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{{Short description|Indian Chitraguptavanshi Kayastha clan}}
{{pp|small=yes}} {{pp|small=yes}}
'''Srivastava''' ({{IPA-hi|ʃɾiːʋaːstəʋ}}; {{IAST|Śrīvāstava}}), also spelled variously as '''Shrivastava''', '''Shrivastav''' or '''Srivastav''', is a common surname mainly found amongst the ] community of upper caste ]<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Srivastava|first=Vinay Kumar|date=September 2016|title=Speaking of Caste: Merit of the Principle of Segmentation|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0038022920160302|journal=Sociological Bulletin|volume=65|issue=3|pages=317–338|doi=10.1177/0038022920160302|issn=0038-0229}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|date=2015-06-05|title=Caste and the Power Elite in Allahabad|url=https://www.epw.in/journal/2015/6/special-articles/caste-and-power-elite-allahabad.html|journal=Economic and Political Weekly|language=en|volume=50|issue=6|pages=7–8}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|author=Shibu Thomas|date=Dec 19, 2009|title=woman: HC to decide woman's caste abuse case against husband {{!}} Mumbai News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/hc-to-decide-womans-caste-abuse-case-against-husband/articleshow/5354374.cms|access-date=2021-04-02|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Kayasth|url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Kayasth|url-status=live|access-date=28 June 2021|website=Merriam Webster}}</ref> particularly in the ] regions of India.<ref name=carroll>{{Cite book | year=1977 | author=Lucy Carroll | contribution=Caste, Community and Caste(s) Association: A Note on the Organization of the Kayastha Conference and the Definition of a Kayastha Community | title = Contributions to Asian studies, Volume 10 | publisher=Brill Archive | isbn=978-90-04-04926-0 | page=3 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VRMVAAAAIAAJ&q=srivastavas&pg=PA9 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Hayden J. Bellenoit|title=The Formation of the Colonial State in India: Scribes, Paper and Taxes, 1760–1860|date=17 February 2017|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-1-134-49429-3}}</ref> '''Srivastava''' ({{IPA|hi|ʃɾiːʋaːstəʋ}}; {{IAST|Śrīvāstava}}), also spelled variously as '''Shrivastava''', '''Shrivastav''' or ''']''', is a common surname found amongst the ] (also known as North-Indian Kayastha) community of upper caste ]<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Srivastava|first=Vinay Kumar|date=September 2016|title=Speaking of Caste: Merit of the Principle of Segmentation|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0038022920160302|journal=Sociological Bulletin|volume=65|issue=3|pages=317–338|doi=10.1177/0038022920160302|s2cid=158426264 |issn=0038-0229}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|date=2015-06-05|title=Caste and the Power Elite in Allahabad|url=https://www.epw.in/journal/2015/6/special-articles/caste-and-power-elite-allahabad.html|journal=Economic and Political Weekly|language=en|volume=50|issue=6|pages=7–8}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|author=Shibu Thomas|date=Dec 19, 2009|title=woman: HC to decide woman's caste abuse case against husband {{!}} Mumbai News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/hc-to-decide-womans-caste-abuse-case-against-husband/articleshow/5354374.cms|access-date=2021-04-02|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Kayasth|url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Kayasth|access-date=28 June 2021|website=Merriam Webster}}</ref> particularly in the ] regions of India. The North Indian Kayasthas were powerful components of the upper-bureaucracy and made highly influential urban elites under ]s.<ref name=carroll>{{Cite book | year=1977 | author=Lucy Carroll | contribution=Caste, Community and Caste(s) Association: A Note on the Organization of the Kayastha Conference and the Definition of a Kayastha Community | title = Contributions to Asian studies, Volume 10 | publisher=Brill Archive | isbn=978-90-04-04926-0 | page=3 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VRMVAAAAIAAJ&q=srivastavas&pg=PA9 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Hayden J. Bellenoit|title=The Formation of the Colonial State in India: Scribes, Paper and Taxes, 1760–1860|date= 2017|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-1-134-49429-3}}</ref>


==Origin== ==Origin==
Srivastavas are one of the twelve sub-clans of the ]s that were traditionally involved in record-keeping, administration and military services. Srivastavas are one of the twelve sub-clans of the ]s that were traditionally involved in record-keeping, administration and military services.


They regard themselves as a de-facto '']'' that arose to keep records of the four ''varnas'' that came before them. Traditions and occupations associated with them, and their belief in the mythical roles assigned to ], their ], partly support this claim.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Sinha|first=Gopal Sharan|last2=Sinha|first2=Ramesh Chandra|date=1967|title=Exploration in Caste Stereotypes|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/2575319|journal=Social Forces|volume=46|issue=1|pages=42–47|doi=10.2307/2575319|issn=0037-7732|quote=The Kayastha were not included in the original four divisions of Hindu society, viz.,Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Sudra, but they claim to be one of the most important functionary and ancient castes of Hindu society. Traditions and occupations associated with the Kayastha partly support this contention....The Kayasthas' strong belief in the story of the causation of Shri Chitragupta Maharaj and mythical roles assigned to Him at least corroborate the above contention.|via=JSTOR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Davidson|first=Ronald M.|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/808346313|title=Tibetan renaissance : Tantric Buddhism in the Rebirth of Tibetan culture|publisher=Columbia University Press|year=2005|isbn=978-0-231-50889-6|location=New York|pages=178–180|oclc=808346313|quote=This North Indian branch regards itself as really a fifth varna, different from the creator Brahma's mouth (Brahmans), his arms (Kshatriyas), his thighs (Vaishyas) or his feet (Sudras), North Indian Kayasthas maintain that they were formed from the body of the creator and therefore are grounded (''stha'') in Brahma's body (''kaya'')}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Leonard|first=Karen|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/60856154|title=Encyclopedia of India|publisher=Charles Scribner's Sons|year=2006|isbn=0-684-31349-9|editor-last=Wolpert|editor-first=Stanley|location=Detroit|pages=22|oclc=60856154|quote=The most common Kayastha myth of origin avoided this problem of varna classification by cleverly postulating the creation of a fifth varna, the Kayasthas, to keep records concerning the other four. Brahma, they say, after creating the four varnas, created the first Kayastha, pen and inkpot in hand.}}</ref> They consider themselves as a de facto '']'' that arose to keep records of the four ''varnas'' that came before them. Traditions and occupations associated with them, and their belief in the mythical roles assigned to ], their ], partly support this claim.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Sinha|first1=Gopal Sharan|last2=Sinha|first2=Ramesh Chandra|date=1967|title=Exploration in Caste Stereotypes|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/2575319|journal=Social Forces|volume=46|issue=1|pages=42–47|doi=10.2307/2575319|jstor=2575319 |issn=0037-7732|quote=The Kayastha were not included in the original four divisions of Hindu society, viz.,Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Sudra, but they claim to be one of the most important functionary and ancient castes of Hindu society. Traditions and occupations associated with the Kayastha partly support this contention....The Kayasthas' strong belief in the story of the causation of Shri Chitragupta Maharaj and mythical roles assigned to Him at least corroborate the above contention}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Davidson|first=Ronald M.|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/808346313|title=Tibetan renaissance : Tantric Buddhism in the Rebirth of Tibetan culture|publisher=Columbia University Press|year=2005|isbn=978-0-231-50889-6|location=New York|pages=178–180|oclc=808346313|quote=This North Indian branch regards itself as really a fifth varna, different from the creator Brahma's mouth (Brahmans), his arms (Kshatriyas), his thighs (Vaishyas) or his feet (Sudras), North Indian Kayasthas maintain that they were formed from the body of the creator and therefore are grounded (''stha'') in Brahma's body (''kaya'')}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Leonard|first=Karen|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/60856154|title=Encyclopedia of India|publisher=Charles Scribner's Sons|year=2006|isbn=0-684-31349-9|editor-last=Wolpert|editor-first=Stanley|location=Detroit|page=22|oclc=60856154|quote=The most common Kayastha myth of origin avoided this problem of varna classification by cleverly postulating the creation of a fifth varna, the Kayasthas, to keep records concerning the other four. Brahma, they say, after creating the four varnas, created the first Kayastha, pen and inkpot in hand.}}</ref>


⚫ Most of the recorded history, after the 10th century AD, of this clan is centred around Varanasi and present day eastern ]<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ryhuAAAAMAAJ|title=Kayasthas in making of modern Bihar|last=Sinha|first=Bindeshwari Prasad|date=2003|publisher=Impression Publication|pages=13|language=en|quote=Banaras plate of Govinchandra refers to Vastavya Kayastha.}}</ref> and central India, as being influential during ancient empires and ] in the Indian subcontinent, earning such titles as ], ] and ].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MihuAAAAMAAJ|title=The Kāyasthas: a study in the formation and early history of a caste|last=Gupta|first=Chitrarekha|date=1996|publisher=K.P. Bagchi & Co.|isbn=9788170741565|page=117|language=en|quote=This love and respect for knowledge were nothing special with the line of Jajuka. Rather, these were general features of the characters of the Sri-Vastavyas}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=SHAH|first=K.K.|date=1993|title=Self Legitimation and Social Primacy: A Case Study of Some Kayastha Inscriptions From Central India|journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress|volume=54|pages=860–861|jstor=44143088|issn=2249-1937|quote=Vastavya, therefore, will have to be taken as a sub-caste a few members of which rose to very high positions in the administrative hierarchy of the Chandella kingdom. Two families from this branch of the Kayasthas have left three inscriptions for us containing an account of the mythical origin as also genealogical tree in order to establish their high Brahminic credentials...It is also noteworthy that both Jajuka and Maheshvara have remarkable military achievements to their credit which could put them on par with the Kshatriyas.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a9j9ZJGJOV0C|title=The Candellas of Jejākabhukti|last=Dikshit|first=R. K.|date=1976|publisher=Abhinav Publications|isbn=978-81-7017-046-4|pages=71, 173–175, 190|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=irHN2UA_Z7gC|title=The Early Rulers of Khajuraho|last=Mitra|first=Sisir Kumar|date=1977|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ.|isbn=978-81-208-1997-9|pages=180|language=en|edition=Second Revised}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZUt3wgEACAAJ|title=Socio-economic History of Northern India: (1030–1194 A.D.)|last=Mazumdar|first=Bhakat Prasad|date=1960|publisher=Mukhopadhyay|pages=101–103|language=en|chapter=Castes and Professions|quote=Members of Vastavya community rose to very high positions. They enjoyed the feudatory status of Thakkura under the Gahadavala Kings under Govindachandra and Jayachandra, and the Chandela King Bhojavarman...It is possible that because of their services, the king raised them to a higher status...His brothers, Jaundhara and Maladhara were valiant warriors...The history of these two families show that the Vastavyas could become valiant soldiers.}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZUt3wgEACAAJ|title=Socio-economic History of Northern India: (1030–1194 A.D.)|last=Mazumdar|first=Bhakat Prasad|date=1960|publisher=Mukhopadhyay|pages=100|language=en|quote=Three inscriptions written by these Vastavya Kayasthas for the Gahadavala kings Govindachandra and Jayachandra and also the Sahet Mahet inscription dated 1276 VS/1219–29 A.D....Nana's ancestors were inhabitants of Kausamyapura or Kosam in the Allahabad district originally.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ryhuAAAAMAAJ|title=Kayasthas in making of modern Bihar|last=Sinha|first=Bindeshwari Prasad|date=2003|publisher=Impression Publication|pages=13|language=en|quote=Banaras plate of Govinchandra refers to Vastavya Kayastha.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EJQBAAAAMAAJ|title=The History of the Gāhaḍavāla Dynasty|last=Niyogi|first=Roma|date=1959|publisher=Oriental Book Agency|pages=212|language=en|quote=It also contains a statue of Vastavya-Kayastha Thakkura Sri-Ranapala (in a soldier's outfit) who appears to have built...}}</ref>
Therefore, they worship ] as their ancestor and main deity, who is also worshipped in association with Yama, as on Yama Dwitiya in North India and in certain ancient isolated regions such '''Chitral''' district by the ] river in the '''Swat(Suvastu)''' region in the north-western Indian subcontinent.<ref>{{cite book|author=Guillard, J.M.|title=Seul chez les Kalash. Carrefour des Lettres.|year=1974}}</ref><ref name="Bezhan2017">{{cite web|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/28439107.html|title=Pakistan's Forgotten Pagans Get Their Due|last=Bezhan|first=Frud|date=19 April 2017|publisher=]|language=en|access-date=11 July 2017|quote=About half of the Kalash practice a form of ancient Hinduism infused with old pagan and animist beliefs.}}</ref><ref name="BarringtonKendrick2006">{{cite book|last1=Barrington|first1=Nicholas|last2=Kendrick|first2=Joseph T.|last3=Schlagintweit|first3=Reinhard|title=A Passage to Nuristan: Exploring the Mysterious Afghan Hinterland|year=2006|publisher=]|language=en |isbn=978-1845111755|page=111|quote=Prominent sites include Hadda, near Jalalabad, but Buddhism never seems to have penetrated the remote valleys of Nuristan, where the people continued to practise an early form of polytheistic Hinduism.}}</ref><ref name="WeissMaurer2012">{{cite book|last1=Weiss|first1=Mitch|last2=Maurer|first2=Kevin|title=No Way Out: A Story of Valor in the Mountains of Afghanistan|date= 2012|publisher=Berkley Caliber|language=en |isbn=978-0425253403|page=299|quote=Up until the late nineteenth century, many Nuristanis practised a primitive form of Hinduism. It was the last area in Afghanistan to convert to Islam—and the conversion was accomplished by the sword}}</ref><ref>http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~witzel/KalashaReligion.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref><ref name="Jamil2019">{{cite web |last1=Jamil |first1=Kashif |title=Uchal — a festival of shepherds and farmers of the Kalash tribe |url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/450469/uchal-a-festival-of-shepherds-and-farmers-of-the-kalash-tribe/ |publisher=] |access-date=23 January 2020 |page=English |date=19 August 2019 |quote=Some of their deities who are worshiped in Kalash tribe are similar to the Hindu god and goddess like Mahadev in Hinduism is called Mahandeo in Kalash tribe. ... All the tribal also visit the Mahandeo for worship and pray. After that they reach to the gree (dancing place).}}</ref><ref name="West2010">{{cite book|last=West|first=Barbara A.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pCiNqFj3MQsC&pg=PA357|title=Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Asia and Oceania|year=2010|publisher=]|language=en|isbn=978-1438119137|page=357|quote=The Kalasha are a unique people living in just three valleys near Chitral, Pakistan, the capital of North-West Frontier Province, which borders Afghanistan. Unlike their neighbors in the Hindu Kush Mountains on both the Afghani and Pakistani sides of the border the Kalasha have not converted to ]. During the mid-20th century a few Kalasha villages in Pakistan were forcibly converted to this dominant religion, but the people fought the conversion and once official pressure was removed the vast majority continued to practice their own religion. Their religion is a form of Hinduism that recognizes many gods and spirits and has been related to the religion of the ancient Greeks... given their Indo-Aryan language, ... the religion of the Kalasha is much more closely aligned to the Hinduism of their Indian neighbors that to the religion of Alexander the Great and his armies.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article-amp/opinion/save-the-kalash-114021700863_1.html|title = Save the Kalash!|newspaper = Business Standard India|date = 17 February 2014|last1 = Ghai|first1 = Rajat}}</ref> The language spoken amongst others are ''Chitrali'' and ]. Of note is the fact that even in the remaining currently practiced form of ancient Hinduism in the region, certain deities were revered either in one community/tribe or other. Only one was universally revered as the Creator that is the ancient Hindu god ] Râja called imr'o in Kâmviri. The ancient region had historical and cultural links to the nearby regions of Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir and Nooristan. The Srivastu/Suvastu region is also said to be the place of origin of ] clan, later on migrating in waves to Kashmir<ref>{{cite book |last1=Stein |first1=Aurel |title=Kalhana's Rajatarangini Vol 1 |date=1900 |url=https://archive.org/details/RajataranginiVol1}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Stein |first1=Aurel |title=Kalhanas Rajatarangini,vol.2 |date=1900 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.30952}}</ref> and the ]s.<ref>{{cite book | title = Encyclopaedia Indica: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh: Volume 100 | editor = S. S. Shashi | year = 1996 | page = 117 | publisher = Anmol | isbn = 978-81-7041-859-7 }}</ref>
⚫ Their presence is extensively found in recorded history of the Indo-Gangetic plains, after 10th century AD especially in association with the ] rulers who considered it a matter of prestige to invite them for administration as a symbol of established kingdom, which also explains their migration chronologically following that of Rajput kingdoms into the plains.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Thapar|first=Romila|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/859536567|title=The Past Before Us : Historical traditions of early north India|publisher=|year=2013|isbn=978-0-674-72651-2|location=Cambridge, Massachusetts|pages=525, 539, 565|oclc=859536567}}</ref> Prominence of this clan can be found centred around Varanasi and present day eastern ]<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ryhuAAAAMAAJ|title=Kayasthas in making of modern Bihar|last=Sinha|first=Bindeshwari Prasad|date=2003|publisher=Impression Publication|pages=13|language=en|quote=Banaras plate of Govinchandra refers to Vastavya Kayastha.}}</ref> and central India, where they were also called '''Vastavya Kayastha''' {{Blockquote|...Vastavya family , by the splendid fame of - he who , having at the rising of truth ( first ) whose race the worlds are rendered white even restrained the eight Mâras , ( and then ) attracted to himself the lords over the regions ...<ref>{{Cite book|title=Kleine Schriften, Part 1|last=Keilhorn|first=Franz|date=1969|publisher=Indic Philology|quote=Vastavya family , by the splendid fame of - he who , having at the rising of truth ( first ) whose race the worlds are rendered white even restrained the eight Mâras , ( and then ) attracted to himself the lords over the regions ...}}</ref>}} They were influential during Ancient empires and later on ] in the Indian subcontinent, earning Sanskrit titles ] and ]<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Kumar|first=Saurabh|date=2015|title=Rural Society and Rural Economy in the Ganga Valley during the Gahadavalas|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/24642345|journal=Social Scientist|volume=43|issue=5/6|pages=29–45|issn=0970-0293|jstor=24642345|quote=One thing is clear that by this time, kayasthas had come to acquire prominent places in the court and officialdom and some were financially well-off to commission the construction of temples, while others were well-versed in the requisite fields of Vedic lore to earn the title of pandita ...|via=JSTOR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MihuAAAAMAAJ|title=The Kāyasthas: a study in the formation and early history of a caste|last=Gupta|first=Chitrarekha|date=1996|publisher=K.P. Bagchi & Co.|isbn=9788170741565|pages=117|language=en|quote=This love and respect for knowledge were nothing special with the line of Jajuka. Rather, these were general features of the characters of the Sri-Vastavyas}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=SHAH|first=K.K.|date=1993|title=Self Legitimation and Social Primacy: A Case Study of Some Kayastha Inscriptions From Central India|journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress|volume=54|pages=860–861|jstor=44143088|issn=2249-1937|quote=Vastavya, therefore, will have to be taken as a sub-caste a few members of which rose to very high positions in the administrative hierarchy of the Chandella kingdom. Two families from this branch of the Kayasthas have left three inscriptions for us containing an account of the mythical origin as also genealogical tree in order to establish their high Brahminic credentials...It is also noteworthy that both Jajuka and Maheshvara have remarkable military achievements to their credit which could put them on par with the Kshatriyas.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a9j9ZJGJOV0C|title=The Candellas of Jejākabhukti|last=Dikshit|first=R. K.|date=1976|publisher=Abhinav Publications|isbn=978-81-7017-046-4|pages=71, 173–175, 190|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=irHN2UA_Z7gC|title=The Early Rulers of Khajuraho|last=Mitra|first=Sisir Kumar|date=1977|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ.|isbn=978-81-208-1997-9|pages=180|language=en|edition=Second Revised}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZUt3wgEACAAJ|title=Socio-economic History of Northern India: (1030 - 1194 A.D.)|last=Mazumdar|first=Bhakat Prasad|date=1960|publisher=Mukhopadhyay|pages=100|language=en|quote=Three inscriptions written by these Vastavya Kayasthas for the Gahadavala kings Govindachandra and Jayachandra and also the Sahet Mahet inscription dated 1276 VS/1219-29 A.D....Nana's ancestors were inhabitants of Kausamyapura or Kosam in the Allahabad district originally.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ryhuAAAAMAAJ|title=Kayasthas in making of modern Bihar|last=Sinha|first=Bindeshwari Prasad|date=2003|publisher=Impression Publication|pages=13|language=en|quote=Banaras plate of Govinchandra refers to Vastavya Kayastha.}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZUt3wgEACAAJ|title=Socio-economic History of Northern India: (1030 - 1194 A.D.)|last=Mazumdar|first=Bhakat Prasad|date=1960|publisher=Mukhopadhyay|pages=101–103|language=en|chapter=Castes and Professions|quote=Members of Vastavya community rose to very high positions. They enjoyed the feudatory status of Thakkura under the Gahadavala Kings under Govindachandra and Jayachandra, and the Chandela King Bhojavarman...It is possible that because of their services, the king raised them to a higher status...His brothers, Jaundhara and Maladhara were valiant warriors...The history of these two families show that the Vastavyas could become valiant soldiers.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EJQBAAAAMAAJ|title=The History of the Gāhaḍavāla Dynasty|last=Niyogi|first=Roma|date=1959|publisher=Oriental Book Agency|pages=212|language=en|quote=It also contains a statue of Vastavya-Kayastha Thakkura Sri-Ranapala (in a soldier's outfit) who appears to have built...}}</ref> in Hindu empires and Persian titles ] and ] in Mughal empire.


== Etymology == == Etymology ==
The title ''Śrīvāstava'' is the shortened form of ''Śrīvāstavya''<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4dm1AAAAIAAJ&q=vastavya+srivastava|title=Late classical India|last=Bose|first=Mainak Kumar|date=1988|publisher=A. Mukherjee & Co.|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LpeFAAAAIAAJ&q=vastavya+kayasth&pg=PA58|title=Report for the Year 1871-72|last=Cunningham|first=Sir Alexander|date=1873|publisher=Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing|language=en}}</ref> and thus derived directly from the ] root words ''Sri'' (<span lang="sa" dir="ltr">श्री</span>) "God" and ''vás'' (<span lang="sa" dir="ltr">वास्</span>) "to dwell" by adding the primary suffix ''tavyat'' which denotes an agent and causes the lengthening of the radical vowel. While the word Sri is used in Sanskrit as honorific prefix to the names of deities ''<ref name=Apte>{{cite book|last=Apte|first=Vaman Shivaram|title=Revised and enlarged edition of Prin. V. S. Apte's The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary|year=1957–59|publisher=Prasad Prakashan|page=1575|quote=The word श्री is often used as an honorific prefix to the names of deities and eminent persons; श्रीकृष्णः, श्रीरामः, श्रिवाल्मीकिः, श्रीजयदेवः; also celebrated works, generally of a sacred character; श्रीभागवत, श्रीरामायण)&c.; it is also used as an auspicious sign at the commencement of letters, manuscripts &c}}</ref> and vāstavya'' means "a resident, inhabitant";<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XvRtAAAAMAAJ&q=vastavya|title=Bhāratīya Vidyā|date=1987|publisher=Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.|language=en}}</ref> thereby the whole meaning "in whom God dwells". The title ''Śrīvāstava'' is the shortened form of ''Śrīvāstavya''<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4dm1AAAAIAAJ&q=vastavya+srivastava|title=Late classical India|last=Bose|first=Mainak Kumar|date=1988|publisher=A. Mukherjee & Co.|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LpeFAAAAIAAJ&q=vastavya+kayasth&pg=PA58|title=Report for the Year 1871–72|last=Cunningham|first=Sir Alexander|date=1873|publisher=Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing|language=en}}</ref> and thus derived directly from the ] root words ''Sri'' (<span lang="sa" dir="ltr">श्री</span>) "God" and ''vas'' (<span lang="sa" dir="ltr">वस्</span>) "to dwell" by adding the primary suffix ''tavyat'' which denotes an agent and causes the lengthening of the radical vowel. While the word Sri is used in Sanskrit as honorific prefix to the names of deities ''<ref name=Apte>{{cite book|last=Apte|first=Vaman Shivaram|title=Revised and enlarged edition of Prin. V. S. Apte's The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary|year=1957–59|publisher=Prasad Prakashan|page=1575|quote=The word श्री is often used as an honorific prefix to the names of deities and eminent persons; श्रीकृष्णः, श्रीरामः, श्रिवाल्मीकिः, श्रीजयदेवः; also celebrated works, generally of a sacred character; श्रीभागवत, श्रीरामायण)&c.; it is also used as an auspicious sign at the commencement of letters, manuscripts &c}}</ref> and vāstavya'' means "a resident, inhabitant";<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XvRtAAAAMAAJ&q=vastavya|title=Bhāratīya Vidyā|date=1987|publisher=Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.|language=en}}</ref> thereby the whole meaning "in whom God dwells". Note, however, that a word's meaning is derived from its use in sentence, not from its etymology.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Skeat |first=Walter W. (Walter William) |url=http://archive.org/details/etymologicaldict00skeauoft |title=An etymological dictionary of the English language |date=1888 |publisher=Oxford Clarendon Press |others=Robarts – University of Toronto |at=p. 1, rule 2}}</ref>


According to another explanation, the name "Srivastava" originates from "Srivastu/Suvastu", the former name of the ], which is said to be the place of origin of this clan.<ref>{{cite book | title = Encyclopaedia Indica: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh: Volume 100 | editor = S. S. Shashi | year = 1996 | page = 117 | publisher = Anmol | isbn = 978-81-7041-859-7 }}</ref> According to another explanation, the name "Srivastava" originates from "Srivastu/Suvastu", the former name of the ], which is said to be the place of origin of this clan.<ref>{{cite book | title = Encyclopaedia Indica: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh: Volume 100 | editor = S. S. Shashi | year = 1996 | page = 117 | publisher = Anmol | isbn = 978-81-7041-859-7 }}</ref>
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<!-- Please only add people here if they are sufficiently notable to have their own article in Misplaced Pages --> <!-- Please only add people here if they are sufficiently notable to have their own article in Misplaced Pages -->
Notable people named Srivastava (or its variations) include: Notable people named Srivastava (or its variations) include:
⚫ * ] (born 1979), Indian filmmaker
⚫ * ] (1963–2022), Indian comedian
⚫ * ] (born 1983), American singer
⚫ * ] (born 1968), Indian actor
⚫ * ], Indian music directors
* ] (1966–2015), Indian music director * ] (1966–2015), Indian music director
⚫ * ], Indian guitarist, music composer, educationist & author
* ] (born 1948), Indian film, television and stage dancer/actor * ] (born 1948), Indian film, television and stage dancer/actor
⚫ * ] (born 1968), Indian actor
* ], Indian singer * ], Indian singer
⚫ * ] (born 1979), Indian filmmaker
⚫ * ], Indian music directors
*], IFS (Indian Foreign Service)
* ] (1899–1973), Indian historian * ] (1899–1973), Indian historian
* ] (1920–2013), Indian diplomat * ] (1920–2013), Indian diplomat
* ], Indian music director * ], Indian music director
* ] (born 1967), Indian actor * ] (born 1967), Indian actor
* ] (1933–2011), physicist, author * ] (1933–2011), physicist, author
* ], Indian actress and model * ] (1921–2017), Indian historian
* ] (1921-2017), Indian historian
* ], Indian politician * ], Indian politician
* ] (1933–2010), Indian mathematician and formulator of ] * ] (1933–2010), Indian mathematician
⚫ * ], Indian guitarist, music composer, educationist & author
* ] (1918–2008, recorded by Allahabad University as "M.C. Shrivastava"), introduced ] * ] (1918–2008, recorded by Allahabad University as "M.C. Shrivastava"), introduced ]
* ], American writer, socially conservative commentator, and activist
* ] (born 1990), Indian TV actress * ] (born 1990), Indian TV actress
* ], Indian mathematician * ], Indian mathematician
* ] (1923–2011), founder of Sahaja Yoga * ] (1923–2011), founder of Sahaja Yoga
* ] (born 1942), Indian physicist * ] (born 1942), Indian physicist
* ] (born 1952), American academic
* ] (3 December 1884 – 28 February 1963) was the first President of India, in office from 1950 to 1962.
* ] (born 1951), Indian academic * ] (born 1951), Indian academic
⚫ * ] (born 1963), Indian comedian
⚫ *] (born 1983), American singer
* ], Indian journalist * ], Indian journalist
* ] (1936–2006), Indian politician * ] (1936–2006), Indian politician
* ], Indian actress and model
* ], Indian woman freedom fighter * ], Indian woman freedom fighter
* ], Indian actress and model</br>


<!-- Please only add people here if they are sufficiently notable to have their own article in Misplaced Pages --> <!-- Please only add people here if they are sufficiently notable to have their own article in Misplaced Pages -->
; Notable Srivastavas who changed their name ; Notable Srivastavas who changed their name
⚫ * ] (1880–1936, born Dhanpat Rai Srivastava), Indian writer
* ] (1884–1963), born as Rajendra Prasad Srivastava, ] ]
* ] (1904–1966), born as Lal Bahadur Srivastava, ] ]
* ] (born 1942), born as Amitabh Srivastava, Bollywood actor * ] (born 1942), born as Amitabh Srivastava, Bollywood actor
* ] (1907–2003), born as Harivansh Rai Srivastava, Indian poet * ] (1907–2003), born as Harivansh Rai Srivastava, Indian poet
* ] (1912–2009, born as Mithilesh Kumar Srivastava), Indian con man
* ] (1861-1964), founder of ]
⚫ * ] (1866–1960, born Trilok Nath Srivastava), prince of British India
* ] (1904–1966), second Prime Minister of India, son of Sharada Prasad Srivastava
⚫ * ] (1866–1960, born Trilok Nath Shrivastav), prince of British India
* ], writer and editor, born Ravindra Nath Srivastava
⚫ * ] (1912–2009), born Mithilesh Kumar Srivastava, Indian con man
* ] (1902–1979, son of Harsu Dayal Srivastava), Indian independence activist, social reformer and political leader * ] (1902–1979, son of Harsu Dayal Srivastava), Indian independence activist, social reformer and political leader
* ] (1880–1936, born Dhanpat Rai Srivastava), Indian writer * ] (born Ravindra Nath Srivastava), Indian editor
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Latest revision as of 03:47, 29 December 2024

Indian Chitraguptavanshi Kayastha clan

Srivastava (Hindi pronunciation: [ʃɾiːʋaːstəʋ]; Śrīvāstava), also spelled variously as Shrivastava, Shrivastav or Srivastav, is a common surname found amongst the Chitraguptavanshi Kayastha (also known as North-Indian Kayastha) community of upper caste Hindus particularly in the Hindi-speaking regions of India. The North Indian Kayasthas were powerful components of the upper-bureaucracy and made highly influential urban elites under Hindu kings.

Origin

Srivastavas are one of the twelve sub-clans of the North-Indian Kayasthas that were traditionally involved in record-keeping, administration and military services.

They consider themselves as a de facto varna that arose to keep records of the four varnas that came before them. Traditions and occupations associated with them, and their belief in the mythical roles assigned to Chitragupta, their progenitor, partly support this claim.

Most of the recorded history, after the 10th century AD, of this clan is centred around Varanasi and present day eastern Uttar Pradesh and central India, as being influential during ancient empires and Mughal empire in the Indian subcontinent, earning such titles as Pandit, Thakur and Lala.

Etymology

The title Śrīvāstava is the shortened form of Śrīvāstavya and thus derived directly from the Sanskrit root words Sri (श्री) "God" and vas (वस्) "to dwell" by adding the primary suffix tavyat which denotes an agent and causes the lengthening of the radical vowel. While the word Sri is used in Sanskrit as honorific prefix to the names of deities and vāstavya means "a resident, inhabitant"; thereby the whole meaning "in whom God dwells". Note, however, that a word's meaning is derived from its use in sentence, not from its etymology.

According to another explanation, the name "Srivastava" originates from "Srivastu/Suvastu", the former name of the Swat River, which is said to be the place of origin of this clan.

Notable people with this name

Notable people named Srivastava (or its variations) include:

Notable Srivastavas who changed their name

References

  1. Srivastava, Vinay Kumar (September 2016). "Speaking of Caste: Merit of the Principle of Segmentation". Sociological Bulletin. 65 (3): 317–338. doi:10.1177/0038022920160302. ISSN 0038-0229. S2CID 158426264.
  2. "Caste and the Power Elite in Allahabad". Economic and Political Weekly. 50 (6): 7–8. 2015-06-05.
  3. Shibu Thomas (Dec 19, 2009). "woman: HC to decide woman's caste abuse case against husband | Mumbai News - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
  4. "Kayasth". Merriam Webster. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  5. Lucy Carroll (1977). "Caste, Community and Caste(s) Association: A Note on the Organization of the Kayastha Conference and the Definition of a Kayastha Community". Contributions to Asian studies, Volume 10. Brill Archive. p. 3. ISBN 978-90-04-04926-0.
  6. Hayden J. Bellenoit (2017). The Formation of the Colonial State in India: Scribes, Paper and Taxes, 1760–1860. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-134-49429-3.
  7. Sinha, Gopal Sharan; Sinha, Ramesh Chandra (1967). "Exploration in Caste Stereotypes". Social Forces. 46 (1): 42–47. doi:10.2307/2575319. ISSN 0037-7732. JSTOR 2575319. The Kayastha were not included in the original four divisions of Hindu society, viz.,Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Sudra, but they claim to be one of the most important functionary and ancient castes of Hindu society. Traditions and occupations associated with the Kayastha partly support this contention....The Kayasthas' strong belief in the story of the causation of Shri Chitragupta Maharaj and mythical roles assigned to Him at least corroborate the above contention
  8. Davidson, Ronald M. (2005). Tibetan renaissance : Tantric Buddhism in the Rebirth of Tibetan culture. New York: Columbia University Press. pp. 178–180. ISBN 978-0-231-50889-6. OCLC 808346313. This North Indian branch regards itself as really a fifth varna, different from the creator Brahma's mouth (Brahmans), his arms (Kshatriyas), his thighs (Vaishyas) or his feet (Sudras), North Indian Kayasthas maintain that they were formed from the body of the creator and therefore are grounded (stha) in Brahma's body (kaya)
  9. Leonard, Karen (2006). Wolpert, Stanley (ed.). Encyclopedia of India. Detroit: Charles Scribner's Sons. p. 22. ISBN 0-684-31349-9. OCLC 60856154. The most common Kayastha myth of origin avoided this problem of varna classification by cleverly postulating the creation of a fifth varna, the Kayasthas, to keep records concerning the other four. Brahma, they say, after creating the four varnas, created the first Kayastha, pen and inkpot in hand.
  10. Sinha, Bindeshwari Prasad (2003). Kayasthas in making of modern Bihar. Impression Publication. p. 13. Banaras plate of Govinchandra refers to Vastavya Kayastha.
  11. Gupta, Chitrarekha (1996). The Kāyasthas: a study in the formation and early history of a caste. K.P. Bagchi & Co. p. 117. ISBN 9788170741565. This love and respect for knowledge were nothing special with the line of Jajuka. Rather, these were general features of the characters of the Sri-Vastavyas
  12. SHAH, K.K. (1993). "Self Legitimation and Social Primacy: A Case Study of Some Kayastha Inscriptions From Central India". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 54: 860–861. ISSN 2249-1937. JSTOR 44143088. Vastavya, therefore, will have to be taken as a sub-caste a few members of which rose to very high positions in the administrative hierarchy of the Chandella kingdom. Two families from this branch of the Kayasthas have left three inscriptions for us containing an account of the mythical origin as also genealogical tree in order to establish their high Brahminic credentials...It is also noteworthy that both Jajuka and Maheshvara have remarkable military achievements to their credit which could put them on par with the Kshatriyas.
  13. Dikshit, R. K. (1976). The Candellas of Jejākabhukti. Abhinav Publications. pp. 71, 173–175, 190. ISBN 978-81-7017-046-4.
  14. Mitra, Sisir Kumar (1977). The Early Rulers of Khajuraho (Second Revised ed.). Motilal Banarsidass Publ. p. 180. ISBN 978-81-208-1997-9.
  15. Mazumdar, Bhakat Prasad (1960). "Castes and Professions". Socio-economic History of Northern India: (1030–1194 A.D.). Mukhopadhyay. pp. 101–103. Members of Vastavya community rose to very high positions. They enjoyed the feudatory status of Thakkura under the Gahadavala Kings under Govindachandra and Jayachandra, and the Chandela King Bhojavarman...It is possible that because of their services, the king raised them to a higher status...His brothers, Jaundhara and Maladhara were valiant warriors...The history of these two families show that the Vastavyas could become valiant soldiers.
  16. Mazumdar, Bhakat Prasad (1960). Socio-economic History of Northern India: (1030–1194 A.D.). Mukhopadhyay. p. 100. Three inscriptions written by these Vastavya Kayasthas for the Gahadavala kings Govindachandra and Jayachandra and also the Sahet Mahet inscription dated 1276 VS/1219–29 A.D....Nana's ancestors were inhabitants of Kausamyapura or Kosam in the Allahabad district originally.
  17. Sinha, Bindeshwari Prasad (2003). Kayasthas in making of modern Bihar. Impression Publication. p. 13. Banaras plate of Govinchandra refers to Vastavya Kayastha.
  18. Niyogi, Roma (1959). The History of the Gāhaḍavāla Dynasty. Oriental Book Agency. p. 212. It also contains a statue of Vastavya-Kayastha Thakkura Sri-Ranapala (in a soldier's outfit) who appears to have built...
  19. Bose, Mainak Kumar (1988). Late classical India. A. Mukherjee & Co.
  20. Cunningham, Sir Alexander (1873). Report for the Year 1871–72. Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing.
  21. Apte, Vaman Shivaram (1957–59). Revised and enlarged edition of Prin. V. S. Apte's The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary. Prasad Prakashan. p. 1575. The word श्री is often used as an honorific prefix to the names of deities and eminent persons; श्रीकृष्णः, श्रीरामः, श्रिवाल्मीकिः, श्रीजयदेवः; also celebrated works, generally of a sacred character; श्रीभागवत, श्रीरामायण)&c.; it is also used as an auspicious sign at the commencement of letters, manuscripts &c
  22. Bhāratīya Vidyā. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. 1987.
  23. Skeat, Walter W. (Walter William) (1888). An etymological dictionary of the English language. Robarts – University of Toronto. Oxford Clarendon Press. p. 1, rule 2.
  24. S. S. Shashi, ed. (1996). Encyclopaedia Indica: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh: Volume 100. Anmol. p. 117. ISBN 978-81-7041-859-7.
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