The Karan or Karana is a community found in the state of
Odisha
Odisha (), formerly Orissa (List of renamed places in India, the official name until 2011), is a States and union territories of India, state located in East India, Eastern India. It is the List of states and union territories of India by ar ...
in
India
India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...
. The post of Karana used to be a professional designation that was occupied by literate peoples. They held Karanam posts in some parts of
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh (ISO 15919, ISO: , , AP) is a States and union territories of India, state on the East Coast of India, east coast of southern India. It is the List of states and union territories of India by area, seventh-largest state and th ...
, where they speak Odia and played a similar role in Odisha to that of the
Kayastha
Kayastha (or Kayasth) denotes a cluster of disparate Indian communities broadly categorised by the regions of the Indian subcontinent in which they were traditionally locatedthe Chitraguptavanshi Kayasthas of North India, the Chandraseniya Ka ...
s of
West Bengal
West Bengal (; Bengali language, Bengali: , , abbr. WB) is a States and union territories of India, state in the East India, eastern portion of India. It is situated along the Bay of Bengal, along with a population of over 91 million inhabi ...
and
Bihar
Bihar ( ) is a states and union territories of India, state in Eastern India. It is the list of states and union territories of India by population, second largest state by population, the List of states and union territories of India by are ...
. In the social hierarchy of Odisha they rank next to
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. They exclusively served the ruling powers as their ministers, advisors, governors, military commanders, record keepers and
dewan
''Dewan'' (also known as ''diwan'', sometimes spelled ''devan'' or ''divan'') designated a powerful government official, minister, or ruler. A ''dewan'' was the head of a state institution of the same name (see Divan). Diwans belonged to the el ...
s. They owned most
Zamindar
A zamindar in the Indian subcontinent was an autonomous or semi-autonomous feudal lord of a ''zamindari'' (feudal estate). The term itself came into use during the Mughal Empire, when Persian was the official language; ''zamindar'' is the ...
is in Odisha. They have the highest literacy caste-wise and are highly prosperous. Today they are a politically dominant community and have reigned over the politics of Odisha for 50 years.
Origin
Divisions
Karanas in Odisha are divided into various divisions, out of these divisions
Kshatriya
Kshatriya () (from Sanskrit ''kṣatra'', "rule, authority"; also called Rajanya) is one of the four varnas (social orders) of Hindu society and is associated with the warrior aristocracy. The Sanskrit term ''kṣatriyaḥ'' is used in the con ...
Karanas are considered superior to other divisions of Karanas. They are classified as Vratyas. Karanas used to observe rituals like Sati and Upanayana in their community.
Medieval Period
The frequent admission of land grants to princes,
Brahmins
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 ...
and various officials gave rise to a new new class of writers. However the Karanas crystallized into a distinct caste only in the 10th or 11th century AD owning to social mobility. Any mention of the term prior to that period simply denotes its functional aspect rather than a caste affiliation.
Social status
Medieval Period
Karanas along with
Brahmins
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 ...
feature in the 10th century inscriptions of
Odisha
Odisha (), formerly Orissa (List of renamed places in India, the official name until 2011), is a States and union territories of India, state located in East India, Eastern India. It is the List of states and union territories of India by ar ...
and are represented as heads of the local population. Such depiction denotes their high social rank. Karanas enjoyed high status in medieval period and
married
Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children (if any), and b ...
within the royal households. An example of this can be found in the Arasavali copper plate of the Eastern Ganga monarch Vajrahasta III. They occupied high positions under the feudatory kings of Odisha, most of them were appointed as
Dewan
''Dewan'' (also known as ''diwan'', sometimes spelled ''devan'' or ''divan'') designated a powerful government official, minister, or ruler. A ''dewan'' was the head of a state institution of the same name (see Divan). Diwans belonged to the el ...
s in the princely states of Odisha. Karanas find mention in Bhauma-Kara records and are represented as Sadhyadhikarana or Chief Judicial Officer of a district. Similarly Srikarana featured in the temple inscription is said to have been the accountant general of Anangabhima Deva III of
Eastern Ganga dynasty
The Eastern Ganga dynasty (also known as Purba Gangas, Rudhi Gangas or Prachya Gangas) were a large medieval era Indian royal Hindu dynasty that reigned from Kalinga from as early as the 5th century to the mid 20th century. Eastern Gangas rul ...
. A Kosthakarana was a top administrative officer of Narsimha Deva 4 of
Eastern Ganga Dynasty
The Eastern Ganga dynasty (also known as Purba Gangas, Rudhi Gangas or Prachya Gangas) were a large medieval era Indian royal Hindu dynasty that reigned from Kalinga from as early as the 5th century to the mid 20th century. Eastern Gangas rul ...
. Terms like Deula Karana represented the rank of Temple administrator. Samanta Karanas were the aristrocratic families of Karanas from Odisha, the word Samanta was also used by the kings of Odisha, thus it can be said Karanas were associated with the royal families of
Odisha
Odisha (), formerly Orissa (List of renamed places in India, the official name until 2011), is a States and union territories of India, state located in East India, Eastern India. It is the List of states and union territories of India by ar ...
. The head of a Karana family was known as Samanta while his wife was known as Samantani. Some Karanas also received land grants and held feudatory status in medieval Odisha. They appear to be an important community in
Eastern Ganga dynasty
The Eastern Ganga dynasty (also known as Purba Gangas, Rudhi Gangas or Prachya Gangas) were a large medieval era Indian royal Hindu dynasty that reigned from Kalinga from as early as the 5th century to the mid 20th century. Eastern Gangas rul ...
as they held high positions in the government such as the post of army general, prime minister and accountant. Karanas were associated with the administration of the ruling dynasties of Odisha, a general named Srikarana Mahananda Senapati of the Karan caste was the army general and governor of Anangabhima 3 of Eastern Ganga dynasty. Srikarana Mahananda Senapati was the Senadhyakshawara of the Kingdom or Commander in chief. Another official named Srikarana Pattanaik Viswanatha Mahasenapati was the army general and governor of Narsimha Deva 4 of Eastern Ganga Dynasty, he governed four Dandapatas or Rajyas of
Eastern Ganga Dynasty
The Eastern Ganga dynasty (also known as Purba Gangas, Rudhi Gangas or Prachya Gangas) were a large medieval era Indian royal Hindu dynasty that reigned from Kalinga from as early as the 5th century to the mid 20th century. Eastern Gangas rul ...
, he was also the Puro Srikarana of the Kingdom or Prime Minister. Another general named Srikarana Suru Senapati under the reign of Anangabhima Dev 2 is said to have donated lands to the Jagannath Temple of Puri as evidenced from inscriptions. Ramananda Ray was the governor of the southern territories in
Gajapati Empire
The Gajapati Empire was a Medieval India, medieval Hindu monarchy in the Indian subcontinent, Indian subcontinent, originally from the region of Odisha that reigned from c.1434 to 1541. It succeeded the Eastern Ganga dynasty, Eastern Gangas as ...
, he was also a minister of Gajapati Prataparudra Deva, Ramananda Raya belonged to Karan community. The founder of Athgarh State was Raja SriKaran Niladri Bhagirath Barman Patnaik. He was the minister of the Raja of Puri, who conferred on him the title of Raja and gave him Athgarh for his service.
Modern Period
In British colonial era, Karanas owned most
Zamindar
A zamindar in the Indian subcontinent was an autonomous or semi-autonomous feudal lord of a ''zamindari'' (feudal estate). The term itself came into use during the Mughal Empire, when Persian was the official language; ''zamindar'' is the ...
is in Odisha and were extremely rich. They also received large amounts of land grants in Khurda administration of Khurda Kingdom.
In recent post-Independence era India, they have also played a dominant role in politics. Such is their prominence in politics that many members from the Karan community have been elected as the Chief Ministers of Odisha, hence they are also dubbed as the political caste of Odisha.
Society and culture
Role in temple administration
Deula Karana and Tadhau Karana sub divisions of Karanas are the key servitors in the
Jagannath Temple
The Jagannath Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Jagannath, a form of Vishnu in Hinduism. It is located in Puri in the state of Odisha, situated on the eastern coast of India. As per temple records, King Indradyumna of Avanti (reg ...
of Puri. They along with other key servitors manage the administration of temple. Deula Karana and Tadhau Karana servitors are also the representatives of the Raja of Puri and assist him in performing the temple rituals associated with Lord Jagannath.
Biren Mitra
Biren Mitra (26 November 1917 – 25 May 1978) was an Indian politician, a leader of the Indian National Congress and the List of Chief Ministers of Odisha, Chief Minister of Odisha from 2 October 1963 to 21 February 1965.
Personal Life
Mitra wa ...
Governor of Assam
This is a list of governors of Assam, and other offices of similar scope, from the start of British occupation of the area in 1824 during the First Anglo-Burmese War.
The governor of Assam is the nominal head of the Indian state of Assam. The ...
.
*
Naveen Patnaik
Naveen Patnaik (; born 16 October 1946) is an Indian politician and writer, who served as the 14th List of Chief Ministers of Odisha, Chief Minister of Odisha from 5 March 2000 to 12 June 2024. His 24-year reign is the List of longest-serving I ...
; former Chief Minister of Odisha and second longest serving Chief Minister of any Indian state.
Utkal Sammilani
Utkala Sammilani () The Utkal Sabha Sammilani was a welfare organization formed on August 16, 1882, in Cuttack, Odisha primarily meant for the unification of Odia (Oriya)-speaking tracts and promotion of elected local self- Government. It is an ...
and prominent figure for creation of
Orissa Province
Orissa Province was a province of British India created in April 1936 by the partitioning of the Bihar and Orissa Province and adding parts of Madras Presidency and Central Provinces. Its territory corresponds with the present-day state of Odi ...
(present-day
Odisha
Odisha (), formerly Orissa (List of renamed places in India, the official name until 2011), is a States and union territories of India, state located in East India, Eastern India. It is the List of states and union territories of India by ar ...
, India).
* Gopabandhu Choudhury; deputy magistrate in British Government, Indian activist, social worker and freedom fighter.
* Ramadevi Choudhury; freedom fighter, social reformer and Odisha Sahitya Akademi Award winner.
* Annapurna Choudhury; women's rights activist and freedom fighter.
* Braja Sundar Das; Zamindar of Tisania estate, freedom fighter, politician, poet and social reformer.
* Sarala Devi; Independence activist, feminist, social activist, writer and first Odia woman to join the
Non-cooperation movement
Non-cooperation movement may refer to:
* Non-cooperation movement (1919–1922), during the Indian independence movement, led by Mahatma Gandhi against British rule
* Non-cooperation movement (1971), a movement in East Pakistan
* Non-cooperatio ...
also the first woman to be elected to the
Odisha Legislative Assembly
The Odisha Legislative Assembly is the unicameral state legislature of Odisha state in India. The seat of the Legislative Assembly is at Bhubaneswar, the capital of the state. The Legislative Assembly comprises List of constituencies of Odisha ...
.
* Gopala Ballabha Das; writer, social reformer, deputy magistrate in British Government, assistant of Odisha commissioner during British rule and superintendent of all Princely state of Odisha.
* Jagabandhu Patnaik;
Dewan
''Dewan'' (also known as ''diwan'', sometimes spelled ''devan'' or ''divan'') designated a powerful government official, minister, or ruler. A ''dewan'' was the head of a state institution of the same name (see Divan). Diwans belonged to the el ...
Odisha
Odisha (), formerly Orissa (List of renamed places in India, the official name until 2011), is a States and union territories of India, state located in East India, Eastern India. It is the List of states and union territories of India by ar ...
in the
Indian Rebellion of 1857
The Indian Rebellion of 1857 was a major uprising in India in 1857–58 against Company rule in India, the rule of the East India Company, British East India Company, which functioned as a sovereign power on behalf of the The Crown, British ...
Nityanand Kanungo
Nityanand Kanungo (4 May 1900 – 2 August 1988) was one of India's prominent politicians from the state of Odisha, who held successive high-profile portfolios in Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's cabinet.
Early Life
Nityanand Kanungo was bor ...
Gujarat
Gujarat () is a States of India, state along the Western India, western coast of India. Its coastline of about is the longest in the country, most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula. Gujarat is the List of states and union territories ...
Bhoodan movement
The Bhoodan movement (Land Gift movement), also known as the Bloodless Revolution, was a voluntary land reform movement in India. It was initiated by Gandhian Vinoba Bhave in 1951 at Pochampally village, Pochampally.
The Bhoodan movement attem ...
leader.
* Sarangadhar Das; Indian nationalist revolutionary, member of
Constituent Assembly of India
Constituent Assembly of India was partly elected and partly nominated body to frame the Constitution of India. It was elected by the Provincial assemblies of British India following the Provincial Assembly elections held in 1946 and nominated ...
for framing newly independent India's
constitution
A constitution is the aggregate of fundamental principles or established precedents that constitute the legal basis of a polity, organization or other type of entity, and commonly determines how that entity is to be governed.
When these pri ...
.
Vaishnav Saints
* Achyutananda Dasa; 16th-century poet seer and Vaishnava saint.
* Ananta Dasa; Odia poet, mystic and one of the chief saint of Utkaliya
Vaishnavism
Vaishnavism () ), also called Vishnuism, is one of the major Hindu denominations, Hindu traditions, that considers Vishnu as the sole Para Brahman, supreme being leading all other Hindu deities, that is, ''Mahavishnu''. It is one of the majo ...
* Bisara Mohanty; historical figure of Jagannath culture who rescued Daru Brahma (soul stuff) of Lord Jagannath from the river Ganga.
* Ramananda Ray; author of Jagannath Vallabha Natakam and the Governor of
Gajapati Empire
The Gajapati Empire was a Medieval India, medieval Hindu monarchy in the Indian subcontinent, Indian subcontinent, originally from the region of Odisha that reigned from c.1434 to 1541. It succeeded the Eastern Ganga dynasty, Eastern Gangas as ...
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (; ), born Vishvambhara Mishra () (18 February 1486 – 14 June 1534), was an Indian Hindus, Hindu saint from Bengal and the founder of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's mode of worshipping Krishna with bha ...
Odissi music
Odissi music (, ) is a genre of Indian classical music, classical music originating from the eastern state of Odisha. Rooted in the ancient ritual music tradition dedicated to the deity Jagannatha, Odissi music has a rich history spanning over ...
Odissi music
Odissi music (, ) is a genre of Indian classical music, classical music originating from the eastern state of Odisha. Rooted in the ancient ritual music tradition dedicated to the deity Jagannatha, Odissi music has a rich history spanning over ...
Jnanpith Award
The Jnanpith Award is the oldest and the highest Indian literary award presented annually by the Bharatiya Jnanpith to an author for their "outstanding contribution towards literature". Instituted in 1961, the award is bestowed only on Indian ...
and
Sahitya Akademi Award
The Sahitya Akademi Award is a literary honour in India, which the Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters, annually confers on writers of the most outstanding books of literary merit published in any of the 22 languages of the ...
Padma Shri
The Padma Shri (IAST: ''padma śrī'', lit. 'Lotus Honour'), also spelled Padma Shree, is the fourth-highest Indian honours system, civilian award of the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan. In ...
Padma Bhushan
The Padma Bhushan (IAST: ''Padma Bhūṣaṇa'', lit. 'Lotus Decoration') is the third-highest civilian award in the Republic of India, preceded by the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan and followed by the Padma Shri. Instituted on 2 Januar ...
and Officer of the
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding valuable service in a wide range of useful activities. It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two o ...
Utkal University
Utkal University (UU) is a public university in Bhubaneswar, Khordha, Odisha, and is the oldest university in the state, and the 17th-oldest university in India. The university was established in 1943 and was operating from Ravenshaw College ...
Tribhuvan University
Tribhuvan University (TU; ) is a public university located in Kirtipur, Kathmandu Valley, Kathmandu, Nepal. Established in 1959, TU is the oldest and the largest university in Nepal. It offers 1,000 undergraduate and 500 postgraduate programs a ...
also helped to setup
Nagaland University
Nagaland University is a Central University established in the state of Nagaland by an Act of Parliament by the Government of India in 1989. It is headquartered at Lumami, Zünheboto District. Two other permanent campuses are located at Merie ...
.
* Prabhat Nalini Das; public intellectual, first dean/director of Humanities division at
IIT Kanpur
The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT- Kanpur or IIT-K) is a public institute of technology located in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. As an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), it was declared an Institute of National Importance by th ...
, vice chancellor of
North-Eastern Hill University
North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) is a Central University, India, Central University established on 19 July 1973 by an Act of the Indian Parliament. The university is in the suburb of Shillong, the state capital of Meghalaya, India. The univ ...
also served as a professor of English and head of the English department at several prestigious institutions including
Delhi University
The Delhi University (DU, ISO 15919, ISO: ), also and officially known as the University of Delhi, is a collegiate university, collegiate research university, research Central university (India), central university located in Delhi, India. It ...
Utkal University
Utkal University (UU) is a public university in Bhubaneswar, Khordha, Odisha, and is the oldest university in the state, and the 17th-oldest university in India. The university was established in 1943 and was operating from Ravenshaw College ...
.
* Madhu Sudan Kanungo; renowned Indian scientist in the fields of neuroscience and gerontology. He is best known for his Gene Expression Theory of Aging, also founder-director of Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, chancellor of
Nagaland University
Nagaland University is a Central University established in the state of Nagaland by an Act of Parliament by the Government of India in 1989. It is headquartered at Lumami, Zünheboto District. Two other permanent campuses are located at Merie ...
and
Padma Shri
The Padma Shri (IAST: ''padma śrī'', lit. 'Lotus Honour'), also spelled Padma Shree, is the fourth-highest Indian honours system, civilian award of the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan. In ...
Supreme Court of India
The Supreme Court of India is the supreme judiciary of India, judicial authority and the supreme court, highest court of the Republic of India. It is the final Appellate court, court of appeal for all civil and criminal cases in India. It also ...
Chief Justice of India
The chief justice of India (CJI) is the chief judge of the Supreme Court of India and the highest-ranking officer of the Indian judiciary. The Constitution of India grants power to the President of India to appoint, as recommended by the outg ...
Chairperson
The chair, also chairman, chairwoman, or chairperson, is the presiding officer of an organized group such as a Board of directors, board, committee, or deliberative assembly. The person holding the office, who is typically elected or appointed by ...
Odisha Legislative Assembly
The Odisha Legislative Assembly is the unicameral state legislature of Odisha state in India. The seat of the Legislative Assembly is at Bhubaneswar, the capital of the state. The Legislative Assembly comprises List of constituencies of Odisha ...
Rajya Sabha
Rajya Sabha (Council of States) is the upper house of the Parliament of India and functions as the institutional representation of India’s federal units — the states and union territories.https://rajyasabha.nic.in/ It is a key component o ...
from
Odisha
Odisha (), formerly Orissa (List of renamed places in India, the official name until 2011), is a States and union territories of India, state located in East India, Eastern India. It is the List of states and union territories of India by ar ...
as member of
Biju Janata Dal
The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is an Indian regional political party with significant influence in the state of Odisha. The party was established to uphold the legacy of former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik and to address the unique socio-economic ...
.
*
Akshaya Mohanty
Akshaya Mohanty, also known as ''Khoka Bhai'', was an Indian singer, lyricist, composer, musician and writer in Odia. He has contributed Odia bhajans, Odissi songs, folk songs, film and non-film modern light songs in Odisha on contemporary t ...
; singer, lyricist, composer, musician, writer and Jayadev award winner.
*
Hara Patnaik
Hara Pattanaik (12 October 1958 – 13 January 2015), also known as Hari Patnaik, was an Indian actor, director and screenplay writer known for his works in Odia cinema. He has acted over 60 Odia language, Odia-language movies and directed about ...
; Indian actor, director, screenplay writer and singer.
* Akshay Parija: Indian film maker and businessmen.
* Bijay Mohanty; Indian actor, Jayadev award winner, Orissa Cine Critics Award winner, National Film Awards winner and 6 times
Odisha State Film Awards
The Odisha State Film Awards have been conferred by the Department of Culture of the Government of Odisha, India.
The awards were initiated in 1968. The awards are decided by independent juries formed by the Department of Culture. The jury u ...
Jagannath Temple
The Jagannath Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Jagannath, a form of Vishnu in Hinduism. It is located in Puri in the state of Odisha, situated on the eastern coast of India. As per temple records, King Indradyumna of Avanti (reg ...
written by Karanas.
* Bhoi dynasty, a medieval Hindu dynasty founded by Govinda Vidyadhara.
* Athgarh State, a Princely state founded by Raja Niladri Bhagirathi Barman Pattanayak.
* Karani Script, an Odia Script introduced by Karanas, it was primarily used for court, land, temple, and accounting records as well as other administrative purposes.