Toward a History of the Brahmins

Abstract

To KNOW THE HISTORY OF the brahmins means, to a large degree, knowing the history of Vedic and of Hindu India-at least that of its upper strata and its great tradition. Prima facie, it would not seem to be too difficult to write this type of history, as most of our sources are Sanskrit texts or texts adapted into Skt., composed or written by brahmins-and all too frequently for brahmins. However, most Skt. works are a-historic or, at least, not especially interested in presenting a chronological account of (parts) of India's history. When we actually encounter history,' such as in the Rajatarangini or in the Gopd1avam?savaji2 of Nepal, the texts do not deal with brahmins in great detail. On this, one has to turn, as generally in the history of India, to the copper plate (and stone) inscriptions of medieval India, mostly written in Sanskrit3 from c. 300 A.D. onwards, occasionally even reaching into the modern period. Although they contain a wealth of data on brahmins, especially on royal donations of land to them, a comprehensive history of the brahmins has yet