Pushkarane Bbramhano Ki Prachinta Vishayak Tad Rajasthan Ki Bhul

This document is a book titled "Pushkarane Bbramhano Ki Prachinta Vishayak Tad Rajasthan ki Bhul" (The Antiquity of Pushkarana Brahmins and Tod's Rajasthan's Mistake) by Mithalal Vyas, published by Mithalal Vyas. It is dedicated to the service of the Pushkarana Brahmin community.

The core purpose of the book is to correct a historical error made by Lieutenant-Colonel James Tod in his influential work "Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan." Specifically, the author aims to refute Tod's assertion that the Pushkarana Brahmins originated from excavating the sacred lake at Pushkar.

Here's a breakdown of the key arguments and content presented in the book:

1. The Author's Argument Against Tod:

• Misinformation in Tod's Rajasthan: The author asserts that Tod's account of the Pushkarana Brahmins' origin, particularly in the history of Jaisalmer, is a fabricated "strange story" ("ajab kahani"). He argues that Tod, being a foreigner and unfamiliar with Indian religious texts and ancient histories, relied on hearsay, leading to significant errors.
• Contradictory Evidence within Tod: The author points out an internal contradiction in Tod's own work. In the same section on Jaisalmer's history, Tod mentions an event that occurred 200 years before the Pushkar lake was excavated, in which a Pushkarana Brahmin saved the life of Raja Devraj from enemies. This, according to the author, clearly demonstrates the Pushkarana Brahmins' existence long before the Pushkar excavation.
• Scholarly and Governmental Support: The author cites various historical sources and official reports to support his claims:
  • Skanda Purana: He highlights the "Shreemal Kshetra Mahatmya" within the Skanda Purana, which describes the origin of the Pushkarana Brahmins in a mythological context involving Goddess Lakshmi and a demoness, long before the Pushkar lake.
  • Census Reports: The author refers to the "Report of the Census of India, 1901" (Volume 25, Part 1 of Rajputana) which acknowledges the Pushkarnas as a branch of Gurjar Brahmins.
  • Other Historians: He mentions that other historians and writers, like Mr. John Wilson and Mr. Edvison, have perpetuated Tod's mistake by uncritically repeating it.
  • "Report of the Census of the Marwar State" (1891): This report is repeatedly cited as providing strong evidence that Pushkarana Brahmins existed hundreds of years before the excavation of the Pushkar lake, originating from Sindh.
  • Reverend M.A. Sherring: He is mentioned as classifying Pushkarana Brahmins among the Gurjar Brahmins within the Pancha Dravida group in his history.

2. The True Origin of Pushkarana Brahmins (According to the Author):

• Sindh as the Origin: The primary argument is that the Pushkarana Brahmins originated in the Sindh region (Sindhu Desh) and were initially known as Sindhi Brahmins.
• Mythological Account from Skanda Purana: The author details the story from the Skanda Purana's "Shreemal Kshetra Mahatmya" where the ancestors of the Pushkaranas, after a dispute with the Shrimali Brahmins, received a boon from Goddess Lakshmi. This boon, granted with the assistance of a demoness named Sarika (or Ushtrasini), led them to be called "Pushtikara" (nourishers) and subsequently "Pushkarana." The name evolved into "Pokrana" and then "Pokarne" Brahmins.
• Connection to Gurjar Brahmins: They are presented as a branch of the Gurjar Brahmins within the larger "Pancha Dravida" classification.
• Historical Evidence of Presence in Marwar and Sindh: The book presents extensive historical evidence, including references to their presence in Marwar and Sindh centuries before the Pushkar lake's construction, citing various inscriptions, historical accounts, and their linguistic and cultural ties to Sindh.

3. The Pushkar Lake Excavation and Tod's Error:

• Dating the Pushkar Lake Excavation: The author meticulously establishes the timeline of the Pushkar lake's excavation, attributing it to Raja Nahar Rao Parihar of Mandore around Vikram Samvat 1212 (approximately 1155 AD). He refutes claims of earlier excavation dates.
• The "Strange Story" vs. Reality: The author contrasts Tod's "strange story" with the credible historical and mythological evidence, emphasizing that the Pushkarana Brahmins were already established and respected figures long before the Pushkar lake was built.

4. The Author's Motivation and Work:

• Correcting the Record: The author's primary motivation is to correct the historical record and protect the honor and antiquity of the Pushkarana Brahmin community, which he feels has been misrepresented by Tod and his followers.
• A Larger Project: This book is presented as a precursor to a more extensive work titled "Pushkarotpatti," which will delve deeper into the entire history and genealogy of the Pushkarana Brahmins.
• Call to Action for Publishers: The author urges publishers and translators of Tod's "Rajasthan" to incorporate his corrections and findings as footnotes in future editions.

5. Comprehensive Description of Pushkarana Brahmins:

The book goes beyond just correcting the historical error and provides a detailed exposition of the Pushkarana Brahmin community, covering:

• Origins and Lineage: Tracing their lineage from ancient times, including their association with the Yadu dynasty and their roles as royal priests and advisors.
• Social and Religious Practices: Describing their adherence to Vedic and Smarta traditions, their participation in various rituals and sacrifices (like Vishnu Yajna), their dietary practices (influenced by the Dravida tradition), their observance of life-cycle sanskaras, and their adoption of the Pushti Marg sect.
• Occupations and Livelihoods: Highlighting their historical and ongoing involvement in various roles such as royal priests, scholars, astrologers, physicians, treasurers, administrators, merchants, financiers, and even military roles in times of need. They are noted for their diligence, trustworthiness, and lack of begging.
• Genealogy and Family Trees: Providing extensive details about the author's own family lineage (Vyas) to illustrate the meticulous genealogical records maintained by the community.
• Community Structure and Unity: Emphasizing their strong sense of community, mutual support, and the importance of community councils (Panchayats) in resolving disputes.
• Virtues and Character: Praising their contentment, generosity, righteousness, loyalty to rulers, and commitment to preserving their ancient customs and traditions.
• Geographical Distribution: Mapping their historical and present-day settlements across Sindh, Kutch, Gujarat, Marwar, Punjab, and other regions.
• Contributions to Society: Highlighting their intellectual contributions through their scholarship in various fields and their role in societal development.

In essence, Mithalal Vyas's book is a meticulous and passionate defense of the Pushkarana Brahmins' historical legacy, aiming to rectify a significant error in colonial-era historiography and showcase the community's rich heritage, traditions, and contributions.