Audichya Brahmins are a Hindu Brahmin sub-caste mainly from the Indian state of Gujarat.They are the most numerous Brahmin community in Gujarat.[1][2][3] A minority of them reside in the Indian state of Rajasthan.
Etymology
Udichi means north in the Sanskrit language.Thus, those who came from the north (Udhichi) were known as Audichya. They were brought to Gujarat from different regions of north India by a ruler called Mulraj Solanki around the turn of the first millennium.[4]
Classification
The caste is divided into two endogamous groups, the Sahsra and the Tolakia.In a census in 1883, the sahsra were numerically a much bigger community than the Tolakia. The sahasra are further subdivided into the Sihora and Sidhpora groups. The community is at times also differentiated by their geographical location they came from, for example, Marwadi audichya, Kutch audichya or Wagadia audichya. Other differentiation is by the caste that retains them as minister for rituals, for example Darji-gor, Mochi-gor, Kanbi-gor, Koli-gor ,charan- gor , Raj-gor in saurashtra and northern Gujarat.[5][2]
Demographics
India in the ten year census does not enumerate upper castes or forward castes such as brahmins and therefore it is not easy to obtain a true number of people belonging to these communities.
History
According to caste legend,they were brought to Gujarat from different regions of north India by a ruler of Anhilwada called Mulraj Solanki around the turn of the first millennium.[4] When the sacrifice was over, Mulraj bestowed on the invited brahmins grants of land to induce them to stay in his country. Those who first agreed were a thousand strong and, therefore, became known as sahasra or thousand Audichya.Those who initially refused the king's offer came to be known as Tolakiya Audichyas because they form a 'toli' or band.The Sahasra have two sub-caste amongst them. The group whose ancestors were given land around Sehor in kathiawar were called Sihora and the one who got sidhpur in present day Northern Gujarat were called Siddhpura.[6]
Society and Culture
In the past, since the Sidhpora sub-caste was considered higher in social ranking, other audichya groups considered it a point of honor to offer their daughters in marriage to Sidhpora men. In the past this custom led to polygamy amongst the Sidhpora group.[7]
References
- ↑ Wood, M.R. (1972). Changing patterns of family life in urban Gujarat : a study of twelve high-caste working women. Canada: University of British Columbia. pp. 43–44. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Gajanan Krishna Bhatavadekar (1883). Report on the Census of the Baroda Territories 1881. order of His Highness the Maharajah Gaekwar. pp. 145–146.
- ↑ Roberts, John (1971). "The Movement of Elites in Western India under Early British Rule". The Historical Journal. 14 (2): 241–262. JSTOR 2637955.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 R. B. Lal (2003). Gujarat. Popular Prakashan. pp. 82–86. ISBN 978-81-7991-104-4.
- ↑ Wood, M.R. (1972). Changing patterns of family life in urban Gujarat : a study of twelve high-caste working women. Canada: University of British Columbia. pp. 43–44. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
- ↑ Trivedi, R.K., 2016. Village Survey Monograph, Tavadia, Part VI, No-5, Vol-V. page 17[1]
- ↑ Trivedi, R.K., 2016. Village Survey Monograph, Tavadia, Part VI, No-5, Vol-V. page 17[2]