Katiyar : Kurmi

Katiyar belongs to the Kurmi caste.Kurmi (Hindi: कुर्मी) or Kunbi is the name of one of the Vedik Kshatriya Jātis (castes) of the Hindus in India. Kurmi are a tribe among the Har-Mitan social civilization. Kurmi is known as the chief ancient warrior/agricultural caste of India.

Basically, it means “I do”, “I am able”. “Kuru” in Sanskrit means “do”. “Kurmi” in Sanskrit, which is frequently used in the Ramayana, literally translates as “I can” or “I am able”, or “within my power to act”. In other words, those who are not Kurmi are not able, not competent, or without power to act.

Kshatriyas turned to farming or agriculture are known as Kurmis (or Kunbis or Kanbis.) As per ancient Hindu texts, agriculture is permissible to Kshatriyas under special circumstances.[1]

"A Kshatriya who has fallen into distress, may subsist by all these means..." ”-- Laws of Manu, X:95 [1]

As per ancient Hindu texts, agriculture is permissible to Kshatriyas under special circumstances [1] in the absence of opportunities in the military and feudal apparatus of a righteous Aryan King. Indeed, the service in the army of an unrighteous king was a great anathema for a concentious and observant Vedic Kshatriya in Ancient India. A Vedic Kshatriya was not a mercenary soldier, but. rather, a defender of the faith and righteous order (dharma).

People from the Kurmi known as Kunbi also, community in India belongs to a sub-caste of the Kshatriya Varna. The word kunabi is a generic term equivalent to farmer in English. According to Indian mythology, Lord Rama had two sons one Luv and other Kush. Luv's successors came to known as lavyas who settled in Kashmir and later moved towards other parts of the country. Successors of Kush came to be known as Kushwahas, who settled in northern plains of India. Kurmis used to be governing bodies in Gujrat, Maharashtra, South India, Sindh, Kashmir, eastern Afghanistan plains, Indus valley and parts of Pakistan before invasion of Central Asian non Aryans. Then were owners of land and gave that for farming in 'pattas'.

The physical appearance of the Kurmis tends to support the view of their Kshatriya origin. According to the Revd. Sherring, “The Kurmi has a strong, bony hand, natural to a man of his employment. He is frequently atall and powerful man, outspoken and independent in manner, and is altogether free from cringing obsequiousness.”


Courtesy/Referred from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurmi