Varna Status
The Bhumihars are classified in the Brahmin varna of the Indian caste system and traditionally are landowners. Their land has been acquired at different times through grants by kings or during the rule of Brahmin kings.
"Kanyakubj Vanshavali" mentions five branches of Kanyakubja Brahmins as Saryupareen, Sanadhya, Bhumihar, Jujhautiya and Prakrit Kanaujia:
Saryupari Sanadhyashcha Bhumiharo JijhoutayahPrakritashcha Iti Panchabhedastasya Prakartitah
The Kanyakubja Mahati Sabha, an association of Kanyakubja Brahmins, determined at its 19th and 20th national conventions in 1926 and 1927 that the Bhumihars are among the Kanyakubja Brahmin communities, which also include the Sanadhya, Pahadi, Jujhoutia, Saryupareen, Chattisgarhi, Bhumihar and various Bengali Brahmins.
First modern Indologist of Indian origin, and a key figure in the Bengal Renaissance, Rajendralal Mitra writes about the five branches of Kanyakubja Brahmins as Saryupareen, Sanadhya, Bhumihar, Jujhoutia and Prakrit Kanaujia or Kanyakubj proper.
Bhumihars have been the traditional priests at Vishnupad Mandir in Gaya as Gayawar Pandas and in the adjoining districts like Hazaribagh. The Kingdom of Kashi belonged to Bhumihar Brahmins and big zamindari like Bettiah Raj, Hathwa Raj, Pandooi Raj and Tekari Raj, Sheohar Raj, Ram Nagar belonged to them. Bhumihars were well respected Brahmins in the courts of Dumraon Maharaj, King of Nepal and Raj Darbhanga. Some Mohyal Brahmins migrated eastward and are believed to constitute some sub-divisions of Bhumihars, some of whom are also descendants of Husseini Brahmins and mourn the death of Imam Hussain. There is also a significant migrant population of Bhumihars in Mauritius, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and others.
Bhumihars are commonly called Babhans which is the Pali word for Brahmins and is used to refer to Brahmins in Buddhist sources.
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