Bhat Explained

Bhat (also spelled as Bhatt or Butt) is a surname in the Indian subcontinent. Bhat and Bhatt are shortened renditions of Brahmabhatta or Bhatta.[1]

Etymology

The word "Bhat" (Sanskrit: भट,) means "scholar” in Sanskrit.[2] [3] While the original shortened rendition of "Bhatta" was "Bhat" or "Bhatt,"[4] many of the Kashmiri Brahmin and Kashmiri Muslim migrants to the Punjab region started spelling their surname as "Butt", which is the spelling of the clan used in certain dialects of the Punjabi language, such as Pahari.[5]

Geographic distribution

Goa

The surname is in use among some Konkani Goud Saraswat Brahmins as well as Konkani Christians (who trace their ancestry to the Goud Saraswat Brahmins of Goa).[6]

Kashmir

Bhat, also spelled as Bhatt, Batt or Butt, is a Kashmiri Pandit surname found among the Brahmins of the Kashmir Valley and Kashmiri Muslims, as well as Kashmiri who migrated to Punjab,[7] [8] [9] a region now divided between India and the neighbouring Pakistan.[7] Many such Kashmiri Muslims migrated to Punjab in the late 19th century/early 20th century due to the 1878 Kashmir drought, escaping discrimination by local rulers and seeking trade opportunities.[10] [11] [12] The surname is now shared by both Kashmiri Hindus and Kashmiri Muslims who mostly retained their last names.[13] [14]

Punjab

Some Bhats/Butts found in the Punjab region are descendants of those who migrated to different cities of (undivided) Punjab from Kashmir and Jammu during the 1878 famine,[7] [11] In Ludhiana, Kashmiris became known for their contribution to the handicraft arena.[15]

Karnataka and Tamil Nadu

The word Bhaṭṭa (Kannada:ಭಟ್ಟ) or Bhaṭṭar (Tamil: பட்டர்) is traditionally used, especially in the states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka usually to denote a "learned man" or a "scholar" (Brahmins), but also in other southern states.

It was originally used as an honorific like śāstri or paṇḍita, but has become a surname in parts of the country in modern times used as a family name rather than an honorific. In Southern Karnataka naming convention followed is such that, generally, one's father's name is kept as the surname irrespective of caste and many of these honorifics continue to be used as honorifics.[16]

In earlier times a caste name or village name was used by the Tamils as their last name, but due to the influence of the Dravidian movement, Tamils of all castes have mostly given up caste surnames. However, frequently adopt their father's or husband's name and take it for successive generations. But, honorific like Bhaṭṭar are still in use in spoke language rather than as a surname.[17]

This surname is commonly found in Havyaka Brahmins, Kota Brahmins, Shivalli Brahmins, Sthanika Brahmins, Koteshwara Brahmins, Kandavara Brahmins, Hoysala Brahmins of Karnataka.

Notable individuals

Academics

Actors, models, technicians and musicians

Businesspeople

Military

Politics

Scientists

Sports

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Hanks, Patrick . Dictionary of American Family Names: 3-Volume Set . 8 May 2003 . Oxford University Press, USA . 978-0-19-508137-4 . 214 . en.
  2. Book: Sahagala . Narendra . Converted Kashmir: Memorial of Mistakes . 1994 . Utpal Publications . 978-81-85217-06-2 . 53 . English . Bhat means a Brahmin, teacher, who imparts knowledge..
  3. Book: Sehgal . Narender . A State In Turbulence Jammu & Kashmir . 1 January 2013 . Prabhat Prakashan . 978-81-8430-242-4 . 18 . English.
  4. Book: Kashmiri Scholars Contribution to Knowledge and World Peace. Saligram Bhatt. Bhat, surnames are found in Uttaranchal, Northern Belt, Central and Western parts of the country and is a surname of sizeable Brahmins in Konkan, Maharashtra and Gujarat; where they had migrated in sizeable strength. Bhattas who migrated to Gauda were called Acharaya's and thus Bhattacharaya's. In Nepal, they became priests, ardent worshippers of Bhadrakali and spread Kali worship; mostly around Pashupatinath Temple. In Uttaranchal, they became the Purohit class, adopted the surname Purohit, many changed profession but retained the Bhatt surname. In northern plains, few became Bhattas, many Bhatts; in both cases Purohit class. In Central and Western parts, strict requirements of a Bhatta could not be sustained, and to indicate the Brahmin roots they opted for a surname only. Thus Bhatta and Purohit are surnames of the same category. Bhatta has a shortened version, Bhat ; referring to the same class of people. Surname Bhat in Kas'mira can also be traced to the short form of Bhatta. In Kas'mira, the Bhatta honorific has been associated with many personalities, scholars of the 9th and 10th centuries, scriptures, and specific in many cases in the 14th century and later.. 2 December 2010. 9788131304020. 2008. APH .
  5. Web site: Madras journal of literature and science, Volume 4. 1836 . Athenæum Press. Bhatt (vulgarly Butt) is the distinctive name of a class of Bramins in the north; and in the south the same class bear the distinctive title of Pattar . 2 December 2010.
  6. Sarasvati's Children: A History of the Mangalorean Christians, Alan Machado Prabhu, I.J.A. Publications, 1999, p. 137
  7. Book: The Journal of the Anthropological Survey of India, Volume 52 . The Survey . 2003 . The But/Butt of Punjab were originally Brahmin migrants from Kashmir during 1878 famine. . 2 December 2010.
  8. Book: . Pahāṛi and other tribal dialects of Jammu, Volume 1 . Eastern Book Linkers . 2006 . 9788178541013 . The But/Butt of Punjab were originally Brahmin migrants from Kashmir during 1878 famine. . 2 December 2010.
  9. Book: Explore Kashmiri Pandits. Dharma Publications. 9780963479860. 2 December 2010.
  10. Book: Bahl, Arvin. From Jinnah to Jihad: Pakistan's Kashmir Quest and the Limits of Realism. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. 2007. 9788126907212. 76.
  11. Book: The quarterly journal of the Mythic Society (Bangalore)., Volume 96. The Society. 2005. Even today most common family name in Kashmir is Butt, a distortion of Bhatt, a Hindu surname common amongst the Brahmins in India.. 2 December 2010.
  12. Book: Saligram Bhatt. Kashmiri Scholars Contribution to Knowledge and World Peace. 2008. APH . 9788131304020. Bhat, surnames are found in Uttaranchal, Northern Belt, Central and Western parts of the country and are a surname of sizeable Brahmins in Konkan, Maharashtra, and Gujarat; where they had migrated in sizeable strength. Bhattas who migrated to Gauda were called Acharaya's and thus Bhattacharaya's. In Nepal, they became priests, ardent worshippers of Bhadrakali and spread Kali worship; mostly around Pashupatinath Temple. In Uttaranchal, they became Purohit class, adopted the surname Purohit, many changed profession but retained the Bhatt surname. In northern plains, few became Bhattas, many Bhatts; in both cases Purohit class. In Central and Western parts, strict requirements of a Bhatta could not be sustained, and to indicate the Brahmin roots they opted for a surname only. Thus Bhatta and Purohit are surnames of the same category. Bhatta has a shortened version, Bhat ; referring to the same class of people. Surname Bhat in Kas'mira can also be traced to a short form of Bhatta. In Kas'mira, the Bhatta honorific has been associated with many personalities, scholars of the 9th and 10th centuries, scriptures, and specific in many cases in the 14th century and later.. 2 December 2010.
  13. Book: Parvéz Dewân. Parvéz Dewân's Jammû, Kashmîr, and Ladâkh: Kashmîr. January 2004. Manas Publications. 9788170491798. This is a surname shared by Hindus and Muslims.. 2 December 2010.
  14. Book: Sharma, Usha. Political development in Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh. 1 January 2001. Radha Publications. 9788174870629. en. Surnames like 'Bhatt' and 'Pandit' are common to both Hindus and Muslims.. 11 January 2015.
  15. News: Kashmiris' contribution to Ludhianvi culture . . 24 July 2003 . 25 March 2007 . In fact, the Ludhiana hosiery industry owes its origin to Kashmiris. According to the Ludhiana District Gazetteer, during a devastating famine in the 19th century a number of Kashmiris migrated to Ludhiana. They are known world over for their handicraft skills. They started weaving woollen fabric here. Slowly the trade got popular and Ludhiana started to be identified with hosiery only.
  16. Web site: India Personal Names . 4 May 2023 . www.familysearch.org.
  17. Web site: Indian Culture - Naming . 4 May 2023 . Cultural Atlas . January 2018 . en.

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