Manipuri Brahmins ( mni, Manipuri Bamon) or Meitei Brahmins ( mni, Meitei Bamon) are the
Brahmin
Brahmin (; sa, ब्राह्मण, brāhmaṇa) is a varna as well as a caste within Hindu society. The Brahmins are designated as the priestly class as they serve as priests (purohit, pandit, or pujari) and religious teachers (gur ...
s who speak the
Meitei (
Manipuri) language as their native tongue and mainly reside in the valley areas of
Manipur
Manipur () ( mni, Kangleipak) is a state in Northeast India, with the city of Imphal as its capital. It is bounded by the Indian states of Nagaland to the north, Mizoram to the south and Assam to the west. It also borders two regions of ...
. They constitute 4.5% of Manipur's population.
Description
Manipuri Brahmin origins stretch as far as
Bengal
Bengal ( ; bn, বাংলা/বঙ্গ, translit=Bānglā/Bôngô, ) is a geopolitical, cultural and historical region in South Asia, specifically in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal, predom ...
,
Odisha
Odisha (English: , ), formerly Orissa ( the official name until 2011), is an Indian state located in Eastern India. It is the 8th largest state by area, and the 11th largest by population. The state has the third largest population of ...
and other parts of India.
Each Brahmin family within the community belongs to a specific
gotra indicating their origin. They have many
clans of
Maithil Brahmin
Maithil Brahmins are a Hindu Brahmin community from the Mithila region of the Indian subcontinent that comprises Tirhut, Darbhanga, Kosi, Purnia, Munger, Bhagalpur; Bokaro in Jharkhand and Santhal Pargana divisions of India and some adjoinin ...
s.
Ethnicity, origin and history
The recording of the migration of
Indo Aryan Brahmins from other parts of India,
including Bengal
Bengal ( ; bn, বাংলা/বঙ্গ, translit=Bānglā/Bôngô, ) is a geopolitical, cultural and historical region in South Asia, specifically in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal, predom ...
, Mithila Mithila may refer to:
Places
* Mithilā, a synonym for the ancient Videha state
** Mithilā (ancient city), the ancient capital city of Videha
* Mithila (region), a cultural region (historical and contemporary), now divided between India and Nepal
...
, Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh (; , 'Northern Province') is a state in northern India. With over 200 million inhabitants, it is the most populated state in India as well as the most populous country subdivision in the world. It was established in 1950 ...
, Gujarat
Gujarat (, ) is a state along the western coast of India. Its coastline of about is the longest in the country, most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula. Gujarat is the fifth-largest Indian state by area, covering some ; and the ninth ...
, and Odisha
Odisha (English: , ), formerly Orissa ( the official name until 2011), is an Indian state located in Eastern India. It is the 8th largest state by area, and the 11th largest by population. The state has the third largest population of ...
to the Manipur Valley was started from the 15th century. The appearance of Brahmins in Manipur in the 15th century may be due to the rise of Muslim power in Bengal
Bengal ( ; bn, বাংলা/বঙ্গ, translit=Bānglā/Bôngô, ) is a geopolitical, cultural and historical region in South Asia, specifically in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal, predom ...
. Followed by a steady stream of Brahmin migration to Manipur who were brought in based on their requirements after the adoption of Vaishnavism
Vaishnavism ( sa, वैष्णवसम्प्रदायः, Vaiṣṇavasampradāyaḥ) is one of the major Hindu denominations along with Shaivism, Shaktism, and Smartism. It is also called Vishnuism since it considers Vishnu as the ...
in Manipur. These Brahmins learned the Manipuri language, mixed the customs they brought in with the local customs which are acceptable to Brahmin culture and became a part of the larger Manipuri society.[ They are known for their contributions in Manipuri literature, arts, cuisine, music, etc., since they are an advanced group in these fields.
]
Notable people
*Aribam Shyam Sharma
Aribam Syam Sharma is an Indian filmmaker and composer from Manipur. He debuted in the first Manipuri film '' Matamgi Manipur'' as an actor. In 1974, he directed his first movie '' Lamja Parshuram''. It became the first Manipuri film to run for 1 ...
, filmmaker and composer.
*Atombapu Sharma Atombapu Sharma (died 1963) also known as Pandit Raja Atombapu Sharma was a Manipuri Brahmin Sanskrit scholar, a Vaishnava, also versed in astronomy and astrology, a journalist and social reformer from Manipur, India. He is considered as "The Doyen ...
, Sanskrit scholar, journalist and social reformer.
*Bachaspatimayum Jayantakumar Sharma
Bachaspatimayum Jayantakumar Sharma (14 January 1935 – 9 April 2015), shortly known as B. Jayantakumar Sharma, was an Indian writer, composer and lyricist from Manipur.
Early life and education
Jayantakumar was born on 14 January 1935 to a Mani ...
, Manipuri music lyricist.
* Bonny Sharma, Manipuri film actor.
* Hanjabam Radhe Devi, Padmashree awardee, traditional bridal wear designer.
* Sanathoiba Sharma, Padmashree awardee, Manipuri Martial arts guru.
*Shanglakpam Nilakanta Sharma
Shanglakpam Nilakanta Sharma (born 2 May 1995) is an Indian field hockey player who plays as a midfielder for the Indian national team.
He was part of the Indian squad that won the 2016 Men's Hockey Junior World Cup. And Finally he won gold me ...
, Indian field hockey player.
References
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Brahmin communities by language
Brahmin communities across India
Ethnic groups in Manipur
Indian castes