Familypedia
Register
Advertisement
Athgad Palace of Karana Rulers

RajMahal of Karana Rulers of Athgad

386496 2361907899009 645322852 n

Sri Arup Patnaik (He is revered as one of the most dynamic and respected IPS officers of the Maharashtra cadre)

Karana is a caste found predominantly in Odisha ,Bengal, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. They are generally considered high castes. They were generally appointed as Diwan or Bebarta of Royalties. They find mention in Manu smriti (Oldest Lawbook in the world) and are represented as Vratya Kshatriyas[1] who exclusively served the kings as their prime ministers(Mahamantri),advisors and record keepers [2]. They have the highest literacy caste-wise and are highly prosperous, usually are focus of jealousy due to aforementioned reasons. They represent around 5% of Odia people[1]The state of Athagad in Odisha was also ruled by Karana rulers whose Rajguru lived near Gada(Rani Mahal),the first ruler Raja Niladri Bebarta Patnaik was also a minister to the rajput Raja of puri and was also a relative to him,Athagad was also a princely state during the British raj.The army of the Athagarh Rajya had played an important role in helping the Bhoi Dynasty ruler Ramachandra Deva in defeating the mughal army and were also one of the main reasons behind the demise of mughal army at the hands of RamaChandra Deva 1 [3] [4].[5][6][7][8] Govinda Vidhyadhara (also known as Suvarnakeshari) belonged to Karana(Writer Caste) he was the minister and accountant of the Suryavanshi Gajapati Maharaja(Prataprudra Deva),Govinda Vidhyadhara had usurped the throne from the later weaker Suryavamsi Gajapati Rulers to lay the foundation of Bhoi Dynasty in Odisha,the descendant of this dynasty Dibyasingha Deb is the current Gajapati of Puri(Titular King)[9]. In Jagannath Temple of Puri 16 Brahmin families and 16 Karana families have the exclusive rights of serving the lord within the temple as stated in the old records of puri by the Brahmins. Harmohan Patnaik another famous Karana personality was the grandson of Dhenkanal Bebarta(Mahamantri) Jagannath Patnaik and Dewan(Minister) Damodar Patnaik. Harmohan Patnaik formed the Dhenkanal Praja Mandal and was elected as its president. Same time Sena Adhyaksh Senapati Nakula Samanta Sinhara and Zamindar Sarbarakar Fakira Charana Garnaik from Hindol princely state formed the Hindol Praja Mandal and Nakula Samanta Sinhara was elected as its president. Both the President Harmohan Patnaik from Dhenkanal princely state and Nakula Samanta Sinhara from Hindol princely state sprang up in all princely states of India. This was the first Praja Mandal  of British India and then Praja Mandals sprang up in all princely states of India as public organizations to resist the practices of the then Rajas and Maharajas.

The British military force was mobilized by Raja Saheb to repress a revolt. A young boy named Baji Rout refused to ferry the British military force by his boat. The British Officer opened fire and killed Baji Rout and five villagers. This incident inflamed the nearby villagers and the revolt spread to the entire Dhenkanal State.

The Praja Mandal movement mobilized mass gatherings and a charter of rights was drawn. During the years of struggle, the Indian National Congress also became associated with the Dhenkanal movement. Arrests and imprisonments were a regular occurrence. Whenever Raja Saheb's forces imprisoned Harmohan Patnaik, the people surrounded the Palace in great numbers. Raja Saheb felt threatened and released Harmohan Patnaik unconditionally [10]. Jagbandhu Patnaik(Jaggu Diwan) [11] another famous Karana personality was the mahamantri or dewan of the Rajput Raja Achyut Singh and his successor Raja Arjun Singh of Jharkand,he took part in anti-British activities during the 1857 Indian War of Independence. The Kol Rebellion of Singhbhum in 1831 was the outcome of the inspiration and instigation of Jagabandhu Patnaik more popularly known as Jagu Dewan to the Kols.In the 1857 war he too encouraged Raja Arjun Singh to raise his arms against the British. Jagu Dewan with a strong force rose against the British and occupied Chakradharpur. But the British force under Lt. Birch reoccupied Chakradharpur. Jagu Dewan was captured and hanged.[12] Brajnath Badajena the war poet of odisha who was recognised by various local rulers and princely states of odisha as a poet of the highest order was a karana by caste,he was best known for his historical ballad Samara Taranga. He was born in Dhenkanal. Brajanath was patronized by several local rulers. His work Samara Taranga was appreciated by the king of Dhenkanal.His family were descendants of 16th century poet Raghu Arakhita. He had three siblings who were serving the king of Dhenkanal. He was well versed in many languages such as Sanskrit, Prakrit, Hindi, Bengali and Telugu.His major works were before introduction of printing press in Odisha. So all of his works are found in the form of Palm leaf manuscript.His magnum opus is Samara Taranga (English translation "Wave of war"), ballad written on Maratha -Dhenkanal war of 1781. He was an eyewitness to the battles and the poem is a testimony to the events. It has been historically accurate as the events and places mentioned have been corroborated by other sources. The king of Dhenkanal was pleased with his work and granted him a village named Nuagaon near the river Brahmani [13]. Gopalakrusna Pattanayaka (1784–1862) (Alternatively spelled Gopalakrishna, Pattnaik; Odia: ଗୋପାଳକୃଷ୍ଣ ପଟ୍ଟନାୟକ) another famous Karana personality was an Odia poet & composer of Odissi music. His songs, including chaupadis, chautisas, koilis, pois are central to the popular repertoire of Odissi music and are widely sung in Odissi music recitals across the state, as well as other allied traditional artforms of Odisha, such as pala. The 20th-century Odissi musician, vocalist & binākara Apanna Panigrahi, also from the poet's hometown, was well-known for his renditions of Gopalakrusna's lyrics.Gopalakrusna was born in 1784 in a Karana(Vratya Kshatriya)  family of Paralakhemundi, a well-known princely state in erstwhile Odisha. His father Banabasi Pattanayaka was in the service of the Gajapatis of Paralakhemundi. His mother's name was Lalita Dei. At the age of twenty, Gopalakrusna was married to a young girl by the name of Hira Dei. In the early days of his life, Gopalakrusna remained in the service of the Gajapati king as a Panjia Karana, an accountant-scribe. Later, as his fame as a poet and musician grew, the king offered him an exclusive position in his court to encourage his literary pursuits [14].Another famous Karana personality Madhusudan Das (28 April 1848 – 4 February 1934) was an Indian lawyer and social reformer, who founded Utkal Sammilani in 1903 to campaign for the unification of Odisha along with its social and industrial development. He was one of the main persons, helping in the creation of Orissa Province (present-day Odisha, India), which was established on 1 April 1936. He was also the first graduate and advocate of Orissa. He is also known as Kulabruddha (Grand Old Man), Madhu Babu, and Utkala Gouraba (Pride of Utkal). In Odisha, his birthday is celebrated as the Lawyers' Day on 28 April.Madhusudan Das was born to a Zamindari Karana(Vratya Kshtriya)  family in 28 April 1848 at Satyabhamapur, 20 kilometres (12 mi) from Cuttack during the Company rule in India. His father was Choudhury Raghunath Das and his mother, Parbati Debi. They had initially named him Gobindaballabh. He had two elder sisters and a younger brother named Gopalballabh. Gopalballabh was a Magistrate at Bihar Province and the father of Ramadevi Choudhury [15] .Gopabandhu Das another famous Karana personality popularly known as Utkalamani (Jewel of Utkal or Odisha) was a social worker, reformer, political activist, journalist, poet and essayist,Gopabandhu Das was born on 9 October 1877 in Suando village, near Puri, Odisha in then British India in a Karana(Vratya Kshatriya) family . His mother was Swarnamayee Devi, the third wife of Daitari Das. His father was a mukhtiar and the family were reasonably well-off.Madhusudan Das encouraged Gopabandhu Das to stand for election to the Legislative Council that had been created in 1909 under the terms of the Morley-Minto Reforms. He eventually overcame his reluctance, stood and was elected in 1917. There he concentrating his efforts on four themes:

  • Administrative amalgamation into a single entity of the Oriya-speaking regions of Bengal Province, Central Province, Madras Presidency and Bihar and Orissa Province
  • Eradication of famine and flood in Orissa
  • Restoration of the region's right to manufacture salt without incurring excise duty
  • Expansion of education on a model similar to that he had established at the Satyabadi school [16]

It is also stated that Karanas are the only community from whom Brahmins can partake water and food other communities have not been given this special right in Odisha.Madala Panji records of Jagannath Puri were written by 24 Families of Karanas,On Bijaya-Dashami day, the Karanas (official history writers of Puri, a caste of Odisha, involved in keeping the chronicle. This ritual is cited as a proof that the tradition of keeping this chronicle began with Odia king Anantavarman Chodaganga Dev (1078–1150) himself.

According to the tradition, Chodaganga directed 24 families of Karanas to preserve the temple records. Of these, five were entrusted with the writing and preservation of the Madala Panji. They are:

  • Panjia Karan—preserves the Madala Panji
  • Tadau Karan—writes the Madala Panji
  • Deula Karan—enforces the Madala
  • Kotha Karan—the main compiler
  • Baithi Karan – assistant There are also five different categories of Panjis. No one has seen them all.
    • Raja Khanja—important events of the Rajas. Read on Paush Purnima (Pushyabhishek). Kept by Tadau Karana.
    • Desh Khanja—Records gifts of land and money and occasions when the Jagannath temple was plundered. Kept by Kotha Karana.
    • Karmangi. Daily rituals. Important events related to the rituals recorded. Announced daily at the Beherana.
    • Dina Panji—The daily almanac read by the temple astrologer at the time of the Avakash. These were prepared annually and finalized on Vishuva Sankranti. Besides the Madala, there were other Karanas who wrote regional chronicles, known as Chakadas. "All the Kadatas and Chakadas taken together will be about a cartload."[17]
Gopal Krushna Patnaik

A Vaishnava poet of Parala Kingdom. Gopala Krushna Patnaik

Origin

Madhusudan Das

Madhusudan Das popularly known as Utkala Gauraba

[18] Thurston suggests that the Karanas were first invited to Odisha by the King Yayati Keshari in about 5th century A. D. Sircar suggests that as shown in the Bhajas inscription, a list of individuals involved in land records contains a phrase 'Brahmana-Karana-Puroga-Nivasi' which may be good indication of their social status then.Eminent epigraphist of Archaeological Survey of India, Dineshchandra Sircar, mentions that several historial edicts and inscriptions have been found in the relevant geographic locations that show that the terms Karana, Karanin, Karaneeka, Karanakas, Karaneegars are used to represent bureacratic range from clerks to ministers(Mahamantris). Significant among these are Minor Rock Edict No. II, Kanas plates of Lokavigraha, Ghugrahati copperplate of Samacharadeva [19], Tipper copperplate of Lokanath etc.Eminent archeologist, BP Sinha explains that duty of Karanas was Rajaseva and Durgantapuraraksha. They held high position in Oriya society with them being mentioned highly in early scriptures [20].In classical Odisha, communities started crystalizing into Jatis and Varnas, hence the many communities of Odisha were divided into Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras who lead the populace. It so happened that kings were sent to gurukul to learn and gain knowledge about Vedas .So, some Kshatriyas would take up the profession of learning administrative works only, so as to help the reigning King or as to aid in their work. As they started contributing, they received landed property and wealth.It has been established that there is no relation between Kayastha and Karanas. The Karanas worked exclusively as scribes in the duty of Kings and sometimes as Governer Generals and sometimes Jagirdars, thereby helping in their upward mobility.Karanas were also very influential and popular in Ancient Magadha Bureaucracy.As the ruler of Land(Zamindars) are claimed to be Kshatriyas, hence the Karanas are Kshatriyas .In Shrestha Karana(Vratya Kshatriya) community it is strictly forbidden for Karanas to engage in farming and Agricultural Activities as it might make a person lose his/her respective caste. In Odisha Karanas are a well respected community. They have no connection either with Brahman or Khandayats of Odisha . However, certain communities of Khandayat and lower caste origin, start to claim Karana heritage because of social mobility and higher caste classifications. A confusion may arise that Karanas are Brahmins, is due to their Gotra. However, people often forget Gotra doesn't merely mean the origin of a person but also signifies the origin of his/her Kulguru , which is at times Gotra of Brahmanas because Kula-Guru post is exclusive to Brahmins only, so many a times students aka disciples adopt gotra of their Guru, which is Brahmanical origin, this is found mainly in Karana and many royal families of Odisha.Alongwith Odia Rajputs(2 percent of odia population),Karanas(5 percent of odia population) are considered the next prominent rank after Brahmins in Odisha while other communities either come in OBC category or SC/ST category in Odisha respectively.[21]

Present Day

Despite such a minuscule number, in regards to overall Odia population, Karana caste is the most prominent and one of the most advanced communities in Odisha. Their literacy level is the highest among all communities in Odisha, and their representative power is highest when compared to their population strength.Karana were one of the most educated communities , they emerged as a single most powerful representative bloc in terms of politics and media. Post independence, the communities has produced many luminaries in Science, Art, Engineering, Politics and Film industry, and has a great impact on present Odia culture. [2]

Bijaynanda Pattnaik

BhumiPutra: Biju Pattnaik, arguably the greatest Odia person, freedom fighter, and statesmen since British Era and post independence. Former chief minister and founder of current party Biju Janata Dal

Customs

Karana generally follow the patriarchal system in regards to civic duties and follow customs and marriage rituals as prescribed in Hindu Scriptures . They also follow a gotra system similar to other Hindu communities. Also, marriage along the clan (sa-gotra) is generally forbidden. [3][4] They marry in the Kshatriya-Riti, i.e. an act of winning the bride is performed during marriage(Sreshta Karana Division or higher Karanas)[5] And the (Chitti Karana division or lower Karanas) marry in Prajapatya ritual.Sreshta Karanas(Vratya Kshatriyas) usually have Shandilya Gotra while Lower Karanas mostly have Kashyapa as their Gotra [22].

Divisions[6]

The Karanas are divided into Karanas and Vaishya-Karanas.

The first category is the normal Karanas(Sreshtha Karana or higher Karana), employed as Scribes and Governors. They are described in Manusmriti as Vratya Kshatriyas(Manusmriti 10.22) , which means they have lost their right of conducting Vedic customs like Yagnas on their own , but they can be open to agamic rituals and tantra sadhhanas.

The second category(Chitti Karana or lower Karana) is considered to be the product of Vaishya Father and Shudra Mother(Yaignavalka Smriti).[7]Chitti Karanas are the Karanas who mixed with the low caste groups of Odisha hence in the process lost their Kshatriya identity because of which they were not accepted in their community again and fell into vaishya and shudra varna respectively.

Marriage between the Higher Karana division and Lower Karana division is strictly forbidden. They follow different marriage rituals, one follows Kshatriya Riti and other follows Brahma or Prajapatya ritual, both are known to be followed by upper echelons of Hindu Society.


There is also a division of Higher Karanas(Vratya Kshatriyas)who are called Nauli Karanas(Brahma Karana) in puri temple, they are treated as equivalent to Brahmins in odia society and have the exclusive right of Bratapatoyana(Upanayan ) Ritual.They come from the Sreshtha Karana(Vratya Kshatriyas) community who served Lord Jagannath in the temple alongwith Brahmins hence got the word Nauli attached to them.

Titles

Titles and surname include Mohanty, Patnaik(excl), Bohidar(excl),Choudhury and many more. Their counterparts include Kayasth community of North, Karanam of South and CKP of West.

References

  1. ^ Williams, Joanna Gottfried (2010). "The Two-headed Deer: Illustrations of the Rāmāyaṇa in Orissa". https://books.google.com/books?id=22wCxbKAdmkC&pg=PA90&dq=The+Two-headed+Deer:+Illustrations+of+the+Rāmāyaṇa+in+Orissa&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjYjLiv8unPAhUM_4MKHba3Bz0Q6AEIHjAA#v=onepage&q=The%20Two-headed%20Deer%3A%20Illustrations%20of%20the%20Rāmāyaṇa%20in%20Orissa&f=false. 
  2. ^ Grover, Verinder (1999). "Political System in India: Politics of influence, violence and pressure groups". Deep & Deep. https://books.google.com/books?id=4BEFAAAAMAAJ&q=Political+System+in+India:+Politics+of+influence,+violence+and&dq=Political+System+in+India:+Politics+of+influence,+violence+and&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwju-pTf96_PAhUJ8YMKHTRrDUgQ6AEIHDAA. 
  3. ^ Thurston, Edgar; Rangachari, Kandur (2001). "Castes and Tribes of Southern India". https://books.google.com/books?id=FnB3k8fx5oEC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Castes+and+Tribes+of+Southern+India,+Volume+1&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjcn6Wy6unPAhUm24MKHZ1CAHQQ6AEIHjAA#v=onepage&q&f=false. 
  4. ^ Pruthi, RK (2004). "Indian Caste System". https://books.google.com/books?id=rC1bJcd-MDUC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Indian+Caste+System&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjPjoLI8enPAhVo4IMKHbPiAIUQ6AEIKjAC#v=onepage&q=Indian%20Caste%20System&f=false. 
  5. ^ https://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/app/praharaj_query.py?qs=%E0%AC%95%E0%AC%B0%E0%AC%A3&searchhws=yes
  6. ^ http://piketty.pse.ens.fr/files/ideologie/data/CensusIndia/Administrators/Risley1892.pdf
  7. ^ http://piketty.pse.ens.fr/files/ideologie/data/CensusIndia/Administrators/Risley1892.pdf



Advertisement