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Bhumihar Brahmin Caste

Religion : Hindu

Varna : Brahmin

About Bhumihar Brahmin : Bhumihar Brahmin is the name of a Brahmin jati (sub-caste) who have traditionally resided in fertile regions of Indo-Gangetic plains of North India, in the states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand. The word 'Bhumihar' consists of two Hindi words, 'bhumi', meaning 'land' and 'ahaar', meaning one who earns his/her living from the land. They are generally 'tri-karmi' Brahmins, that is they do not go to beg alms at the doors of Non-Brahmins. However, instances of Bjumihar Brahmins engaging in priestly practices are not unknown. Bhumihar Brahmins had originally been the most powerful economic and social sub-caste of Brahmins in Eastern U.P. and Bihar, It is a class of people who are supposedly hard working and honest.

History and Origin : Bhumihars identify themselves with Parashuram, who, according to a legend, wiped out all the Kshatriyas from the earth 21 times. The descendants and associates of Parshuram are called Bhumihars.

Sub-Castes : Usually Bhumihar clans are known by the original place from which they come. For example, Bhumihars from Dighwa who went to Barahiya and settled there is known as Dighwait Bhumihars, similarly, Eksaria Bhumihars belongs to Eksaar village in Balia but spread over complete Saran district of Bihar. There are around two to three dozen such clans.

Language: Hindi

Regional Spread : Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand.

Traditional Occupation : Presently, majority of Bhumihars are peasant farmers, although many have become landowners.

Food Habits : Mostly vegetarian

Marriage Preference : Marriage of people in this community, like most of other social groups of India, is restricted to their own sub-caste.

Famous Personalities

  • - Mahapandit Rahul Sankrityayan :
  • - Kashi Naresh : Banaras Maharaja
  • - Swami Sahajanand Saraswati : Social worker, saint
  • - Ramdhari Singh Dinkar : Hindi Poet
  • - Sri Krishna Sinha : First Chief Minister of Bihar
  • - Prof G R Sharma : Historian and Archaeologist from Ghazipur
  • - Prof Ram Sharan Sharma : Historian