Devrukhe Brahmin

Devrukhe Brahmins are one of five sub-castes of Maharashtrian Brahmins.^[1] The name Devrukhe is a corrupted form of the word "Devarshi". This community is small in numbers compared to other Maharashtrian Brahmins such as Deshastha Brahmin, Saraswat Brahmin, Konkanastha Brahmin and Karhade Brahmin.^[2]

Introduction

The Devrukhe Brahmins are also called "Devarshi Brahmins". Bombay published a 16 page pamphlet in Marathi giving information about their community.^[3]

Origins

Tracing the origins of Devrukhe Brahmins, it leads to one of the oldest Marathi speaking Brahmins in Maharashtra–Deshastha Brahmin, residents of Desha i.e. over the Western Ghats.^{[citation needed]} During the end of 15th century–a period marked by famine and turmoils of Mughal rule, many Brahmin families descended the Western Ghats and settled near Sangameshwar–Devrukh, Ratnagiri. Later they were called as Devrukhe Brahmins. They follow the same traditions as of other Maharashtrian brahmins along with the influences that may have resulted due to migration near Ratnagiri. ^{[citation needed]}

Intercaste disputes

In 1583, The Chitpavans challenged the Brahmin status of "Konkana Devarshi Brahmins". This issue reached Kashi Pandits, they did not affirm nor reject the Brahmin status as the detailed scenario of this Brahmins were not traceable. The author mentions the incidence where the local Brahmins denied to dine With devrukhe. In 1657, the Kashi Pandits were referred regarding the ritual status of Devarshi/Devrukhe, this time the Kashi Pandits granted them Brahmins status. In 1723, During Peshwa rule, the Brahmins ritual status of Devrukhe was challenged by local Brahmins. They were declared unfit to dine with the Brahmins comparing them with "devarastriyas", the decision was headed by pandits of Satara and local Adavaitha mutt.^[2] In 1749, Devrukhe consulted Pandits of Banarus who visited Maharashtra, Pandits declared them as Brahmins as Banarus Pandits were highest authority for decisions related to varnas.^[2]

See also

• Hinduism
• Indian caste system

References

1. Tri. Nā Vāḷuñjakara, A. Śã Pāṭhaka (2009). Maharashtra, Land and Its People. Gazetteers Department, Government of Maharashtra. pp. 42–50.
2. O'Hanlon, Rosalind (2010). "Letters Home: Banaras pandits and the Maratha regions in early modern India". Modern Asian Studies. 44 (2): 201–240. ISSN 0026-749X.
3. V. D. Divekar (1981). Survey of Material in Marathi on the Economic and Social History of India. Bharata Itihasa Samshodhaka Mandala. p. 59. (c)Devarshis On the Devarshi or Devrukhe Brahmans, there is a small pamphlet (16 pages) brought out by the Devrukhe Brahman Samiti, Bombay: Devarshi urf Devrukhe Brahman yanchee mahitee, (Bombay, 1926).