Brahmin (Brāhmaṇa, ब्राह्मणः) is the class of educators, law makers, scholars and preachers of Dharma in Hinduism[1][2][3][4]. It is said to occupy the highest position among the four varnas of Hinduism.[5]
The English word brahmin is an anglicised form of the Sanskrit word Brāhmana (Brāhman also refers to a sanskrit word Brahma- meaning 'knowledge', Brahman (noun form) who possesses the 'knowledge.' Brahmins are also called Vipra "learned",[6] or Dvija "twice-born".[7]
In 1931 (the last Indian census to record caste), Brahmins accounted for 4.32% of the total population. Brahmins even in Uttar Pradesh, where they were most numerous, constituted just 9% of the recorded population. In Tamil Nadu they formed less than 3% and in Andhra Pradesh, less than 2%.[8] In Kerala, Nambudiri Brahmins make up 0.7% of the population.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
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