Nagar Brahmins

Nagar Gujarati Brahmins are believed to be one of the oldest of the Brahmin groups.

Overview

Historians^[who?] suggest that the origin of the Nagars to be Aryan, having immigrated to the Indian plains from Balkh in Central Asia. They must have passed through the Hindu Kush to either Trivishtapa or Tibet; later through Kashmir (Kashmir is Central Asia and its original borders are close to Tajikistan) and settled around Kurukshetra.

The surname Majumdar was used by tax collectors in the state of Gujarat under the rule of King Sayajirao Gayakwad.

The earliest written source dealing with the origin of the Nagars is the Skanda Purana which contains some 81,000 Slokas, or hymns. With a view to predate the Brahmin Dharma against Buddhist beliefs, Skanda Gupta and the vallabhi emperors sponsored various writers to write the Skanda Purana between 300 and 770 A.D. Elite Brahmins called Nagars were tasked with furthering the Brahmin religion. These Nagars were expert religious interpreters and were working without salary but the kings gave them land for maintenance instead. Most lived around Vadnagar or Anandnagar but they traveled extensively and are supposed to have established the shiv belief in Egypt, Babylon, Brazil, Kabul, Indo-china and Cambodia. It is said that after the death of emperor Ashoka (232 B.C.) the Shakas and Yavanas made inclusions.(www.nagar-setu.com)

It is believed by some that before the Nagars arrived in Gujarat in 404 A.D., they lived in Sindh. According to Sir Herbert Risley, Nagars are "Shaks" & "Dravids." Dr. Bhandaarkar considered Nagars as having their origins outside the country. Nagars first settled in Kashmir and then they spread out into the states of Rajasthan, Punjab, Utter Pradesh, Bengal, Malva, and Gujarat. After migrating from Kurukshetra they had first settled in Anandpur - now known as Vadnagar.

Alternatively the Nagars may be of Greek origin{http://knol.google.com/k/nagars-history-and-culture}. When Alexander the Great invaded India, his army passed through Kashmir and while returning, many Greek soldiers settled in Kashmir. Contact with the Pundit community of Kashmir produced progeny now known as Nagars. Afterwards, Nagars migrated to other parts of the country. The physical appearance of Nagars and Greeks remain similar even today.

A Nagar historian from Junagadh, Shri Shambhuprasad Desai, claimed in his history of the Nagars that Nagars first came from Greece, Macedonia, Syria or the surrounding area. In support of this, there are Nagar grounds in Jordan and Israel, a place called Nagar in Syria and a Nagar community in Iran. They might have come from there first to Kangda (previously Nagarkot) of the Himalayas. "NAG" means mountain and "NAAG" refers to the people living in the mountains. "R" is a word of sixth tense. All these three put together becomes " NAAGARA " This led him to believe that the Nagars must have originally lived in a mountainous region.

Current research speculates the Aryan origin to be Hatak or Ladhakh, where the predominant deity is Hatak, Hatkesh or Hatkeshwar. According to the Skandapurana, the land of Hatkeshwar was a gift from Lord Shiva for the Nagars to colonize.

Another version of the legend claims the King of Anarta rebuilt an abandoned city, Chamatkarpur, and consecrated a temple to Hatkeshwar to show his gratitude to the Brahmins. Through the years, and many name changes, the town is currently known as Vadnagar. The inhabitants of the city were known as Nagars.

The city of Vadnagar was invaded periodically and the Nagars sought refuge in the nearby areas of Saurashtra and Rajasthan while attempting to observe and preserve the code in order to maintain their identity. Following King Vishaldev's conquest of Gujarat around A.C.E. 1040, the King of Ajmer established the cities of Vishnagar (formerly Vishalnagar), Chitrod (or Chitakutpati), Prashnipur, Krashnor, and Sathod (or Shatpad). He offered these cities to the Brahmins who were descended from the Nagars of Vadnagar.

As per the origin place of the Nagars, gradually they are called with. Like Visnagara from Visnagar, Vadnagara from Vadnagar, Prashnora from Prashnipur (Rajasthan) now settled in Bhavnagar and other region in Gujarat, Krashnora from Krashnor, Sathodara from Shatpad etc.

Origin of Nagars

Historians claim the origin of Nagars to be purely Aryan, having gone to India from Southern Europe and Central Asia. They migrated through the Hindu Kush to either Trivishtapa or Tibet. Later they travelled through Kashmir and settled around Kurukshetra.

One belief is that when Alexander the Great invaded India, his army came through the present day Kashmir. When Alexander went back, some of the Greek soldiers stayed and married girls of Kashmiri Pundits. References to such marriages are found

"In 303 BCE. Seleucus I (a commander in Alexander's army) led an army to the Indus in India, where he encountered Chandragupta. The confrontation ended with a peace treaty, and "an intermarriage agreement", meaning either a dynastic marriage or a more general agreement for intermarriage between Indians and Greeks. Accordingly, Seleucus ceded to Chandragupta his northwestern territories as far as Arachosia and received 500 war elephants (which played a key role in the victory of Seleucus at the Battle of Ipsus)."

Nagars are believed to be the progeny of this liaison and have therefore acquired the physical features and strength of the Greek soldiers and the intelligence of the Kashmiri Pundits.^{[citation needed]}"But this is not true, as Nagar history dates back to 10,000 years BC,supported by Nagar Khand in Skandh Puran [Nagar chapter given in Skandh Puran,a sacred religious book of Hindus world wide which is 15000 years old]".

Another interesting and more convincing account about the origin of Nagars has been given by Shri Shambhuprasad Desai of Junagadh, according to whom Nagars first came from Greece, Macedonia, Syria or regions surrounding these places. There are places called Nagar in Jordan, and also in Israel. Also there is also a Nagar community in Iran, who are intelligent, famous and well known as good and efficient administrators. They might have gone there via Kangda (old Nagarkot) of the Himalayas.

The word "nag" means a "mountain" and "naag" means persons living in a mountain region. "R" is a word of the sixth tense. All these three put together becomes "Naagara" This leads us to believe that Nagars must be living in the beginning in the regions surrounded by mountains. (Nagar - a man protected by a mountain.) Current research speculates the Aryan origin to be Hatak, where the predominant deity is Hatak, Hatkesh or Hatkeshwar. According to the Skandapurana, the land of Hatkeshwar was a gift from Lord Shiv for the Nagars to colonize. This after Lord Shiv created Nagars to celebrate his marriage to Uma.

In mythology, the origin of Nagars is linked to the marriage of Lord Shiv to Uma. Lord Shiva created a sect of Brahmins to perform his marriage with Uma and asked these Brahmins to settle in the Hatkeshwar kshetra. Another tale depicting the origin of Nagars goes telling the story of a Brahmin boy Kratha who was once roaming about Nag Lok-Nag Tirth the abode of Nags (Serpents) and while roaming he happen into a confrontation with Rudamal- the Nag prince. Rudamal got killed in the confrontation. Enraged by the killing of his son, the Nag King vowed to destroy the entire community of the killer of his son and in the process invaded the town, which is believed to be the present day Vadnagar, where Kratha- the Brahmin boy, lived. Several of the Brahmin families living in the town were killed and several families fled the town. The fleeing Brahmin families took refuge with Trijat, a great saint and an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. Trijat advised the Brahmins to worship and please Lord Shiva, which they did. Lord Shiva, however, expressed his inability in destroying the Nags as they were also his devotees. He however, blessed the Brahmins with the powers with the help of which the Brahmins could nullify the poison of the Nags. The Brahmins returned to their town with the blessings of Lord Shiva and were called Nagars- Na- Gar i.e. without any poison. (The Nagar community is therefore also revered as the most sacred among the Brahmins as they do not possess any poison in them in the form of any evils). However, when the Brahmins returned to their town they had grown very old (vriddha) and therefore the town was known as Vriddha Nagar or the city of the old. The name later became Vadnagar. Incidentally, Lord Krishna was also referred to as Nag- Har since he destroyed Kaliya in the river Yamuna.

Another similar story says that the Brahmins of Chamatkarpur were frequently persecuted by the community of Naags. It is believed that a child widow, named Bhattika was kidnapped by them. This led to a bitter fight between the Brahmins of Chamatkarpur and Naags. It happened during the reign of King Prabhanjna. A son was born in his house at an inauspiscious time. At his request, the Brahmins of Chamatkarpur performed a sacrifice for “shanty” (peace) but all they got in return was an epidemic.

The Brahmins came to learn from the fire god that some one among them was not pure. One Prabhavdatta wore the cap, went to the forest, practiced penance and propitiated Lord Shiv. The Brahmins of chamatkarpur who were persecuted by Naag community sought shelter from Prabhavdatta, who had now the blessings of Lord Shiv. Lord Shiv gave them the Nagara Mantra by which the Naags could be subdued. The Brahmins of Chamatkarpur thereafter once again fought the Naags and defeated them. They accepted Prabhavdatta as their leader and since then Prabhavdatta is known as Bhartiyajna.

The famous savant, Manshankar Pitamberdas Mehta identifies Prabhanjna of Anarta country with the Kshatrapa ruler of Gujarat, King Rudradaman-II. He comes to the conclusion that the fight of the Vadnagara Nagar Brahmins with the Naag community took place in AD 347 and that Vadnagar was regained by the Nagars in AD 348. Hence the significance of the Samvat Year 404 corresponding to AD 348 is invariably referred to by the Vadnagar Nagar Brahmins in the Uptamani, which is read at the end of the Marriage ceremony.

It is said that a man of a very low caste once impersonated a Nagar and married a Nagar girl. When the truth came to the knowledge of the girl she burnt herself to death. After this incident, Prabhavdatta of Bhartiyajna, who had by then laid down special rules and regulations for the benefit of Nagars, declared that no one should have his daughter married without making proper enquiries and thus the custom of reading the Uptamani (the names of the leading members of the two families and other members of the community) came into existence- from Samvat Year 404 or AD 348.

Migration of Nagars

There is a legend about Bappa Raval, a Nagar Brahmin[presently also many Nagar families have Raval as there surname] of Annandpur, who conquered Chittor from a ruler of the Mori Dynasty and established Mewar. In the inscription of AD 1216 of Prabhaspatan, Vadnagar has been mentioned as “Nagar”. In the seven generations mentioned therein, some are cited as ministers of the kings of Gujarat, while others are believed to have held high posts in the State. Valla, a minister of King Kumarpal who constructed a fort for Vadnagar and build a temple of Lord Shiv, was a Nagar as per the inscription of Vadnagar Prashasti of AD 1152 on the pillars of the Torana Gate of Vadnagar.

It is also believed that before Nagars first came to Gujarat in AD 404, they lived in Sindh. Legend has it, this land (along with money) was awarded to the Nagars by King Chamatkar of Anarta for having saved his life. According to the story, the King was out on a hunt when he killed a deer suckling her young. The deer placed a curse on the King. As a result of the curse, the King developed leukoderma. In the area, lived a small village of Brahmins, who, with the use of herbs, cured the King of his illness. King Chamatkar was thankful and offered them, as a reward, money and land. The Brahmins were men of high principle and believed in austere living; they refused the Kings offerings. The queen then went to the village and spoke with the wives of the Brahmin. She persuaded 68 of the 72 into accepting the offer. The four who refused, left the village for the Himalayas with their family. Those who remained are called the founders of the Nagar family descendant identity or "Gotra".

Another version of the legend claims the King of Anarta rebuilt an abandoned city, Chamatkarpur, and consecrated a temple to Hatkeshwar to show his gratitude to the Brahmins.

Through the years, and many name changes, the town is currently known as Vadnagar. The inhabitants of the city were known as Nagars.

As time passed, the city of Vadnagar was invaded on more than one occasion. Nagars sought refuge in the nearby areas of Saurashtra and Rajasthan. During this time, they did their best to observe and preserve the code, to guard their identity.

After King Vishaldev conquered Gujarat (around AD 1040), the King of Ajmer established the cities of Vishnagar (formerly Vishalnagar), Chitrod (or Chitakutpati), Prashnipur, Krashnor, and Sathod (or Shatpad). He offered these cities to the Brahmins who were descendants or an offshoot of the Nagars from Vadnagar.

Around great men gathers many a legend that obscures history. But what is history if not legend agreed upon? This applies equally to Nagars - a great social group. The earliest written book dealing with the origin of Nagars is the Skand Purana containing some 81,000 Slokas. With a view to prorogate the Brahmin Dharma as against the Buddh belief various writers wrote the Skand Purana from AD 300 to 770 sponsored by Skand Gupta and vallabhi emperors. The elite Brahmins, called Nagars were assigned the task of furthering the Brahmin religions. These Nagars were expert interpreters of religion and were working without salary. Mostly they inhabited around Vadnagar or Anandnagar. The kings therefore gave them land for maintenance. These Nagars travelled far and wide and established the shiv belief in Egypt, Babylon, Brazil, Kabul, Indochina and Cambodia. It is said that after the death of emperor Ashoka (232 B.C.) the Shakas and Yavanas made inclusions.

Narsinh Mehta (1414–1481)

Narsi Mehta Narsinh Mehta was a saint from the Nagar community. (Nagar brahmin is a separate community and they are gor of Nagars) Mahatma Gandhi included his famous bhajan `Vaishnava Jana to tenere kahiye' in his daily prayers. This devotional song has become so popular that it has been rendered into almost all Indian and many non-Indian languages. Herein are idealised the virtues of a gentleman. They are so universal that every social thinker would endorse them, and accept them as his own ideal.

Vaishnava Jana to tenere kahiyeje, je peed parayi jaane re...

He is a Vaishnava who feels for the suffering of another And forgets the good he does to another, never taking pride in it. Who cares not for the praise and condemnation of the world nor himself indulges in it. He is not attached to women and wealth; such a one is praiseworthy and a jewel to his family. He is the same to all, is desireless and the women of others he considers like unto his mother. He never speaks falsehood nor has he his eye on another one's wealth. He is no slave of any passion or attachment, and the spirit of renunciation rules his mind. His heart is fixed on the Lord, whom he is restless to meet, really his body is indeed a pilgrim's garb. He is neither avaricious, nor vile nor a victim to wrath and desire. Says Narsi, verily that such a person shall find release from the cycle of rebirth.

Typical Nagar last names

Major Nagar groups (Naati) also derived in such way like Vadnagara from Vadnagar, Visnagara from Visnagar, Prashnora from Kathiawad, Sathodra from Sathod and Chitroda from Chitod

Derived from Geographical (Village or City) Names

• Anjaria
• Avashia
• Antani
• Bhachech
• Bhatt
• Buch
• Chhaya
• Desai
• Dhebar
• Dholakia
• Divetia
• Ghoda
• Hathi
• Joshipura
• Kantharia
• Majumdar / Mazumdar
• Mankad or Mankar
• Munshi
• Oza
• Pattani
• Parghi
• Trivedi
• Unakar
• Vahia
• Vasavada
• Veravala
• Vaidya
• Vaishnav
• Vora
• Vyas
• Kachhi
• Kavishwar
• Yagnik

Derived from Family Ancestry

• Antani
• Anantani
• Bavani
• Kikani
• Maknani
• Majmundar
• Premapuri
• Rindani
• Savani
• Vachh(a)rajani
• Vaishnav

Derived from Titles Awarded by Rajput and Muslim Rulers

These rulers ruled Gujarat for about eight centuries. Nagars were on prominent positions and were awarded many titles. These twenty surnames include names such as:

• Amin
• Baxi
• Bhagat
• Desai
• Divan
• Janita
• Jathhal
• Jha
• Kothari
• Medh
• Munshi
• Parghi
• Pota
• Swadia

Derived from Professional Titles

Most of Nagars are professionals. Many surnames were derived from the profession they were engaged in. These names include:

• Pandit
• Acharya
• Buch
• Druv
• Jikar
• Mandloi
• Mehta
• Nanavati
• Pathak
• Pandit
• Purohit
• Upadhyay
• Vaidya

Other Names

• Bhatt
• Jani
• Dave

There are several surnames used in various regions in Gujarat.

From Kachchh

• Kachchhi
• Maru
• Oza
• Jhala

From Kathiawad

• Dholakia
• Pancholi
• Jha
• Oza
• Virani
• Nagar

Other Nagar last names in Gujarat

• Thakar
• Shukla
• Vyas
• Derasari
• Desai
• Divatia
• Divetia
• Dwivedi
• Srivatsav
• Srivatsava
• Dixit
• Joshi
• Maharaja
• Naik
• Pathak
• Pathakji
• Raval
• Tripathi
• Trivedi
• Vora
• Pattani
• Yodh
• Yagnik
• Pandya

Famous Nagar Brahmins

.../ SIR PRABHASHANKAR PATTANI ( PRASHNORA NAGAR ) The welknown DIWAN of BHAVNAGAR.. IN DYNASTY OF MAHARAJASAHEB SHRI KRISHNAKUMARSINHJI.. Kavi Kant - Well Known Gujarati Poet. (Prashnora Nagar)

U.N. Dhebar - President Indian National Congress, Lawyer by trade. (Nagar Brahmin) Uchharangrai Navalshankar Dhebar (1905–1977) was active in India's struggle for Independence, and later served as Chief Minister of Saurashtra, and President of the Indian National Congress. As a freedom fighter and right hand to Gandhiji, Dhebar is one of the keys to helping India gain Independence from the British in 1947. He was born on September 21, 1905 in the hamlet of Gangajala, eleven miles from Jamnagar in Gujarat. He belonged to the Nagar community. After his university education, he started a legal practice and from the very beginning gained a name as a reputable lawyer. Under the influence of Mahatma Gandhi he left his promising legal career in 1936 and devoted himself to national service and freedom fighting for the country he loved. In 1941 Dhebar was selected by Gandhiji to offer Individual Satyagraha at Viramgam. He was arrested and sentenced to six months imprisonment. In 1942 he was again arrested during the Quit India Movement. On the attainment of independence, Dhebar played a prominent role in the merger of the States of Kathiawad in the Indian Union and then in the formation of the Kathiawad Union known as 'Saurashtra'. He was elected as Chief Minister of Saurashtra in 1948. During his administration several reform were introduced in Saurashtra for the uplift of Villages. In 1955 he was elected President of the Indian National Congress. He continued in that position for five years, till 1959. His first act as the President was to assemble the top leaders of the Congress for a week in a conference to decide how the Congress could best serve the nation. Historically, he is remembered even today in the political circle. In 1962 he was elected to the Lok Sabha. Dhebar was connected with several institutions rendering social and educational services to the country. He was awarded Padma Vibhushan in 1973.

 Bapppa Rawal: Ancestor of Maharana Pratap. ( Reference: Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan)
               "The actual conqueror of Chitor, Bapa or Bappa, 

is said in inscriptions to have belonged to the branch known as Nagar, or ' City ' Brahmans which has its present headquarters at the town of Vadnagar in the Baroda State. Tliis conversion of a Brahman into a Rajput is at first sight starthng, but the fact implies that the institution of caste, as we observe it, was then only imperfectly estabfished, and there was no difficulty in believing that a Brahman could be ancestor of a princely house which now claims descent from the Sun"

Lt.Sh.Vinu Mankad,Indian Cricketer -vadnagara nagar from Jamnagar.

Mahesh Bhatt - Film Director (Prashnora Nagar)

Pooja Bhatt - Film Actress (Prashnora Nagar)

Shri P.P Vora - Former Chairman, IDBI Bank

Shri Rasbihari Desai and Smt. Vibha Desai - Well-known singers, composer- professor of physics and asst. commissioner of Income tax -

Dr. Sarvesh Pramodray Vora - Eminent Sanskrit Scholar, Thinker & Philosopher. Recipient of National Award from His Holiness 14th Dalai Lama. Author of books on Navkar, Bhagvadgeeta and Osho.

Wing CDR - Gantavya Pankaj Antani - Gold medalist throughout his career and currently serving motherland

Shri Gaurang Vyas - son of shri avinash vyas and well-known and fantastic composer and arranger

Indrajit Vaishnav (Retd.IGP - Gujarat)

Dr. P.K. Dave - Former Director of AIIMS and Padma Shri Awardee. Currently Chairperson of Rockland Hospital, delhi.

Dr. Satish Vyas - Writer and critic Gujarati Drama Literature ( PRASHNORA NAGAR )

Dinesh Shukla - TV Actor( PRASHNORA NAGAR )

Jagdip Virani- Poet, Singer, Painter, Violinist, Composer from Bhavnagar. (Prashnora Nagar)

Ravi Dave - Eminent theatre personality of Hindi Theatre from Calcutta.

Late Shri Nanalal Vaikunthray Vora - Scholar of Sanskrit and Hindustani Classical Music. Senior academician

Alka Yagnik- Well Known playback singer of Indian Film Industry.

Urmila Nagar - Renowned Kathak dancer and Vocalist awarded by President of India with Sangeet Natak Academy award for her contribution to performing arts.

Shri Jawahar Baxi - a very well known Gujarati poet and "Gazalkar". "Narmad Award" winner Shri Baxi is a very prolific speaker and authority not only on Gujarati Literature but also on philosophy.

Vijaykumar M Trivedi Lawyer and Politician Minister in Gujarat/>

PADMASHREE Pt.Balwantrai Gulabrai Bhatt - Blind Classical Singer trained under Pandit Omkarnathji at Varanasi( PRASHNORA NAGAR )

Uday Majmudar - Singer

Vishal Nagar - One of the most promising young Tabla virtuoso.

Shyamal / Saumil / Aarti Munshi - Singers

Shri Dilip Dholakia - Music Director

Pandit Vinayak Vora one of the few players of a relatively rare instrument, the Taar Shehnai

Rasbihari Desai one of the most illustrious disciples of the renowned flautist, Pannalal Ghosh.

Ashit Desai singer and composer of rare merit. He has the distinction of having assisted Pandit Ravi Shankar on various prestigious projects

Hasit Vora Mayor, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation

Tanuja Munshi Classical singer, Classical Music teacher from Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Dipti Desai - Classical Singer from Bhavnagar 1) Niraj & 2)Uttank- Sons of Vinayak Vora 1) a Film Director Dialogue writer, Actor and 2) Musician.

Sheth Ranchhodlal Chhotalal (known as Ranchhodlal Rantiawala) who set up the first textile mills at Ahmedabad: the first in Gujarat. As a president of Ahmedabad Municipality, provided drinking water in tape to city at his own expenses.

Sir Chinubhai Madhawlal Baronet Grand son of Sheth Ranchhodlal Chhotalal-the pioneer of textile industry in Gujarat, a great philanthropist of his time in Gujarat.

Shri Manilal Nabhubhai Dwivedi - whose contribution in Gujarati literature was marked as the beginning of "Pandit Age."

Shri Yashodhar Mehta: a well-known writer of Gujarati literature and also an astrologer.

Shri Indulal Yagnik: a well-known freedom fighter, popularly known as "Indu Chacha"; a member of parliament for several terms.

Sir Chimanlal Mehta: a very able administrator (Diwan of Palitana state) in old princely states of Gujarat.

Shri Gautam Kantharia: an established management consultant in pharmaceutical industry in India.

Shri Govardhanram Madhavram Tripathi an author of famous and widely read novel in Gujarati: "Saraswatichandra".

Shri Narsinghrao Bholanath Divetia a very well known poet in Gujarati literature.

Shri Balashanker Ullasram Kantharia: known in Gujarati literature as "mast-kavi"

Shri Ratnamanirao Bhimrao Jhote Well-known historian and author of "Gujarat Nu Patnagar Amdavad"

Late Shri Chandrabhalji Bhattji Maharaj Rajguru Kota, Rajasthan

Prafullachandra Trivedi CA Retired Head of Accounting of H.L College. In addition to this, he spent two years in jail as a freedom fighter and was a key supporter of the Quit India movement.

Dr Surendra Trivedi FRCS First Cardiothoracic Surgeon in Asia & a pioneer of valve Replacement Surgeries

"Shri Prasanvanadbhai Mehta" - Social activist and chief of Grahak suraksha mandal, Bhavnagar (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/314395.cms)

late shri Pravin M. Bakshi- a famous law reformer, former member-secretary of central law commission of govt. of India.

Late Shri Vasudeo Mehta (Visnagara Nagar)- Eminent Political Journalist, Editor of Sandesh & main columnist in Chitralekha (author of Aa Pelu Russia, famous columns Rajkaran Na Rang, Bharat Nu Mahabharat)

late shri RAMPRASAD BAXI A very famous SAHITYAKAR, mumbai/jamnagar

DR. Suresh Baxi a very famous doctor from jamnagar.

Hasit Baxi a very famous flute player from Junagadh.

Shri Harkantrai Desai - pure gandhivadi, 88 years old man who still driving bicycle, active socialist, a renowned politician

Shri Nilkanth D Dholakia - a famous Nagar from Ahmedabad, he is serving selflessly and leading Nagar Community for past several decades.

Vipul Nagar - banaras born nagar Brahmin vipul is eminent theatre personality & presently working as Cluster Programming Head in Radio Mirchi.

Dr. Sindhubhai P. Divatia - One of the first ophthalmologist in Ahmedabad city and had devoted his life to Social Work.

Diwan Bahadur Late Shri. Jayantilal N. Mankar (Mankad) (1895–1977)

British empire honored his services by awarding him heavyweight titles like "Diwan Bahadur" & "Rao Bahadur", union government of India launched special award called "Pranimitra" & he was honored by the same by President of India, founder of "Bombay Humanitarion League" & "Animal Welfare Board of India", ex.justice of peace of bombay, ex.vice president & regional secretary (India & eastern world) of International Vegetarian Union-U.K., world renowned vegetarian who dedicated his entire life & travelled for spreading animal welfare, vegetarianism, & their related Indian philosophy across the globe. He was actively attached with so many Indian, continental & global institutions & government committees as governor, advisor, or trustee like "Vishva hindu parishad", "Indian vegetarian congress" etc.-etc. until last moment.

Bhavesh N. Pattni - Astrologer, Multilingual Poet & Composer, Multilingual writer, Anchor, Audio Video Editor (Prashnora Nagar)

Late Shrimukhrao Laxmilal Mehta (1895–1979) - One of the first Indian members of the prestigious Indian Civil Service which was constituted by the British to provide governance in India. Served in various capacities in the British government in pre-independence India in the state of Assam (incorporated all parts of India east of Bengal). Played a pivotal role in post- independence India in developing industry infrastructure and retired as the first Indian Chief Secretary of the state of Assam in independent India.

Vinu mankad, a wellknown cricket player. in 1952 the test against England was Called "Mankad vs England".

Shree jaysukhlal hathi, Former Governor of Punjab and creative in Politics

Dhvani Desai, International award winning Animation Filmmaker

Sandip Yajnik, a prominent C.A. and stock market analyst. honorary and visiting stock market analyst on AIR. NIRMAL PANDYA - MEDIA PERSON (Prashnora Nagar

Shri. Virendra Yagnik, Cultural scholar, Author and a Philanthropist.

Shri. Ajay Yagnik, Wellknown for his unique Sunderkand (Ramayan) recitals.

CA. Aseem Trivedi, Indore, famous author and a popular academician,appointed as trainer for C&AG India

Amritlal Nagar (Hindi: अमृतलाल नागर) born 17 August 1916 in Agra Uttar Pradesh, has been one of the prominent Hindi writers of modern times.[1

See also

• Brahmins
• Bias Brahmins
• Forward Castes