Assamese Brahmin: Difference between revisions

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| related          = [[Kanyakubja Brahmin]], [[Maithil Brahmin]], [[Utkala Brahmin]], [[Bahun]], [[Bengali Brahmins]], [[Saraswat Brahmins]], [[Kulin Brahmins]]
| related          = Other Brahmin groups: {{hlist|[[Bengali Brahmins]], [[Kanyakubja Brahmin]], [[Utkala Brahmin]], [[Maithil Brahmin]], [[Bahun]], [[Saraswat Brahmins]], [[Kulin Brahmins]]}}
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{{Culture of Assam}}
'''Assamese Brahmins''' are the [[Brahmin|Brahmin community]] present in the [[Assamese people|Assamese society]]. There they have historically promoted knowledge and religion, including branches such as literature, astronomy, and philosophy.<ref>{{harv|Dikshit|Dikshit|2013|p=397}}</ref> The Brahmins migrated to [[Assam]] from [[Mithila (region)|Videha (Mithila)]], [[Kannauj]], [[Bengal]] [[Kingdom of Gauda|(Gauda)]] and many other places.<ref>{{harv|Dikshit|Dikshit|2013|p=390}}</ref>
 
'''Assamese Brahmins''' are the [[Brahmins]] present in the [[Assamese people|Assamese society]]. There are two classes of Brahmins in [[Assam]] Chandra-Vipra ( Brahman/ Bamun) and Surya-Vipra (Daivagya Brahman/ Ganak). In Assam, usually The Chandra-Vipras perform the tasks of a Pujari in the Douls/Devalayas ( Temples ) and hindu households and The Surya-Vipras perform the tasks of Jyotish, Ayurved, Graha Pujas etc. But there are  exceptions, in many parts of Assam( specially in Lower Assam) Surya-Vipras also perform the task of a pujari in many Devalayas. Similarly, some Chandra-Vipras also perform Jyotish & Ayurvedic tasks. The Assamese Brahmins were originally priests from different regions of India ( like Mithila, Kannauj, Bengal etc ), who came to Assam on the Invitation of different Kings. From or Before the time when Assam was known as Pragjyotishpur ( mentioned in Mahabharata), Brahmins are coming to this region. The Religious worship in temples is generally carried out by them.<ref>{{harv|Barua|2000|pp=1–3}}</ref>
 
There they promoted learning, [[Historical Vedic religion|Vedic religion]] and astrology, ayurveda as well as imparting general vedic knowledge to the public.<ref>{{harv|Dikshit|Dikshit|2013|p=397}}</ref> The Brahmins of Assam are the descendants of early migrants from the Gangetic valley and a succession of influences, ideas and cultures entered Assam with them. The Brahmins and [[Kayastha]]s came to Assam from [[Mithila (region)|Videha (Mithila)]], [[Kannauj]],<ref>{{harv|Dikshit|Dikshit|2013|p=390}}</ref> Bengal and many other places.


== History ==
== History ==
Brahmins are considered to be one of the oldest Hindu settlers in the region and held the highest positions in society.<ref>{{harv|Bose|1989}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://online.assam.gov.in/culture|title=Culture – Social Life, Social Institutions, Women|work=Government of Assam|access-date=6 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906135536/http://online.assam.gov.in/culture|archive-date=6 September 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The earliest historical evidence of settlement of Brahmins in Assam comes from various epigraphic sources of the [[Varman dynasty]] (350–650).<ref>"On the other hand, this story may reflect the historical process of the expansion of agrarian settlements of the brahmanas which has been recognized from the Bhauma-Varman dynasty." {{harvcol||Shin|2010|p=10}}</ref> In the late medieval period beginning with the early 16th century, a number of Brahmins from [[Mithila (region)|Mithila]], [[Benaras]], [[Kanauj]], [[Bengal]] and [[Puri]] (Srikshetra),  were settled in western Assam by the [[Koch dynasty|Koch kings]] for performing Brahminical rites.<ref>{{harvp|Shin|2010|p=22}}: "It is suggested that under the Koch kings, patronage of brahmans began earlier and more vigorously than in the Ahom kingdom. Encouraged both by the Koch kings and the regional ''bhuiyan'' landlords, a number of brahmanas from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Bengal migrated into western Assam in the sixteen century"</ref><ref>{{harv|Adhikary|2018|}}: Apart from this Maharaja Biswa Singha (Koch dynasty) invited a large number of Brahmins from Kanouj, Benaras and other learning places and provided them rent free lands to perform religious practice. He also appointed Ballabhacharya, the chief priest of Kamakhya Temple to Koch Kingdom."</ref><ref>{{harv|Sheikh|2012|p=251}}: "He ([[Biswa Singha]]) brought some learned Brahmanas from Mithila, Benaras, Kanauj, and Srikshetra (Puri) to his kingdom in order to perform the Brahminical rituals"</ref> During the reign of [[Nara Narayan]] (1554-1587) of the [[Koch dynasty]], two Brahmins named Siddhantavagisa and Vidyavagisa were brought from [[Gauda (city)|Gauda]] and Siddhantavagisa was responsible for the spread of Hinduism in the Koch kingdom<ref>{{harvcol|Sheikh|2012|p=251}}</ref>  Even during the reign of Koch king Prannarayana (1633-1655), Brahmins were brought from Mithilia to serve in the Koch kingdom<ref>{{harvcol|Shin|2021|p=32}}</ref> and this process was later continued by the [[Ahom kingdom|Ahom]] state especially under the [[Tungkhungia Ahom kings]] with [[Siva Singha]] donating 19 out of the 48 landgrants by the Ahom kings to Brahmins.<ref>{{harvp|Das|2014|p=158}}: "The practice of giving grants to gain religious merit can be seem in full blossom in Ahom times"</ref> The migration of Brahmins into Assam took place from Central [[Himalayas]] as well.<ref>{{harvcol|Witzel|1993|p=266}}</ref> Most of these migration took place due to the foreign invasions in [[North India]] and on the invitation by the local rulers.<ref>{{harvcol|Witzel|1993|p=266}}</ref> Traditionally these Brahmins held the highest positions in society.<ref>{{harv|Bose|1989}}</ref>
 
Assamese Brahmins are the community in that state who are considered to have [[Caucasoid]] origins.<ref>{{harv|Patra|2011|p=15}}</ref>
 
The earliest historical evidence of settlement of Brahmins in Assam comes from epigraphic sources of the [[Varman dynasty]] (350–650).<ref>"On the other hand, this story may reflect the historical process of the expansion of agrarian settlements of the brahmanas which has been recognized from the Bhauma-Varman dynasty." {{harvcol||Shin|2010|p=10}}</ref> In the late medieval period beginning with the early 16th century, a number of Brahmins from [[Mithila (region)|Mithila]], [[Benaras]], [[Kanauj]], [[Bengal]] and [[Puri]] (Srikshetra),  were settled in western Assam by the [[Koch dynasty|Koch kings]] for performing Brahminical rites.<ref>{{harvp|Shin|2010|p=22}}: "It is suggested that under the Koch kings, patronage of brahmans began earlier and more vigorously than in the Ahom kingdom. Encouraged both by the Koch kings and the regional ''bhuiyan'' landlords, a number of brahmanas from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Bengal migrated into western Assam in the sixteen century"</ref><ref>{{harv|Adhikary|2018|}}: Apart from this Maharaja Biswa Singha (Koch dynasty) invited a large number of Brahmins from Kanouj, Benaras and other learning places and provided them rent free lands to perform religious practice. He also appointed Ballabhacharya, the chief priest of Kamakhya Temple to Koch Kingdom."</ref><ref>{{harv|Sheikh|2012|p=251}}: "He ([[Biswa Singha]]) brought some learned Brahmanas from Mithila, Benaras, Kanauj, and Srikshetra (Puri) to his kingdom in order to perform the Brahminical rituals"</ref> During the reign of [[Nara Narayan]] (1554-1587) of the [[Koch dynasty]], two Brahmins named Siddhantavagisa and Vidyavagisa were brought from [[Gauda (city)|Gauda]] and Siddhantavagisa was responsible for the spread of Hinduism in the Koch kingdom<ref>{{harvcol|Sheikh|2012|p=251}}</ref>  Even during the reign of Koch king Prannarayana (1633-1655), Brahmins were brought from Mithilia to serve in the Koch kingdom<ref>{{harvcol|Shin|2021|p=32}}</ref> and this process was later continued by the [[Ahom kingdom|Ahom]] state especially under the [[Tungkhungia Ahom kings]] with [[Siva Singha]] donating 19 out of the 48 landgrants by the Ahom kings to Brahmins.<ref>{{harvp|Das|2014|p=158}}: "The practice of giving grants to gain religious merit can be seem in full blossom in Ahom times"</ref>
The migration of Brahmins into Assam took place from Central [[Himalayas]] as well.<ref>{{harvcol|Witzel|1993|p=266}}</ref>
Most of these migration took place due to the foreign invasions in [[North India]] and on the invitation by the local rulers.<ref>{{harvcol|Witzel|1993|p=266}}</ref>


== Tradition and culture==
== Tradition and culture==
=== Lagundeoni/Upanayan ===
=== Lagundeoni/Upanayana ===
Traditionally, the ceremony of [[Lagundeoni]] – one of the [[Sanskaras]] or rites of passage marking acceptance of a student by a [[Guru]], is a quite prevalent ritual within the community.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://online.assam.gov.in/documents/10156/bb449a06-3262-469c-be21-69b21d4df317|title=Assam State Gazetteer Vol. 1, page 317 – ''Government of Assam''|work=Mr. Amlan Baruah and S.B. Roy Choudhury|date=1999|access-date=6 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108110433/http://online.assam.gov.in/documents/10156/bb449a06-3262-469c-be21-69b21d4df317|archive-date=8 January 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> A sacred thread – ''Lagun'' (the Yajnopavit), given by a [[Pujari]] during the ceremony is a symbolic reminder to the young male born to the Brahmin family of his purpose at school, as well as a social marker of the student as someone who has embarked his journey into formal education, where education itself is not limited to ritual and philosophical speculations, but extends to all practical aspects of culture and life in general. The ceremony is typically performed between ages 12 – 14 among Brahmin males.
Traditionally, the ceremony of [[Lagundeoni]] – one of the [[Sanskaras|samskaras]] or rites of passage marking acceptance of a student by a [[guru]], is a quite prevalent ritual within the community.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://online.assam.gov.in/documents/10156/bb449a06-3262-469c-be21-69b21d4df317|title=Assam State Gazetteer Vol. 1, page 317 – ''Government of Assam''|work=Mr. Amlan Baruah and S.B. Roy Choudhury|date=1999|access-date=6 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108110433/http://online.assam.gov.in/documents/10156/bb449a06-3262-469c-be21-69b21d4df317|archive-date=8 January 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>


=== Death rituals===
=== Death rituals===
Brahmins of the [[Assam valley]] follow a different death ritual as opposed to the other indigenous communities in Assam. A religious rite, known as ''Caturthā'' is performed on the 4th day of a person's demise unlike ''Tiloni'', performed on the 3rd day of person's demise by non–Brahmin indigenous communities.<ref>{{harv|Sarma|1990|p=54}}</ref>
Brahmins of the [[Assam valley]] follow a different death ritual as opposed to the other indigenous communities in Assam. A religious rite, known as ''Caturthā'' is performed on the 4th day of a person's demise unlike ''Tiloni'', performed on the 3rd day of person's demise by non–Brahmin indigenous communities.<ref>{{harv|Sarma|1990|p=54}}</ref>
=== Pujas===
Most Brahmin families are involved in performing religious rituals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://online.assam.gov.in/web/guest%20/people?webContentId=174793|title=Religion and Caste|work=Assam On–line Portal, Government of Assam|access-date=6 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120831132114/http://online.assam.gov.in/web/guest%20/people?webContentId=174793|archive-date=31 August 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> These are known as [[Pujas]].
The main Pujas are as follows -
[[Satyanarayan Puja]], [[Durga Puja]], [[Lakshmi Puja|Laxmi Puja]], [[Shiva Puja]], [[Ganesh Chaturthi|Ganesha Puja]], Saraswati Puja, Annapura Puja, Jagadhatri Puja, Kali Puja and many others.


==Lifestyle==
==Lifestyle==
Although in general Brahmins observe all the customary rituals, they appear usually less rigid<ref>{{harv|Bose|1989|p=44}}</ref> in some of their traditional lifestyle choices, such as they may eat meat, fish, unlike their counterparts in other parts of India like the North and the South.<ref group=web name=TheWire>[https://thewire.in/120108/assam-government-withdraws-meat-sale-ban-cultural-festival-social-media-outcry/"Assam Government Withdraws Meat Sale Ban at Cultural Festival After Social Media Outcry"]''The Wire''</ref>
Although in general Brahmins observe all the customary rituals, they appear usually less rigid<ref>{{harv|Bose|1989|p=44}}</ref> in some of their traditional lifestyle choices, such as they may eat meat, fish, unlike their counterparts in other parts of India like the North and the South.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Assam Government Withdraws Meat Sale Ban at Cultural Festival After Social Media Outcry |url=https://thewire.in/politics/assam-government-withdraws-meat-sale-ban-cultural-festival-social-media-outcry |access-date=2023-08-09 |website=The Wire}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Saikia |first=Yasmin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WfSmsuO6QugC |title=Fragmented Memories: Struggling to be Tai-Ahom in India |date=2004-11-09 |publisher=Duke University Press |isbn=978-0-8223-8616-2 |pages=289 |language=en |quote=Assamese Brahmins are not vegetarians, but they are very judgmental about other peoples' food and eating habits. Brahmins else- where in India consider the Assamese Brahmins polluted and impure}}</ref>


== Present ==
== Present ==
The Brahmins constitute one of the [[Forward Class|Forward classes]] of Assam<ref group=web name=Telegraph>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150815022646/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150811/jsp/northeast/story_36532.jsp "Sabha lists NRC demands – ''Assam literary body seeks changes in legacy data provision"]''The Telegraph''</ref> based on the classifications of [[Government of India]], although the recent trend on economic condition has not been very well within the community. Assam's former Chief Minister, [[Tarun Gogoi]] announced setting up of development councils for several communities in the state, including Brahmins.<ref group=web name=IndiaToday>[http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/gogoi-announces-development-councils-for-brahmins-others/1/560294.html "Gogoi announces development councils for Brahmins, others"]''India Today''</ref>
The Brahmins constitute one of the [[Forward Class|Forward classes]] of Assam based on the classifications of [[Government of India]], although the recent trend on economic condition has not been very well within the community. Assam's former Chief Minister, [[Tarun Gogoi]] announced setting up of development councils for several communities in the state, including Brahmins.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gogoi announces development councils for Brahmins, others |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/pti-feed/story/gogoi-announces-development-councils-for-brahmins-others-481282-2016-01-01 |access-date=2023-08-09 |website=India Today |date=January 2016 |language=en}}</ref>


== Surnames of Assamese Brahmins ==
== Notable people ==
 
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
* Sarma/Sarmah/Sharma
!Name
* Dev Sharma
!Portrait
* Goswami
!Notability
* Bhagawati
!References
* Bordoloi
|-
* Doloi
|[[Anundoram Borooah]]
* Savapandit
|[[File:Ananda Ram Baruah.jpg|thumb]]
* Pandit
|India's 1st Indian [[District Collector]], 6th [[Imperial Civil Service]] officer & 1st [[Graduate diploma|Graduate]] from [[Assam]]/[[Northeast India]].
* Pujari/Borpujari
|
* Borthakur/Barthakur
|-
* Thakur
|[[Hem Barua]] (original name was Hem Chandra Sarma Barua)
* Bhattacharya
|
* Acharya
|Former 3 times [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]] from [[Assam]].
* Bhatta
|
* Bezbaruah
|-
* Baruah
|[[Lakshminath Bezbarua]]
* Majindar baruah
|[[File:Laksminath Bezbaruah.jpg|thumb]]
* Changkakoti
|
* Hatikakoti
|
* Borkakoti
|-
* Kakoti
|[[Bijoy Chandra Bhagavati]]
* Kataky
|[[File:Bijoy Chandra Bhagavati portrait.gif|thumb]]
* Borkotoky
|[[Union Minister of State|Former Union Minister of State]] in [[Second Nehru ministry]]
* Khound
|
* Phukan
|-
* Chakraborty
|[[Gopinath Bordoloi]]
* Devi
|[[File:Gopinath Bordoloi.jpg|thumb]]
* Bharadwaj
|[[List of chief ministers of Assam|1st Chief Minister of Assam]] & [[Prime Minister of Assam|2nd Prime Minister of Assam]]
* Kashyap
|
* Kaushik
|-
* Sandilya
|[[Himanta Biswa Sarma]]
* Gautam
|[[File:Himanta Biswa Sarma (cropped).jpg|thumb]]
* Bashistha/Vasishtha
|[[Chief Minister of Assam]]
* Garg
|
* Parashar
|-
* Bhargav
|[[Jaimini Bhagwati]]
Some of these titles were Given to some Brahmins, who were working in/under the Royal Court of King. Some of these titles were also given to the people of other caste.  
|[[File:Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (8112105043).jpg|thumb]]
examples : Phukan, Kataky, Kakoti, Baruah, Bordoloi etc
|[[High commissioner|Indiam High commissioner]] to [[United Kingdom]]
 
|
== Notable Personalities ==
|-
 
|[[Phani Sarma]]
* [[Himanta Biswa Sarma]]
|
* [[Zubeen Garg]]
|
* [[Arnab Goswami]]
|
*[[Lakshminath Bezbaroa]]
|-
*[[Gopinath Bordoloi]]
|[[Bijoya Chakravarty]]
*[[Hemchandra Goswami]]
|[[File:Bijoya Chakravarty in August 2015.jpg|thumb]]
*[[Nalini Bala Devi]]
|Former [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha|Member of Rajya Sabha]]
*[[Hiren Bhattacharyya]]
|
* [[Kamalakanta Bhattacharya (Assam)|Kamalakanta Bhattacharya]]
|-
* [[Mamoni Raisom Goswami]]
|[[Zubeen Garg]]
* [[Nipon Goswami]]
|
* [[Anuradha Sharma Pujari]]
|
* [[Ravi Sarma]]
|
* [[Samujjal Bhattacharyja]]
|}
* [[Siddhartha Bhattacharya]]
* [[Rupam Sarmah]]
* Paban Kumar Borthakur
* [[Nishita Goswami]]  
* [[Dipannita Sharma]]  


==See also==
==See also==
Line 117: Line 97:
*[[Bengali Brahmins]]
*[[Bengali Brahmins]]


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


== References ==
==Further reading==
===Published-sources===
===Published-sources===
* {{citation|last=Witzel|first=Michael|year=1993|title=Towards a History of the Brahmins|volume=113|issue=2|pages=264–268|journal=Journal of the American Oriental Society|publisher=American Oriental Society|doi=10.2307/603031 |jstor=603031 }}
* {{citation|last=Witzel|first=Michael|year=1993|title=Towards a History of the Brahmins|volume=113|issue=2|pages=264–268|journal=Journal of the American Oriental Society|publisher=American Oriental Society|doi=10.2307/603031 |jstor=603031 }}
Line 127: Line 107:
* {{cite journal |last1=Das |first1=Sneha |year=2014 |title=Engraved Histories: A Study of Legend of Naraka and Political Legitimacy in the Kamarupa Region |journal= Proceedings of the Indian History Congress |volume=75 |pages=153–159 |publisher= Indian History Congress |jstor=44158374|issn=2249-1937}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Das |first1=Sneha |year=2014 |title=Engraved Histories: A Study of Legend of Naraka and Political Legitimacy in the Kamarupa Region |journal= Proceedings of the Indian History Congress |volume=75 |pages=153–159 |publisher= Indian History Congress |jstor=44158374|issn=2249-1937}}
* {{cite journal|last=Sheikh|first=Amiruzzaman|title=The 16th century Koch kingdom: Evolving patterns of sanskritisation|date=2012|journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress |volume= 73|pages=249–254|jstor=44156212|issn=2249-1937}}
* {{cite journal|last=Sheikh|first=Amiruzzaman|title=The 16th century Koch kingdom: Evolving patterns of sanskritisation|date=2012|journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress |volume= 73|pages=249–254|jstor=44156212|issn=2249-1937}}
*{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d3PfztHTv0sC&pg=PA1|title=Nalinibala Devi|year=2000 |first=Preeti |last=Barua|isbn=9788126009169}}
*{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d3PfztHTv0sC&pg=PA1|title=Nalinibala Devi|year=2000 |first=Preeti |last=Barua|publisher=Sahitya Akademi |isbn=9788126009169}}
*{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iorHBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA397 |title=North-East India: Land, People and Economy|year= 2013|first1=K. R. |last1=Dikshit |first2=Jutta K. |last2=Dikshit |publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=9789400770553}}
*{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iorHBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA397 |title=North-East India: Land, People and Economy|year= 2013|first1=K. R. |last1=Dikshit |first2=Jutta K. |last2=Dikshit |publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=9789400770553}}
*{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MFJYeS8-TlAC&pg=PA43 |title=Social History of Assam: Being a Study of the Origins of Ethnic Identity and Social Tension During the British Period, 1905-1947 – ''Pre–British History and Society''|date=1989|work=Manilal Bose, Concept Publishing Company|isbn=9788170222248|last1=Bose|first1=Manilal}}
*{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MFJYeS8-TlAC&pg=PA43 |title=Social History of Assam: Being a Study of the Origins of Ethnic Identity and Social Tension During the British Period, 1905-1947 – ''Pre–British History and Society''|date=1989|isbn=9788170222248|last1=Bose|first1=Manilal|publisher=Concept Publishing Company }}
*{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f7UTH5ROsKAC&q=ROOTS|title=Socio-economic profile of Rural India (series II) – ''Roots''|work= S.C. Patra and Ashish Vachhani, Concept Publishing Company, 2011|isbn=9788180697241|last1=Patra|first1=S. C.|year=2011}}
*{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f7UTH5ROsKAC&q=ROOTS|title=Socio-economic profile of Rural India (series II) – ''Roots''|isbn=9788180697241|last1=Patra|first1=S. C.|year=2011|publisher=Concept Publishing Company }}
*{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qOqEsStmcQQC&pg=PA31|title=Among the Luminaries in Assam: A Study of Assamese Biography|work=Anjali Sarma, Mittal Publications|date=1990|isbn=9788170992073|last1=Sarma|first1=Anjali}}
*{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qOqEsStmcQQC&pg=PA31|title=Among the Luminaries in Assam: A Study of Assamese Biography|date=1990|isbn=9788170992073|last1=Sarma|first1=Anjali|publisher=Mittal Publications }}
*{{cite journal|last=Shin|first=Jae-Eun|title=Sword and Words: A Conflict Between Kings and Brahmins in the Bengal Frontier, Kāmatāpur 15th-16th Centuries|journal=Journal of the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums|year=2021|publisher=Government of West Bengal|volume=3|pages=21–36}}
*{{cite journal|last=Shin|first=Jae-Eun|title=Sword and Words: A Conflict Between Kings and Brahmins in the Bengal Frontier, Kāmatāpur 15th-16th Centuries|journal=Journal of the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums|year=2021|publisher=Government of West Bengal|volume=3|pages=21–36}}
===Internet===
{{reflist|group=web}}


{{Assam}}
{{Assam}}


[[Category:Brahmin communities of Assam]]
[[Category:Brahmin communities of Assam| ]]
[[Category:Assamese people]]
[[Category:Brahmin communities by language]]
[[Category:Brahmin communities by language]]
[[Category:Brahmin communities across India]]
• Surya, Nirmal Prabha Bordoloi
• Surya and Suryavipra, Gulukeshwar Boruah

Latest revision as of 05:44, 23 March 2026

Assamese Brahmins
Illustration_from_the_Daily_Prayers_of_the_Brahmins_(1851)_by_Sophie_Charlotte_Belnos,_digitally_enhanced_by_rawpixel-com_21
A Brahmin priest performing daily prayers
Regions with significant populations
Assam, India
Languages
Assamese
Religion
Hinduism
Related ethnic groups
Other Brahmin groups:

Assamese Brahmins are the Brahmin community present in the Assamese society. There they have historically promoted knowledge and religion, including branches such as literature, astronomy, and philosophy.[1] The Brahmins migrated to Assam from Videha (Mithila), Kannauj, Bengal (Gauda) and many other places.[2]

History[edit | edit source]

The earliest historical evidence of settlement of Brahmins in Assam comes from various epigraphic sources of the Varman dynasty (350–650).[3] In the late medieval period beginning with the early 16th century, a number of Brahmins from Mithila, Benaras, Kanauj, Bengal and Puri (Srikshetra), were settled in western Assam by the Koch kings for performing Brahminical rites.[4][5][6] During the reign of Nara Narayan (1554-1587) of the Koch dynasty, two Brahmins named Siddhantavagisa and Vidyavagisa were brought from Gauda and Siddhantavagisa was responsible for the spread of Hinduism in the Koch kingdom[7] Even during the reign of Koch king Prannarayana (1633-1655), Brahmins were brought from Mithilia to serve in the Koch kingdom[8] and this process was later continued by the Ahom state especially under the Tungkhungia Ahom kings with Siva Singha donating 19 out of the 48 landgrants by the Ahom kings to Brahmins.[9] The migration of Brahmins into Assam took place from Central Himalayas as well.[10] Most of these migration took place due to the foreign invasions in North India and on the invitation by the local rulers.[11] Traditionally these Brahmins held the highest positions in society.[12]

Tradition and culture[edit | edit source]

Lagundeoni/Upanayana[edit | edit source]

Traditionally, the ceremony of Lagundeoni – one of the samskaras or rites of passage marking acceptance of a student by a guru, is a quite prevalent ritual within the community.[13]

Death rituals[edit | edit source]

Brahmins of the Assam valley follow a different death ritual as opposed to the other indigenous communities in Assam. A religious rite, known as Caturthā is performed on the 4th day of a person's demise unlike Tiloni, performed on the 3rd day of person's demise by non–Brahmin indigenous communities.[14]

Lifestyle[edit | edit source]

Although in general Brahmins observe all the customary rituals, they appear usually less rigid[15] in some of their traditional lifestyle choices, such as they may eat meat, fish, unlike their counterparts in other parts of India like the North and the South.[16][17]

Present[edit | edit source]

The Brahmins constitute one of the Forward classes of Assam based on the classifications of Government of India, although the recent trend on economic condition has not been very well within the community. Assam's former Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi announced setting up of development councils for several communities in the state, including Brahmins.[18]

Notable people[edit | edit source]

Name Portrait Notability References
Anundoram Borooah
India's 1st Indian District Collector, 6th Imperial Civil Service officer & 1st Graduate from Assam/Northeast India.
Hem Barua (original name was Hem Chandra Sarma Barua) Former 3 times Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha from Assam.
Lakshminath Bezbarua
Bijoy Chandra Bhagavati
Former Union Minister of State in Second Nehru ministry
Gopinath Bordoloi
1st Chief Minister of Assam & 2nd Prime Minister of Assam
Himanta Biswa Sarma
Chief Minister of Assam
Jaimini Bhagwati
Indiam High commissioner to United Kingdom
Phani Sarma
Bijoya Chakravarty
Former Member of Rajya Sabha
Zubeen Garg

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ (Dikshit & Dikshit 2013, p. 397)
  2. ↑ (Dikshit & Dikshit 2013, p. 390)
  3. ↑ "On the other hand, this story may reflect the historical process of the expansion of agrarian settlements of the brahmanas which has been recognized from the Bhauma-Varman dynasty." ( & Shin 2010:10)
  4. ↑ Shin (2010), p. 22: "It is suggested that under the Koch kings, patronage of brahmans began earlier and more vigorously than in the Ahom kingdom. Encouraged both by the Koch kings and the regional bhuiyan landlords, a number of brahmanas from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Bengal migrated into western Assam in the sixteen century"
  5. ↑ (Adhikary 2018): Apart from this Maharaja Biswa Singha (Koch dynasty) invited a large number of Brahmins from Kanouj, Benaras and other learning places and provided them rent free lands to perform religious practice. He also appointed Ballabhacharya, the chief priest of Kamakhya Temple to Koch Kingdom."
  6. ↑ (Sheikh 2012, p. 251): "He (Biswa Singha) brought some learned Brahmanas from Mithila, Benaras, Kanauj, and Srikshetra (Puri) to his kingdom in order to perform the Brahminical rituals"
  7. ↑ (Sheikh 2012:251)
  8. ↑ (Shin 2021:32)
  9. ↑ Das (2014), p. 158: "The practice of giving grants to gain religious merit can be seem in full blossom in Ahom times"
  10. ↑ (Witzel 1993:266)
  11. ↑ (Witzel 1993:266)
  12. ↑ (Bose 1989)
  13. ↑ "Assam State Gazetteer Vol. 1, page 317 – Government of Assam". Mr. Amlan Baruah and S.B. Roy Choudhury. 1999. Archived from the original on 8 January 2014. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
  14. ↑ (Sarma 1990, p. 54)
  15. ↑ (Bose 1989, p. 44)
  16. ↑ "Assam Government Withdraws Meat Sale Ban at Cultural Festival After Social Media Outcry". The Wire. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  17. ↑ Saikia, Yasmin (9 November 2004). Fragmented Memories: Struggling to be Tai-Ahom in India. Duke University Press. p. 289. ISBN 978-0-8223-8616-2. Assamese Brahmins are not vegetarians, but they are very judgmental about other peoples' food and eating habits. Brahmins else- where in India consider the Assamese Brahmins polluted and impure
  18. ↑ "Gogoi announces development councils for Brahmins, others". India Today. January 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2023.

Further reading[edit | edit source]

Published-sources[edit | edit source]

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