Sarola Brahmin
| Sarola\Saryul\Serul | |
|---|---|
| Classification | Brahmin |
| Religions |  Hinduism |
| Languages | Garhwali |
| Populated states | Uttarakhand, India |
| Related groups | Garhwali people |
Sarola Brahmin, also called Saryul and Serul are Garhwali Brahmins from Uttarakhand, India.[1] Sarola Brahmins were the earliest authenticated and ritually most prestigious Brahmin baronial families in the then small Garhwal Kingdom 1400 years ago. The capital of this kingdom was Chandpur Garhi and twelve castes of Brahmins settled in twelve fiefs surrounding the capital. These 12 ancient houses are the Nautiyals, Maitwanas, Khanduras, Thapliyals, Chamolis, Semwals, Lakheras, Semaltas, Gairolis, Kotiyals and Dimris in order of their founding [2] with the Nautiyals arriving as the Rajpurohit kin of the royal Parmaras in 689 CE and the Dimris being the last of the Sarola Houses arriving in 1060 CE [3]. The Brahmin houses held baronial status as Jagirdars but the oldest families such as the Rajpurohit Gaur Nautiyals or the Maithil Uniyals held ducal status as Thakurs [4][5]. Each of this Brahmin faction have their own Kuladevata or Kuladevi. They settled as Rajpurohits (grand vizier), Royal Astrologers, High Priests, Ritual Cooks, Royal Gurus, and as royal advisors. Along with this they were also designated the task of cooking food on auspicious occasions and also on royal occasions by the King of Garhwal, thus named "Sarola" (Garhwali for cook). These twelve villages were collectively known as "Bara Than" meaning "Barah Sthan", and the Brahmins living in these villages were known as "Sarola" Brahmins.[6]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Ram, Pati (1916). Garhwal: Ancient and Modern. Army Press. pp. 82–83 – via Google Books.
- ^ Dobhal, Girdhari Lal (1986). Development of the Hill Areas (1st ed.). New Delhi: Concept Publishing Company. p. 56. ISBN 81-8069-223-X.
- ^ Lakhera, Harischandra. "History of Garhwali Brahmins". Himalayilog.
- ^ Basak, Sudeshna (1991). Socio-cultural Study of a Minority Linguistic Group: Bengalees in Bihar, 1858-1912. B.R. Publishing Corporation. ISBN 978-81-7018-627-4.
- ^ Singh, Prahalad (1978). Rajpurohit Jati ki Itihas [A History of the Rajpurohit Houses]. Jodhpur: Rajasthani Granthagar. ISBN 978-93-90179-06-0.
- ^ Gerald Duane Berreman (1972). Hindus of the Himalayas Ethnography and Change. University of California Press. p. 183. ISBN 9780520014237 – via Google Books.