Karan (caste)

The Karan or Karana is a community of scribes found in the state of Odisha in India.^[2] The post of Karana used to be a professional designation that was occupied by literate members of the lower as well as the higher castes.^[3] They held Karanam post in some parts of Andhra Pradesh, where they speak Odia and played the similar role in Odisha as that of the Kayasthas of West Bengal and Bihar.^[4] In the social hierarchy of Odisha they rank next to Brahmins.^[5] Traditionally they were the official record-keepers in the royal courts of the Odia princely states (Orissa Tributary States).^[6] Today they are a politically dominant community and have reigned over the politics of Odisha for 40 years.^[7]

Karanas in Odisha are divided into various divisions, out of these divisions Kshatriya Karanas are considered superior to other divisions of Karanas.^[8] They are classified as Vratyas.^[9] Karanas used to observe rituals like Sati and Upanayana in their community.^[10]

The frequent admission of land grants to princes, Brahmins and various officials gave rise to a new new class of scribes. They were recruited from lower as well as higher castes. However the Karanas crystallized into a distinct caste only in the 10th or 11th century AD owning to social mobility. Any mention of the term prior to that period simply denotes its functional aspect rather than a caste affiliation.^[3]

Medieval Period

Karanas alongwith Brahmins feature in the 10th century inscriptions of Odisha and are represented as heads of the local population. Such depiction denotes their high social rank.^[11] Karanas enjoyed high status in medieval period and married within the royal households. An example of this can be found in the Arasavali copper plate of the Eastern Ganga monarch Vajrahasta III.^[3] They occupied high positions under the feudatory kings of Odisha, most of them were appointed as Dewans in the princely states of Odisha.^[12] Karanas find mention in Bhauma-Kara records and are represented as Sadhyadhikarana or Chief Judicial Officer of a district. Similarly Srikarana featured in the temple inscription is said to have been the accountant general of Anangabhima Deva III of Eastern Ganga dynasty. A Kosthakarana was a top administrative officer of Narsimha Deva 4 of Eastern Ganga Dynasty. Terms like Deula Karana represented the rank of Temple administrator. Samanta Karanas were the aristrocratic families of Karanas from Odisha, the word Samanta was also used by the kings of Odisha, thus it can be said Karanas were associated with the royal families of Odisha.^[13] Head of a Karana family was known as Samanta while his wife was known as Samantani.^[14] Some Karanas also received land grants and held feudatory status in medieval Odisha.^[15] They appear to be an important community in Eastern Ganga dynasty as they held high positions in the government such as the post of army general, prime minister and accountant.^[16] Karanas were associated with the administration of the ruling dynasties of Odisha, a general named Srikarana Mahananda Senapati of the Karan caste was the army general and governor of Anangabhima 3 of Eastern Ganga dynasty.^[17] Srikarana Mahananda Senapati was the Senadhyakshawara of the Kingdom or Commander in chief.^[18] Another official named Srikarana Pattanaik Viswanatha Mahasenapati was the army general and governor of Narsimha Deva 4 of Eastern Ganga Dynasty, he governed four Dandapatas or Rajyas of Eastern Ganga Dynasty, he was also the Puro Srikarana of the Kingdom or Prime Minister.^[19] Another general named Srikarana Suru Senapati under the reign of Anangabhima Dev 2 is said to have donated lands to the Jagannath Temple of Puri as evidenced from inscriptions.^[20] Ramananda Ray was the governor of the southern territories in Gajapati Empire, he was also a minister of Gajapati Prataparudra Deva, Ramananda Raya belonged to Karan community. The founder of Athgarh State was Raja SriKaran Niladri Bhagirath Barman Patnaik. He was the minister of the Raja of Puri, who conferred on him the title of Raja and gave him Athgarh for his service.^[21]

Modern Period

In British colonial era, Karanas owned Zamindaris in Odisha and were extremely rich.^[22][23][24] They also received large amounts of land grants in Khurda administration of Khurda Kingdom.^[25]

In recent post-Independence era India, they have also played a dominant role in politics. Such is their prominence in politics that many members from the Karan community have been elected as the Chief Ministers of Odisha, hence they are also dubbed as the political caste of Odisha.^[26]

Patnaik, Mohanty, Das, Mohapatra, Choudhury, Samantray, Routray, Kanungo, Bohidar, Srikarana, Bakshi, Dandapata, Pruseth etc.^{[27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34]}

Role in temple administration

Deula Karana and Tadhau Karana sub divisions of Karanas are the key servitors in the Jagannath Temple of Puri. They alongwith other key servitors manage the administration of temple.^[35] Deula Karana and Tadhau Karana servitors are also the representatives of the Raja of Puri and assist him in performing the temple rituals associated with Lord Jagannath.^[36]

• Madala Panji, a chronicle of Jagannath Temple written by Karanas.^[37][38][39]

• Biju Patnaik^[7]
• Janaki Ballabh Patnaik
• Naveen Patnaik^[40]
• Nabakrushna Choudhury^[41]
• Biren Mitra^[42]
• Bhagirathi Mahapatra^[43]
• Nityanand Kanungo
• Sarala Devi^[44]
• Gopabandhu Choudhury^[45]
• Ramadevi Choudhury
• Brajanath Badajena^[46]
• Ramananda Ray^[47]
• Balarama Dasa^[48]
• Ananta Dasa^[49]
• Achyutananda Dasa^[50]
• Madhusudan Das^[51]