Vishwakarma (caste)

This article is about a Hindu community. For the Hindu deity, see Vishvakarman.

Vishwa Brahmin, Vishwakarma, Tarkhan

File:- Hindu Suthar.gif
Regions with significant populations
Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Bihar, U.P., Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Srilanka, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Nepal
Languages
Hindi, Marwari, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi
Religion
Hinduism, Sikhism

Vishwakarma[viswa brahmin] is the term used in India for a caste of priests, engineers, architects, sculptors, temple builders and artists. The term is applied to five sub-castes; blacksmiths, carpenters, coppersmiths, goldsmiths and sculptors and worshiping various forms of Visvakarman, i.e., Twostar, Daksha prajapathy, Takshaka and Maya and Rhibhus etc.

History

The community is spread widely throughout India and played a vital role in the village economy. Their socioeconomic status varied from a very high level to the middle level in different parts of India, as they earned high wages in towns because of their factory employment and low wages in villages. About Vishwabrahmins, Ananda K. Coomaraswamy says "the Kammalar (i.e. Panchal) were known as Vishwa or Dev Brahmana. They spread gradually towards the south and then reached Ceylon, Burma & Java. The Vishwabrahmins claim to have been the spiritual guides and priests and their position in the society survives in the saying the 'Vishwabrahmana is guru to the world'

Krishna Rao says, "The most highly organized & efficient of the industrial classes was Virpanchal comprising Goldsmiths, coiner blacksmiths, carpenters and masons. In the finest period of Indian art, particularly between eighth and ninth century, they claimed and enjoyed a social status in the community, equal to Brahmans. The art of engraving & sculpture had attained a high stage of development. It was exclusively cultivated by Panchals who wore sacred thread & considered themselves as Vishwakarma Brahmans. The craftsman being deeply versed in national epic literature always figured in the history of India as missionaries of civilization, culture & religion. The intellectual influence being creative & not merely assimilative was at least as great as that of the priest and the author".

Panchal are known as the missionaries of civilization, culture and religion because they spread the Hindu religion to the whole world through their art, which included stone and ceramics, musical instruments, religious statuary, and metal-work. Ernest B. Havell says, “The northern quarter of (Patliputra) was assigned to Brahmans and certain of the higher craftsman such as the armorers, ironsmiths and workers in precious stones. The association of skilled craftsmen with the Brahman and the Kshatriya castes is additional evidence that craftsmanship did not hold an inferior status in Indo Aryan society." The stapathi or master builder is described in the Shilpa Shastra as officiating at religious ceremonies which preceded the laying out of the Indo Aryan town or village and some of the metal workers and carpenters of the south of India still retains as their caste indication the name Acharya which denotes a teacher of religion.

The Vedic lineage made them to create their own priesthood within their community. They wear five layer sacred thread .(yajna)However because of Chathurvarnya in the medieval period, their social status which was previously equal to that of the Brahmins had gone down. Brahmin political manoeuvrings diminished the social status of the Vishwakarma, though they fought against this Brahmin superiority.

Gotras

Vishvabrahmins acharya are divided into five gotras or clans, each Rishi's name is mentioned in the Yajurveda. (4.3.3)

• Sanaga (Son of Manu (Shiva))
• Sanatana (Son of Maya (Vishnu))
• Abhuvana (Son of Tvashtha (Brahma of four faces))
• Pratanan (Son of Silpi (Indra))
• Suparna (Son of Vishvajna (Surya))

The five gotras are further divided into a total of 25 sub-clans called upagotras

Panchal Movement to Reclaim Brahminical Right

"Panchals have the Brahmanic sanskars, or sacraments, and perform their ceremonies according to the Vedic Ritual. Frequent attempts were made in the days preceding British rule to deny them the rights to these Brahmanic privileges; but when the decision of pandits, or religious advisers when referred to, was in their favor." - James Hastings

The Peshwas belonged to the Chitpavan Brahmin caste and were actually late migrants to India, having arrived from the Middle East and Central Asia. The Peshwas competed with the Panchals, who saw themselves as being the original Brahmins and first builders of the Aryan Vedic civilization.

Nelson Hindu Law, Page 139-140 states - "The refusal of many castes in ancient times to accept the Brahmins as their pastors and masters would seem to have bred a hereditary feud between castes. The origin and history of the feud at present are wholly unknown but it seem to me to be not improbable that the feud sprang from rivalries and contentions between the supporters and adherents of Brahmins on one hand and those of the goldsmiths and other artificers on the other hand. In south of India the goldsmith’s appear to have strenuously resisted the aggressive supremacy of Brahmans and have, for ages, claimed for themselves the right to be priests and spiritual guides styling themselves as Acharyas (religious teacher) by wearing the sacred thread.

Meharban, a British collector, in his book ‘Bombay Gazetteer’ states in Solapur Vol XX page 125: "Panchals are composed of five classes: goldsmiths, bronzesmiths, blacksmiths, carpenters and masons. They consider themselves equals, if not superior, to the local Brahmins. Their family priests, who are members of their own community, are held in high respect. They gird their boys with the sacred thread at the age of seven to nine years. A feast called the Brahmins' feast or Brahma Bhojan is held where kith and kin and members of the caste are invited."

Subdivisions in India and Sri Lanka

Kerala

Vishwakarmas of Kerala are also known as Achary, Kammalar, or Viswa Brahmanar. They exist in Tamil in two communities: one Tamil (primarily in Travancore), one Malayali. They are classified into five sub-castes:

A legendary carpenter of the Kerala Vishwakarma, Perunthachan, figures prominently in Kerala folklore.

Karnataka

Main article: Vishwakarmas of Karnataka

The Vishwakarma caste of south Karnataka is composed of several sub-castes.

• The Kulachars/ aachar
• The Shiv achars/acharya
• The Uttaradi goldsmiths
• The Matachar founders
• The Muddekammaras
• The Doddamanes
• The Chikkamanes

Most of these sub-castes do not intermarry and have a hierarchy among themselves. All the above sub caste is varied according to various regions of Karnataka. All the sub-castes worships the goddess Kali, they are very similar to Brahmins in their ritual practices but few of them are non-vegetarians. as some other Brahmin community eat Fish addressing it as "Jala Pushpam" (Flower from water).A small Sub-Caste in Koadgu called as Airi are also Vishwakarmas who came from Malabar region. Earlier they were goldsmiths, carpenters, blacksmiths and sculptors. They are non-vegetarians who follow customs and traditions of Kodagu.

The very ancient (14th century) and famous Sri Kali Temple situated at Shirasangi in Belgaum distirct maintained by the Viswakarma Brahmin community.

The Sankruthi Sahiti Prathishtana is a prominent organization from Karnataka working to bring the Vishwabrahmins back to a Vedic life style. G. Gnanananda, is running this organization and started Brahmshri shilpa gurukulam affiliated with Bangalore University at Chikballapur.

Nepal

In Nepal the Vishvakarmas include the Kami, or Nepal blacksmith occupational caste, who use Viswakarma as a surname. Other artisan castes do not claim Vishvakarma status. Some of the Kami migrated from Nepal, and are known by names such as Biswakarma, Lohar and Sunar while in Champaran (Bihar) The Mahur or Mahulia say they came from the North-West Provinces, and the fact that all Hindus can take water from their hands renders it likely that they may have broken off from some comparatively respectable caste.

Madhya Pradesh

Vishwakarma Brahmins have a large presence in Madhya Pradesh. When the British founded the defense industry during the World War, lakhs of Vishwakarma Brahmins took employment in these factories. There is a legend that during the 1857 Indian uprising, the English noticed that the Rani of Jhansi was provided with arms and ammunition by the Vishwakarmas, who had achieved excellence in this field. Therefore when the arms and ammunition factory and the gun carriage factory was started by the English at Jabalpur, the Vishwakarms were the first to get employment in these factories.

Gujarat

Main article: Panchal

Some of the profession practiced by Panchals and related last names are given below:

• Carpentry: Gurjar Sutar (aka Suthar). The common last names in use are Panchal, Suthar, Mistry, Wadia, Pitroda, Sanghadia, Gajjar, Soni, Prajapati, Vaishya, Pancholi
• Gold Smith : Soni
• Stone-smith: known as Kadia
• Blacksmith: known as Luhar with last names Panchal, Luhar, Sheth.
• Sompuras: Related with construction of temples, wood and stone carving,

Panchals catered to the needs of chariots, horse carriages, furniture, home construction and agricultural equipment. The entrepreneurial Panchals developed designs and manufactured various parts, assemblies and sub-assemblies for cotton textile mills. They have been engaged in production of bobbins, shuttles, lattices, weaving looms and ancillary items of equipment for dyeing and bleaching, weaving looms, drilling rigs, water pumps, lathe machine, drilling machines and hand tools. With industrialization, Panchals adopted technical professions such as draughtsman, design engineer, architects, and shop floor and construction supervisors.

Maharashtra

Vishwakarmas are widely spread in Maharashtra as Lohar, Sonar, Sutar, Tambat, and Patharwat (stone-smiths).

Goa and Konkan

In the state of Goa and Konkan, Vishvakarmas are known as Charis who call themselves Vishwakarma Manu Maya Brahmins. Other artisan castes do not claim Vishvakarma status. Many artisans were converted and few immigrated during the Portuguese rule. Many who settled in Karnataka were temple builders and are called Gudigars. Others of the Shtapathis were converted and are now sometimes called Thavvayi in Konkani, which is a corrupted form of Sanskrit Sthapati.

Rajasthan

In Rajasthan, the Vishwakarmas are also known as Jangids and Suthar.

Bengal

Vishwakarmas in the state of Bengal have the last name of Kar or Karmakar.

Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana and Bihar

Vishwakarmas in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana and Bihar have the surname of Vishwakarma, Panchal, Sharma, Mistry, Dhiman, Jangid brhamin, Taak, Kaushik, Lohar etc title. Panchal (ironsmith) and Mistry (house-builder) also known as Badhi or Badhai (carpenter).

Orissa

In the state of Orissa, Vishwakarma Brahmins have the following surnames: Moharana (this title used by all Viswakarmas), Mohapatra (only Mayas - Kastakars), Ojha (only Manu -Lauhakars)e.g. cricketer Pragyan Ojha, Sutar (only Maya -Kastakars), Sahu (Maya -Kastakars & Viswajna -Swarnkars), Parida (Maya -Kastakar and Manu -Lauhakars), Choudhry (Only Maya -Kastakars), Karamkar (Maya and Viswanja), Das (Maya -Kastakars), Bindhani/Achary (Maya -Kastakars), Badhei (Maya -Kastakars), Mistry (Maya -Kastakars & Manu -Lauhakars), Mishra (Maya-Kastakars), Subudhi (Maya -Kastakars) and Martha (Maya -Kastakars), Mishra, Senapati, Behera.

Contributions of Vishwabrahmins to Indian culture and civilization

Nalanda

Main article: Nalanda

Vishwakarma Brahmins built this giant educational complex accommodating over 10,000 students and 2,000 teachers. The university was considered an architectural masterpiece, and was marked by a lofty wall and one gate. Nalanda had eight separate compounds and ten temples, along with many other meditation halls and classrooms. On the grounds were lakes and parks. The library was located in a nine-storied building where meticulous copies of texts were produced. The subjects taught at Nalanda University covered every field of learning, and it attracted pupils and scholars from Korea, Japan, China, Tibet, Indonesia, Persia and Turkey.

Iron pillar of Delhi

Main article: Iron pillar of Delhi

The pillar is made up of 98% wrought iron of pure quality, and is a testament to the high level of skill achieved by ancient Indian ironsmiths in the extraction and processing of iron. It has attracted the attention of archaeologists and metallurgists as it has withstood corrosion for the last 1600 years, despite harsh weather.

Hindu architecture

Main article: Hindu architecture

A basic Hindu temple consists of an inner sanctum, the garbha griha or womb-chamber, in which the image is housed, often with space for its circumambulation, a congregation hall, and possibly an antechamber and porch. The sanctum is crowned by a tower-like shikara. At the turn of the first millennium CE two major types of temples existed, the northern or Nagara style and the southern or Dravida type of temple. They are distinguishable by the shape and decoration of their shikharas.

Buddhist architecture

Main article: Buddhist architecture

Viharas (Buddhist monasteries) began to appear soon after the death of the Buddha, particularly during the Mauryan Empire (321 - 232 BC) with characteristic stupa monuments; and chaityas (meditation halls housing a stupa). The same period saw the beginning of stone architecture, evidenced by palace remains at Pataliputra as well as the Ashoka Stambha - the monolithic free-standing columns inscribed with edicts put up by the Emperor Ashoka. The Ashokan period is also marked for the introduction of brilliant rock-cut architecture, which formed into the 1000-year-long tradition of cutting and sculpting vast, complex and multi-roomed shrines cut into natural rock, resulting in religious edifices belonging to the Ajivika Buddhist, Hindu and Jain faiths.

South Indian architecture

South Indian architecture was a style of architecture that emerged thousands of years ago in the Indian subcontinent. The sites consist primarily of pyramidal shaped temples that are dependent on intricate carved stone in order to create a step design consisting of numerous statues of deities, kings, and dancers.

Konark Sun Temple

The Konark Sun Temple is a 13th-century Sun Temple (also known as the Black Pagoda), at Konark, in Orissa. It was built in red sandstone (Khandolite) and black granite by King Narasimhadeva I (AD 1236-1264) of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty. The temple is one of the most well renowned temples in India and is a World Heritage Site.

Vastu Shastra

Main article: Vastu Shastra

Vishwakarmas are the creators of this ancient Indian system of architectural design that has gained national and international respect and following. Vaastu Shastra deals with various aspects of designing and building living environments that are in harmony with the physical and metaphysical forces.

Mahabodhi Temple

The Mahabodhi Temple (Literally: "Great Awakening Temple") is a Buddhist temple in Bodh Gaya, the location where Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, attained enlightenment. Bodh Gaya is located about 96 km (60 miles) from Patna, Bihar state, India.

Indian rock-cut architecture

Indian rock-cut architecture is more various and found in greater abundance than any other form of rock-cut architecture around the world.

Ellora Caves

Ellora Caves represents the epitome of Indian rock-cut architecture. The 34 "caves" - Buddhist, Hindu and Jain temples and monasteries excavated out of the vertical face of the Charanandri hills - were built between the 5th century and 10th century. The 12 Buddhist (caves 1-12), 17 Hindu (caves 13-29) and 5 Jain caves (caves 30-34), built in proximity, demonstrate the religious harmony prevalent during this period of Indian history.

Ajanta Caves

Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra, India are rock-cut cave monuments dating from the second century BCE, containing paintings and sculpture considered to be masterpieces of both "Buddhist religious art" and "universal pictorial art". Since 1983, the Ajanta Caves have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Mahabalipuram

Main article: Mahabalipuram

The monuments are mostly rock-cut and monolithic, and constitute the early stages of Dravidian architecture wherein Buddhist elements of design are prominently visible. They are constituted by cave temples, monolithic rathas (chariots), sculpted reliefs and structural temples. The pillars are of the Dravidian order. The sculptures are excellent examples of Pallava art. It is believed that this area served as a school for young sculptors. The different sculptures, some half-finished, may have been examples of different styles of architecture, probably demonstrated by instructors and practiced on by young students. This can be seen in the Pancha Rathas where each Ratha is sculpted in a different style.

Badami Cave Temples

The Badami Cave Temples are composed of four caves, all carved out of the soft Badami sandstone on a hill cliff in the late 6th century. The four caves are simple in style. The entrance is a verandah with stone columns and brackets, a distinctive feature of these caves, leading to a columned mantapa and then to the small square shrine (sanctum sanctorum) cut deep into the cave. The temple caves represent different religious sects. Among them, two are dedicated to Lord Vishnu, one to Lord Shiva and the fourth is a Jain temple. The first three are devoted to the Vedic faith and the fourth cave is the only Jain temple at Badami.

Pancha Rathas

Pancha Rathas an example of monolith Indian rock-cut architecture dating from the late 7th century located at Mamallapuram, a tiny village south of Madras in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The village was a busy port during the 7th and 8th century reign of the Pallava dynasty. The site is famous for the rock-cut caves and the sculptured rock that line a granite hill, including one depicting Arjuna's Penance. It has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Pancha Rathas shrines were carved during the reign of King Mahendravarman I and his son Narasimhavarman I. Each temple is a monolith, carved whole from a rock outcropping of pink granite. The five monolithic pyramidal structured shrines are named after the Pandavas (Arjuna, Bhima, Yudhishtra, Nakula and Sahadeva) and Draupadi. As noted, each shrine is not assembled from cut blocks of stone but carved from one single large piece of stone. It is likely their original design traces back to wood constructions.

Indian art

Main article: Indian art

The vast scope of the art of India intertwines with the cultural history, religions and philosophies that place art production and patronage in social and cultural contexts.

Indian painting

Main article: Indian painting

Somewhere around 1st century BC the Sadanga or Six Limbs of Indian Painting, were evolved, a series of canons laying down the main principles of the art. Vatsyayana, who lived during the third century A.D., enumerates these in his Kamasutra having extracted them from works that are still more ancient. These ‘Six Limbs’ have been translated as follows: 1. Rupabheda: The knowledge of appearances. 2. Pramanam: Correct perception, measure and structure. 3. Bhava: Action of feelings on forms. 4. Lavanya Yojanam: Infusion of grace, artistic representation. 5. Sadrisyam: Similitude. 6. Varnikabhanga: Artistic manner of using the brush and colours. (Tagore.) The subsequent development of painting by the Buddhists indicates that these ' Six Limbs ' were put into practice by Indian artists, and are the .basic principles on which their art was founded.

Buddhist art

Buddhist art originated on the Indian subcontinent following the historical life of Gautama Buddha, 6th to 5th century BCE, and thereafter evolved by contact with other cultures as it spread throughout Asia and the world.

Indian coinage

Main article: Indian coinage

The Vishwakarma Brahmins minted beautiful coins displaying great artistic talent.

History of metallurgy in the Indian subcontinent

History of metallurgy in the Indian subcontinent begins during the 2nd millennium BCE and continues well into the British Raj. The Indian cultural and commercial contacts with the Near East and the Greco-Roman world enable an exchange of metallurgic sciences.

History of Indian Science and Technology

The History of Indian Science and Technology begins in the pre-modern era. Archaeological evidence from Mehrgarh (7000 BCE) shows construction of mud brick houses and granaries. Farming, metalworking, flint knapping, bead production, and dentistry, are known to the people of Mehrgarh. The more advanced Indus Valley civilization yields evidence of hydrography, metrology and city planning being practiced on a sizable scale. Great attention to medicine, astronomy and mathematics is seen during the Vedic period (1500 BCE-400 BCE)-which also witnesses the first inquiry being made into the field of linguistics. Construction of stepwells and stupas, use of diamond as a gemstone, and plastic surgery operations become visible during later periods. Indian mathematicians made early contributions to the study of the decimal number system, zero, negative numbers, arithmetic, and algebra.

Jaivana cannon

The Jaivana cannon is the largest wheeled cannon ever constructed. It is located at the Jaigarh Fort, Jaipur.

Yantra Mandir

The Yantra Mandir (commonly known as the Jantar Mantar) is an equinoctial dial, consisting of a gigantic triangular gnomon with the hypotenuse parallel to the Earth's axis. On either side of the gnomon is a quadrant of a circle, parallel to the plane of the equator. The instrument is intended to measure the time of day, correct to half a second and declination of the Sun and the other heavenly bodies.

Khajuraho

The Khajuraho temples, constructed with spiral superstructures, adhere to a northern Indian shikhara temple style and often to a Panchayatana plan or layout. A few of the temples are dedicated to the Jain pantheon and the rest to Hindu deities - to God's Trio, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, and various Devi forms, such as the Devi Jagadambi temple. A Panchayatana temple had four subordinate shrines on four corners and the main shrine in the center of the podium, which comprises their base. The temples are grouped into three geographical divisions: western, eastern and southern. With a graded rise, secondary shikharas (spires) cluster to create an appropriate base for the main shikhara over the sanctum. Kandariya Mahadeva, one of the most accomplished temples of the Western group, comprises eighty-four shikharas, the main being 116 feet from the ground level. These temples of Khajuraho have sculptures that look very realistic and are studied even today. The Khajuraho temples are UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Wootz steel

Wootz steel is characterized by a pattern of bands or sheets of micro carbides within a tempered martensite or pearlite matrix. It was developed in India around 300 BC.

Chennakesava Temple

The Chennakesava Temple, originally called Vijayanarayana Temple, was built on the banks of the Yagachi River in Belur, an early capital of the Hoysala Empire. Amarashilpi Jakanachari received a vision to build the Chennakeshava temple in his native place Kridapura.

Hoysala architecture

Hoysala architecture is the building style developed under the rule of the Hoysala Empire between the 11th and 14th centuries, in the region known today as Karnataka, a state of India. Hoysala influence was at its peak in the 13th century, when it dominated the Southern Deccan Plateau region. Large and small temples built during this era remain as examples of the Hoysala architectural style, including the Chennakesava Temple at Belur, the Hoysaleswara Temple at Halebidu, and the Kesava Temple at Somanathapura.

Hoysaleswara Temple

Hoysaleswara temple is a temple dedicated to Hindu God Shiva. It was built in Halebidu (in modern Karnataka state) during the Hoysala Empire rule.

Chennakesava Temple at Somanathapura

The Chennakesava Temple at Somanathapura is one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture. It was built by the famous architect/sculptor Ruvari Malithamma who was well known for his expertise in ornamentation.

Brihadeeswarar temple

The Brihadishwara Temple, also known as Rajarajeswaram is located at Thanjavur. It remains as one of the greatest glories of South Indian architecture. The temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Great Living Chola Temples" and this temple is an ultimate testimonial for the Vishwakarmas' architectural cognizance in planning and sculpting.

Notables

Main article: List of Vishwakarma

See also

• Barhai

Books on history of Vishwabrahmins

• Roberts, A.E. (1909). Visvakarma and his descendants. Calcutta: All-India Vishvakarma Brahman Mahasabha.
• Dr. Gnanananda, G. (Ed.) (1981). Sri Visvakarmayaya bhushanam (Kannada) original by K.P. Dixit (1878). KGF: Jnana Bhandara.Kashyapa Shilpa Shastram,Brahmeeya Chitra Karma Shastram.
• Sharma, A.S. (1989). Visvakarma Smaj ka sankshipt itihas (Short history of Vishvakarma Society). New Delhi: Visvakarma Institute of Research and Education.
• Chinmayacharya, K. (2002), Devudu Manavudu (PDF), East Godavari.: Ramesh Kumar, K.
• Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र In Marathi). It was written on Shake 1165 that is more than 700 years back & was published by B.S. Sutar (Igatpuri, Nasik 1906).
• Vaddepati Niranjana Shastry. Vishwakarma Brahmana Vamshagamamu. Lang.: Telugu.
• Swarna Subramanya Kavi. Vishwabrahmanulaku Prathama Satkara Arhatha. Lang.: Telugu.
• Phanidapu Prabhakara Sharma. Vishwabrahmana Gothra Gayathri. Lang.: Telugu.
• Bharatiya Viswakarmajar:Edava Somanathan:Analytical study of the Indus Valley Civilisation
• Vishwabramma Puranam: V.Kathiresan Achari: The history of Vishwabrahmins: Lang: Tamil
• V. N. Gajandran chennai Viswabrama vamsham,gothram,puranam lang Tamil
• "Pancha Manushya Moola Varga Njanam" Compiled in Malayalam by 'A.K.V.Suvarnakar' (A.K.Velayudhan),Kannankulangara, Thrissur 680007, Kerala