Examine individual changes

'{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2011}} {{Use Indian English|date=March 2011}} {{good article}}{{Ethnic group| |group=Deshastha Brahmin |image= <div style="white-space:nowrap;">[[File:Dr. Hedgevar.jpg|x128px]] [[File:RahulDravid.jpg|x111px]] <br />[[File:Manohar Joshi cropped.jpg|x145px]] [[File:Sudha.jpg|x145px]] [[File:Tantiatope.jpg|x145px]]|caption = [[K. B. Hedgewar]] • [[Rahul Dravid]] <br>[[Manohar Joshi]] • [[Sudha Murthy]] • [[Tatya Tope]] |poptime=Est. 20&nbsp;[[lakh]] (2.0&nbsp;Million) |popplace=[[Maharashtra]] • [[Delhi]] • [[Uttar Pradesh]]<br>[[Madhya Pradesh]] ([[Gwalior]], [[Indore]], [[Ujjain]], [[Dhar]])<br>[[Gujarat]] ([[Baroda]]) • [[Tamil Nadu]] <br>[[Karnataka]] • [[Andhra Pradesh]]<br>[[United States]] • [[United Kingdom]] |langs=First languages – [[Marathi language|Marathi]] • [[Kannada]] <br>Second languages – [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]] • [[Hindi]]<br>[[Konkani language|Konkani]] • [[Tamil language|Tamil]] • [[English language|English]] |rels=[[Hinduism]] |related= [[Karhade Brahmin|Karhade]] • [[Chitpavan|Konkanastha]] • [[Devrukhe]] <br> [[Goud Saraswat Brahmin]] • [[Thanjavur Marathi (people)|Thanjavur Marathi]]<br> [[Brahmin#Pancha Dravida|Pancha Dravida Brahmins]] • [[Marathi people]] }} In 1880, a stupid deshastha brahmin king KSHITIJ BOKIL was badly defeated by great maratha king ARPIT DESHMUKH. '''Deshastha Brahmins''' ({{lang-mr|देशस्थ ब्राह्मण}}, {{lang-kn|ದೇಶಸ್ಥ ಬ್ರಾಹ್ಮಣರು}}) are the original and the oldest [[Hinduism|Hindu]] [[Brahmin]] [[caste|sub-caste]] from the [[India]]n state of [[Maharashtra]]. The word ''Deshastha'' comes from the [[Sanskrit]] words ''[[Desh, Maharashtra|Desha]]'' and ''Stha'' which mean inland or country and resident respectively. Fused together, the two words literally mean "residents of the country". Deshasthas belong to the [[Brahmin#Pancha Dravida|Pancha Dravida Brahmins]] group. Over the millennia, the community produced the Sanskrit scholar [[Bhavabhuti]] in the 8th&nbsp;century, the mathematician, [[Bhāskara II]] and the 13th&nbsp;century [[Varkari]] saint and philosopher, [[Dnyaneshwar]]. All of the [[Peshwa]]s during [[Shivaji]]'s reign were Deshasthas,{{sfn|Paloskar|1995|p=59}} a period during which the foundation of the [[Maratha Empire]] was laid.{{sfn|Prasad|2007|p=88}} Brahmins constitute 4 percent of the population of Maharahstra, and 60 percent of them are Deshastha Brahmins. The valleys of the [[Krishna river|Krishna]] and the [[Godavari river|Godavari]] rivers, and the plateaus of the [[Sahyadri]] hills, are collectively called the Desha – the original home of the Deshastha Brahmins. The second largest Maharashtrian Brahmin community, the [[Konkanastha]] Brahmins, who historically lagged the Deshastha Brahmins socio-economically and in Brahmin rituals achieved parity with them in the nepotistic era that followed the passing of the seat of the [[Peshwa]] of the [[Maratha Empire]] into Konkanastha hands in 1713. This era marked a period of social warfare between the two Brahmin sub-castes.<!-- An incident of the Peshwas ruining and disgracing a reputed Deshastha Brahmin from [[Wai, Maharashtra|Wai]] has been recorded by British historians.{{sfn|Crawford|1897|p=127}} --> ==Classification== {{See also|Caste system in India}} In Hinduism, communities are divided into four main social classes, also known as ''[[Varna (Hinduism)|Varna]]'' in Sanskrit. Each class is further sub-divided into a multitude of castes. The term 'Caste Hindu' is used to refer to these four main classes.{{sfn|Lamb|2002|p=7}} The [[Dalits]] (also known as [[Dalit|Untouchables]] and [[Harijans]]){{sfn|Lamb|2002|p=7}} were traditionally outside of caste system and can now be said to form a fifth group of castes. The first three Varnas in the hierarchy are said to be ''[[dvija]]'' (twice-born). They are called twice born on account of their education and these three castes are allowed to wear the sacred thread. These three castes are called the [[Brahmins]], the [[Kshatriyas]] and the [[Vaisyas]]. The traditional caste-based occupations are priesthood for the Brahmins, ruler or warrior for the Kshatriyas and businessman or farmer for the Vaisyas. The fourth caste is called the [[Shudras]] and their traditional occupation is that of a labourer or a servant. While this is the general scheme all over India, it is difficult to fit all modern facts in to it.{{sfn|Farquhar|2008|pp=162–164}} There is a small Vaisya vani caste in Maharashtra. The [[Marwaris|Marwari]] Vaisaya's from [[Rajasthan]] and [[Gujarat, India|Gujarat]] fil the void of owning small and large businesses.{{sfn|Ray|2000|p=35}} The original inhabitants of Maharashtra are the ''[[Adivasis]]'' tribes who fall outside the caste system.{{sfn|Ray|2000|pp=34–35}} The traditional pre-British Indian society, while stationary, was mobile in terms of caste. Both upward or downward mobility was possible. The most popular example of this in Maharashtra was that of [[Shivaji]] whose clan climbed up the caste system and achieved warrior caste-hood. Shivaji went on to establish the powerful [[Maratha Empire]]. Traditional avenues of mobility were shut upon the arrival of the British in India.{{sfn|Srinivas|2007|pp=189–193}} The [[Indian Constitution]] of 26 January 1950 outlawed [[untouchability]] and caste discrimination.{{sfn|Rajagopal|2007|p=}} The constitution gives generous privileges to the Dalits in an effort to redress injustice over the ages.{{sfn|Datta-Ray|2005|p=}} These traditional social and religious divisions in the caste system have lost their significance for many contemporary Indians except for marriage alliances.{{sfn|Lamb|2002|p=7}} Various sub-classifications of the caste system exist, many based on the geographical origin of the caste. Deshastha Brahmin fall under the [[Brahmin#Pancha Dravida Brahmins|Pancha Dravida Brahmin]] classification of the Brahmin community in India. Other Brahmin sub-castes in the region are [[Karhade Brahmin]], [[Devrukhe]], [[Chitpavan|Konkanastha]] and [[Goud Saraswat Brahmin]], but these sub-castes only have a regional significance.{{sfn|Shrivastav|1971|p=140}} The Hindu caste system is first mentioned in the ancient Hindu scriptures like the [[Vedas]] and the [[Upanishads]]. The Vedas are the world's oldest texts that are still used in worship and they are the oldest literature of India. Four Vedas exists of which the Rig Veda is the oldest. They were handed down from one generation of Brahmins to the next verbally and memorised by each generation. They were written down sometime around 400 BC.{{sfn|Grimbly|2000|p=1}} Other Vedas include the Yajur Veda, the Atharva Veda and the Sama Veda. Two different versions of the Yajur Veda exist, the White (''Shukla'' in Sanskrit) and the black or (''Krishna'' in Sanskrit). The Shukla Yajur Veda has a two different branches (''Shakha'' in Sanakrit) called the Kanva and the Madhyandin. Deshastha Brahmins are further classified in two major sub-sects, the Deshashatha Rigvedi and the Deshastha Yajurvedi, based on the [[Veda]] they follow. The Yajurvedis are further classified into two groups called the Madhyandins and the Kanavas. The Madhyandins follow the Madhyandin branch of the Shukla Yajur Veda.{{sfn|Fernandes|1941|p=4}} The word ''Madhyandin'' is a fusion of two words ''Madhya'' and ''din'' which mean middle and day respectively. They are so called because they perform ''[[Sandhya Vandana|Sandhya]]'' at noon.{{sfn|Bhattacharya|1896|p=86}} Almost without exception, the several regional groups of the Madhyandin Brahmins are indistinguishable from the Kshatriya Marathas due to similar physical features.{{sfn|Unknown|1951|p=98}} A similar study of four groups that have been resident in Bombay and surrounding areas for generations, using blood group markers, found the Deshastha Rigvedi and the Marathas to be genetically closer to each other than to the [[Gujarati people|Gujarati]] [[Patel]] and the [[Parsi]] communities.{{sfn|Mastana|Papiha|1994|pp=241–262}} Kannav Brahmins were traditionally located in and around Nasik, and they call themselves ''Prathamshakhis'' or followers of the first branch of the White Yajurved.{{sfn|Cooke|Baines|Wilson|Charles|1883|p=1}} The Madhyandin Yajurvedis arrived in the Nashik district of Maharashtra from [[Gujarat]] about 500 years ago.{{sfn|Cooke|Baines|Wilson|Charles|1883|p=1}} <center> {| class="wikitable" |- ! Veda followed !! Recension or sub-part of the veda!! Shakha or branch of the veda !!Brahmin Nomenclature |- | Rig Veda (composed: 1500 bc – 1400 bc){{sfn|Bandyopadhyaya|2008|p=}}|| No recension or sub-parts exist|| Śākalya (only one survives) || Deshastha Rigvedi |- | rowspan=3|Yajur Veda (composed: 900 bc – 700 bc){{sfn|Bandyopadhyaya|2008|p=}}|| rowspan=2|Shukla (White)|| Madhyandin ||Yajurvedi Madhyandin |- | Kannava||Yajurvedi Kannava |- | Krishna (Black)|| Irrelevant for Maharashtra ||Irrelevant for Maharashtra |- |}</center> Recently, the Yajurvedi Madhyandin and Yajurvedi Kannava Brahmins have been colloquially being referred to as Deshastha Yajurvedi Madhyandin and Deshastha Yajurvedi Kannava, although not all have traditionally lived or belonged to the Desh. The Deshastha Rigvedi Brahmins are treated as a separate and distinct caste from the Yajurvedi Madhyandina and Kannavas Brhamins by several authors, including Malhotra, Karve and Wilson.{{sfn|Karve|Malhotra|1968|pp=109–134}}{{sfn|Wilson|1877|p=28}} There is a significant Deshashta population in the state of Karnataka, and here, the sub-classification of Deshastha Brahmins is based on the type of Hindu philosophical system they follow. These are the Deshastha [[Dvaita|Madhva]] Brahmins{{sfn|Karnataka (India)|Abhishankar|Kāmat|1990|p=242}} who follow the teachings of [[Madhvacharya]] and the Deshastha [[Smartha]]{{sfn|Reddy|Gangadharam|2002|p=54}} Brahmins who follow the teachings of [[Adi Shankaracharya]]. The surnames of these North Kanataka based, [[Kannada]] speaking Deshastha Brahmins, can be identical to those of Maharashtrian Deshastha Brahmins, for example, they have last names like [[Kulkarni]], [[Deshpande]] and [[Joshi]]. Intermarriages are allowed between the Karnatak Brahmans and the Deshasthas and so the classification of the Southern India Brahmans into the Maharashtra, the Andhra (Telugu) and the Karnatic are in this respect, more of a provincial or linguistic character than of an ethnographic one.{{sfn|Hassan|1920|p=118}} <center> {|class="wikitable" |+Adult literacy of Maharashtrian castes in 1911{{sfn|Jaffrelot|2005|p=}} !Varna!!Caste!!Literate!!In English |- |rowspan=3|Brahmin||Deshastha||61.5||10.22 |- |Konkanastha||63||19.3 |- |Saraswat||54||10.77 |- |rowspan=3|Intermediate Varnas||Maratha||4.6||0.22 |- |Kunbi||9.4||0.27 |- |Lingayat||13.6||0.3 |- |Untouchables||Mahars||1||0.01 |}</center> ===Castes claiming to be Deshasthas=== The Golak or Govardhans, originally from the [[Pandharpur]]-[[Barshi]] area, follow the customs of the Deshasthas and claim to be Deshasthas. The other Brahmins traditionally did not accept this, and the Deshasthas did not socialise and intermingle with them.{{sfn|Enthoven|1920|pp=244–245}}{{sfn|Maharashtra (India), Bombay (President)|1977|p=120}} The Maharashtra State Gazetteer records the Golak or Govardhan as being considered degraded because they sold their cows instead of rearing them.{{sfn|Maharashtra (India), Bombay (President)|1977|p=120}} Traditionally, the caste headman was generally someone with a smattering of Sanskrit and was called a ''Vedia''. They were the earliest settlers in and around Nasik.{{sfn|Cooke|Baines|Wilson|Charles|1883|p=1}} Golaks are divided in to ''Kunda'' Golak and ''Randa'' Golak, both of whom are descendants of illegitimate offsprings of Brahmins.{{sfn|Crooke||p=422}} The Kunda Golak are the offsprings of the adultery between a Brahmin father and a Brahmin woman who is not his legally wedded wife. The Randa Golaks are similar to the Kunda Golak in their origin, with the difference that they are the illegitimate descendants of Brahmin widows.{{sfn|Wilson|1877|p=28}} Both do not accept new illegitimate Brahmins in their caste. Traditional occupations of both Kunda and Randa Golaks are generally shopkeepers, astrologers and cultivators. They are sometimes also called Gomukha Brahmins. ==Demographics== [[File:Madhava Rao.jpg|thumb|right|[[T. Madhava Rao]] (born 1828, died 4 April 1891), a descendant of Deshastha Brahmins with the last name Tanjavarkar or Thanjavurkar]] Brahmins constitute 4 percent of the population of Maharahstra, and 60 percent of them are Deshastha Brahmins.{{sfn|Tyagi|2009|p=93}}{{sfn|Cashman|1975|p=19}} According to the 1991 census, 81.12% of the population of Maharashtra is Hindu, 9.67% Muslim, 1.12% Christian, 6.39% Buddhist, 1.22% Jain and 0.13% of other religions.{{sfn|Singh|Bhanu|Anthropological Survey of India|2004|p=lviii}}The valleys of the [[Krishna river|Krishna]] and the [[Godavari river|Godavari]] rivers, and the plateaus of the [[Sahyadri]] hills, are collectively called the Desha – the original home of the Deshastha Brahmins.{{sfn|Chopra|1982|p=4, 52–54}} Traditional social studies and recent genetic studies show Deshastha Brahmin to be ethnically indistinguishable from the population of Maharashtra.{{sfn|Pillai|1997|p=38}}{{sfn|Gaikwad|Kashyap|p=}}{{sfn|Unknown|1951|p=98}} In his report on the 1901 census, Sir [[Herbert Hope Risley]] classified many castes from Western India including ''Maratha Brahman and Kunbis'' as belonging to the Scytho-Dravidian type.{{sfn|Risley|Gait|1903|p=500}} The Deshastha Brahmins are equally distributed all through the state of Maharashtra, ranging from villages to urban areas.{{sfn|Ghosal|2004|p=478}}{{sfn|Johnson|1970|pp=98, 55–56}}{{sfn|Sarat Chandra Roy Institute of Anthropological Studies|1990|p=31–34|}} [[Marathi language|Marathi]] speaking Deshastha can also be found in large numbers outside [[Maharashtra]] such as in the cities of [[Indore]], [[Gwalior]], [[Baroda]] and [[Thanjavur]], which were a part of or were influenced by, the [[Maratha Empire]]. The Deshastha Brahmins of Baroda are immigrants who came from the Desh for State service during the rule of [[Gaekwad]]s.{{sfn|Gujarat (India)|1984|pp=171–174}} The military settlers (of Tanjavur) included both Brahmans and Marathas, and by reason of their isolation from their distant home, the sub-divisions which separated these castes in their mother-country were forgotten, and they were all welded together under the common name of Deshasthas.{{sfn|Ranade|1900|p=241}}{{sfn|Pondicherry Institute of Linguistics and Culture|1998|p=58}} Today's Marathi speaking Thanjavur population are descendants of the Marathi speaking immigrants who immigrated to Tamil Nadu in the 17th and 18th&nbsp;centuries.{{sfn|Holloman|Aruti︠u︡nov|1978|p=225}} The isolation from their homeland has almost made them culturally alien to Brahmins in Maharahstra.{{sfn|Vinayak|2000|p=1}} For example, Thanjavur Marathi is better understood by a Tamilian than a Maharashtrian in Pune. Though inter-marriages between Madhwa Deshastha Brahmins and Smartha Deshastha Brahmins of Tanjavur are common, both these sub-groups do not inter-marry with the Kshatriya Marathas of Tanjavur. However, Madhwa Deshastha Brahmins and Smartha Deshastha Brahmins of Tanjavur inter-marry with Madhwa Kannada Brahmins and Smartha Kannada Brahmins. In 2000, a 90 year old community member estimated that there had been 500 Marathi families in a particular neighbourhood of Tanjavur in 1950, of which only 50 remained in 2000. ==History== {{double image|right|India Maharashtra locator map.svg|155|Indiarivers.png|155|The location of state of Maharashtra in India. Majority of Deshastha live in Maharashtra (left). The Krishna and Godavari rivers (right)}} [[File:Maharashtra Districts.png|right|thumb|315px|Divisions of Maharashtra. The blue region is an approximate indication of the Desh.]]The word Deshastha comes from the [[Sanskrit]] words ''[[Desh, Maharashtra|Desha]]'' and ''Stha'', which mean inland or country and resident respectively. Fused together, the two words literally mean "residents of the country".{{sfn|Bhattacharya|1896|p=82}} Deshastha are the [[Marathi people|Maharashtrian]] [[Brahmin]] community with the longest known history,{{sfn|Shrivastav|1971|p=140}}{{sfn|Mandavdhare|1989|p=39}} making them the original{{sfn|Johnson|1970|pp=98, 55–56}}{{sfn|Duff|1863|p=8}}{{sfn|Johnson|2005|p=55}} and the oldest [[Hinduism|Hindu]] [[Brahmin]] [[caste|sub-caste]] from the [[India]]n state of [[Maharashtra]].{{sfn|Shrivastav|1971|p=140}}{{sfn|Mandavdhare|1989|p=39}}{{sfn|Levinson|1992|p=68}} The Deshastha community may be as old as the Vedas, as vedic literature describes people strongly resembling Deshasthas.{{sfn|Chopra|1982|p=52}} This puts Deshastha presence on the Desh between 1100–1700 BC,{{sfn|Oldenberg|1998|p=158}} thus making the history of the Deshastha Brahmins older than that of their mother tongue of Marathi, which itself originated in 1000 AD.{{sfn|Encyclopædia Britannica|2010|p=1}} As the original Brahmins of Maharashtra, the Deshasthas have been held in the greatest esteem in Maharashtra and they have considered themselves superior to other Brahmins.{{sfn|Enthoven|1920|p=244-245}}{{sfn|Johnson|1970|pp=98, 55–56}}{{sfn|Duff|1863|p=8}} The history of Maharashtra before the 12th century is quite sparse, but Deshastha history is well documented. The traditional occupation of the Deshasthas was that of priesthood at the Hindu temples or at socio-religious ceremonies. Records show that most of the religious and literary leaders since the 13th century have been Deshasthas. In addition to being village priests, most of the [[village accountant]]s belonged to the Deshastha caste.{{sfn|Johnson|1970|pp=98, 55–56}} Priests at the famous [[Vitthal]] temple in [[Pandharpur]] are Deshastha, as are the priests in many of Pune's temples.{{sfn|Zelliot|Berntsen|1988|pp=55–56}}{{sfn|Government of Maharashtra|1884|p=468}} Other traditional occupations included village revenue officials, academicians, astrologer, administrators and practitioners of [[Ayurveda|Ayurvedic]] medicine.{{sfn|Ghosal|2004|pp=478–480}} Deshasthas who study the vedas are called Vaidika, astrologers are called Jyotishi or Joshi, and practitioners of medical science are called Vaidyas, and reciters of the puranas are called Puraniks. Some are also engaged in farming. An author recorded in 1896 that Deshasthas have been and still continue to be, the great Pandits in almost every branch of Sanskrit learning.{{sfn|Bhattacharya|1896|p=85}} According to the Anthropological Survey of India, the Deshasthas are a progressive community and some of the them have taken to white collar jobs.{{sfn|Ghosal|2004|p=480}} The Deshastha Brahmins helped build the Maratha Empire and once built, helped in its administration. Deshasthas have contributed to the fields of Sanskrit and Marathi literature, mathematics, and philosophy. ===Mathematics, philosophy and literature=== Deshasthas produced prominent literary figures in Maharashtra between the 13th and the 19th&nbsp;centuries.{{sfn|Patterson|2007|p=398}} The great Sanskrit scholar Bhavabhuti was a Deshastha Brahmin who lived around 7 AD in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra.{{sfn|Pandey|2007|p=19}}{{sfn|Encyclopædia Britannica|2010|p=1}} His works of high Sanskrit poetry and plays are only equalled by those of [[Kalidasa]]. Two of his best known plays are ''Mahāvīracarita'' and ''Mālatī Mādhava''. Mahaviracarita is a work on the early life of the Hindu god [[Rama]], whereas Malati Madhava is a love story between Malati and her lover Madhava, which has a happy ending after several twists and turns. Mukund Raj was another poet from the community who lived in the 13th century and is said to be the first poet who composed in Marathi.{{sfn|Kher|1895|pp=446–454}} He is known for the ''Viveka-Siddhi'' and ''Parammrita'' which are metaphysical, pantheistic works connected with orthodox [[Advaita Vedanta|Vedantism]]. Other well known Deshastha literary scholars of the 17th&nbsp;century were [[Mukteshwar]] and [[Shridhar]].{{sfn|Kher|1895|pp=446–454}} Mukteshwar was the grandson of [[Eknath]] and is the most distinguished poet in the ''ovi'' meter. He is most known for translating the [[Mahabharata]] and the [[Ramayana]] in Marathi but only a part of the Mahabharata translation is available and the entire Ramayana translation is lost. Shridhar Kulkarni came from near Pandharpur and his works are said to have superseded the Sanskrit epics to a certain extent. Other major literary contributors of the 17th and the 18th&nbsp;century were [[Vaman Pandit]], [[Mahipati]], Amritaraya, Anant Phandi and Ramjoshi.{{sfn|Kher|1895|pp=446–454}} The greatest mathematician of medieval India, Bhaskara II or Bhaskaracharya II, lived in the 12th century. His is known for ''Lilavati'', which is a work on quadratic equations. His ''Bijaganita'' or Algebra, deals with division of zero, square roots, positive and negative numbers, and so on. His work on calculus pre-dates Sir [[Isaac Newton]] by half a millennium.{{sfn|Chopra|1982|p=54}}{{sfn|Goonatilake|1998|p=134}} The 17th&nbsp;century mathematician [[Kamalakara]], was a forward-looking astronomer-mathematician who studied Hindu, Greek and Arabic astronomy. His most important work was the ''Siddhanta-Tattvaviveka''. He studied and agreed with Ptolemaic notions of the planetary systems. He was the first and the only traditional astronomer to present geometrical optics. Kamalakara proposed a new Prime Meridian which passed through the imaginary city of Khaladatta, and provided a table of latitudes and longitudes for 24 cities within and outside of India.{{sfn|Selin|1997|p=475}} The Deshastha community has produced several saints and philosophers. Most important of these were Dnyaneshwar, Eknath and Ramdas.{{sfn|Bokil|1979|p=18}} The most revered of all [[Bhakti]] saints, Dnyaneshwar was universally acclaimed for his commentary on the [[Bhagvad Gita]]. He lived in the 13th century.{{sfn|Kher|1895|pp=446–454}} Eknath was yet another Bhakti saint who published an extensive poem called the ''Eknathi Bhagwat'' in the 16th&nbsp;century. Other works of Eknath include the ''Bhavartha Ramayana'', the ''Rukmini Swayamwara'' and the ''Swatma Sukha''.{{sfn|Kher|1895|pp=446–454}} The 17th&nbsp;century saw the ''[[Dasbodh]]'' of the saint [[Samarth Ramdas]], who was also the spiritual adviser to Shivaji.{{sfn|Kher|1895|pp=446–454}} ===Military and administration=== [[File:TantiaTope1858.jpg|left|thumb|[[Tatya Tope]]'s Soldiery]] Most of Shivaji's principal Brahmin officers were Deshasthas.{{sfn|Prakash|2003|p=115}} They played a major role in the armies and administration of the Maratha Empire. Some important contributors were warriors like Neelkanth Sarnaik, Keso Narayan Deshpande, Rahuji Somanath, Balaji and Chimnaji Deshpande of Pune, Ragho Ballal Atre, Moropant Pingale and Annaji Dato Sabnis. At one point in Maratha Empire, seven of eight ''Ashtapradhans'' came from the community which included important posts of ''Panditrao'' (ecclesiastical head) and ''Nyayadhish'' (chief justice). The Deshasthas were the natural leaders in the era of the foundation of the Maratha empire.{{sfn|Ranade|1900|p=139}} Most importantly, all of the Peshwas during Shivaji's time were Deshasthas.{{sfn|Paloskar|1995|p=59}} In 1713, [[Balaji Vishwanath|Balaji Vishwanath Bhat]] was appointed as the fifth Peshwa and the seat of Peshwa remained in Konkanastha hands until the fall of the Maratha Empire. In order to obtain the loyalty of the powerful Deshastha Brahmins, the Konkanastha Peshwas established a system of patronage for Brahmin scholars.{{sfn|Lele|Singh|1989|p=38}} The Konkanastha Peshwa [[Baji Rao]] who coveted conquering [[Vasai]] or Bassein, sent an enovy to the Portuguese governor of Bassein. The governor, Luís Botelho, insulted the envoy by calling Baji Rao a ''[[nigger]]''.{{sfn|Chand|1963|pp=405–407}} The Peshwa then deployed [[Chimaji Appa]] in the conquest of Vasai. This was a hard fought battle with the British supplying the Portuguese with advice and the Marathas with equipment. Khanduji Mankar of the [[Pathare Prabhu]] caste and Antaji Raghunath, a Yajurvedi Brahmin, both played important roles in the battle. After the victory in 1739, the [[Jagir]] of Vasai was promised to Antaji Raghunath, but the promise was not kept by the Konkanastha Peshwas, who instead harassed the Yajurvedis. Fed up with the humiliation, the Yajurvedi Brahmins migrated to Mumbai along with the Pathare Prabhus to work for the British.{{sfn|Velkar|2010|p=}} ==Society and culture== {{See also|Maharashtrian cuisine}} [[File:Deshastha Munj -1.JPG|thumb|left|A Deshastha family in early 1970s on the ''Munj'' ceremony of their boys]] The majority of Deshasthas speak [[Marathi language|Marathi]], one of the major languages of the mainly northern [[Indo-Aryan language]] group. The major dialects of Marathi are called Standard Marathi and Warhadi Marathi.{{sfn|Dhoṅgaḍe|Wali|2009|pp=11, 39}} Standard Marathi is the official language of the State of Maharashtra. The language of Pune's Deshastha Brahmins has been considered to be the standard Marathi language and the pronunciation of the Deshastha Rigvedi is given prominence.{{sfn|Nemāḍe|1990|pp=101, 139}} There are a few other sub-dialects like Ahirani, Dangi, Samavedi, Khandeshi and Chitpavani Marathi. There are no inherently nasalised vowels in standard Marathi whereas the Chitpavani dialect of Marathi does have nasalised vowels.{{sfn|Dhoṅgaḍe|Wali|2009|pp=11, 39}} By tradition, like other Brahmin communities of Southern India, Deshastha Brahmins are [[lacto vegetarian]].{{sfn|Ghosal|2004|pp=478–480}} The special dishes for Deshastha and some other Marathi communities may be simple [[tuvar]] [[dal]] ''varan''. ''Metkut'' is another Brahmin speciality. Metkut is a powdered mixture of several dals and a few spices. Deshastha use black spice mix or ''kala'', literally black, [[masala]], in cooking. Traditionally, each family had their own recipe for the spice mix. However, this tradition is dying out as modern households buy pre-packaged mixed spice directly from supermarkets. [[Puran poli]] for festivals and on the first day of the two day marriage is another Marathi Brahmin special dish. [[File:Aji 1976.jpg|thumb|right|A Deshastha woman from 1970s in the traditional attire]] Most middle aged and young women in urban Maharashtra dress in western outfits such as skirts and trousers or [[shalwar kameez]] with the traditionally ''[[Kasta sari#Nauvari|nauvari]]'' or nine yard [[sari]], disappearing from the markets due to a lack of demand.{{sfn|Kher|2003|p=}} Older women wear the five yard sari. In urban areas, the five yard sari is worn by younger women for special occasions such as marriages and religious ceremonies. Maharashtrian brides prefer the ''very Maharashtrian'' saree – the [[Paithani]] – for their wedding day.{{sfn|Saraf|2004|p=1}} In early to mid 20th&nbsp;century, Deshastha men used to wear a black cap to cover their head, with a turban or a [[pagadi]] being popular before that.{{sfn|Government of Maharashtra|1886|p=}} For religious ceremonies males wore a coloured silk [[dhoti]] called a ''sovale''. In modern times, dhotis are only worn by older men in rural areas. In urban areas, just like women, a range of styles are preferred. For example, the Deshastha politician Manohar Joshi prefers white fine khadi kurtas{{sfn|Deshpande|2010|p=}}, while younger men prefer modern western clothes such as [[jeans]]. In the past, caste or social disputes used to be resolved by joint meetings of all Brahmin sub-caste men in the area.{{sfn|Government of Maharashra|1976|p=}}{{sfn|Government of Maharashtra|1977|p=}}{{sfn|Cooke|Baines|Wilson|Charles|1883|p=1}} In modern period, rural Deshastha Brahmins participate in the village ''[[Gram panchayat]]'',{{sfn|Ghosal|2004|p=480}} or council which is a rural political body which is mainly concerned with planning and implementation of developmental and welfare activities. ===Religious customs=== Deshastha Rigvedi Brahmins still recite the ''Rig Veda'' at religious ceremonies, prayers and other occasions.{{sfn|Ghosal|2004|p=478}} These ceremonies include birth, wedding, initiation ceremonies, as well as death rituals. Other ceremonies for different occasions in Hindu life include ''Vastushanti'' which is performed before a family formally establishes residence in a new house, [[Satyanarayana Puja]], originating in [[Bengal]] in the 19th century, is a ceremony performed before commencing any new endeavour or for no particular reason. Invoking the name of the family's ''gotra'' and the ''kula daivat'' are important aspects of these ceremonies. Like most other Hindu communities, Deshasthas have a shrine called a ''devaghar'' in their house with idols, symbols, and pictures of various deities. Ritual reading of religious texts called ''pothi'' is also popular. [[File:Deoghar.jpg|thumb|left| A typical Deoghar or shrine in a deshastha household]] In traditional families, any food is first offered to the preferred deity as ''naivedya'', before being consumed by family members and guests. Meals or snacks are not taken before this religious offering. In contemporary Deshasthas families, the naivedya is offered only on days of special religious significance. Deshasthas, like all other Hindu Brahmins, trace their paternal ancestors to one of the seven or eight sages, the [[saptarshi]]. They classify themselves into eight ''[[gotra]]''s, named after the ancestor [[rishi]]. Intra-marriage within gotras was uncommon until recently, although there is no taboo against this now for modern families. In a court case "Madhavrao vs Raghavendrarao", involving a Deshastha Brahmin couple, the German scholar Max Mueller's definition of gotra as descending from eight sages and then branching out to several families was thrown out by reputed judges of a Bombay High Court.{{sfn|Sen|2010|p=}} The court called the idea of Brahmin families descending from an unbroken line of common ancestors as indicated by the names of their respective gotras ''impossible to accept''.{{sfn|Anand|2010|p=}} The court consulted relevant Hindu texts and stressed the need for Hindu society and law to keep up with the times emphasising that notions of good social behaviour and the general ideology of Hindu society had changed.{{sfn|Sen|2010|p=}} The court also said that the mass of material in the Hindu texts are so vast and full of contradictions that it is almost an impossible task to reduce it to order and coherence.{{sfn|Sen|2010|p=}} Every Deshastha family has their own family patron deity or the ''[[kuladevata|Kuladaivat]]''.{{sfn|Hassan|1920|pp=110–111}} This deity is common to a lineage or a clan of several families who are connected to each other through a common ancestor.{{sfn|Hassan|1920|pp=110–111}}{{sfn|Walunjkar|pp=285–287}} The [[Khandoba]] of Jejuri is an example of a Kuladaivat of some Maharashtrian Deshastha families; he is a common Kuladaivat to several castes ranging from Brahmins to [[Dalit]]s.{{sfn|Government of Maharashtra|1962|p=}} The practice of worshiping local or territorial deities as Kuladaivats began in the period of the [[Yadava dynasty]].{{sfn|Walunjkar|pp=285–287}} Other family deities of the people of Maharashtra are [[Bhavani]] of [[Tuljapur]], [[Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur|Mahalaxmi]] of [[Kolhapur]], Mahalaxmi of Amravati, [[Renuka]] of [[Mahur, Maharashtra|Mahur]], [[Parashuram]] in [[Konkan]], [[Saptashringi]] on Saptashringa hill at Vani in Nasik district. Despite being the most popular deity amongst Deshastha and other [[Marathi people]], very few families regard [[Vitthal]] or other popular [[Avatar]]s of [[Vishnu]] such as [[Rama]] or [[Krishna]] as their Kuldaivat, with [[Venkateswara|Balaji]] being an exception. [[Image:Goddess Renuka-mata of Mahur (Maharashtra).jpg|thumb|right|The idol of Renuka ''mata'' or mother in the town of Mahur, district of Nanded is a deity for many Deshastha families.]] ====Ceremonies and rituals==== Upon birth, a child is initiated into the family ritually according to the [[Rig Veda]] for the Rigvedi Brahmins. The naming ceremony of the child may happen many weeks or even months later, and it is called the ''barsa''. During the ceremony, the child's [[paternal aunt]] has the honour of naming the infant. When the child is 11 months old, he or she gets their first hair-cut.{{sfn|Ghosal|2004|pp=478–480}} This is an important ritual as well and it is called ''Jawal''. When a male child{{sfn|Ghosal|2004|pp=478–480}} reaches his eighth birthday he undergoes the initiation thread ceremony variously known as Munja, ''Vratabandha'', or [[Upanayanam]].{{sfn|Mookerji|1989|pp=174–175}} From that day on, he becomes an official member of his caste, and is called a [[dwija]] which translates to "[[twice-born]]" in English.{{sfn|Prasan|1997|pp=156–158}} Traditionally, boys are sent to [[gurukula]] to learn [[Vedas]] and scriptures. Boys are expected to practice extreme discipline during this period known as [[brahmacharya]]. Boys are expected to lead a [[celibate]] life, live off alms, consume selected vegetarian [[saatvic]] food and observe considerable austerity in behaviour and deeds. Though such practices are not followed in modern times by a majority of Deshasthas, all Deshasthas boys undergo the sacred thread ceremony. Many still continue to get initiated around eight years of age. Those who skip this get initiated just before marriage. Twice-born Deshasthas perform annual ceremonies to replace their sacred threads on [[Narali Purnima]] or the [[full moon]] day of the month of [[Shravan]], according to the Hindu calendar. The threads are called ''Jaanave'' in Marathi. The Deshasthas are an [[endogamous]] and monogamous community{{sfn|Ghosal|2004|pp=478–480}} for whom [[Hindu wedding|marriages]] take place by negotiation. The [[Mangalsutra]] is the symbol of marriage for the woman. Studies show that most Indians' traditional views on caste, religion and family background have remained unchanged when it came to marriage,{{sfn|Bahuguna|2004|p=}} that is, people marry within their own castes,{{sfn|Srinivasa-Raghavan|2009|p=}} and matrimonial advertisements in newspapers are still classified by caste and sub-caste.{{sfn|The Economist|2010|p=}} In 1907, Rivers and Ridgeway record that Deshasthas allowed [[cross cousin]] marriages, just like other South Indian castes.{{sfn|Rivers|Ridgeway|1907|p=}}{{sfn|Government of Maharashtra|1974|p=}}{{sfn|Government of Maharashtra|1963|p=}} While arranging a marriage, ''gana'', ''gotra'', ''pravara'', ''devak'' are all kept in mind. Horoscopes are matched.{{sfn|Ghosal|2004|p=479}} Ghosal describes the marriage ceremony as, "The groom, along with the bride's party goes to the bride's house. A ritual named ''Akshat'' is performed in which people around the groom and bride throw ''haldi'' (turmeric) and ''sindur'' (vermilion) coloured rice grains on the couple. After the ''Kanyadan'' ceremony, there is an exchange of garlands between the bride and the groom. Then, the groom ties the Mangalsutra around the neck of the bride. This is followed by ''granthibandhan'' in which the end of the bride's ''sari'' is tied to the end of the groom's dhoti, and a feast is arranged at the groom's place." A Deshasthas marriage ceremony includes many elements of a traditional Marathi Hindu wedding ceremony. It consists of ''seemant poojan'' on the wedding eve. The ''dharmic'' wedding includes the ''antarpat'' ceremony followed by the vedic ceremony which involves the bridegroom and the bride walking around the sacred fire seven times to complete the marriage. Modern urban wedding ceremonies conclude with an evening reception. A Deshastha woman becomes part of her husband's family after marriage and adopts the gotra as well as the traditions of her husband's family. Until about 300 BC, Hindu men were about 24 years of age when they got married and the girl was always post-pubescent.{{sfn|Nagi|1993|pp=6–9}} The social evil of child marriage established itself in Hindu society sometime after 300 BC as a response to foreign invasions. The problem was first addressed in 1860 by amending the Indian Penal Code which required the boy's age to be 14 and the girls age to be 12 at minimum, for a marriage to be considered legal. In 1927, the Hindu Child Marriage Act made a marriage between a boy below 15 and a girl below 12 illegal. This minimum age requirement was increased to 14 for girls and 18 for boys in 1929. It was again increased by a year for girls in 1948. The Act was amended again in 1978 when the ages were raised to 18 for girls and 21 for boys. Decades ago, Deshastha girls used to get married to the groom of their parents' choice by early teens or before. Even now, girls are married off in their late teens by rural and less educated Deshastha families. Urban women may choose to remain unmarried until the late 20s or even early 30s. The 1881 Kolhapur gazetteer records that Deshastha widows at that time used to shave their heads and wear simple red saris.{{sfn|Government of Maharashtra|1886|p=}} A widow also had to stop wearing the ''kunku'' on her forehead.{{sfn|Government of Maharashtra|1886|p=}} In the past, a Deshastha widow was never allowed to re-marry, while it was acceptable for Deshastha widowers to re-marry, and the widows had to lead a very austere life with little joy. Divorces were non-existent. All of these practices have gradually fallen by the wayside over the last hundred years, and modern Deshastha widows lead better lives and younger widows also remarry. Divorce takes place by mutual consent and legal approval is sought. Deshastha Brahmins dispose their dead by [[Antyesti|cremation]].{{sfn|Ghosal|2004|p=479}} The dead person's son carries the corpse to the cremation ground atop a [[bier]]. The eldest son lights the fire to the corpse at the head for males and at the feet for females. The ashes are gathered in an earthen pitcher and immersed in a river on the third day after the death. This is a 13 day ritual with the ''pinda'' being offered to the dead soul on the 11th and a ''[[Śrāddha]]'' ceremony followed by a funeral feast on the 13th. Cremation is performed according to vedic rites, usually within a day of the individual's death. Like all other Hindus, the preference is for the ashes to be immersed in the [[Ganges]] river or [[Godavari River|Godavari]] river. ''Śrāddha'' becomes an annual ritual in which all forefathers of the family who have passed on are remembered. These rituals are expected to be performed only by male descendants, preferably the eldest son of the deceased. ====Festivals==== {{Main|List of festivals of Deshastha, Konkanastha and Karhade Brahmins}} {{See also|List of Hindu festivals}} Deshasthas follow the ''Saka'' or the [[Hindu calendar]]. They follow several of the Hindu festivals of other Hindu [[Marathi people]]. These include [[Gudi Padwa]], [[Ram Navami]], Hanuman Jayanti, Narali Pournima, Mangala Gaur, [[Janmashtami]], [[Ganeshotsav]], [[Kojagiri]], [[Diwali]], Khandoba Festival (Champa Shashthi), Makar Sankranti, [[Shivaratri]] and [[Holi]]. Of these, the Ganeshotsav is the most popular in the state of Maharashtra,{{sfn|Thapan|1997|p=226}} however [[Diwali]], the most popular festival of Hindus throughout India{{sfn|Council of Social and Cultural Research|p=28}} is equally popular in Maharashtra. Deshasthas celebrate the Ganapati festival as a private, domestic family affair. Depending on a family's tradition, the clay idol (called ''Shadu'' in Marathi) is worshiped for one and a half, three and a half, seven or full 10 days, before ceremoniously being placed in a river or the sea.{{sfn|Government of Maharashtra|1969|p=}} This tradition of private celebration runs parallel to that of public celebration introduced in 1894 by [[Lokamanya Tilak]].{{sfn|Bandyopādhyāẏa|2004|p=243–244}} ''[[Modak]]'' is a popular food item during the festival. Ganeshotsav also incorporates other festivals, namely [[Hartalika]] and the [[Parvati|Gauri]] festival,the former is observed with a fast by women whilstthe latter by the installation of idols of Gauris. The religious amongst the Deshasthas [[fasting|fast]] on the days prescribed for fasting according to Hindu calendar.{{sfn|Sharma|Gupta|2006|p=}} Typical days for fasting are, [[Ekadasi]], [[Chaturthi]] [[Shivaratri]] and Janmashtami.<ref name="ahmednagar.nic.in">[http://ahmednagar.nic.in/gazetteer/people_feast.html]</ref>[[Hartalika]] is a day of fasting for women. Some people fast during the week in honour of a particular god, for example, Monday for [[Shiva]], Saturday for [[Hanuman|Maruti]] and the planet Saturn, [[Shani]].<ref name="ahmednagar.nic.in"/> [[File:Gudi.jpg|thumb|100px|left|Gudi Padwa Gudi or Victory pole]]Gudi Padwa is observed on the first of the day of the lunar month of [[Chaitra]] of the Hindu calendar. A victory pole or Gudi is erected outside homes on the day. [[Neem]] leaves and [[Shreekhand]] are a part of the cuisine of the day.{{sfn|Express News Service|2009|p=1}}{{sfn|Government of Maharashtra|1976|p=1}} Like many other Hindu communities, Deshasthas celebrate [[Ram Navami]] and [[Hanuman Jayanti]], the birthdays of [[Lord Rama|Shree Ramchandra]] and Hanuman respectively are also celebrated in the month of Chaitra. A snack eaten by new mothers called Sunthawada or Dinkawada is the [[prasad]] or the religious food on Ram Navami.<ref>[http://www.archive.org/stream/cu31924070623677/cu31924070623677_djvu.txt] Bombay Gazetteer html copy,page 243</ref> Deshastha Brahmins observe [[Raksha Bandhan]], a north Indian festival on the same day as the local narali-pournima festival. Deshastha men change their sacred thread on this day.<ref name="ahmednagar.nic.in"/>] An important festival for the new brides is Mangala Gaur. It is celebrated on any Tuesday of Shravan and involves the worshipping of the [[Shivalinga]], a gathering of women folk and narrating limericks or ''Ukhane'' using their husbands' first name. The women may also play Jhimma, Fugadi, Bhendya till the wee hours of the next morning.<ref>[http://ratnagiri.nic.in/Gazetter/GOM/people_entertainments.html]</ref> [[Janamashtami]], the birthday of [[Lord Krishna]] on which day Gopalkala, a recipe made with [[curds]], pickle, popped millet (''jondhale'' in Marathi) and chili peppers is the special dish. [[Sharad Purnima|Kojagiri Pournima]], the full moon night in the month of [[Ashvin]] is celebrated in the honour of Laxmi or Parvati. A milk preparation is the special food of the evening. The first born of the family is honoured on this day.{{sfn|Government of Maharashtra|1886|p=}} In some families Gauri is also known as Mahalakshmi puja. It is celebrated for three days; on the first day, [[Mahalakshmi]] arrival is observed. The ladies in the family will bring statues of Mahalakshmi from the door to the place where they will be worshiped. The Kokanstha Brahmins, instead of statues, use special stones as symbols of Gauri.{{sfn|NasikChitpavan.org|2010|p=1}} The statues are settled at a certain location (very near the Devaghar), adorned with clothes and ornaments. On the second day, the family members get together and prepare a meal comprising of puran poli. This day is the puja day of Mahalakshmi and the meal is offered to Mahalakshmi and her blessings sought. On the third day, Mahalakshmi goes to her husband's home. Before the departure, ladies in the family will invite the neighbourhood ladies for exchange of haldi-kumkum. It is customary for the whole family to get together during the three days of Mahalakshmi puja. Most families consider Mahalakshmi as their daughter who is living with her husband's family all the year; but visits her parents' (maher) during the three days. [[Navaratri]], a nine day festival starts on the first day of the month of [[Ashvin]] and culminates on the tenth day or [[Vijayadashami]]. This is the one the three auspicious days of the year. People exchange leaves of the ''Apti'' tree as symbol of gold. During Navaratri women and girls hold ''Bhondla'', a singing party in honour of the Goddess. Like all Hindu [[Maharashtrians]] and to a varying degree with other Hindu Indians, [[Diwali]] is celebrated over five days by the Deshastha Brahmins. Deshastha Brahmins celebrate this by waking up early in the morning and having an ''Abhyangasnan''. People light their houses with lamps and candles, and burst fire crackers over the course of the festival. Special sweets and savouries like Anarse, Karanji, [[Chakli]], [[Chivda]], [[Ladoo]] are prepared for the festival. Colorful [[Rangoli]] drawings are made in front of the house. Kids make a replica fort in memory of [[Shivaji]], the great Maratha leader.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Shivaji-killas-express-pure-reverence/articleshow/6837729.cms | work=The Times Of India}}</ref> Deshastha Brahmins observe the [[Khandoba]] Festival or ''Champa Shashthi'' in the month of [[Margashirsh]]. This is a six-day festival, from the first to sixth lunar day of the bright fortnight. Deshastha households perform ''Ghatasthapana'' during this festival. The sixth day of the festival is called Champa Sashthi.{{sfn|Gupte|1994|p=}}{{sfn|Pillai|1997|p=192}} [[File:Tilgul kha god god bola.jpg|thumb|right| [[Tilgul]] is exchanged by Deshasthas on Makar Sankaranti. The center shows sugarcoated [[sesame]] seeds surrounded by ''[[laddu|ladus]]'' of Tilgul. Til is [[sesame]] and ''gul'' is [[jaggery]].]] [[Makar Sankranti]] falls on 14 January when the Sun enters Capricorn. Deshastha Brahmins exchange ''Tilgul'' or sweets made of jaggery and sesame seeds along with the customary salutation ''Tilgul Ghya aani God Bola'' which means ''Accept the Tilul and be friendly''. ''Gulpoli'', a special type of [[Chapati|poli]] stuffed with jaggery is the dish of the day. [[Mahashivaratri]] is celebrated in the month of [[Magha (month)|Magha]] to honour [[Lord Shiva]]. A chutney made from the fruit of [[curd fruit]] (''Kawath'' in Marathi), elephant apple, monkey fruit, or wood apple) is a part of the cuisine of the day. [[Holi]] falls on the full moon day in [[Falgun]], the last month of the Marathi Shaka Calendar. Deshasthas celebrate this festival by lighting a bonfire and offering Puran Poli to the fire. Unlike north Indians, Deshastha Brahmins throw and apply coloured powder to each other five days after Holi on [[Rangapanchami]].<ref name="ahmednagar.nic.in"/> ==Social and political issues== Maharashtraian Brahmins were absentee landlords and lived off the surplus without tilling the land themselves per ritual restrictions.{{sfn|Mitra|2006|p=129}} They were often seen as the exploiter of the tiller. This situation started to change when the newly independent India enshrined in its constitution, agrarian or land reform. Between 1949–1959, the state governments started enacting legislation in accordance with the constitution implementing this agrarian reform or ''Kula Kayada'' in Marathi. The legislation led to the abolition of various absentee tenures like ''inams'' and ''jagirs''. This implementation of land reform had mixed results in different States. On official inquiry, it was revealed that not all absentee tenures were abolished in the State of Maharashtra as of 1985.{{sfn|Haque|1986|pp=35–36}} Other social and political issues include anti-Brahminism and the treatment of Dalits. ===Inter-caste issues=== [[File:Pandharpur Vithoba temple.jpg|thumb|left|The main entrance to the Vithoba temple in Pandharpur]] Maharashtrian Brahmins were the primary targets during the anti-Brahmin riots in Maharashtra in 1948, following [[Mahatma Gandhi]]'s assassination. The rioters burnt homes and properties owned by Brahmins.{{sfn|Mohanty|2004|p=161}} The violent riots exposed the social tensions between the Marathas and the Brahmins.{{sfn|Dossal|Maloni|1999|p=11}} In recent history, on 5 January 2010, the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute (BORI) in Pune was vandalised by 150 members of the Sambhaji Brigade, an organisation promoting the cause of the Marathas.{{sfn|Katakam|2004|pp=17–30}} The organisation was protesting against a derogatory remark made by the American author James Laine, on Shivaji's Parentage in his book, ''Shivaji: A Hindu King in an Islamic Kingdom''. BORI was targeted because Srikant Bahulkar, a scholar at BORI, was acknowledged in Laine's book. The incident highlighted the traditionally uncomfortable Brahmin-Maratha relationship.{{sfn|Katakam|2004|pp=17–30}} Recently, the same organisation demanded the removal of [[Dadoji Konddeo]] from the ''Statue of Child Shivaji ploughing Pune's Land'' at Lal Mahal, Pune. They also threatened that if their demands were not met, they would demolish that part of statue themselves.{{sfn|Swamy|2008|p=}} Unfortunately, until recent times, like other high castes of Maharashtra and India, Deshastha also followed the practice of segregation from other castes considered lower in the social hierarchy. Until a few decades ago, a large number of [[Hindu temples]], presumably with a Deshastha priest, barred entry to the so called "[[Dalit|untouchables]]" (Dalit). An example of this was the case of the 14th&nbsp;century saint Chokhamela. He was time and again denied entry to the [[Vitthal]] temple in [[Pandharpur]],{{sfn|Prasad|2007|p=10-12}} however, his mausoleum was built in front of the gate of the temple. In early 20th&nbsp;century, the Dalit leader [[Dr. Ambedkar]], while attempting to visit the temple, was stopped at the burial site of Chokhamela and denied entry beyond that point for being a Mahar.{{sfn|Lele|Singh|1989|p=38}} Deshastha caste-fellow Dnyaneshwar and his entire family were stripped of their caste and excommunicated by the Deshasthas because of his father's return from ''[[sanyasa]]'' to family life. The family was harassed and humiliated to an extent that Dnyaneshwar's parents committed suicide.{{sfn|Jñānadeva|1981|p=5}} Other saints of the [[Varkari]] movement like [[Chokhamela]] ([[Mahar]] caste), and [[Tukaram]] ([[Kunbi]] caste) were discriminated against by the Brahmins.{{sfn|Eaton|2005|p=129-130}}{{sfn|Eaton|2005|p=132}} The Maharashtra Government has taken away the hereditary rights of priesthood to the Pandharpur temple from the Badve and Utpat Deshastha families, and handed them over to a governmental committee. The families have been fighting complex legal battles to win back the rights.{{sfn|Press Trust of India|2000|p=}} While untouchability was legally abolished by the Anti-untouchability Act of 1955 and under article 17 of the Indian constitution, modern India has simply ghettoised these marginalised communities.{{sfn|Nubile|2003|p=}} Article 25(2) of the Indian constitution empowers States to enact laws regarding temple entries.{{sfn|Paswan|2003|pp=97–110, 159–161}} The relevant Act was enacted and enforced in Maharasthra in 1956. Leaders from different times in history such as Bhimrao [[Bhimrao Ambedkar|Ambedkar]], [[Mahatma Phule]], [[Savarkar]], [[Sane Guruji]] fought for the cause of Dalits. The [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]], an organisation founded by [[K. B. Hedgewar]] advocates Dalits being head priests at Hindu temples.{{sfn|India Times News Network|2006|p=1}} Deshastha Brahmins such as Dr. Govande and Mahadev Ambedkar supported and helped Dalit leaders like [[Mahatma Phule]] and Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar respectively.{{sfn|Sharma|2002|p=137}}{{sfn|Dr. Ambedkar Mission|2010|p=}} Dr. Ambedkar expressed gratitude towards Mahadev Ambedkar many times in his speeches. ===Deshastha-Konkanastha relations=== The prominence of a Brahmin in Indian society was directly related to his virtues, values, knowledge and practice of the scriptures. Manu's list of virtues of a perfect Brahmin, according to Italian [[Society of Jesus|Jesuit]] [[Roberto de Nobili]], in order of importance were righteousness, truthfulness, generosity, almsgiving, compassion, self-restraint and diligent work.{{sfn|Arokiasamy|1986|pp=55–62}} Prior to the rise of the Konkanastha Peshwas, the Konkanastha Brahmins were considered inferior in a society where the Deshasthas held socio-economic, ritual and Brahminical superiority.<ref name="sam">{{Citation|title=Economic and political weekly|volume=24|publisher=Sameeksha Trust|year=1989|subjects=Business & Economics/Economic Conditions}}</ref>{{sfn|Rinehart|2004|p=249}} After the appointment of Balaji Vishwanath Bhat as Peshwa, Konkanastha migrants began arriving en masse from the Konkan to Pune,{{sfn|Gokhale|2008|p=113}}{{sfn|Eaton|2005|p=192}} where the Peshwa offered all important offices to the Konkanastha caste.{{sfn|Patterson|2007|p=398}} The Konkanastha kin were rewarded with tax relief and grants of land.{{sfn|Leach|Mukherjee|1970|pp=101, 104–5}} Historians point out nepotism{{sfn|Śejavalakara|1946|pp=24–5}}{{sfn|Seal|1971 |pp=74, 78}}{{sfn|Deccan College Post-graduate and Research Institute|1947|p=182}}{{sfn|Sardesai|1946|p=254}}{{sfn|Śinde|1985|p=16}}{{sfn|Michael|2007|p=95}} and corruption{{sfn|Sardesai|1946|p=254}} during this time. The Sahyadri Khanda which contains the legend of the origin of the Konkanastha has been carefully suppressed or destroyed by the Konkanastha [[Peshwas]].{{sfn|Da Cunha|1877|pp=8,325–6, 331}} Crawford, an early Indologist described how a Brahmin reluctantly produced the manuscript when he asked for it and that Baji Rao, in 1814, ruined and disgraced a respectable Deshastha Brahmin of [[Wai, Maharashtra|Wai]], found in possession of a copy of the Sahyadri Khand.{{sfn|Crawford|1897|p=127}} The Konkanasthas were waging a social war on Dehasthas during the period of the Peshwas.{{sfn|Kulkarnee|1975|p=8}}{{sfn|Sarkar|1920|p=430}} By late 18th&nbsp;century, Konkanasthas had established complete political and economic dominance in the region. Richard Maxwell Eaton states that this rise of the Konkanastha is a classic example of social rank rising with political fortune.{{sfn|Eaton|2005|p=192}} Since then, despite being the traditional religious and social elites of Maharashtra, the Deshastha Brahmins failed to feature as prominently as the Konkanastha.{{sfn|Johnson|1970|pp=98, 55–56}} However, in recent decades, there have been deshasthas who have made a mark. One such person was the late [[BJP]] politician [[Pramod Mahajan]], who was called a brilliant strategist and had an impact nationwide.{{sfn|Misra|2006|p=1}} Other notables include [[Manohar Joshi]], who has been the only Brahmin chief minister of Maharashtra,{{sfn|Swami|Bavadam|1999|p=1}} [[RSS]] founder Dr. [[Hedgewar]], and social activist [[Baba Amte]]. The Deshasthas looked down upon the Konkanasthas as new comers in the 18th and 19th&nbsp;centuries. They refused to socialise and intermingle with them, not considering them to be Brahmins. A Konkanstha who was invited to a Deshastha household was considered to be a privileged individual, and even the Peshwas were refused permission to perform religious rites at the Deshastha ''[[ghats]]'' on the Godavari at Nasik. The Konkanasthas on their part, claimed they possessed greater intellectual ability and better political acumen.{{sfn|Kumar|2004|p=37}} During colonial period of 18th and 19th&nbsp;century, Deshasthas dominated professions such as government administration, practice of medicine, music, legal and engineering fields, whereas Konkanasthas dominated fields like politics, social reform, journalism and education. This situation has since improved by the larger scale mixing of both communities on social, financial and educational fields, as well as with intermarriages.{{sfn|Hassan|1920|p=113}} ==Surnames and families== {{Main|List of Deshastha Brahmin surnames|List of Deshastha Brahmins}} A large number of Deshastha surnames are derived by adding the suffix ''kar'' to the village from which the family originally hailed.{{sfn|Chopra|1982|p=52}} For example, Bidkar came from town of Bid, Dharwadkar from the town of Dharwad in Karnataka, and the Marathi poet V. V. Shirwadkar, colloquially knows as ''Kusumagraj'', came from the town of Shirwad. The names [[Kulkarni]], [[Deshpande]] and [[Joshi]] are very common amongst Deshastha Brahmins, and denote their professions.{{sfn|Karve|1968|p=161}} For example, [[Kulkarni]] means revenue collector and Joshi means astrologer. Some surnames simply describe physical and mental characteristics such as ''Hirve'' which means green or ''Buddhisagar'' which literally translates to an ocean of intellect.{{sfn|Naik|2000|p=66}} ==See also== * [[Thanjavur Maharashtrian]] * [[Forward Castes]] * [[Marathi people]] ==Notes== {{Reflist|4}} ==References== {{Refbegin|2}} * {{Citation |url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/article432445.ece |title=The paradox of the 21st century |first=Pinky |last=Anand |year=2010 |accessdate=10 October 2010 |location=Chennai, India |work=The Hindu |date=18 May 2010 }} * {{Citation |pages=55–62 |title=Dharma, Hindu and Christian according to Roberto de Nobili: analysis of its meaning and its use in Hinduism and Christianity |volume=19 |first=Soosai |last=Arokiasamy |publisher=Editrice Pontificia Università Gregoriana |year=1986 |isbn=9788876525650 |subject=Christianity and other religions, Dharma, Hinduism, Philosophy / Hindu |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=Dwvd5OfnhvUC |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=The marriage market |first=Nitin Jugran |last=Bahuguna |publisher=The Hindu Business Line |date=2004-11-05 |url=http://www.blonnet.com/life/2004/11/05/stories/2004110500130300.htm |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |pages=243–244 |title=From Plassey to partition: a history of modern India |first=Śekhara |last=Bandyopādhyāẏa |edition=illustrated |publisher=Orient Blackswan |year=2004 |isbn=9788125025962 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=0oVra0ulQ3QC |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=Class and Religion in Ancient India |last=Bandyopadhyaya |first=JayantanujaJ |isbn=9781843317272 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=gwUF11NRyT4C |year=2008 |publisher=Anthem Press |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |first=Jogendra Nath |last=Bhattacharya |title=Hindu Castes and sects |year=1896 |publisher=Thacker, Spink |url=http://books.google.com/?id=xlpLAAAAMAAJ |accessdate=10 October 2010 |isbn=1150667117 }} * {{citation |title=Rajguru Ramdas |last=Bokil |first=Vinayak Pandurang |url=http://books.google.co.in/books?id=zFoqAAAAYAAJ |year=1979 |publisher=Kamalesh P. Bokil : sole distributors, International Book Service }} * {{Citation |last=Brown | first=Robert |title=Ganesh: Studies of an Asian God |page=19 |isbn=0791406571 |publisher=Albany: State University of New York |year=1991 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=UWS1QgAACAAJ |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=The myth of the Lokamanya: Tilak and mass politics in Maharashtra |first=Richard I |last=Cashman |page=19 |year=1975 |publisher=University of California |isbn=9780520024076 |url= http://books.google.com/books?id=905gbgzGN1EC |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=The Cambridge History of India |publisher=CUP Archive |first=S |last=Chand |year=1963 |chapter=Siege of Bassein |pages=405–407 |url= http://books.google.com/books?id=U5npAAAAMAAJ |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |pages=52–54 |title=Religions and communities of India |first=Pran Nath |last=Chopra |publisher=Vision Books |year=1982 |isbn=9780856920813 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=HAtuAAAAMAAJ |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{citation |first= |last=Government of Maharashtra |title=Maharashtra State Gazeteers, Ahmadnagar District |year=1976 |url=http://ahmednagar.nic.in/gazetteer/people_feast.html }} * {{citation |title=Hindu holidays and ceremonials: with dissertations on origin folklore and symbols |last=Gupte |first=B.A. |isbn=9788120609532 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=_FSWKWzNSagC |year=1994 |publisher=Asian Educational Services }} * {{Citation |title=Gazetteers of the Bombay Presidency, Nasik District |volume=XVI |chapter=Population |publisher=The Executive Editor and Secretary, Gazetteer Department, Government of Maharashtra, Bombay |first1=H. R |last1=Cooke |first2=J. A |last2=Baines |first3=Major W.H |last3=Wilson |first4=F. L |last4=Charles |first5=Rao Bahadur Kashinath Mahadev |last5=Thatte |first6=Raghuji Trimbak |last6=Sanap |year=1883 |url=http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/Nasik/006%20ThePeople/002%20Hindus.htm |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |last=Council of Social and Cultural Research |title=Journal of social research: Volume 15, Council of Social and Cultural Research, Bihar, Ranchi University, Dept. of Anthropology |volume=15 |year= }} * {{Citation |first=Arthur Travers |last=Crawford |title=Our troubles in Poona and the Deccan |year=1897 |url=http://books.google.com/?id=PV8LAAAAIAAJ&dq=our+troubles+in+poona |accessdate=5 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=The tribes and castes of the North-western Provinces and Oudh, Volume 2 |volume=2 |first=William |last=Crooke |pages=422 |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |last=Da Cunha |first=J. Gerson |title= The Sahyâdri-khaṇḍa of the Skanda purâṃa: a mythological, historical, and geographical account of western India ; first edition of the Sanskrit texts with various readings |year=1877 |pages=8, 325–326, 331 |chapter= Sahyâdri-khaṇḍa |url= http://books.google.com/books?id=jRCcPQAACAAJ |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title =India: An international spotlight on the caste system |last= Datta-Ray |first=Sunanda K |publisher=The New York Times |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/12/opinion/12iht-eddattaray.html |accessdate=5 October 2010 |date=13 May 2005 }} * {{Citation |last=Deccan College Post-graduate and Research Institute |journal=Bulletin of the Deccan College Research Institute |volume=8 |pages=182 |title=Bulletin of the Deccan College Research Institute |year=1947 |publisher=Dr. A. M. Ghatage, director, Deccan College Postgraduate and Research Institute |iccn=47021378 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=5sM8AAAAMAAJ |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=Clothes maketh a politician |url=http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=18221 |date=2010-05-21 |first=Haima |last=Deshpande |publisher=Indian Express |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=Marathi |journal=London Oriental and African language library |volume=13 |first1=Ramesh |last1=Dhoṅgaḍe |first2=Kashi |last2=Wali |publisher=John Benjamins Publishing Company |year=2009 |isbn=9027238138, 9789027238139 |pages=11,139 |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |pages=11 |title=State intervention and popular response: western India in the nineteenth century |first1=Mariam |last1=Dossal |first2=Ruby |last2=Maloni |publisher=Popular Prakashan |year=1999 |isbn=9788171548552 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=7EkGKKvJ0lsC |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: Short life History |last=Dr. Ambedkar Mission |year=2010 |url=http://www.drambedkarmission.org/ambedkar |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=History of the Mahrattas |first=James Grant |last=Duff |year=1863 |volume=I |pages=8 |isbn= 9781421233604 |url= http://books.google.com/books?id=UsomINM1KtoC |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |first=Richard Maxwell |last=Eaton |title=A social history of the Deccan, 1300–1761: eight Indian lives, Volume 1 |pages=192 |isbn=9780521254847 |year=2005 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=DNNgdBWoYKoC |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=Economic and political weekly |volume=24 |publisher=Sameeksha Trust |year=1989 |subjects=Business & Economics/Economic Conditions |url= http://books.google.com/books?id=itOwAAAAIAAJ |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/363893/Marathi-literature |title=Marathi literature |last=Encyclopædia Britannica |publisher=Encyclopaedia Britannica |year=2010 |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=Bhavabhuti |last=Encyclop‘dia Britannica |url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/64096/Bhavabhuti |publisher=Encyclop‘dia Britannica |year=2010 |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=The tribes and castes of Bombay |year=1920 |volume=I |pages=244–245 |last=Enthoven |isbn=9788120606302 |first=R. E |url= http://books.google.com/books?id=FoT6gPrbTp8C |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{citation |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/this-gudi-padwa-plant-a-neem-and-reap-its-benefits/437436/ |last=Express News Service |year=2009 |title=This Gudi Padwa, plant a neem and reap its benefits |accessdate=12 December 2009 }} * {{Citation |title=The Crown of Hinduism |first=J. N |last=Farquhar |publisher=READ BOOKS |year=2008 |isbn= 9781443723978 |url=http://books.google.com/?id=apnn55kIKo8C |accessdate=5 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=Annual Bibliography Of Indian History And Indology |volume=IV |last=Fernandes |first=Braz A. |publisher=Bombay Historical Society. |oclc=32489 |year=1941 |url=http://www.archive.org/stream/annualbibliograp032489mbp#page/n3/mode/2up |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=Molecular insight into the genesis of ranked caste populations of western India |first1=Sonali |last1=Gaikwad |first2=V. K. |last2=Kashyap |url=http://genomebiology.com/content/pdf/gb-2005-6-8-p10.pdf |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |first=S. | last=Ghosal |editor=Kumar Suresh Singh |title=People of India: Maharashtra |publisher=Anthropological Survey of India |volume=xxx |part=One |year=2004 |pages=478?480 |isbn=8179911004 |url=http://books.google.com/?id=DEAlCTxJowUC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |last=Gokhale |first=Sandhya |title=The Chitpavans: social ascendancy of a creative minority in Maharashtra, 1818–1918 |pages=113 |isbn=8182901324 |year=2008 |subjects=Chitpavan Brahmans, History / Asia / India & South Asia, Maharashtra (India) |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=Ez4wAQAAIAAJ |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=Toward a global science: mining civilizational knowledge |first=Susantha |last=Goonatilake |pages=134 |year=1998 |isbn=0253333881 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=SI5ip95BbgEC |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: Kolhapur District |chapter=People |volume=XXIV |last=Government of Maharashtra |editor-last=Campbell |editor-first=James M |url=http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/pdf/gazeetter_reprint/Kolhapur/home.html |year=1886 |publisher=Government of Maharashtra |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: Sholapur |series=Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency |last=Government of Maharashtra |editor-first=James M. |editor-last=Campbell |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=WRIIAQAAIAAJ |year=1884 |publisher=Govt. Central Press }} * {{Citation |url=http://maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/RATNAGIRI/people_religions.html |last=Government of Maharashtra |title=Ratnagiri District Gazetteer |year=1962 |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=Satara District Gazetteer |year=1963 |last=Government of Maharashtra |url=http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/SATARA/people_marriage_morals.html |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |url=http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/SANGLI/people_hindus.html |title=The Gazetteers Department of Sangli |last=Government of Maharashtra |year=1969 |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |last=Government of Maharashtra |title=Wardha District Gazetteer |year=1974 |url=http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/WARDHA/people_marriage%20morals.html |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |url=http://ahmednagar.gov.in/gazetteer/people_castes.html |last=Government of Maharashtra |title=Ahmadnagar District Gazetteer |year=1976 |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |url=http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/Solapur/people_hindus.html |last=Government of Maharashtra |title=Solapur District Gazetteer |year=1977 |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=Encyclopedia of the Ancient World |first=Shona |last=Grimbly |editor-first=Shona |editor-last=Grimbly |publisher=Taylor & Francis |year=2000 |isbn=9781579582814 |url=http://books.google.com/?id=CRZu51yv1X4C |accessdate=5 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |pages=171–174, 183 |title=Gujarat State Gazetteers: Vadodara |publisher=Directorate of Govt. Print., Stationery and Publications, Gujarat State |year=1984 |last=Gujarat (India) |url= http://books.google.com/books?id=pCQbAAAAIAAJ |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |pages=35–36 |title=Agrarian Reforms and Institutional Changes in India |publisher=Concept Publishing Company |year=1986 |first1=T. |last1=Haque |first2=A. S. |last2=Sirohi |isbn=9788170220787 |url= http://books.google.com/books?id=K_zZoMPMshkC |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=The Castes and Tribes of H. E. H. The Nizam's Dominions |first=Syed Siraj ul |last=Hassan |volume=I, Bombay, The Times Press |year=1920 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=lYSd-3yL9h0C |isbn=9788120604889 |page=118 |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |pages=225 |isbn=9789027976901 |year=1978 |publisher=Mouton |editor1=Regina E. Holloman |editor2=Serge Aleksandrovich Aruti︠u︡nov |first1=Regina E. |last1=Holloman |first2=Serge Aleksandrovich |last2=Aruti︠u︡nov |subject=Ethnic groups |title=Perspectives on ethnicity |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=WYuAAAAAMAAJ |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title = RSS for Dalit head priests in temples |last=India Times News Network |date=2006-10-30 |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/RSS_rips_into_ban_on_Dalits_entering_temples/articleshow/1040404.cms |accessdate=13 October 2010 |work=The Times Of India }}* {{Citation |title=Amrutanubhav |last= Jñānadeva |page=5 |publisher=Ajay Prakashan |year=1981 |url= http://books.google.com/books?id=mol1AAAAIAAJ |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=Dr. Ambedkar and untouchability: fighting the Indian caste system |first=Christophe |last=Jaffrelot |publisher=Columbia University Press |year=2005 |isbn=9780231136020 |url=http://books.google.com/?id=W1590ts70g0C |accessdate=5 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=Elites in South Asia |pages=98, 55–56 |last=Johnson |first=Gordon |editor1=S. N. Mukherjee |editor2=Edmund Leach |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1970 |isbn=9780521107655 |url= http://books.google.com/books?id=2u88AAAAIAAJ |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |p=55 |title=Provincial Politics and Indian Nationalism: Bombay and the Indian National Congress 1880?1915 |volume=Volume 14 of Cambridge South Asian Studies |first=Gordon |last=Johnson |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2005 |isbn=9780521619653 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=4kaZV5CdzsAC |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=Karnataka State Gazetteer: Uttara Kannada |last1=Karnataka (India) |last2=Abhishankar |first2=K |last3=Kāmat |first3=S. |year=1990 |lccn=76929567 |series=Gazetteer of India, |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=6by1AAAAIAAJ |publisher=Printed by the Director of Print, Stationery and Publications at the Govt. Press }} * {{Citation |pages=161 |title=Maharashtra, land and its people, Gazetteer of India, Volume 60 of Maharashtra State gazetteers: General series, Maharashtra (India) |first=Irawati Karmarkar |last=Karve |publisher=Directorate of Govt. Printing, Stationery and Publications, Maharashtra State |year=1968 |url= http://books.google.com/books?id=rO30QgAACAAJ |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |doi=10.1086/200976 |title=A Biological Comparison of Eight Endogamous Groups of the Same Rank |first1=Irawati |last1=Karve |first2=K. C |last2=Malhotra |journal=Current Anthropology |volume= 9 |issue= 2/3 |pages=109 |year=1968 |month=April–June |url=http://www.jstor.org/pss/2740725 |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=Politics of vandalism |first=Anupama |last=Katakam |publisher=Frontline |volume=21 |issue=02 |date=2004-January-17-30 |url=http://www.hindu.com/fline/fl2102/stories/20040130003802800.htm |accessdate=10 October 2010 |location=Chennai, India }} * {{Citation |pages=446–454 |first=Appaji Kashinath |last=Kher |title=A higher Anglo-Marathi grammar |year=1895 |url= http://books.google.com/books?id=xO0EHQAACAAJ |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |first=Swatee |last=Kher |url=http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=69578 |title=Bid farewell to her |publisher=Indian Express, Mumbai Newsline |year=2003 |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title= Chhatrapati Shivaji, architect of freedom: an anthology |first=Narayan H. |last=Kulkarnee |year=1975 |page=8 |publisher=Chhatrapati Shivaji Smarak Samiti |url= http://books.google.com/books?id=faodAAAAMAAJ |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |first=Ravinder |last=Kumar |page=37 |title=Western India in the Nineteenth Century: A Study in the Social History of the Maharashtra |publisher=Routledge |year=2004 |isbn=9780415330480 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=I0KrZVKngyAC |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation | title=Rapt in the name: the Ramnamis, Ramnam, and untouchable religion in Central India |last=Lamb |first=Ramdas |isbn=9780791453858 |lccn=2002070695 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=STw9LQtx89oC |year=2002 |publisher=State University of New York Press }} * {{Citation |title=Elites in South Asia |first1=Edmund |last1=Leach |first2=S. N |last2=Mukherjee |isbn=0521107652 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1970 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=Gt6pPwAACAAJ |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |page=38 |first1=J. K. |last1=Lele |first2=R. |last2=Singh |title=Language and society |year=1989 |isbn=9004087893 |publisher=E. J. Brill, Netherlands |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=1PLiAlGzLFQC |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |pages=68 |title=Encyclopedia of World Cultures: South Asia |first=David |last=Levinson |year=1992 |publisher=G.K. Hall |volume=3 |isbn=9780816118120 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=Ds0ZAQAAIAAJ |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |page=120 |title=Maharashtra State gazetteers, Volume 23, Gazetteer of India, Maharashtra State Gazetteers, Maharashtra (India), Gazetteers of British India, 1833?1962, Imperial gazetteer. District series, Imperial gazetteers of India, India gazetteers |volume=23 |publisher=Directorate of Govt. Print., Stationery and Publications, Maharashtra State |year=1977 |last=Maharashtra (India), Bombay (President) |url=http://books.google.com/?id=0hFuAAAAMAAJ&dq=Maharashtra+State+gazetteers+1977&q=govardhan#search_anchor |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=Caste and land relations in India: a study of Marathwada |first=S. M |last=Mandavdhare |pages=39 |year=1989 |publisher=Uppal Pub. House |isbn=8185024502 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=ROXZAAAAMAAJ |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=Genetic structure and microdifferentiation among four endogamous groups of Maharashtra, Western India, Annals of Human biology |year=1994 |volume=21 |issue=3 |pages=241–262 |first1=S. S |last1=Mastana |first2=S. S |last2=Papiha }} * {{Citation |title=Dalits in Modern India: Vision and Values |first=S. M |last=Michael |year=2007 |isbn= 9780761935711 |url= http://books.google.com/books?id=xnyo1xPNwxwC |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060504/nation.htm#3 |first=Satish |last=Misra |title=Fighter to the core |chapter=Obituary |date=2006-05-04 |publisher=Tribune News Service |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |pages=129 |title=The puzzle of India's governance: culture, context and comparative theory |volume=3 |first=Subrata Kumar |last=Mitra |publisher=Routledge |year=2006 |isbn=9780415348614 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=Sh5L5a1SBqgC |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |page=161 |title=Class, caste, gender Volume 5 of Readings in Indian government and politics |first=Manoranjan |last=Mohanty |publisher=SAGE |year=2004 |isbn=9780761996439 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=q1j6iu8E3vQC |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=Ancient Indian Education: Brahmanical and Buddhist |first=Radhakumud |last=Mookerji |pages=174–175 |isbn=9788120804234 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |year=1989 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=mjFfqpq7HhkC |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=Child marriage in India: a study of its differential patterns in Rajasthan |pages=6–9 |first=B. S |last=Nagi |isbn=9788170994602 |year=1993 |publisher=Mittal Publications |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=mhF5rFHIEWQC |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |page=66 |title=Understanding our fellow pilgrims |first=Gregory |last=Naik |publisher=Gujarat Sahitya Prakash |year=2000 |isbn=8187886102, 9788187886105 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=4IXYAAAAMAAJ |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{citation |title=Customs and Traditions |last=NasikChitpavan.org |first= |year=2010 |url=http://nasikchitpavan.org/customs-traditions.php |accessdate=18 December 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=The Influence of English on Marathi: a sociolinguistic and stylistic study |first=Bhalacandra |last=Nemāḍe |publisher=Rajhauns Vitaran |year=1990 |pages=101, 139 |isbn=9788185339788 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=cjcaAAAAIAAJ |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=The danger of gender: caste, class and gender in contemporary Indian women's writing |first=Clara |last=Nubile |publisher=Sarup & Sons |year=2003 |isbn=9788176254021 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=JlgAkHqGyMoC |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=Die Religion Des Veda |year=1998 |page=158 |last=Oldenberg |first=Hermann |publisher=Wein |url= http://books.google.com/books?id=ihawsNLB7PsC |accessdate=10 October 2010 |isbn=3534050541 }} * {{Citation |title=Bajirao I: an outstanding cavalry general |pages=59 |first=R. D. |last=Paloskar |subject=Biography & Autobiography |publisher=Reliance Publishing House |year=1995 |url=http://books.google.com/?id=UU1uAAAAMAAJ&q=Bajirao+I:+an+outstanding+cavalry+general&dq=Bajirao+I:+an+outstanding+cavalry+general|accessdate=5 October 2010|isbn=9788185972947}} * {{Citation |title=Encyclopaedia of Indian literature |volume=1 |first=Ravi Narayan |last=Pandey |pages=19 |publisher=Anmol Publications |year=2007 |isbn=8126131187 |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |first=Sanjay |last=Paswan |pages=97–110, 159–161 |title=Encyclopaedia of Dalits in India: Human rights : problems and perspectives |year=2003 |url= http://books.google.com/books?id=DZyZ_yeFqpoC |isbn=9788178351292 |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=Structure and Change in Indian Society |editor=Bernard S. Cohn, Milton Singer |pages=398 |first=Maureen |last=Patterson |isbn=9780202361383 |year=2007 |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=Indian sociology through Ghurye, a dictionary |pages=38 |first=S. Devadas |last=Pillai |isbn=8171548075 |year=1997 |publisher=Popular Prakashan |url= http://books.google.com/books?id=P3uD22Ghqs4C |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |pages=58 |title=PILC journal of Dravidic studies |volume=8 |issue=1–2 |last=Pondicherry Institute of Linguistics and Culture |year=1998 |publisher=Pondicherry Institute of Linguistics and Culture |subject=Dravidian languages |url= http://books.google.com/books?id=YZF4AAAAIAAJ |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=Encyclopaedic History of Indian Freedom Movement |pages=115 |first=Om |last=Prakash | publisher=Anmol publications |isbn=8126109386 |year=2003 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=8ArbyWUf4j8C |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=Dalit Literature |first=Amar Nath |last=Prasad |pages=10–12 |isbn=9788176258173 |year=2007 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=Bg0rOOqvBMkC |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=India Divided |first=Rajendra |last=Prasad |isbn=9781406711783 |year=2007 |publisher=Hind Kitabs |url=http://books.google.com/?id=iroI_C8GTFsC|accessdate=5 October 2010}} * {{Citation |title=The Upanayana: the Hindu ceremonies of the sacred thread |first=Ram Chandra |last=Prasad |pages=156–158 |isbn=9788120812406 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |year=1997 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=WmsAjRBZXy8C |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=State assures new team to manage Pandharpur temple |last=Press Trust of India |publisher=Press Trust of India |date=2000-02-28 |url=http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/20000229/ina29040.html |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title = The caste system – India’s apartheid? |last = Rajagopal |first=Balakrishnan |publisher=The Hindu |url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/18/stories/2007081856301200.htm |accessdate=5 October 2010 |location=Chennai, India |date=18 August 2007 }} * {{Citation |title=Rise of the Maráthá power |first=Mahadev Govind |last=Ranade |year=1900 |publisher=Punalekar & co |url=http://books.google.com/?id=3Xouqxapyj8C&vq=thanjavur |accessdate=5 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=Fields of protest: women's movements in India |first=Raka |last=Ray |year=2000 |publisher=Zubaan |isbn=9788186706237 |url=http://books.google.com/?id=Kh2keRsHhnwC |accessdate=5 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=Indian society: continuity, change, and development : in honour of Prof. M. Suryanarayana |pages=54 |first1=P. Sudhakar |last1=Reddy |first2=V. |last2=Gangadharam |subject=History |publisher=Commonwealth Publishers |year=2002 |isbn=9788171696932 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=FezZAAAAMAAJ |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |last=Rinehart |first=Robin |title=Contemporary Hinduism: ritual, culture, and practice |pages=249 |isbn= 9781576079058 |year=2004 |url= http://books.google.com/books?id=hMPYnfS_R90C |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |first1=Herbert Hope |last1=Risley |first2=E.A |last2=Gait |year=1903 |title=Report on the Census of India, 1901, Calcutta |publisher=Superintendent of Government Printing |page=500 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=JFhNQAAACAAJ |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |first1=W. H. R |last1=Rivers |first2=Sir William |last2=Ridgeway |title=The Marriage of Cousins in India |publisher=Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland |year=1907 |url= }} * {{Citation |title=Pleasures of the Paithani |url=http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=102680 |first=Manasi |last=Saraf |publisher=Indian Express, Pune Newsline |year=2004 |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=South Asian anthropologist |volume=11?14 |pages=31–34 |last=Sarat Chandra Roy Institute of Anthropological Studies |publisher=Sarat Chandra Roy Institute of Anthropological Studies |year=1990 |issn=02577348 |url= http://books.google.com/books?id=yYYrAAAAIAAJ |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=New history of the Marathas: Sunset over Maharashtra (1772–1848) |first=Govind Sakharam |last=Sardesai |year=1946 |pages=254 |publisher=Phoenix Publications |isbn= |url= http://books.google.com/books?id=Y1AecAAACAAJ |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |first=Sir Jadunath |last=Sarkar |title=Shivaji and his times |year=1920 |url= http://books.google.com/books?id=7xNFAAAAIAAJ |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=The Emergence of Indian Nationalism: Competition and Collaboration in the Later Nineteenth Century (Political change in modern South Asia) |first=Anil |last=Seal |pages=74, 78 |isbn=0521096529 |year=1971 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=xV84AAAAIAAJ |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=Panipat: 1761, Volume 1 of Deccan College monograph series, Poona Deccan College of Post-graduate and Research Institute (India) Volume 1 of Deccan College dissertation series |last=Śejavalakara |first=Tryambaka Śaṅkara |year=1946 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=y-A9AAAAMAAJ |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |pages=475 |last=Selin |title=Encyclopaedia of the history of science, technology, and medicine in non-western cultures |publisher=Springer |year=1997 |isbn=9780792340669 |first=Helaine |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=raKRY3KQspsC |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Same-gotra-marriage-legal-court-had-ruled-65-years-ago/articleshow/5932546.cms |first=Ronojoy |last=Sen |publisher=TNN |title=Same-gotra marriage legal, court had ruled 65 years ago |date=2010-05-15 |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |url=http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Layout/Includes/TOI/ArtWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOI&BaseHref=TOIBG%2F2010%2F05%2F15&ViewMode=HTML&PageLabel=3&EntityId=Ar00301&AppName=1 |title=Same-gotra marriages okayed in 1945 |last=Sen |first=Ronojoy |publisher=TNN |year=2010 }} * {{Citation |title=Modern Hindu thought: the essential texts |page=137 |first=Arvind |last=Sharma |isbn=9780195653151 |year=2002 |publisher=Oxford University Press |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=_1sqAAAAYAAJ |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{citation |title=Fairs and festivals of India |last1=Sharma |first1=S.P. |last2=Gupta |first2=S. |isbn=9788122309515 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=54MSg3a63WgC |year=2006 |publisher=Pustak Mahal }} * {{Citation |title=Madhya Pradesh District Gazetteers: Indore |publisher=Bhopal Government Central Press |year=1971 |first=P. N. |last=Shrivastav |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=hqE8AAAAIAAJ&dq=Madhya+Pradesh+District+Gazetteers+Indore |accessdate=2011-02-21 }} * {{Citation |tite=Dynamics of cultural revolution: 19th century Maharashtra |pages=16 |last= Śinde |first=J. R |title=Dynamics of cultural revolution: 19th century Maharashtra |year=1985 |url= http://books.google.com/books?id=TtsiAAAAMAAJ |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=Maharashtra |last1=Singh |first1=K.S |last2=Bhanu |first2=B.V |last3=Anthropological Survey of India |issue=pt. 1 | isbn=9788179911006 |series=People of India: States series |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=DEAlCTxJowUC |year=2004 |publisher=Popular Prakashan }} * {{Citation |title=Structure and Change in Indian Society |chapter=Mobility in the caste system |editor1-first=Bernard S |editor1-last=Cohn |editor2-first=Milton |editor2-last=Singer |last=Srinivas |first=M. N |publisher=Transaction Publishers |year=2007 |isbn= 9780202361383 |url=http://books.google.com/?id=_g-_r-9Oa_sC |accessdate=5 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |first1=T.C.A |last=Srinivasa-Raghavan |title=Caste, cost and cause |publisher=The Hindu Business Line |date=2009-07-22 |url=http://www.blonnet.com/2009/07/22/stories/2009072250760900.htm |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |first1=Praveen |last1=Swami |first2=Lyla |last2=Bavadam |publisher=The Hindu |title=Exit Manohar Joshi |year=1999 |volume=Volume 16 |issue=No. 04 |url=http://www.frontlineonnet.com/fl1604/16040330.htm |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=Konddeo statue: Sambhaji Brigade renews threat |first=Rohan |last=Swamy |date=2008-10-21 |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/konddeo-statue-sambhaji-brigade-renews-threat/375967/0 |publisher=The Indian Express |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |page=226 |last=Thapan |first=Anita Raina |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Understanding Ganapati: Insights into the Dynamics of a Cult |year=1997 |publisher=Manohar Publishers |location=New Delhi |isbn=8173041954 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=5HrXAAAAMAAJ |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=Caste in doubt: The perilous arithmetic of positive discrimination |publisher=The Economist |last=The Economist |url=http://www.economist.com/node/16319821?story_id=16319821 |date=2010-06-10 |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=Martial races of undivided India |last=Tyagi |pages=93 |isbn=9788178357751 |year=2009 |publisher=Kalpaz Publications |first=Vidya Prakash |url= http://books.google.com/books?id=vRwS6FmS2g0C |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |first= |last=Unknown |title=Anthropometric measurements of Maharashtra |year=1951 |publisher= |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=uLc0AAAAIAAJ |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=Pathare Prabhuncha Itihaas |url=http://www.pathareprabhu.org/history/nanasaheb.htm |year=2010 |first=Dr. Pratap M. B. | last=Velkar |others=Sau Meghana P. Rane, Mr. Tejas P. Rane& Mr. Amit P. Kothar‚ |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |url=http://www.hindu.com/2000/01/15/stories/1315063j.htm |title=Struggle for survival |first=M |last=Vinayak |publisher=The Hindu |accessdate=10 October 2010 |location=Chennai, India |date=15 January 2000 }} * {{Citation |url=http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/pdf/Land%20&%20People%20%20Final/L%20&%20P%20pdf/Chapter%20VII/1%20Chapter%20VII%20Religion.pdf |title=Maharashtra: Land and its people |first=Dr. T. N |last=Walunjkar |chapter=VII |publisher=State of Maharashtra |year= |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |title=Indian caste |last=Wilson |first=John |year=1877 |volume=1–2 |publisher=Times of India office |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=V6MkAAAAMAAJ |accessdate=10 October 2010 |isbn=0524094497 }} * {{Citation |title=Tradition and modernity in Bhakti movements |first=Eleanor |last=Zelliot |editor=Jayant Lele |pages=136–142 |year=1981 |url= http://books.google.com/books?id=kLs3AAAAIAAJ |isbn=9789004063709 |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} * {{Citation |pages=55–56 |title=The Experience of Hinduism: essays on religion in Maharashtra |first1=Eleanor |last1=Zelliot |first2=Maxine |last2=Berntsen |year=1988 |isbn=088706664X, |publisher=SUNY Press |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=Pyon3IOpX-AC |accessdate=10 October 2010 }} {{Refend}} ==Further reading== * {{Citation| author=Frykenberg, Robert Eric | title=Elite groups in a South Indian district: 1788–1858 | url=http://jstor.org/stable/2050565 | journal=The Journal of Asian Studies |date=February 1956 | volume=24 | issue=2 |pages=261–281 | doi=10.2307/2050565}} ==External links== {{Commons}} {{Wikiquote}} * [http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/index.htm Sacred texts: Hinduism] {{-}} {{Hindu calendar}} [[Category:Maharashtrian Brahmin communities]] [[Category:Hindu communities]] [[Category:Indian castes]] [[mr:देशस्थ ब्राह्मण]] [[pl:Deśastha]] [[ta:தேசஸ்த் பிராமணர்]]'