Sunday, September 20, 2009

List of Brahmin surnames

By definition, Brahmins are said to occupy the highest position among the four varnas of Hinduism. The word brahmin is come form of the Sanskrit word Brāhmana; (Brahman also refers to the supreme self in Hinduism).
It is a misconception that brahmins are only priests.Only a subsect of brahmins were involved in the priestly duties. They also took up various other professions since late vedic ages like doctors, warriors, writers, poets, land owners, ministers, etc.
Parts of India were also ruled by Brahmin Kings. From Vedic times on, the Kings acted in close relationship with Brahmins and relied on them as their advisors, the Brahmins had become a powerful and influential group in India, and were known for discriminating against 'lower' castes.
The history of the Brahmin community in India begins with the Vedic religion of early Hinduism, now often referred to by Hindus as Sanatan Dharm.The Vedas are the primary source of knowledge for brahmin practices. Most sampradayas of Brahmins take inspiration from the Vedas.
In 1931 (the last Indian census to record caste), Brahmins accounted for 4.32% of the total population. Brahmins even in Uttar Pradesh, where they were most numerous, constituted just 12% of the recorded population. In Andhra Pradesh, they formed less than 6%,Tamil Nadu they formed less than 3% and in Karnataka, less than 2%. In Kerala, Nambudiri Brahmins make up 0.7% of the population. 
Origin of the Brahmin surnames -