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This article is about north Indian Saraswats, and should not be confused with west coastal Konkani and Marathi speaking Goud Saraswat Brahmin.
| Total population |
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| 300,000 (approx) |
| Regions with significant populations |
| Primary populations in: |
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| Religion |
| Related ethnic groups |
Saraswats have descended from a Brahmin caste mentioned in ancient Hindu scriptures as inhabiting the Saraswati River valley, the geographic location of which is unknown. The actual origins of this community and the circumstances of its relocation to the areas that they now inhabit are shrouded in mystery. An ancient legend mentions that Parshuram, an avatar of Vishnu is said to have carved the community out of the five sons of Raja Ratten Sen.
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History
Saraswat Brahmins are Brahmins who lived on the banks of the former river Saraswati that once flowed in northern India, joining the Ganga and Yamuna in Prayag. Saraswats are considered among the oldest and most widespread community in India, still preserving their own culture. Around 1000 BC, the river Saraswati started vanishing under ground and the people on its banks started migrating to other parts of
In accordance with the theory of the Aryan migration, this community comprises solely of Brahmins who practised various occupations, depending on which their surnames (which is a major source of identification and placement in the caste system in India) were attached, as has been noticed in the early Vedic period.
Communities
As per the renowned historian, Shri Bhagwan Das Gidwani, author of the 'Return of the Aryans'. the Saraswati-Sindho river was existent in Sindh. Furthermore, It was also believed that the Saraswat Brahmins originated from the region. However, only a little number of Sindhis are now aware of their Saraswat Brahmin caste. Due to Islamization in Sindh since 712 AD, most of the Saraswat Brhamins (largest population of Sindh back then) and other tribes like the Saindhav Rajpoots and the Jhaatts, adopted the Islamic lifestyle. As result, till today the modern day Sindhi Hindu community, bears little knowledge of their tribes and caste. However a few surnames like 'Joshi', 'Paathak' and 'Kumar' still exist. Others over the years have been modified into the Sindhi surnames. The Aamil Sindhi community (surname eg: Advani, Madhvani, Chandrani etc) are mostly from the Saraswat Brahmin clan of Sindh.
Punjabi Saraswat Brahmins are one of the most influential communities in aforementioned areas. 'Mohyal' one of the sub-community within Punjabi Saraswat Brahmins were landlords, Dewans, Shahs, and Kings in Northern areas,Many of Brahmins in NWFP region were "mohyals". The "mohyals" were clans of brahmins who lived independent of law of the land and were warriors, educators, law-maker in NWFP. Even, the Pathans clans sought brahmin knowledge for tribal laws.
Saraswat Brahmins form a great proportion of the Hindus in Kashmir, who are called the Kashmiri Pundits, These Kashmiri Brahmins are thought to be the descendants of the Aryans. However, these people differentiate themselves from the rest of the Saraswat Brahmins in that they identify their deity with the Goddess Saraswati, who has been mentioned in the Vedas as the goddess of learning. However, the Gaud Saraswat Brahmins residing on the western coast of India (primarily in Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka) are thought to have descended from these Kashmiri Brahmins. Substantial evidence has been set forth by several historians relating that the Kashmiri Brahmins migrated to Goa by the eleventh century AD.
Prominent Saraswats
See also
References
- Gazzette, Punjab Department of Revenue,Religions and castes
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