Maulika Kayastha
Maulika Kayastha is a sub caste in the Hindu religion in Bengal. The Bengali Kayasthas are subdivided into different classes or ranks and also divided in terms of their geographical locations. According to legend, the Bengali Hindu King Ballal Sena started the ranking system of Brahmins and Kayasthas. The highest ranked Brahmins and Kayasthas are known as Kulin Brahmins and Kulin Kayasthas, respectively, and those Kayasthas not considered to be Kulins are designated Maulikas (Mauliks, Mouliks or Moulikas).[1]
Bengali Kayastha were subdivided into different classes based on where they lived. Four geographical locations were used for such differentiation - Dakshin Rahri, Uttar Rahri, Bangaj (Bangaja or Vangaja) and Varendra (Barendra). In each region, the Kayasthas were divided into Kulina and Maulika ranks. Among the Kulins of one region there were no more divisions, although Kulin from different regions were considered very different. Depending on the region, same family could be either Kulina or Maulika. Among Dakshin Rarhi Kayasthas, Guha is Maulika, while among Bangaja, Guha is Kulin. On the other hand, depending on the region, Maulikas were further classified into different ranks.
Dakshin Rahri Maulika Kayasthas are ranked into only two classes - Siddhya Maulika and Sadhya Maulika.[2] Eight families were classified into Siddhya Maulika class and seventy two families were classified into Sadhya Maulika (also known as bahatture) class.[3] Siddhya Maulikas were considered superior to Sadhya Maulika. However, in present days these classifications are no longer recognized.[4]
The last names of Siddhya Maulika families [5]
The following 72 Kayastha names are most common.[6]
- Aditya
- Aich
- Aikat
- Ankur
- Arnab
- Ash
- Baitosh
- Bal
- Ban
- Bandhu
- Barddhan
- Barma
- Bhadra
- Bhanja
- Bhuin
- Bhut
- Bid
- Bindu
- Bishnu
- Brahma
- Chandra
- Daha
- Dam
- Dhanu
- Dhar
- Dharani
- Gan
- Ganda
- Ghar
- Gui
- Guna
- Gupta
- Guta
- Hem
- Hes
- Hoda
- Hore
- Hui
- Indra
- Jas
- Khil
- Kirtti
- Ksham
- Kshem
- Kshom
- Kundu
- Lodh
- Manna
- Nag
- Nandi
- Nath
- Om
- Pal
- Pil
- Raha
- Rahut
- Raja
- Rana
- Ranga
- Rudra
- Sakti
- Sam
- Sana
- Sarma
- Shome
- Sil
- Sur
- Swar
- Syam
- Tej
- Upaman
Bangaj (Bangaja or Vangaja) Maulika Kayasthas are divided into three classes - Madhyalaya (Madhyalya) (highest ranked) , Mahapatra (second ranked) and Sadharana (Achala) (lowest ranked). Among the Sadharana rank there were two subgroups as described below.
The last names of Madhyalya families[7]
The last names of Mahapatra families [8]
- Sinha (Singha)
- Dev
- Kundu
- Sen
- Raha
The Sadharana families were ranked into two classes. The last names of the higher 15 sadharana families are
References
- Inden, Ronald B. (1976). Marriage and Rank in Bengali Culture: A History of Caste and Clan in Middle Period Bengal. University of California Press. ISBN 9780520025691. Retrieved 2011-10-31.
- University, Calcutta (1895). "Bengal: Its castes and curses". Calcutta Review. 100–101: 144–172. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
- Singh, K. S. (1998). India's communities. Oxford University Press.
- Gangopadhyay, Bela (1964). Marriage Regulations Among Certain Castes of Bengal. Deccan College.
- Bhattacharya, ., Jogendranath (1896). Hindu Castes and Sects. Thacker, Spink & Company, Calcutta.
- Risley, ., Sir Herbert H. (1892). The Tribes and Castes of Bengal: Ethnographic Glossary, Volume 2. Bengal Secretariat Press, Calcutta.
- Sinha, Bindheswari (2003). Kayasthas in making of modern Bihar Notes on the Races, Castes and Trades of Eastern Bengal. Impression Publication.
- Wise, James (2003). Notes on the Races, Castes and Trades of Eastern Bengal. Her Majesty's printer Harrison and Sons, London.