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Kurmi

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Kurmi(Hindi:कुर्मी), which is the name of one of the Jātis (castes) of the Hindus.

The "Kurmi" is known as the chief ancient agricultural caste of India. The Chandrakar, Patel, Patidar, Kadwa, Lewa, Reddy, Naidu, Wakkaligar, Kunbi, Kanbi, Kutumbi, Kudumi, Kulmi, Kulambi, Kulwadi, Kapu and Kama - all belong to one caste, commonly called as "Kurmi".

Origin and Identity

Kurmis are the direct descedants of the wellknown Kshatriya dynasties of Lord Rama Son Luv. The physical appearance of the kurmis tends to support the view of their Kshatriya Origin. According to the Revd. Sherring, "The Kurmi has a strong, bony hand, natual to a man of his employment. He is frequently tall and powerful, manly outspoken and independent in manner and is altogether free from cringing obsequiousness" ["Tribes and Castes" Vol III - p/258].

Colonel Dalton regards them as the descendants of some of the earliest Aryan Colonists - a brown tawny coloured people, of an average height, well proportioned and with fair amount of good looks. They show well-shaped heads and high features and except when they have obviously intermixed with aborigins , they are unquestionable Aryans in looks. Grey eyes and brownish hair are sometimes met with amongst them The women usually have small and well formed hands and feet ["Ethnology of Bengal" - p/320].

Sir George Campbell, speaking of the Kurmis of Hindustan says, "they are on an average darker and less good looking than the Brahmans and Rajputs, but still quite Aryan in their features, institutions and manners ["Ethnology of India" - p/92].

The link between Kshtriyas and agriculture has been justified on the grounds of linguistic affinities between the root "ar" (bravery, heroism, found in English and Greek hero, Russian geroj and Sanskrit arya) and other words for cultivators i.e. those who labour nobly (Russian oratel or ploughman, Airga in the Zend-Avesta), as well as in the legend of King "Prithu", who tamed the earth to make fertile again. It is for this reason that the Sanskrit word for "earth" is "Prithvi", in honour of the Aryan king "Prithu" who first cultivated the earth. And, in the words of Thomas Jefferson, "cultivators of the earth are the most virtuous and independent citizens".

Kurmi Politics

In 1894 the Kurmi formed their first association in Lucknow which was named as "Sardar Kurmi Sabha" to give teeth to their protest against the British decision to cut their numbers in the Military forces. Later on, realising it was not enough, this "Kurmi Sabha" included the Patidars, Kunbis, Reddys, Naidus, Kapus, Wakkaligars and Kurmis of other states in its fold. In its 5th conference in 1909, this sabha declared to change its name from "Sardar Kurmi Sabha" to "All India Kurmi Kshatriya Association".

Kurmi in India and Nepal

Kurmi, as also present in the east as well as southern India. They are relatively prosperous and educated, forward thinking, but conscious and rooted to farming and trading also. Etymologically, the words, Kunbi are generally considered a derivative of the word Kurmi. Kurmis constitute around sixteen percentage of the total population of India.

Kurmi in Chhattisgarh

In Chhattisgarh, Kurmi Devide in Chandranahu Kurmi and Manvwa Kurmi. Channahu Kurmi mainly in Raipur, Mahasamund, Durg, Dhamtari and Bilaspur District of Chhattisgarh.

Etymology and usage

Basically, it means "I do", "I am able". "Kuru" in Sanskrit means "do".

Kurmi As political force

The word "Kurmi" and why many of the Vedic people would use this term, reflects the advent and reasons for the advent of religions such as Buddhism and Jainism. The "Kurmi" movement as a national movement was started in the northern and eastern regions relatively recently to offset their tiny numbers.

When one says, the "kurmi", it literally means "the I cans" or the "I am ables".

Famous Kurmi/Kunbi people

  • Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel First Deputy Prime Minister and home minister of India
  • Babu Guptanath SinghMember of Constituent Assembly of India,Freedom fighter,Editor and writer, written "Kurmi Kshtriya Jati ka Itihas" and "Shivaji",founder of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel College (founded on Oct.31,1957), Patel College has celebrated it's 50th anniversary on 31th October 2007.
  • Yashaskara [1]
  • Choudhary Narendra Singh Famous(kisan) Leader from north india(KanPur),was very close to Ch.Charan Singh,Smt.Indira Gandhi,Rajiv Gandhi,KasiRam and Smt.Sonia Gandhi,He was Three Times Rajya-Sabha M.P ,One Time M.L.C,Three Time M.L.A and Cabinet Minister in UP Government
  • Nitish Kumar Chief Minister of Bihar
  • Vinay Katiyar Famous BJPleader and founder of Bajranj Dal
  • Keshu Bhai Patel Famous BJP Leader and Former Chief Minister of Gujrat
  • Santosh Gangwar Famous BJP leader
  • R.K Singh
  • Sharad Pawar Famous Maratha leader Union Cabinet Minister and BCCI president
  • Shivaji Maharaj Founder of Maratha Empire
  • Shahuji Maharaj Ruler of Kolhapur State and famous social reformer
  • Beni Prasad Verma Famous Leader and Founder of Samajwadi Kranti Dal
  • Sone Lal Patel Famous Leader and Founder of Apna Dal
  • Om Prakash Singh Famous BJP Leader,leader of oppsition in u.p.
  • Premlata Katiyar Famous BJP Leader
  • Lalji Verma Famous BSP Leader and Cabinet Minister in Mayawati Government in UP
  • Ram Poojan Patel Famous Congres Leader from Uttar Pradesh
  • Arun Katiyar Journalist
  • Dharmendra Kumar Journalist,Ramgarh,Jharkhan
  • Dr.Prabhu Narain SinghEconomist, Retired Prof.of Business Administration and Business Management,College of Business, Florida A & M University, USA. He received double Ph.D in Economics & Business Administration from University of South Carolina USA.
  • Prof.Dr.Hukum Singh RathorGeophysicist,retired as Dean of Science college BHU and Head of the Geophysics Department, Banaras Hindu University.Distinguished visiting Prof.Brazil.Currently in his ninties living in USA and every year visits his home town Varanasi. A great supporter of Kurmis who helped many fellow kurmis to succeed.
  • Dr.V.P. Singh M.D.,Retired as Director All India Institute of Medical Sciences,Prof. Of Medicine and Rector Banaras Hindu University. He is a very briliant and noted world fame Physician.
  • Dr.Kamta Prsad Agronomist, Principal Scientist with ICAR, New Delhi. Founder Member of a society helping Girl child and Women of Rural areas. Working on all fronts to improve upon the education level in Kurmis of Central and Western Uttar Pradesh.
  • Late SARSWATI PRASAD PATEL freedom-fighter senior congress leader Ex MLA burhar shahdol
  • Dr.R.K.KUSMARIA senior bjp leader mp khjuraho <m.p.>
  • GANESH SINGH mp bjp leader satna <m.p.>
  • INDRAJEET PATEL senior congress leader former cabinet minister <m.p.>
  • GANGARAM RAM PATEL cabinet minister bjj govt. m.p.
  • Chandu Lal Chandrakar Journalist, Famous Congres Leader from Chhattisgarh.
  • Ram Lal Chandrakar Freedom Fighter, senior leader from Chhattisgarh.
  • Ajay Chandrakar BJP Leader and minister of chhattisgarh.
  • Naresh Kumar Patel Urban Planner with engineering background involved in planning of HiTech and Integrated Townships

Famous Kurmi/Kunbi Kshatriya people in DEFENCE

Refer to Kunbi Website for other famous Kurmi/Kunbi people

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kunbi

References

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