Mohyal Brahmin

Mohyal Brahmin is an Indian caste of Saraswat Brahmins with origins in the Punjab region, who are sometimes referred to as 'warrior brahmins'.[1] They have originated from ancient Western India of Sindh and Afghanistan region. Their texts claim that their centres of origin were from North India and they were not priests in traditional sense. They were spiritual healers and preachers of different sects of Hinduism. The members of this clan originate from the broader Saraswat Brahmin group and comprise seven sub-clans named Bali, Bhimwal, Chhibber, Datt, Lau, Mohan and Vaid. These each claim their lineage from one of seven different Brahmin rishis.

A very small minority of Mohyals also have an association with shia muslims because they help imam hussain in karbala calling,these Mohyals are called Hussaini Brahmins.

Certain scholars have suggested a connection between Mohyals (Vaids in particular) and the Baidya (Vaidya) community of Bengal. Sena dynasty of Bengal is identified as Vaidya,[2] and Brahmakshatriya (i.e., Militant Brahmins). According to historian T.P. Russell Stracey, "Vaidya is a different rendering of Vaid".[3] Panchanan Raya referred to the Lau clan as being descendants of a branch of Sena kings,[4] and he also connected the Mohyals with Bengali Baidyas [5] and stated that many families of the latter clan merged with the former clan.[6] Dhanvantari gotra is found as the original gotra among the Bengali Baidyas,[7] which is also the gotra of the Mohyal Vaids.

The Mohyals do not practise priestly duties.[8] The same tradition is seen in the Bhumihar clan and the Bengali Baidya clan, who, despite following Brahmin varna-rituals, are often considered as Semi-brahmins [9] for not performing priestly duties.

[10]Mohyal Brahmin along with Tyagi Brahmin Of Haryana,Nambudiri of Kerala,Bhumihar Brahmins of MP, Bihar, UP are Known as Brahmrishi Community Of Brahmins. Though they are a different section of Brahmins than the above mentioned groups.