Kayastha facts for kids
"Calcutta Kayasth", from a 19th Century book
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| Hindi, Assamese, Maithili, Urdu, Bengali, Marathi, and Oriya | |
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_name_of_the_God_as_per_the_Vedas.svg){kind=small} Hinduism |
Kayastha (also referred to as Kayasth or Kayeth) is a group consisting of a cluster of several different castes (or sub-groups) of different origin in India. Kayasthas have traditionally acted as scribes, keepers of public records and accounts, and administrators of the state.
Since as early as the dawn of Medieval India, Kayasthas have occupied the highest government offices, serving as ministers and advisors of the middle kingdoms of India and the Mughal Empire, and holding important administrative positions during the British Raj.
In modern times, Kayasthas have attained success in politics, as well as in the arts and various professional fields. They number around 5–7 million people and most of them live in India.
Hindus believe that Lord Brahma created the world. He then created 16 sons from different parts of his body. His 17th son, Shree Chitraguptjee, was created from his mind and soul. He is the only son to be made from the whole body, not just parts. In human form he is called kayastha, kaya meaning whole. Kayastha's have two roles in the caste system, as Kshatriya (a warrior) and Brahmin (a learned person or scribe).
Images for kids
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A Kayastha employee of the political agent of the Bagelkhand Agency 1901.
