Jaiswal Brahmin

Jaiswal is a surname used by a Hindu community (predominantly in India) which has many branches. There have been conflicts about its caste status even within its own community. Some Jaiswals call themselves Brahmins, of which only a few still practice, some are Vaishyas. However, history suggests that Jaiswals are the descendant of Kulin Aryans who initially practiced Brahminical works and then switched to warrior jobs. They ruled many parts of India for about 1200 years. Central government and many state governments recognize the caste as Kalchuri Kalwars, which is a Rajput dynasty of India. Nowadays, Jaiswals are mostly traders and deal in various commodities. Their main fields are currently in two sectors, business and politics. They also have a presence in many private and government sectors.In the start of 2000s they started demanding the backward status in some states on the basis of educational backwardness where their literacy level was average and succeeded in few states.

Social status

Jaiswals are regarded as high caste members in the Indian caste hierarchy. However, their involvement in liquor trade, which they monopolized across the country had some negative perception amongst the public at the start of the 20th Century. To cure this problem, the caste organisation sought to leave the trade after Mahatma Gandhi's request and redefine the community. They assembled in Allahabad in 1921, and elderly members told the community to leave the trade. They were told to adopt the titles of Somvanshiya Khastriya. They were instructed to use surnames such as Kunwar and Thakur. Surnames such as Dhwaja, Thakur and Singh were also recommended.

Notable people

• Anantram Jaiswal (Indian politician)
• Ankush Jaiswal (cricketer)
• Anoop Jaiswal (DGP Tamilnadu)
• Anupma Jaiswal(UP politician)
• Dilip Kumar Jaiswal (Indian politician)
• GCR Jaiswal (Vice Chancellor, Awadh University)
• Gorakh Prasad Jaiswal (Indian politician)
• Harish Jaiswal (film producer and director)
• Jawahar Lal Jaiswal (Indian politician)
• K. P. Jayaswal (historian and lawyer)
• Kamini Jaiswal (Supreme Court lawyer)
• Madan Prasad Jaiswal (Indian politician)
• Manoj Kumar Jaiswal(Indian Neuroscientist)
• Naina Jaiswal (table tennis player)
• Navin Jaiswal (Jharkhand politician)
• Pankaj Jaiswal (cricketer)
• Pradeep Jaiswal (Maharastra politician)
• Pragya Jaiswal (actor and model)
• Pulkit Jaiswal (Indian entrepreneur)
• Radhey Shyam Jaisawal (UP politician)
• Rahul Jaiswal (Indian footballer)
• Rai Bahadur Thakur Jaiswal(Prominent Jharkhand Businessperson)
• Ravindra Jaiswal (UP politician)
• Ritu Jaiswal (Bihar Politician)
• Saligram Jaiswal (freedom fighter and politician)
• Sanjay Jaiswal (Indian politician)
• Sanjeev Jaiswal (actor)
• Sanjiv Jaiswal (film director and producer)
• Shankar Prasad Jaiswal (Indian politician)
• Shraddha Jaiswal (TV actress)
• Shreyansh Jaiswal (Badminton player)
• Sriprakash Jaiswal (Indian politician)

References

            [Daughters of the earth: women and land in Uttar Pradesh - Smita Tewari Jassal]

[Bayly, Christopher A. (1973). "Patrons and Politics in Northern India". In Gallagher, John; Johnson, Gordon; Seal, Anil. Locality, Province and Nation: Essays on Indian Politics 1870 to 1940 (Reprinted ed.). Cambridge University Press Archive. p. 63. ISBN 978-0-52109-811-3.]