Total population | |
---|---|
c. 247,402+ Worldwide | |
Regions with significant populations | |
India | 247,402 (2011)[1] |
Languages | |
Saurashtra as mother tongue Sanskrit as liturgical language. Tamil, Kannada, Telugu or Malayalam as secondary language based on native state may be sometimes spoken outside home. | |
Religion | |
Hinduism | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Gujarati people, Pancha-Gauda Brahmins, Gauda Brahmins, Girnara Brahmin, Chitpavan Brahmins, Deshastha Brahmins, Saraswat Brahmins, Konkani people, Sanketi people, Tamil Brahmins and Telugu Brahmins |
The Saurashtra people, or Saurashtrians,[2][3] are an Indo-Aryan ethno-linguistic Hindu Brahmin community of South India who speak the Saurashtra language, an Indo-Aryan Gujarati language, and predominantly reside in the Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.[4]
Saurashtrians trace their ancestry to the historical region of Saurashtra in Western India. Their migration to Southern India owes to the forays and desecration of the Somnath temple triggered by the frequent Muslim invasions, most notably by Mahmud Ghazni. They are known for their expertise in traditional vedic practices and rituals. Apart from being priests and scholars, they are also been involved in various professions such as agriculture, trade, and business and were a prominent industrious and prosperous mercantile community of merchants and weavers in southern India until the 20th century.[5][6] They have contributed to the cultural and social fabric of Tamil Nadu in many ways and have continued to maintain their distinct identity over the centuries.
Saurashtrians are Brahmins,[7][8] and are also referred to as Saurashtra Brahmins.[2][9][10][11][12][13] Further, like all traditional orthodox Brahmins, they are classified based on their gotra, or patrilineal descent. The majority of the people are Vaishnavas, though there is a significant proportion of Shaivas as well. They are prominently known by their unique family names and also use the titles Sharma,[14] Rao,[15] Iyer,[15] Iyengar and Achary[16] as their surnames but belong to linguistic minorities.[17]
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