Dutta

From Bharatpedia, an open encyclopedia


Dutta
Regions with significant populations
Bangladesh and India
Religion
Hinduism
Related ethnic groups
Indo-Aryan peoples
Tibeto-Burman peoples

Dutta, also spelled Datta,[1] is a Hindu family name found primarily among Bengali Kayasthas, and also among Suvarna Baniks, Gandhabaniks in India.[2][3] The name is also found among certain North Indian Brahmin communities garol means "given" or "granted" in Sanskrit and is also an alternative name for the Hindu deity Dattatreya.

Bengal[edit]

According to Indian historian Tej Ram Sharma, in Bengal the surname Dutta/Datta[4] (দত্ত) is used by Kayastha caste.[5] The office of Kayastha (scribe) was instituted before the Gupta period[5] (c.320 to 550 CE). Originally, Kayastha was composed of people from different Varnas, including Brahmins[5][6] and Kshatriyas.[6] After the Gupta reign, the Kayasthas in Bengal developed into a caste,[7] and gained a higher status,[7] incorporating the Pala, Sena and Varman Kings and their descendants.[6] In the middle period of the history of Bengal, between 1500 and 1850 CE, the Kayasthas were regarded as one of the highest of Hindu castes in the region.[8]

Punjab[edit]

Punjabi Dutt's belong to the Mohyal Brahmin community.[2] According to the gotra system, Mohyal Dutt's are the descendants of Rishi Bharadwaj.[9] Some consider Gaj Bhavan, the grandson of Rishi Bharadwaj to be the real founder of their clan.[10][11]

Other Regions[edit]

"Dutt" is also used as a titular surname or middle name in other North Indian states particularly by Brahmins. For instance, Indian wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt is a Brahmin from Haryana[12] and former politician, Narayan Dutt Tiwari was a Kumaoni Brahmin from Uttarakhand.[13]

Notable people[edit]

In popular culture[edit]

In 2012, a Bengali film Dutta vs Dutta was released, directed by Anjan Dutt, the film captured family drama of three generations of a Bengali Dutta family.[14]

References[edit]

  1. Hanks 2003, p. 504.
  2. 2.0 2.1 The Illustrated Weekly of India, Volume 97
  3. Folk-lore. Indian Publications. 1975. p. 172.
  4. Clark 2014, p. 148.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Sharma 1978, p. 115.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Wink 1991, p. 269.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Sekhar 2004, p. 20.
  8. Inden 1976, p. 1.
  9. Organiser, Volume 53 By Bharat Prakashan,page 171
  10. Reg-i-Surkh: Dut Brahman Imam Husain se Rabt o Zabt, by Mahdi Nazmi, Abu Talib Academy, New Delhi 1984, Pages 63-71.
  11. Defence Journal, Pakistan- June 2003:Tribes and Turbulence by Hamid Hussain
  12. "Yogeshwar Dutt: 11 Reasons to be proud of the unsung hero of Indian wrestling!". 2 August 2014.
  13. "Congress veteran, four-time Chief Minister, controversial Governor and reluctant father".
  14. "Datta vs Datta". Outlook. Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 16 May 2014.

Sources[edit]

Information red.svg
Scan the QR code to donate via UPI
Dear reader, We kindly request your support in maintaining the independence of Bharatpedia. As a non-profit organization, we rely heavily on small donations to sustain our operations and provide free access to reliable information to the world. We would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to consider donating to our cause, as it would greatly aid us in our mission. Your contribution would demonstrate the importance of reliable and trustworthy knowledge to you and the world. Thank you.

Please select an option below or scan the QR code to donate
₹150 ₹500 ₹1,000 ₹2,000 ₹5,000 ₹10,000 Other