Bhuinhar Brahmans
This article is an extract from
THE TRIBES and CASTES of BENGAL. Ethnographic Glossary. Printed at the Bengal Secretariat Press. 1891. . |
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Bhuinhar Brahmans
A considerable number of these cultivating Brahmans, of doubtful parentage, reside in Eastern Benga, acting as policemen, clubmen (lathial), or watchmen. They generally come from Gorakhpur, or Ghazipur, and after an absence of a few years return to their homes and families in Hindustan.
The popular idea is, that the Bhuinhars are descended from a Brahman father and a Kahar woman, but this origin would give them no right to the rank of Brahman. The story told by themselves of their degradation is as follows. Bhoja Rajah of Bhojpur, a great wizard, prepared a feast for the Brahmans, but none attended, so he sent for Bhrigu Rishi, then residing at Hajipur in the Chapra district, who also disobeyed the summons on the plea of being engaged in preparing his fields for sowing. Owing to their cultivating land, as their ancestor did, his descendants have been degraded, never having any "jajman," or clients, never accepting alms, and never eating or drinking with any other Brahmanical order.
Their Guru is always a Kanaujiya: their Purohit a Sarvaria Brahman.
They affirm that Rajputs make obeisance to them, and in return receive benediction. The Bengali Brahmans again, refuse to eat rice, but partake of puri (buttered scones), sweetmeats, and "khichri" prepared by them.
Among themselves the designations Bhuinhar, Gautam, and Thakur are regarded as synonymous; but the ordinary titles are Rai, Singh, Pande, Tiwari, and Chaube; whilst Rajah, and Maharajah appellations discarded by all the higher orders, are not infrequent.
