Religion:
Hindu
Varna: Brahmin
About Bhumihar Brahmin: Bhumihar Brahmin is the name of a
Brahmin jati (sub-caste) who have traditionally resided in fertile
regions of Indo-Gangetic plains of North India, in the states of
Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand. The word 'Bhumihar' consists of
two Hindi words, 'bhumi', meaning 'land' and 'ahaar', meaning one
who earns his/her living from the land. They are generally
'tri-karmi' Brahmins, that is they do not go to beg alms at the
doors of Non-Brahmins. However, instances of Bjumihar Brahmins
engaging in priestly practices are not unknown. Bhumihar Brahmins
had originally been the most powerful economic and social sub-caste
of Brahmins in Eastern U.P. and Bihar, It is a class of people who
are supposedly hard working and honest.
History and Origin: Bhumihars identify themselves with
Parashuram, who, according to a legend, wiped out all the Kshatriyas
from the earth 21 times. The descendants and associates of Parshuram
are called Bhumihars.
Sub-Castes: Usually Bhumihar clans are known by the original
place from which they come. For example, Bhumihars from Dighwa who
went to Barahiya and settled there is known as Dighwait Bhumihars,
similarly, Eksaria Bhumihars belongs to Eksaar village in Balia but
spread over complete Saran district of Bihar. There are around two
to three dozen such clans.
Language: Hindi
Regional Spread: Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand.
Traditional Occupation: Presently, majority of Bhumihars are
peasant farmers, although many have become landowners.
Food Habits: Mostly vegetarian
Marriage Preference: Marriage of people in this community,
like most of other social groups of India, is restricted to their
own sub-caste.
Famous Personalities:
- Mahapandit Rahul Sankrityayan
- Kashi Naresh - Banaras
Maharaja
- Swami Sahajanand Saraswati
- Social worker, saint
- Ramdhari Singh Dinkar -
Hindi Poet
- Sri Krishna Sinha -
First Chief Minister of Bihar
- Prof G R Sharma -
Historian and Archaeologist from Ghazipur
- Prof Ram Sharan Sharma
- Historian
