Rajpurohit

Rajpurohit[lower-alpha 1] is a Brahmin sub-caste residing in South Asia natively in western Rajasthan of India. Their ancestors belonged to family line of SaptRishis. They maintain traditions that are similar to both Brahmins and Rajputs.[3] They have been historically engaged in administration, trading, jagirdar, and as royal council members and warriors.[4] and are spread across entire country. They were given villages at boundary of kingdom. According to political analysts, the Rajput, Rajpurohit and Charan communities are considered to be identical in regards to their social customs and political ideologies.[5]

Social structure

Rajpurohits are a Brahmin community, who as a rule, did not provide Brahminical services as expected with the caste duties of Brahmins. Their ancestors are Brahmins, mostly notable Rishis of different sub castes such as Gaur, Paliwal Gaur, Khandelwal, Pushkarna, Nagar, Pareek, Dadheech and Bias but majority of them has Gaur lineage. Though they have been described as a Brahmin group which mediates matrimonial alliances of Rajputs, they did not play any role in actual rituals of the wedding for which the services of a regular Brahmin were employed. They take part in battlefield, business, promoting culture through arts, educational services etc.[6]

Political activities

The Rajpurohit community had previously been allied primarily with the Bharatiya Janata Party. In 2009, however, the community switched loyalties to the Indian National Congress, due to perceived neglect by the BJP.[5]

References

Notes

  1. Aside from being a community, Rajpurohit is synonymous with Rajguru as an ancient term for a type of Brahmin. Hermann Kulke and Dietmar Rothermund note that "There is much evidence in ancient texts that there were two ideal types of Brahmins in those days, the royal priest or advisor (rajpurohit, rajguru, "akherajot" and "kanot") and the sage (rishi) who lived in the forest and shared his wisdom only with those who asked for it."[1] Its modern use in this sense has been described by Sumit Sarkar as a "self-conscious archaism".[2]

Citations

  1. Kulke, Hermann; Rothermund, Dietmar (2004) [1986]. A History of India (Fourth ed.). Routledge. p. 5. ISBN 9780415329194. Retrieved 25 December 2012.
  2. Sarkar, Sumit (2002). Beyond Nationalist Frames: Postmodernism, Hindutva, History. Indiana University Press. p. 73. ISBN 9780253342034. Retrieved 25 December 2012.
  3. Singh, Manvendra (15 April 2013). Campaign Diary: Chronicle of an Election Fought and Lost. Penguin UK. ISBN 978-81-8475-983-9.
  4. Rima Hooja (2006). A History of Rajasthan. University of Michigan. ISBN 8129108909. Rajpurohit are a community of people residing in Bikaner State,Marwar,Nagaur etc. They were granted jagiri for large villages for their participation and bravery shown in battlefield.And were very active in councils of King
  5. "Rajpurohits pitch in for Cong". The Times of India. 14 April 2009. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
  6. Singh, Dr.Prahlad (1982). Rajpurohit Jaati ka Itihaas. Rajasthani Granthnagar.


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