Ambastha

The Ambastha are a sub-caste of the larger Kayastha community of India.

Contents  [hide]  1 History and origin 2 Early medieval Bengal 3 Notes 4 References

[edit] History and origin

Further information: Kayastha

According to the ancient Hindu mythology, the Kayasthas originate from Chitragupta.^{[citation needed]}
Ambashtha is a sub-caste of Kayastha, mainly found in the Hindi speaking areas of India. It may be noted that Ambashtha sub-caste or tribe were inhabitants, in ancient times, of North Western India in the lower Chenab region. They migrated eastwards, in course of time, to finally settle in Magadha region of Bihar. This fact is evident from description of their country in Mahabharata(II,48,14) and in Bhagavata Purana(X, 83,23).They are also mentioned in Brahmanda Purana(III,74,22), Matsya Purana(48,21), Vayu_Purana and Vishnu Purana(II,3,18). Panini also refers to it in one of his sutras(VIII, 3,97). Mahabharata mentions(II,52,14-15) Ambashtha as one of the north-western tribes.During the first quarter of the 2nd century A.D., the Ambashtha are referred to by the geographer Ptolemy as settled in the east of the country.(Ref: McCrindle authored 'Ancient India as described by Ptolemy', pp 311–312)
The Ambashtha Kayasthas were found in various parts of the country, and were assimilated with the local people.^{[citation needed]} The Ambashtha Community in India is spread thin into various states, and their easiest identification is by the last (surname) name. Over the period, many new names have evolved. Some of the common surnames used by Ambashtha are Ambast, Ambasth, Ambastha, Ambust, Prasad, Sahay, Sinha, Verma.
The Ambastha Kayastha follow a system of "Khas Ghar", primarily for practising exogamy. The Ghars are also used as surnames. These "Khas Ghars"(essentially identifier of villages the Ambasthas settled in Magadh region, after getting displaced from Taxila in Mauryan Times). Some of the these 'Ghars' are - Badhiyar, Bariar, Bartiyar, Bharthuar, Bilvar, Birnave, Chargave, Daraad, Derhgave, Dhudhuani, Dumarve, Eighthar, Gahilwar, Gayavar, Harghave, Jamuar, Karpatne, Kochgave, Mahtha Jaipuriar, Maijorwar Rukhaiyar, Maldahiyar, Mandilwar, Nandkuliyar, Nimaiyar, Panchbare, Panpatne, Parvatiyar, Rajgrihar, Sakaldihar, Sandwar and many others.
In the ancient time there was a kingdom named Ambast which was located in between ChandraBhaga (Present Chenab river) and Airawart (present Ravi river).^{[citation needed]} The discussion of Ambast Kingdom is also mentioned in Brahma Purana. The residents of this Kingdom were called as Ambasta. Padini also called the residents of Southeast region of Kashmir as Ambasta. The son of Shri Chitragupta named Himvaan had held the post of a minister there and his generations are also settled there. People there were very brave and fought along with Kauravs in Mahabharatha.

[edit] Early medieval Bengal

In the Brihaddharma Purana the Ambashthas and the Vaidyas were considered as the same caste in its list of 36 castes but another text, the Brahma Vaivarta Purana considered them as two separate sub-castes. Bharatmallik (17th century), the author of the Chandraprabha and Bhattitika has introduced himself as both Vaidya and Ambashtha, which indicates both the castes were considered as one in early medieval Bengal