Kunbi

Kunbi is a Hindu Shudra caste. They are mainly concentrated in Maharashtra and Goa. Although, a caste-group which exists in North India known as Kanbis also claim to be Kunbis. They are basically Patidar and have taken to all types of professions and many of them have achieved high regards in diverse fields, including agriculture, engineering, industrialization, sports, defense, domestic and international politics, medical professions, religious studies, astrology, theatre & arts etc. There is a very common misconception that Kunbi is a part of Hindu religion. Just like Patel, Reddy,Jats etc members of this community practice religions such as Buddhism,Christianity,Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Sikhism. Members of this group have played a significant role in the national, regional, and international politics for at least the past ten centuries. This group has been making conscious efforts to maintain communal harmony within all religious groups.

Responsible group members have given protection to innocent regional pseudo Brahmins (a Hindu individual who claims to be messenger of GOD) during the massacre resulted from assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. Many Sikhs were also given protection during the riots that occurred after the assassination of Indira Gandhi and in the recent times to regional Muslim community after Godhra Riots. In return this group has received enormous support from religious groups and all Hindu castes.

Kunbi Population: Largest & fastest advancing group in India

Kunbis along with Maratha are the largest group/caste spread all over India. Estimated number of Kunbis & Marathas settled in various part of India is around 180 million. Number of Kunbis settled abroad is second only to Patels from Gujarat. Estimating number of kunbis abroad is a difficult task as they have different surnames. Since the Kunbis have variety of surnames by no means they become a threat to a Nation. A sub-group of Kunbis now known as Kudumbis who migrated to Kerala some 500 hundred years back from Goa during the Portugal suppression against the then orthodox Hindu-Kudumbis. There is another similar group in Northern India known as Kurmi.

Large number of Kunbis are settled in USA, CANADA, EUROPE, AUSTRALIA, ASIA & MIDDLE EAST.

Kunbi Clan System

Hindu Kunbis are sub grouped as per 12 1/2 clans. It is claimed that the Kunbi Clan System, alongwith the Maratha Clan System is the most ancient clan system of India and is rarely practised except in the region of Maharashtra. The clan system classifies people based on occupation and race.

List of famous Saints

Saint Tukaram

Saint Tukaram

17th Century Poet was a petty grain merchant & a farmer who was born during the existence of Mughals Rule that existed around in central India region, when Hindu religion was busted out by the mighty Mughals. He had greatly influenced Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj & Mahatma Gandhi. Saint Ramdas and Saint Tukaram existed during the same time period. His brahmin disciple Sri Bagewadi Maharaj had documented all his poems. Saint Tukaram had followers from all sects including those who were untouchables during those days. Visnupanth Damle's film on Sant Tukaram received one of the three best films of 1937 at Venice and was the first Indian film to receive an International Award. Tukaram Chair, University of Pune has hosted a website on the saint [1].

Siddharameshwar Maharaj

He was born in a poor business family in 1868 in village Pathri, Solapur. He is known for meditation and understanding final reality. He gained popularity for his englightment theory through a American novelist work The Razors Edge who visited India in search of reality. His books such as 'The Stateless State', 'Master Key to Self Realisation' and 'Knowledge of Self' are very popular in India and abroad. Siddrameshwar Maharaj was know for his simple and lucid style of preaching. He died in 1936 in Bombay giving full knowlegedge to his discples Nisargadatta Maharaj and 'Ranjit Maharaj'.

Nisargadatta Maharaj

Nisargadatta Maharaj also known as Maruti was born to a poor family in Bombay in March,1897. His father Shivrampant was a servant who turned to farmming. Shivrampant family were friends with a pious brahmin known Vishnu Gore who was also poverty ridden. Maruti lost his father at a young age of 18. Maruti started cloth shop which gained success. At 34 he came under the influence of Shri Siddharameshwar Maharaj. Nisargadatta Maharaj became world famous when he wrote the book 'I Am That' in 1973. The book 'I am THAT' is one of the best spiritual book avaible in the world and it has been reprinted 17 times in USA. His work has been widely published outside India.[[2]]. He has many active disciples around the world. His disciple include Bob Adamson -Australian, Dr.Stephen Wolinsky-Italian founder of Quantum Psychology and Dr. Robert Powell-best known Christian Zen author. American author Dr. Wayne Dyer has also been greatly influenced by Nisargadatta Maharaj. He died at the age of 87 years in Bombay.

Rashtra Saint Tukdoji Maharaj

He was born in 1909 in poverty ridden family of tailors. Author of Gramgita, First President Dr Rajendra Prasad bestowed him the title 'Rashtrasant'. He has participated in religious conventions in Japan. He was arrested by the then British government for performing Hindu Spiritual Rituals. He is one of the founding Vice President of Vishwa Hindu Parishad. He has composed 3000 bhajans and was great musician. He died in 1968. The Indian Department of Posts honoured the memory of this great Saint, Patriot, musician and social worker, in 1995, by issuing a special postage stamp.

List of known Women Personalities

Lalita Pawar was a Bollywood actor known as the The Mother of all mother-in-laws in films. She was born in a rich Yevle family of Nashik and was married to Raj Prakash Gupta and lived in Pune. She started her career in silent films in 1928 and acted in more than 500 Hindi and marathi films.

Usha Chavan was a Bollywood actor famous for acting as the leading lady of the great Marathi Comedy actor Dada Kondke.

Smita Patil was a Bollywood actor who was the first Asian cine-star to have the unique honour of Retrospectives in Paris and La Rochelle, (at the promptings of no less a film luminary than Director Costa Gavras), a two-time Best Actress award winner at the National Film Festival (Bhumika and Chakra) and a Padmashree. She was a keen photographer and died at the age of 31 years.

Smt Prabha Rau (Woman President of MPCC) She was a sportsperson and has represented Maharashtra in long jump, high jump, hurdles, discus throw and running. Beside this she is a musician and hold a Masters degree in Politics and Music.

Smt Pratibha Patil was the first woman Governor of Rajasthan, Woman President of MPCC. Before becoming Governor of Rajasthan she was a Member of Rajya Sabha. She was Table Tennis Champion in her college days and has won Inter-Tournaments. She holds MA in Arts and a Law Degree. Beside her political career she also manages her own educational institutes for poor and industries.

Mrs Ujjwala Raut-Sterry She is India's most accomplished supermodel now settled in the USA. She has been awarded both in India and Internationally for her performance as a model. Born & brought up in Mumbai, she is now married to British film producer Craig Maxwell Sterry in USA. She has also been on the cover of Time magazine.

List of few known Men Personalities

Dr Chintamanrao Deshmukh First Governor of RBI & Chairman of UGC Union Finance Minister of India, President of the Indian Statis. Insti, Board of Governors of the Adm. Staff College of India, Hyderabad, Chairman of the Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi A number of prestigious universities and institutions, international as well as Indian, conferred on him doctorates honoris causa. He was student of University of Bombay in 1912 and University of Cambridge

'Shri Yashwantrao Chavan' He belonged to a poor farming family and was born on 12 March 1913, in the village of Devrashtre in Karad Taluka of Satara. He has held and performed well in several government positions during his tenure.

Shri Shankarrao Chavan Former Union Home Minister & Union Finance Minister, India Born on July 14, 1920, Educated from Madras University and then obtained a law degree from Osmania University

Dr Shrikant Jichkar, MP, Member of Rajya Sabha, Cabinet Minister of Maharashtra. Holds 20 postgraduate degrees. He has obtained 28 Gold Medals. Between 1972 and 1990 he has written 42 University Examinations. He was also IPS officer and IAS officer. He was the Youngest MLA in India at 25 years. He was also leading Indian delegations on several forums including the UNO, the UNESCO. Founder of Kavi Kulaguru Kalidas (India's First) Sanskrit University. Managing Editor of Nagpur Times and Nagpur Patrika. Founding Chairman of National Institute of Amateur Radio. (Guinness & Lima Book of records list him Politician with most qualifications and was the first Non-Brahmin who was awarded Dixit Title)

Sandeep Patil Cricket Player & Former Coach of Kenya Cricket Team that reached World Cup Semi-Finals in 2003. He had a record for six fours in a cricket over.

Shri Ashok Desai Former Attorney General of India, Author of several books on Law, Chief Justice of Uttaranchal, Awarded Padma Bushan by Government of India.

Shri Shivraj Patil (Union Home Minister, India) He was also a Minister of Science and Technology, Atomic Energy, Electronics, Space and Ocean Development and Biotechnology. He was also a Minister of Science and Technology, Atomic Energy, Electronics, Space and Ocean Development and Biotechnology.

Barrister S. K. Wankhede Former BCCI President and State Minister. He was married to Late Smt Kusumtai (From brahmin family) who has greatly contributed to his career success. Due to his contribution to Indian cricket a stadium was named after him.

Shri Anant Geete (Member of Parilment, Former Union Minister of Power) Involved in power reforms that started during orthodox BJP Led-NDA central government. He belongs to Konkan Region.

Shri Datta Meghe (Educationist, Member of Parilment, Rajya Sabha) He runs several educational institutes in Mumbai and Central India.

'Dr Atul Gawande' A second generation Harvard Professor & Doctor, who is also a columnist in USA. He was a student at Standford, Oxford [3]"

'Sharad Pawar', Union Minister of Agriculture and Former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Mumbai Cricket Association President & BCCI President. A native of Baramati"

Recruitment from ostracized castes

Over the past hundreds of years, rich Kunbis have recruited men & woman from ostracized caste for farming & business. These farm labours later on merged with Kunbi groups as they got rid of the discrimination that was present during the orthodox Hindu philosophy. In fact many rich Kunbis donated land and wealth to their own labours after disastrous Governments under Indira Gandhi & Morarji Desai imposed land posssesion restriction on landlords.

List of Common Surnames

It is quite common in the state of Maharashtra that following family names may be used by other castes.

• Adik, Aware
• Bachale, Bhalerao, Brahmankar, Bele, Bhagwat, Bhope, Belkar
• Chowdhary, Choudhari, Chavan
• Dhone, Dange, Dongre, Dore, Desai, Dhawle, Dhanwate, Deshmukh, Deoskar, Deorkar, Dhamankar, Dhande, Dubey, Dhamakar, Dhadse,
• Gaonkar, Geete, Gurve, Gaithonde, Gore, Gode, Gaikwad, Gedam, Gawande, Gurve
• Jadhav, Junarkar, Jichkar
• Khandar, Kadam, Kedar, Kale
• Lunge, Lalke, Lambat, Lode
• Misal, Mathankar, More, Mahajan, Manik, Mate
• Navalkar, Naik, Nayak, Nigam, Nikunj
• Parimal, Patil, Pawar, Pandey, Premkhede,
• Rode, Raut, Rane
• Shinde, Sable, Sawant, Salve, Shinde,
• Taiwade, Thakur, Thakre, Taley, Tambe, Thape, Tope, Thombre,
• Uparker
• Wankhade, Wankhede, Watonde, Wagh, Waghmare

Are Kunbis known as Marathas ?

Kunbis of Maharashtra only are known as Marathas as they form the farming section of Marathas besides the warrior Royal 96k Marathas. Kunbis are also known as Patils, Patels or Patidars. Chatrapati Shahu Maharaj coined the word Maratha for the peasant section, so as to stand united against the priestly domination that existed around 1900 year. Many Kunbis don't like themselves called as Marathas, because the Marathas are a royal warrior class. Kunbis have their 12 & 1/2 clan system. The priestly caste have often tried to bring Kunbis in forefront as an alternative to Kshatriya as they have had long lasting conflicts with the 96k Marathas. An ordinary Kunbi will always tend to follow greats like Saint Tukaram, Saint Dnyaneshwar, Saint Namdev..

In Konkan region many Kunbis have been practising Christian religion brought by people from Portugal. Many kunbi groups in the Konkan and Goa region have their own churches. The famous cricketer Vijay Samuel Hazare was a Goan Christian.

Many Hindu-Kunbis perform the Upanayana Samskara as per their family traditions. Working class Hindu-kunbi’s have been greatly influenced by the culture brought in by the British. In the past Kunbi's have larger houses some were called WADA, some were GADHI (fortressed complex) and some also had KEELLA (a fort). Most of the historical evidences are as on date managed & maintained by National (India) & State (Maharashtra) level government departments. Although there are many families who maintain their own set of documents or evidences as a mark of family assets. Kunbis are basically vegetarian, although some sects have taken up non-vegetarian diet.

References & Links

1. Patidar Samaj Online [4]
2. Kunbi Samaj [5]
3. Marathi Leva Samaj [6]
4. Global Kurmi Group [7]