Tyagi

Tyagi
(त्यागी تیاگی)

Total population
Unknown
Regions with significant populations
Western Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Pakistan
Languages
Hindi, Urdu
Religion
Hinduism, Islam,Christianity
Alternative names include Taga and Tagha

Tyagi (Devanāgarī: त्यागी) is a Brahmin community and surname from the northern part of the Indian subcontinent. Tyagis are Hindus.

The word 'Tyagi' is derived from the Sanskrit 'tyag', meaning "to sacrifice" or, "one who has renounced". Taga (तगा) and Tagha (तग़ा) are alternative names that are sometimes used. Within Tyagi, a number of gotras co-exist, including Vatsa, Bharadwaj, Vasistha, Gautam, Atreya, Kaushik, Vatsyayana, Kashyap, Shandilya, Dixit and Parashara.

Mudgal gotra

Historical Origins

Bhat records hold that the origins of the surname were found in a split between the Tyagis and the Brahmin subcaste Bhumihar Brahmin. Bhumihar are said to be direct descendants of Parashurama, the sixth avatar of Vishnu. Parashuram requested that the Bhumihar renounce all future bhiksha, and instead impart their knowledge and administration for religious functions without donation, in turn dedicating themselves to the development of agriculture in northern India. Those that obeyed Parashuram were given the surname 'Tyagi' to commemorate their sacrifice. Bhumihar Brahmins and Tyagis have an affinity and brotherhood for each other. The Bhumihar Brahmins, of whom many, though not all, belong to the Saryupareen Brahmin division of Kanyakubja Brahmins.

This assertion is not without debate, however. Other sources maintain that the origins of the surname hold a connection with Janmejay, the first Hindu king during the age of kalyug, approximately 3000 BCE. Janmejay was the great-grandson of Arjuna, the protagonist of the Bhagavad Gita. According to alternate bhat records, Janmejay organized a Nag Yagna, for a bloody war waged against the Nagas. Yagnas were generally performed as a ritual of purification for sins and bloodshed committed during war. At this ceremony, the most learned and renowned of Brahmins versed in performing the art of sacrifice were invited from across the northern subcontinent to administer the ceremony. According to Vedic literature, the Yajinika of such an elaborate ceremony was required to be a master scholar in scripture, mathematics, and astronomy. At the end of the Yagna, a bhiksha was offered to the Brahmins in exchange for their services. Janmejay, per tradition, offered the visiting priests wealth in the form of gold, livestock (particularly cows), houses, horse driven chariots, and clothes, among other things, in gratitude for their services.

Beyond this, however, Janmejay wished that the scholars and priests remained near his capital regions of Indraprashtha, or modern-day Delhi, as well as in Hastinapura, the older capital of the Kuru dynasty. Per records, Janmejay offered the visiting Brahmins a total of 2444 villages in exchange for retaining them near his capital cities.

While Brahmins did not traditionally cultivate land, but the Brahmin priests refused the bhiksha offered at the end of a ceremony but they opted to cultivate the land in spite of accepting the "dakshina" or "bhiksha" and promised to themselves that in future they would not accept any type of charity. But later on they countered that in devoting themselves to agriculture, they would have to renounce their Purohit Karma duties to give Karmkand, or religious rites. Their progeny, in turn, would never accept charity for their livelihood or act as religious functionaries. Hence, they have the same gotras as all Brahmans and still wear the yagnopaveeta (janeu or); they are eligible to perform sandhya-vandana and learn their saka, even though they may not be vaidiki Braahmans as far as occupation is concerned.These Bhumihaars were then given the surname 'Tyagi' to acknowledge their renunciation. They are among the most proud of all Brahmins and backbone of Brahmanical system. They rule on few small states "Estate or Riyasat" in U.P. & DELHI

FORMATION OF SUB CASTS

There have been many historical and material reasons in formation of sub castes out of the four Varnas'. All Sub castes have very distinct and specific features and traits of their own. Tyagis are no exception. Tyagi Brahmans are highly enlightened community of martial spirit, mainly devoted to agriculture as their profession. Hardly can there be found a Tyagi Family not owning a piece of land to cultivate unless that family is deprived of such a valuable possession due to urbanisation by the State. According to scriptures, a Brahmana is required to provide defence on the authority of the 'Shastra, as well as that by the weapon ('Shastradapi'). Scripture and Weapon as their main trait are vividly reflected in their gotra. Gotra means the name of the ancestral father; the Tyagis attribute their origin from. The various 'gotras' of the Tyagi Brahmans are Bharadwaj, Vasishth, Gautam, Atri, Kaushik, Vatsyayana, Kashyap, Shandilya , Parashar etc. This sect of the Brahmanas who call themselves as Tyagi Brahmans are mainly agriculturists. But agriculture was never ever an honorable profession for a Barahmana, although we find many Rishis in the Vedic Literature devoting to agriculture. Along with sons even the daughters have been referred to assisting their fathers, working in the field. But that was the time when profession of a person was not determined by birth. Profession by birth was a phenomenon of later historical times, where an agriculturist Brahmana was a paradox and totally unacceptable in society. Many 'Smritis' declare that if some one happens to see a Brahmana ploughing a field, it accrues such a huge sin that he is ordained to bathe clothes on immediately, in order to get rid of that sin. This situation prevailed over the period from later 'Vedic Samhitas' till 'Mahabharata'.

MAHABHARATA WAR

After the great 'Mahabharata' War the dynamics of the society changed drastically. Rules of marriage (anuloma and pratilome) and the age old rule of the son adopting his father's profession became the norm of the day. On account of this and in the state of squeezing means of livelihood many new castes began to appear in society. But this was not the case with the Brahmanas, who were as a matter of fact ideals in society and they followed the dictum of the scripture. Right from the earliest times they had six fold duties to perform and they were studying the Vedas themselves (Vedakhyayana), teaching them to others (Vedadhyapana), performing sacrifices themselves - (yajna Karma), performing for others (yajna karana ), giving charity (Dana) and accepting charity (Pratigarh). The first three of the above three pairs i.e. Studying Vedas, performing sacrifices, and giving charity were their duties (Kartavya) and the second three of the above pairs were their means of livelihood (Ajirya). As a normal practice among brahman (Jivan Vyavahar), they summed all wealth, their high learning, performed knowledge of scriptures, wisdom all wealth versatility but poor means of livelihood and meager and austere living kept many high ones in society always in awe.

GANAMEJAYA'S NAGAYAPA

After the Mahabharata war there occurred a very important event in the social history of India. After Yudhishthira his grand son, the Great King Ganamejaya, son of Parikshit, was in the throne, who waged a sanguinary war against the Nagas. It was a common practice among the kings of ancient India that they used to perform great sacrifices (Yajnas) after they achieved glorious victories against their enemies. Performance of the Yajinas signified purification of the ruling dynasty for the wrongs done during the war and enhancing glory and authority of the State everywhere. So king Gananejaya also performed great sacrifices after his victory over the Nagas. The sacrifices came to be known in history and tradition as " Ganamejaya Ka Nagayapa". The tradition goes that the most learned and great expert Brahmanas in the craft of performing sacrifices, were invited from all over the country to take part in the scarifies as sacrificial priests. It is true on the authority of the Vedas itself that the Yajinika (performer) was required to be the master of the scriptures, mathematics and astronomy. This tradition is still preserved in most of the Tyagi Bahamanas families coming down from generation to generation till date. Since we have been listening from our grand fathers and grand mothers, that our ancestors were those fortunate ones who were honoured to act as Adhvaryus, and Rtviks in this sacrifice. We all know that the last item of the Yajna is Dakshina, the sacrificial fees which were offered to the Brahmans after the completion of the sacrifice. Without paying proper fees the yajna was considered as incomplete. The tradition says that the King was over whelmed, overjoyed and ecstatic by the knowledge and craft of sacrifice of the Brahmanas. The king emptied the royal treasures and vast wealth in from of gold, animals particularly cows, houses, horse driver chariots, clothes and other articles of utility were distributed among all classes of society.

GANAMEJAYA'S DAKSHINA

King Ganamejaya ruled over his vast empire from his two capitals, Indraprastha, modern Delhi, which was founded by great grandfather Arjuna, and Hasthinapur, the old capital of 'Kuru' dynasty. The king had a secret design in his heart, which he did not disclose or discuss even with his ministers. He wanted that all these learned Brahmans who hailed from some famous learned families of the Brahmanas settled over the country far and wide, should remain around his capitals. So he granted large tracts of cultivable land to these Brahmanas as 'Dakshina'. It was a bolt from the blue to the Brahmanas because there was no sanction by the scriptures to these effects. The king knew that 'Dakshina' was never refused. And by this trick he would have Brahmanas settled around his capitals. It is due to this reason that Tyagi Bramanas are found settled in this region. But the Brahmans defeated the King's device. They vowed the declared that they accept the Dakshina but henceforth they relinquish the 'Paurohitya Karma' i.e. performing religious rites for others, and they and their progeny would never accept any charity in future for their livelihood nor act as sacrificial priests. Although accepting charity was one of Brahmana's duties sanctioned by the scripture, they remained devoted to agriculture as the only means of their livelihood.

THE TYAGI BRAHMANAS

Thus came into existence the sect of the Tyagi Brahmanas, who took up Agriculture as their profession sacrificing their two scriptural duties - no accepting charity and no performance of rites for others. Therefore South East Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh around Delhi and Hastinapur is the abode of the Tyagi Brahmanas.

THE TYAGIS

Once a sect of Brahmanas took up agriculture as profession, many other sects of Brahmanas following them gradually accepted agriculture as an honorable profession but side by side they remained adhered to the old duties also i.e. they continued to accepting charity and acting as priest also. But respecting the vow of their forefathers, with their descendents, the Tyagis acting as priest and accepting alms is still a bane and anathema.

LORD PARSHURAM

Lord Parshuram is the Eternal Avatar and the Guru of Shree Gajanan Maharaj, Kalki Avatar. References to His activities can be traced back to the time of Mahabharat, the times of Avatar, Krishna (who gave Bhagavadgeeta), i.e. about five thousand years ago. Lord Parshuram blessed Krishna when Krishna came to ask for His blessings to maintain the Guru tradition on the planet. Several millennia before Krishna was the Avatar, Rama. The epic of Ramayan mentions appearances of Parshuram and states that He blessed Rama to maintain the Guru tradition. Rama and Krishna have left the physical bodies. However, Parshuram, the Eternal Avatar, appears again and again when the planet is in great danger. His work is to reset the harmony cycle of the planets. He is said to move in the numberless billions of solar systems wherever the need arises. Biographical accounts of Buddha’s life state that He went to a place called ‘Bhargava Ashram’ after leaving His palace. Bhargava means Parshuram. Lord Parashuram is also known as Lord of Yajnya, Lord who grants prosperity, and Lord of knowledge. According to ancient Himalayan tradition of knowledge, Parshuram was the first to introduce inter-planetary weapons on this planet in ancient days, when the planet needed protection from catastrophes caused by the greed and pride of the ruling powers

District Gazetteer

One of the few historical documents to record the evolution of the surname outside of Bhat records is the District Gazetteer, a comprehensive catalogue of Indian subcontinent geography and culture created by the British Viceroy during England's imperialist ventures in the early 20th century. While some academicians maintain that the accuracy of District Gazetteers is suspect, most consider them a valuable record of Indian history outside of parochial tradition.

According to the Gazetteer, the surname 'Tyagi' is equivalent to an earlier form of the word, 'Taga'. If these records are accurate, the Tagas held about five percent of the land in the state at the time--ostensibly inherited from the bhiksha of Janmejay thousands of years prior to this. The majority of this land has been historically maintained in coparcenary tenure.

The records indicate that Tagas also played a considerable part in the resistance to the Islamic Crusades, most notably those of the Muslim general Timur the Lame. According to Gazetteer records, Umra Taga served as Deputy General of the Sarv Khap coalition army and Rampyari Taga served as a delegate and deputy on its counsel. The major goal of the resistance was to defend the Holy city of Haridwar from desecration by Timur, as he massacred, pillaged, and raped the indigenous Hindu populace during his army's trek. Timur's ultimate goal, incidentally, was to ultimately invade the city of Delhi during the city's internal battle for ascension.

Four-hundred years later, Tagas in Uttar Pradesh clashed again with Muslim invaders's and many were forcibly converted to Islam by Aurangzeb, a descendant of Timur and sixth ruler of the Mughal dynasty. Since Tyagis were sufficiently well to do as compared to the other castes like Jats, Gujjars etc. in the region near Delhi and were controlling the economics of this region, they were badly targeted by them, resulting into some conversions also, as mentioned above.Tyagis suffered heavily in British rule as well. 26 Tyagi villages were auctioned after 1857 revolution.

Perhaps most interesting, however, is that the Tagas of the early 20th century Gazetteer records maintained that they had originally arrived in the district from the region now known as East and West Bengal. It is of note that the British authors who compiled the Gazetteer were uncertain as to the veracity of this claim. One of the sub caste of the Brahmanas, the Tyagi Brahmanas are found settled in the Yamuna - Gangatic valley of Western Uttar Pradesh (Districts of Saharanpur, Muzaffrarnagar, Meerut, Bagpat, Ghaziabad, Noida, Bulandshar, Bijnor, Moradabad and Amroha), Uttarnchal (Hardwar), Delhi, and Harayna (Districts of Karnal, Sonipat, Panipat, Gurgaon and Faridabad). This is the homeland of Tyagi Brahmans. If they are found anywhere else in the country or abroad, they all have their original homes here in this area only.

A. Despite all odds, it is one of the major community who faught bravely for the cause of their country in all freedom struggles along with the other people of the region. After independence Tyagis were deprived of their farming land due to various laws of land ceiling put forward by the governments,now apart from agriculture Tyagi's have diversified into Education, Army, Industry and other professions.

Migration of Tyagis

Over time, the Tyagi surname changed according to geographic location, although the majority of Tyagis still reside in western Uttar Pradesh. Other surnames used by Tyagi Brahmins include Rai, Sharma, Kapil,Galav and Sinha. At the same time, not all people of Indian descent with these last names were originally Tyagis--the distinctions have become blurred with time.

Tyagis in Recent Times

Many Tyagis held high positions during the British Raj as they were considered a martial race by the British Viceroys, and many were active during the ensuing Indian Independence Movement as well. Influential Tyagis in recent history have included Indian Members of Parliament Prakash Vir Shastri and Mahavir Tyagi, as well as Air Chief Marshal Shashindra Pal Tyagi of the Indian Air Force. A good number of Tyagis are also holding scientist post in northern labs of Defence R&D Organization (DRDO). Mr Shanti Tyagi,Member of Parliament(Rajya Sabha) of Kaithwadi village(Meerut) was great son of Mr Hardwari Lal great freedom fighter.Shantiji actively participated in Goa Liberation from Portuguese.English torture caused him asthma and was reason of his death.Late Dr Shankardayal Sharma(President,India)admired him too much and travelled with him on foreign visits like China.Gordhanpur(Raghunathpur)is the village in Saharanpur where both Pandit Prakash Vir Shastri & Mr Shanti Tyagi have married their sister and daughter. Mr Satya Prakash Tyagi is a great poet & philosopher of Indore belongs to village Baira of Bulandshahr(UP). He has written many books in Hindi. His daughter also married in Gordhanpur. Tajpur state in Bijnor UP is of Tyagis converted to Christians. They use Rikh surname. One ambassador of India was from this state.Late Mr Ravindra Nath Tyagi,IAS was famous writer and poet of INDIA. In Uttar Pradesh, many Tyagis now live in the upper Doab region between the Ganges and Yamuna rivers--one of the most fertile regions in the world. Others have also since migrated to the states of Haryana, New Delhi and Rajasthan. In parochial regions, their major occupation continues to be farming.

Similar castes are found across India, including Bhumihar Brahmins in Bihar, Chitpawan Brahmins in Maharashtra, Namboothiri Brahmins in Kerala, Mohyal Brahmins in Punjab and Anavil Brahmins in Gujarat.

==Footnotes==Dharamvir Singh Tyagi,Member of Parliament from Muzaffarnagar(U.P.)

References

• Swami Sahajanand Saraswati Rachnawali (Selected works of Swami Sahajanand Saraswati), Prakashan Sansthan, Delhi, 2003.