Who are the Aryans and who are the Brahmins?

To make it easier to understand, please try to define who are the Americans?

If we want to answer the question thoroughly on who are the Americans we have to discuss about the Native Americans (also called earlier as Red Indians by European settlers), European Americans (Also called as White Americans), African Americans (Also called as Black Americans), Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans. A deep look into their origin would show they were from diverse ethnic, racial, religious groups.

The terms were coined during the 19^th and 20^th Century. But if you go back in history before the European settlers came to America there was no name as Native American or Red Indian. The original tribes of the current continental America were by names Apache, Seminole, Mohican, etc. The spirit of Americanism so far is so great that these diverse distinctions gradually erode away and in another say 500 years from now American may mean the inhabitants of America. Only a close and thorough investigation at that time will reveal Native Americans had nothing to do with European Americans racially and African Americans had nothing to do with European Americans or Native Americans and so forth.

Likewise the term Aryan has meant a very wrong meaning now. A thorough and detail investigation reveals Aryans were not a single race or from a single religious background. It will be hard for the current Brahmins to accept this truth as most of the theories about Brahmans revolve around the thinking as if Aryans were a single race.

To unravel the mystery and bring forth the truth one has to check the contradictions in ancient stories like Ramayana and Mahabharata.

To indicate the Caste system did not exist during the actual historical period of Ramayana and Mahabharata there are many evidences within those poems.

Drona was the teacher for the Kavravas and the Pandavas.

According to the Caste system practised in India during the 15^th to 19^th Century AD a person of a Caste cannot work in a different category of work than that of his Caste. So a Brahmin has to learn the Vedas and perform Prayers. A King has to fight wars and cannot perform Prayers and a Sudra cannot fight or perform prayers.

So according to this rule if Drona was a Brahmin then he and his sons could not have has fought in the Mahabharata war and Drona could not have been the commander / General for the entire Kavrava army at one point of time. But the Mahabharata in contradiction to this shows Drona and his sons waged war. At the same time at another chapter in the Mahabharata there is a story in which Drona’s cows were taken away by thieves and Arjuna has to go with his army to recover the cows and return them back to Drona and the logic here was Drona was a Brahmin and could not bear arms and hence Arjuna has to go to fight for Drona. Are these two incidents contradictory to the theory of Caste?

If so, why?

Let us take the case of Karuna. Karuna was raised up by a chariot driver. Until Karuna’s death the general public did not know he was actually the son of Kundi the Mother of the Pandavas. So to the public Karuna was a charioter’s son. Under what category were charioters according to Brahmanism? They were Sudras. So if the caste system was prevalent during the times of Mahabharata then Duriodana could have never made Karuna a King because it violates the laws of castes. If Duriodana dared to challenge castes then Drona and other Brahmins should have left the Kauravas or punished Duriodana but that did not happen. Not only was Karuna made a King (conversion from a Sudra to a Kshatriya) but also he was eligible to contest to marry Dravpathi! (A Sudra turned Kshatriya to marry a Kshatriya Princess!). If castes existed at that time do you think that would have been possible?

Let us take the case of Krishna. Krishna was born in a King’s family (Kshatriya) but was grown up in a Merchant family (Vaysya) but did the job of a Sudra (Charitorer for Arjuna). How was that possible if Castes existed at that time!

Salian against his wishes was commanded by Duriodana to be the Charioter for Karuna.

(A Kshatriya to become a Sudra!) If castes existed at that time, Salian would have called forth the Castes code of conduct (The so called Hindu law or Manu’s laws) and castigated Duriodana for such a violation of Cast laws. That did not happen indicating there was no Caste system at that time!

One of the conditions for the Pandavas by the Kavravas after they lost in game of dice to the Kavravas was that the Pandavas should live in cities in disguise for a year and should not be identifiable by the Kavravas (Like a hide and seek game). So how did the Pandavas hide? They went in hiding and lived and worked as Sudras! Had the caste system existed at that time could the Pandavas live as Sudras?

All these above evidences clearly indicate Caste system did not exist in India at the time of Mahabharata.

The origin of Brahmanism is after the collapse of Buddhism in the 1^st Century B.C. This is when the Caste system was devised and propagated. To propagate Brahmanism the Brahmins wrote the Smritis, Sruthis, Brahamanas, Upanishads, etc after that over the next 300 to 700 years. To give legitimacy and antiquity to their newly devised system they introduces new stories into the existing Ramayana and Mahabharata. They inserted stories that justify caste. They inserted Bhagavad-Gita inside the Mahabharata to justify Brahmanism were originally Krishna advised / pleaded Arjuna to fight his own relatives.

As these insertions were done over a period of time and by several different authors according to their belief, there are many different philosophies and contradictions in the most versions of the current Mahabharata.

Though any amount of hiding facts and rewriting did not completely erase the underlying truths. There lead to contradictory stories within Mahabharata and Ramayana. In order to prevent others from questioning these contradictions the Brahmins Manu’s law specified as one of its law not to question the validity of the Smritis, Sruthis and to be followed as given without questioning them. As this also did not help much they added one more law to ex-communicate anyone that questioned these laws, then they prevented anyone other than Brahmins to read these laws. Hence formed a new law that no one other than a Brahmin should study or recite the Vedas, Smritis, Sruthis, Brahamanas, and Upanishads. As reading them will bring forth the truth that they were trying to hide. But they gave a religious twist stating that they were so sacred that only a Brahmin can read them.

Though any amount of lying and modifying historic facts could not explain and justify the caste system as ancient history reveals people switched over jobs and Gurus participated in wars, the Brahmins adopted a new theory proposed by British that Aryans were a race and Kings Priests, Merchants (Kshatriyas, Brahmins, Vaysias) all came from the Aryan race. This helped the British to propose a superior European race over the Asian races. This helped the Brahmins to cover up the inconsistencies that they were trying to cover up that arose with their Brahmanism and Caste system. So the British and Brahmins together happily adopted and propagated the Aryan invasion theory that suggests Aryans were a race and they had (Kshatriya, Brahmins, Vaysias) and they defeated the ancient Indian races and made them their servants and made them the Sudras. To aid this they also propagated the stories that Pandavas, Rama and all famous ancient ruling dynasties as Aryans! As British educated only Brahmins during the first half of British rule in India, the Brahmins had an upper hand in completely rewriting history to their advantage. To unravel the deceit and bring forth the truth Dr.B.R.Ambedkar made every sincere effort. As his efforts started exposing the Brahmins, the Brahmins adopted all strategy to defame him and anyone that brought forth the truth.

So what is the truth?

Aryans were not a single race!

All Aryans are not Brahmins and all Brahmins are not Aryans!

Caste system did not exist in India before the 2^nd Century B.C.

Brahmanism was the origin of Caste and started about the 1^st Century B.C. and gradually spread through out India over the next 1500 years. Caste system spread to a maximum extent to most parts of India only after the 12^th Century AD. This was very much propagated and implemented by the Vijyanagar Empire, Marathas and British! A very mall part of India started with Caste system and Brahmanism starting with the Guptas. Later caught up by Satavaganas, then Pallavas, then later Cholas, then Vijyanagar Empire, Marathas and finally by British. In fact, British gave a huge boost to Caste system and Brahmanism.

The Aryan invasion theory by British and the Anti –Brahmanism movement in India, especially South India, made all Brahmins of all races to unite under a single cover called the Aryans!

The Dravidians – originally Tamil speaking inhabitants established civilization in India – Current Pakistan (around the Indus) and parts of Northern India (around the Ganges).

Though there could have lived several tribes the prominent and well-recorded ones were the Devas, Asuras and Nagas. It is to be further researched if the Mallas were there at that time. We mention the Mallas as they were major tribes that built civilization in ancient and Middle age India as discussed later. The rishies (sages, priests) that lived at that time served both the Devas and Asuras. It should be NOTED that ARYANS or BRAHMINS were not present there at that time.

The Devas had the King as Indra. Indra was not a single person. It was the title or name for the king of Devas. In Tamil Devar Vendan or Deva Venda (Devar meaning Devas, Vendan, Venda meaning King) means King of Devas. These two words collapsed as Devar-vendan, Deva-vendan to Devendran and later became Indran or Indra. (In Tamilnadu and Kerala – Earlier regions of the Cheras, Cholas and Pandiyas the kings were called as Vendan, Purandara, Indran until the 14 or 15^th Century A.D.

Brahma was also not a single person. It was the name of the post of the chief priest who officiated all the sacrifices and religious ceremonies for the Devas.

The original Rig Veda was sung in praise of Indra (By Priests, sages, poets) to get gifts and praises. Praising Kings by poets, priests were a common practise in India even up to the 16^th and 17^th Century A.D. Later when outsiders attacked the priests and sages, the sages and priests went and pleased with Indra to protect them from the attackers and enemies. These were the next additions of the Rig Veda. So who were the attackers of these sages and priests? It will be shocking to know these attackers were called the Aryans. So the initial Rig Veda poems that seek protection from Indra states ‘Oh Indra, please protect us from these Enemies, the Aryans!” At several places the term Aryan was used to mean Enemy in the earliest Rig Vedas that were sung to seek protection from Indra against the Aryans.

For some reason (either invasion or a major Natural event like Earthquake or Oceanic upheaval or drought) the Dravidians moved inland towards Southern India. What happened to the Devas, Asuras and Nagas is not very clear.

Ancient Tamil poems before the 3^rd Century BC are not available now. One of the reasons for this will be mentioned later. The earliest Tamil poems that are available now seem to be from the 3^rd Century B.C. Hear say through ancient generations is that the Tamil Kings came from a Continent by name they called Lamuria. (This may be the Continent Plato mentions as Atlantis. But there are no evidences to it).

Tamil poems indicate the Tamil Pandiyan King by name OokiraPeruvalushi who was also considered as Lord Shiva, initiated the Tamil language by researching all the available languages with the Sage Agathia and started a Champaign in the name of Tamil Sangam to spread the Tamil language. The wife of Lord Shiva was Meenakshi and their Son was Lord Murugan (Lord Karthik). Lord Murugan is called or considered the War Lord as he waged several wars against the Asuras and extinguished them and submerged the land of Asuras called Bali with the Indian Ocean by commanding Vayu to do so. The descendants of Lord Shiva, Goddess Meenakshi, Lord Muruga were called the Mallas in General and among Tamil Kings as Pandiyans. Lord Vishnu in Tamil poems was called as Perumal. Lord Perumal was the brother of Goddess Meenakshi and the Uncle of Lord Murugan. The Cholas are considered as the descendants of Lord Perumal and the solar race. They were also called as Mallas in General and specifically as Cholas among Tamil Kings. Tamil Poems and hear say also say that the Pandiyas, Cholas and Cheras were sons of the same Mother and came and settled in South India after the Submergence of the Continent Lamuria. So what do they have common to do with the Devas and Vedas?

When they first settled in South India, the land was virgin land with forests and wild rivers and people without any known language. So the three Kings – Pandian, Cholan and Cheran went to the land of the Devas and brought 1000s of Devas with them with seedlings and seeds for many agricultural crops and cleared the forests, dug thousands of wells, planted these seedlings and seeds that including Paddy (Rice), blew a Mountain by name Kudaku and brought the River Caveri towards Tamilnadu build Dams and River banks, spread the Tamil language and started Civilization there.

The Mallas formed rules of war that was noble than what is now devised in the United Nations International rules of War.

Some of them include fight at a designated Battlefield at designated time.

Begin the war after Sunrise with the blow of horn when both armies are ready to fight and stop the war before Sunset with the blow of horn.

Fight only those designated as soldiers and that too those that have weapon and ready to fight.

Do not engage in a fight with soldiers that run from the Battlefield.

They also thought dying in a war fighting is Martyr rather than running away as a coward once initially agreed to fight.

When a subordinate King agreed to pay takes and later refused to pay takes and also refused to fight at a designated place and shuts his city gates then the Superior King send his troops to blow the city walls and plunder the city.

The Greek travelers were so amazed to see people working in farmlands unharmed and without intervention when two armies were fighting in a near by battlefield, such was the code or war conduct of the Mallas.

The Mallas had different forms of Democracy and means of choosing the leader. The village Chiefs were chosen through an election that was caste by polling votes in a leaf and placing in a Pot. The person stating in these elections should have a prescribed minimum amount of land and paid taxes and should not have had any prior criminal records. Several Village Chiefs chose the Chief of Village Chiefs known as Perumal. The Perumal’s post was a one time tenure of 12 years. Later with change in time the Perumals became Kings and their sons became the succeeding Kings. When a King died without heir the next King or Queen was chosen with the help of the King’s Elephant. After prayer’s in the Kings Temple, the Royal King’s Elephant was given a garland and taken through the streets. On whom ever the Elephant places the Garland became the next King or Queen. They also elected representatives of villages by placing the list of names all willing participants in a basket and prayed the Village God or Goddess and then picked a draw. Whose ever name came in the draw became a representative. (Now days we consider this as a matter of luck or lottery. But they believed this is the will of God and hence adopted this procedure).

The Kings or Perumal with extraordinary valour, talent and who performed well were considered as God. Note Perumal was later equated to Lord Vishnu. In Tamilnadu even today Vishnu Temples are called Perumal Temples. Note the similarity of roles. Lord Vishnu / Perumal is considered the Protector. In ancient Malla culture the Kings / Perumals were the Protectors of the nation.

A Malla King – Perumal of extraordinary valour, talent and who performed well and did good deeds to the nation that died was burnt to ashes and at the place of his cremation a Shiva Lingum was erected and a Lord Shiva Temple was built at this place. There was two-fold significance to the Linga – first it meant the person cremated there was a Male, second, the person has become formless and shapeless and reached infinite with God.

Perumal represented the living King and Lord Shiva represented the dead King but attaining infinity, but this was later misinterpreted as Lord Vishnu / Perumal as the Protector God and Lord Shiva as the God of death or destruction. At the place of cremation of a queen with extraordinary valour, talent and who performed well and did good deeds an Amman / Durga Temple was erected. The Mallas lived throughout India but had separate Kingdoms in different dynasty names. The Mallas in the South India ruled by the name of Pandiyas, Cholas, Cheras, Pallavas (Note Pallavas were descendants of Early Cholas.) In North India they lived as Mallas but specific dynasty names are known yet. They were the basis for ancient Indian Civilization and this is the reason throughout India Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu and Lord Durga are the primary Gods.

The Mallas were farmers, landlords, and administrators during peacetime and were warriors during wartime. There were several classifications of workers that supported the civilization and these workers married whom they wanted and performed what job they wanted. THERE WAS NO CASTE IN INDIA AT THAT TIME.

As India had a variety of agricultural products, spices good civilization and democracy it’s fame reached all over the World. There were frequent Travellers and Trade between India and rest of the World. As affluence attracts, invaders also came to India from outside. The Greeks had the Philosophy of Metamorphosis and Greek Philosophers like Plato had ideas of an ideal society based on talents where Scholars did only Scholarly work, Brave men only did work related to War and others did day-to-day work as labourers. This Plato’s idea of an ideal society came to India through the Greek Visitors. But did not catch up until the raise of Buddhism.

As the Mallas had a democracy and were Secular they easily accepted the message of Buddha and spread it throughout India. Many men and women became Buddhist Monks. When Ashoka converted to Buddhism his empire had a vast geography in India so the Buddhist influence and way of life took over most parts of India that upset the very existence and way of life for several religious figures that were not Buddhists. They lost their significance, influence and basic livelihood. This prompted these people to revolt against the Mauryan King. So they murdered the Mauryan Emperor and started a new religion and new Constitution. The new religion was Brahmanism and the major element of the new Constitution was Caste system. This was borrowed from the Greeks, and was an idea of Plato. The priests that were affected by Buddhism wanted to make sure that they will never loose their position and power in society and wanted to eradicate Buddhism thoroughly and remove everyone that did not support them. The Caste system suited their plan very well. So they started writing the new Constitution with the Caste as the basis so that they will never loose power. But in order to gain support to their work they introduced religion into this and made concessions and attractions for the King at the same time made provisions that a King can never leave them to embrace / adopt a different religion.

As it is common to form a new constitution, adopt a new language with the formation of a new nation (especially when the new nation is formed out of hatred for an existing nation), a new language was formed which was classical Sanskrit. A new constituition evolved in the form of Smrithis. The new language called as Sanskrit was used to write the Upanishads, Sastras and Smrithis and to rewrite MahaBaratha and Ramayana to suite the needs of the new formed order that was called Brahamanism. The Guptas were the pioneers to adopt and propage Brahamanism, Sanskrit and the new Constitution – that was later called the Manu Smrithi. The people that did not adopt Brahamanism were termed as Vrathyas (Meaning Ignoble) and were made gradually as UNTOUCHABLES over a span of several centuries as and when opportunities arouse to subdue the so-called Vrathyas. The Kings, Priest and Merchants that adopted Brahamanism were absorbed as Ksatryas, Brahamins and Vaysyas. The commoners that lived in those Kingdoms that adopted Brahamanism were termed as Sudras and were used as workers of various types. The Kings that opposed Brahamanism and refused to accept the class system and refused to accept Brahamins as their advisors were ex-communicated and when these kingdoms fell from power the people inthose Kingdoms that adopted Brahamanism were absorbed as Sudras and the people that still opposed Brahamanism were made as UNTOUCHABLES.

( Note: The original Vedas might have been writen in Tamil or similar Dravidian language. The original Vedas did not specify about caste. They are collection of songs praising their King – Indra and sang the then state of affairs. The Upanishads, Sastras and Smrithis including the Manu Smrithi were written in Classical Sanskrit after the Mauryan Era. The German historian Max Muller and English historian James Mill saw the similarity in syntax and vocabulary between Classical Sanskrit and Greek and Latin and tied that to the language of the Vedas and called it Vedic Sanskrit to give a superiority link to the Greek and Europeans and a so called Aryan civilization. The so-called Vedic Sanskrit is completely different from Classical Sanskrit and has no connection. Max Muller called the language of the Vedas as Vedic Sanskrit and gave an artificial connection between the original Vedas and Classical Sanskrit that was developed after the Maurian Era.)

The like-minded priests that opposed Buddhism, that revolted and killed the Mauryan Emperor researched the original Vedas for answers to their new religion and Constitution. As they could not find much of what they want to their support they wrote new Vedas to explain the Origin of Universe, the role of Gods and their Supremacy. In this they adopted the theory that Brahma was the Supreme God that created the World as the original Vedas attributed the work of chief Priest of the Devas to Brahma, and as these priests wanted to have at most control they made Brahma as the superior God to a way of justification for their superiority among the different Castes that they were creating. As these priests worshipped Brahma, they were called Brahmins.

As each Brahmin Philosopher started to give his own explanation of creation and the rules to be followed for the new Constitution numerous Brahmanas, Smrithis and Sruthis sprang up. To justify their work and Philosophy and to give antiquity to their work and to easily convey their message they introduced stories that aided their Philosophy to the existing Ramayana and Mahabharata. This is the reason the Ramayana and Mahabharata has many contradictory works on the creation of Universe and about the prevalence of Caste. Thus Brahmanas, Upanishads, Bhagavad-Gita, Smrithis and Sruthis were born.

As these theories created lot of confusion Manu consolidated his views in the name of Manu Smrithi and made it the final Constitution.

Some of the major aspects of Manu Smriti are:

1. 1. Rationalism as a canon of interpreting the Vedas and Smritis is absolutely condemned. It is regarded to be as wicked as atheism and the punishment provided for it is ex-communication.

(The following within the parenthesis is written by the author for clarity: After the downfall of Mauryan Buddhists Empire, those who accepted the Vedas and Smritis were included as Sudras as explained earlier. Those Buddhists and others who questioned the Vedas and Smritis were ex-communicated according to this Manu’s rule and gradually became Untouchables – This was one way. The other way to ex-communication and gradually to Untouchability was when a King and his army lose in war and did not accept the new order. The ones that accepted were absorbed as Sudras)

2. 2. When there was conflict and contradiction between the rules of different Smriti then only the Manu Smriti must be used.

3. 3. Not to follow even God in their good deeds, if they are contrary to the rules of Shurti, Smriti and Sadachar!

Remember earlier it was mentioned the original earliest Rig Veda songs had Aryan to mean an Enemy. But the new Vedas that sprang now were sung with the meaning of Aryan as Noble person and much later ones with the meaning of Citizen. So these outsiders as they got influence in society and contributed to the new Vedas gave the new meaning as prevalent at that time. So it seems Greeks had a great role to play in this. (Note Asoka’s grandfather was Chandra Gupta who married the daughter of Selucus – one of Generals of Alexander. The Greeks also had the idea of Plato’s’ ideal society of division of labour. But when Ashoka converted to Buddhism the Greeks could have lost their influence and could have been part of the revolt to collapse Buddhism).

According to old Tamil Dictionary of 9^th Century AD, Aryan means Melacher meaning people that were outsiders that were uncivilized and that did not learn Tamil well.

There was a Pandiyan Tamil King by the name of Nedunzhelian. He was also called as Arya Padai Katheratha Pandya Nedunchelian, which means Pandiya Nedunchelian who completely destroyed the Aryan army. This Pandiya Nedunchelian also had Roman soldiers as his Body Guard. So he should have lived any time between 300 BC to 400 AD. Note the Romans and Greeks were great enemies and Pandiyan Kingdom had good trading relation with Romans. As Greeks were waging war in India, the Romans could have helped Pandiya Nedunchelian to defeat the Greeks. This may be the reason he had Roman bodyguards. Remember the Mallas had good rules of engagement of war. But the Greeks and Huns did not have or follow these rules. They attacked at night and any time they wanted. The Tamil meaning of Aryan at that time was outsiders that were uncivilized / Barbaric and that did not learn Tamil well. So this could have very much meant the Greeks and Huns (As the Huns and Greeks did not follow the prevailing rule of war practised in India and attached any time the Aryan meaning could have had the ‘uncivilized’ aspect of it at that time).

The revolt against Buddhism started at the core of the Mauryan Empire and gradually spread throughout India over a period of several centuries.

In the North the GUPTA Empire took shape and accepted the Brahmin Philosophy that was newly taking shape and adopted the Caste system. Buddhist Temples were destroyed. The priests that joined this new Philosophy became the BRAHMINS. But this was not a smooth establishment. The main motto of the newly formed priests – the Brahmins against Buddhism was never to loose control and importance. So they cleverly made rules to attain this goal.

1. They researched the ancient Vedas and saw in ancient Vedic literature Brahma was the Chief Priest for the Devas. So they wrote new Vedas to state that Brahma was the chief God and Creator and hence the Supreme. There by they wanted to uphold / justify and convenience people that Brahmins (Priests as Brahma was) as the Supreme among humans. (But at some point in time this backfired as the following story illustrates.

The claim for superiority between Kings and Priests is illustrated in the story for the claim for superiority between Lord Vishnu (the protector - Kings were protectors in ancient times) and Lord Brahma (the celestial chief Priest in Heaven who was in charge for saying Mantras, conducting Heavenly Marriages etc that are works of Priest). In this contest, Lord Shiva banished Lord Brahma from being worshipped because Lord Brahma lied to claim superiority. The actual truth of the story may not be clear, but with this the worship of the God of Brahmins – Lord Brahma was stopped. Following this the Brahmins adopted Vishnavism and Shivaism which the Kings and their country men followed but always awaited opportunity to topple the Kings)

2. In order to have control over the Kings they wrote that the Kshatriya was born with his hands tied and a Kings power can be unleashed only through the Brahmins. In order to attract Kings to this new Philosophy, they made the rule that only born Kshatriyas can be Kshatriyas and hence Kings. By this law they prevented competition from anyone to become a successor to a King so that the Kings son can become the next King. This was a major source of attraction for Kings to adopt Brahmanism. Remember we mentioned the different forms of democratic process Mallas had. Also note Chandragupta the founder of the Mauryan Empire was a Shepard. Had this Brahmanical Caste system existed at the time of Chandragupta or before then Chandragupta could never have become a King (Note: Now-a-days Hindu books give Chandragupta a Kshatriya origin), Karuna could not have become a King.

3. Kings that adopted Brahmanism were termed as Noble Kings and Kings that opposed or did not accept / follow Brahmanism were termed as degraded Kings (Vrthya Kashtrya). Manu Smrithi also specified that a degraded King (one that did not adopt Brahmanism can become noble by adopting and supporting Brahmans and Brahmanism).

4. As people questioned the validity of the system, in order to justify the Brahmanical laws and Caste the Brahmins inserted new stories inside Ramayana, Mahabharata and all known old literature of that time to support caste system and the supremacy of the Brahmins. This is the reason these literature have many contradictory views on creation, caste etc. {Instances of this include, they created a text by name Bhagavad-Gita and inserted it into the Mahabharata. In Tamil, the book Tholgapiaam that was written before 300 BC was the encyclopaedia of Sangam age. This book described the Tamil culture, grammar, literature, types of people that lived in the region, their occupation, their Gods etc. This book did not have any mention about Caste, Brahmanism or Brahmins. But later with the spread of Brahmanism to the South, the Brahmins also inserted material to this encyclopaedia - Tholgapiam mentioning about Caste, which stands completely contradictory to all the other descriptions of people and occupation mentioned in the Tholgapiam. When Tamil Brahmins boosted their superiority during British time in India, a British asked if Valluvar (famously called TiruValluvar who wrote the Kural (famously called TiruKural) was a Brahmin. Immediately the Brahmins started writing that new evidence indicates that Valluvar who wrote Kural was born to a Brahmin and non-Brahmin}.

5. In order to get rid of books that did not support their views they created new festivals like Dasara and asked everyone to through everything that were old and gave the reasoning that those who throw the old will be bestowed with new good. With this people threw away most of the ancient literature into rivers or burnt them.

6. The people that questioned the Brahminical laws were ex-communicated (This was another law of Manu). The Kings that adopted Brahmanism became Noble and ones that did not were Vratya Kshatriyas / ignoble Kings**. When the so called ignoble Kings lost power to a King that supported Brahmanism, the King and his Kinsmen were ex-communicated and were deprived of any contact. THE DESCENDANTS OF THESE KINGS AND KINSMEN WERE GRADUALLY MADE UNTOUCHABLES OVER A PERIOD OF SEVERAL GENERATIONS. Some are examples include Mallas, Cheras, Pallavas, Cholas, Pandiyas, Chalukyas, Mauryas, Nandas etc. NOTE UNTOUCHABILITY STARTED IN INDIA ONLY AFTER THE 7^th or 9^th Century A.D*. The peak of this conversion to Untouchability in India happened during Vijayanagar, Maratha and Pesawar rule after the 13^th Century A.D. The origin of Untouchability is the ex-communication rule of Manu for those that questioned the validity of Smrithi, Sruthi and hence Brahmanism. The British also aggravated the problem by giving 100% reservation to Brahmins in Education and Employment for almost 100 years and by preventing the Untouchables from education, employment etc. (WHAT AN IRONY THE BRAHMINS WHO HAD 100% RESERVATION FOR ALMOST 100 YEARS NOW WANT TO REMOVE RESERVATION FOR OTHER UPCOMING COMMUNITIES!)

* It should be noted that in ancient India only Pullayar (in South India) and Chamar (in North India) were considered impure and Untouchable – Note the degree of Untoucability towards the Pullayar and Chamar in ancient India was much different than that of the Untouchability towards all Untouchables during the peak of Brahmanism in 17, 18, 19 and 20^th Century AD.

The Pullayar and Chamar were treated as impure because of their Job. The Pullayar burnt dead bodies at Cremation. So they were considered impure. For example now a days all Biohazards in hospitals and other places are kept and disposed separately. Likewise Pullayar and Chamar were avoided. To prepare general public to taking care of themselves from the perceived impurity the Pullayar and Chamar were supposed to blow a horn when they arrive at public place. Women were prevented from directly giving food to them. They were not restricted or castigated like the Untouchables were treated during the peak of Brahmanism in 17, 18, 19 and 20^th Century AD.

**Manusmriti (X/43-44) informs us that, in consequence of the omission of sacred Brahmanical rituals/codes and of their not heeding to the Brahmanans, the following noble Kshatriyas have gradually sunk in this world to the state of vrishalatam i.e become degenrate Kshatriyas: the Paundrakas, Chodas, Dravidas, Kambojas, Yavanas, Shakas, Paradas, Pahlavas, Chinas, Kiratas and Daradas.

A formal procedure is detailed in Mahabharata as to how these Vratya Kshatriyas (or the alien hordes) could attain the high status of noble Kshatriyas in the Hindu society. The most important among the recommendations are the performance of paka-yajanas (minor sacrifices) and giving rich gifts to the Brahamin priests at these sacrifices (MBH XII.65.13-22; also see: Comprehensive History of India, Dr K. A. Nilkanta Sastri, Vol II, 1957, p 468)

7. Plato’s idea of an ideal system had only 3 divisions. As the Brahmins adopted / borrowed this idea the original Caste system only had 3 divisions. The Brahmins, Kshatriya and Vaysias. As Brahmanism expanded, the citizens of the so-called ignoble Kings, that adopted Brahmanism became Sudras after their King and his Kinsmen were ex-communicated on their defeat.

8. As Buddhism prevailed over most parts of India for about 300 years, people did not deliberately kill animals to eat them. But the Brahminical laws did not have such prohibition. But as people did not accept the idea of killing animals (300 years of Buddhism amounts to about almost 10 generations) in order to attract people towards Brahmanism, Brahmins gave away the practise of eating Meat.

9. Brahmins also made a law that no one should kill or attack a Brahmin. There by they prevailed no matter, which King came to power.

10. As Buddhism was spread mostly by Bachelors (as Buddhist Monks), Manu’s law made Marriage a must on everyone.

11. As many Buddhist monks were women and actively helped the spread of Buddhism, Manu and the Brahmanical laws curtailed all the freedom for women and prevented them from learning.

The Tamil Kings (Pandiyan, Cholan and Cheran) had friendly relations with Mauryan Empire. The Brahamin champaign gradually spread to South India and destroyed the casteless Sanagam Tamil Era. In Tamilnadu a casteless, Sangam period came to an end at about the 2^nd or 3^rd Century A.D. with the attack or upraisal of Kalavars. With this attack the Tamil Sangam (Champaign to spread Tamil) came to a halt. Kalavaram means upraisal, revolution, chaos in Tamil; The Kalavars were later on called as Kalabras. The raise of the Kalabras made sweeping changes in the South Indian Society. (Though there is no details on who the Kalavars / Kalabras were, Thiru.Devasirvatham thinks the Kalavars / Kalabras were internal revolters that revolted against the Tamil Kings to establish a new order). So the Kalabras may be part of a Brahamin campaign to destroy Tamil Kingdoms that did not support Brahamanism or can be Jain revolters or Robbery tribes that simply looted the well established and civilized non-Brahamin Tamil society and established a different order from 3^rd Century A.D. to 5^th Century A.D.

After the 5^th Century A.D. the Pallavas and Later Cholas who were Mallas, destroyed the Kalabras and rose to power but gradually and partially adopted Brahamanism because by the time Brahamanism became an unavoidable phenomenon.

Note: According to the Tamil Epic called ‘Sillapathigaram’ written by Elango-adigal (a Cheran Prince to Jain Monk convert), the Pandian Empire ruled by King Nedunchelian was destroyed by the wrath of Kannagi because the Pandian King wrongly put to death the husband of Kannagi – Kovalan, who was falsely accused or robbing the Queen’s ancklet. This incident happened about the 2^nd or 3^rd Century A.D. The Pandian King Nedunchelian was also called as Arya-Padai-Kathiratha Pandian (Meaning destroyer of the Aryan Army). This Pandian King also had Roman Body Guards. Connecting these together might suggest that Kannagi’s case might have been used as a trigger to revolt against a King that did not support Brahamanism and this may be part of the Kalavar attack.

As Kingdoms adopted Brahmanism, and as Brahmainical laws demanded that only Brahmanism can be priests and demanded charity to hundreds of thousands of Brahmins on specific occasions as certain Yagas, when sufficient number of Brahmins were not available, Kings converted thousands of common public to Brahmins through ceremonies and gave them Charity! So the Brahmin community is NOT a racially unique community.

When British came to India they studied the Caste division established by Brahmanism. Brahmins, Kshatriya, Vaysias and Sudras were not ready to support the British as by then most Indian Kingdoms adopted Brahmanism or were Muslims. The ex-communicated Untouchables were the descendants of Vrathya Kshatriyas and had the valour and willingness to fight. So British recruited them in their army to fight the Indian Kings of that period. Once when British came to power the Brahmins sided with the British leaving their previous Kings that upheld Brahmanism. Remember the very Motto of the Brahmin Priest that revolted against Buddhism was never to loose control and power. So now they sided with the British. British found them loyal and studying their priestly work decided that the Brahmins would not be a threat to their Empire. Hence they educated only the Brahmins and appointed them to all British government offices. They also removed the Untouchables from the army in siding with the Brahmins. As British and Germans were found of White supremacy (At that time British and Germans were friends and had Royal Relation between the British and German Royal families) they wrote of an Aryan Supremacy theory and wrote that the Aryans were the current Brahmins. THOUGH IN REALITY ARYANS AS MENTIONED IN ANCIENT INDIAN LITERATURE WERE NOT A SINGLE RACE. (Remember Aryan meant an enemy then an outsider then a noble and then a citizen with changes with time). Also as mentioned before BRAHMINS WERE ALSO NOT OF A SINGLE RACE. The Brahmins of the North and Brahmins of the South did not have much in common except they adopted Brahmanism and were priests under the Kingdoms that adopted Brahmanism as prescribed by Manu.

The Brahmins were also divided as Golgothy Brahmins, Arya Brahmins, Dravidian Brahmins etc. As more and more anti-Brahmin sentiments grew especially with the Dravida Kalagam that took extreme views to reduce Brahmanism, Brahmins all around united together as a if they were a single Aryan Race. The Brahmins to identify and help each other use several techniques of which some are:

1. Men wear a so-called sacred thread around the upper body and show it near their collar when they meet someone whom they think may be a Brahmin. If they identify each other as Brahmins then they use a colloquial or slang to speak with each other to further confirm the identity.
2. They use specific names as their Surnames e.g. Ayer, Ayengar, Sharma etc
3. They use certain words in Sanskrit.
4. After confirming their identities then they have a free ride. – Preference / Preferential treatment in Education, Marks, Jobs etc. They do this everywhere around the World. This is there Merit.

History on how Brahmins of Tamilnadu adopted the name of Ayer.

Remember the Motto of Brahmins were never to loose control and Power.

The Tamil Brahmins are now a day called by the caste name Ayer or Iyyar. But the name itself to mean a caste – Tamil Brahmin came into existence only after 17 A.D.

Earlier Tamil Kings were called as Ayyan or Iyya – meaning Father, respected one.

Priests (Brahmins) called themselves as Pillai – meaning sons – to mean sons of Kings to mean they were as loyal as sons to the kings.

Later after the Nayak’s (Telugu) invasion of Tamilnadu, Nayak Kings were called as Ayyan or Iyya and the Brahmins called themselves as Pillai.

But after Muslim rulers defeated the Nayaks and later when British ruled India, Brahmins were given great importance and initially British gave education only to Brahmins. During this time Brahmins called themselves as Ayer or Iyyar to claim respect. The numerous castes that formed during the 17 and 18th Century A.D, that wanted to claim superiority of caste followed the new Brahmin tradition and called themselves as Pillai – Meaning sons of Ayer – That is the sons of modern Brahmin Caste and Vellala – A title used by the Kinsmen of Tamil Kings to mean Noble / Generous (The original Vellalas were Mallas and were renamed as Pallas after their defeat with Nayaks).

So to summarize Tamil Kings were called as Ayyan and later Telugu (Nayak) Kings who defeated the Tamil Kings were called as Ayyan and Brahmins called themselves as Pillai and later when Telegu Kings were defeated and Brahmanism rose to prominence during British era and the Brahmins called themselves as Ayer and the newly formed castes to get higher caste status called themselves as Pillai.