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{{About||the village in Haryana, India|Kaul Village|the botanist|Kailas Nath Kaul}}
{{Short description|Kashmiri surname}}
{{EngvarB|date=May 2014}}
{{About|the surname|other uses|Kaul (disambiguation)}}
{{redirect|Koul|other uses|Koul (disambiguation)}}
{{use Indian English|date=May 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}}


{{More citations needed|date=May 2009}}
{{More citations needed|date=May 2009}}


'''Kaul''' (also spelled '''Koul''', '''Caul''', '''Kol''' or '''Cool''' ; {{lang-ks|कौल <small>([[Devanagari]])</small>, {{nq|کول}} <small>([[Nastaʿlīq script|Nastaleeq]])</small>}}) is a surname used by the [[Kashmiri Pandit]] community in [[India]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Kumar Suresh Singh|author-link=Kumar Suresh Singh|title=People of India: Delhi|url=https://books.google.com/books/about/People_of_India.html?id=99c-AQAAIAAJ&redir_esc=y |accessdate=18 March 2012|year=1996|publisher=Manohar Publishers for [[Anthropological Survey of India]]|isbn= 978-8173040962|page=324 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|first=Victoria |last=Schofield |author-link=Victoria Schofield|title=Kashmir in conflict|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ek00fuXVz1wC&pg=PA118|accessdate=25 June 2012|year=2003 |publisher=I.B. Tauris & Co |isbn= 1860648983 |page=4}}, ''...looms rose to 24,000 by 1813. Despite the religious oppression that many hindus were subjected , they were however, useful to the Afghans because of their administrative experience. Kashmiri Pandits were not prevented into entering into government service & there were some families whose names consistently appear in public service - the Dhars, Kauls, Tikkus & Saprus.''</ref><ref name=nyt>{{cite news |title=The Kauls are Everywhere |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/09/02/us/washington-talk-briefing-the-kauls-are-everywhere.html |publisher=nytimes.com |first=Wayne King |last=Irvin Molotsky |date=2 September 1986 |accessdate=8 August 2012}}</ref>
'''Kaul''' (also spelled '''Koul'''; {{langx|ks|𑆑𑆿𑆬 <small>([[Sharada script|Sharada]])</small>, कौल <small>([[Devanagari]])</small>, كۄال <small>([[Nastaliq|Nasta'liq]])</small>|lit=well born|translit=Kọ̄l}}) is a [[Kashmiris|Kashmiri]] surname that is used by the [[Kashmiri Pandit]] community in [[India]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Kumar Suresh Singh|author-link=Kumar Suresh Singh|title=People of India: Delhi|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=99c-AQAAIAAJ |accessdate=18 March 2012|year=1996|publisher=Manohar Publishers for [[Anthropological Survey of India]]|isbn= 978-8173040962|page=324 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|first=Victoria |last=Schofield |author-link=Victoria Schofield|title=Kashmir in conflict|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ek00fuXVz1wC&pg=PA118|accessdate=25 June 2012|year=2003 |publisher=I.B. Tauris & Co |isbn= 1860648983 |page=4}}, ''...looms rose to 24,000 by 1813. Despite the religious oppression that many hindus were subjected , they were however, useful to the Afghans because of their administrative experience. Kashmiri Pandits were not prevented into entering into government service & there were some families whose names consistently appear in public service - the Dhars, Kauls, Tikkus & Saprus.''</ref><ref name=nyt>{{cite news |title=The Kauls are Everywhere |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/09/02/us/washington-talk-briefing-the-kauls-are-everywhere.html |work=nytimes.com |first=Wayne King |last=Irvin Molotsky |date=2 September 1986 |accessdate=8 August 2012}}</ref>


The word ''Kaul'', meaning ''well born'', is derived from ''Kula'', the [[Sanskrit]] term for family or clan. [[Kulinism]] ([[Bengali language|Bengali]]: কৌলিন্য) are Hindu caste and marriage rules reputedly introduced by [[Shaiva]] Raja [[Ballala Sena]] of [[Sena Dynasty|Sen Emperor]] .<ref>Kulinism Hindu Caste Rules https://www.britannica.com/topic/Kulinism</ref> At the time of Sen Emperor Kashmir was under sen rule and Kulinism was formed there by Sen Brahman. Sen Bramana village currently exists in Kashmir. Its use as a surname or appellation is a derivative of the ancient name ''Kaula'' which means ''well born''<ref>{{cite web |title=Last Name Origins and Meanings |url=http://genealogy.familyeducation.com/surname-origin/kaul |publisher=familyeducation.com |accessdate=5 September 2012}}</ref> and is related to Saivite beliefs.<ref name=BhatKaulDhar>{{cite book|first1=S. |last1=Bhat |first2=J. N. |last2=Kaul |first3=B. B. |last3=Dhar |first4=Arun |last4=Shalia|title=Kashmiri Scholars Contribution to Knowledge & World Peace|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=It1LePnN2LsC&pg=PA134 |accessdate=18 March 2012|year=2008|publisher=APH Publishing |location=New Delhi |isbn= 978-81-313-0402-0 |pages=130–133}}</ref>
The word ''Kaul'', meaning ''well born'', is derived from ''Kula'', the [[Sanskrit]] term for family or clan.


==Origins==
==Origins==
There are several theories regarding the origins of Kaul as a surname.
There are several theories regarding the origins of Kaul as a surname.


===Kaul from Mahakaul===
===Koul from Mahakoul===
One says that it is associated with the word ''Mahakaul'', an [[epithet]] for [[Shiva]]. ''Shiva'' followers were thus called ''[[Kaula (Hinduism)|Kaula]]''.<ref name=BhatKaulDhar2>{{cite book|first1=S. |last1=Bhat |first2=J. N. |last2=Koal |first3=B. B. |last3=Dhar |first4=Arun |last4=Shalia|title=Kashmiri Scholars Contribution to Knowledge & World Peace|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=It1LePnN2LsC&pg=PA134 |accessdate=18 March 2012|year=2008|publisher=APH Publishing |location=New Delhi |isbn= 978-81-313-0402-0 |pages=131}}</ref> Kaul therefore means a devotee of [[Shiva]].<ref name=RamK>{{cite book|first=Ram Krishen |last=Kaul|title=Sociology of Names and Nicknames of India, with special reference to ''Kas'mira'' |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XWcbAAAAYAAJ&q=kaul#search_anchor |accessdate=7 July 2012|year=1982|publisher=Utpal Publications |location=New Delhi|page=98}}</ref>
One says that it is associated with the word ''Mahakaul'' ({{langx|sa|महाकौल|translit=Mahākaula}}), an [[epithet]] for [[Shiva]]. ''Shiva'' followers were thus called ''[[Kaula (Hinduism)|Kaula]]''.<ref name=BhatKaulDhar2>{{cite book|first1=S. |last1=Bhat |first2=J. N. |last2=Koal |first3=B. B. |last3=Dhar |first4=Arun |last4=Shalia|title=Kashmiri Scholars Contribution to Knowledge & World Peace|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=It1LePnN2LsC&pg=PA134 |accessdate=18 March 2012|year=2008|publisher=APH Publishing |location=New Delhi |isbn= 978-81-313-0402-0 |pages=131}}</ref> Koul therefore means a devotee of Shiva.<ref name=RamK>{{cite book|first=Ram Krishen |last=Kaul|title=Sociology of Names and Nicknames of India, with special reference to ''Kas'mira'' |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XWcbAAAAYAAJ&q=kaul |accessdate=7 July 2012|year=1982|publisher=Utpal Publications |location=New Delhi|page=98}}</ref>


===Kaul/Koul from Shakta worship===
=== Koul/Kaul from Shakta worship ===
Another states that since the Saraswat Brahmins of Kas'mira were believers in Shaivism and Shakta, the peak of Shaivism in Kashmir around the 9th century ~ 12th century gave rise to use of the name.<ref name=BhatKaulDhar /> This has led many scholars to believe that almost all Kashmiri Pandits were Kauls/Koul and they were later subdivided into different nicknames, & with the passage of time these nicknames became surnames. In recent years the use of the nicknames is being progressively discarded and surname Kaul/Koul is being adopted by almost all such people. The word Kaul/Koul is associated with being an ''aghoreshwara'' or enlightened. The practitioners ''(sadhaks)'' of the ''Tantra'', associated with Shakti worship, are believed to reach the top of the spiritual ladder, and thus become a ''Kaul/Koul''.<ref name=BhatKaulDhar1>{{cite book|first1=S. |last1=Bhat |first2=J. N. |last2=Koal |first3=B. B. |last3=Dhar |first4=Arun |last4=Shalia|title=Kashmiri Scholars Contribution to Knowledge & World Peace|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=It1LePnN2LsC&pg=PA134 |accessdate=18 March 2012|year=2008|publisher=APH Publishing |location=New Delhi |isbn= 978-81-313-0402-0 |pages=130–133}}</ref><ref name=RamK1>{{cite book|first=Ram Krishen |last=Koal|title=Sociology of Names and Nicknames of India, with special reference to ''Kas'mira'' |year=1982|publisher=Utpal Publications |location=New Delhi|page=161}}</ref>
Another states that since the [[Saraswat Brahmin|Saraswat Brahmins of Kashmira]] were believers in [[Shaivism]] and [[Shaktism|Shakta]], the peak of [[Kashmir Shaivism|Shaivism in Kashmir]] around the 9th–12th century gave rise to use of the name.<ref name="BhatKaulDhar">{{cite book|first1=S. |last1=Bhat |first2=J. N. |last2=Kaul |first3=B. B. |last3=Dhar |first4=Arun |last4=Shalia|title=Kashmiri Scholars Contribution to Knowledge & World Peace|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=It1LePnN2LsC&pg=PA134 |accessdate=18 March 2012|year=2008|publisher=APH Publishing |location=New Delhi |isbn= 978-81-313-0402-0 |pages=130–133}}</ref> This has led many scholars to believe that almost all [[Kashmiri Pandits]] were Kauls/Kouls and they were later subdivided into different nicknames, then with the passage of time these nicknames became surnames. In recent years the use of the nicknames is being progressively discarded and the surname ''Kaul/Koul'' is being adopted by almost all such people. The word ''Kaul/Koul'' is associated with being an ''[[Aghoreshwar]]'' ({{langx|sa|अघोरेश्वर|lit=enlightened|translit=aghōrēśvara}}). The ''[[Sādhaka|Sādhakas]]'' ({{langx|sa|साधक|lit=practitioners|translit=sādhaka}}) of the ''[[Tantra]]'', associated with ''[[Shakti]]'' worship, are believed to reach the top of the spiritual ladder, and thus become a ''Kaul/Koul''.<ref name="BhatKaulDhar" /><ref name="RamK1">{{cite book|first=Ram Krishen |last=Koal|title=Sociology of Names and Nicknames of India, with special reference to ''Kas'mira'' |year=1982|publisher=Utpal Publications |location=New Delhi|page=161}}</ref>


==Notable people with Kaul surname==
==Notable people with Kaul surname==
<!-- Alphabetically placed -->
[[File:Portrait of Radha Krishan Kaul, Pahari-Sikh; attributed to Chhajju, from the family of Nainsukh of Guler, ca.1840.jpg|thumb|Portrait of [[Radha Krishan Kaul]], an astrologer of the [[Sikh Empire]]. Pahari-Sikh; attributed to [[Chhaju Ram]], from the family of [[Nainsukh]] of [[Guler chieftaincy|Guler]], ca.1840]]<!-- Alphabetically placed -->


* [[Bansi Kaul]] (b. 1949), theatre director
* [[Anita Kaul]] (1954–2016), [[Indian Administrative Service]] officer
* [[Brij Mohan Kaul]], commanded the Indian forces in the [[Sino-Indian War]]
* [[Bansi Kaul]] (born 1949), Indian writer and theatre director
* [[Ekta Kaul]] (b. 1987), Indian television actress
* [[Bharat Kaul]], Bengali actor
* [[Brij Mohan Kaul]] (1912–1972), commanded the [[Indian Armed Forces|Indian forces]] in the [[Sino-Indian War]]
* [[Ekta Kaul]] (born 1987), Indian television actress
* [[Hari Kishan Kaul]] (1869–1942), Kashmiri politician and author
* [[Hari Kishan Kaul]] (1869–1942), Kashmiri politician and author
* [[Josh Kaul]] (b. 1980), 45th [[List of Attorneys General of Wisconsin|Attorney General of Wisconsin]]
* [[Josh Kaul]] (born 1980), [[List of Wisconsin attorneys general|45th Attorney General of Wisconsin]]
* [[Kailas Nath Kaul]] (1905–1983), Indian [[botanist]] and [[agricultural scientist]], brother of Kamala
* [[Kailas Nath Kaul]] (1905–1983), Indian botanist and agricultural scientist, brother of [[Kamala Nehru|Kamala]]
* [[Kamala Nehru|Kamala Kaul Nehru]] (1899–1936), Indian freedom fighter and wife of first Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru
* [[Kamala Nehru|Kamala Kaul Nehru]] (1899–1936), [[List of Indian independence activists|Indian freedom fighter]] and wife of first [[Prime Minister of India|Indian Prime Minister]] [[Jawaharlal Nehru]]
* [[Kanchi Kaul]], Indian TV actress & model
* [[Kanchi Kaul]] (born 1982), Indian TV actress and model
*[[Krsna (rapper)|Krishna Kaul]] , Indian Rapper
* [[KRSNA (rapper)|Krishna Kaul]] (born 1989), Indian rapper, known as KR$NA, and formerly as Prozpekt
*
* [[Mahendra Kaul]] (1922–2018), British [[BBC]] broadcaster and television presenter
* [[Mahendra Kaul]] (1922-2018), [[BBC]] broadcaster and television presenter
* [[Manav Kaul]] (born 1986), Indian theatre director, playwright, actor and film-maker
* [[Manav Kaul]], Indian theatre director, playwright, actor and film-maker
* [[Mani Kaul]] (1944–2011), Indian film director
* [[Mani Kaul]] (1944–2011), Indian film director
* [[Manohar Kaul]] (1925–1999), painter
* [[Manohar Kaul]] (1925–1999), Indian painter
* [[Matthias Kaul]] (1949–2020), German musician
* [[Matthias Kaul]] (1949–2020), German musician
* [[P. K. Kaul]] (1929-2007), ambassador of India to the United States (1986–1989)
* [[Niklas Kaul]] (born 1998), German athlete specializing in the decathlon
* [[Raj Kaul]], Nehru family patriarch
* [[P. K. Kaul|Pratap Kishen Kaul]] (1929–2007), [[List of ambassadors of India to the United States|ambassador of India to the United States]] (1986–1989)
* [[Robert H. Kaul]] (1911–2000), Associate Justice of the Kansas Supreme Court
* [[Rajni Kaul]], British [[BBC Hindi]] broadcaster and radio presenter, wife of [[Mahendra Kaul|Mahendra]]
* [[Siddarth Kaul]] (b. 1990), Indian cricketer, medium pace bowler
* [[Raj Kaul]], Indian [[Sanskrit]] and [[Persian language|Persian]] scholar and [[Nehru–Gandhi family|Nehru family]] patriarch
* [[Sheila Kaul]] (1915–2015) Indian politician, cabinet minister
* [[Sheila Kaul]] (1915–2015), Indian politician, cabinet minister
* [[S. K. Kaul]] (b. 1934), [[Air Chief Marshal]] of the [[Indian Air Force]], former [[Chief of Air Staff (India)]] (1993–1995)
* [[Siddarth Kaul]] (born 1990), Indian cricketer, medium pace bowler
* [[Triloki Nath Kaul]] (1913–2000), Indian diplomat, Indian Foreign Secretary (1967 - 1972)
* [[S. K. Kaul|Swaroop Krishna Kaul]] (born 1934), [[Air chief marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]] of the [[Indian Air Force]], [[Chief of the Air Staff (India)]] (1993–1995)
* [[V. N. Kaul]] (b. 1943), Indian civil servant, [[Comptroller and Auditor General of India|CAG]] (2002-2008), [[Padma Bhushan]]
* [[Sanjay Kaul]] (born 1962), Indian businessman and founder of the [[University of Petroleum and Energy Studies]]
* [[Sanjay Kaul]] (b. 1962), Indian businessman and founder of the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies
* [[Sanjay Kishan Kaul]] (born 1958), [[Chief Justice of India|Judge]], [[Supreme Court of India]] and former lawyer
* [[Sanjay Kishan Kaul]] (b.1958), Judge, [[Supreme Court of India]] and Former Lawyer
* [[Triloki Nath Kaul]] (1913–2000), Indian diplomat, [[Foreign Secretary (India)|Indian Foreign Secretar]]<nowiki/>[[Foreign Secretary (India)|y]] (1967–1972)
* [[V. N. Kaul|Vijayendra Nath Kaul]] (born 1943), Indian civil servant, [[Comptroller and Auditor General of India|Comptroller and Auditor General]] (2002–2008)
 
== Notable people with Koul surname ==
 
* [[Anil Koul]] (born 1972), Indian pharmacologist
* [[Omkar Nath Koul]] (1941–2018), Indian linguist
* [[Scaachi Koul]] (born 1991), Canadian journalist and writer
* [[Shadi Lal Koul]] (1954–2020), Kashmiri actor


== See also ==
== See also ==
Line 54: Line 67:


{{Kashmiri families}}
{{Kashmiri families}}
{{surname|Kaul}}


[[Category:Surnames]]
[[Category:Surnames of Indian origin]]
[[Category:Surnames of Hindu origin]]
[[Category:Kashmiri tribes]]
[[Category:Kashmiri-language surnames]]
[[Category:Kashmiri Pandits]]
[[Category:Kashmiri Pandits]]
[[Category:Kashmiri Hindus]]
[[Category:Surnames]]
[[Category:Indian surnames]]

Latest revision as of 09:04, 9 March 2026


This article is about the surname. For other uses, see Kaul (disambiguation).
"Koul" redirects here. For other uses, see Koul (disambiguation).


Kaul (also spelled Koul; Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.) is a Kashmiri surname that is used by the Kashmiri Pandit community in India.[1][2][3]

The word Kaul, meaning well born, is derived from Kula, the Sanskrit term for family or clan.

Origins[edit | edit source]

There are several theories regarding the origins of Kaul as a surname.

Koul from Mahakoul[edit | edit source]

One says that it is associated with the word Mahakaul (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.), an epithet for Shiva. Shiva followers were thus called Kaula.[4] Koul therefore means a devotee of Shiva.[5]

Koul/Kaul from Shakta worship[edit | edit source]

Another states that since the Saraswat Brahmins of Kashmira were believers in Shaivism and Shakta, the peak of Shaivism in Kashmir around the 9th–12th century gave rise to use of the name.[6] This has led many scholars to believe that almost all Kashmiri Pandits were Kauls/Kouls and they were later subdivided into different nicknames, then with the passage of time these nicknames became surnames. In recent years the use of the nicknames is being progressively discarded and the surname Kaul/Koul is being adopted by almost all such people. The word Kaul/Koul is associated with being an Aghoreshwar (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.). The Sādhakas (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.) of the Tantra, associated with Shakti worship, are believed to reach the top of the spiritual ladder, and thus become a Kaul/Koul.[6][7]

Notable people with Kaul surname[edit | edit source]

Portrait of Radha Krishan Kaul, an astrologer of the Sikh Empire. Pahari-Sikh; attributed to Chhaju Ram, from the family of Nainsukh of Guler, ca.1840

Notable people with Koul surname[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Kumar Suresh Singh (1996). People of India: Delhi. Manohar Publishers for Anthropological Survey of India. p. 324. ISBN 978-8173040962. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  2. ↑ Schofield, Victoria (2003). Kashmir in conflict. I.B. Tauris & Co. p. 4. ISBN 1860648983. Retrieved 25 June 2012., ...looms rose to 24,000 by 1813. Despite the religious oppression that many hindus were subjected , they were however, useful to the Afghans because of their administrative experience. Kashmiri Pandits were not prevented into entering into government service & there were some families whose names consistently appear in public service - the Dhars, Kauls, Tikkus & Saprus.
  3. ↑ Irvin Molotsky, Wayne King (2 September 1986). "The Kauls are Everywhere". nytimes.com. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  4. ↑ Bhat, S.; Koal, J. N.; Dhar, B. B.; Shalia, Arun (2008). Kashmiri Scholars Contribution to Knowledge & World Peace. New Delhi: APH Publishing. p. 131. ISBN 978-81-313-0402-0. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  5. ↑ Kaul, Ram Krishen (1982). Sociology of Names and Nicknames of India, with special reference to Kas'mira. New Delhi: Utpal Publications. p. 98. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Bhat, S.; Kaul, J. N.; Dhar, B. B.; Shalia, Arun (2008). Kashmiri Scholars Contribution to Knowledge & World Peace. New Delhi: APH Publishing. pp. 130–133. ISBN 978-81-313-0402-0. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  7. ↑ Koal, Ram Krishen (1982). Sociology of Names and Nicknames of India, with special reference to Kas'mira. New Delhi: Utpal Publications. p. 161.
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