Varendra

Varendra (or Barind) was a region of North Bengal, now in
Bangladesh.[1] It included the
Pundravardhana

Pundravardhana or
Pundra Kingdom

Pundra Kingdom region
currently part of Rangpur and
Rajshahi Division

Rajshahi Division of Bangladesh.
According to Cunningham the boundary of
Varendra

Varendra was the
Ganges

Ganges and
the Mahananda on the west, the Karatoya on the east, the Padma on the
south and the land between Koochbihar and the Terai on the north.[2]
Contents
1 History
2 Modern usage
3 See also
4 References
History[edit]
Main article: Kulin Brahmins
Historical evidence attests significant presence of Brahmins in Bengal
during the
Maurya

Maurya period. The
Jain

Jain
Acharya

Acharya Bhadrabahu, regarded to be
the preceptor of Chandragupta Maurya, is said to have been born in
Brahmin family of
Pundravardhana

Pundravardhana (or Puṇḍra, the region north of
the
Ganges

Ganges and west of Brahmaputra in Bengal, later known as
Vārendra). Such evidences suggest Puṇḍra or Vārendra and regions
west of Bhagirathi (called Radha in ancient age) to be seats of
Brahmins from ancient times; Rādhi and
Varendra

Varendra are still chief
branches of Bengali Brahmins settled in these regions. Medium to large
scale migrations of Brahmins from parts of India like Kanyakubja
region, Kolancha, southern India and Pushkar in Rajasthan, among other
places, occurred from time to time, especially during Pala and Sena
periods.
According to HC Raychoudhuri the Gupta dyansty originated from the
Varendri region. According to the Khalimpur copper plate inscription,
the first Pala Emperor Gopala was the son of a warrior named Vapyata.
The Ramacharitam attests that
Varendra

Varendra (North Bengal) was the
fatherland (Janakabhu) of the Palas.
Traditionally, Bengali Brahmins are divided into the following
categories:
Rādhi, from the
Rarh region
.jpg/500px-Village_photos_(277).jpg)
Rarh region southwest of the Ganges
Barendra, from the
Varendra

Varendra or Puṇḍra region. Vārendra originally
meant rain-maker magicians.
Modern usage[edit]
Varendra

Varendra Research Society
Varendra

Varendra Research Museum
Varendra

Varendra rebellion
Varendra

Varendra University
Varendra

Varendra tract
See also[edit]
North Bengal
Pundravardhana
References[edit]
^ History of Ancient Bengal, Ramesh Chandra Majumdar, 1971
^ Varen