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{{Infobox caste
{{Infobox caste
|caste_name = Karan
|caste_name = Karan
|native_name = କରଣ
|native_name =
|subdivisions = Karan, Karan Vaishnav
|subdivisions = Karan, Karan Vaishnav
|populated_states = [[Odisha]]
|populated_states = [[Odisha]]
|religions = [[Hinduism]]
|religions = [[Hinduism]]
|languages = [[Odia language|Odia]]
|languages = [[Odia language|Odia]]
|status = [[Forward caste]]
|status = [[Forward caste]]<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Rajasekhar |first1=D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v0mOAAAAMAAJ&q=karana+caste+ |title=Affirmative Action and Political Participation: Elected Representatives in the Panchayats of Orissa |last2=Patnaik |first2=Pratyusna |last3=Manjula |first3=R. |date=2005 |publisher=Institute for Social and Economic Change |isbn=978-81-7791-122-0 |language=en}}</ref>
|related = [[Utkala Brahmin|Brahmin]]
|related = [[Utkala Brahmin|Brahmin]]
}}
}}
The '''Karan or Karana''' is a community of [[Writer|writers]] found in the state of [[Odisha]] in [[India]].<ref name="Pati2008">{{cite book|author=Rabindra Nath Pati|title=Family Planning|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_5seKkk3GkIC&pg=PA116|year=2008|publisher=APH Publishing|isbn=978-81-313-0352-8|pages=116–}}</ref> The post of Karana used to be a professional designation that was occupied by literate peoples.<ref name="IHC_KRN_2004">{{Cite journal |last=Raut |first=L.N. |date=2004 |title=Jati Formation in Early Medieval Orissa: Reflection on Karana (Kayastha Caste) |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44144743 |journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress |volume=65|pages=304–308 |jstor=44144743 }}</ref> They held [[Karanam]] post in some parts of [[Andhra Pradesh]], where they speak [[Odia language|Odia]] and played the similar role in Odisha as that of the [[Kayastha]]s of [[West Bengal]] and [[Bihar]].<ref name="Rao1990">{{cite book|author=M. Kodanda Rao|title=Cultural and Structural Dimensions of Family: A Study of Jalari Fishermen|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EKhxpLqX9bsC&pg=PA34|year=1990|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|isbn=978-81-7022-270-5|pages=34–}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Patra |first=Patitapaban |date=December 31, 1994 |title=Archeological remains of Dhenkanal |url=http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/jspui/bitstream/10603/118750/12/12_chapter%25205.pdf |journal= |volume=5 |pages=201}}</ref> In the social hierarchy of Odisha they rank next to [[Brahmin|Brahmins]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Pati |first=Rabindra Nath |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_5seKkk3GkIC&dq=karan+rank+next+to+brahmin&pg=PA116 |title=Family Planning |date=2008 |publisher=APH Publishing |isbn=978-81-313-0352-8 |language=en}}</ref> They were exclusively served the ruling powers as their ministers, advisors, governers, military commanders, accountants, record keepers and diwans.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mohanty |first=Pramod Kumar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3GzaAAAAMAAJ&q=srikarana |title=Colonialism and South Asia: Cuttack, 1803-1947 |date=2007 |publisher=R.N. Bhattacharya |isbn=978-81-87661-52-8 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Mohanty |first1=Ramesh P. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Kl66OPnClpoC&pg=PA40 |title=Culture, Gender and Gender Discrimination: Caste Hindu and Tribal |last2=Biswal |first2=Durgesh Nandini |publisher=Mittal Publications |year=2007 |isbn=978-81-8324-199-1 |page=40}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Sircar |first=D. C. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ceDuDwAAQBAJ&dq=srikarana&pg=PA375 |title=Indian Epigraphy |date=2017-01-01 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-4103-1 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kYhKAQAAIAAJ&q=Sri+Karana++Mahasenapati |title=Cultural Heritage of [Orissa]: pts. 1-2. Katak |date=2002 |publisher=State Level Vyasakabi Fakir Mohan Smruti Samsad |isbn=978-81-902761-5-3 |language=en}}</ref> They have the highest literacy caste-wise and are highly prosperous.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Williams |first=Joanna Gottfried |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=22wCxbKAdmkC&dq=The+Two-headed+Deer%3A+Illustrations+of+the+R%C4%81m%C4%81ya%E1%B9%87a+in+Orissa&pg=PA90 |title=The Two-headed Deer: Illustrations of the Rāmāyaṇa in Orissa |date=1996-01-01 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0-520-08065-2 |language=en}}</ref> Today they are a politically dominant community and have reigned over the politics of Odisha for 50 years.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-04-13 |title=Reign of Patnaiks: 40 years and counting |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/lok-sabha-elections/odisha/news/reign-of-patnaiks-40-years-and-counting/articleshow/68858700.cms |access-date=2024-09-23 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-05-11 |title=How the Patnaiks, despite being 2% of Odisha's population, ruled the state for 45 years, and maybe beyond |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/assembly-elections/odisha/how-the-patnaiks-despite-being-2-of-odishas-population-ruled-the-state-for-45-years-and-maybe-beyond/articleshow/110027397.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-09-23 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=rediff.com: The evil that envelopes Orissa |url=https://m.rediff.com/news/2000/feb/14oriss.htm |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=m.rediff.com}}</ref>
The '''Karan''' or '''Karana''' is a community of [[Scribe|scribes]]<ref name="Pati2008">{{cite book|author=Rabindra Nath Pati|title=Family Planning|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_5seKkk3GkIC&pg=PA116|year=2008|publisher=APH Publishing|isbn=978-81-313-0352-8|pages=116–}}</ref> found in the state of [[Odisha]] in [[India]]. The post of Karana used to be a professional designation that was occupied by literate members of the lower as well as the higher castes.<ref name="IHC_KRN_2004">{{Cite journal |last=Raut |first=L.N. |title=Jati Formation in Early Medieval Orissa: Reflection on Karana (Kayastha Caste) |date=2004 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44144743 |journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress |volume=65|pages=304–308 |jstor=44144743 }}</ref> They also held [[Karanam]] post in some parts of [[Andhra Pradesh]], where they speak [[Odia language|Odia]]<ref name="Rao1990">{{cite book|author=M. Kodanda Rao|title=Cultural and Structural Dimensions of Family: A Study of Jalari Fishermen|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EKhxpLqX9bsC&pg=PA34|year=1990|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|isbn=978-81-7022-270-5|pages=34–}}</ref> and played the similar role in Odisha as that of the [[Kayastha]]s of [[West Bengal]] and [[Bihar]]. Traditionally they were the official record-keepers in the royal courts of the Odia princely states historically ([[Orissa Tributary States]]).<ref>{{cite book|first1=Ramesh P. |last1=Mohanty|first2=Durgesh Nandini |last2=Biswal|title=Culture, Gender and Gender Discrimination: Caste Hindu and Tribal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Kl66OPnClpoC&pg=PA40|year=2007|publisher=Mittal Publications|isbn=978-81-8324-199-1|page=40}}</ref> Today they are a politically dominant community and have reigned over the politics of Odisha for 40 years.<ref name="toi_patnaik">{{cite web | last=Pradhan | first=Ashok | title=Reign of Patnaiks: 40 years and counting - Times of India | website=The Times of India | date=2019-04-13 | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/lok-sabha-elections-2019/odisha/news/reign-of-patnaiks-40-years-and-counting/articleshow/68858700.cms | access-date=2021-02-08}}</ref>


==Origin==
==History==
===Divisions===
Karanas in Odisha are divided into various divisions, out of these divisions [[Kshatriya]] Karanas are considered superior to other divisions of Karanas.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ayBuAAAAMAAJ&q=Karana%20caste |title=The Orissa Historical Research Journal |date=1975 |publisher=Superintendent of Research and Museum |language=en}}</ref> They are classified as Vratyas.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Prinsep |first=James |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-Q_gAAAAMAAJ&dq=ray+karan+caste&pg=RA2-PA34 |title=Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal |date=1905 |publisher=Bishop's College Press |language=en}}</ref> Karanas used to observe rituals like [[Sati (practice)|Sati]] and [[Upanayana]] in their community.<ref name=bd>{{Cite journal |last=Das |first=Biswarup |date=1980 |title=Kayasthas and Karanas in Orissa—A Study on Inscriptions |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44141924 |journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress |volume=41 |pages=940–944 |jstor=44141924 |issn=2249-1937}}</ref>


===Medieval Period===
===Mediaeval Period===
The frequent admission of land grants to princes, [[Utkala Brahmin|Brahmins]] and various officials gave rise to a new new class of writers. However the Karanas crystallized into a distinct caste only in the 10th or 11th century AD owning to social mobility. Any mention of the term prior to that period simply denotes its functional aspect rather than a caste affiliation.<ref name="IHC_KRN_2004"/>
The frequent admission of land grants to princes, [[Utkala Brahmin|Brahmins]] and various officials gave rise to a new class of scribes. They were recruited from lower as well as higher castes. However the Karanas crystallized into a distinct caste only in the 10th or 11th century AD owing to social mobility. Any mention of the term prior to that period simply denotes its functional aspect rather than a caste affiliation.<ref name="IHC_KRN_2004"/>


==Social status==
==Social Status==
The Karanas are a [[forward caste]] of Odisha.<ref name="MatthiesNärhi2016">{{cite book|author1=Aila-Leena Matthies|author2=Kati Närhi|title=The Ecosocial Transition of Societies: The contribution of social work and social policy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HiolDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA110|date=4 October 2016|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-1-317-03460-5|pages=110–}}</ref> In mediaeval Odisha, Karanas climbed the social ladder by supplying brides to the ruling dynasties. An example of this can be found in the Arasavali copper plate of the [[Eastern Ganga dynasty|Eastern Ganga]] monarch Vajrahasta III.<ref name="IHC_KRN_2004"/> During the British colonial era, many Karanas of Odisha had received [[Zamindar|zamindari]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sg.inflibnet.ac.in/jspui/bitstream/10603/189767/11/11_chapter%25204.pdf |title=sg.inflibnet.ac.in |format= }}</ref> In recent post-Independence era India, they have also played a dominant role in politics. Such is their prominence in politics that many members from the Karan community have been elected as the [[Chief Ministers of Odisha]], hence they are also dubbed as the political caste of Odisha.<ref name="VermaSingh2020">{{cite book|author1=Pramit Verma|author2=Pardeep Singh|title=Urban Ecology: Emerging Patterns and Social-Ecological Systems|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-7vbDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA83|date=14 July 2020|publisher=Elsevier Science|isbn=978-0-12-820731-4|pages=83–}}</ref>
'''Medieval Period'''

Karanas alongwith [[Utkala Brahmin|Brahmins]] feature in the 10th century inscriptions of [[Odisha]] and are represented as heads of the local population. Such depiction denotes their high social rank.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cw9uAAAAMAAJ&q=Brahmana+Karana+-+Puroga+-+nivasi |title=Proceedings of the ... Annual Conference ... |date=1995 |publisher=South Indian History Congress |language=en}}</ref> Karanas enjoyed high status in medieval period and [[Marriage|married]] within the royal households. An example of this can be found in the Arasavali copper plate of the [[Eastern Ganga dynasty|Eastern Ganga]] monarch Vajrahasta III.<ref name="IHC_KRN_2004" /> They occupied high positions under the feudatory kings of Odisha, most of them were appointed as [[Dewan|Dewans]] in the princely states of Odisha.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Orissa (India) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iF4KAQAAIAAJ&q=held+high |title=Orissa District Gazetteers |date=1966 |publisher=Superintendent, Orissa Government Press |language=en}}</ref> Karanas find mention in [[Bhauma-Kara dynasty|Bhauma-Kara]] records and are represented as Sadhyadhikarana or Chief Judicial Officer of a district. Similarly Srikarana featured in the temple inscription is said to have been the accountant general of [[Anangabhima Deva III]] of [[Eastern Ganga dynasty]]. A Kosthakarana was a top administrative officer of Narsimha Deva 4 of [[Eastern Ganga dynasty|Eastern Ganga Dynasty]]. Terms like Deula Karana represented the rank of Temple administrator. Samanta Karanas were the aristrocratic families of Karanas from Odisha, the word Samanta was also used by the kings of Odisha, thus it can be said Karanas were associated with the royal families of [[Odisha]].<ref name=bd/> The head of a Karana family was known as Samanta while his wife was known as Samantani.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mukherjee |first=Prabhat |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZUvRAAAAMAAJ&q=head+of+a+karan+family+samanta |title=History of Orissa in the 19th Century |date=1964 |publisher=Utkal University |language=en}}</ref> Some Karanas also received land grants and held feudatory status in medieval Odisha.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Panda |first=Shishir Kumar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zC1uAAAAMAAJ&q=karanas+received+land+grants |title=New Perspectives on the History and Culture of Orissa |date=2000 |publisher=Punthi Pustak |isbn=978-81-86791-23-3 |language=en}}</ref> They appear to be an important community in [[Eastern Ganga dynasty]] as they held high positions in the government such as the post of army general, prime minister and accountant.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Das |first=Dr Manas Kumar |date=May 7, 2022 |title=DDCE, Utkal |url=https://ddceutkal.ac.in/Syllabus/MA_history/Paper-16.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ddceutkal.ac.in/Syllabus/MA_history/ |archive-date=May 8, 2022 |access-date=May 7, 2022 |website=ddceutkal.ac.in}}</ref> Karanas were associated with the administration of the ruling dynasties of Odisha, a general named Srikarana Mahananda Senapati of the Karan caste was the army general and governor of Anangabhima 3 of Eastern Ganga dynasty.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Das |first=Biswarup |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BfYdAAAAMAAJ&q=Karana+caste |title=Orissa: Social, Cultural, and Religious Aspects |date=1985 |publisher=Sundeep Prakashan |language=en}}</ref> Srikarana Mahananda Senapati was the Senadhyakshawara of the Kingdom or Commander in chief.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Parida |first=Asok Nath |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2jluAAAAMAAJ&q=srikarana+mahananda+senapati |title=Aspects of Socio-cultural Life in Early and Medieval Orissa |date=1996 |publisher=DSA Programme, Post Graduate Department of History, Utkal University |language=en}}</ref> Another official named Srikarana Pattanaik Viswanatha Mahasenapati was the army general and governor of Narsimha Deva 4 of Eastern Ganga Dynasty, he governed four Dandapatas or Rajyas of [[Eastern Ganga dynasty|Eastern Ganga Dynasty]], he was also the Puro Srikarana of the Kingdom or Prime Minister.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kYhKAQAAIAAJ&q=Sri+Karana++Mahasenapati |title=Cultural Heritage of [Orissa]: pts. 1-2. Katak |date=2002 |publisher=State Level Vyasakabi Fakir Mohan Smruti Samsad |isbn=978-81-902761-5-3 |language=en}}</ref> Another general named Srikarana Suru Senapati under the reign of Anangabhima Dev 2 is said to have donated lands to the [[Jagannath Temple, Puri|Jagannath Temple of Puri]] as evidenced from inscriptions.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mishra |first=S. P. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iY8MAQAAMAAJ&q=srikarana+senapati |title=Virajā, the Capital of Ancient Orissa |date=2007 |publisher=Pratibha Prakashan |isbn=978-81-7702-148-6 |language=en}}</ref> [[Ramananda Ray]] was the governor of the southern territories in [[Gajapati Empire]], he was also a minister of [[Prataparudra Deva|Gajapati Prataparudra Deva]], [[Ramananda Ray|Ramananda Raya]] belonged to Karan community. The founder of [[Athgarh State]] was Raja SriKaran Niladri Bhagirath Barman Patnaik. He was the minister of the Raja of Puri, who conferred on him the title of Raja and gave him Athgarh for his service.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Paṭṭanāẏaka |first=Jagannātha |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JpgeAAAAMAAJ&q=karan+caste |title=Feudatory States of Orissa, 1803-1857 |date=1988 |publisher=Vohra Publishers & Distributors |language=en}}</ref>

'''Modern Period'''

In British colonial era, Karanas owned [[Zamindar|Zamindari]]s in Odisha and were extremely rich.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Das |first=Bishnupada |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wuLZAAAAMAAJ&q=karan+zamindar |title=Some Aspects of Socio-economic Changes in South Western Frontier Bengal Since Introduction of Neo-Vaiṣṇavism |date=1996 |publisher=Firma KLM Private Limited |isbn=978-81-7102-049-2 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cw9uAAAAMAAJ&q=karan+caste+zamindar+extremely+rich |title=Proceedings of the ... Annual Conference ... |date=1995 |publisher=South Indian History Congress |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://sg.inflibnet.ac.in/jspui/bitstream/10603/189767/11/11_chapter%25204.pdf |title=sg.inflibnet.ac.in |format= }}</ref> They also received large amounts of land grants in Khurda administration of [[Khurda kingdom|Khurda]] Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Tanabe |first=Akio |date= 2020|title=Genealogies of the "Paika Rebellion": Heterogeneities and Linkages |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/international-journal-of-asian-studies/article/genealogies-of-the-paika-rebellion-heterogeneities-and-linkages/4F1D10668F4ED9EE67FA01845047B201# |journal=International Journal of Asian Studies |language=en |volume=17 |issue=1 |pages=1–18 |doi=10.1017/S1479591420000157 |issn=1479-5914}}</ref>

In recent post-Independence era India, they have also played a dominant role in politics. Such is their prominence in politics that many members from the Karan community have been elected as the [[Chief Ministers of Odisha]], hence they are also dubbed as the political caste of Odisha.<ref name="VermaSingh2020">{{cite book|author1=Pramit Verma|author2=Pardeep Singh|title=Urban Ecology: Emerging Patterns and Social-Ecological Systems|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-7vbDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA83|date=14 July 2020|publisher=Elsevier Science|isbn=978-0-12-820731-4|pages=83–}}</ref>


==Surnames==
==Surnames==
Prominent surnames of the Karan community include [[Patnaik]], [[Mohanty]], [[Das (surname)|Das]] etc.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/jspui/bitstream/10603/15193/10/10_chapter%25203.pdf |title=shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in |format= }}</ref><ref name="Pattanaik 2018">{{cite web | last=Pattanaik | first=Devdutt | title=Devdutt Pattanaik: Descendants of Chitragupta | website=mid-day | date=2018-02-18 | url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/devdutt-pattanaik-descendants-of-chitragupta/19083152 | access-date=2020-09-06}}</ref>
[[Patnaik]], [[Mohanty]], [[Das (surname)|Das]], [[Mohapatra]], [[Chaudhary|Choudhury]], [[Samantray]], [[Routray]], Kanungo, Bohidar, Srikarana, [[Bakshi]], Dandapata, Das Mahapatra, Pruseth, Ray, Mahasenapati etc.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wBNDAAAAYAAJ&q=Dandapata |title=Proceedings - Indian History Congress |date=2006 |publisher=Indian History Congress |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Jena |first=K. C. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PGZyHbmMVFEC&q=+karan+caste |title=Land Revenue Administration in Orissa During the Nineteenth Century |date=1968 |publisher=S. Chand |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/jspui/bitstream/10603/15193/10/10_chapter%25203.pdf |title=shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in |format= }}</ref><ref name="Pattanaik 2018">{{cite web | last=Pattanaik | first=Devdutt | title=Devdutt Pattanaik: Descendants of Chitragupta | website=mid-day | date=2018-02-18 | url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/devdutt-pattanaik-descendants-of-chitragupta/19083152 | access-date=2020-09-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Hust |first=Evelin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_xUqAAAAYAAJ&q=karan+kayastha |title=Women's Political Representation and Empowerment in India: A Million Indiras Now? |date=2004 |publisher=Manohar |isbn=978-81-7304-575-2 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Mohapatra |first=Gopinath |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DH4cAAAAMAAJ&q=jagannath+in+history+and+religious+tradition |title=Jagannātha in History & Religious Traditions of Orissa |date=1982 |publisher=Punthi Pustak |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last=Mauchline Roberts |first=Elizabeth |title=Gandhi and the Indian nationalist movement to 1920 |date=2019-08-13 |work=Gandhi, Nehru and Modern India |pages=14–27 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9780367351717-2 |access-date=2024-09-18 |publisher=Routledge |doi=10.4324/9780367351717-2 |isbn=978-0-367-35171-7}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Orissa (India) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DS5uAAAAMAAJ&q=bakshi |title=Orissa District Gazetteers: Sundargarh |date=1966 |publisher=Superintendent, Orissa Government Press |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Ray |first=Dipti |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=to_U9I6Ol9wC&dq=srikarana+mahasenapati&pg=PA77 |title=Prataparudradeva, the Last Great Suryavamsi King of Orissa (A.D. 1497 to A.D. 1540) |date=2007 |publisher=Northern Book Centre |isbn=978-81-7211-195-3 |language=en}}</ref>


== Society and culture ==
'''Role in temple administration'''

Deula Karana and Tadhau Karana sub divisions of Karanas are the key servitors in the [[Jagannath Temple, Puri|Jagannath Temple]] of Puri. They alongwith other key servitors manage the administration of temple.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Servitors firm on Sri Jagannath temple lock |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2020/oct/13/servitors-firm-on-sri-jagannath-temple-lock-2209588.html |access-date=2022-12-18 |website=The New Indian Express|date=13 October 2020 }}</ref> Deula Karana and Tadhau Karana servitors are also the representatives of the Raja of Puri and assist him in performing the temple rituals associated with Lord Jagannath.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-07-16 |title=Transfer of 'soul' during Nabakalebara {{!}} Sambad English |url=https://sambadenglish.com/transfer-of-soul-during-nabakalebara/ |access-date=2022-12-18 |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Notable people==
==Notable people==
⚫
* [[Biju Patnaik]]<ref name="toi_patnaik"/>

⚫
* [[Janaki Ballabh Patnaik]]
=== Chief Ministers ===
* [[Naveen Patnaik]]
* [[Nabakrushna Choudhury]]<ref name="Rediff.com 2000">{{cite web | title=rediff.com: The evil that envelopes Orissa | website=Rediff.com | date=2000-02-14 | url=https://m.rediff.com/news/2000/feb/14oriss.htm | access-date=2020-09-06}}</ref>
* [[Nabakrushna Choudhury]]<ref name="Rediff.com 2000">{{cite web | title=rediff.com: The evil that envelopes Orissa | website=Rediff.com | date=2000-02-14 | url=https://m.rediff.com/news/2000/feb/14oriss.htm | access-date=2020-09-06}}</ref>
*
* [[Biren Mitra]]<ref>"Rediff.com 2000"</ref>
* [[Biju Patnaik]]<ref name="toi_patnaik">{{cite web |last=Pradhan |first=Ashok |date=2019-04-13 |title=Reign of Patnaiks: 40 years and counting - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/lok-sabha-elections-2019/odisha/news/reign-of-patnaiks-40-years-and-counting/articleshow/68858700.cms |access-date=2021-02-08 |website=The Times of India}}</ref>
⚫
* [[Janaki Ballabh Patnaik]]
* [[Naveen Patnaik]]<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2024-05-11 |title=How the Patnaiks, despite being 2% of Odisha's population, ruled the state for 45 years, and maybe beyond |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/assembly-elections/odisha/how-the-patnaiks-despite-being-2-of-odishas-population-ruled-the-state-for-45-years-and-maybe-beyond/articleshow/110027397.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-09-19 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref>

=== Freedom Fighters & Social Reformers ===
* [[Madhusudan Das]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Panigrahi |first=Hiranya Kumar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UV8uEAAAQBAJ&dq=madhusudan+das+karan+caste&pg=PT168 |title=Odisha of My Times: English Translation of "Mo Samayara Odisha" by Krishna Chandra Panigrahi |date=2021-05-14 |publisher=Notion Press |isbn=978-1-63850-732-1 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Gopabandhu Choudhuri|Gopabandhu Choudhury]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Pradhan |first=Atul Chandra |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jmswAQAAIAAJ&q=Choudhury++Karana |title=The Nationalist Movement in a Regional Setting, 1920-34: The Rise of Congress to Power in Orissa |date=1992 |publisher=Amar Prakashan |isbn=978-81-85420-32-5 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Ramadevi Choudhury]]
* [[Annapurna Maharana|Annapurna Choudhury]]
* [[Sarala Devi]]<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=keMrAQAAIAAJ&q=karana |title=The Quarterly Review of Historical Studies |date=1993 |publisher=Institute of Historical Studies. |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Gopala Ballabha Das]]<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=keMrAQAAIAAJ&q=Gopala+Ballabha |title=The Quarterly Review of Historical Studies |date=1993 |publisher=Institute of Historical Studies. |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Jagabandhu Patnaik]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sahu |first=N. K. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RcQtAAAAMAAJ&q=Jagabandhu+patnaik |title=Veer Surendra Sai |date=1985 |publisher=Department of Culture, Government of Orissa |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Bhagirathi Mahapatra]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Pradhan |first=Atul Chandra |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jmswAQAAIAAJ&q=bhagirathi+mohapatra+karan |title=The Nationalist Movement in a Regional Setting, 1920-34: The Rise of Congress to Power in Orissa |date=1992 |publisher=Amar Prakashan |isbn=978-81-85420-32-5 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Nityanand Kanungo]]
* [[Binod Kanungo]]<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Nilamani Senapati |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.csl.3044 |title=Orissa District Gazetteers: Karaput |last2=Nabin Kumar Sahu |date=1966 |publisher=Cuttack, Superintendent Orissa Government Press}}</ref>
* [[Biswanath Pattnaik]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barua |first=Ananya |date=2019-06-05 |title=Koraputia Gandhi: The Forgotten Legend Who Served Odisha's Tribals for 77 Years |url=https://thebetterindia.com/185187/koraputia-gandhi-odisha-biswanath-pattnaik/ |access-date=2024-09-22 |website=The Better India |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Sarangadhar Das]]

=== Vaishnav Saints ===
* [[Achyutananda Dasa]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mukherjee |first=Prabhat |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7LFzfbhmJcMC&pg=PA83 |title=The History of Medieval Vaishnavism in Orissa |date=1981 |publisher=Asian Educational Services |isbn=978-81-206-0229-8 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Ananta Dasa]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mukherjee |first=Prabhat |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7LFzfbhmJcMC&dq=ananta+dasa+karana&pg=PA86 |title=The History of Medieval Vaishnavism in Orissa |date=1981 |publisher=Asian Educational Services |isbn=978-81-206-0229-8 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Balarama Dasa]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Pradhan |first=Atul Chandra |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MI4eAAAAMAAJ&q=balarama+dasa+karana |title=A Study of History of Orissa: From the Earliest Times to Mukundadeva |date=1984 |publisher=Panchashila |language=en}}</ref>

=== Historical Figures ===
* [[Bisara Mohanty]]<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Kulke |first1=Hermann |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JIzXAAAAMAAJ&q=bisar+mohanty |title=Jagannath Revisited: Studying Society, Religion, and the State in Orissa |last2=Schnepel |first2=Burkhard |date=2001 |publisher=Manohar |isbn=978-81-7304-386-4 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Ramananda Ray]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Paṭṭanāẏaka |first=Jagannātha |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JpgeAAAAMAAJ&q=karan+caste |title=Feudatory States of Orissa, 1803-1857 |date=1988 |publisher=Vohra Publishers & Distributors |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Madhavi Pattanayak]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rout |first=Savitri |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2SCzRH24LnAC&dq=Madhavi+Dasi&pg=PA32 |title=Women Pioneers in Oriya Literature |date=1972 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publishe |isbn=978-81-208-2546-8 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Art & Literature ===
* [[Brajanath Badajena]]<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5eBtAAAAMAAJ&q=Brajanath+badajena+Karan |title=Proceedings |date=1976 |publisher=Indian History Congress |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Banamali Dasa]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mohanty |first=Janaki Ballabha |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xNi10M-NkOYC&q=Karan |title=Banamali Das |date=1993 |publisher=Sahitya Akademi |isbn=978-81-7201-449-0 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Gopalakrusna Pattanayaka]]
* [[Radhanath Ray]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gopinath Mohanty |url=https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.220244/2015.220244.Radhanath-Ray_djvu.txt |title=Radhanath Ray |date=1983}}</ref>
* [[Gourishankar Ray]]
* [[Kalicharan Pattnaik]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dharitri E-Paper |url=https://www.dharitri.com/e-Paper/Bhubaneswar/231217/p6.htm |access-date=2024-09-22 |website=www.dharitri.com}}</ref>
* [[Annada Shankar Ray]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-05-11 |title=অন্নদাশঙ্কর রায় – |url=https://banglarmamatimanush.com/annada-sankar-roy-jyoti-bandyopadhyay/ |access-date=2024-09-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200511133459/https://banglarmamatimanush.com/annada-sankar-roy-jyoti-bandyopadhyay/ |archive-date=2020-05-11 }}</ref>
* [[Gopinath Mohanty]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=archive |first=From our online |date=2019-04-20 |title=Gopinath Mohanty Memorial Lecture today |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2019/apr/20/gopinath-mohanty-memorial-lecture-today-1966706.html |access-date=2024-09-22 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Surendra Mohanty]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-10-04 |title=Sambad: 24 and counting |url=https://orissamatters.com/2007/10/04/sambad/ |access-date=2024-09-22 |website=Orissa Matters |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Education & Research ===
* [[Prana Krushna Parija]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-11-19 |title=New Page |url=http://jagatsinghpur.nic.in/dist_portal/eminentperson.htm |access-date=2024-09-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119004950/http://jagatsinghpur.nic.in/dist_portal/eminentperson.htm |archive-date=2012-11-19 }}</ref>
* [[Bidhu Bhusan Das]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Das, Bidhu Bhusan, 1922- - LC Linked Data Service: Authorities and Vocabularies |url=https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n89267884.html |access-date=2024-09-22 |website=id.loc.gov}}</ref>
* [[Prabhat Nalini Das]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ashutosh Sheshabalaya on Global Reach |date=May 9, 2013 |url=https://www.voiceamerica.com/guest/17097/ashutosh-sheshabalaya |access-date=2024-09-22 |website=The VoiceAmerica Talk |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Madhu Sudan Kanungo]]
* [[Jitendra Nath Mohanty]]
* [[Nikhil Mohan Pattnaik]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-09-03 |title=The digital book binder - The New Indian Express |url=http://newindianexpress.com/magazine/The-digital-book-binder/2013/09/01/article1757468.ece1 |access-date=2024-09-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130903203527/http://newindianexpress.com/magazine/The-digital-book-binder/2013/09/01/article1757468.ece1 |archive-date=2013-09-03 }}</ref>

=== Jurists ===
* [[Ananga Kumar Patnaik]], Former [[Chief Justice of India]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-08-09 |title=Hon'ble Mr. Justice A.K. Patnaik |url=http://www.sci.nic.in/judges/sjud/akpatnaik.htm |access-date=2024-09-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130809191037/http://www.sci.nic.in/judges/sjud/akpatnaik.htm |archive-date=2013-08-09 }}</ref>
* [[Gopal Ballav Pattanaik]], Former [[Chief Justice of India]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=2002-11-08 |title=G B Pattanaik takes oath as Chief Justice of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/G-B-Pattanaik-takes-oath-as-Chief-Justice-of-India/articleshow/27669480.cms |access-date=2024-09-23 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

=== Others ===
* [[Kishen Pattnaik]]
⚫
* [[Niranjan Patnaik]]<ref name=":1" />
* [[Soumya Ranjan Patnaik]]<ref name=":1" />
* [[Ashok Kumar Das]]
* [[Sarat Pattanayak]]<ref name=":1" />

== See also ==

* [[Madala Panji]], a chronicle of [[Jagannath Temple, Puri|Jagannath Temple]] written by Karanas.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Pāṇigrāhī |first1=Śarata Candra |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ra86AAAAMAAJ&q=+madala+panji |title=The Cult and Culture of Lord Jagannath |last2=Panda |first2=Daityari |date=1984 |publisher=Rashtrabhasha Samavaya Prakashan |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Rath |first=Bijaya Kumar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xhFuAAAAMAAJ&q=Karana |title=Cultural History of Orissa, A.D. 855-1110 |date=1983 |publisher=Sundeep Prakashan |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Pāṇigrāhī |first1=Śarata Candra |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ra86AAAAMAAJ&q=Karana |title=The Cult and Culture of Lord Jagannath |last2=Panda |first2=Daityari |date=1984 |publisher=Rashtrabhasha Samavaya Prakashan |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Athgarh State]], a [[Princely state]] founded by Raja Niladri Bhagirathi Barman Pattanayak.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Orissa (India) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XTduAAAAMAAJ&q=karan+caste+bebarta |title=Orissa District Gazetteers: Cuttack |date=1966 |publisher=Superintendent, Orissa Government Press |language=en}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 15:28, 24 September 2024

For the same surname and title, see Karanam.

Karan
ReligionsHinduism
LanguagesOdia
Populated statesOdisha
SubdivisionsKaran, Karan Vaishnav
Related groupsBrahmin
StatusForward caste

The Karan or Karana is a community of scribes[1] found in the state of Odisha in India. The post of Karana used to be a professional designation that was occupied by literate members of the lower as well as the higher castes.[2] They also held Karanam post in some parts of Andhra Pradesh, where they speak Odia[3] and played the similar role in Odisha as that of the Kayasthas of West Bengal and Bihar. Traditionally they were the official record-keepers in the royal courts of the Odia princely states historically (Orissa Tributary States).[4] Today they are a politically dominant community and have reigned over the politics of Odisha for 40 years.[5]

History

Mediaeval Period

The frequent admission of land grants to princes, Brahmins and various officials gave rise to a new class of scribes. They were recruited from lower as well as higher castes. However the Karanas crystallized into a distinct caste only in the 10th or 11th century AD owing to social mobility. Any mention of the term prior to that period simply denotes its functional aspect rather than a caste affiliation.[2]

Social Status

The Karanas are a forward caste of Odisha.[6] In mediaeval Odisha, Karanas climbed the social ladder by supplying brides to the ruling dynasties. An example of this can be found in the Arasavali copper plate of the Eastern Ganga monarch Vajrahasta III.[2] During the British colonial era, many Karanas of Odisha had received zamindaris.[7] In recent post-Independence era India, they have also played a dominant role in politics. Such is their prominence in politics that many members from the Karan community have been elected as the Chief Ministers of Odisha, hence they are also dubbed as the political caste of Odisha.[8]

Surnames

Prominent surnames of the Karan community include Patnaik, Mohanty, Das etc.[9][10]

Notable people

References

  1. ^ Rabindra Nath Pati (2008). Family Planning. APH Publishing. pp. 116–. ISBN 978-81-313-0352-8.
  2. ^ a b c Raut, L.N. (2004). "Jati Formation in Early Medieval Orissa: Reflection on Karana (Kayastha Caste)". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 65: 304–308. JSTOR 44144743.
  3. ^ M. Kodanda Rao (1990). Cultural and Structural Dimensions of Family: A Study of Jalari Fishermen. Concept Publishing Company. pp. 34–. ISBN 978-81-7022-270-5.
  4. ^ Mohanty, Ramesh P.; Biswal, Durgesh Nandini (2007). Culture, Gender and Gender Discrimination: Caste Hindu and Tribal. Mittal Publications. p. 40. ISBN 978-81-8324-199-1.
  5. ^ a b Pradhan, Ashok (2019-04-13). "Reign of Patnaiks: 40 years and counting - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2021-02-08.
  6. ^ Aila-Leena Matthies; Kati Närhi (4 October 2016). The Ecosocial Transition of Societies: The contribution of social work and social policy. Taylor & Francis. pp. 110–. ISBN 978-1-317-03460-5.
  7. ^ "sg.inflibnet.ac.in" (PDF).
  8. ^ Pramit Verma; Pardeep Singh (14 July 2020). Urban Ecology: Emerging Patterns and Social-Ecological Systems. Elsevier Science. pp. 83–. ISBN 978-0-12-820731-4.
  9. ^ "shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in" (PDF).
  10. ^ Pattanaik, Devdutt (2018-02-18). "Devdutt Pattanaik: Descendants of Chitragupta". mid-day. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  11. ^ "rediff.com: The evil that envelopes Orissa". Rediff.com. 2000-02-14. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
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