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
Thursday, September 3, 2009
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.
Migration from Kashmir to Sindh
CKPs continued administrating Sind-Multan-Kashmir kingdoms until Mohammed of Gazani defeated independent Muslim kingdoms of Sind-Multan-Kashmir in year 1027.Earlier due to climatic changes with decrease in agriculture outputs & reduction in trade related activities migration of communities upwards in Indus basin from Thatta on Arabian sea coast of Sind-Baluchistan where Indus river meets Arabian sea started towards Multan - Kashmir
Migration from Sindh to West Narmada Valley
Mohammed of Gazani paralysed administration setup in Indus valley kingdoms through his numerous invasions in year 1027,this triggered migration for forefathers of CKPs , Through trade & political links CKPs were having knowledge of prosperous eastern kingdoms having favourable similar religious setup, these people decided to move eastward . CKPs moved along Indus river & embarked through port of Thatta in Sind-Baluchistan to reach Dwarka in Kutch & later Khambat in Gujrat then along river Narmada moved up to Madavgarh to take up positions in Parmar’s court .Had these people been from agrarian community they would have settled at one place for farm related activities. These people in good number were looking for big prosperous kingdom where most could find administrative jobs or occupation. Parmar’s court served their immediate needs as it had CKPs already serving in his court.
Arrival in Maharastra
In year 1298 Alludin Khilji attacked Mandavgarh & destroyed Parmar kingdom. CKPs who had lost their occupational jobs migrated through Narmada river to Daman, Kalyan, Chowl, Dabhol,Goa, Karwar in Konkan to settle in Chalukya-Solanki-Yadav governed towns. Few among these settlers around Daman-Kalyan took farming related activities along with administrative jobs to develop in separate community known as Pathare prabhu or Somvanshiya Kshatriya Prabhu.After fall of Vasai in 1739 most came settled in Mumbai
South Konkan
Thee genetically nearest community to CKPs like Goud Saraswat Brahmins(GSB) who settled in south konkan coast of Goa-Karwar. There are many common name in CKP & GSBs as Karnik, Bendre,Kulkarni,Prabhu.
CKP migration 1 st in year 1035 from Thatta in Sind-Baluchistan to Gujarat & later from Gujrat to Konkan coast was not migration of few families but migration of a community comprising Administrative officials, Merchants, Priest & tradesman known as bara balutedar like Khatik, Nabhik & others.
In Maharastra,these people were successful in getting jobs as administrators,warrior and clerks ;However, bramhins led boyott(gramanyas) on them from 1300 to 1850. The most famous example is when Mr. Balaji Avji Chitnis wanted to perform the Thread ceremony ( Munj ) on his son. Brahmins did not allow him saying " Prabhu's are not Brahmins and are from lower caste, hence thread ceremony cannot be performed on them". Mr. Chitnis got letter from then Shankarachaya Vidhanrusingha Bharati from Karvir Peeth, in year 1913, which said "Prabhu's are Rajanya Kshatriyas (Royal warriors)". Only Rajanya Kshatriyas (warrior by profession ) are allowed to do thread ceremony, so though Maratha's are Kshatriyas thread ceremony is not performed on them. Only exceptions were Bhonsale's who were decedents of Sisodia Royal family of Rajasthan. The Letter written by Shankaracharya can be found in office of Bombay Gazzette. This community is at Par with Brahmins in performing Vedic rituals.
CKP migration 1 st in year 1035 from Thatta in Sind-Baluchistan to Gujarat & later from Gujrat to Konkan coast was not migration of few families but migration of a community comprising Administrative officials, Merchants, Priest & tradesman known as bara balutedar like Khatik, Nabhik & others.
In Maharastra,these people were successful in getting jobs as administrators,warrior and clerks ;However, bramhins led boyott(gramanyas) on them from 1300 to 1850. The most famous example is when Mr. Balaji Avji Chitnis wanted to perform the Thread ceremony ( Munj ) on his son. Brahmins did not allow him saying " Prabhu's are not Brahmins and are from lower caste, hence thread ceremony cannot be performed on them". Mr. Chitnis got letter from then Shankarachaya Vidhanrusingha Bharati from Karvir Peeth, in year 1913, which said "Prabhu's are Rajanya Kshatriyas (Royal warriors)". Only Rajanya Kshatriyas (warrior by profession ) are allowed to do thread ceremony, so though Maratha's are Kshatriyas thread ceremony is not performed on them. Only exceptions were Bhonsale's who were decedents of Sisodia Royal family of Rajasthan. The Letter written by Shankaracharya can be found in office of Bombay Gazzette. This community is at Par with Brahmins in performing Vedic rituals.
Period of Maratha Empire
During Shivaji Maharaj’s period, this was the only community, who along with Deshasthas, held higher administration positions like Chitnis, Sabnis, Karkhanis and Mujumdar. They had also played a good role in the army of Maratha Empire during Shivaji Maharaj’s time and later during 1st Bajirao Peshwa’s period. It was also mentioned that during historic attack of Marathas on Afghans in 1751, Sardar Gupte of Pune led the battle of attock (read : अटकेपार झेंडें in Marathi) In late 17th century, few deshastha Brahmins understood the importance of Kayastha administrators and warriors. King of Aundh Sasthan and Pratindhi of Chatrapati-"Tribak Kulkarni- Kinhakar" broke the rules of “Gramanyas” (boycott) and started inviting them to Religious ceremonies related with his family and started “Pangat” with Kayasthas which was against the Orthodox Brahmin rules at that time. Great writers from Mandesh Ga Di Madgularkar had mentioned one story about this.Parshuram Tribak Pratindhi and his decedents kept this activity going on;as a result many CKPs migrated to Satara and Kolhapur Districts in late 17th century. Many CKPs got apponintement as Karkhanis and Gadkari at some forts near Satara like Vasota,Vardhangad etc.
CKP community in Peshwai
The fact that almost all the administrators from Chatrapati Shivaji to Rajaram Maharaj were either Deshastha Bramhins or Prabhus is reflected [by] the many common surnames in both the Deshastha and CKP communities such as Deshpande, Kulkarni, Chitnis, Gadkari, Karkhanis, Deshmukh, Tipnis and Jamenis etc.
Before 1713, all the Peshwes ( Prime Ministers) during the reign of the Maratha Empire were Deshasthas but from 1713 to 1803 Chatrapati appointed Chitpavan Peshwes. Particularly during the period 1750-1790, CKPs and Deshasthas faced a multitude of problems because of the pro-Chitpavan(and anti-CKP,anti-debra) attitude of Nanasaheb Peshwa. CKPs who by the mid-18th century had established themselves as professional administrators for the Angres at Alibaug, the Suvarnadurg clan in Malabar-Konkan coast, the Gaekwads in Gujarat, Bhonsales in Berar province, Ghorpades in Karnataka as well as for other Maratha chieftains from Dewas, Dhar, Indore,Kolhapur, Satara and Akkalkot found themselves at loggerheads with the Koknastha Brahmins for political and economical reasons because both communities were competing for the same posts. CKPs, who were favoured by both Hindu and Muslim rulers, were suppressed by vested interests in the Peshwa's durbar at Pune, particularly during rule of Nanasaheb Peshwa, Madhavrao Peshwa and Nana Phadanavis.
This was also the period of a Brahmanical revival in the Hindu religion when Brahmins ascended to the top of the Hindu caste hierarchy. CKPs, who as local administrators for the (Yavana) Muslim rulers prior to the Peshwa rule, had interaction socially with the Muslim and Buddhist rulers of the era and gradually adopted the social customs prevalent at that time, such as animal sacrifice, eating meat during religious functions, donation of money to bride as meher, worshiping fakirs or sufi saints and fasting, which was anathema to the Brahmins. Furthemore, the CKPs never had the sheer numbers to gain the favour of rulers.Chitpavan Kokanasta Brahmins who outnumbered CKPs, made seveal attempts to isolate the CKPs and suppress them further economically and politically, for example, by claiming that they did not have the right to perform the thread ceremony (munj. This was nothing more than an attempt by the Chitpavan Kokanasta Brahmins to appropriate for themselves the sole right to perform religious vedic rituals, a privilege of the ruling class in the brahminical way of thinking as declared by Brahmin rulers of that time.
Morever CKPs found themselves always at loggerheads with peshwas starting from Balaji Vishvanath 1st Chitpavan peshwa who usurped powers from Tarabai faction with which CKPs sided. Prabhu community who were earliest members of Shivaji dream of swaraj found themselves marginalized after Balaji Vishvanath became 1st Peshwa. Except Sardar Gupte who was commander in chief of Raghunathrao sworn enemy of Nana Phadanvis during his Attock operation no notable CKP ever served Peshwai & most joined rivals of Peshwas. This may have antagonised Peshwa administration further.
Before 1713, all the Peshwes ( Prime Ministers) during the reign of the Maratha Empire were Deshasthas but from 1713 to 1803 Chatrapati appointed Chitpavan Peshwes. Particularly during the period 1750-1790, CKPs and Deshasthas faced a multitude of problems because of the pro-Chitpavan(and anti-CKP,anti-debra) attitude of Nanasaheb Peshwa. CKPs who by the mid-18th century had established themselves as professional administrators for the Angres at Alibaug, the Suvarnadurg clan in Malabar-Konkan coast, the Gaekwads in Gujarat, Bhonsales in Berar province, Ghorpades in Karnataka as well as for other Maratha chieftains from Dewas, Dhar, Indore,Kolhapur, Satara and Akkalkot found themselves at loggerheads with the Koknastha Brahmins for political and economical reasons because both communities were competing for the same posts. CKPs, who were favoured by both Hindu and Muslim rulers, were suppressed by vested interests in the Peshwa's durbar at Pune, particularly during rule of Nanasaheb Peshwa, Madhavrao Peshwa and Nana Phadanavis.
This was also the period of a Brahmanical revival in the Hindu religion when Brahmins ascended to the top of the Hindu caste hierarchy. CKPs, who as local administrators for the (Yavana) Muslim rulers prior to the Peshwa rule, had interaction socially with the Muslim and Buddhist rulers of the era and gradually adopted the social customs prevalent at that time, such as animal sacrifice, eating meat during religious functions, donation of money to bride as meher, worshiping fakirs or sufi saints and fasting, which was anathema to the Brahmins. Furthemore, the CKPs never had the sheer numbers to gain the favour of rulers.Chitpavan Kokanasta Brahmins who outnumbered CKPs, made seveal attempts to isolate the CKPs and suppress them further economically and politically, for example, by claiming that they did not have the right to perform the thread ceremony (munj. This was nothing more than an attempt by the Chitpavan Kokanasta Brahmins to appropriate for themselves the sole right to perform religious vedic rituals, a privilege of the ruling class in the brahminical way of thinking as declared by Brahmin rulers of that time.
Morever CKPs found themselves always at loggerheads with peshwas starting from Balaji Vishvanath 1st Chitpavan peshwa who usurped powers from Tarabai faction with which CKPs sided. Prabhu community who were earliest members of Shivaji dream of swaraj found themselves marginalized after Balaji Vishvanath became 1st Peshwa. Except Sardar Gupte who was commander in chief of Raghunathrao sworn enemy of Nana Phadanvis during his Attock operation no notable CKP ever served Peshwai & most joined rivals of Peshwas. This may have antagonised Peshwa administration further.
Occupations of CKPs
The traditional occupations of CKPs were as village revenue officials, warriors, diplomats, clerks and administrators; very small number of people also practiced Ayurvedic medicine. During British Raj, CKPs in general, found employment as white collar professions such as office clerks, administrators, soldiers and teachers. In modern times,CKP’s occupations range from being factory workers, clerks to being doctors, lawyers, teachers, administrators, soldiers, IT professionals and engineers. CKP women are also going into higher education and as a result can be found in high ranking professions
CKP Surnames
A survey on online CKP community was carried out and found that following surname exist in CKP community , it consist of rare surnames also which have 1 or 2 families . Total 110 surname are found till date. Surname in Asceding manner as follows
• Adhikari
• Ambegaonkar
• Angre
• Bandhekar
• Bendre
• Bhagwate
• Bhise
• Bidwalkar
• Chaskar
• Chaubal
• Chaukkar
• Chavak
• Chitnavis
• Chitnis
• Chitre
• Dalvi
• Daptardar
• Daswekar
• Dawane
• Deolekar
• Desai
• Deshmukh
• Deshpande
• Dharkar
• Dighe
• Diwanji
• Dixit
• Donde
• Dongre
• Durve
• Gadkari
• Garude
• Gore
• Ghosalkar
• Gupte
• Hajirnis
• Hajarnavis
• Jamnis
• Jaywant
• Junnarkar
• Juvekar
• Kamthe
• Kanetkar
• Karkhanis
• Karnik
• Katreka
• Kathuram
• Kelshikar
• Keluskar
• Kemkar
• Khale
• Kharkar
• Khopkar
• Kondvikar
• Konvikar
• Korde
• Kotwal
• Kulabkar
• Kulkarni
• Likhite
• Mahagaokar
• Mahurkar
• Mahulkar
• Manik
• Mathure
• Medhekar
• Moharikar
• Mohile
• Mokashi
• Mojahne
• Mujumdar
• Nachane
• Nadkar
• Nagle
• Niphadkar
• Pagnis
• Palkar
• Paralikar
• Patankar
• Patki
• Pattekar
• Pedlikar
• Phadkar
• Phadnis
• Phanse
• Potnis
• Pradhan
• Rajadhayaksha
• Raje
• Ranadive
• Ruikar
• Sabnis
• Samarth
• Sangle
• Satarkar
• Satpute
• Sindkar
• Shikarkhane
• Shilotri
• Shrotri
• Shringarpure
• Sonalkar
• Sule
• Tamhane
• Taskar
• Tavkar
• Tadkharkar
• Thakre (Thackeray)
• Tipnis
• Tungare
• Vadhavkar
• Vaidya
• Vangikar
• Veshvikar
• Vilekar
• Wadhavkar
• Wakaskar
• Adhikari
• Ambegaonkar
• Angre
• Bandhekar
• Bendre
• Bhagwate
• Bhise
• Bidwalkar
• Chaskar
• Chaubal
• Chaukkar
• Chavak
• Chitnavis
• Chitnis
• Chitre
• Dalvi
• Daptardar
• Daswekar
• Dawane
• Deolekar
• Desai
• Deshmukh
• Deshpande
• Dharkar
• Dighe
• Diwanji
• Dixit
• Donde
• Dongre
• Durve
• Gadkari
• Garude
• Gore
• Ghosalkar
• Gupte
• Hajirnis
• Hajarnavis
• Jamnis
• Jaywant
• Junnarkar
• Juvekar
• Kamthe
• Kanetkar
• Karkhanis
• Karnik
• Katreka
• Kathuram
• Kelshikar
• Keluskar
• Kemkar
• Khale
• Kharkar
• Khopkar
• Kondvikar
• Konvikar
• Korde
• Kotwal
• Kulabkar
• Kulkarni
• Likhite
• Mahagaokar
• Mahurkar
• Mahulkar
• Manik
• Mathure
• Medhekar
• Moharikar
• Mohile
• Mokashi
• Mojahne
• Mujumdar
• Nachane
• Nadkar
• Nagle
• Niphadkar
• Pagnis
• Palkar
• Paralikar
• Patankar
• Patki
• Pattekar
• Pedlikar
• Phadkar
• Phadnis
• Phanse
• Potnis
• Pradhan
• Rajadhayaksha
• Raje
• Ranadive
• Ruikar
• Sabnis
• Samarth
• Sangle
• Satarkar
• Satpute
• Sindkar
• Shikarkhane
• Shilotri
• Shrotri
• Shringarpure
• Sonalkar
• Sule
• Tamhane
• Taskar
• Tavkar
• Tadkharkar
• Thakre (Thackeray)
• Tipnis
• Tungare
• Vadhavkar
• Vaidya
• Vangikar
• Veshvikar
• Vilekar
• Wadhavkar
• Wakaskar
Common Surname in CKP , surname which is found on highest % is as follows
• Mokashi
• Korde
• Bendre
• Potnis
• Bhise
• Jaywant
• Chaubal
• Khopkar
• Ranadive
• Tipnis
• Shringarpure
• Gadkari
• Tamhane
• Chitre
• Dighe
• Karkhanis
• Chitnis
• Sule
• Vaidya
• Raje
• Deshmukh
• Kulkarni
• Karnik
• Gupte
• Deshpande
• Pradhan
• Korde
• Bendre
• Potnis
• Bhise
• Jaywant
• Chaubal
• Khopkar
• Ranadive
• Tipnis
• Shringarpure
• Gadkari
• Tamhane
• Chitre
• Dighe
• Karkhanis
• Chitnis
• Sule
• Vaidya
• Raje
• Deshmukh
• Kulkarni
• Karnik
• Gupte
• Deshpande
• Pradhan
Moderate surname
• Vadhavkar
• Likhite
• Nachane
• Sonalkar
• Tungare
• Kotwal
• Mathure
• Nagle
• Donde
• Phanse
• Palkar
• Samarth
• Durve
• Kharkar
• Mohile
• Patankar
• Dalvi
• Likhite
• Nachane
• Sonalkar
• Tungare
• Kotwal
• Mathure
• Nagle
• Donde
• Phanse
• Palkar
• Samarth
• Durve
• Kharkar
• Mohile
• Patankar
• Dalvi
Rare surname
• Satpute
• Bidwalkar
• Dawane
• Niphadkar
• Phadkar
• Diwanji
• Kamthe
• Katreka
• Kulabkar
• Kulabkar
• Mahagaokar
• Mujumdar
• Pedlikar
• Ruikar
• Sabnis
• tavkar
• Thakre (Thackeray)
• Wakaskar
• Hajirnis
• Kelshikar
• Kemkar
• Moharikar
• Kathuram
• Dixit
• Pattekar
• Bhagwate
• Deolekar
• Dharkar
• Dongre
• Jamnis
• Wadhavkar
• Chitnavis
• garude
• Nadkar
• Pagnis
• Taskar
• Junnarkar
• Medhekar
• Mojahne
• Daptardar
• gore
• paralikar
• Shilotri
• Kanekar
• Khale
• Patki
• Desai
• Jaywant
• Phadnis
• Vilekar
• Adhikari
• Bidwalkar
• Dawane
• Niphadkar
• Phadkar
• Diwanji
• Kamthe
• Katreka
• Kulabkar
• Kulabkar
• Mahagaokar
• Mujumdar
• Pedlikar
• Ruikar
• Sabnis
• tavkar
• Thakre (Thackeray)
• Wakaskar
• Hajirnis
• Kelshikar
• Kemkar
• Moharikar
• Kathuram
• Dixit
• Pattekar
• Bhagwate
• Deolekar
• Dharkar
• Dongre
• Jamnis
• Wadhavkar
• Chitnavis
• garude
• Nadkar
• Pagnis
• Taskar
• Junnarkar
• Medhekar
• Mojahne
• Daptardar
• gore
• paralikar
• Shilotri
• Kanekar
• Khale
• Patki
• Desai
• Jaywant
• Phadnis
• Vilekar
• Adhikari
Cities having population of CKPs
• Baroda
• Bhopal
• Indore
• Kolhapur
• Mumbai
• Nashik
• Pune
• Thane
• Nagpur
• Dhar
• Parts of the United States and the United Kingdom
• Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar
• Bhopal
• Indore
• Kolhapur
• Mumbai
• Nashik
• Pune
• Thane
• Nagpur
• Dhar
• Parts of the United States and the United Kingdom
• Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar
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