Gaur Brahmins

Gaur Brahmins (spelling variations: Gor or Gour), also Gaud Brahmins, is a landholding class of Brahmin communities in India. The Gauda Brahmins are one of the five Pancha Gauda Brahmin communities that lives in the north of the Vindhyas.[1][2]

Map showing hills and elevated regions of India mostly Gaurs live above of the Vindhya Range which is shown in the map by line in center.
For the Southern Indians caste, see Goud.

Gaur Brahmin
Hemu, a Gaur Brahmin of Bhargav gotra re-imagined in this 1910s bazaar-art poster in very Mughal courtly style, and glorified in Hindi, Persian (from the Akbar-namah), and English, as "the last Hindu emperor of Hindustan", with his genius certified by the Imperial Gazetteer.
Regions with significant populations
Delhi • Rajasthan • Punjab • Haryana • Western Uttar Pradesh • North India
Languages
Haryanvi • Punjabi • Rajasthani • Hindi
Religion
Hinduism • Islam • Sikhism
Related ethnic groups
Brahmins • Pancha Gauda • Haryanvi People • Punjabis • Garha

Origins

Gaur Brahmins likely originated from Kurukshetra region.[3] Initially inhabiting tracts of land between the Yamuna and Sutlej rivers. Today they are most numerous in the western half of Northern India, particularly in the states of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan as well as in the western parts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh and a significant amount are present in other northern states of India as well.[4]

The Gaurs claim that the other four main divisions of North Indian Brahmins were originally Gaur, and have acquired their present designations of Saraswat Brahmins, Kanyakubja Brahmins, Maithil Brahmins and Utkala Brahmins by immigrating to the provinces where they are now domiciled.[3] In Sir George Campbell's Ethnology of India, it is suggested that Gaurs may have derived their names from the Ghaggar-Hakra River, which, in ancient times, was a tributary of Saraswati and now discharges its waters into the Sutlej near Firozpur.[3]

Description of Brahmins of Kurukshetra area in Manusmriti :

Kurukshetra and the land of Matsyas, Pañcāla and Sursenkas constitutes the land of Brahmin seers which borders on the Brahmavarta. All the people on Earth should learn their respective practices from a Brahmin born in that land.[5]

Classification

Mostly Gaur Brahmins practice agriculture and till their soil with their own hands and do other secular professions there are different sub sections of Gaurs such as Gujjar Gaur, Malviya Gaur, Shri Gaur, Tyagi Gaur all of them belong to Adi Gaurs.[6]

Ghaggar-Hakra river bed where Gaur Brahmins originates and they still found in heavy numbers in this area i.e. Karnal Belt[7]

Demographics

Gaurs Brahmins mostly concentrated in below states with significant population.

Gaurs concentration in North India
S. No State Population
1. Haryana 10-16%[8][9][7]
2. Delhi (capital of India) 14%[10]
3. Rajasthan 10-12%[11][12]
4. Western Uttar Pradesh 17%[13][14]

Military

During British Raj , Brahmins were described as 'the oldest martial community'. Gaur Brahmins were one of the Brahmin sub castes who were described as "martial race" by British. Description of Brahmins in British army:

Brahmans are recruited in Army because of their magnificent physique; their breeding and pride of race is reflected in their cleanliness and smartness on parade. They are fine athletes, expert wrestlers, and excel in feats of strength; and they have a high reputation for courage. They fought with us against the French; they helped us to crush the Nawab of Oudh. They served with conspicuous gallantry in the Mahratta, Nepal, Afghan, and Sikh wars. They formed part of the gallant band that defended the Residency at Lucknow.* And later in Egypt, Afghanistan, and Burma, they maintained the honour they had won. Had there been class regiments in those days the izzat of the Rajput and Brahman sepoy would have been higher than it is.[15]

They were mostly composed in below regiments and companies of British Indian Army :

  1. 1st Brahmans[16]
  2. 3rd Brahmans[16]
  3. 9th Bhopal Infantry ( In 1914 - 2 Companies and in 1919 - 2 Companies)[17]
  • Pictures related to above listed regiments.
  • Badge of Bhopal Infantry
    Badge of Bhopal Infantry
  • Group photo of Haryanvi Gaur Brahmin soldiers of Haryana in the 9th Bhopal Infantry Regiment at Faizabad on the eve of going to war.
    Group photo of Haryanvi Gaur Brahmin soldiers of Haryana in the 9th Bhopal Infantry Regiment at Faizabad on the eve of going to war.
  • British and Indian officers of the 1st Brahmans, 1912.
    British and Indian officers of the 1st Brahmans, 1912.

List of Notable Gaur Brahmins

Religious figures
Swami Ramananda
  • Ramananda[18] - Ramananda was a 15th-century (c. 1400s) Indian saint and religious reformer who promoted the idea of devotion to God through love and service, and played a significant role in the development of Vaishnavism and the Bhakti movement.
  • Dadu Dayal[19] - Dadu Dayal was a 16th-century (1544-1603 AD) Indian saint and poet who emphasized the importance of inner purity, social harmony, and unity in his teachings as part of the Bhakti movement.

Sur Empire (1538–1556)
  • Brahmjit Gaur[20][21] - Brahmjit Gaur was a prominent general in Sher Shah Suri's army known for his military skills and strategic thinking.

During Mughal Empire (1526–1857)
Maharaja Hemu Bhargava - Victor of Twenty Two
  • Hemu Bhargav[22][23][24][25] - Hemchandra Vikramaditya, also known as Hemu Bhargav, was a 16th-century Indian ruler who briefly served as the Prime Minister and de facto ruler of Delhi after winning a series of battles against the Mughal emperor Akbar's forces.
  • Rao Nandlal Chaudhry[26] - Rao Nandlal Chaudhary, Chief of Zamindars of Kampel near Indore who controlled Indore and its surrounding area under the Mughals, and founder of Indore.
  • Tansen[27] - Tansen, considered one of the greatest musicians in Indian history, was a prominent composer and singer in the court of Mughal Emperor Akbar during the 16th century.
  • Sheo Nath Singh[28] - was a brave soldier in Shah Alam II court he fought bravely against Afghans and received jagir of fourty-two villages and title of Raja himself from the Mughal emperor.

Indian Independence Movement (1857-1947)
Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya ji at the BHU Var
  • Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya[29] - Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, also known as Mahamana Malaviya, was a prominent Indian educationist and freedom fighter who founded Banaras Hindu University, worked tirelessly for the promotion of education and Hind unity, and was posthumously awarded India's highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna, in 2014.
  • Pandit Neki Ram Sharma[30] - Pandit Neki Ram Sharma, also known as Haryana Kesari, was an Indian politician, freedom fighter, and advocate for Indian independence and social justice who served as a Member of Parliament representing Haryana in the Rajya Sabha from 1952 to 1956 as a member of the Indian National Congress; he was also involved in anti-British movements, including the Non-Cooperation Movement and Quit India movement, and spent over 2200 days in jail.
  • Rao Dhan Singh[31] - was the military Governor of Shekhawati during the upheaval of 1857. He along with his kinsman played an active role in the struggle for independence in 1857 A.D. against the British and fought bravely in the Battle of Narnaul.

Politics
  • B..D Sharma[32]- Bhagwat Dayal Sharma, also known as B.D. Sharma, was an Indian politician and freedom fighter who served as the first Chief Minister of Haryana and worked to develop the state through initiatives in agriculture, education, and industrial development.
  • Gopi Chand Bhargav[33]- Gopi Chand Bhargava, a member of the Indian National Congress and the first Chief Minister of Punjab from 1947 to 1949 and again from 1949 to 1951, as well as serving as caretaker Chief Minister in 1964, was born on March 8, 1889, in Sirsa district of Punjab province in British India, and completed his medical degree in 1912 before entering politics; his brother Pandit Thakur Das Bhargava was also an INC politician and freedom fighter who founded several educational institutions.
  • Shankar Dayal Sharma[34][35]- Indian politician who served as the ninth President of India from 1992 to 1997. He was known for his commitment to secularism and social justice, and played a key role in shaping India's political discourse during his time in office.

Sports
XIX Commonwealth Games-2010 Delhi Yogeshwar Dutt of India won the gold medal in (Men's) Wrestling 60 kg Freestyle

Wrestling
  • Yogeshwar Dutt[36] - Indian wrestler and Olympic bronze (later converted to Silver) medalist who has won numerous medals in international competitions, including the Gold in both Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.
  • Neeraj Bhardwaj[37] - Bronze medalist World Junior Wrestling

Boxing
  • Manish Kaushik[38] - Indian amateur boxer who competes in the lightweight category and has won several medals, including a silver medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, a bronze medal at the 2019 Asian Boxing Championships, and represented India at the World Championships and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Cricket
  • Ishant Sharma[39] - Indian cricketer who is known for his fast bowling and has played for the Indian national cricket team since 2007, taking over 300 wickets in international cricket.
  • Mohit Sharma[40] - Indian cricketer known for his bowling.

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)

Military
Immortal Martyr Major Mohit Sharma, AC,SM, COASM
Captain Deepak Sharma , KC (2011)
  • Major Mohit Sharma[44] - Indian Army officer and a recipient of the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime military decoration, who sacrificed his life in action during counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir in 2009.
  • Col Ashutosh Sharma[45] - A highly decorated officer in the Indian Army, with over 20 years of service. He was known for his bravery and dedication to duty, and had been awarded the Sena Medal twice for his gallantry. On May 2, 2020, he led a team of soldiers on an anti-terrorist operation in Jammu and Kashmir, where he was martyred in action while trying to neutralize terrorists. His sacrifice will always be remembered as a shining example of the valor and courage displayed by members of the Indian Armed Forces.
  • Asaram Tyagi[46] -An Indian Army officer who was instrumental in the destruction of two enemy tanks during the 1965 Indo-Pak War,originally recommended for Param Vir Chakra and was ultimately awarded the Mahavir Chakra
  • Captain Deepak Sharma[47] - Indian Army officer and a recipient of the Kirti Chakra who sacrificed his life in action during counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir in 2010.
  • Sachin Sharma[48][49] - Indian army soldier martyred in Arunachal Pradesh in 2018.
  • Saurabh Katara[50] - Indian army soldier martyred in Jammu and Kashmir in 2019.
  • Prashant Sharma[51][51] - Indian army soldier martyred in Jammu and Kashmir in 2020.
  • Havaldar H R Kaushik[52] - Indian army soldier martyred during Op Pawan in1988.
  • Naik Hari Dutta Kaushik[53] - Naik in Indian army martyred during Op Prakram in 2002.
  • Rifleman Gajender Kaushik[54] - Rifleman in Indian army martyred during CI & IS 2012.
  • Major RP Kaushik[55] - Indian Army officer martyred during the 1962 Indo-China war.
  • Flying Officer Sudhir Tyagi[56] - Flying Officer in Indian Air Force recipient of the Veer Chakra in 1971.
  • MCPO I Krishan Kumar[57] - Master Chief Petty Officer in Indian Navy martyred in 2022 in INS Vikrant blast.

Business and industries
  • Jaiprakash Gaur[58] - Indian industrialist, founder of Jaiprakash Associates Limited, and known for his philanthropic activities.
  • B.L Gaur - founder of Gaur and Sons[59]
  • Vijay Shekar Sharma[60] - Indian tech entrepreneur and founder of One97 Communications and Paytm, appointed as UA Ambassador in India in 2022, with a net worth of $1.1 billion as of September 2022 according to Forbes.
  • Madan Paliwal[61] - founder and chairman of the Miraj Group, leading multiple companies including Miraj Products, Miraj Developers, Miraj Entertainment, Miraj Multicolours, Miraj Pipes and Fittings, Miraj Cinemas, and Miraj Tradecom.

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See also
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