Audichya Brahmins

Audichya Brahmins are a Hindu Brahmin sub-caste mainly from the Indian state of Gujarat.They are the most numerous Brahmin community in Gujarat. A minority of them reside in the Indian state of Rajasthan.

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.

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. During the British colonial rule, the caste was one of the first Gujarati community to take up western education. The community along with the Bhatia also were the first to form a caste association.The caste association's aim was mutual help and support for members in the cities and to promote education.