Kushwaha

This entry pertains to Kushwaha clan/ social group of UP/Bihar/MP/Nepal/Jharkhand etc.
Kushwaha " कुशवाहा ,குஸ்வஹா , కుశ్వః , ಕುಶ್ವಹ , കുശ്വഹ "(also spelled as Kachavāhā,Kachawaha,Kacchavahas, Kachhawa, Kuchhwaha,Kachhawaha,Kachwaha, Keshwala, Kacchapghata,Kush Bhawani, Kakutstha, and Kurma).Lav and Kush were two sons of Rama in Raghukula dynasty. The children and grandchilren of Kush are now called Kushwaha/Koeri.

Description

Kushwaha is a a community of India which is involved in agriculture and farming. It is found in large numbers in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh as well as in Nepal and Mauritius. Kushwaha claim decent from Shri Kusha, eldest son of Shri Rama . Large migrant populations have also settled in Bombay (Maharastra), Gujrat, WB, Delhi and Assam. Estimated population figures of Kushwaha are close to 5.00 - 6.00 crore in Northern India making it one of the largest groups in India comprising 8-10% of population in most states where they live. English descriptions of the various subgroups of Kushwaha are full of praise for their farming skills, industriousness and thrift.

Origins

Kushwaha generally claim decent from Maurya dynasty and Maurya Empire. Kushwaha claim linkages with the kingdoms of Kashi Kosala, Mauryas, Kushans, Shakyas and Kshatriya kingdoms in eastern India which survived well into 14-15 century. Great persons belonging to Kushwaha/Maurya/Shakya caste in ancient times were Shri Rama, Shri Kusha, 'Siddharth' Buddha, Chandragupta Maurya, Ashok Maurya and Brihdratha Maurya. Maurya empire was the first empire of India. It was a geographically extensive empire encompassing whole of Indian Subcontinent, parts of China, Middle East and Central Asia. It's emperors, though sometimes demonised in Puranas claimed full divine rights and are subjects of study in Indian history. Though the English history places Mauryas between 320-100 BC, there are few sources for a much greater antiquity of Mauryas placing them much before these dates.

Current Status

Surnames of Kushwaha are: Kushwaha, Kushwah, Maurya, Shakya, Rana, Panjiara, Mehta, Mahto apart from ubiquitous kumar, prasad and singh.

Kushwaha are found in all walks of life. Students may be found studying in Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs) etc. Few have pursued studies at reputed US universities and have made careers abroad.

Religion

Kushwaha are generally followers of Hinduism. In ancient times though they have followed popular religions of the times like Jainism and Buddhism. The important sects are 'Shaktitva' and 'Bhaktitva'. The main deities worshipped by Kushwaha are Shri Rama, Lakshaman, Sita, Hanuman etc.

• Community Titles
• J&K Saini, Bhaji
• Himancal Pradesh Kushwaha, Saini
• Punjab Saini, Maurya, Kushwaha
• Haryana Saini, Mali, Shakya, Gehlot
• Delhi Saini, Mali, Shakya, Maurya, Kushwaha
• Rajasthan Saini, Mali, Shakya, Maurya, Kushwaha, Kuchhawaha
• Gujarat Saini, Mali, Maurya, Kushwaha, Kacchi
• Madhya Pradesh Kushwaha, Kachhi, Kuchhawaha, Mali, Murar, hardiya, dangi, kavare, Maurya, Mourya
• Uttar Pradesh Koiri, Koiry, Murav, Verma, Bhagat, Kacchi, Maurya, Kushwaha, Mourya, Shakya
• Bihar/Jharkhand Mahto, Bhagat, Maurya, Kushwaha, Singh, Mandal, Dangee, Kapadi, Mehta, Prasad, Shakya
• West Bengal Koiri, Koiry, Kushwaha, Maurya, Mahto
• Orissa Muri, Mali, Phulmali, Bhajmali, Sagberiya
• Maharashtra Kachhiya, Reddy, Phule, Saini, Maurya, Bhujbal, Vankhede, Kushwaha, Mourya
• Andhra Pradesh Phule, Kachhi, Reddy, Nayar
• Karnataka Jeeremali, Phulmali, Nayar, Reddy
• Assam Koiri, Moriya, Mahto, Maurya, Kushwaha

See also

[Maurya caste]

[Kachchi]

[Koiri]