Anavil Brahmin
Encyclopedia
Anavil Brahmin is one of the sub-caste of Brahmin
caste
, and they get their name from a village called of Anaval. Anavil Brahmins are from southern Gujarat,and the majority of them are still located in the area, including Valsad District
, Navsari District
and Surat District
in India.
The word "Anavil" is a combination of two Sanskrit words: UN+AVIL; UN, a prefix, means NOT in Sanskrit and AVIL means "that which is dirty or impure". The combined word therefore means "free of impurity."
During early sixteenth century when the Mughals first came to the Surat district, the Anavils became tenacious soldier-farmers. Thereafter, the titular Desai surname became highly coveted. The community was split into two: the Desai or Mastans (Mahasthan's) and the Bhatella. They were popularly known as Desais and Bhatella rather than just Anavils. There are five interpretations of the root of the name 'Bhatella':
1. Bhatella is a combination of two Sanskrit words: (BHAT+EELA). BHAT means a soldier and EELA means earth. The word, therefore, means a soldier-farmer;
2. The word could also be a combination of BHAT+HATHILA. HATHILA means tenacious or obstinate and hence the word would be interpreted as a tenacious or obstinate soldier;
3. The word has also been interpreted as a degenerate or derogatory derivative of the word BRASHTILLA which means those Brahmins who had lost their purity;
4. The word could have some BHAT meaning RICE + EELA meaning EARTH thus being interpreted as RICE CULTIVATORS. It is also true that they were the very first rice farmers in southern Gujarat, and
5. The word could be a combination of BHAT meaning RIVER DELTA + EELA meaning EARTH and hence being interpreted as a people who farmed or lived in river deltas.
The first interpretation, that of the soldier-farmer, appears to be the most likely as it is a proper Sanskrit word. Other surnames (family names) that are common to the Anavil Brahmin caste confirm this: Naik
, Vashi
, and Mehta
all denote professionals in the Army or Royal Administration. Naik means a platoon leader, e.g. Gananayak. The Sanskrit word "vash" means to control and Mehta
was a title given to the prime ministers of the princely states in Saurashtra. Today, the meaning of the word Mehta
has expanded to include accountants and teachers, which may be due to their history as advisors to the rulers of the princely states. Desai
means 'Desh Sai' or lord of the land or even Desh Shahi 'King of the Earth' and accordingly the original true Desais ruled vast lands in Wesern India. Now it is not unknown nor uncommon for other members of the Anavil community and others to change their family name to Desai.
Taking the 1962 population census, the Anavils formed roughly 5% of Surat
district's population. Assuming a density of 700 people per square mile, the Anavil population can be approximated as 200,000. Assuming that half as many now live in foreign lands and other large urban centers in India, the total can be estimated to be about 300,000.
Anavils are further divided into four different surname groups
varna.They are mainly agriculturist and large number of them are landowners. As per the old saids and carried forward since generations, Anavils belong to Ajachak Brahmin(non-fee taking
).
During the days of Rama, the Ashwamegh yagna was held for the prosperity of the Ayodhya. The Horse of Ashwamegha Yagna roamed and reached somewhere near/in Valasad. To perform a Typical ritual of Ashwamegh Yagna, Some Brahmins were looked for in that area. It was all deserted land and Brahmins were hard to find. Ashwamegh Yagna can not be concluded without performing this ritual hence to complete the Ashwamegh Yagna, Lord RAma and Parshurama personally sent 7 respected individuals from the nearby area into South Gujarat Area. They performed the retuals of Ashwamegh Yagna and were asked to stay there. The breed of those 7 Brahmins are known as Anavils and as they were turned to Brahmins for Lord Rama, they never been practicing priests ever after. As they been to the Area first they and their family tree have been land owners since ages in these region.It is believed that, it is the only Brahmin Varna in India, which got education of Brahmanisam by Lord Rama and Parshurama them self. Although some Anavil families may have even older genealogies that go further back than the Ramayana period.
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
caste
Caste
Caste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race, as in India...
, and they get their name from a village called of Anaval. Anavil Brahmins are from southern Gujarat,and the majority of them are still located in the area, including Valsad District
Valsad district
Valsad district is one of the 26 districts in the Western Indian state of Gujarat. It is bound by Navsari district to the north, Dang district to the east and the State of Maharashtra to the south. The Arabian Sea lies west of the district...
, Navsari District
Navsari district
Navsari is an administrative district in the state of Gujarat in India, with its headquarters at Navsari city. The district covers an area of 2,211 square kilometres, and had a population of 1,229,250 in 2001.Dudhia Talao:...
and Surat District
Surat district
Surat is a district in the state of Gujarat India with Surat city as the administrative headquarters of this district. It is surrounded by Bharuch, Narmada , Navsari and Dang districts. To the west is the Gulf of Cambay. It is the second-most advanced district in Gujarat...
in India.
History
The origin of the Anavils is traced to the period of Rama. According to the Skanda Purana, when Rama was returning from Lanka with Sita after killing Ravana, he came to the hermitage of Agastya which was situated in a dense forest on the southern slopes of the Vindhya hills. At a great Rishi's bidding, Rama decided to perform a solemn act of expiation at Anadisidha, for the slaying of Ravana. But as there were no Brahmanas there (without whom he could not perform the yajna) some Ajachak Brahmanas were summoned from Gangakulgiri in the Himalayas. Rama offered them a handsome dakshina but they would not accept it and insisted that they had merely performed their duty. Displeased with their refusal, Rama deprived them of the privilege of teaching the Vedas and performing yajnas. Like the Vaisyans, their function in society became agricultural.The word "Anavil" is a combination of two Sanskrit words: UN+AVIL; UN, a prefix, means NOT in Sanskrit and AVIL means "that which is dirty or impure". The combined word therefore means "free of impurity."
During early sixteenth century when the Mughals first came to the Surat district, the Anavils became tenacious soldier-farmers. Thereafter, the titular Desai surname became highly coveted. The community was split into two: the Desai or Mastans (Mahasthan's) and the Bhatella. They were popularly known as Desais and Bhatella rather than just Anavils. There are five interpretations of the root of the name 'Bhatella':
1. Bhatella is a combination of two Sanskrit words: (BHAT+EELA). BHAT means a soldier and EELA means earth. The word, therefore, means a soldier-farmer;
2. The word could also be a combination of BHAT+HATHILA. HATHILA means tenacious or obstinate and hence the word would be interpreted as a tenacious or obstinate soldier;
3. The word has also been interpreted as a degenerate or derogatory derivative of the word BRASHTILLA which means those Brahmins who had lost their purity;
4. The word could have some BHAT meaning RICE + EELA meaning EARTH thus being interpreted as RICE CULTIVATORS. It is also true that they were the very first rice farmers in southern Gujarat, and
5. The word could be a combination of BHAT meaning RIVER DELTA + EELA meaning EARTH and hence being interpreted as a people who farmed or lived in river deltas.
The first interpretation, that of the soldier-farmer, appears to be the most likely as it is a proper Sanskrit word. Other surnames (family names) that are common to the Anavil Brahmin caste confirm this: Naik
Naik
Naik is an administrative title and surname derived from the Sanskrit word "vash" means to control. Naik is a surname attributed to the Anavil Brahmin caste.Naik may refer to:...
, Vashi
Vashi
Vashi is an upmarket residential as well as commercial township in the city of Navi Mumbai. It is a premier city in Navi Mumbai and was one of the first "nodes" developed by CIDCO.-Populace:...
, and Mehta
Mehta
Mehta is a Khatri Punjabi surname, some Gujratis are also called Mehta.[1]It means 'chief' or 'great' from Sanskrit mahita, which comes from mah- 'to praise or magnify'. In Gujarati it has also come to mean ‘teacher’ and ‘accountant’, probably because teachers and accountants were respectfully so...
all denote professionals in the Army or Royal Administration. Naik means a platoon leader, e.g. Gananayak. The Sanskrit word "vash" means to control and Mehta
Mehta
Mehta is a Khatri Punjabi surname, some Gujratis are also called Mehta.[1]It means 'chief' or 'great' from Sanskrit mahita, which comes from mah- 'to praise or magnify'. In Gujarati it has also come to mean ‘teacher’ and ‘accountant’, probably because teachers and accountants were respectfully so...
was a title given to the prime ministers of the princely states in Saurashtra. Today, the meaning of the word Mehta
Mehta
Mehta is a Khatri Punjabi surname, some Gujratis are also called Mehta.[1]It means 'chief' or 'great' from Sanskrit mahita, which comes from mah- 'to praise or magnify'. In Gujarati it has also come to mean ‘teacher’ and ‘accountant’, probably because teachers and accountants were respectfully so...
has expanded to include accountants and teachers, which may be due to their history as advisors to the rulers of the princely states. Desai
Desai
Desai is an administrative title and surname derived from the Vedic Sanskrit words "desh sai" meaning "lord of the land." 'Desai' is a surname attributed to Hindus who were feudal lords and revenue collectors...
means 'Desh Sai' or lord of the land or even Desh Shahi 'King of the Earth' and accordingly the original true Desais ruled vast lands in Wesern India. Now it is not unknown nor uncommon for other members of the Anavil community and others to change their family name to Desai.
Taking the 1962 population census, the Anavils formed roughly 5% of Surat
Surat
Surat , also known as Suryapur, is the commercial capital city of the Indian state of Gujarat. Surat is India's Eighth most populous city and Ninth-most populous urban agglomeration. It is also administrative capital of Surat district and one of the fastest growing cities in India. The city proper...
district's population. Assuming a density of 700 people per square mile, the Anavil population can be approximated as 200,000. Assuming that half as many now live in foreign lands and other large urban centers in India, the total can be estimated to be about 300,000.
Subdivisions
Anvil word is combination of two words; UN & Avil. UN means not and Avil means dirty or impure in Sanskrit. So two word together means 'Not Impure' thus very pure.Anavils are further divided into four different surname groups
- DesaiDesaiDesai is an administrative title and surname derived from the Vedic Sanskrit words "desh sai" meaning "lord of the land." 'Desai' is a surname attributed to Hindus who were feudal lords and revenue collectors...
- Vashi
- NaikNaikNaik is an administrative title and surname derived from the Sanskrit word "vash" means to control. Naik is a surname attributed to the Anavil Brahmin caste.Naik may refer to:...
- MehtaMehtaMehta is a Khatri Punjabi surname, some Gujratis are also called Mehta.[1]It means 'chief' or 'great' from Sanskrit mahita, which comes from mah- 'to praise or magnify'. In Gujarati it has also come to mean ‘teacher’ and ‘accountant’, probably because teachers and accountants were respectfully so...
Social status
Anavil Brahmins not practising priests though they belong to BrahminBrahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
varna.They are mainly agriculturist and large number of them are landowners. As per the old saids and carried forward since generations, Anavils belong to Ajachak Brahmin(non-fee taking
).
During the days of Rama, the Ashwamegh yagna was held for the prosperity of the Ayodhya. The Horse of Ashwamegha Yagna roamed and reached somewhere near/in Valasad. To perform a Typical ritual of Ashwamegh Yagna, Some Brahmins were looked for in that area. It was all deserted land and Brahmins were hard to find. Ashwamegh Yagna can not be concluded without performing this ritual hence to complete the Ashwamegh Yagna, Lord RAma and Parshurama personally sent 7 respected individuals from the nearby area into South Gujarat Area. They performed the retuals of Ashwamegh Yagna and were asked to stay there. The breed of those 7 Brahmins are known as Anavils and as they were turned to Brahmins for Lord Rama, they never been practicing priests ever after. As they been to the Area first they and their family tree have been land owners since ages in these region.It is believed that, it is the only Brahmin Varna in India, which got education of Brahmanisam by Lord Rama and Parshurama them self. Although some Anavil families may have even older genealogies that go further back than the Ramayana period.
Kuldevi of Anavil Brahmins
Kuldevi of Anavil Brahmin is "Garadi Mata". Temple of Gardi Mata is situated in village called Palsana, situated Near Surat City, in District Surat of State Gujarat.Kuldev of Anavil Brahmins
Keldev of Anavil Brahmin is "Sukleshwar Mahadev". Temple of Sukleshwar Mahadev is situated in Village Called Anaval situated in Gujarat.Notable Anavil Brahmins
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, famous Bollywood film producer & director. - Lord Meghnad Desai
- Dhirajlal Ambelal Desai,Former Judge, Supreme Court,India.
- A. M. Naik, Chairman & Managing Director of Larsen & Toubro Limited.
- Prachi DesaiPrachi DesaiPrachi Desai is an Indian film and television actress. She is best known for her role as Bani Walia in the Hindi television drama Kasamh Se which aired on Zee TV. Prachi is the endorser, spokesperson, brand ambassador and the face of Neutrogena products in India...
, Famous Actress and winner of reality show "jhalak dikhlaja". - Bhulabhai DesaiBhulabhai DesaiBhulabhai Desai was an Indian freedom fighter and acclaimed lawyer. He is well-remembered for his defense of the three Indian National Army soldiers accused of treason during World War II, and for attempting to negotiate a secret power-sharing agreement with Liaquat Ali Khan of the Muslim League.-...
- Anoop DesaiAnoop DesaiAnoop Desai is an American singer-songwriter best known for his time as a contestant on the eighth season of American Idol. Motivated by the death of his friend Eve Carson, Desai auditioned for American Idol. Desai made American Idol history by being the first ever 13th finalist on American Idol...
, contestant on American Idol, Season 8 - Bindu (actress)Bindu (actress)Bindu is an actress in Indian cinema who was most popular, receiving several award nominations, in the 1970s. She has acted in over 160 movies in a career that spanned four decades.-Early life:...
Desai, Very famous Indian Actress of 1960s, 1970s and 1980s - Divya Desai is an Indian actress
- N.B. Desai, head of Sardar Sarovar Narmada Project and longest serving engineer from conception
- Dr.Ketan Desai, President of World Medical Association
- Poonam Desai, film actress from south India, better known as Biyanka Desai (screen name)
- Vaishali DesaiVaishali DesaiVaishali Desai is an Indian model and actor. She won the Indian title of Miss International 2005. She debuted in the film Kal Kissne Dekha.-Early life:...
,film actress,grand niece of Manmohan Desai