Majmuat

Refuting the Unsupported Shudra Claims

Are Bhumihars Vaishyas ? Were they ever classified as Shudras or Vaishyas in any British census or document ?

NO, Bhumihars were never classified as Shudras or Vaishyas in any document or British Censuses. Every classification is given in the next section with their photos from Indian Census records conducted by the British.

Someone named Jeffrey Witsoe wrote a book falsely claiming that Bhumihars were classified as Shudras in some censuses conducted during the British era. He neither mentioned the year nor quoted any alleged text. He simply made a baseless claim without revealing the census year or providing any clue whatsoever, not even a reference to any document.

Note: Wikipedia page of Bhumihars has used the same book by Jeffrey Witsoe for mentioning that Bhumihars were classified as Shudras in an early British census, without any primary reference or even year of that alleged Census.

To verify his unsupported claims, we searched through the records of every Indian census conducted by the British, examined every caste classification, and found that Bhumihars were never classified as Shudras, or even Vaishyas, in any census record, or for that matter, in any other British document.

The ACTUAL classification of Bhumihars in every Census conducted by the British are given below 👇🏻, with actual photos of Census documents, links and references.

1) Survey - 1831 by James Prinsep.

Categorisation of Bhumihars: Kshatriya (with Khatris)

Remarks: In this categorisation attempt by JAMES PRINSEP in 1831, Bhumihars along with Khatris were classified as Kshatriyas, not as Vaishya or Shudra.

Hindi: 1831 में JAMES PRINSEP द्वारा किए गए इस वर्गीकरण प्रयास में, भूमिहारों को खत्रियों के साथ क्षत्रिय के रूप में वर्गीकृत किया गया था, वैश्य या शूद्र नहीं।

Source: Click Here

2) 1865 Census

(It was not a nationwide census, was only conducted for a select few provinces)

Categorisation of Bhumihars: Either Kshatriya or Brahmin, this varied by division (each division contained multiple present day districts)

Jaunpur - Separately Bhumihar
Azamgarh - Kshatriya
Gorakhpur - Brahmins
Benares - Brahmins

Remarks: Bhumihars were not classified as Shudras or even Vaishyas in the 1865 Census, they were either grouped with Kshatriyas or Brahmins.

Hindi: 1865 की जनगणना में भूमिहारों को न तो शूद्र और न ही वैश्य के रूप में वर्गीकृत किया गया था, कहीं पे क्षत्रिय, या कहीं पे ब्राह्मण में वर्गीकरण किया था अंग्रेज़ों ने।

Source: Click Here

3) 1872 Census

Categorisation of Bhumihars: Below Rajputs & Brahmins, but placed above every other caste in the entire Bengal Province (Bihar+Bengal+Orissa). Vaishyas & Shudras were mentioned totally separate from Bhumihars.

Remarks: In the 1872 census, British did not place Bhumihars (Babhans) under the Vaishya or Shudra varna, nor did they assign them to any varna. However, since Bhumihars were listed after Brahmins and Rajputs, readers often assume that they were therefore classified as Vaishyas. This assumption is wrong because Vaishyas are described totally separate from Bhumihars on point-51 (Trading Classes) page 171–172, after Baidyas & Kayasthas. In contrast, Bhumihars were discussed separately at point 46, placed before, and totally distinct from Kayasthas, Vaishyas, and Shudras & Baidyas. They were described as first among the intermediate castes, explicitly described as ‘Military Brahmans’ and were stated to "enjoy a higher position than any other caste except Brahmans and Rajputs".

Hindi: 1872 के जनगणना में, ब्रिटिशों ने भूमिहारों को न तो वैश्य और न ही शूद्र वर्ण के अंतर्गत रखा, और न ही उन्हें किसी भी वर्ण में डाला था। हालांकि, चूँकि भूमिहारों को ब्राह्मणों और राजपूतों के तुरंत बाद लिखा गया था, इसलिए कई पाठक मान लेते हैं कि उन्हें वैश्य में वर्गीकृत किया गया था। यह धारणा गलत है, क्योंकि बिंदु 51-page (Trading Classes) 171–172 में खुद वैश्य वर्ग का वर्णन भूमिहारों से बिल्कुल अलग स्थान पर है, और वैद्यों और कायस्थों के बाद ज़िक्र किया गया है। इसके उल्टे, भूमिहारों का उल्लेख point 46 में बिल्कुल अलग से किया गया है, जहाँ उन्हें कायस्थों, वैश्यों और शूद्रों से पहले तथा उनसे पूर्णतः अलग स्थान पर रखा गया है। भूमिहारों को स्पष्ट रूप से ‘मिलिट्री ब्राह्मण’ कहा गया है और लिखा कि वे "ब्राह्मणों और राजपूतों के अलावा किसी भी अन्य जाति से उच्च स्थान का आनंद लेते हैं" और intermediate castes में पहले स्थान पर भूमिहार हैं।

Source: Click Here

4) 1881 Census

Categorisation of Bhumihars: Same as 1872.

Remarks: The serial ordering within a category in this table is not indicative of caste rank, it is based on the alphabetical order of names, but wherever serial ordering corresponds to social rank, it's mentioned separately.

Hindi: इस table में किसी श्रेणी के भीतर दी गई क्रम संख्या जाति क्रम (caste rank) को दर्शाने वाली नहीं है, यह नामों के alphabetical order पर आधारित है। जहाँ भी क्रम संख्या सामाजिक रैंक को दर्शाती है, वहाँ इसका उल्लेख अलग से दिया जाता है, जो यहां नहीं दिया हैं।

Source: Click Here

5) 1891 Census

Categorisation of Bhumihars:
Bihar: Among "Patrician Clans", with Rajputs and Brahmins
UP: Among "Military and Dominant" with Jats, Rajputs and Tyagis
(Nowhere as Shudra or Vaishya)

Remarks: In the 1891 census, BABHANS/BHUMIHARS were classified with Tyagis, Rajputs, Jats and Brahmins in Bihar and UP. Vaishyas and Shudras were classified separately, among whom many castes were classified but NOT BABHANS/BHUMIHARS.

Hindi: 1891 की जनगणना में बाभन/भूमिहारों को बिहार और उत्तर प्रदेश में त्यागियों, जाटों, राजपूतों और ब्राह्मणों के साथ वर्गीकृत किया गया था। वैश्य और शूद्र भूमिहारों से अलग लिखे थे, जिनके अंतर्गत अनेक जातियों को रखा गया था, लेकिन बाभन/भूमिहारों को नहीं।

Source: Link 1, Link 2

6) 1901 Census

Categorisation of Bhumihars: In the social precedence Ranking, Bhumihars were placed in Group II (Defined as the class ALLIED to Brahmins) classified as above Rajputs & Kayasthas, but below Brahmins, who were in group I.

Remarks: In the census of 1901, Bhumihars were placed above Rajputs, Kayasthas and Vaishyas. Clearly, not classified as Vaishya, Shudra. The serial order denotes the social ranking as evident from the title of the Table - "Caste, Tribe and Race by Social Precedence". Bhumihars were classed as a caste that was allied to Brahmins, and thus placed in Group II. In the Census it was also mentioned that the general public viewed Bhumihars as superior to the Rajputs.

Note: Not every table in a census uses serial ordering to denote social ranking. However, the 1901 table is explicitly titled ‘by social precedence’, which means that the ordering in this case denotes social precedence, that is, social ranking.

Hindi: 1901 की जनगणना में भूमिहारों को राजपूतों, कायस्थों और वैश्य वर्ग से ऊपर स्थान दिया गया था। इससे स्पष्ट है कि उन्हें वैश्य या शूद्र में वर्गीकृत नहीं किया गया। Table के ऊपर "Caste, Tribe and Race by Social Precedence" शीर्षक का हिंदी अनुवाद है कि क्रम संख्या सामाजिक हैसियत पर निर्धारित है। भूमिहारों को समूह II में रखा गया था, जबकि राजपूत समूह III में, कायस्थ समूह IV में और अगले पृष्ठ पर बनियों को समूह V में रखा गया। भूमिहारों को ब्राह्मणों से संबद्ध (allied) जाति के रूप में वर्गीकृत किया गया था, और इसी कारण उन्हें समूह II में स्थान दिया गया। जनगणना में यह भी उल्लेख किया गया था कि सामान्य जनता भूमिहारों को राजपूतों से श्रेष्ठ मानती थी

नोट: किसी भी जनगणना की हर table में क्रम संख्या सामाजिक रैंकिंग को दर्शाने के लिए नहीं होती। लेकिन 1901 की तालिका का title स्पष्ट रूप से ‘by social precedence’ है, जिसका अर्थ है कि इस तालिका में दिया गया क्रम सामाजिक वरीयता, अर्थात सामाजिक रैंकिंग, को दर्शाता है।

Source: Link 1, Link 2

7) 1911 Census

Categorisation: Bhumihar Brahman

Source: Click Here

8) 1921 Census

Categorisation: Bhumihar Brahman

Source: Click Here

9) 1931 Census

Categorisation: Bhumihar Brahman

Source: Click Here

Ranvir Sena

The Ranvir Sena was an upper-caste landlord militia primarily based in Bihar, active from 1994 to the early 2000s. It was formed by Bhumihar landlords to counter the period of intense agrarian conflict.

According to Home Ministry reports, the Ranvir Sena possessed 4000 guns.
Source: Broken People: Caste violence against India's "untouchables" by the HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH

Left Wing campaign against Bhumihars

The conflict between the Ranvir Sena and various Naxalite factions, such as the CPI(ML) People's War, resulted in numerous massacres and retaliatory killings. These clashes led to the tragic loss of hundreds of lives.

Caste-based violence against Bhumihars in Bihar, 1990–2000
Year	Description
1992	Bara (Gaya): 40 killed in attack on landlords
1996	Nadhi (Bhojpur): 8 killed in CPI(ML) attack on upper castes/landlords
1997	Raghopur (Patna): 6 Bhumihars killed in attack by CPI(ML) Chauram (Jehanabad): 9 members of upper castes killed in CPI(ML-Liberation) attack
1999	Usri Bazar (Jehanabad): 7 upper caste members killed in attack by CPI(ML-Liberation) Senari (Jehanabad): 35 killed in attack on landlords, first strong sign of MCC gaining strength
2000	Afsar (Nawada): 12 upper caste members killed in attack by OBCs
Total Casualities	117 - Bhumihar Killed

Retaliation by Bhumihar Agriculturalists

While exact figures are disputed, the Ranvir Sena retaliated in response to the targeted killings of Bhumihar agriculturalists by Naxalites, contributing to a significant death toll, unofficial figures can go as high as 600-800. Incidents like the Laxmanpur Bathe massacre (1997), Shankarbigha massacre (1999) & the Mianpur (2000) are dark chapters in Bihar's history. Highlighting the brutal nature of the caste-based agrarian violence of that era.

List of People Killed by Ranvir Sena since its Inception in 1994

Majmu'at ut-Tawarikh al-Bhunjahar

مجمع التواریخ، بکسر، بہار کے روی رائے اور غازی پور، اتر پردیش کے چوہدری جواد خان اور غلام رسول خان کی تاریخی معلومات جمع کرنے کا مشترکہ اقدام ہے۔ اپنے روزمرہ کے معمولات میں سے وقت نکال کر، وہ برطانوی راج دور کی پرانی کتابوں، مردم شماریوں اور نسلیات کے ساتھ ساتھ اسلامی دور کے فارسی اور عربی اکاؤنٹس کو تلاش کر رہے ہیں جو موجودہ بہار اور

پردیش سے متعلق ہیں، اور بھومیہار/بابھانوں کے حوالے سے ہر ممکن حوالہ تلاش کر رہے ہیں۔ ان کا مقصد کمیونٹی کی حقیقی تاریخ سے پردہ اٹھانا اور سماج کے بعض طبقوں کی طرف سے ان کے خلاف پروپیگنڈہ کیے جانے والے غلط فہمیوں اور جھوٹوں کو دور کرنا ہے جو بھومیہار/بابھانوں کی بے داغ شہرت اور میراث سے حسد کرتے ہوئے، انہیں بدنام اور بدنام کرنے کی کوشش کرتے ہیں۔

1) Bhumihars are more industrious and better at managing their expenses than Rajputs. ^[1]

2) Brits also highlighted the extremely cohesive nature of Bhumihar society, when a Bhumihar was found in trouble, other Bhumihars even from faraway places, used to come forward and vehemently oppose the sentencing of a Bhumihar if he was to be penalised ^[1]

3) Bhumihars affixed the title of Singh signalling their enlistment in the army ^[1]

4) Bhumihars living in Benares were exempted from capital punishment, like the genuine Brahmans, but they did not undertake priestly services nor were they sought after by other castes too ^[1]

5) The Brahmans used to receive grants of land from Bhumihar landlords in Ghazipur ^[1]

6) British noted that Bhumihars were the only cultivators who didn't seek the protection of Kshatriyas or paid them any rent. Bhumihars were their own protectors. ^[2]

7) Bhumihar Maharajas used to displace and resettle Brahmans in and out of their states as they felt necessary ^[3]

8) Bhumihars were only 35000 in Gorakhpur Division Gorakhpur Gazetteer

9) Bhumihars had the highest land ownership per capita in Gorakhpur Division of British times (Present day Gorakhpur+Deoria+Kushinagar) Bhumihars were only 35000 in Gorakhpur, but held 10% of the total land whereas Brahmans and Rajputs were 260000 and 140000 respectively, but held only 25% and 22% of the land. Rajputs were 4 times and Brahmans were 8 times more than Bhumihars in Gorakhpur Division, but held only 2.2 times and 2.5 times more land. Bhumihar's land ownership per capita was more than Brahmans and Rajputs in the Gorakhpur Division ^[4]

10) Ghazipur Population. Bhumihar - 37000 Brahman - 62000 Rajput - 78000 Landholdings. Bhumihar - 23% Brahman - 10% Rajput - 31% Land ownership per capita was the highest of Bhumihars ^[5]

11) Rajputs were two times more than Bhumihars in Ghazipur ^[5]

12) Ghazipur Bhumihars converting to Islam

13) Kinwar Bhumihars of Ghazipur converted to Islam in good numbers ^[5]

14) Composition of a Muslim Bhumihar village. ^[5]

15) Bhumihars also played a part in driving away old Chero lords of the region. ^[5]

16) The British reported that Kinwar Rajputs often made up stories to conceal the fact of their Bhumihar ancestry ^[6]

17)

18) The Brahmans of Ballia claimed they settled in Ballia as family priests of Bhumihars, from whom they received small grants of land ^[6]

19) Bhumihar Mahajan of Saran and Bhumihar Pandeys held more land in Ballia than Rajput Maharani of Dumraon ^[6]

20) British considered the Donwar Rajputs of Ballia, to be of Bhumihar descent ^[6]

21) The British also considered Tetiha Rajputs of Ballia to be of Bhumihar descent ^[6]

22) The British were strongly of the opinion that many Rajputs of Ballia should rightly be classified as Bhumihars, signalling their descent from Bhumihars ^[6]

23) Lorem Ipsum ^[6]

24)

25)

26)

27) Azamgarh

28)

29)

30)

31) Saran

32)

33)

34) Shahabad

35)

36) Champaran

37)

38)

39)

40)

41) Gaya Bhumihars converting to Islam

42) Here 👇🏻 the Brits themselves debunked and dismissed the fake assertions by Hindus against the Bhumihars. Left : MA Sherring Right : Azamgarh Gazetteer

43) Patna

44)

45) Gaya

46)

47) The British noted that Tekari Babhan Zamindar was called Magadh's chief Zamindar in Muslim Historical

48)

49)

50)

51) Brits contrasting the Mongolian featured local aborigines of Monghyr division with the high-browed Aryan-featured Babhans ^[7]

52) Babhan is used to address Bhumihars and Brahman is used separately for addressing Brahmans. Babhan numbered 188959 in Monghy while Brahmans, 60353, both are clearly classified separately. ^[7]

53) Babhans of Monghyr are described by the British as "Bold and having an overhearing character", and they had a tendency to quickly mobilise for a cause, forming a brotherhood in no time, to combat any adversity. The British described this characteristic trait to be found in Bhumihars of Ghazipur as well. Also, the British remarked that Bhumihar was the title of Babhans, signifying its usage since early times as a caste designation that served as a title to highlight their landlord status ^[7]

54) Brits noted that, of all the castes in Monghyr Division, only Babhans were opposed to Vaccination, indicating a very rebellious and conservative character of Bhumihars of the region. ^[7]

55) Brits establishing the Buddhist credentials of Bhumihars. Bhumihars certainly practiced a form of Buddhism in the past, before their conversion to Hinduism. ^[8]

56) Babhan was almost exclusively applied to Bhumihars of Magadha, Vajji Pradesh and Anga Pradesh. In every table enumerating castes based on different traits, Babhan appeared separately from Brahman, with Bhuinhar in brackets beside it. ^[9]

57)

58) British refutes some allegations, by Mr. Beames

59)

60)

61)

62)

63)

64)

65)

66)

67)

68)

69)

70) Bhumihar has always been a title, not the name of the tribe. Babhan is the real name. ^[10]

71)

72)

73) British Ethnologists highlighted that Bhuinyar, Bhuinya are a different people with a similar sounding name. HH Risley tribes and castes of Bengal- Ends

74)

75) Lorem Ipsum ^[11]

76)

77) Cephalic Index, 2 page continuous

78) Height, Bihar

79) Height, Oudh and North Western Provinces

80) Lorem Ipsum ^[12]

81)

82) British debunking the fake theories surrounding Bhumihars. ^[13]

83)

84) Cheyte Singh delivers punishment to Brahmans who were reluctant to pay rent and taxes and regularly harmed their bodies to repulse the Raja's representatives due the fear of divine retribution. Bhumihar Raja then entrusted a Muslim Amil to punish them because a Muslim wouldn't be fearful of Hindu mythical penal laws. ^[14]

85) Bhumihar Sakarwars were richer, occupied the more fertile lands while the Rajput Sakarwars occupied the less productive lands of pergunnah, and are as a rule, poor. Left: MA Sherring Right: Memoir Of The Ghazeepoor District Pt.1 by Oldham, Wilton

86) The British observed that Donwar Bhumihars were more Aryan looking and had lighter skin complexion than Rajputs Donwars.

87) 100000 Bhumihars directly backed the Bhumihar Rajas and enabled their rule. The Nawab of Awadh was just a nominal suzerain. ^[15]

88)

89) Bhumihar Raja takes a Rajput girl as his slave and later sells her to a British Officer, who bore him six children.

90) British, again debunks the mixed race theory perpetuated against Bhumihars by the Hindus. ^[16]

91)

92)

93)

94)Lorem Ipsum ^[17]

95)

96) How Ranvir Sena procured arms for their offensive. ^[18]

97) Total killings by Ranvir Sena

98) Ranvir Sena of Bhumihars was the biggest, most feared and most organised Caste militia of Bihar far exceeding in brutality than its predecessors. ^[19]

99) Bhumihars took Maithil wives

100)Lorem Ipsum ^[20]

101) Bhumihars made good Gang Robbers. ^[21]

102) Bhumihars are almost certainly former Buddhists, as corroborated by yet another Historian of great repute. Haraprasad Shastri. He introduced a new proof/argument that Bhumihar habitations totally coincide with Buddhist strongholds. ^[22]

103) British Debunks another slanderous Jarasandha theory propagated against us by the neighbouring Hindus. ^[23]

104) It's highlighted again in yet another British ^[24]

105)

106)

107)

108)

109)

110)

111)

112)

113) The Tribes and Castes of North-Western Provinces and Oudh Volume 2 - Ends

114) British yet again reinforce that Babhan is synonymous with Bhumihar and invoke an observation that Nasal Index (lower index means narrower nose and higher means wider) corresponds substantially to social standing. Bhumihars have the narrowest noses in eastern India. ^[25]

115)Lorem Ipsum ^[26]

116)Lorem Ipsum ^[27]

117) Bhumihar Raja of Tikari misclassified as Domkatar Brahman instead of the correct tribal designation of Domkatar Bhumihar. ^[28]

118) Raja of Tikari as Domkatar Brahman ^[28]

119) Introduction of the Bhumihars in Magadh and Anga Pradesh ^[28]

120) Bhumihar Raja of Tikari, Mitrajit Singh had a Muslim wife who bore him a son who was raised practising Islam. ^[28]

121) This is the oldest DETAILED description of Bhumihars of Magadh and Anga Pradesh, in the British texts

122)Lorem Ipsum ^[29]

123) Oldest British account of Bhumihar Mools ^[29]

124)Lorem Ipsum ^[30]

125)Lorem Ipsum ^[31]

126)Lorem Ipsum ^[31]

127)Lorem Ipsum ^[31]

128)Lorem Ipsum ^[31]

129)Lorem Ipsum ^[31]

130) The British have reported that the terror of Domkatar Bhumihars of Magadh was so severe that they were considered the leaders of anarchy and general public was so fearful that they were cautious of even talking about them ^[32]

131)Lorem Ipsum ^[33]

132) Bhumihars constructed a temple dedicated to Sun worshipping in Village Akbarpur, 9 miles near Hilsa. ^[33]

133)Lorem Ipsum ^[10]

134) Debunk by the British

135) Debunk by the British

136)

137) Internal Mool system of Bhumihars, Territorial, Functional/Personal and Brahminical sections

138) Social Position ascribed to Bhumihars by the Brits in the 1911 Census. ^[34]

139) A mud fort built by the Donwar Bhumihars, who came to rule the region after deposing Domkatar Bhumihars (Both are referred as Brahman by Francis Buchanan, a recurring mistake seen throughout his works), was reported by a Shakdwipi Brahman to be a religious building instead whose origin goes back to Tretayuga. ^[33]

140) In the division of Shahabad, a Pandit prepared a list to be given to the survey carried out by Francis Buchanan, in the given list, the Brahman population was divided into two groups, one which is said to be belonging to the "Sacred Order" and the other half belonging to the "Military Tribe". Francis Buchanan then contrasts the behaviour of the "Military Tribe" of Brahmans with Brahmans of the "Sacred Order" who, many a times, also take to arms, implying that "Sacred Order" Brahmans are different from the Military Brahmans and merely being inclined to arms didn't make you a "Military Tribe" Brahman. In the same book, the aforementioned "Military Brahman" is called 'Bhumihar' in the page 185. It should be emphasized and noted that Francis Buchanan counted Bhumihars with the Brahmans and considered them to be their "Military Tribe", only owing to the fact that Bhumihars were referred to as "Military Brahman" in the list prepared by the Pandit and not by Buchanan himself or a result of his independent observation. Francis Buchanan also remarks that the rank of a caste he assigns to them, is totally based on what that neighbours not belonging to that caste consider them to be. ^[35]

141) A Bhumihar pleaded the British to not hang him on the account of him being a Brahman, to which the European judges were unyielding but the Brahmans interfered and affirmed the Bhumihar's doubtful claim and reported to the British than 'Bamhan' is a mere corruption of the worh 'Brahman' and he's indeed a Brahman on equal terms, thus saving him from execution and his sentence changed to banishment Also, it should be noted that Bhumihars of Purvanchal too, referred to themselves as 'Bamhan'/'Babhan' but later their title became the primary name of the tribe ^[35]

142) Territorial Sections, i.e., Mools, took precedence over Gotra in terms of marriage. Same Gotra marriages were allowed in Bhumihars as long as the territorial sections differed. ^[10]

143) The habitation of Bhumihars in the villages of Ghosrawan and Titrawan where lies the remains of ancient Buddhist monasteries, attests the remark of Historian Haraprasad Shastri (read point number 102) that Bhumihar Settlements mostly coincides with what's known to be Buddhist strongholds and where Buddhism originated ^[36]

144) Bhumihar Raja Bullwant Singh forcefully took the daughter of a Rajput Zamindar as a concubine and she bore him a son, Cheyt Singh (Who also went on to capture a Rajput girl, took her as a slave and later sold her to a Scottish officer employed by the British, read point number 89). Balwant Singh and his Rajput concubine's union led to a lot of unrest in his family who scoffed at his affair with a woman of a caste they considered inferior. This fact was testified by Khair Ud Din Khan and Col Harper, the

145) Bhumihars were clubbed with Jats and Tyagis, both agriculture centric communities.

146) Population of Babhans in Bihar according to the 1931 Census.

147) British observed that many Brahmans are descended from Bhumihars, might be those who took up priestly work and assimilated ^[2]

148) Bhumihar Raja also used to confer princely titles to Rajputs. ^[37]

149) Description of Bhumihars by the British in the census of 1901. Not classified as Shudras. ^[38]

150) In the census of 1901, Bhumihars were placed above Rajputs, Kayasthas and Vaishyas. Clearly, not classified as Shudras. The serial order denotes the social ranking ascertained by the British, as evident from the title "Caste, Tribe and Race by Social Precedence". They are placed in Group II, before Rajputs in group III, and Kayasthas in Group IV and in the next page, Baniyas in group V. ^[39]

151) Many Muslim converts from the Hindus who got admitted to the Pathan order were Babhans (Bhumihars). Islamic connection ^[40]

152) The first British census nowhere categorised Bhumihars into the Shudra Varna. ^[41]

153) James Prinsep categorised Bhumihars and Khatris both, alongside Rajputs into Kshatriyas in 1831 ^[42]

154) What occupation the Brits found the Bihari Bhumihars to be primarily associated with, in the census of 1891. They're classed within the Agricultural label, and described as "Military and Dominant", And their prevailing actual occupation as 'Landholders'

155) British affirming Haraprasad Shastri's assertion that Babhan is mere a Pali form of the word Brahman, and Bhumihars are Brahmans who became Buddhists and usurped properties of Buddhist centres, and now are a distinct community ^[40]

156) In the 1921 Census, British themselves acknowledge the presence of a significant undercount of Purvanchali Bhumihars in the wake of a lot of them mistakenly being counted amongst the Brahmans in the preceding census of 1911. Apparently it was possibly fixed in the 1921 census as reported by the British ^[43]

157) The British reported Purvanchali Bhumihar's primary occupation as 'Landowner' in the census of 1921 ^[43]

158) The British noted in the census of 1921 that the upper castes had more widows owing to their strong disdain for widow remarriage and honor culture. Despite being the least numerous amongst all the upper castes in that region, Bhumihars had the most number of widows amongst them ^[43]

159) British acknowledging that nearly all the zamindars of Bihar were Bhumihars

160)Lorem Ipsum ^[44]

161) Bhumihars were placed 3rd, after Brahmans and Rajputs in this Census Report. They were placed within the intermediate category, again, not Shudra ^[45]

162) The British say the in the Monghyr division, Even scientists may be oblivious of the disastrous and destructive results when Babhans serve as both landlords and tenants in the same village. They describe the situation as an instance of an irresistible force meeting an immovable object, And every attestation officer who's served in Noth Monghyr is familiar with this situation ^[46]

163) Alexander Cunningham noted during his travels that, 1. Clearly states that it's the ENEMIES of Babhans who propagated slanderous theories against Babhans 2. Their Babhan name suggested strongly about their Brahminical origins 3. Again, Bhumihars shouldn't be confused with Bhuinyas, who are an aboriginal tribe 4. Babhans are so notorious for their quarrelsome behaviour that a proverb became famous highlighting this ^[47]

164) Another description of Bhumihars by a British Officer. 1) He highlights that in some censuses, Bhumihars were not placed amongst the superior castes, but the 1st amongst the intermediate castes. Again, not Shudras 2) He reports what Brahmans of Bhagalpur had to say about Bhumihars, this was also reported by Francis Buchanan in his earliest report 3) He explains why Bhumihars affixed Singh after their names ^[48]

165) Only Bhumihars have so far produced 2 Billionaires (in US Dollars) in Eastern UP + Bihar. which makes them the only upper caste from the entire Gangetic Plains to have produced not 1, but 2 Billionaires. 1. Mahendra Prasad 2. Singh Family, whose head Basdeo Singh also is a Billionaire with a networth of 2.4 Billion Dollars. ^[49]

166) Only Bhumihars, of all the Gangetic upper castes, have had a Princely State of their own with 13 national gun salutes and 15 local gun salutes. The only Hindu princely state within the boundaries of present day UP + Bihar belonged to Bhumihars ^[50]

167) Bhumihar Zamindars, erroneously identified as Brahmans, had landholdings having the highest rental valuations in the entire Soubah Behar of Bengal Presidency. Their holdings were marked having the highest original valuations Ausil was the original valuation, and Bundobusty Jumma was what those Zamindaris were expected to collect and pay as rent ^[51]

168) Migrant Bhumihars of Allahabad were reported to be the biggest and the foremost Zamindars amongst the Brahmans of that district. However, their classification as Brahmans is erroneous There's a very stark contrast between the number of villages and revenue under Bhumihar Zamindars and the same under Brahman Zamindars. Bhumihars held much more villages and controlled more Mahals (Revenue Estates) with them and their revenue was much higher than that of Brahman Zamindars, despite having a miniscule population in Allahabad, as compared to other upper castes in the district ^[52]

169) Bhumihars tried to pass themselves as Rajputs only to gain admission into the armed forces of the British, as the British had initially banned them from joining, owing to the rebellious, cunning and unruly disposition of the Bhumihars. Only the simple desire to bypass the ban and join these armies made them pull such deceptive tactics, other primary

170) The oldest ever mention of Bhumihars is found in a Sanskrit Gazetteer class work named "Deshāvali Vivṛiti", commissioned by a Chauhan Rajput Jagirdar of Patna, composed before 1650 by Jagamohan.

The specific Parts of Deshāvali Vivṛiti that particularly talk about Bhumihars is preserved as images of the shlokas in the book, commissioned by the British Government named "A Descriptive Catalogue of Sanskrit Manuscripts".

Information regarding the timeline, commission and composition of Deshāvali Vivṛiti is found in the British Raj Government commissioned book "The Journal of the Bihar and Orissa Research Society (1918, Vol. 4)".

171) Patna District's most prominent and powerful landlord was the Bhumihar Raja of Ammawan ^[53]

172) The British have again warned not to confuse some hill tract aboriginal tribes who called themselves Bhumihars, with the original Bhumihars ^[1]

173) A lot of Bhumihars converted to Islam in Ghazipur who acknowledged their Bhumihar past and showed up at each other's festivities and celebrations ^[1]

174) Azamgarh Division of British Raj (Present day Azamgarh+Mau) Population. Rajput: 99000 Bhumihar: 55000 Brahman: 108000 Landholding. Rajput: 34% Bhumihar: 14% Brahman: 11% ^[54]

175) Population. Rajput - 53000 Brahman - 97000 Bhumihar - 17000 Landholdings. Rajput - 23% Brahman - 19% Bhumihar - 27 % Bhumihars owned the most land in Benares Division (Benares+Chandauli) and had the lowest population amongst upper castes around that region. ^[55]

176) Bhumihar Rajas destroyed the former predominance of Rajputs in Benares Division ( Present day Benares + Chandauli ) ^[56]

177) The British considered Bulwuntnameh a very reliable

178) Cheyte Singh was well aware of his illegitimate status due to him being born of a Rajput concubine of Balwant Singh (refer point 144) for this. It's reported that his Rajpoot ancestry on his mother's side affected his entire career by depriving him of respect from other Bhumihars. He didn't dare eat with other full blooded Bhumihars ^[1]

179) Bhumihars Rajas built up their domain and established their rule by deposing Rajputs and shattering their power ^[57]

180) The British considered the Brahmans of Ghazipur who are mentioned in Ain-I-Akbari as Zamindars, to be in fact Bhumihars. ^[5]

181) A Harvard research paper on the genetics of Indian castes and tribes, authored by more than 114 leading scientists in the field of Genetics from across the globe, published in the world's highest rated journal, very clearly states that,
Bhumihars have disproportionately high Steppe ancestry, relative to other social groups in India.
^[58]

182) There was a Bhumihar settlement near Allahabad where they married Rajput women frequently. ^[59]

183) Bhumihars deposed the chief of Gaharwar Rajputs and made him and family run for their life, in 1758. The little dignity that remained with the Gaharwar Chief, was due to the generosity of the British. ^[59]

184) Bhumihar Babhans of Gaya are described as "Mainly Landholders" and "Well To Do Cultivators", while Rajputs are described as merely "Mainly Cultivators" and Koiris as "Market-Gardeners"

185) In the Bettiah Raj, the collections of rents and cesses amounted to nearly 18 lakhs ^[60]

186) "Magadha is the country of the Babhans"

187) Bhumihar Raja of the lone Princely State of Bihar Purvanchal, Prabhu Narayan Singh (2nd row, 2nd from left), was counted amongst the foremost and the most prominent Princes of India, acknowledged by the British. The only King from Bihar Purvanchal to have been considered relevant enough. Painting Name: Princes of India Description: Senior princes who attended the Delhi Durbar in 1911, also known as Imperial Durbar. It was held three times, in 1877, 1903 and 1911, at the height of British empire. Chromolithograph printed in halftone by A. Vivian Mansell & Co., London, after a painting by an Indian artist Date of printing – 1911 https://theindianportrait.com/artwork/ruling-princes-of-india/

188) Before Bhumihar Raja Balwant Singh came to power, the Mughals used to levy less tax on the Rajputs and Brahmins of Purvanchal, but as soon as Balwant Singh came to power, he began charging Rajputs and Brahmans more than what Mughals used to, so the Brahmins started setting themselves on fire, cutting themselves, and hanging themselves, so that Balwant Singh, out of fear of incurring the sin of Brahmahatya (killing a Brahmin), would refrain collecting tax. This indicates Balwant Singh's brutal nature. ^[61]

189) The general public viewed Bhumihars as superior to Rajputs. ^[62]

190) Bhumihar Raja Balwant Singh's rule attracted many Rajputs to settle in Pergunnah Bhadohi who sought Maharaja's attention and association, and also to live with other already present Rajputs in the Pergunnah.
Pergunnah Bhadohi became thickly populated only because of all the people settling on the land grants given by the Bhumihar Raja to them. ^[41]

191) Bhumihar Raja Balwant Singh captured Keyra Mugror of Shahabad, Bihar, from a Hindu Gaharwar Rajput convert to Islam, Daim Khan, related to the great Hindu Gaharwar Family of Kuntit. Daim Khan had sold his daughter to the son of Behar Province's former Governor, Rustom Ali.
Balwant Singh released his uncle from Daim Khan, with an overpowering force of his own, and a large contingent of MARATHA cavalry, and eventually expelled the Gaharwar Rajput convert Daim Khan. ^[63]

192) Shuja Ud Dawlah, fed up with Bhumihar Raja Balwant Singh, asked Fazal Ali of Ghazipur to help him oust him, but Balwant Singh called the aid of MARATHAS and proposed a sum to the Muslim Viceroy to make truce, then Shuja Ud Dawlah's deputy and advisors who were on the side of Balwant Singh's interests, persuaded Shuja Ud Dawlah to agree to Balwant Singh's terms. ^[63]

193) Bhumihar Raja Balwant Singh attacked and plundered the Zamindari of Monus Rajputs in Bhadohi Pergunnah.
Bhumihar Raja Balwant Singh captured the chief of Monus Rajputs, Duswunt Singh, who was an old enemy of his father Mansa Ram. He confined the chief of Monus Rajputs, Duswunt Singh in a cage, like an animal, and murdered him mercilessly. ^[63]

194) Sengar Rajputs of Lakhnesar, Ballia, repeatedly refused to pay revenue to Bhumihar Raja Balwant Singh, until he eventually marched against them IN PERSON, heading a large force, eventually culminating in a war that lasted two days that took hundreds of lives. Result of the war included,
1. Total cleansing of Sengar Rajput insurgents.
2. Sengars promising "Better Behaviour" in the future.
3. Sengars retaining their estates in exchange for finally agreeing to pay revenue (which they weren't paying earlier), although at a lower fixed rate. ^[63]

195) Bhumihar Raja Balwant Singh attacked and captured an old fortress of Chandel Rajputs, called the fort of Agoree, situated on a rock above the Son river. ^[63]

196) Bhumihar Raja Balwant Singh attacked and plundered the Chandel Rajput Zamindari of Bijeygurh. He continuously plundered and harassed the Hindu Chandel Rajput Raja until he consented to sell his fort to Balwant Singh for 50,000 Rupees in 1752. ^[63]

197) Bhumihar Raja Balwant Singh, after acquiring Ghazipur, started dispossessing all the Rajput Zamindars. Most notabe being, the Hyovansh Rajput Raja Bhoabul Deo, of Ballia Pergunnah and Baboo Durvijay Singh, an Ujjainia Chief, who was expelled by the Bhumihar Raja and his Seringah fort captured ^[63]

198) Nandwak Rajput forts, were mostly destroyed by Balwant Singh, who endeavoured to reduce the Rajput tribe to subjugation. ^[64]

199) Bhumihar Raja Balwant Singh deposed and expelled the Gaharwar Chief from Kantit, along with his family in 1758. More details in point 183 ^[65]

200) Bhumihars claimed that Rajput Sakarwars are the same as them and they both belong to the same stock, which Rajputs seemingly denied, but the most important part highlighted by the British in their document is that the traditional belief among the neighbours of Rajputs and Bhumihars considered the Bhumihar's version of the story to be true. So the neutral party (their neighbours) in the scene supported what Bhumihars claimed about Sakarwars ^[66]

201) It was estimated that Sunder Singh of Tekari maintained, 4,000 horses and 10,000 foot soldiers, but the Raja of Bhojpur maintained only 1,000 horses and 5,000 foot soldiers. ^[67]

202) In some parts of Eastern Behar Maithil Brahmans were employed by the Babhans and were looked down upon by the Srotriya Brahmans (the highest ranking sept of Maithil Brahmans), but not because they served in Babhans' houses, but because their own origin is believed to be of doubtful purity. ^[68]

203) Bettiah Raj of Bhumihars used to import Brahmins and settle them.

204) Bhumihar Raja Sardar Shahi of Hathwa Raj, the immediate predecessor of Fateh Bahadur Shahi, is said to have invaded Majhauli Raj of Rajputs in the Gorakhpur district and demolished ther fortress. It is said that one of the conditions on which Sardar Shahi made peace with the Rajput Raja of Majhauli was that the latter should not display standards or drums, the ensigns of a ruling Raja until he had retaken them, and that the Majhauli family still conforms to this condition. ^[69]

205) Bengal District Gazetteers Volume 48, Part 1 By Bengal (India) · 1908

Balwant Singh's campaigns against Rajputs are given in the serial numbers 191 to 199, they're brief descriptions to post everywhere. But If you want to know even more details about his campaigns, read these 👇🏻

Bhumihars expanded their control by the conquest of the other Brahmin and Rajput zamindaris in the region. Their army's core position was occupied by Bhumihar elites and other Bhumihar recruits from the Bhumihar Raja's kin network.

Bhumihars of Uttar Pradesh registered a decline of 7% in their population in the 1901 census because a lot of them declared themselves as Brahmans/Rajput. The decline was remarkable enough to be noticed by the British. Census of India 1901 vol.16 (N. W. provinces and Oudh); pt.1 (Report) by Burn, R.

A lot of Bhumihars from Uttar Pradesh declared their caste as Brahman that led to a sharp decline in their population which caught the attention of Census officials. ^[70]

Bhuinhar/Bhumihar was a title, also taken up by aborigine Dravidian tribes.

Proof of the fact that the majority of Bhumihars found in Mithilanchal are actually recent migrants from Bhojpur and Magadh, not local ethnic Maithils.

Brits often restored the agency of Rajput Rajas whom Balwant Singh had previously expelled and deposed.

References

ID	Book/Article	Author	Year
[1]	Memoirs Of The Ghazeepoor District	by Oldham	1939 (Original 1811-12)
[2]	Brief View of the Caste System of the North-Western Provinces and Oudh	by Nesfield, John Collinson	1811-1812
[3]	Champaran Gazetteer	by L. S. S. O'Malley	–
[4]	Gorakhpur Gazetteer	by H. R. Nevill	2005
[5]	Ghazeepoor Gazetteer	by Wilton Oldham	–
[6]	Ballia Gazetteer	by H. R. Nevill	–
[7]	Monghyr Gazetteer	by L. S. S. O'Malley	–
[8]	Muzaffarpur Gazetteer	by P. C. Roy Chaudhury	–
[10]	Census Of India 1901 Vol.1 (india ) (ethnographic Appendices)	by Risley, H.h.	–
[11]	The tribes and castes of Bengal vol 1, Anthropometric Data (Nasal index)	by Sir Herbert Hope Risley	–
[13]	The Tribes and Castes of the North-Western Provinces and Oudh, Vol. 2	by Crooke, William, 1848-1923 Raja Sitab Rai book first page	–
[14]	Historical and statistical memoir of the Ghazeepoor district	by Wilton Oldham. History of Ghazeepoor and the Benares province from 1781 A.D. to 1795 A.D by Oldham, Wilton.	–
[15]	Rulers, Townsmen and Bazars	by CA Bayly	–
[16]	Natives Of Northern India	by William Crooke	–
[17]	The North-Western Provinces and Oudh, Report and Provincial tables, Part I, Vol-XVI, India - Census 1891	by D. C. Baillie	–
[18]	The Telegraph, Article - "How Ranvir Sena Shops For Arms	Author Pending	–
[19]	South Asia Terrorism Portal	by Institute for Conflict Management (Ajai Sahni)	–
[20]	Hindi Sadakhaggu Unknown Book	Author Unknown	–
[22]	Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, Volume 71, Part 1, Page 61-62	by Asiatic Society of Bengal	–
[24]	, that there's a distinct tribal Dravidian group called Bhuinhar and Bhuinyar who bear a name that sound same as ours but they're a completely different community.	Author Pending	–
[25]	The People of India	by HH Risley and William Crooke	–
[26]	CENSUS OF INDIA, 1911. VOLUME V BENGAL, BIHAR AND - ORISSA AND SIKKIM, Part 1, REPORT.	by L. S. S. O'Malley	–
[27]	Census Of India 1931 Vol.7 Bihar And Orissa Pt.1 Report	by Lacey, W.g.	–
[28]	Historical Documents Of Eastern India Vol.1	by Martin, Robert Montgomery, 1838.	–
[29]	An Account Of The District Of Bhagalpur In 1810-11	by Buchanan,francis	–
[30]	An Account Of The District Of Bhagalpur In 1810-11	by Buchanan,francis Ends.	–
[31]	An Account Of The Districts Of Bihar And Patna 1811-1812	by Francis Buchanan	–
[32]	An Account Of The Districts Of Bihar And Patna 1811-1812	by Francis Buchanan. Ends	1811-1812
[33]	Journal of Francis Buchanan (afterwards Hamilton) kept during the survey of the districts of Patna and Gaya in 1811-1812	Author Pending	1811-1812
[34]	Census of India, 1911 - Volume 6, Part 1	by L. S. S. O'Malley	1911
[36]	Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal - Volume 41, Part 1 - Page 266	by V. A. Smith and F. C. Black	1872
[37]	The golden book of India, a genealogical and biographical dictionary of the ruling princes, chiefs, nobles, and other personages, titled or decorated, of the Indian empire	by Lethbridge, Roper, (Sir) 1840-1919	1893
[38]	CENSUS OF INDIA, 1901, VOLUME XVI. N W PROVINCES AND OUDH. PART I. REPORT	Author Pending	1902
[39]	CENSUS OF INDIA, 1901, VOLUME XVI. N W PROVINCES AND OUDH. PART I. REPORT	by R. Burn	1902
[40]	Census Of India 1901 Vol.6 (lower Provinces Of Bengal And Their Leudatoties) Pt.1 (reports)	by Gait, E.a.	1902
[41]	Census of the N.W. Provinces, 1865, Volumes 1-4	by W. Chichele Plowden	1865
[43]	Census of India 1921 vol.16 United provinces of Agra and Oudh; pt.1 (Report)	by Edye, E.H.H.	1922
[44]	Bengal District Gazetteers	Author Pending	1900s
[45]	Report on The Census of Bengal 1872,	by H Beverley	1872
[46]	Final Report on the Survey and Settlement Operations in the District of Monghyr (north) 1905-1907	by Bihar and Orissa (India). Department of Land Records and Surveys, Henry Coupland · 1908	1908
[47]	Report of a Tour in Bihar and Bengal in 1879-80. From Patna to Sunargaon Vol. 15	by Alexander Cunningham	1882
[49]	Forbes Billionaire List (World's most trusted and reliable), every other source attests to this	by Forbes (Chase Peterson-Withorn et al.)	Current
[50]	List of princely states before the British left India	by World Statesmen / Various	N/A
[51]	The Fifth Report From The Select Committee On The Affairs Of The East India Company Vol-1, Year 1812	by Select Committee of House of Commons	1812
[52]	Allahabad Gazetteer	by H. R. Nevill	1911
[53]	Patna Gazetteer	by N Kumar	1970
[54]	Azamgarh Gazetteer	by D. L. Drake-Brockman	1911
[55]	Benares Gazetteer	Author Pending	1909
[56]	Benares Gazetteer	by H. R. Nevill	1909
[57]	The Peasant Armed, Indian Revolt Of 1857,	by ERIC STOKES, edited by CA Bayly	1986
[58]	The formation of human populations in South and Central Asia, Narsimhan et al	Author Pending	2018
[59]	SUPPLEMENTAL GLOSSARY OF THE TERMS USED IN THE NORTH WESTERN PROVINCES	by C. P. Carmichael	1869
[60]	The Imperial Gazetteer Of india Vol-Viii, 1908	by Sir Herbert Hope Risley et al.	1908
[61]	Land Control and Social Structure in Indian History	by Robert Eric Frykenberg Review by: John R. McLane	1969
[63]	Memoir Of The Ghazeepoor District Pt.1	by Oldham, Wilton. (Referenced from Bulwuntnamah)	1870
[64]	District Gazetteers of the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh Volume 28	by United Provinces of Agra and Oudh (India) · 1908	1908
[65]	Statistical Descriptive and Historical Account Of The North Western Provinces Of India Mirzapur Division Vol Xiv	by W. Grierson Jacson	1883
[66]	Statistical Descriptive And Historical Account Of The North Western Provinces Azamgarh	by F.h.fisher, 1883	1883
[67]	Bengal, Past & Present Journal of the Calcutta Historical Society · Volume 112 1907	Author Pending	1907-2007
[68]	The Tribes and Castes of Bengal Ethnographic Glossary · Volume 1	by Sir Herbert Hope Risley · 1892	1891
[69]	Bengal District Gazetteers Volume 48, Part 1	by Bengal (India) · 1908	1908
[70]	Census of India 1931 vol.18 (United Provinces of Agra and Oudh); pt.1- Report	by Turner, A.C.	1933

Wikipedia Debunk

Refuting the Unsupported Shudra Claims

1) Survey - 1831 by James Prinsep.

2) 1865 Census

3) 1872 Census

4) 1881 Census

5) 1891 Census

6) 1901 Census

7) 1911 Census

8) 1921 Census

9) 1931 Census

Ranvir Sena

Ranvir Sena

Left Wing campaign against Bhumihars

Retaliation by Bhumihar Agriculturalists

Majmuat

Majmu'at ut-Tawarikh al-Bhunjahar

References