Latest news with #Parashuram
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Battle over caste identity is all about resources and status
Most children in India are taught about the four-fold caste system that emerges in the Vedas. However, in real life, these four categories are not distributed equally across India. In North, South, East, West, or Central India, two extreme groups are evident everywhere: the 'pure' Brahmins on one side and the 'impure' Dalits on the other. But in between, things become rather messy. It is very difficult to define who is a warrior and who is a merchant. For example, many merchant communities in North India, such as the Maheshwaris, Agarwals, and Khatris, view themselves as warriors who were forced to give up the sword (talwar) and adopt the balance scale (tarazu) in order to protect themselves from the wrath of Parashuram. Similarly, many backward communities, like the Ezhavas of Kerala, are traditionally identified as toddy tappers. Yet, within their own caste groups, they see themselves as warriors who may have served as military recruits in the 15th and 16th centuries to meet the demands of the military labour market. Rajputs are traditionally considered Kshatriyas, and the Marathas aspire to the same status. However, it is well known that Rajput communities regard Marathas as their inferiors, especially in matters of marriage. The great Maratha Confederacy included many Maratha kings, such as the Scindias, Bhosles, and Gaekwads. However, the Peshwas were Brahmins, and it is well documented that, in the 19th and 20th centuries, the Brahmin community refused to accept the Marathas as Kshatriyas, instead insisting they were Shudras, citing the legend that Parashuram had killed all the Kshatriyas that once existed.
Time of India
07-06-2025
- Time of India
Farmer killed in stray bull attack in Pilibhit
Pilibhit: A 43-year-old marginal farmer was fatally injured by a stray bull while returning home from his agricultural field in Baldevpur village of Pilibhit district. The incident occurred around 6:30 pm on Friday under the jurisdiction of Neuria police station. As the victim, Parashuram, cried for help, residents gathered at the spot and managed to drive the bull away. The police were informed, and Parashuram was taken to the community health centre in Neuria. Despite the efforts, he succumbed to multiple injuries en route to the facility around 8 pm. SHO Subhash Mavi said that the body was handed over to Parashuram's family members after post-mortem examination. He is survived by his wife, Nanhi Devi, two sons, and two daughters, he added. Ashutosh Gupta, SDM of Pilibhit Sadar circle, said that the victim's family would receive a compensation of Rs 4 lakh from the state disaster relief fund. He added that since the agricultural land belonged to Parashuram's father, his family is not eligible for additional Rs 1 lakh compensation under Krashak Durghatna Bima Yojana, which is designated for accidental deaths of landowning farmers.
