Introduction
Vishwakarma Caste describes a Brahmin Caste of India who claims to be descendants of Lord Vishwakarma. They are a caste of priests, engineers, architects, sculptors, temple builders and artists. The term is applied to five sub-castes; blacksmiths, carpenters, coppersmiths, goldsmiths and sculptors. Vishwakarma Caste is also known as Vishwabrahmin or Dhiman Brahmins or Jangid Brahmins. The Vishwakarma Caste also claims to have been the spiritual guides and priests and their position in the society survives in the saying the "Vishwabrahmana is guru to the world".
Origin of Vishwakarma Caste
According to traditional belief, the Vishwakarma Castes are sub-divided according to the name of the sons of Lord Vishwakarma. The sons of Lord Vishwakarma were Manu, Maya, Thwastha, Silpi and Vishvajnya. People belonging to the Manu cast are black-smiths; those of the Maya group are carpenters. The metal craftsmen are known as Thwastha, sculptors are known as Silpi and those who are called gold-smiths are called by the name Vishvajnya.
Mythology Related to Vishwakarma Caste
The origin myths of the Vishwakarma community took shape in the early 18th century, particularly during British colonial rule. These stories were compiled in the Vishwakarma Puranam, an ancient text believed to have been written in the mid-17th or 18th century.
According to one well-known legend from the Vishwakarma Puranam, the five divine children of Vishwakarma, the celestial architect, served the gods as master artisans. They possessed an extraordinary ability to create objects merely through visualization. As celibates, they retained their spiritual energy and resided in a fortified stronghold on the coast of Ilangapuri (modern-day Sri Lanka). This fort, constructed from lodestone, was impervious to enemy attacks, as weapons thrown at it would become magnetically attached to its walls.
Their primary adversary was Karunakaran, a subordinate of the Chola emperor, who sought to defeat them. To accomplish this, he sent numerous women into the fortress, some accounts claim they were Brahmins. These women eventually married the Vishwakarmas, leading to the depletion of their spiritual power. In time, they uncovered a secret that a particular type of poisonous grass could be used to ignite and destroy the fort. Armed with this knowledge, Karunakaran’s forces set fire to the structure, leaving the Vishwakarmas defeated and scattered. As a result, they were compelled to work as artisans and craftsmen for mortal rulers and communities, marking the beginning of their earthly legacy.
Gotras of Vishwakarma Caste
The Vishwakarma caste have been sub-divided into 5 gotras each corresponding to the name of a Rishi which has been mentioned in the Yajur Veda. The five gotras of the Vishwakarmi are namely Sanagasya Manu, Sanatanasya Maya, Abhuvanasya Tvashta, Pratanansya Silpi and Suparnasya Vishvajna. The five gotras of the Vishwakarmis are again sub-divided into 25 sub-clans.
Five Casts of Vishwakarma Community
The Vishwakarma community comprises several castes, each
traditionally engaged in artisanal and craftsmanship professions.
Lohar: The Lohar caste is a sub-group of the
Vishwakarma community, historically recognized for their expertise in metalwork
and blacksmithing. During British rule, the term “Lohar” was commonly used as a
synonym for blacksmiths.
Tarkhan: The term “Tarkhan” has ancient roots in
Central Asia, where it was used by various Turkic, Mongolic, and Iranian
groups. Though it originated in India, it spread to Central Asia due to
multiple invasions. A Tarkhan of the Arghun dynasty later established the
Tarkhan dynasty, which ruled Sindh from 1554 to 1591. Over time, the term came
to signify craftsmen or blacksmiths, placing them within the Vishwakarma
community.
Sutradhar: Predominantly found in West Bengal and Bangladesh,
the Sutradhar caste is traditionally engaged in carpentry. The majority follow
Vaishnavism, with Vishwakarma as their patron deity. The term “Sutradhar”
translates to "thread-holder," symbolizing their role in precise
woodworking, where sutra (thread) is used to guide saws and measurements.
Suthar: Primarily located in Gujarat and Rajasthan, the Suthar
community specializes in carpentry. This group is a blend of multiple castes
within the Vishwakarma community, contributing to a diverse skill set in
woodworking.
Khati: The Khati sub-caste resides mainly in
Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, and Delhi. They are also known as
Jangid or Jangra-Brahmins and are classified as an Other Backward Class (OBC)
under the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC).
Vishwakarma Caste in Different Regions of India
Brahminism is traditionally categorized into two major
sects, namely Arsheya Brahmaneyam and Parusheya Brahmaneyam. Among these, only
the Vishwakarma Brahmins belong to the Parusheya sect, while all other Brahmin
groups fall under Arsheya Brahmaneyam.
Vishwakarma Brahmins, also known as Vishwabrahmins, trace
their lineage to Lord Vishwakarma, the divine architect. They are often
referred to as Panchal, signifying their expertise in five distinct crafts. In
ancient Vedic references, they were associated with the Kavi, Madhvi,
Suhastasour, and Narashansha castes. Historically, they were known as
Rathakars, skilled in constructing chariots for royalty. In Tamil Nadu, they
are commonly called Kammalar.
The names of Vishwakarma caste in the different regions are discussed below:
In Tamil Nadu the people belonging to Vishwakarma Caste are known by the name Kamaalar or Aachari or Aasaari. They are engaged in various occupations like gold-smiths, iron-smiths, carpenters and stone masons.
In Andhra Pradesh also the Vishwakarmis have been subdivided into a number of groups namely the gold-smiths, black-smiths, brass-smiths, carpenters and the stone masons. In Andhra Pradesh they also have territorial sub divisions as well. They are Murikinadu, Pakinadu, Dravida and a lot more. These people of Andhra Pradesh claim the status of Brahmins and follow similar customs as that of the Brahmins.
In the state of Kerala there are four divisions of the Vishwakarma Caste. The divisions are namely carpenters, braziers, gold-smiths and black-smiths.
In Karnataka also the Vishwakarma Caste is divided into several subdivisions. The sub-divisions are iron-smiths, carpenters, gold-smiths, sculptors and a lot more. The Vishwakarma sub-caste in Karnataka does not inter-marry with each other. Some of them follow the religion of Lingayatism and the Brahmin culture.
The other states of India also have a number of Vishwakarma population and all of them are black smiths, gold-smiths, copper-smiths, brass-smiths, carpenter, sculptor, stone-masons and a lot more.
Regional Titles of Vishwakarma Brahmins in South India:
Regional Titles of Vishwakarma Brahmins in North India:
Although goldsmithing is traditionally associated with
Vishwabrahmin ancestry, some Kshatriyas have also adopted this profession,
particularly in jewelry making. As a result, many Vishwabrahmins carry surnames
that resemble those of Brahmins or Kshatriyas.
Contribution of Vishwakarma Caste
The contribution of the Vishwakarmis to Hindu art and architecture is immense. The University of Nalanda has been an architectural marvel for ages together as also the iron pillars of Delhi. At the same time, Hindu Architecture as well as Buddhist Architecture represents great contributions of the Vishwakarma Caste.
The Konark Temple, the Ajanta Caves, the Ellora Caves, the caves of Mahabalipuram, the rock cut architecture of India and many other constructions of India reflect as to how the members of the Vishwakarma Caste were skilled and largely talented.
