Brahmins of Kumaon Hills

The Brahmins (Priest Community) of Kumaon are the descendants of the Vedic Aryan priests who migrated from the plains.A large number of Vedic Brahmins migrated, along with the Rajputs, from Rajasthan and Gujarat. Similarly a large number of Brahmins also migrated from Maharastra / Karnatak region. In a number of cases the Brahmins who came to visit the religious places in Kumaon, decided to settle there for good. Like in case of Rajputs, they started naming their settlements/ surnames after the name of their places of origin.

The reasons for migration are lost but common practices remain: the manner of the thread ceremony for instance, in which the Vedas are read for three days, and the anointed Brahmin asks for bhiksha (alms), gets his hair tonsured and ears pierced. The Brahmins were in charge of imparting knowledge to people, prayer and rituals.

Later Brahmins from Kumaon migrated to Nepal and Garhwal Hills. For example the all Joshi's from Garwhal Hills ascribe their origin to Kumaon; some from Joshiyana village near Hawalbagh, others from Jhijar, Galli and Joshikhola in Almora.

Some scholars have argued that the Bhumihar Brahmins of Eastern U.P. and in the state of Bihar, Mohyal Brahmins in the state of Punjab, Namboothiri Brahmins in Kerela, Havyak Brahmins of Karnataka, Anavil Brahmins of Gujarat, and Kumaoni Brahmins of Uttarakhand share the same lineage and are similar to Chitpawans in custom, tradition, practices, temperament and hold Bhagvan Parshuram in high esteem. The records of Swami Sahajanand Saraswati in "Brahmarshi Vansha Vistar" and Acharya Chatursen Shastri in "Vayam Rakshamah" points towards the same origin, by taking help of all ancient texts as well as prevailing customary practices and temperament of these illustrious Brahmins.

The prominent Brahmins clans of Kumaon are :-

Joshi's.

Pant's.

Pande's.

Tiwari's.

The important sub division of these clans are :-

Joshi's

Galli

Dania.

Shela Khola.

Jhijar.

China Khan.

Gangoli Haat.

Pant's

Uprara.

Jajyut.

Chitai.

Chitgal.

Kalsela.

Barset.

Khantoli

Khunt.

Pande's

Pande Khola.

Bairti.

Paan.

Khoont.

Chakata.

Patia

Tiwari's

Tiunara.

Chaunsar.

Dubkia

Joshi

One who has the knowledge of astrology was called a Jyotishi or Joshi, it ment the same. In hills the Joshis are mostly Kanyakubja Brahmins They are amongst the Satkulis (or six leading lineages) brahmins. They were called Joshi for their knowledge in astrology. They were known for their knowledge, dexiterity and political power. In Kumaon for several centuries the political power was enjoyed by Joshis, mostly from Jhijar and Danya, and too some extent by Joshis from Galli, later on however Joshis from Cheenakhan and Makidi also progressed in this area.

Joshi's from Jhijar

Pandit Sudhanidhi Chaubey was a kanyakubja brahmin and a resident of Dyodiyakheda near Unnao. He examined the horoscope of Kunwar Som Chand and predicted that soon he will become a King and gain a kingdom in the North. Kunwar Som Chand took him to Kumaon and when after some time he acquired a kingdom he named him his wazir or Diwan. He was granted Selakhola Village near Champawat as jagir. He was called Joshi of selakhola. When his sons, Narottam Joshi and Vishnu Dass, settled down in Jhijar or Jhusiar village near Almora, they were also called Joshi of Jhijar. His other son's dcendents got Selakhola Village as jagir and were called Selakhola Joshi. The decendents of Pt Sudhanidhi Chaubey alias Joshi now live in Jhijar, Selakhola, Degauli, Naieegaon, Baliagaon, Barakot, kalaun, Kotalgaon an Almora.

Joshi's from Danya

Shri Niwas Dwivedi of Upmanyu Gotra, resident of Jairaj Makau neay Prayag, came to Kali Kumaon in the 14th Century during the regin of Raja Thohar Chand. The King was very happy with his work and gave him the title of Pandeand classified him amongst the CHAUTHANI Brahmins, then considered amongst the top four high class brahmins. After some generations one of the decendent went to Neopal and became a courtier and some brothers/ decendents became Vaidyas. One of the brothers who had gone to kashi to study Astrology, was called Joshi. In the 16th Century Shri raghunath Joshiwas given danya Village as jagir, he was called Joshi of Danya and he became the manager of Jageshwer Temple. When the Royal Courts shifted to Almora, Shri Bharat Joshi became a courtier and was given the title of Diwan. His decendents became ministers and high officials in the Chand King's court as also in the Courts of the neighbouring kings. One of the decendents Trilochan Joshi was a Diwan in the court of the Gorkha King and became the Sadar Amin to the British when they took over Kumaon from the Gorkhas, His son Shri Badri Dutt Joshi, Sadar Amin, was an extremely influential person when Sir Ramsay was the Commisioner of Kumaon.

Joshi's from Galli

Two brothers Nathu Raj and Vijay Raj Jyotishacharya of Angrish Gotra, came to Kumaon from Kannauj. They stayed in Katyuri Village during the reign of Katyuri King. They were appointed Royal Astrologers and were given Village Sedhu or Senu as jagir. Their decendents were appointed Danayadhyaksha or manager of Royal Gifts in the Gwalior Courts. One of the brothers went to Nahan and was appointed as Dharmaadhikari in the Royal Court. One of the decendent Shri Padma Nidhi Joshi got Galli village as jagir in the early 17th Century, and since then they were called Joshi's from Galli. in 1626 AD Shri Dinker Joshi was apointed as Offficer of the Accounts of the Brahmins nd was appointed as Deputy Diwan, Joshis of this Gotra live in galli, Chauda, Kapkot, Khakholi, Haneti, Khadi, gankot, Palyuda, Mala, Katyur and Mahinari; and some live in Musmauli and Garwhal too.

Pant

Pants of Bharadwaj Gotra: One Pt Jaideo Pant of Bharadwaj Gotra came on pilgrimage fromfrom Konkan Region. He came in the 10th Century during of the Chand Dynasty. He visited the holy places in Gangoli. he also went to the court of the Mankoti Court in Gangoli. He had four decendents, Shram who became the royal physician, Shri Nath became the royal tutor and spritual guide, Nathu became the reciter of puranas and Bhav Dass became the commandr in chief. During this time the Upretis had fallen grace with the king. The Pants were told to shun the Upretis, all agreed but Vishwarup, younger brother of Nathu, declined to obey. For his obstinacy he was called Hatwal and his decedents as Hatwal Pants.

Parashari Pants: Pt Dinakar Rao Pant came of Parashar Gotra accompanied his brother in law, Pandit Jaideo Pant. the Mankoti King granted him Jogyuda Village as jagir. His decendents live him in Kalshila, Piplet, Chitgal, and other villages of Gangoli.

Vashisth Gotri Pants: Their ancestors also came from Maharastra and are settled in Balna and Kurkoli.

Shram Pants: The decendents of this clan live in Almora, Uprada, Kunalta, Barsayat, Baraon, Jajut, Malera, Aghar, Chhakhata and Malauinj villages.

Shir Nath Pants: The decendents of this clan live in Tilari, Pandekhola and Agraun villages.

Nathu Pant: The decendents of this clan live in Dumalekhet, Khoont, Jyoli, and Sitauli villages.

Bhav Dass or Bhaudas : The decendents of this clan live in Pali, Syunarakot, Garaun, Bhatgaon, Dhanauli and Khantoli villages.

Pande or Pandey

Mandaliya Pande: Shri Chaturbhuj pande, a Saraswat Brahmin from Kharkota, came to Kali Kumaon. He was made a Mandaliya or a Regional Officer and given Manali Village as Jagir. His progeny live in Kali Kumaon and Almora.

Devaliya Pande: Atkinson writes gautam Gotra Pandes came from Kangra in Himachal Prades during the reign of Thohar Chand. They live in Pande Khola, Chami, Hat and Chhachar.

Badri: Settled in nayal or Parkot. They are called Parkoti Pandes or Pandes of Nayal.

Kaldhar: His decendents are vaidyas in Sira.

Dashrath : His decendents are famous as vaidyas and live in Anupshahar.

Devki Nandan : His decendents were royal priests and lived in Majehe

Pande's of Vatsa Gotra

Shri Bhramh Pande came from Kangra and became a Physician of King Sansar Chand. He had four sons Badri, Kaldhar, Dashrath and Devki Nandan, their decendents settled as follows:-

Badri: Settled in nayal or Parkot. They are called Parkoti Pandes or Pandes of Nayal.
Kaldhar: His decendents are vaidyas in Sira.
Dashrath : His decendents are famous as vaidyas and live in Anupshahar.
Devki Nandan : His decendents were royal priests and lived in Majehera.

Simaltiya Pande

Shri Harihar Pande of Kashyap Gotra acompanied Raja Som Chand from Kannauj. The Raja made him his Guru. When he became the King he gave him Village Rasipula, later renamed as Simaltiya, as jagir. They apparently were the first Royal Gurus.

Kashyap Gotra Pande

They were also called Pandes of Barkhora. Shri mahati, a kanyakunja Brajhmin, migrated from Kannauj. he along with his two sons, Sinha & Nrisinha, settled in Batokhari near Kathgodam. The King made them Royal Priests. The decendents of Nrisinha settled in Bairati, Bhatkot, Giwad, Khargoli and Peepaltanda. Decendents of Sinha settled in Pandeghon, Silauti, Badakheti, Nahan and Nepal. Even today the Royal Raj Gurus in Nepal are from this clan.

Bharadwaj Gotra Pande

Shri Ballabh Pande Upadhyaya was a Kanyakubja Brahmin from Kannauj. He was a rajguru and came to Kumaon during the reign of Chand Kings. later the king appointed members of his family as rajgurus and gave them Pandiya also called Patiya villagr as jagir. his decendents later on settled down in Patiya, Kasoon, Pilikh, Bareilly, Anupshaahr, Meerut, Patelkhet, Okali, Baldghat, and Bhaguti. It is stated that one branch of Shri Ballabh Pande was adept in converting iron into wood for the Hawan they were called Lohani and the other branch was dextrous at the vedas and were called Kandpal. The Lohanis and Kandpals are scattered over Lohna, Kande, Kota, Kumalta, Lachhampur, Thapla, Kantali, Bheta, Panergaon, Bharkot, Khadi, Bantgal, Kafda, Kotalgaon, Taluka, Manar, Almora and in smaller groups else where in Kumaon.

Tiwari or Tripathi

Tiwari or Tripathi as they are also known, came to Kumaon from Gujrat. They are of Gautam gotra. Pandit Shri Chand Tiwari along with his son Pandit Sukhdeo Tiwari came to the court of King Udyan Chand of kumaon. They came from from Amlabad, Badnagar, Gujrat. However the king did not entertain the father instead he spoke only to the son. The father got annoyed and went to Almora, then a small place and not yet developed. The Katyuri King was very impressed by him and gave him jagir in Almora. His decendents are called Tiwaris of Almora. His decendents were given jagir by different kings during different times and setteled down in Binda, Cheenakhan, Dharanaula, Kungadkhola, Sahil and paniudyar near Almora. Others setteled in Tyunera Mohalla of Almora, Talli Chausar, Dubkiya, Kharkot, Thapliya, and Pokharkhali.

Gotra Of Joshi's from Galli

There are 49 established Lead Hindu Gotras . All members of a particular Gotra are believed to possess certain common characteristics and traits. The term Gotra was used in its present sense for the first time in the Brahmanas. It was systematised by about the 4th century BC to accommodate changed social rules and laws and by the time of the Sutras, it was a well-established system. Gotras originated from saptharshies who change with Manvanthara. We are in the seventh Manvanthara now.

Many of the seven sages have been repeated and replaced. In the first manvanthara the Saptharshis were Marichi, Atri, Angrish Pulasthia,Pulaha Kratuand Vasishta. They are believed to be the " Mind-Born" sons of Brahma. (Sanskrit word Manoja means "born of the mind''. Theory of evolution says that humans evolved from monkeys. Hindu Sastras say that humans originated from Brahma Manoja - mind born sons of Brahma (the Saptharshis). Sage Angrish is one of the Saptarishis (Seven Sages) and the Manasaputra (son born of the mind) of Brahma. He is one of the Progenitors of humankind. He is also mentioned in the other three Vedas. Sometimes he is reckoned as one of the Seven Great Sages, or saptarishis of the first Manvantara, with others being, Marichi, Atri, Pulaha, Kratu, Pulastya, and Vashishtha.

Brahmas mind born daughter is Satrupa. Her daughter is Prasuti. Prasuti’s daughter Smriti was the wife of sage Angrish. She had given birth to five daughters--- Sini, Vali, Kuhu, Raka and Anumati. Sage Brihaspati was his son. Other accounts say that he married Smrithy, daughter of Daksha. In the Rigveda, Agni is sometimes referred to as Angiras or as a descendant of Angrish (RV 1.1). In the Rigveda, Indra drives out cows from where they had been imprisoned by either a demon (Vala) or multiple demons (the Panis) and gifts them to the Angirasas (RV 3.31, 10.108 and a reference in 8.14). Mandala 6 of the Rigveda is attributed to a family of Angirasas.

He along with sage Atharvan are said to have composed most of the Atharvana Veda. Some descendents of Sage Angirasa are said to be Kshatriya by birth and Brahmins by calling. This is so because the Sage helped a childless King to beget children.

Atharva Veda : Atharva Veda has mantras, those are to be used for various special purposes. The Atharva Veda Samhitaa has two parts. (1) The Atharva & (2) the Angirasa. Because of these two major sections, this Veda is also called Atharva angirasa, and in short Atharva Veda.

One of the stories related to Sage Angirasa is mentioned in the Mundaka Upanishad. A householder by the name Saunaka carries his firewood and reaches the forest where Sage Angirasa is. He approaches the Sage reverentially and beseeches “O Holy Sage, teach me that through which the whole universe can be known.”

Angirasa was happy to hear the beautiful question, and started his discourse by classifying the entire spectrum of things to be known into two categories. The Para and the Apara Vidya. As the Apara Vidya ‘objects’, and Para Vidya ‘object’ requires an entirely different approach Shaunaka inspite of his best efforts could not get the desired fruit of omniscience was that he was unknowingly pursuing Apara Vidya but with the wish to get the fruits of Para Vidya, and thus the frustration.

Sage Angirasa goes on to explain the two different kinds of knowledge on this Earth. The lower knowledge he states are the sciences, hymns, rituals, grammar, poetry astrology etc. The higher knowledge is that which leads a man to that which never dies. The Indestructible.

Sage Angiras to explain this further says “This body is like a tree in which two birds live. They look alike. The lower bird is tasting the fruits of the tree and some are sweet and others are sour. The higher bird is just watching the lower bird. One day the lower bird is tired of everything and starts to weep. The lower bird sees the higher bird which is calm, unattached and at peace. The lower bird hops towards the higher one. It suddenly realizes that the upper bird is also just him.

Lord Buddha is said to be a descendant of Sage Angrish as mentioned in various Buddhist texts. Joshi's of Galli are from Angrish Gotra and the most famous ancestor they have is Lord Buddha.

( For Details please read: https://trsiyengar.com/rishis-history-stories-part-i/ )

I may have missed out some, and if any one of you can correct the above information, it will be welcome. I will see if I get details of the places they come from and their Gotras. I am also adding a small section on Brahmins of India, just to give you an over all perspective and certain minor details , which most of otherwise gloss over. The detailed account of how these clans migrated to Kumaon is covered in great detail in the Book " History of Kumaon" by Mr Badri Datt Pande, translated into English by Mr CM Aggarwal. I had bought my copy from Almora Book Depot, Almora. Hopefully it will still be available.

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