Gaur Brahmins

Gaur Brahmins

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

Origins and History

Gaur Brahmins likely originated from Kurukshetra region. 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.

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. 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.

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.

Sub-divisions and Lifestyle

Mostly Gaur Brahmins practice agriculture and till their soil with their own hands and follow other secular professions there are different sub sections of Gaurs such as Gujjar Gaur, Shri Gaur, Tyagi Gaur, Paliwal Gaur, Sanadhya Gaur. All of them belong to Gaurs.

Demographics

Gaur Brahmins are found in significant numbers in:

• Haryana: 8-9% of the state's population
• Delhi: Approximately 14%
• Rajasthan: 9-10%
• Western Uttar Pradesh: 12-15% along with Taga Gaurs

Military Contributions

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: The British army portrayed Brahmins as fighters with excellent physical attributes and a strong sense of pride in their lineage. Their cleanliness, smartness on parade, athletic abilities, expertise in wrestling, and exceptional strength capabilities were highly praised. They were also held in high regard for their courage, having fought alongside the British against the French, helped to crush the Nawab of Oudh, and served with distinction in various wars including those in Mahratta, Nepal, Afghan, and Sikh wars. They formed an integral part of the British Indian Army and proved their mettle repeatedly in battles. If class regiments existed during their time, the prestige of the Rajput and Brahmin sepoy would have been even higher than it already was.[15]

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

• 1st Brahmans
• 3rd Brahmans
• 9th Bhopal Infantry (which had two companies in 1914 and 1919)

Education and Social Practices

A study conducted by Delhi University found high literacy rates among Gaur Brahmins, especially in the National Capital Region (NCR), where the literacy rate is approximately 97%.Business and agriculture remain common occupations within the community. The Gaurs practice monogamy and follow exogamous clan-based marriage customs. Widow remarriage is allowed in some sections of the community.

Political Influence

The Gaur Brahmins have considerable political influence in regions such as Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, and western Uttar Pradesh, reflecting their substantial population and political involvement.

Notable Gaur Brahmins

Religious and Historical Figures

• Swami Ramananda (15th-century Bhakti saint)
• Dadu Dayal (16th-century poet and saint of the Bhakti movement)
• Hemchandra Vikramaditya (commonly known as Hemu), a 16th-century ruler
• Rao Nandlal Chaudhary, a Mughal-era chief of Indore

Indian Independence Movement

• Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, founder of Banaras Hindu University
• Pandit Neki Ram Sharma, Haryana freedom fighter and social reformer

Sports

• Yogeshwar Dutt, Olympic wrestler
• Manish Kaushik, Commonwealth Games medalist in boxing

Military Figures

• Major Mohit Sharma, Ashoka Chakra awardee
• Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, first Indian in space

Business Leaders

• Vijay Shekhar Sharma, founder of Paytm
• Jaiprakash Gaur, founder of Jaypee Group

Arts and Culture

• Pandit Lakhmichand, noted Haryanvi poet and singer
• Pandit Jasraj, renowned classical vocalist