Ahiwasi

Ahiwasi, sometimes spelt Ahivasi is a Brahmin sub-caste found in the states of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh in India.

Origin

The Ahiwasi take their name from the Sanskrit ahi meaning dragon and was meaning dwelling, and their name means those who come from the abode of the dragon. They are said to have gotten this name on account of their association with Rishi Saubhari, who is said to have provided sanctuary to dragons at the village of Sunrakh, in what is now Mathura District. The Ahiwasi claim to be descendants of the rishi. Historically, the Ahiwasi were involved in the carrying trade, transporting salt from Rajasthan to other parts of North India. This led to settlements of the caste in the Narmada valley. In Madhya Pradesh, according to the traditions of the caste, Ahiwasi are descended from a Brahman father and a Kshatriya mother.

Customs and traditions

The Ahiwasi are strictly endogamous, and practice clan exogamy. There clans are known as gotras, and they are divided into seventy two such gotras, the two major ones being the Dighiya and Bajrawat.

The Ahiwasi Brahmans are small and medium-sized farmers, who never been involved in priestly duties. Trade remains an important secondary occupation. In Uttar Pradesh, they are still found mainly in Mathura District, with a second settlement in Bareilly District, and Aligarh, Hathras, Noida, Sitapur and Saharanpur Gonda etc. while those in Madhya Pradesh are found mainly in Jabalpur District and Gwalior, Bhind, Hoshangabad, Harda, as well settlements in the Narmada River valley. Pandit Ramkhilavan sharma who owned land in village jamkhar and udna in jabalpur district is one of the most prominent member of ahivasi bramhin community. in Rajsthan Bharatpur, Alwar and Jaipur, Haryan Karnal, Panipat, and many villages in south Karnataka and Kerala states.