Bhatt

Bhatt, meaning a priest or scribe in Sanskrit, is a surname common in most parts of India.

A predominantly Hindu last name, it is found most commonly in the states of Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Kumaon and Garhwal in Uttarakhand, Doti and some parts of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal.

Among the communities in India with this last name are the Bhattmewada Brahmins, Audichya Brahmins, Gouda Saraswat Brahmins Gurjargaur Brahmins, Konkanastha and the Smartha Brahmins. Some families in Karnataka also share the surname.

In the olden days, the kings used to have the presence of Brahmins for various purposes. People who belonged to the class of Brahmins mainly gave highly influential judgements on the right and wrong decisions in the court, later came to be known as 'Bhatt'.

The earliest reference of Bhatt can be found in Chandragupta's empire. In Mudrarakshasa, while describing different divisions in Chandragupta's army, a reference can be found to Bhatt-Bala. Here Bala means a division, hence Bhatt-Bala would mean a division composed of Bhatt.