- Balaji Avji Chitnis : Shivaji Maharaj's secretary and advisor. A major think-tank of Maratha empire.
- Bajiprabhu: general of Shivaji
- Murarbaji : general of Shivaji, remembered for his defense of the Purandar Fort
- Khando Ballal Chitnis : Son of Balaji Avji. Secreatary of Maratha empire. Was offered Peshwa post by Queen Tarabai which he declined.
- Prayagji Prabhu : Brave Maratha commander of Ajinkyatara fort. Valiantly defended the fort against Mughal forces.
- Daffedar Karkhanis (Ganesh Sakharam Karkhanis) : Maratha Army officer and Revolutionary from Satara involved in 1857 Revolt. One of the plotter of the grand plan to capture Bombay from British along with Rango Bapuji. Blowen from a Gun by British after capture.
- Ram Ganesh Gadkari : famous Marathi poet, playwright, and humorist
- Veer Bhai Kotwal : Revolutionary, Indian freedom fighter.
- Bandu Karkhanis : Freedom fighter. Involved in Liberation of Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
- Arunkumar Vaidya : 13th Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) of the Indian Army
- Anil Yashwant Tipnis PVSM AVSM VM ADC CAS - former Chief of Indian Air Force (Air Chief Marshal)
- C. D. Deshmukh - first Indian governor of The Reserve Bank of India. First Minister of Finance after formation of Indian Republic.
- Balasaheb Thackeray
- Lalita Gupte: leading figure in India’s banking and financial services sector
- Kiran Karnik : prominent Indian administrator
- Shobhna Samarth: veteran actress
- Tanuja: veteran actress
- Sonali Bendre: actress
- Amol Gupte : screenwriter, actor, and director
- Vandana Gupte : actress
- Pt. Shrinivas Khale - Famous Marathi Composer and Music director. Padma Bhushan awardee.
- Shankar Abaji Bhise : Indian American inventor and entrepreneur. Known for revolutionizing printing technology.
- H. C. Pradhan : PhD from MIT. Indian scientist and educationalist. Former director of Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Notable CKPs
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu (CKP)
Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu (CKP) (Marathi: चांद्रसेनीय कायस्थ प्रभू) is a Kshatriya/writer caste of India.It is one of the sub-type of Indian Kayastha community which prominently found in the areas of North and East India. They share many common rituals with the upper caste communities like Munja and the study of Vedas and Sanskrit. The Sword and the Pen symbolised the tools of this community for centuries.This community falls under an ethnic group of Indo-Aryans and members of this community are now found mostly in certain parts of the state of Maharashtra in India. They are said to be one of the designated "brave helpers of Maharashtra" as proclaimed by Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha empire in his "Mala Ek Swapna Ahe" speech.(मला एक स्वप्न आहे- हिंदवी स्वराज्याचे)
The origins of the CKP community lie in Indus Valley from Kashmir to Sindh-Thatta on Arabian sea coast but the downfall of various kingdoms which were ruled by the community's families or where they were settled in (7th-8th Century A.D.)[citation needed] accounts for their present location. The last known migration was in 1305 A.D. wherein 42 families finally arrived in Maharashtra.
There are only 42 original last names which derive from the last surviving families that migrated to Maharashtra in 1305 A.D that can be linked to the community. The remaining surnames are derived from the 42 original last names, and it is possible that there may have been other original last names but were lost as the families died out. Some of the original names are Bendre, Pradhan, Gupte, Dalvi, Chawale, Garude, Chitre, Jaywant, Nachane, Phanase, Mohile, Medhekar, Tamhane, Vaidya, Teware, Vakhare, Bhise, Likhite, Kamte, Satpute, Jawale, Tavkar, Vaidhya, Deopare, Bahire, Sule, Patne, Pangu, Korde, Tungare, Kulkarni, Karnik, Dighe, Khopkar, Randive, Raje, Kshipre, Skrukale, Durve, Khatik, Nabhik, Sabhasad) migrated towards Maharashtra and Karnataka. From Maharashtra some families went and settled all over the world. Migration is still continuing now mainly for professional aspirations or economical reasons.
The word "Chandraseniya," by some historians, is ascribed to the original home of the community in the valley of Chenab in Kashmir a river also known as Chandra in Sanskrit. It is said that the word "seniya" is corruption of Sanskrit word "shreni" meaning a group of people. Thus the term chandraseniya literally means the people of Chandra or Chenab.[citation needed] CKP as a community was more open to intermarriages with other communities than their counterparts such as Parsis, Kokanstha Brahmin of Konkan, Nagar Brahmins of Gujrat or Jains from Rajastan whose DNA mapping distinguishes them from other communities.CKP-GSB marriages are very common. CKPs also had marriage relationships with Pathare Prabhus,Daivajna,Deshastha or karhade Brahmins,Maratha and Vasihya Vanis
The origins of the CKP community lie in Indus Valley from Kashmir to Sindh-Thatta on Arabian sea coast but the downfall of various kingdoms which were ruled by the community's families or where they were settled in (7th-8th Century A.D.)[citation needed] accounts for their present location. The last known migration was in 1305 A.D. wherein 42 families finally arrived in Maharashtra.
There are only 42 original last names which derive from the last surviving families that migrated to Maharashtra in 1305 A.D that can be linked to the community. The remaining surnames are derived from the 42 original last names, and it is possible that there may have been other original last names but were lost as the families died out. Some of the original names are Bendre, Pradhan, Gupte, Dalvi, Chawale, Garude, Chitre, Jaywant, Nachane, Phanase, Mohile, Medhekar, Tamhane, Vaidya, Teware, Vakhare, Bhise, Likhite, Kamte, Satpute, Jawale, Tavkar, Vaidhya, Deopare, Bahire, Sule, Patne, Pangu, Korde, Tungare, Kulkarni, Karnik, Dighe, Khopkar, Randive, Raje, Kshipre, Skrukale, Durve, Khatik, Nabhik, Sabhasad) migrated towards Maharashtra and Karnataka. From Maharashtra some families went and settled all over the world. Migration is still continuing now mainly for professional aspirations or economical reasons.
The word "Chandraseniya," by some historians, is ascribed to the original home of the community in the valley of Chenab in Kashmir a river also known as Chandra in Sanskrit. It is said that the word "seniya" is corruption of Sanskrit word "shreni" meaning a group of people. Thus the term chandraseniya literally means the people of Chandra or Chenab.[citation needed] CKP as a community was more open to intermarriages with other communities than their counterparts such as Parsis, Kokanstha Brahmin of Konkan, Nagar Brahmins of Gujrat or Jains from Rajastan whose DNA mapping distinguishes them from other communities.CKP-GSB marriages are very common. CKPs also had marriage relationships with Pathare Prabhus,Daivajna,Deshastha or karhade Brahmins,Maratha and Vasihya Vanis
Meaning of Three words
Chandraseniya: Descendants of King Chandrasen
Kayastha: a vedic caste of writers and administartors
Prabhu: Supreme or Powerful people- these people are from, Royal Families (Some times we also called Prabhu Ramchandra or Prabhu Shivaji Raja as a honor of respect)
Kayastha: a vedic caste of writers and administartors
Prabhu: Supreme or Powerful people- these people are from, Royal Families (Some times we also called Prabhu Ramchandra or Prabhu Shivaji Raja as a honor of respect)
DNA Mapping of CKPs
Origin of kayastha community cannot be pinpointed at any particular location but as per the DNA mapping as well of the physiological appearance & cooking habbits eg.liberal use of poppyseeds for CKP food preparations (Dietary can be influenced by the topography & climate where they are residing) indicates Kayasthas were mainly inhabiting Indus basin from time of Mohenjedaro & Harrappa serving various chieftains & kings ruling Indus basins as administrators or officials of chieftains army. As per studies conducted by International Institute of Population Studies in research about migration of communities from Indus basin mentions of DNA of CKP nearly matches 94.3%DNA of Somvanshiya Kshatriya Pathare Prabhu ,88.6% with Goud Saraswat Brahmin community from Karwar & Goa ,89.2% with Khatri community living in Indus basin in Punjab, Kashmir,Sind provinces.
In Maharastra, 87.1% with Deshastha Brahmin ,59.5% with chitpavans. DNA verification of CKPs with Kayasthas located in Ganga basin indicates matching of 86.3% with those located in Upper Ganga Basin eg Haryana, Uttarpradesh & Bihar ,85,2% with from Gangatic Delta region of Bengal. DNA matching of CKP with other communities like Bhanadari, Agri,Koli, Marathas is greater than 76.9%.The origins on the maternal side (mt-DNA) H (mt-DNA), HV (mt-DNA), X (mt-DNA) and N1 (mt-DNA) haplgroups.indicates presence of West Asian and Dravidian mt-DNA haplogroups. On the paternal side (Y-DNA), R1a (Y-DNA) is the most frequently found haplogroup. Incidentally, this haplogroup is also commonly found amongst North Indians especially Khatri or Rajput community. Presence of Haplogroup J2 (Y-DNA) is another frequently found haplogroup considered to be of West Asian origin which distinguishes CKPs from other community like SKP/GSB/Brahmin /Bhandari/Agri/ Maratha communities except few Koli clans of Kutch & Konkan. There is also a significant presence of Haplogroups L (Y-DNA), and H1 (Y-DNA) which are believed to be of Indian origin and dominantly found in Western Indian peninsula.
In Maharastra, 87.1% with Deshastha Brahmin ,59.5% with chitpavans. DNA verification of CKPs with Kayasthas located in Ganga basin indicates matching of 86.3% with those located in Upper Ganga Basin eg Haryana, Uttarpradesh & Bihar ,85,2% with from Gangatic Delta region of Bengal. DNA matching of CKP with other communities like Bhanadari, Agri,Koli, Marathas is greater than 76.9%.The origins on the maternal side (mt-DNA) H (mt-DNA), HV (mt-DNA), X (mt-DNA) and N1 (mt-DNA) haplgroups.indicates presence of West Asian and Dravidian mt-DNA haplogroups. On the paternal side (Y-DNA), R1a (Y-DNA) is the most frequently found haplogroup. Incidentally, this haplogroup is also commonly found amongst North Indians especially Khatri or Rajput community. Presence of Haplogroup J2 (Y-DNA) is another frequently found haplogroup considered to be of West Asian origin which distinguishes CKPs from other community like SKP/GSB/Brahmin /Bhandari/Agri/ Maratha communities except few Koli clans of Kutch & Konkan. There is also a significant presence of Haplogroups L (Y-DNA), and H1 (Y-DNA) which are believed to be of Indian origin and dominantly found in Western Indian peninsula.
Vedic origin
The Kayastha trace their genealogy from Adi Purush Shri Chitraguptaji Maharaj. It is said that after Lord Brahma had created the four Varnas (Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras), Yama (Dharamraj) requested Lord Brahma to help him record the deeds, both good and evil, of men, and administer justice.
Lord Brahma went into meditation for 11000 years and when he opened his eyes he saw a man holding a pen and ink-pot in his hands, as well as a sword girdled to his waist. Lord Brahma spoke: Thou hast been created from my body (Kaya), therefore shall thy progeny be known as the Kayasthas. Thou hast been conceived in my mind (Chitra) and in secrecy (gupta), thy name shall also be Chitragupta. Brahma then enjoined him to dispense justice and punish those who violated the dharma. Thus, the Kayasthas were accorded a dual caste, Brahmin/Kshatriya.SEE NOTES
In the legends of Shree Chitraguptaji Maharaj, he is referred to as the greatest King, while the rest are "Rajakas," or little kings.
चित्र इद राजा राजका इदन्यके यके सरस्वतीमनु ।
पर्जन्य इव ततनद धि वर्ष्ट्या सहस्रमयुता ददत ॥ RIG VEDA 8/21/18
In the Garud Puran, Chitragupta is hailed as the first man to give the script.
"Chitragupta namastubhyam vedaksaradatre"
(Obeisance to Chitragupta, the giver of letters)
The Rig Veda mentions an invocation to be made to Chitragupta before offering sacrifice. There is also a special invocation to Chitragupta as Dharmraj (Lord of Justice) to be made at the performance of shradh or other rituals.
"Om tat purushaya vidmahe Chitragupta dhimahi tena lekha prachodayata."
The priests also pay reverence to Shri Chitragupta :
"Yamam Dharmarajya Chitraguptaya vain namah."'
Lord Brahma went into meditation for 11000 years and when he opened his eyes he saw a man holding a pen and ink-pot in his hands, as well as a sword girdled to his waist. Lord Brahma spoke: Thou hast been created from my body (Kaya), therefore shall thy progeny be known as the Kayasthas. Thou hast been conceived in my mind (Chitra) and in secrecy (gupta), thy name shall also be Chitragupta. Brahma then enjoined him to dispense justice and punish those who violated the dharma. Thus, the Kayasthas were accorded a dual caste, Brahmin/Kshatriya.SEE NOTES
In the legends of Shree Chitraguptaji Maharaj, he is referred to as the greatest King, while the rest are "Rajakas," or little kings.
चित्र इद राजा राजका इदन्यके यके सरस्वतीमनु ।
पर्जन्य इव ततनद धि वर्ष्ट्या सहस्रमयुता ददत ॥ RIG VEDA 8/21/18
In the Garud Puran, Chitragupta is hailed as the first man to give the script.
"Chitragupta namastubhyam vedaksaradatre"
(Obeisance to Chitragupta, the giver of letters)
The Rig Veda mentions an invocation to be made to Chitragupta before offering sacrifice. There is also a special invocation to Chitragupta as Dharmraj (Lord of Justice) to be made at the performance of shradh or other rituals.
"Om tat purushaya vidmahe Chitragupta dhimahi tena lekha prachodayata."
The priests also pay reverence to Shri Chitragupta :
"Yamam Dharmarajya Chitraguptaya vain namah."'
Ancient History of CKP Community
Descendants of King Chandrasen, his son Kayastha, and Kayastha's son Somraj, ruled Kashmir and most of central India. Chandrasen, son of great King Sahastrararjun, was killed by Parshuram (The great warrior, in order to fulfill his wish to kill every Kshtriya on earth). Chandrasen's pregnant wife Ganga / Kamala took asylum with the mooni, Dalabhya. Parshuram demanded that Dalabhya hand over Ganga, but Dalabhya very wisely and with forethought asked him to spare the pregnant Ganga. Parshuram granted Dalabhya's request and blessed the child to be born from her and named it as "KAYA" who would in time be called "Kayastha." Parshuram then declared that because his father's kingdom had been destroyed, he and his descendants would live by means of the sword and ink (Asijivi/Masijivi). Although this is a obviously a mythological tale, it is generally agreed that the Kayasthas are the descendants of the king Chandrasen who was the Kshatriya king (warrior by profession), the son of Sahastrararjun of the Haiyaya family.
Another point is tribes of kaya province are Kayastha. The province kaya means Ayodhaya. According to Mr. H.S. Wilson (1819), Kayastha means the Supreme Being, the writer caste born of Kshatriya father and Shudra mother. The word Prabhu means supreme or powerful. As we read the Origin of CKP's is from Kashmir and North India. The Pandavas, Kauravas, and Gupt Vansh are all Chandravanshis. Institute of population studies comments after recent research findings that people from Indus basins from Mohenjedaro-Harrapa were freely using poppy seeds in the food preparations which is the case of CKPs who use poppyseeds liberally among all communities in Maharashtra-Gujarat in their foodpreperations. But kayastha community located in Ganga basin differs with CKP as Kayasthas from Ganga basin were not aware of use of poppy seeds in food preparations may be due to geographical reasons. May be the climatic changes occurred in Indus valley civilisation after 1 st political-economical migration of Kayasthas took place so climate later on became favourable for growing & use of poppy seeds for use in food preparations. As per United Nations study about community migrations CKPs had its origin from Indus valley, this community always being in administrative & professional services of subsequent rulers were located dispersely in Indus basin covering Kashmir-Punjab-Sind-Baluchistan. Kolis-Agris-Bhandaris who trace their origin from Baluchistan-Sind-Gujrat-Konkan are following common rituals of worshipping goddesses as CKPs, worshipping goddesses is essential part of Dravidian culture as per findings from Mohenjedaro-Harrapa. Indus Valley had trade links with coastal Gujrat(Lothal-Khambat)-Kutch(Dwarka)-Konkan(Nalasopara-Kalyan-Chowl) also with civilizations from Nile & Euphrates river basins. Early exposure to this foreign culture through traders while conducting administration in Indus valley civilization CKPs started observing rituals distinct from Brahminical rituals& CKPs continued administrative jobs for new rulers even after Indus valley kingdoms were overrun by Persians-Kushans & Arabs .
Another point is tribes of kaya province are Kayastha. The province kaya means Ayodhaya. According to Mr. H.S. Wilson (1819), Kayastha means the Supreme Being, the writer caste born of Kshatriya father and Shudra mother. The word Prabhu means supreme or powerful. As we read the Origin of CKP's is from Kashmir and North India. The Pandavas, Kauravas, and Gupt Vansh are all Chandravanshis. Institute of population studies comments after recent research findings that people from Indus basins from Mohenjedaro-Harrapa were freely using poppy seeds in the food preparations which is the case of CKPs who use poppyseeds liberally among all communities in Maharashtra-Gujarat in their foodpreperations. But kayastha community located in Ganga basin differs with CKP as Kayasthas from Ganga basin were not aware of use of poppy seeds in food preparations may be due to geographical reasons. May be the climatic changes occurred in Indus valley civilisation after 1 st political-economical migration of Kayasthas took place so climate later on became favourable for growing & use of poppy seeds for use in food preparations. As per United Nations study about community migrations CKPs had its origin from Indus valley, this community always being in administrative & professional services of subsequent rulers were located dispersely in Indus basin covering Kashmir-Punjab-Sind-Baluchistan. Kolis-Agris-Bhandaris who trace their origin from Baluchistan-Sind-Gujrat-Konkan are following common rituals of worshipping goddesses as CKPs, worshipping goddesses is essential part of Dravidian culture as per findings from Mohenjedaro-Harrapa. Indus Valley had trade links with coastal Gujrat(Lothal-Khambat)-Kutch(Dwarka)-Konkan(Nalasopara-Kalyan-Chowl) also with civilizations from Nile & Euphrates river basins. Early exposure to this foreign culture through traders while conducting administration in Indus valley civilization CKPs started observing rituals distinct from Brahminical rituals& CKPs continued administrative jobs for new rulers even after Indus valley kingdoms were overrun by Persians-Kushans & Arabs .
Middle-Age History
Chinese travelers mentions about Shaiv-Kayastha kings in Kashmir in 5 th century. These kings used to talk in Sanskrit and one such king even composed a poem set namely ‘Rajatagini’ which describes beautiful scene of Kasmir and Himachal Pradesh. In the 7th and 8th century, Kayasthas were Prominent rulers in Kashmir state and later they shifted from Kashmir to northern India and madhya bharat in late 10 th century due to invasion from Islamic rulers. Sometime during the advent of Budhism, the last CKP kingdom was lost and the community moved to Mandugadh where they held important positions in the court of the Parmars.
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