Manipuri Brahmins (Meitei: Manipuri Bamon) or Meitei Brahmins (Meitei: Meitei Bamon) are indigenous Brahmins who speak the Meitei language (aka Manipuri language) as their native tongue and mainly reside in the valley areas of Manipur.
_written_in_Meitei_script.jpg) "Meitei Bamon" (literally meaning "Meitei Brahmin" in Meitei language) written in Meitei script | |
| Languages | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit (sacred), Meitei (officially called Manipuri) | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism (Manipuri Vaishnavism) | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Other Brahmin groups: |
Description
editManipuri Brahmin origins stretch as far as Bengal, Odisha, Mithila, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and other parts of India. Each Brahmin family within the community belongs to a specific gotra indicating their origin.[1][2]
Ethnicity, origin and history
editThe recording of the migration of Brahmins from other parts of India,[1][3] including Bengal, Mithila, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Odisha to the Manipur Valley started from the 15th century.[1][2][page needed] The appearance of Brahmins in Manipur in the 15th century may be due to the rise of Muslim power in Bengal.[4] Followed by a steady stream of Brahmin migration to Manipur who were brought in based on their requirements after the adoption of Vaishnavism in Manipur. These Brahmins learned the Manipuri language, mixed the customs they brought in with the local customs which are acceptable to Brahmin culture, later inter-marrying with the local Manipuri women, and became a part of the larger Manipuri society.[1][3]
Notable people
edit- Atombapu Sharma, Sanskrit scholar, journalist and social reformer.[5][6]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Sen, Sipra (1992). Tribes and Castes of Manipur: Description and Select Bibliography. New Delhi: K.M. Rai Mittal for Mittal Publications. pp. 68–69. ISBN 81-7099-310-5.
- ^ a b c Singh, Wahengbam Ibohal (1986). The History of Manipur. Manipur Commercial Co.
- ^ a b Prakash, Ved (2007). Encyclopedia of North-East India, Volume 4. New Delhi: ATLANTIC. p. 1540. ISBN 978-81-269-0706-9.
- ^ Robinson, Rowena (2004). Sociology of Religion in India. New Delhi: Sage Publications India Pvt Ltd. pp. 125–126. ISBN 81-7829-255-6.
- ^ "My memories of Imphal from 1941- Part 5". The Sangai Express. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
- ^ Parratt, John (24 March 2006). "Atom Bapu and religious roots of Integrationism". e-pao.net. Retrieved 9 September 2023.