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'{{Ethnic group| |group=Deshastha Brahmin |image= <div style="white-space:nowrap;">[[File:Jnandev.jpg|x111px]][[File:RahulDravid.jpg|x111px]][[File:Sonali_kulkarni_goa.jpg|x111px]]<br />[[File:Manohar Joshi cropped.jpg|x145px]][[File:Sudha.jpg|x145px]][[File:Tantiatope.jpg |x145px]]<br>[[File:Dr. Hedgevar.jpg|x111px]][[File:Baba Amte (1914-2008).jpg|x111px]][[File:Snap.jpg|x111px]]|caption = [[Dnyaneshwar]] • [[Rahul Dravid]] • [[Sonali Kulkarni]]<br>[[Manohar Joshi]] • [[Sudha Murthy]] • [[Tatya Tope]] <br> [[K. B. Hedgewar]] • [[Baba Amte]] • [[Gururaj Deshpande]] |poptime=2 million (estimate) |popplace=[[Maharashtra]], [[Delhi]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Madhya Pradesh]] (cities of [[Gwalior]], [[Indore]], [[Ujjain]], & [[Dhar]]), [[Gujarat]], particularly [[Baroda]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[Karnataka]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[United States]] and [[United Kingdom]] |langs= Majority speak [[Marathi language|Marathi]]. There is also a significant minority who speak [[Kannada]] as their native language. Also a small number of Deshastha resident outside Maharashtra speak local languages such as [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]], [[Hindi]],and [[Konkani language|Konkani]] |rels=[[Hinduism]] |related= * [[Marathi people]] * [[Thanjavur Marathi (people)|Thanjavur Marathi]] * [[Karhade Brahmin|Karhade]] * [[Chitpavan|Konkanastha]] * [[Devrukhe]] * [[Goud Saraswat Brahmin]] * [[Pancha Dravida Brahmins]] }} '''Deshastha Brahmins''' ({{lang-mr|देशस्थ ब्राह्मण}}), ([[Kannada]]:{{lang|kn|ದೇಶಸ್ಥ ಬ್ರಾಹ್ಮಣರು}}) are the original and the oldest [[Hindu]] [[Brahmin]] [[caste|sub-caste]] from the [[India]]n state of [[Maharashtra]].<ref name="man">{{cite book|title=Caste and land relations in India: a study of Marathwada|first=S. M.|last=Mandavdhare|pages=39|year=1989 |subject=Social Science|publisher=Uppal Pub. House|isbn=8185024502}}</ref><ref name="shr">{{cite book|title=Madhya Pradesh District Gazetteers: Indore|pages=140|publisher=Bhopal Government Centrel Press|year=1971|first=P. N.|last=Shrivastav}}</ref><ref name="lev">{{cite book|pages=68|title=Encyclopedia of World Cultures: South Asia|first= David|last=Levinson|year=1992|publisher=G.K. Hall|volume=3|isbn=9780816118120}}</ref><ref name="joh">{{cite book|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=521077109}}</ref> The word Deshastha comes from the [[Sanskrit]] words ''[[Desha]]'' and ''Stha'' which mean inland or country and resident respectively. Fused together the two words literally mean "residents of the country".<ref name="bha">{{cite book|first=Jogendra Nath|last=Bhattacharya|title=Hindu Castes and sects|pages=82, 85|year=1896}}</ref> A corruption of Deshastha is ''Deshi'' or ''[[Desi]]'' which is now used as a self-appellant by the Indian diaspora.<ref name="kud">{{cite book|pages=269|title=History of the Dakshinatya Saraswats|first=Venkataraya Narayan |last=Kudva|Publisher=Samyukta Gowda Saraswata Sabha|year=1972}}</ref><ref name="sin">{{cite book|pages=116|title=Community and caste in tradition|volume=5|editor=Virendra Prakash Singh|publisher=Commonwealth Publishers|year=1992|isbn=9788171692422}}</ref> Over the millennia the community has produced the Sanskrit scholar [[Bhavabhuti]] in the 8th century,<ref name="pan">{{cite book|title=Encyclopaedia of Indian literature|volume=1|first=Ravi Narayan|last=Pandey|pages=19|publisher=Anmol Publications|year=2007|subject=Literary Criticism|isbn=8126131187}}</ref> the great Indian mathematician, [[Bhāskara II]], whose work on calculus pre-dates [[Isaac Newton|Sir Issac Newton]] by half a millennium<ref name="cho">{{cite book|pages=52-54|title=Religions and communities of India|first=Pran Nath|last=Chopra|publisher=Vision Books|year=1982}}</ref><ref name="">{{cite book|title=Toward a global science: mining civilizational knowledge|first=Susantha|last=Goonatilake|pages=134|year=1998|isbn=0253333881}}</ref> and the most revered<ref name="lal">{{cite book|pages=4404|title=The Encyclopaedia Of Indian Literature, Volume=Five (Sasay To Zorgot)|volume=5|first= Mohan|last=Lal|isbn=8126012218}}</ref> of the Marathi philosophers, [[Dnyaneshwar]] in the 13th century. As the original Brahmins of Maharashtra, the Deshasthas have been held in the greatest esteem and considered themselves superior to other Brahmins.<ref name="joh"/><ref name="duf">{{cite book|title=History of the Mahrattas|first=James Grant|last=Duff|year=1863|volume=I|pages=8}}</ref><ref name="ent">{{cite book|title=The tribes and castes of Bombay|year=1920|volume=I|pages=244–245|last=Enthoven|first=R. E.}}</ref> Deshasthas have produced Maharashtra's greatest literary figures between the 13th and the 19th centuries.<ref name="pat">{{cite book|title=Structure and Change in Indian Society|editor=Bernard S. Cohn, Milton Singer|pages=398|first=Maureen|last=Patterson|isbn =9780202361383|year=2007}}</ref> All of the [[Peshwas]] during [[Shivaji|Shivaji's]] reign were Deshasthas,<ref name="pal"/> a period during which the foundation of the [[Maratha Empire]] was laid.<ref name="pra">{{cite book|title=India Divided|first=Rajendra|last=Prasad|pages=88|isbn=9781406711783|publisher=Hind Kitabs}}</ref> The hitherto ritually, socioeconomically<ref name=sam/> and Brahminically inferior<ref name=rob_rin>{{cite book|author=Robin Rinehart|title=Contemporary Hinduism: ritual, culture, and practice|pages=249|ISBN=1576079066}}</ref> [[Konkanastha]] acheived parity with the Deshasthas in the nepotistic era that followed the passing of the seat of the Peshwa in Konkanastha hands in 1713.<ref name=sejavalkar/><ref name=seal/><ref name = sukthankar/><ref name=sardesai/><ref name=shinde/><ref name=michael/> During this era the Konkanastha unleashed social warfare on the Deshasthas,<ref name=sar/> ruining and disgracing Deshastha Brahmins.<ref name=crawford/> Deshastha Brahmins constitute sixty percent of the total Brahmin population in Maharahstra<ref name="cas">{{cite book|title=The myth of the Lokamanya: Tilak and mass politics in Maharashtra|first=Richard I.|last=Cashman|pages=19|publisher=University of California|isbn=520024079}}</ref> which itself stands at four percent of the population of Maharashtra.<ref name="tya">{{cite book|title=Martial races of undivided India|firs=Vidya Prakash|last=Tyagi|pages=93|isbn=9788178357751|year=2009|publisher=Kalpaz Publications}}</ref> The valleys of the [[Krishna river|Krishna]] and the [[Godavari river|Godavari]] rivers and the plateaus of the [[Sahyadri]] hills are called the Desha and this is the home of the Deshastha Brahmins.<ref name=cho/> ==Further sub-sub-caste classifications== {{double image|right|India Maharashtra locator map.svg|150|Indiarivers.png‎|150|The location of state of Maharashtra in India. Majority of Deshastha live in Maharashtra (left). The Krishna and Godavari rivers (right)}} Deshasthas fall under the [[Brahmin#Pancha Dravida Brahmins|Pancha Dravida Brahmin]] classification of 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.<ref name="shr"/> Deshastha Brahmins are further classified in two major sub-sects based on the [[veda]] they follow for religious ceremonies. The Deshastha [[Rigvedi]] perform religious rituals from the [[Rigveda|Rig]] and the Deshastha [[Yajurvedi]] who use the [[Yajur]] in their rituals. The Yajurvedis are further classified in to two groups called the Madhyandins and the Kanavas. The Madhyandins follow the ''Sukla'' or white version of the Yajurveda.<ref name=bhs>{{cite book|pages=4|title=Annual bibliography of Indian history and Indology|volume=4|author=Bombay Historical Society|year=1946|subject=History/Asia/General, History/Asia/India & South Asia, India, Indo-Aryan philology, Travel/Asia/India}}</ref> The word ''Madhyandin'' is a fusion of two words ''Madhya'' and ''din'' which mean middle and day respectively. The are called so because they perform ''[[Sandhya Vandana|Sandhya]]'' at noon.<ref name="bha"/> Almost without an exception the several regional groups of the Madhyandin Brahmins lie indistinguishably mixed up with the Marathas.<ref name="ant">{{cite book|pages=98|title=Anthropometric measurements of Maharashtra|published=1951}}</ref> Kannav Brahmans were traditionally located in and around Nasik and they call themselves ''Prathamshakhis'' or followers of the first branch of the White Yajurved.<ref name="gaz_nas">{{cite book|pages=41|title=Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency, Volume 16, Nasik|volume=16|author=By Bombay (India : State)}}</ref> 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]]<ref name="sur">{{cite book|title=Karnataka State Gazetteer: Uttara Kannada|year=1990|first1=K. |last1=Abhishankar|last2=Kāmat|first2=Sūryanātha|subject=History|pages=242}}</ref> Brahmins who follow the teachings of [[Madhvacharya]] and the Deshastha [[Smartha]]<ref name="sud">{{cite book|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}}</ref> Brahmins who follow the teachings of [[Shankaracharya|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]]. ===Castes claiming to be Deshasthas=== The Golak or Govardhans are originally from the Pandharpur-Barshi area who follow the customs of the Deshasthas and claim to be Deshasthas. The other Brahmins traditionally did not accept this and the Deshasthas did not socialize and intermingle with them.<ref name="ent"/><ref name="mah_gaz">{{cite book|pages=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|authors=Maharashtra (India), Bombay (President)|publisher=Directorate of Govt. Print., Stationery and Publications, Maharashtra State|year=1977}}</ref> Golak or Govardhan are considered degraded because they sold their cows instead of rearing them.<ref name="mah_gaz"/> The caste headman is generally some one with a smattering of Sanskrit and is called a ''Vedia''. They are the earliest settlers in and around Nasik.<ref name="gaz_nas"/> Golaks are divided in to ''Kunda'' Golak and ''Randa'' Golak both of whom are descendants of illegitimate offspring of Brahmins.<ref name="cro">{{cite book|title=The tribes and castes of the North-western Provinces and Oudh, Volume 2|volume=2|first=William |last=Crooke|pages=422}}</ref> The Kunda Golak are the offspring 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 their first female parents were Brahmin widows.<ref name="wil">{{cite book|title=Indian Caste|volume=2|pages=28|first=John|last=Wilson|isbn=1421287579|publisher=Eliborn Classics}}</ref> 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. 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.<ref name=kar_mal>{{cite journal|title=A Biological Comparison of Eight Endogamous Groups of the Same Rank|first1=I.|last1=Karve|first2=K. C.|last2=Malhotra|journal=Current Anthropology|volume= 9|issue= 2/3 |year=1968|month=April-June|pages= 109–124 }}</ref><ref name=wil/> ==Demographics== [[Image:Deshastha couple 2006.JPG|thumb|left| An urban Deshastha couple]] Deshastha Brahmins are a part of the four percent of the total Brahmin population in Maharashtra<ref name="tya"/> and they constitute sixty percent of the total Brahmin population in Maharahstra.<ref name="cas"/> Traditional social studies and recent genetic studies show Deshastha Brahmin to be ethnically indistinguishable from the population of Maharashtra.<ref name="pil">{{cite book|title=Indian sociology through Ghurye, a dictionary|pages=38|first=S. Devadas|last=Pillai|isbn=8171548075|year=1997|publisher=Popular Prakashan}}</ref><ref name="gai">{{cite journal|url=http://genomebiology.com/content/pdf/gb-2005-6-8-p10.pdf|title=Molecular insight into the genesis of ranked caste populations of western India|first1=Sonali|last1=Gaikwad|first2=V. K.|last2=Kashyap}}</ref> The Deshastha Brahmins are sporadically distributed all through the state of Maharashtra ranging from villages to urban areas.<ref name="roy">{{cite book|title=South Asian anthropologist|volume=11-14|pages=31–34|author=Sarat Chandra Roy Institute of Anthropological Studies|publisher=Sarat Chandra Roy Institute of Anthropological Studies|year=1990|issn=02577348}}</ref><ref name="joh"/> [[Marathi]] speaking Deshastha can also be found in large numbers outside [[Maharashtra]] such as in the cities of [[Baroda]] and [[Tanjore]] which were a part of or were influenced by the [[Maratha Empire]]. The so-called Deshasthas of Tanjore are actually a mix of Deshastha Brahmins and the Marathas of the Kshatriya caste. This is because the two castes were isolated from their distant mother-country of Maharashtra and that caused the sub-division separating the castes to vanish.<ref name="ran"/><ref name="pon">{{cite book|pages=58|title=PILC journal of Dravidic studies|volume=8|author=Pondicherry Institute of Linguistics and Culture|year=1998|publisher=Pondicherry Institute of Linguistics and Culture|subject=Dravidian languages}}</ref> Todays Marathi speaking Tanjore population are descendants of the Marathi speaking immigrants who immigrated to Tamil Nadu in the 17th and 18th centuries.<ref name="hol">{{cite book|pages=225|Perspectives on ethnicity|isbn=9789027976901|year=1978|publisher=Mouton|editor1=Regina E. Holloman|editor2=Sergeĭ Aleksandrovich Aruti︠u︡nov|first1=Regina E. |last1=Holloman|first2=Sergeĭ Aleksandrovich|last2=Aruti︠u︡nov|subject=Ethnic groups}}</ref> The Deshastha Brahmins of Baroda are immigrants who came from the Deccan for State service during the rule of Gaikwads.<ref name="guj">{{cite book|pages=171–174, 183|title=Gujarat State Gazetteers: Vadodara|publisher=Directorate of Govt. Print., Stationery and Publications, Gujarat State|year=1984|author=Gujarat (India)|subject=Gujarat (India)}}</ref> ==History == Deshastha are the [[Maharashtrian]] Brahmin community with the longest known history.<ref name="man"/><ref name = "shr"/> The Deshastha community is as old as the Vedas as the vedic literature describes people strongly resembling Deshasthas.<ref name=cho/> This puts Deshastha presence on the Desh between 1700 bc - 1100 bc<ref name=ober>{{cite book|title=Die Religion des Rgveda|year=1998|page=158|publisher=Wein}}</ref> thus making the history of the Deshastha Brahmins older than that of their mother tongue of Marathi which itself originated in 1000 AD.<ref name="mar_enc">{{cite book|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/363893/Marathi-literature|accessdate=July 18, 2010|title=Marathi literature|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica|year=2010}}</ref> The history of [[Maharashtra]] before 12th century is quite sparse but Deshastha history is well documented.{{cn}} Deshasthas have contributed to the fields of Sanskrit and Marathi literature, mathematics, and philosophy. They also helped build the Maratha Empire and once built, helped in it's administration. ===Literature=== The great Sanskrit scholar Bhavabhuti was a Deshastha Brahmin who lived around 7 AD in the Vidarbha region of central India.<ref name="bha_enc">{{cite book|title=Bhavabhūti|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/64096/Bhavabhuti|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica|year=2010| accessdate=July 18, 2010}}</ref> His works of high Sanskritic poetry and plays are only equaled 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]] and Malati Madhava is the love story between Malati and her lover Madhava with a happy ending after several twists and turns. Mukund Raj lived in the 13th century and is said to be the first poet who composed in Marathi.<ref name="khe">{{cite book|pages=446–454|first=Appaji Kashinath|last=Kher|title=A higher Anglo-Marathi grammar}}</ref> He is know for the ''Viveka-Siddhi'' and ''Parammrita'' which are metaphysical, pantheistic works connected with orthodox Vedantism. He lived around 1200 AD. Other well know Deshatha literary scholars of the 17th century were Mukteshwar and Shridhar.<ref name="khe"/> 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 of which only a part of the Mahabharata is available and the Ramayana is completely lost. Shridhar Kulkarni came from near Pandharpur and his works are said to have superseded the Sanskrit epics to a certain extent. The major literary contributors of the 18th century were [[Mahipati]], Amritaraya, Anant Phandi and Ram joshi.<ref name="khe"/> Mahipati Kulkarni is known for the ''Tulasi Mahatamya'' and ''Pandhari Mahatmya''. The 17th century Kashi-educated Sanskrit scholar Vaman Pandit initially composed in Sanskrit but later switched to Marathi upon the urging of [[Ramdas]]. He is known for his commentary on the Bhagvad Gita called the ''Yathartha Dipika''. He was the first poet to use the Sanskrit sloka format in Marathi.<ref name="khe"/> ===Mathematics=== The greatest mathematician of medieval India Bhaskara II or Bhaskaracharya II lived in the 12th century. His 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, etc. He also contributed to the field of calculus. The 17th century mathematician Kamalakara was the forward-looking astronomer-mathematician who studied Hindu, Greek and Arabic astronomy. His most important work was the ''Siddhanta-Tattvaviveka''. He 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 in and outside of India.<ref name="ste">{{cite book|pages=475|fist=Helaine |last=Selin|title=Encyclopaedia of the history of science, technology, and medicine in non-western cultures|publisher=Springer|year=1997|isbn=9780792340669}}</ref> ===Philosophy=== The most revered of all Bhakit saints, Dnyaneshwar universally acclaimed for his commentary on the Bhagvad Gita lived in the 13th century.<ref name="khe"/> Another Bhakti saint, Eknath published an extensive poem called the Eknathi Bhagwat in the 16th century. This was followed by the Bhavartha Ramayana, the Rukmini Swayamwara and the Swatma Sukha.<ref name="khe"/> The 17th century saw the ''Dasbodh'' of the saint Ramdas. Ramdas was was also the spiritual adviser to Shivaji.<ref name="khe"/> ===Military and administration=== [[image:TantiaTope1858.jpg|right|thumb|Tatya Tope's Soldiery]] In 1713 [[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 Peshwas established a system of patronage for Brahmin scholars.<ref name="lel">{{cite book|pages=38|first1=J. K.|last1=Lele|first2=R.|last2=Singh|title=Language and society|isbn=9004087893|publisher=E. J. Brill, Netherlands}}</ref>. Most of the Shivaji's principal Brahmin officers were Deshasthas.<ref name="pra">{{cite book|title=Encyclopaedic History of Indian Freedom Movement|pages=115|editor=Om Prakash| publisher=Anmol publications |isbn=8126109386 |year=2003}}</ref> Deshasthas played major role in armies and administration of the Maratha Empire which is evident from the warriors like Neelkanth Sarnaik, Keso Narayan Deshpande and Annaji Dato Sabnis so on.{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}} Seven out of eight ''Ashtapradhan'' of Raje Shivaji were Deshasthas.{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}} Even after the fall of Maratha Kingdom to British a few Deshastha-ruled states remained nominally independent until 1947. Major among these were, Prant-Pratindhi of [[Aundh]]-[[Satara]], Bavadekar of Gagan-Bavda (Kolhapur)and Panditrao of [[Bhor]].{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}} ===Occupational history=== The traditional occupation of the Deshasthas was that of [[priest]]hood 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. Most of the village priests and accountants belonged to the Deshastha caste.<ref name=joh/> Priests at the famous [[Vitthal]] temple in [[Pandharpur]] are Deshastha as are the preiests in many of Pune's temples.<ref name=zel>{{cite book|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, 9780887066641|publisher=SUNY Press}}</ref><ref name=gaz_bom>{{cite journal|page=468|title=Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency ..., Volume 20|volume=20|year=1884|publisher=Govt. Central Press}}</ref> Other traditional occupations included village revenue officials, academicians, astrologer, administrators and practitioners of [[Ayurveda|Ayurvedic]] medicine.<ref name="gho">{{cite book|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}}</ref> Deshasthas who study the vedas are called vaidika, astrologers are called Jyotishi or Joshi and practitioners of medical science are called Vaidyas, reciters of the puranas are called Puraniks. Some are also engaged in farming. In the history of Maharashtra's politics, Deshasthas have held posts of ''Panditrao'' (Ecclesiastical head) and ''Nyayadhish'' (chief justice).{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}} The Deshasthas were the natural leaders during the time of Shivaji and his two sons.<ref name="ran">{{cite book|title=Rise of the Maráthá power|first=Mahadev Govind|last=Ranade|pages=139, 241}}</ref> Indeed, all of the Peshwas (chief minister) during Shivaji's time were Deshasthas<ref name="pal">{{cite book|title=Bajirao I: an outstanding cavalry general|pages=59|first=R. D. |last=Palsokar|subject=Biography & Autobiography|publisher=Reliance Publishing House|year=1995|isbn=9788185972947}}</ref> which is when the foundation of the Maratha Empire was laid. In the year 1896, the Deshasthas are recorded as having been the great Pandits in almost every branch of Sanskrit learning.<ref name="bha"/> The Deshasthas are a progressive community and some of the them have taken to white collar jobs.<ref name="gho"/> ===Association with Pathare-Prabhus & early migration to Mumbai Island=== The Konkanastha Peshwa Baji Rao who coveted conquering Vasai or Bassein sent an enovy to the Portuguese governor of Bassein. The governer, Luis Botelho insulted the envoy by calling Baji Rao a ''nigger''.<ref name="cam">{{cite book|title=The Cambridge History of India|publisher=CUP Archive|first=S|last=Chand|year=1963|chapter=Siege of Bassein|pages=405–407}}</ref> 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 harrassed the Yajurvedis. Fed up with the humiliation, the Yajurvedi Brahmins migrated to Mumbai along with the Pathare Prabhus to work for the British.<ref name=vel>{{cite book|title=Pathare Prabhuncha Itihaas|translator=Sau Meghana P. Rane, Mr. Tejas P. Rane& Mr. Amit P. Kotharé|url=http://www.pathareprabhu.org/history/nanasaheb.htm|accessdate=July 20, 2010|first= Dr. Pratap M. B.| last=Velkar}}</ref> ==Society and culture== [[Image:Goddess Renuka-mata of Mahur (Maharashtra).jpg|thumb|left|The idol of Renuka ''mata'' or mother in the town of Mahur, district of Nanded is a deity for many Deshastha families]] ===Language=== {{main article|Marathi}} Majority of Deshasthas speak [[Marathi]], one of the major languages of the mainly northern [[Indo-Aryan language]] group. The major dialects of Marathi are called the Standard Marathi and the Warhadi Marathi.<ref name=kas>{{cite journal|title=Marathi|journal=London Oriental and African language library|volume=13 |first1=Rameśa|last1= Dhoṅgaḍe|first2=Kashi|last2=Wali|publisher=John Benjamins Publishing Company|year=2009|isbn=9027238138, 9789027238139|pages=11,139}}</ref> 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.<ref name=vit>{{cite book|title=The Influence of English on Marathi: a sociolinguistic and stylistic study|first=Bhālacandra |last=Nemāḍe|publisher=Rajhauns Vitaran|year=1990|pages=101, 139}}</ref> There are a few other sub-dialects like Ahirani, Dangi, Samavedi, Khandeshi and Chitpavani Marathi. There are no inherently nasalized vowels in standard Marathi whereas the Chitpavani dialect of Marathi does have nasalized vowels.<ref name=kas/> ===Cuisine=== {{see also|Maharashtrian cuisine}} By tradition, like other Brahmin communities of Southern India, Deshastha Brahmins are [[lacto vegetarian]].<ref name="gho"/> The special dishes for Deshastha and some other Marathi communities may be the simple [[tuvar]] [[dal]] ''varan''. ''Metkut'' is another Brahmin specialty. Metkut is simply a powdered mixture of several dals and a few spices. Deshastha use black spice mix or ''kala'', literally black, [[masala]] in the cooking. Traditionally, each family had their own recipe for the spice mix. However, this tradition is dying out as modern households buy the pre-packaged mixed spice directly from super markets. [[Puran poli]] for festivals and on the first day of the two day marriage is another Marathi Brahmin special dish. ===Attire=== [[Image:Deshastha Girls.jpg|thumb|left|260px|Deshastha teenage girls from 1950s]] Deshastha women traditionally wore a nine yard [[sari]]. The way they wore the nine yard sari was different from women of other castes. Unlike women from other caste groups in Maharashtra, Deshastha women traditionally do not cover their head with their sari. Men wore dhotis again in a "Brahmin way." For religious ceremonies men & boys wore a colored silk [[dhoti]] called a ''sovale''. In modern times, women mostly wear the five yard sari. Nine yard [[sari]] is still worn for marriages and special [[poojas]]. [[Salwar kameez]] and Western clothes are popular amongst the young urban population. ===Religious customs=== Deshasthas, like all other Hindu Brahmins trace their paternal ancestors to one of the seven sages, the [[saptarshi]]. They classify themselves into eight [[gotra]]s, named after the ancestor rishi. Deshastha have two sub sects, [[Rigvedi]] and [[Yajurvedi]]. Inter-marriage between these sub sects was uncommon until recently, although there is no taboo against this. Like most families in [[Maharashtra]] & other states of India, Deshastha families also have their own ''unique'' family deity, [[Kuladevata]], usually the Goddess [[Parvati]], known by different names such as [[Bhavani]], [[Renuka]], Amba, etc. Despite being the most popular deity amongst Deshastha and other [[Marathi people]], very few families regards [[Vitthal]] or other popular [[Avatar]]s of [[Vishnu]] such as [[Rama]] or [[Krishna]] as their Kuladevata. [[Balaji]] may be an exception though. A number of families have [[Khandoba]] and Balaji as their Kuladevata. [[Balaji]] is regarded as a form of Vishnu by most Hindus but as [[Shankar]], for example, by the [[Lingayat]] community. The Kuldevta is invoked on auspicious occasions like weddings and initiation ceremony, called [[munja]] in Marathi or [[Upanayanam]] in Sanskrit to obtain her blessings. Families also make pilgrimage to their Kuladevata temples after an auspicious occasion. The location of the [[Kuldevta]] temple may give a clue as to the original abode of a particular family because families may have chosen a particular temple as Kuldevta for geographical proximity. Like most other [[castes]] in India, Deshasthas are a [[patrilineal]] society and children derive their group or caste association from their father. ====Birth ceremonies==== Upon birth, a child is initiated in to 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 honor of naming the infant. When the child is one year old, he or she gets their first hair-cut. This is an important ritual as well and it is called ''Jawal''. ====Initiation munja ceremony==== [[Image:Deshastha Munj -1.JPG|right|thumb|Munja ceremony from 1970s]] When a male child reaches his seventh birthday he undergoes the initiation thread ceremony variously known as munja, [[vratabandha]], or Upanayanam. From that day on, he becomes an official member of his caste, and is called a [[dwija]] which translates to "[[twice-born]]" in English. Traditionally, the boy was sent to [[gurukula]] to learn [[Vedas]] and scriptures. The boy was expected to practice extreme discipline during this period known as [[brahmacharya]]. He was expected to lead a [[celibate]] life, living on alms, and surviving on selected vegetarian [[saatvic]] food and observing considerable austerity in behavior and deeds. Though such practices are not followed in modern times by a majority of Deshasthas, all Deshasthas boys undergo the sacred thread ceremony before marriage. Twice-born Deshasthas perform annual ceremonies to replace their sacred threads on the [[full moon]] day of the month of [[Shravan]] according to the Hindu calendar. The Hindu calendar day calls this day the ''Narali Pournima'' in [[Marathi]]. The threads are called ''Jaanave'' in Marathi. ====Wedding==== Despite decades of campaign against casteism, Deshastha tend to be mostly [[endogamous]]. However, marriages between Deshastha and other Maharashtrian Brahmin communities such as [[Karhade]] and [[Kokanastha]], [[Devrukhe]], [[GSB]] do take place. Marriages between [[Deshastha]] and [[CKP]]s in urban area also take place occasionally. Marriages between [[Maharashtrian]] Deshastha and [[Kannada]] Deshastha are also common, particularly in the border region of the two states. A Deshasthas marriage ceremony includes many elements of the traditional Marathi or [[Hindu wedding]] ceremonies. Briefly, 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. Other ceremonies for different occasions include Vastushanti which is performed before a family formally establishes residence in a new house and [[Satyanarayana Puja]] which is a generic ceremony performed before commencing any new endeavor. ===Religious rituals=== Like most other Hindu communities, Deshasthas have a shrine called devaghar in their house with statues, symbols, and images of various deities. [[Satyanarayana Puja]] is also performed for special occasions. Ritual reading of religious texts called pothi is also popular. In traditional families, any food is first offered to God as naivedya, and then eaten. Food is not consumed before this religious offering. In contemporary Deshasthas families, the naivedya is offered only on festival days. Although many rituals that were practiced in ancient times are no longer followed, some traditions are continued to this day. The rituals, ceremonies, and [[Hindu festivals]] described below are also followed by other [[Marathi people]] or [[Hindu]] communities. Unique Deshastha traditions are mentioned where possible. ====Death rituals==== The other extremely important rituals for the Deshasthas are the death ceremonies. All Deshasthas are [[cremated]] according to Vedic rites, usually within a day of the individual's death. The death rites include a 13-day ceremony. The ashes of the departed are immersed at a confluence of two rivers (sangam) or the sea. Like all other Hindus, the preference is for the ashes to be immersed in the [[Ganges|Ganga]] river or river [[Godavari River|Godavari]]. There is also a yearly shraddha that needs to be performed. These rituals are expected to be performed only by male descendants (preferably the eldest son) of the deceased. ===Festivals=== {{double image|left|Gudi Padwa Gudi or Victory pole.jpg|150|Tilgul kha god god bola.jpg|280|Gudi Padwa Gudi or Victory pole (left). [[Tilgul]] is exchanged by Deshasthas on Makar Sankaranti. The center shows sugarcoated [[sesame]] seeds surrounded by ''[[laddu|ladu]]s'' of Tilgul. Til is [[sesame]] and ''gul'' is [[jaggery]]. (right)}} {{main article|List of festivals of Deshastha, Konkanastha and Karhade Brahmins}} 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 Shashth, Makar Sankranti, [[Shivaratri]] and [[Holi]]. Of these the Ganeshotsav is the most popular in the state of Maharashtra.<ref name=tha>{{cite book |page=226|last=Thapan |first=Anita Raina |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Understanding Gaņapati: Insights into the Dynamics of a Cult |year=1997 |publisher=Manohar Publishers |location=New Delhi |isbn=81-7304-195-4 }}</ref> Ganesha appeared in his classic form as a clearly recognizable deity with well-defined iconographic attributes in the early 4th to 5th centuries.<ref name=nar>{{cite book|last=Brown| first=Robert|title=Ganesh: Studies of an Asian God|page=19|ISBN=0-7914-0657-1|publisher=Albany: State University of New York}}</ref> Deshasthas celebrate the Ganapati festival as a private, domestic family affair. This tradition of private celebration continues despite the festival being turned into a public celebration in 1894 by Lokamanya [[Tilak]] as a political tool.<ref name=ban>{{cite book|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=8125025960, 9788125025962|subject=History / Asia / India & South Asia}}</ref> The religious amongst the Deshasthas [[fasting|fast]] on the days prescribed for fasting according to Hindu calendar. Typical days for fasting are, [[Ekadasi]], [[Chaturthi]] [[Shivaratri]] and Janmashtami. [[Hartalika]] is a day of fasting for women. Some people fast during the week in honor of a particular god, for example, Monday for [[Shiva]], Saturday for [[Maruti]] and the planet Saturn, [[Shani]], etc. The Marathi calendar shows the preferred dates for taking a pilgrimage to various temples and shrines of the prominent saints. A popular destination for Deshastha is the shrine of Sant [[Dnyaneshwar]] at [[Alandi]] in the month of [[Kartik]] November. ===Women=== [[image:Aji 1976.jpg|thumb|right|A Deshastha woman in the traditional nine yard sari in the 1970s]] Older Deshastha women from the previous decades are often portrayed as women draped in a nine yard [[saree]]. Such dresses are becoming rare among Deshastha women in the present day. Traditional Deshastha women, both married and unmarried wear a ''kunku'' or a red dot, also known as [[kumkum]] on their forehead. Married women always wear the [[mangalsutra]] which is a sacred gold necklace tied by the bridegroom around the bride's neck. The mangalsutra along with kunku serves the same purpose as the wedding ring, i.e., it states the married status of a woman. Being a [[patrilineal]] society, 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. 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 twenties or even early thirties. Also in the past, a Deshastha widow was never allowed to re-marry, while it was acceptable for Deshastha widowers to re-marry. Deshastha widows at that time used to shave their heads and wear simple red sari. The woman also had to stop wearing the kunku on her forehead. Basically, widows had to lead a very austere life with little joy. Needless to say, 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. Sudha Murthy was the first woman mechanical engineer from India. She also became first woman employee of Tata Motors. Her contribution in the formation of one of India’s most admirable companies, [[Infosys]] was much valuable in the early struggling years of the company in the early 1980s. ==Social and political issues== ===Anti-Brahminism=== 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.<ref name=moh>{{cite book|page=161|title=Class, caste, gender Volume 5 of Readings in Indian government and politics|first=Manoranjan |last=Mohanty|publisher=SAGE|year=2004|ISBN=0761996435, 9780761996439|subject=Business & Economics}}</ref> The violent riots exposed the social tensions between the Marathas and the Brahmins.<ref name=dos>{{cite book|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, 1999|ISBN=8171548555, 9788171548552|subject=Political Science/General}}</ref> In recent history, on January 5, the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute (BORI) in Pune was vandalized by 150 members of the Sambhaji Brigade, an organization promoting the cause of the Marathas.<ref name=kat>{{cite journal|title=Politics of vandalism|first=Anupama|last=Katakam|publisher=Frontline|volume=21|issue=02|date=January 17–30, 2004|accessdate=July 20, 2010|url=http://www.hindu.com/fline/fl2102/stories/20040130003802800.htm}}</ref> The organization 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. Ironically, the Sambhaji Brigade destroyed a huge collection of books on Shivaji and damaged a portrait of him, which the BORI had received from the British Museum. Other items that were lost or damaged included: :* A 15th century Ganpati idol :* A Syrian clay tablet from 600 BC which was found in Maharashtra :* A Kashmiri version of Mahabharata from 1000 AD Professor Laine claimed this was all politically motivated for gaining political capital.<ref name=bbc_lai>{{cite journal|title=India seeks to arrest US scholar|date=Tuesday, 23 March 2004|publisher=BBC|accessdate=July 20, 2010|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3561499.stm}}</ref> Recently, the same organization 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.<ref name=swa>{{cite journal|title=Konddeo statue: Sambhaji Brigade renews threat|first=Rohan |last=Swamy |date= October 21, 2008|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/konddeo-statue-sambhaji-brigade-renews-threat/375967/0|accessdate=July 20, 2010|publisher=The Indian Express}}</ref> ===Treatment of Dalits=== Unfortunately, until recent times, like other high castes of Maharashtra and India, Deshastha also followed the practice of [[Geographical segregation|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]]. An example of this was the case of Deshastha caste-fellow and saint, Dnyaneshwar. Although born in to a Deshastha family, the entire family was stripped of their caste and exocommunicated by the Deshasthas because of his fathers return from ''[[sanyasa]]'' to family life. The family was harassed and humiliated to an extent that Dnyaneshwar's parents committed suicide.<ref name=Jna><cite book|title=Amrutanubhav|author=Jñānadeva|page=5|publisher=Ajay Prakashan|year=1981></ref> Most of the other saints of the Bhakti movement like Chokhamela (Mahar caste), Namdev (tailor caste), Gora Kumbhar (potter caste), Tukaram (Kunbi caste) were discriminated against by the Brahmins. The 14th century saint Chokhamela was time and again denied entry to the [[Vitthal]] temple in Pandharpur.<ref name=prasad>{{cite book|title=Dalit Literature|first=Amar Nath|last=Prasad|pages=10-12|isbn=8176258172|isbn=9788176258173|year=2007}}</ref> According to a legend the bones of the dead Chokhamela were still chanting ''Vitthal, Vitthal'', apparently yearning to visit the Vitthal temple. The bones were buried at the footsteps of the Vitthal temple. In early 20th 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.<ref name=lel>{{cite book|title=Tradition and modernity in Bhakti movements|first=eleanor|last=zelliot|editor=Jayant Lele|pages=136-142}}</ref> While untouchability was legally abolished by the anti-untouchability act of 1955 and under article 17 of the Indian constitution, modern India has simply ghettoized these marginalized communities.<ref name=nub>{{cite book|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=8176254029, 9788176254021}}</ref> This practice died out due to the campaigns conducted by leaders like Veer [[Savarkar]], [[Sane Guruji]], [[K. B. Hedgewar]] and non Brahmin leaders like Dr. Babasaheb [[Ambedkar]], [[Mahatma Phule]].{{cn|date=July 2010}} Legislation outlawing caste discrimination after Indian independence may also have played a part in eliminating the segregation and untouchability.{{cn|date=July 2010}} It should be noted, however that Dr. Govande, a Deshastha was one of the supporter of [[Mahatma Phule]]. Mahadev Ambedkar, another [[Deshastha]] bramhin had helped [[Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar]] in latter's early schooling career.{{cn|date=July 2010}} Dr. Ambedkar had expressed gratitude about his Ambedkar guruji many times in his speech.{{cn|date=July 2010}} Unlike other castes and tribes in India, Deshastha at present do not have a caste [[Panchayat]] to arbitrate in matters relating to disputes involving caste members. However in the past there have been instances of caste gathering to resolve disputes.<ref name="gaz_bom_nas">{{cite web|last=Maharashtra|first=State of|title=Population|url=http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/pdf/gazeetter_reprint/Nasik/population_brahmans.html#1|work=Gazetters of the Bomabay Presidency - Nasik|accessdate=July 27, 2010}}</ref> ===Agrarian land reform=== Maharashtraian Brahmins were absentee landlords and lived off the surplus without tilling the land themselves per ritual restrictions.<ref name=mit>{{cite book|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|sbn=0415348617, 9780415348614|subject=Democracy}}</ref> They were often seen as the exploiter of the tiller. The newly independent country enshrined in it's 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'', ''jagirs'', etc. 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.<ref name=haq>{{cite book|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}}</ref> ===Deshastha and Konkanastha relationship=== The prominence of a Brahmin in Indian society was directly related to his virtues, values and knowledge & practice of the scriptures. Manu's list of virtues of a perfect Brahmin according to De Nobili in order of importance were righteousness, truthfulness, generosity, almsgiving, compassion, self-restraint and diligent work.<ref name = aro>{{cite book|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, 1986|isbn=8876525653, 9788876525650|subject=Christianity and other religions, Dharma, Hinduism, Philosophy / Hindu}}</ref> Prior to the rise of the Konkanastha Peshwas, the Konkanastha Brahmins were considered inferior in a society where the Deshasthas held socio-economic and ritual superiority.<ref name="sam">{{cite book|title=Economic and political weekly|volume=24|publisher=Sameeksha Trust|year=1989|subjects=Business & Economics/Economic Conditions}}</ref> After the appointment of Balaji Vishwanath Bhat as Peshwa, Konkanastha migrants began arriving en masse from the Konkan to Pune<ref>{{cite book|author=Sandhya Gokhale|title=The Chitpavans: social ascendancy of a creative minority in Maharashtra, 1818-1918"|pages=113ISBN=8182901324|year=2008|subjects=Chitpavan Brahmans, History / Asia / India & South Asia, Maharashtra (India)}}</ref><ref name="eaton"/> where the Peshwa offered all important offices to the Konkanastha caste.<ref name=pat/> The Konkanastha kin were rewarded with tax relief and grants of land.<ref name="leach_mukherjee">{{cite book|title = Elites in South Asia|author=Edmund Leach, S. N. Mukherjee|pages=101,104,105|isbn=0521107652|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=1970}}</ref> Historians point out nepotism<ref name=sejavalkar>{{cite book|title="Panipat: 1761"|author=Tryambaka Śaṅkara Śejavalakara|pages=24, 25| isbn=|year=1946}}</ref><ref name="seal">{{cite book|title=The Emergence of Indian Nationalism: Competition and Collaboration in the Later Nineteenth Century (Political change in modern South Asia)|author= Anil Seal|pages= 74, 78|isbn =0521096529}}</ref><ref name = "sukthankar">{{cite journal|author=Sukthankar, V. S.|journal= Bulletin of the Deccan College Research Institute|volume=8|pages= 182}}</ref><ref name="sardesai">{{cite book|title=New history of the Marathas: Sunset over Maharashtra (1772-1848)|author= Govind Sakharam Sardesai|year=1986|origyear=1946|pages=254|publisher=Phoenix Publications|isbn=}}</ref><ref name="shinde">{{cite book|tite=Dynamics of cultural revolution: 19th century Maharashtra‎|pages =16|author=J. R. Śinde|title=Dynamics of cultural revolution: 19th century Maharashtra|year=1985}}</ref><ref name="michael">{{cite book|title=Dalits in Modern India: Vision and Values|author=S. M. Michael|pages= 95|isbn=}}</ref> and corruption<ref name="sardesai"/> 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]].<ref name="cun">{{cite book|last=Da Cunha|first=J. Gerson|title=Skandapurāṇantargata|date=1877|pages=8, 325–326, 331|chapter=Sahyādrikhaṇḍa}}</ref> Crawford, an early Indologist describes 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]] found in possession of a copy of the Sahyadri Khand.<ref name="crawford">{{cite book|author=Arthur Travers Crawford|title=Our troubles in Poona and the Deccan|pages=127|date=December 1897}}</ref> The Konkanasthas were waging a social war on Dehasthas during the period of the Peshwas.<ref name="sar">{{cite book|first=Sir Jadunath|last=Sarkar|pages=430|title=Shivaji and his times}}</ref> By late 18th 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.<ref name="eaton">{{cite book|author=Richard Maxwell Eaton|title=A social history of the Deccan, 1300-1761: eight Indian lives, Volume 1|pages=192|isbn=}}</ref> Since then, despite being the traditional religious and social elites of Maharashtra, the Deshastha Brahmins have failed to feature as prominently as the Konkanastha.<ref name=joh/> '''Pre-independence''' In his book ''Western India in the Nineteenth Century'', Ravinder Kumar shows the common beliefs propagated by the communities to prove themselves superior over other :"...the Deshastha Brahmins of Maharashtra believed that they were the highest of all Brahmins. Upon the Konkanastha, they looked down with scarcely veiled contempt as ''parvenus'' (A Parvenu is a person that is a relative newcomer to a socioeconomic class), barely fit to associate on terms of equality with the noblest of ''dvijas''. A Konkanastha who was invited to a Deshastha home was a privileged individual, and even the Peshwa was denied the rights to use the ghats reserved for Deshastha priests at Nashik on the Godavari." :"prior to the British conquest of 1818, the administration of Pune was dominated by the Konkanasthas, who possessed greater intellectual agility and political acumen than the Deshasthas (according to them) and who were consequently able to exercise a more profound influence over the region. The community produced men of distinction in politics, in the field of scholarship and in the art of war like skilled diplomat Nana Phadnavis".{{cn}} In colonial period of late 19th century Konkanasthas dominated political, social reform, education fields and media/journalism whereas Deshasthas dominated medical, administration, engineering, music and legal fields. Deshasthas have not produced any revolutionary freedom fighter till 1908. Whereas no notable Konkanasthas Saint/Writer was known during the same period. This situation had led cold war between two communities that who is more superior than other.{{cn}} '''Post-independence''' Post Independence the rivalry between the groups has waned. Now both accept each other as vedic Brahmins.{{cn}} Both the communities have produced many greats in field for arts, music, science, mathematics and literature. The coming together of the two communities is highlighted by number of inter-community marriages and inter-mixing of them at social, professional and political levels.{{cn}} ==Surnames and families == {{Main|List of Deshastha Brahmin surnames}} A large number of Deshastha surnames are derived by adding the suffix ''kar'' to the village from which the family originally hailed.<ref name=cho/> For example, Bidkar come from town of Bid, Dharwadkar come from the town of Dharwad in Karnataka and the Marathi poet V. V. Shirwadkar, colloquially knows as ''Kusumagraj'', comes from the town of Shirwad. The names [[Kulkarni]], [[Deshpande]] and [[Joshi]] are very common amongst Deshastha Brahmins and denote their professions.<ref name=kar>{{cite book|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|subject=History / Asia / India & South Asia}}</ref> For example, [[Kulkarni]] means revenue collector and Joshi means astrologer. Some surnames simply describe physical and mental characteristics such as ''Hirve'' which means green, ''Buddhisagar'' which literally translates to an ocean of intellect, etc.<ref>{{cite book|page=66|title=Understanding our fellow pilgrims|first=Gregory|last=Naik|publisher=Gujarat Sahitya Prakash|year=2000|ISBN=8187886102, 9788187886105}}</ref> ==Prominent Deshasthas== {{Main|List of Deshastha Brahmins}} == See also == * [[List of Deshastha Brahmins of distinction]] * [[Thanjavur Maharashtrian]] * [[Brahmins]] * [[Forward Castes]] * [[Marathi people]] ==References== {{Reflist|2}} ==Further reading== * {{cite journal | author=Frykenberg, Robert Eric | title=Elite groups in a South Indian district: 1788–1858 | journal=The Journal of Asian Studies |date=February, 1956 | volume=24 |pages=261–281 | doi=10.2307/2050565}} * {{cite book|author=Bhavabhuti|translator=Shripad Krishna Belvalkar|title=Rama's Later History or Uttara-rama-charita|publisher=Harvard University Press|year=1915|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=Ps0oAAAAYAAJ&pg=PT45&dq=bhavabhuti&hl=en&ei=XDBPTPmqJoHQsAPKrbzVBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCUQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=bhavabhuti&f=false|editor=C. R. Lanman}} * {{cite book|author=Bhavabhuti|title=Mahaviracharita|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=ZSopAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=bhavabhuti&hl=en&ei=XDBPTPmqJoHQsAPKrbzVBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CDQQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q&f=false}} * {{cite book|author=Bhavabhuti|title=Mâlatîmadhava|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=BElDAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=bhavabhuti&hl=en&ei=XDBPTPmqJoHQsAPKrbzVBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CDkQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q&f=false}} ==External links== {{Commons}} {{Wikiquote}} * [http://www.drbsbelgaum.org/ Deshastha Rigvedi Brahman Sangh of Belgaum] * [http://drbsspune.org/ Deshastha Rigvedi Brahman Shikshanottejak Sanstha] * [http://everything2.com/index.pl?node=vedic&lastnode_id=124&searchy=search Vedic] {{-}} [[Category:Maharashtrian Brahmin communities]] [[Category:Hindu communities]] [[Category:Social groups of Maharashtra]] [[mr:देशस्थ ब्राह्मण]] [[pl:Deśastha]]'