Mishra

Mishra or Misra is an Indian surname, normally associated with the Brahmin. "Mishra" is a word from the Sanskrit language meaning "mixed" or "blended". It refers to those Brahmins in Vedic age who used to do all rituals in a Vedic ceremony instead of any specific one. It is one of the most widespread Brahmin surnames in the fertile Gangetic plain region and in the Indian states of Punjab, Delhi, Orissa, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Assam and West Bengal. It is also found in countries such as Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago under the anglicized version of Misir, due to migration owing to agricultural/plantation employment. The surname is also found in Nepal, Fiji and Mauritius, as well as in other Indian diaspora communities.

They have historically been martial Brahmins as well, and due to there involvement in the uprising against the British in the First War of Indian Independence in 1857, when many of the ranks which followed Mangal Pandey in his rebellion were composed of Brahmins from the agricultural regions of Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Due to this they were not declared a martial race like Mohyals due to their ardent support for the Indian independence movement and rebellion against the British Raj. Mishra's were therefore devoid of the support from the newly formed Indian government. Historically, Mishras have always fulfilled their religious duties and had great knowledge of the Vedas and other holy texts. However presently the majority are engaged in more secular vocations. Historians believe that Mishra's were traditional farmers sometimes with a strong connection with the original Indo-European tribe which inhabited the Indo-Gangetic Plains.

Presently, the majority of Mishra's inhabit the fertile agricultural regions of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh & Orissa, where they are engaged in mainly tertiary sector activities (Govt. & Private Services) as well as in agriculture and allied activities. One generation back they were mainly in teaching & religious duties alongside farming as per their traditions. Current Generation has many engineers, scientists, civil servants, writers, musicians, Bollywood stars, sportsperson & politicians.

Contemporary Mishra/Misra surnames

In many states which abided by the Indian reservation policies for government jobs, Brahmins have expressed continuous displeasure to these policies. Hence states like Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar have seen Brahmin population becoming outcast from active government jobs. Mishra's have also been hit by these policies.

Notable people with the surname Mishra

• Akhilendra Mishra - Indian film and television character actor.
• Amit Mishra - right arm leg break bowler and right-handed lower order batsman of Indian cricket team.
• Brijesh Mishra - first National Security Advisor
• Birju Maharaj - Most famous Kathak dancer
• Chaitanya Maha Prabhu - saint poet, Krishna devotee
• Chaturanan Mishra - Former Indian Agriculture Minister
• Pandit Chhannulal Mishra - Hindustani classical music
• Jagannath Mishra - Former chief Minister of Bihar
• Justice Gyan Sudha Mishra- Only Women Justice in Supreme Court of India currently.
• Kalraj Mishra- BJP Leader Uttar Pradesh
• Lalit Narayan Mishra- Former Indian Rail Minister. He was from Bihar.
• Mandana Mishra - Ancient philosopher
• Mahender Misir - Founder of Purvi a folk style of Bihar, Freedom Fighter from Chhapra Bihar
• Nitish Mishra- JDU Leader Bihar And state Cabinet minister of bihar
• Pankaj Mishra -intellectual, philosopher and author
• Piyush Mishra - Indian film actor, music director, lyricist, and writer
• Justice Ranganath Misra - Former Chief Justice of India, Famous for Mishra Commission.
• Rajan and Sajan Mishra - Contemporary North Indian Musician
• Roopa Mishra - First Oriya Lady to top IAS.
• Sameer Mishra - 81st Scripps National Spelling Bee champion (USA)
• Sanjay Mishra - World famous American guitarist and composer.
• Sanjay Mishra (actor) - comedian known from Office Office.
• Satish Chandra Mishra- BSP Leader Uttar Pradesh India
• Sourav Mishra - Reuters journalist, one of the first witnesses of 2008 Mumbai Attacks
• Sudhir Mishra - Indian film director and screenwriter
• Smriti Mishra - Indian film actress famous for her roles in parallel cinema.
• Veer Bhadra Mishra - Time Magazine's Hero of the Planet for his commendable work for cleaning the Ganges.