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Karhade Brahmin

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Karhade (Karada )
Classification: Ethnic group/ Caste/Community of West Coast India. Paternal Attribute: Indo-Scythian, Maternal Attribute: Dravidian
Significant populations in: Maharashtra - primarily Tal - Konkan, Kolhapur and Karad regions, Karnataka - primarily coastal Kanara, Udipi and interior Shimoga up to Belgaon, Madhya Pradesh - erstwhile Maratha dominions like Gwalior, Indore, Uttar Pradesh - Jhansi, Kanpur, Bundelkhand,Goa,Kasargode regions of northern Kerala
Language Marathi, Kannada, Tulu, Hindi, Konkani, Malayalam-Malabari, Karadi
Religion Advaita Hinduism Aszwelajene'sutri Ryg'wedi Brahmen,Theravada Buddhismin Shimoga, Islam-in South Konkan / Goa & Roman Catholicismin Goa.
Related Communities

Deshastha Brahmins
Konkanastha Brahminss
Havyaka Brahmins of Kanara Nagar Brahmins & Bhojaka Brahmins of Gujarat

Karhade (Karhádé) form one of the Pancha Dravida Brahmins tribes from South Western India.

The name Karháda or Karáda, is the progressive evolution of the name Kshaharáta, the name of the founding dynasty of the Indo-Scythian Western Satraps. Kshaharáta evolved into Xaharáda...Kaharáda...Karáda....and subsequently modern day Karháda.

Satrap is the derivation of the Persian word Ksatrapavan which means a governor or viceroy. The Western Satraps were an Indo-Scythian(Saka) viceroyalty of the erstwhile Kushan empire, and belonged to the Gujjar or White Hun subsect of the lost Yuezhi tribes, which set out of the Tocharian homelands in Western China.

The Western Satraps though originally casteless and of a non-vedic origin, later intermarried with the priesthood from the Satavahana, to gain favours and a place of honour within the Hindu caste heirarchy. Although the main body of the Kshaharata perhaps professed Buddhism, today almost all are Hindus.

Later under the patronage of Adi Sankara, now Karhades are Smartists and followers of the Advaita school of philosophy. They are now essentially Rigvedi Brahmins and follow the Ashwalayana Sutra. Although a vast majority adopted Vedic Brahminism a few profess other religious pursuits.

European theorists like Sir James Campbell and Reginald Edward Enthoven[1] cite historical anecdotes which link the Karhadas to some of lost tribes of Gujjar or Gurjar or Khajjar or Qajar.

This view was proposed by the imminent historian, D. R. Bhandarkar, stating that certain members from foreign tribes such as the Ahir, Gurjar, Maga etc, were possibly the remnants of the rather short lived Western Satrap dynasty. Bhandarkar includes castes like the Bhojaka, Chitpavan, Havyaka, Karhade and Nagar Brahmins as of partly foreign origin.

Mediaval Deccan folklore cites some funny anecdotes, namely the Sahyadri Khand hints at the resurrection of the tribe from the bones of a camel.

Other anecdotes relating to the practice by some Karhade families, of the sacrifice of young Brahmin males to the Godess Shakti has been cited by Syed Siraj Ul Hassan in his chronicles about the Castes and Tribes of H.E.H The Nizam's Dominions.

Notwithstanding the immense inter-mixing of various tribes, the average Karhade is generally well made, tall, wavy haired and with sharp intelligent features. The Karhade generally resembles the Chitpavan, but is noticeably darker in complexion and better built. Almost none have grey, green or blue eyes and very few have curly hair. That speaks of a Indo-Scythian paternal and a native Satavahana Dravidian maternal element in most members of this tribe.

Originally the Kshaharatas perhaps spoke an old Eastern-Iranian language, however under the increasing cultural influences from the Satavahanas gradually their languages were Prakritised. They are known to have used the Kharoshti and the Brahmi scripts for writing. Subsequent Brahminisation during the middle ages inspired the Karhades to learn Sanskrit as a medium to officiate religious ceremonies.

Modern day Karada Brahmins from Tulu Nadu and regions around Kasargod in Kerala share customs and traditions with Kerala Brahmins, however speak a form of old Marathi heavily influenced by local Dravidian languages.

Most modern day Karhade Brahmins live in Maharashtra and Karnataka, though a significant population exists in Madhya Pradesh. A southern branch of the Karhade Brahmins settled around the Kasargod region of the Malabar coast and they are called the Karada Brahmins and share their traditions with Kerala Brahmins and the Brahmins of Dakshina Kannada.

In Goa Karhade Brahmins have two subcastes viz. Padyes( speak a unique dialect of Konkani/ Bhati Bhasha ) and Bhatt Prabhus ( speak standard Konkani ).

Famous Karhade Brahmins include the sage Chakradhar, poet Moropant, Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, a prominent figure in India's first war of independence, Vasudevanand Saraswati also called Tembe Maharaj, a Hindu seer, and Balshastri Jambhekar, who started Darpan, the country's first bilingual newspaper.

Population

In 1931, the population of Karhades in Ratnagiri, Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Satara, Solapur, Ahmednagar, Nasik, Khandesh was 22,997. This is the only concrete data available from the book "Karhade Brahmanancha itihas" by Late V. V. Athalye (Page 37).

In 1931, the population of India was 278,977,238. In 2001 it was 1,028,737,436. Proportionately, Karhades work out to 84,802.

Karhades are present in Maharashtra, MP, Gujarat, UP, Karnataka, Kerala and other cities also.

Notable surnames

Tambe

Notable Karhade Brahmins

Surnames

See also

References

  1. ^ R.E.Enthoven

1- The Tribes and Castes of Bombay - R.E.Enthoven

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