Mohyal Brahmin

Mohyal Brahmin is an Indian Jati with origins in the Punjab region. The members of this clan originate from the broader Saraswat Brahmin group and comprise seven sub-clans named Bali, Bhimwal, Chhibber, Dutt, Lau, Mohan and Vaid. These each claim their lineage from one of seven different Brahmin rishis.

The majority of them identify as Hindu, but some also identify with being Sikh. A very small minority of Mohyals also have an association with Shia Islam due to their role in the Battle of Karbala, these Mohyals are called Hussaini Brahmins.[1]

Vedic origins

The Mohyals are split into subgroups - jatis - with each family claiming their lineage can be traced to a specific Vedic figure.

House (family) Name Vedic origin figure
Bali Parashar
Bhimwal Kaushal
Chhibber/Chibber Bhrigu
Datt/Dutt/Dutta Bharadwaja
Lau Vasishtha
Mohan Kashyap
Vaid Dhanvantri

Contributions to Sikhism

Spirituality and identity

Guru Nanak, continuing in the tradition of Bhakti Saints, revitalised ('Hindu') wisdom in order to make to accessible for the common people of Late Medieval India.[2] As apart of this transformation, many Punjabi Hindus, including the Mohyals, revered and followed Guru Nanak. This devotion towards Nanak's mat (teachings/wisdom) led them to follow Nanak's successors and then assist in the creation of the Sikh ethos. Moreover, as the latter Gurus became martial, this community was a natural home for the warrior-class of Punjabi Hindus.[3] A distinct Sikh religious identity was not created until the 19th century, thus, referring to the period of the Gurus as Sikhism is problematic.[4]

Guru period

Other notable Mohyals include the brothers Bhai Mati Das and Bhai Sati Das, who both died alongside the ninth Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur, for protecting Indic civilisation against Islamism.[5] As the family of the latter Gurus and this Chhibber family were close, Bhai Chaupa Singh Chhiber became a care-taker of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth guru.[6]

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References
  1. Fazl, Abul (November 5, 2014). "The Brahmins Who Fought For Imam Hussain At Karbala". Kashmir Observer Online. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  2. Bhakti religion in North India : community identity and political action. Lorenzen, David N. Albany: State University of New York Press. 1995. ISBN 0-585-04526-7. OCLC 42854916.CS1 maint: others (link)
  3. McLeod, W. H. (1989). Who is a Sikh? : the problem of Sikh identity. Oxford: Clarendon Press. ISBN 0-19-826548-4. OCLC 19125681.
  4. Oberoi, Harjot. (1994). The Construction of religious boundaries : culture, identity, and diversity in the Sikh tradition. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press. ISBN 0-226-61592-8. OCLC 30157084.
  5. Prithi Pal Singh, 1928- (2006). The history of Sikh gurus. New Delhi: Lotus Press. ISBN 81-8382-075-1. OCLC 297207913.
  6. The Making of the Sikh Rehatnamas (2008) - Dr S S Kapoor and Mrs Mohinder Kaur Kapoor
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