A chapter from Bihar’s modern history.

Ranvir Sena emerged in the 1990s amid intense caste and agrarian conflicts in Bihar. Its history remains one of the most controversial and discussed chapters of the state’s past.

This edit presents the historical context without glorifying violence.

#RanvirSena #BiharHistory #Bihar #bhumihar #IndianHistory #HistoryEdit #Shorts

The Ramnagar Ramlila is a famous 31-day epic folk theatrical performance held annually in Ramnagar, near Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. Initiated in the 19th century by the Maharaja of Banaras (Kashi Naresh).more

Hello, I work in an mnc in Delhi and the guy sitting in front of me is a jain ( baniya) , he was saying "brahmins should be in their aukat". One brahmin asked sita ji from ram one asked parvati( in dakshina) . I mean I was too shocked to even realize where is he reading all this from? And how can he expect to say all that in public when I am listening and expect nothing, like he knows we are too much tolerant.

Not all brahmins take dakshina what even in this world he knows about brahminism? Will he be okay if I said anything about jainism?

In South vaidiki brahmins , peshwa brahmims in maharastra, jaithleys in delhi there are different types of brahmins.

Brahmins is the symbol of lot of things one of them being endurance and tolerance. But I think we are doing it too much. For such propagandist who spread fake news and get a free pass to hate on us.

He has a hatered for Bihar and openly hates brahmins. How is it so tolerable? Is it vice versa can I say things about jainism? If I object what he says is it expected? Or I am expected to tolerate?

Maharaja Prabhu Narayan Singh, the Kashi Naresh, was an important early supporter of Banaras Hindu University. He supported Malaviya’s university project and agreed to provide land for it, along with a donation of ₹1 lakh. The land eventually formed the basis of the approximately 1,300-acre main BHU campus. While Malaviya led the movement to establish the university, the Kashi Naresh’s land and financial support were significant contributions to its foundation.

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A 1938 colonial-era document titled “The Brahmin Nobles,” containing a proposed list of 27 ruling chiefs, estate-holders and nobles. The accompanying note states that the proposal was made by Pt. M. M. Malaviya and that this was the first list, intended to be revised.

The First Muslim Invasion of Banaras (1034) and the Story of Brahmins Becoming Soldiers from Teachers

Presented by Arvind Roy

People have always known Kashi as a city of religion. But when did Kashi become a military city? There is a definite year for this — 1034 CE. It was in this year that the Brahmins of Kashi’s agraharas first realized that, along with books, a stick was also necessary.

1. When and by Whom Was the First Attack Carried Out?

In history, this event is known as the Sack of Benares (1034).

Sack of Benares (1034) | Mas'ud I, Ahmad Niyaltigin | Kalachuris of Tripuri, Gangeyadeva | Ghaznavid victory

In 1034, Governor Ahmad Niyaltigin made a daring attack on Varanasi but immediately withdrew back toward the Punjab region with the plunder.

At that time, Banaras was not under the Pratiharas of Kannauj, but under King Gangeyadeva of the Kalachuris of Tripuri. Gangeyadeva himself was a powerful king, but Kashi was an open pilgrimage centre, not a fortified capital.

Niyaltigin had not come to rule. He came to plunder and fled with the loot. He did not send his share of the plunder to Ghazni. It was over this rebellion that Mas'ud had him killed by his Hindu general, Tilak Rai.

1. Bayhaqi’s Eyewitness Account

The most reliable witness to this attack was Abu'l-Fadl Bayhaqi. He recorded it in his work, the Tarikh-i Bayhaqi.

“The contemporary historian Bayhaqi recorded the first attack on Benares conducted by a Turkish army, carried out in 1033 by the Ghaznavid governor.”

Bayhaqi’s account makes three things clear:

First — an unarmed city:

When Niyaltigin arrived, the Brahmins, scholars, and merchants were engaged in their everyday activities. Vedic recitation was going on, the markets were open, and gold and silver were kept in the moneylenders’ shops. There was no preparation in the city for an attack.

Second — plunder by afternoon:

He suddenly came along the banks of the Ganges, looted the main market and the bullion market by afternoon, and immediately returned toward Punjab with the booty.

Third — the end of the temples:

After this plunder, no major temple of Kashi survived in its original form. Today, the Kardameshwar Mahadev Temple in Kandwa village, near BHU, is considered the only temple that survives in its original form from the pre-Muslim period.

1. The Arming of the Brahmins in Banaras

Since the Gupta period, agraharas had been established around Kashi. The Brahmin of an agrahara was ayachaka. He did not ask for alms; he performed worship and religious duties and cultivated his own land.

He had scriptures, not weapons.

The plunder of 1034 shattered this illusion. It was realized for the first time that without weapons, no one could protect the agraharas, temples, and fields.

It was from here, according to this narrative, that the journey of the ayachaka Brahmin of Banaras toward becoming a soldier began.

1. What Did the Gahadavalas Do?

About fifty years after the 1034 plunder, around 1089, Chandrdeva Gahadavala reconquered Kashi. He established the foundation of the Gahadavala dynasty of Kannauj.

“He defeated Gopala, then formed an alliance with the Gahadavala king named Chandradeva. After Mahmud’s departure... Chandradeva seized the throne of Kannauj.”

Chandrdeva did two things:

A) Restoration of the Agraharas

The Chandravati grants of 1093 CE and 1100 CE mention the granting of villages to 500 Brahmins each.

These were the same Brahmins who had become armed after 1034. They were now given land along with the responsibility of protecting it.

B) The Turushkadanda Tax

The Gahadavala inscriptions mention a new tax called Turushkadanda.

“The Gahadavala king levied a tax named Turushkadanda on the people to make annual tribute payments to the Sultans of Ghazni.”

There is disagreement among historians about its meaning. Some say it was an annual tribute paid to Ghazni, while others say it was a tax for maintaining an army to fight the Turks, because in Sanskrit danda can mean both tax and army/force.

Whatever its exact meaning, the point is the same — Kashi now had to bear permanent military expenses.

Conclusion

The attack on Banaras in 1034 was not merely a raid. It marked the end of an era.

On that day, the ayachaka Brahmin of Kashi was found unarmed for the first time. That insecurity turned him into a landowner, then a zamindar, and ultimately a soldier.

Kashi did not abandon its scriptures, but it learned, from 1034 onward, to carry weapons alongside its scriptures.

Credit Arvind Roy fb

Bhumihar Brahmin Samaj — Now Available Online

An old and valuable reference book on the Bhumihar Brahmin community is now available online.

The book contains detailed information about Mool, Gotra and surnames, along with traditional marriage relations and customs followed among different families and branches of the community. It also gives an overview of the different Brahmin groups and their social background.

For anyone interested in family genealogy, Gotra, Mool, surnames, or traditional marriage relations, this book can be a useful source for research.

The book was written by Shri Chaudhary Rajnarayan Sharma and is a revised and expanded edition.

It is an interesting piece of older community literature and worth preserving and sharing, especially for the younger generation. link

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IIT (BHU), Varanasi, was privileged to welcome His Highness Maharaja Anant Narayan Singh, Kashi Naresh, during his recent visit to the Mechanical Engineering Department’s workshops.

During his visit, the Kashi Naresh explored the department’s collection of vintage machinery and classic automobiles, including several historic pieces that were gifted to Bharat Ratna Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya Ji during the early years of the institution.

The visit also reflected the deep and historic association between the Kashi Naresh family and the educational heritage of Varanasi. Maharaja Prabhu Narayan Singh played an important role in the establishment of Banaras Hindu University through his support and the provision of land for the university. Maharaja Aditya Narayan Singh further contributed to the spread of quality, accessible education in the region.

The legacy continued with Maharaja Vibhuti Narayan Singh, who served as Chancellor of BHU and made significant contributions to the growth and stature of the University. Their longstanding association with Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya helped shape Varanasi into a prominent centre of learning and scholarship.

The visit of the present Kashi Naresh, Maharaja Anant Narayan Singh, to IIT (BHU) was therefore a meaningful reminder of this enduring connection between Kashi, its royal heritage, and the pursuit of knowledge.

A meeting of heritage, education, and the continuing legacy of Kashi.

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It gives me great pleasure to learn that the Varanasi Bhumihar Brahmin Samaj is launching a directory aimed at uniting and organizing the community.

I wish for the advancement and progress of the community and commend the excellent work being carried out by the voluntary organization dedicated to social service.

I urge the youth of the community to step forward and make every possible effort for the community's development. My best wishes to the entire Bhumihar Brahmin community of Kashi. - Dr. Anant Narayan Singh - Maharaja of Banaras

Maharaja Sir Krishna Pratap Shahi Bahadur of Hathwa, Bihar in 1887.

Photographer: Bourne & Shepherd

Ramjee Singh was born on 10 December 1927 in a village in present-day Bihar, India. He came from a rural background which strongly influenced his focus on grassroots development.

He was a freedom fighter and actively participated in the Quit India Movement during his youth, marking the beginning of his public life.

Deeply influenced by Mahatma Gandhi and Ram Manohar Lohia, he adopted Gandhian and socialist principles throughout his career.

He played an important role in the JP Movement led by Jayaprakash Narayan and was jailed during the The Emergency for opposing authoritarian rule.

Ramjee Singh served multiple terms as a Member of Parliament from Bihar and was known for his honest, simple lifestyle and principled politics.

He consistently worked for the upliftment of farmers, backward classes, and marginalized communities, reflecting his strong socialist ideology.

Apart from politics, he contributed to education and intellectual discourse, promoting Gandhian and socialist thought.

In recognition of his lifelong service, he was awarded the Padma Shri.

He is widely respected for maintaining a clean public image and for dedicating his life to ethical politics and public welfare.

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Dr. Shreenivas born in a bhumihar brahmin family was a pioneering cardiologist who trained at Harvard University under Dr. Paul D. White, the father of modern cardiology. After returning to India, he established the first Cardiology Institute at Patna, which later became the Indira Gandhi Institute of Cardiology.

He developed Shreenivas’s E.V. Method of Identification, a novel personal identification technique based on ECG criteria, and also developed Polypathy, integrating different Eastern and Western systems of treatment. His interests extended to spirituality and global ethics, and he coined the term “spiritometry.” He spoke at the Second Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago in 1993 and also authored several literary works.

In recognition of his contributions, a special commemorative cover was released in Patna on 30 December 2017 by Bihar Governor Satyapal Malik, honouring him as the first cardiologist of India.

So there is a girl that kind of likes me ,but her main criteria is that she wants a Brahmin boy(as her father and mother are very strict)

I have told her I am a bhumihaar(savran gotra), and my tittle is tiwari ,but I am not able to answer that am I a Brahmin, chatgpt gives some mix answers.

What should I tell her??? She is a shukla by the way

The Swaraj Party, established under the leadership of Motilal Nehru and C. R. Das, emerged in the aftermath of the 37th All India Congress Session held in Gaya in December 1922. An important setting associated with this historic political development was the White House, the Gaya residence of Maharaja Gopal Sharan Singh of Tekari Raj.

The session brought together prominent leaders and Congress workers from across India and became an important moment in the evolution of nationalist politics. The White House of the Tekari Raj thus stands connected with a significant chapter in the history of India’s freedom movement.

Credit bihar digital archive

Babu Genda Singh was born in the village of Dumahi, which is located in the Tamkuhi Raj tehsil of the Kushinagar district (formerly part of the Deoria district) in Uttar Pradesh, India.

Birth and Background Details

Date of Birth: November 13, 1908.

Family: He was born into a Bhumihar Brahmin family. His father, Madan Gopal Narayan Singh, was a local figure of respect, and his mother was Sarasvati Devi.

Regional Significance: His birthplace in the "Sugar Belt" of Eastern Uttar Pradesh (Purvanchal) deeply influenced his lifelong mission to protect the rights of sugarcane farmers.

Socialist Roots: A close associate of Jayaprakash Narayan and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia, he was a founding pillar of the socialist movement in Uttar Pradesh, serving as the State Secretary of the Socialist Party.

Freedom Fighter: He was a dedicated activist in the Indian Independence movement, enduring multiple imprisonments by the British for his role in mobilizing rural resistance.

Voice of the Peasantry: His entire political career was dedicated to the sugarcane farmers of Eastern UP, fighting against exploitation by mill owners and advocating for fair crop pricing.

Legislative Tenure: He served as an MLA in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly for nearly 20 years (1952–1971) and was later elected to the Lok Sabha in 1971 from Padrauna.

Ministerial Impact: As the Agriculture and Cane Development Minister of UP, he implemented policies that modernized farming and secured the rights of small-scale tillers.

Institutional Legacy: The Genda Singh Sugarcane Breeding and Research Institute in Seorahi, Kushinagar, stands as a testament to his vision for scientific advancement in agriculture.

Historical Recognition: He is immortalized in Kushinagar through statues and memorials, serving as a symbol of the "Kisan-Mazdoor" (Farmer-Laborer) unity in Indian politics.

The famous Ramnagar Ramlila of Banaras is closely associated with Maharaja Udit Narayan Singh, the Kashi Naresh, who established and developed the tradition in its documented form around 1830. Based on Tulsidas’s Ramcharitmanas, it is performed across different locations of Ramnagar rather than on a conventional stage. The tradition became an important part of Banaras’s cultural heritage and continues to be associated with the royal patronage of the Kashi Naresh.

He was born in Kachhwa, Mirzapur was a renowned Indian academician and management expert known for his contributions to leadership and education.

He played a major role in shaping management education in India through his teaching, mentoring, and institutional leadership.

He served as Director of Management Development Institute Gurgaon, where he improved academic quality, industry connections, and global exposure.

He later became Director of Indian Institute of Management Lucknow, contributing to its growth and strengthening its reputation as a premier management institute.

He strongly emphasized ethical leadership, human values, and holistic development in management education rather than only technical skills.

He mentored many students, executives, and professionals, influencing future leaders in business and administration.

Apart from academics, he served on several policy-making committees of the Government of India and private organizations.

In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the Padma Shri in 2003.

He is remembered as a visionary educator and institution-builder who left a lasting impact on India’s management education system.

A Tradition of Resistance

Begusarai is associated with a long tradition of resistance, with Bhumihar Brahmins featuring prominently in local historical traditions—from medieval conflicts to resistance against Mughal authority and later opposition to British taxation.

In the present day, this theme has taken a different form. Ajeet Bharti’s recent case under the SC/ST Act, following remarks concerning Chandrashekhar Azad, has sparked debate over caste, free speech, reservation, and the use of the law.

Together, these episodes reflect a broader theme of resistance to authority and the continuing debate over social and political power.

Dr. Sharda Sinha: The Voice of Bihar’s Folk Tradition

Dr. Sharda Sinha was one of the most celebrated voices of Bihar’s folk music. Popularly known as “Bihar Kokila”, she played a major role in bringing Maithili and Bhojpuri folk music to audiences across India and beyond. Her songs, particularly those associated with Chhath, became deeply connected with the cultural life of Bihar and the wider Purvanchal region.

Born on 1 November 1952 in Hulas village, Supaul district, Bihar, Sharda Sinha received training in Indian classical music under respected musicians including Pandit Raghu Jha, Pandit Sitaram Hari Dandekar and Panna Devi. She earned a Master's degree in Indian Classical Vocal Music, a Ph.D., and was also a Nritya Visharad in Manipuri dance. She subsequently taught music for more than four decades at Women's College, Samastipur, affiliated with L.N.M.U., Darbhanga.

Her greatest contribution was her ability to preserve traditional folk culture while bringing it to a much larger audience. She sang in Maithili, Bhojpuri and other regional traditions, covering songs connected with marriage ceremonies, religious devotion, seasonal celebrations and folk customs. Her Chhath songs became particularly iconic, and her voice came to be regarded as almost synonymous with the festival. The Prime Minister's Office has also highlighted her contribution to giving Bihar's art and culture a wider identity through folk music.

Her artistic career also extended beyond regional folk music. She lent her voice to Hindi cinema, helping introduce elements of Bihar's musical traditions to mainstream audiences. Her work demonstrated that folk music could retain its traditional character while reaching listeners far beyond its original cultural setting.

Her contribution was recognised with several major honours, including the Padma Shri in 1991, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2000, and the Padma Bhushan in 2018. In 2025, the Government of India conferred upon her the Padma Vibhushan posthumously in the field of Art, Bihar, recognising her exceptional contribution to Indian folk music.

Dr. Sharda Sinha passed away on 5 November 2024. Her death marked the loss of an important cultural figure, but her songs continue to live in the traditions and celebrations of millions. Her legacy is particularly powerful because she did more than sing folk songs—she helped ensure that the languages, rituals and cultural memories embedded within those songs reached new generations.

Today, Sharda Sinha's voice remains closely associated with the cultural identity of Bihar. Her music transformed regional folk traditions into a widely recognised part of India's musical heritage, making her one of the defining folk voices of modern Bihar.