually declined. A small number of Bhumihar leaders continued to play a significant role in the state unit of the [[Indian National Congress]]. These included Ramashray Prasad Singh, Rajo Singh, Ramjatan Sinha, Shyam Sunder Singh Dhiraj and Maha Chandra Singh.<ref name="Ashwni2009">{{cite book |first=Ashwani |last=Kumar |title=Community Warriors |year=2006 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7CyND7ebqUAC&pg=PA128 |publisher=Anthem Press |isbn=978-0-85728-684-0 |page=128}}</ref> The Congress parliamentarians [[Ganga Sharan Singh (Sinha)]] and [[Shyam Nandan Prasad Mishra]] also belonged to the Bhumihar community.<ref name="Sinha2003">{{cite book |first=Bindeshwari Prasad |last=Sinha |title=Kayasthas in making of modern Bihar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ryhuAAAAMAAJ |year=2003 |publisher=Impression Publication |page=vi |quote=J.P's most intimate friend was Ganga Sharan Singh, a Bhumihar }}</ref><ref name="ET2004_poster"/>

The Bhumihar influence in Bihar politics declined considerably after electoral defeat of Congress in the [[1990 Bihar Legislative Assembly election]]. The backward [[Other Backward Class|OBC]] castes like [[Yadav]], led by [[Lalu Prasad Yadav]], replaced them in the political circles. In the [[1999 Indian general election]], only three Bhumihars were elected: [[C. P. Thakur]] ([[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]]), Kailashpati Mishra (BJP) and Rajo Singh (Congress). A few Bhumihar leaders also emerged in the political parties dominated by the lower castes. These included [[Akhilesh Prasad Singh]] ([[Rashtriya Janata Dal|RJD]]) and Arun Kumar (Samata Dal; now [[Rashtriya Lok Samata Party]]).<ref name="Ashwni2009"/>

As their power in the electoral politics declined, a number of Bhumihars were attracted to [[Ranvir Sena]], a private militia established in 1994.<ref name="Ashwni2009"/> The group has carried out armed operations against the [[Naxalite|Naxals]] in the region, and has been involved in atrocities against the lower castes, such as the [[Laxmanpur Bathe]] massacre.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/no-gentlemen-in-this-army/article3494007.ece |title=No gentlemen in this army |first=Ashwani |last=Kumar |date=6 June 2012 |work=The Hindu }}</ref>

== Influence in other fields ==

Being one of the early literate groups of British India, the Bhumihar community produced several prominent literary figures. These include [[Ramdhari Singh Dinkar]], [[Rahul Sankrityayan]], [[Rambriksh Benipuri]] and [[Gopal Singh Nepali]].<ref name="ET2004_poster"/>

== 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 ==
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, Dikshit, Tivan, Patak, 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"/>

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== Further reading ==
*{{cite book |first=Ranajit |last=Guha |author-link=Ranajit Guha |title=A Subaltern studies reader, 1986–1995 |publisher=South Asia Books |year=2000|edition=2nd |isbn=978-0-19-565230-7 }}
*{{cite book |first=R. K. |last=Maitra |title=Indian Studies: past & present |year=1959 |asin=B0000CRX5I }}
*{{cite book |first=R. S.|last=Sharma |author-link=Ram Sharan Sharma |title=Rethinking India's Past
|publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-19-569787-2}}
*{{cite book |first=Bindeshwar |last=Ram |title=Land and society in India: agrarian relations in colonial North Bihar |publisher=Orient Blackswan |year=1998 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2b_j0mNe2FwC |isbn=978-81-250-0643-5}}
*{{cite book |first=Christopher Alan |last=Bayly |author-link=Christopher Alan Bayly |title=Recovering Liberties: Indian Thought in the Age of Liberalism and Empire (Ideas in Context) |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2011 |isbn=978-1-10-760147-5}}
*{{cite book |first=Gautam |last=Bhadra |author-link=Gautam Bhadra |title=Subaltern Studies: Writings on South Asian History and Society |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-19-565125-6}}
*{{cite book|first=Seema |last=Alavi |title=The Eighteenth Century in India |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-19-569201-3 }}
*{{cite book |first=Sarvepalli |last=Radhakrishnan |author-link=Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan |title=The Hindu View of Life |publisher=Harper Collins |year=2009 |isbn=978-81-7223-845-2|page=81}}
* [[Radha Kumud Mukherjee]], Ancient Indian Education: Brahmanical and Buddhist, Motilal Banarsidass, New Delhi (2011).
* [[M. N. Srinivas]], Social Change in Modern India, Orient Longman, Delhi, 1995.

[[Category:Social groups of Bihar]]
[[Category:Indian castes]]
[[Category:Brahmin communities of Bihar]]