Gaur Brahmins (also spelled Gor, Gour, Gaud or Gauda) are a community of

Brahmin Brahmin (; ) is a ''Varna (Hinduism), varna'' (theoretical social classes) within Hindu society. The other three varnas are the ''Kshatriya'' (rulers and warriors), ''Vaishya'' (traders, merchants, and farmers), and ''Shudra'' (labourers). Th ...

s in India. They are one of the five

Pancha Gauda Pancha Gauda is one of the two major groupings of Brahmins in Hinduism, of which the other is Pancha-Dravida. In ''Rajatarangini'' According to Kalhana's ''Rajatarangini'' (c. 12th century CE), the Pancha Gauda group includes the following fiv ...

Brahmin communities that live north of the

Vindhya The Vindhya Range (also known as Vindhyachal) () is a complex, discontinuous chain of mountain ridges, hill ranges, highlands and plateau escarpments in west-central India. Technically, the Vindhyas do not form a single mountain range in the ...

Demographics

Gaur Brahmins are most numerous in the western half of

Northern India North India is a geographical region, loosely defined as a cultural region comprising the northern part of India (or historically, the Indian subcontinent) wherein Indo-Aryans (speaking Indo-Aryan languages) form the prominent majority populati ...

, particularly in the states of

Haryana Haryana () is a States and union territories of India, state located in the northern part of India. It was carved out after the linguistic reorganisation of Punjab, India, Punjab on 1 November 1966. It is ranked 21st in terms of area, with les ...

Rajasthan Rajasthan (; Literal translation, lit. 'Land of Kings') is a States and union territories of India, state in northwestern India. It covers or 10.4 per cent of India's total geographical area. It is the List of states and union territories of ...

, and western parts of

Uttar Pradesh Uttar Pradesh ( ; UP) is a States and union territories of India, state in North India, northern India. With over 241 million inhabitants, it is the List of states and union territories of India by population, most populated state in In ...

and

Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh (; ; ) is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and the largest city is Indore, Indore. Other major cities includes Gwalior, Jabalpur, and Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, Sagar. Madhya Pradesh is the List of states and union te ...

, but a significant number are present in other northern states of India also. Brahmins, mostly Gaurs, have a significant population in

Delhi Delhi, officially the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, is a city and a union territory of India containing New Delhi, the capital of India. Straddling the Yamuna river, but spread chiefly to the west, or beyond its Bank (geography ...

, around 12% - 14%, larger than the combined population of Jats and Gujjars. They play a dominant role in the region's politics.

Military

During World War I, Gaur Brahmins were recruited to regiments and companies of the

British Indian Army The Indian Army was the force of British Raj, British India, until Indian Independence Act 1947, national independence in 1947. Formed in 1895 by uniting the three Presidency armies, it was responsible for the defence of both British India and ...

, notably the

1st Brahmans The 1st Brahmans was an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army. It was raised at Oudh by Captain T Naylor in 1776 for service in the army of Nawab Wazir of Oudh, and was known as the Nawab Wazir's Regiment. It was transferred to the East I ...

and 3rd Brahmans.

Social status

In places where Gaur Brahmins reside, Brahmins who are not of the Gaur community are often considered to have an inferior status.

Notable people

Historical figures

* Bhai Almast – 16th century religious figure *

Bhai Balu Hasna Bhai Balu Hasna (13 November 1564 – 2 December 1660) was a Sikh preacher and leader of a branch of the Udasi ''sampradaya''. He was the younger brother of Bhai Almast. Early life Balu Hasna was born on 13 November 1564, in a Gaur Brahmin fa ...

– 16th century religious figure *

Khushal Singh Jamadar Khushal Singh Jamadar (1790 – 17 June 1844) was a military officer and chamberlain of the Sikh Empire. He was conferred the title of ''Raja'' for his conquest of Dera Ghazi Khan, Kangra and other military expeditions. He was a notable figure ...

– 19th-century military and administrative officer *

Tej Singh Tej Singh (1799 – 4 December 1862; or Raja Teja Singh) was a Sikh commander in the Sikh Empire. He was appointed as commander-in-chief of the Sikh Khalsa Army during the First Anglo-Sikh War betraying the army he was supposed to lead. In r ...

– 19th-century military and politically leader *

Madan Mohan Malaviya Madan Mohan Malaviya (25 December 1861 — 12 November 1946; ) was an Indian scholar, educational reformer and activist notable for his role in the Indian independence movement. He was president of the Indian National Congress three times and ...

– educationist and Indian independence activist

Artists

Lakhmi Chand Lakhmi Chand, (1903–1945) also known as Pandit Lakhmi Chand, was an Indian poet of Haryanvi language. He was given the title 'Pandit'. He was also known as the Kalidas of Haryana. He has been accorded the honor of the 'Surya Har' of Haryanv ...

– poet, founder of Haryanvi Saang Culture

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gaur Brahmins Brahmin communities of Haryana Brahmin communities of Madhya Pradesh Brahmin communities of Rajasthan Brahmin communities of Uttar Pradesh Brahmin communities of Delhi