Mathur Vaishya

Mathur Vaishya is a sub-caste of Vaishya, a Hindu caste.

Origins

According to the Hindu theology, Lord Brahma, the Creator, created the four Varnas. Also as per the oldest mention of the varna system in the Purusha sukta of Rigveda 10.90.12, "... his two thighs were the Vaishya, ... born". According to The INDIAN caste system, Vanika (Sanskrit) or Bania (Hindi) is a trader or merchant belonging to the business class. They are also referred to as Vaishya. Yellow color is associated with Vaishya. Gupta is the most widely used surname of Vaishya.

History

The Mathur Vaishya sub-caste of the Vaishya were a part of trading community in Mathura until around 1018 CE. During the ancient period, Mathura was an economic hub, located at the junction of some relatively important caravan routes. Mathura had historical links with Bateshwar, which is also located on the banks of river Yamuna. Bateshwar was founded by the king Śũrasena grandfather of lord Krishna according to legends.

According to history, Mahmud Ghaznavi destroyed and plundered the temple city of Thanesar and massacred its inhabitants in 1014 CE. Mahmud Ghaznavi's army brought to Ghazni 20,000 captives, and much wealth. Then, in 1018, when the news of his imminent attack on Mathura broke out, panic spread in the city, causing mass migration from city of Mathura . One group of the business community (approximately 100 families) rushed to escape southwards along the bank of River Yamuna (about 100 Km journey) to Bateshwar (and surrounding area). These migrants from Mathura came to be known as Mathuria Vaishya (Vaishya, who came from Mathura), who were named as Mathur Vaishya in british census. Mathur Vaishya have no connection with the Mathur sub-caste of Kayastha, as well as Mathuria from other Varna apart from sharing the same ancestral homeland in the Mathura kingdom. Mathuria Vaishya used to wear the sacred thread, which is the mark of the Dwija or twice-born.

Since Mathur Vaishya were forced by circumstances to leave most of their belongings back home in Mathura, most of them became poor. They restarted their lives with small business opportunities. With the passage of time and broadening of opportunities, they followed other professions along with trading. Some of them moved to nearby village Samugarh, now known as Fatehabad. Over time, the migration range widened to nearby villages Pinahat and Shamsabad, Agra. During early part of British period (1804-1858 CE), Mathur Vaishya took further steps in migration and moved beyond the northen bank of Yamuna (Shikohabad, Chandwar Nagar, Sirsaganj) and the southern bank of the Chambal (Dholpur, Ambah, Morena).

Present conditions

Chandwar Nagar is located on bank of river Yamuna and is south of current Firozabad city. Mathur Vaishya left Chandwar Nagar (only area of their homeland, where they deserted in toto) because of dacoits problem . With the introduction of railways, Mathur Vaishya also migrated to big cities like Kanpur, Kolkata, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai. Now they are spread all over India and some abroad too.

The Mathur Vaishya population is still well below a million . Firozabad has highest Mathur Vaishya population, followed by Agra. Most of the Mathur Vaishya in Firozabad are associated with the glass bangles business. In Firozabad, Mathur Vaishya are also referred to as Mathuria. Mr. Russel mentions that subcastes are of the usual local or territorial type, as ... Mathuria, and so on. . Most of Mathur Vaishya use Gupta as their surname, while others write their gotra as surname.

The Mathur Vaishya speak Hindi or its dialects . Mathur Vaishya have traditionally been strictly vegetarian and non-alcoholic, though some have changed in the modern times. Mathur Vaishya worship dieties Rama, Krishana, Shiva, Hanuman, Durga, Ganesha & Laxmi. Mathur Vaishya used to (even now) make a visit to the Mata KAILA devi temple at Karauli, Rajasthan to obtain blessing of Kuldevi after an auspicious occasion.

Distinct features about Mathur Vaishya, unlike some other vaishya communities are:

a) Mathur Vaishya's initial migration from their home land was invariably to the big cities.

b) Mathur Vaishya did not adopted or converted to other religions (including Jainism), despite surrounding areas under severe influence.

c) Mathur Vaishya preferred wholesale nature of business instead of retail.

d) The clan nomenclature was derived from trading business of family's head in Mathura.

Clan System

Mathuria Vaishya ancestors in Mathura were wholesale traders, who were engaged in businesses of Grain, Food items, Cloth, Kitchen Wares, Gold, Medicines, Health Supplements, Beauty Care products, Building Material, Wood, Plant Leaves, Arms. Few were Grocer & Money Lenders too. Hence, the clan system was derived to preserve identity of family tree. As life moved forward, there was additions in clan (clan names ending with letter 'AL') of those Vaishya of erstwhile Mathura, who could not join them earlier. Few more clan increased, as bigger clans got sub-divided. The comedy of error (mis-spellings) also helped to add few more clans taking the total to 108.

Mathur Vaishya do not marry amongst same gotra (of Father & Mother) because they believe that many years ago their elders belonged to one clan and hence are blood related brothers and sisters. Previously, even any match of gotra's of grand mother and maternal grand mother was not allowed. According to tradition, the dasa are said to be the descendants of Mathur Vaishya through non-Mathur Vaishya wives, though this concept is a thing of the past now.

Community Organization

Mathur vaishya have an all India organization called Akhil Bharatiya Mathur Vaishya Mahasabha which was founded in 1887 CE , (and also a women organisation called Mahila Sammelan), having its office in all big cities of India, and main offices at Agra & Jaipur. About 1970 CE, reforms were mooted in community. It was suggested that the remarriage and rehabiliation of widows be permitted. There was demand for abolition of dowry, which continue to hurt community like double edged sword.

Mathur Vaishya as a community have progressed tremendously. There were few MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly] from Mathur Vaishya community, who represented the constituencies of Jhansi, Shikohabad, Dholpur & Agra before caste polarization in Indian politics. In independent India, the initial preference among educated ones were professions of Doctor & Teacher . With the boom in outsourcing opportunities in India, Engineering has become the preferred profession among educated ones. In recent times, they are well placed in Corporate India, mainly in IT companies.