Important facts and Personalities of ब्रह्मर्षि समाज :

Bhumihars have always been emblematic icon caste for Land control.Bhumihars had control over 45% of agricultural land in bihar and wielded a great political strength in Pre-Mandal politics of Bihar as Brahmins all over the country. At one time this caste contributed 19 MPs out of total 54 Lok sabha seats in Bihar. It is a fact that Bhumihar Brahmin's contribution to the freedom struggle of India and the upliftment of downtrodden in Bihar is unmatched by any other community in Bihar. Many think that Bihar was the best administered state in India under the tenure of Dr.Sri Krishna Singh, who was a Bhumihar Brahmin and the state saw most of its development under his tenure only. This caste is vilified even though the first peasant struggle in India against zamindari was started by Swami Sahajanand Saraswati and the communities to benefit most from it were Yadav, Kurmi and Koeri (backward castes) who got the land ownership at the cost of Bhumihar Brahmin zamindars. He is still one of the most revered leaders of peasants. In 1990s the politics in Bihar was done with the sole basis of targeting the upper castes, more particularly the Bhumihar Brahmins. The per cent population of the Bhumihars in Bihar has also increased from a lowly 2.9% to 4.6% after Jharkhand was separated from it, making them politically significant. List of Notable Bhumihar Brahmins Pre-independence

• Swami Sahajanand Saraswati : Born in uttar pradesh(village:deva, ghazipur) Social worker, saint, was the foremost leader of peasants of the previous century. International journalists term him as one of the ten most influential people of India of the last century. Our Indian journalist have largely glossed him over and ignored him as a caste leader when the fact is that he worked for all peasants irrespective of their caste. It was at the behest of the yadav peasants that he formed Kisan sabha which became the biggest anti -zamindari peasant movement of India. Landlords and big zamindars both respected and feared him. Other brahmins who lived off the donations of these hardworking brahmins like bhumihars, chitpawans, tyagis and anavails didn't consider them equal to their social status and consider them beneath them in social hierarchy. Swami Sahajanand worked for the equal status for these hardworking brahmins.

• Basawon Singh (Sinha) : Great Nationalist, Trade Unionist and First Leader of Opposition in Bihar; earlier active with HSRA (Hindustan Socialist Republican Army) and later joinedCongress Socialist Party. He had spent eighteen and a half years in prison in British India fighting for India's independence. In the early phase of his life he was a revolutionary but later turned to Democratic Socialism. He was among the foremost proponents of Democratic Socialism in India.

• Pandit Karyanand Sharma : Great nationalist and peasant leader.

• Yogendra Shukla : Among the greatest nationalists the country has produced and who also served in the Cellular Jail, Andamans(Kalapani), among the founders of HSRA (Hindustan Socialist Republican Army) Yogendra Shukla (1896-1966) as well as his nephew Baikunth Shukla (1907-1934) hailed from village Jalalpur in Muzaffarpur (now Vaishali), district of Bihar and were torch bearers of the revolutionary spirit of freedom struggle. Young Yogendra made his greatest contribution to the cause of Indian freedom between 1930 and 1942, as one of the leaders of the revolutionary movement in Bihar and U.P. becoming "Almost a legendary figure for his many exploits". He was a close associate of Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Datta. He had to serve prison terms for a total of more than sixteen and a half years for his revolutionary activities. During imprisonment in different jails of India, he was subjected to extreme torture, which corroded his iron constitution.

• Baikuntha Shukla : Great nationalist who was hanged for murdering Phanindrananth Ghosh who had become a government approver which led to hanging of Bhagat Singh,Sukhdev and Rajguru. He was a nephew of Yogendra Shukla. Baikunth Shukla was also initiated into the freedom struggle at a young age taking active part in the 'Salt Satyagraha' of 1930. He was associated with revolutionary organisations like theHindustan Seva Dal and Hindustan Socialist Republican Association. The execution of the great Indian revolutionaries Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev in 1931 as a result of their trial in the 'Lahore conspiracy case' was an event that shook the entire country. Phanindra Nath Ghosh, hitherto a key member of the Revolutionary Party had treacherously betrayed the cause by turning an approver, giving evidence, which led to the execution. Baikunth was commissioned to plan the execution of Ghosh as an act of ideological vendetta which he carried out successfully on 9 November 1932. He was arrested and tried for the killing. Baikunth was convicted and hanged in Gaya Central Jail on May 14, 1934. He was only 28 years old.

• Chandrama Singh : Another nationalist who was given life term imprisonment for being an accomplice with Baikuntha Shukla in murdering Phanindranath Ghosh for ideological vendetta.

• Sir Ganesh Dutt Singh : Only minister in the province of Bihar from 1923 to 1937 and great philanthropist who initiated World famous Prince of Wales Medical College, Patna University, Darbhanga Medical School etc.

• Sri Krishna Singh : Eminent nationalist and First Chief minister of Bihar. He was from Maur village of Shekhpura District of Bihar.

• Ram Dayalu Singh : First Speaker of Bihar Assembly. He was from Gangawa village of Muzaffarpur and strong advocate of SRI BABU candidature of premiership of the province of Bihar in 1937 assembly election (first). There is a famous college in Muzaffarpur which is named after him.

• Ram Binod Singh : Great nationalist and revolutionary who was brought into the freedom struggle by Acharya Jivatram Bhagwandas Kripalani when he used to teach in Langet Singh College in Muzzafarpur. In fact, Acaryaji has also mentioned about him in his autobiography "My Time".

• Ram Nandan Mishra : Nationalist and Socialist leader who spent years in jail in British India. A close associate of Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan. Ramnandan Mishra shot into fame when he, along with JP, scaled the walls of the Hazaribagh central jail during theQuit India movement to lead the underground movement against the British. After Independence he become saint. Ram Manohar Lohia always regarded him as his guru.

• Pandit Raj Kumar Shukla : After his return from South Africa, Mahatma Gandhi started the freedom movement in India by his satyagraha in the Champaran District of Bihar at the request of Raj Kumar Shukla-- against the British, who were forcing the local farmers to plant indigo which was very harmful to the local soil. In India’s struggle for Independence the "Champaran Satyagraha", marks a very important stage. Raj Kumar Shukla drew the attention of Mahatma Gandhi, who had just returned from South Africa, to the plight of the peasants suffering under an oppressive system established by European indigo planters. Besides other excesses they were forced to cultivate indigo on 3/20 part of their holding and sell it to the planters at prices fixed by the planters. This marked Gandhiji’s entry into the India’s Struggle for Freedom. On his arrival at Motihari, the district headquarters, accompanied by Raj Kumar Shukla, Gandhiji was ordered to leave by the next available train which he refused to do and was arrested. He was released and the ban order was withdrawn in the face of a, "Satyagraha" threat. Gandhiji conducted an open enquiry into the peasant’s grievances. The Government had to appoint an enquiry committee with Gandhiji as a member. This led to the abolition of the system. Raj Kumar Shukla has been described by Gandhiji in his "Atmakatha", as a man whose suffering gave him the strength to rise against the odds. In his letter to Gandhiji he wrote "Respected Mahatma, You hear the stories of others everyday. Today please listen to my story….. I want to draw your attention to the promise made by you in the Lucknow Congress that you would come to Champaran. The time has come for you to fulfil your promise. 19 lakhs suffering people of Champaran are waiting to see you." Gandhiji reached Patna on 10 April, 1917 and on 16 April he reached Motihari accompanied by Raj Kumar Shukla. Under Gandhiji’s leadership the historic "Champaran Satyagraha" began. The contribution of Raj Kumar Shukla is reflected in the writings of Dr. Rajendra Prasad, first President of India, Acharya Kriplani and of course, Mahatma Gandhi himself. Raj Kumar Shukla maintained a diary in which he has given an account of struggle against the atrocities of the indigo planters, atrocities so movingly depicted by Deen Bandhu Mitra in "Neel Darpan", a play that was translated by Michael Madhusudan Dutt. This movement by Mahatma Gandhi received the spontaneous support of a cross section of people, including Dr. Rajendra Prasad, who ultimately became the first President of India.

• Mahavir Tyagi ; Eminent nationalist and parliamentarian.

• Pandit Yamuna Karjee : Pandit Yamuna Karjee was born in a small village name Deopar near Pusa in Darbhanga District of Bihar in 1898. His father Anu Karjee was a marginal farmer who died when Jamuna Karjee was just 6 months old. From his school days itself, he was drawn towards India’s freedom struggle and the Kisan Movement and Peasant movement under Swami Sehganandji Saraswati’s leadership. For higher studies he went to the Presidency College, Calcutta, and also obtained a degree in Law. In Calcutta he came in contact with several freedom fighters and Congress leaders like Dr. B.C. Roy, Dr. Shri Krishan Sinha, Rahul Sankritayan etc. Spurning the offers of several government jobs, he became a Hindi journalist of repute. He joined the editorial wing of Hindi weekly Bharat Mirtra published in Calcutta. He also took part in Gandhiji’s non cooperation movement from 1920-21 and was jailed in 1929-30 for taking part in civil disobedience movement and Namak Satyagrah. He won the first election for Bihar and Orissa Assembly in 1937 as a Congress candidate. He was one of the strongest pillars of the peasant movement in Bihar under the leadership of Swami Sahajanand Saraswati. He along with Rahul Sankritayan and other Hindi literaries started publishing a Hindi weekly Hunkar from Bihar, in 1940. Hunkar later became the mouthpiece of the peasant movement and the agrarian movement in Bihar. He was elected to the post of President Bihar Journalist association in 1947-48. He died of cancer in October 1953 at an early age of 55. After his untimely demise the peasant movement lost momentum in Bihar and became rudderless. His name also appears in Bipan Chandra's masterpiece India's Struggle for Independence Also refer :people.indiatimes.com/articleshow/813210.

• Sheel Bhadra Yajee (1906-1996) : The fiery freedom fighter from Bihar was associated with the non-violent and the violent form of freedom struggle. Yajee's participation in the freedom movement began in 1928 when, as a student, he attended the Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress. He joined the Congress Socialist Party four years later and became involved in the Kisan movement. Later, he came in close touch with Subhas Chandra Bose, as well as Mahatma Gandhi. In 1939 he joined Subhas Chandra Bose to found the All India Forward Bloc. He was actively associated with the INA movement. Yajee raised his voice against caste prejudices and other social evils. He was a firm believer in the active participation of the peasants, workers and the middle classes in the struggle for the transformation of society. He authored several books like' A Glimpse of the Indian Labour Movement', 'Forward Bloc and Its Stand', 'Is Socialism a Necessity to India', and 'True Face of Monopolistic American Democracy'.The government of India issued a commemorative stamp on him on 28/01/2001.

• Ganga Sharan Singh : Littérateur and Nationalist. He was a member of Rajya Sabha from 1956 to 1974. He was elected to the upper house too later. He was also the Chairman of PSP from 1956—59. He was close to Jay Prakash Narayan as well as Mrs Indira Gandhi . He tried his best to make these two leaders close to each other but was suspected by both . Pupul Jaykar wrote about him in a book 'Indira Gandhi'.

• Pt. Jadunandan Sharma : Eminent nationalist and peasant leader.

• Kishori Prassana Sinha (Singh) : Nationalist.

• Mithilesh Narayan Singh : Nationalist

• Rai Jagannath Singh : Great grandson of Rai Hriday Narayan Singh, a philanthropist close to British administration. He was a freedom fighter . His wealth was seized by the British government for his active participation in Indian freedom movement.

• Vir Keshwar Singh, Parihans-Gaya : Eminent nationalist and peasant leader.

• Krishna Kant Singh : He was the founder of Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH), Patna and Minister in Sri Krishna Sinha ministry and de-facto CM in Bhola Paswan Ministry. He was the main initiator to establish Bhagalpur & Ranchi University as Education Minister in Bihar .He served as President, "Gandhi Museum", Patna for many years and also BSFC chairman. He was the only son of Karm Yogi and RajRishi Narayan Babu from Goreakothi.

• Mahesh Pd Sinha : A Native of Vaishali District and very close Lieutenant of Sri Babu (Sri Krishna Sinha). He did a lot for Muzaffarpur in every field of Philanthropy after opening various Schools & Colleges. There is a science college named after him in Muzaffarpur, "M P Sinha Science College".

• Chandrashekhar Singh : He was deputy leader of the Communist Party of India group in the State Legislature of Bihar and a Member of the National Council of CPI, and its Bihar State Secretariat He passed away on the 20 July, 1976 at the age of 61.He was born in December 1915. Shri Chandrashekhar Singh, graduated from Banaras Hindu University in 1937, and obtained his Master's Degree from Patna University in 1939.Shri Chandrashekhar Singh came to politics through the National Liberation movement against the British imperialism in 1934. At that time he was in the Congress Socialist Party. He was elected first General Secretary of the Bihar Students Federation in 1938. In 1940 he joined the CPI and was arrested by the British Government. In 1949 he was arrested in connection with All India Railway strike. He worked in the Kisan Sabha from 1949 to 1956. In 1956 by-election, he was elected on a Communist ticket to the Bihar Legislative Assembly. He was continuously a member of the Bihar Legislative Assembly since 1962.In 1967 he became Minister for Power and Irrigation in the SVD, Government. He was also Deputy leader of the CPI, Legislative Party. He was the son of Sri Ram Charitra Pd Singh.

• Sri Indradeep Sinha : Born in 1914 Indradeep Sinha had a brilliant academic carrier securing a gold medal in post-graduation in economics from Patna University. He chose to serve the people by fighting for political freedom of the nation and social and economic justice to its people. He was a member of the Rajya Sabha from 1974-1986 (two terms) representing the Communist Party of India. He was also in the Bihar ministry in 1967 and 1977 governments in the capacity of Cabinet minister for revenue. His contribution in the peasant movement as general secretary of All India Kisan Sabha was tremendous. He wrote about 25 books and his writings are guidelines for the next generation committed to people's cause. His writings touched various subjects and were guidelines for the socio-political and economic movement in the country.

• Shyam Nandan Prasad Mishra : Famous Congress Leader who was also in the ministry of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. He was native of "PIPARA" , Nepal but worked hard as Politician in BEGUSARAI and in 1977 he was in the ministry of Morarji Desai as State External Affairs Minister.

• Digvijay Narayan Singh : Great Indian National Congress Leader and very close toNehru-Gandhi family and Morarji Desai. Sir Mark Tully in his book "No Fullstops in India" has committed one whole chapter on him. He was the grandson of Sri Langet Singh.

• L P Shahi : He joined Sri Babu ministry at very young age and served almost all Congress Ministries in Bihar. Later on Sri Rajiv Gandhi included L P Shahi in Central ministry in 1985 as HRD minister.

• Kalapnath Rai : He is called the vikash purush of Mau (UP). Served the Congress Government under Narashima Rao as Power minister and Agriculture minister.

• Raj Narain : Known as Giant-killer for defeating Indira Gandhi from Rai-Bareilly Lok-Shabha seat in 1977. He served the country as Health Minister in Janata Party Government. He was one of the relatives of the royal family of Benaras.

• Rajo Singh : A famous congressman from Bihar who started his career as a Primary School teacher and became Rags to riches . He represented Sheikhpura in Bihar LA and Begusarai in LS. Never lost an election. He was assassinated in 2005. • C.P.Thakur: A well known Doctor and former Health Minister in NDA government at centre. He revolutionised the concept of treatment of Kala-azar and is recognised as an international authority in this field and was honoured with Padmashree Award.

• Rajiv Ranjan Singh 'Lalan' :

• Maheshwar Prasad Singh : Noted Bihari Politician, Popularly known as “Chanakya” of Bihar, native of chapra, Rampur. He was General Seceratry of Janata Party, Bihar, the founder member of BJP and vice president of BJP, President of ABP, chairman of a state PSU, member of Khadi Board, and held other Cabinate rank posts. He was close associate of Morarji Desai. • Mrs. Tarkeshwari Sinha: Congress leader and central minister in Pt. Jawaharlal Nehrucabinet.

• Algu Rai Shastri : Freedom fighter and congress leader , Member of Parliament., U.P minister.

• Kunwar Revati Raman Singh : A notable politician of Zamindaar family from Baraon state of Allahabad. At present he is representing Allahabad Loksabha constituency defeating veteran BJP leader Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi. His father Kunwar Madhvendra Singh was Minister in the 1937 interim government of Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant.His only son Ujjaval Raman Singh was Cabinet minister in Mulayam Singh Government in Uttar Pradesh.

• Gauri Shankar Rai : He represented UP legislative assembly from Ballia and Loksabha from Ghazipur. He was a great parliamentarian who initiated 'Visheshadhikar Hanan Notice' against Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi. He was leader of opposition in legislative council of UP assembly during chief ministership of H.N.Bahuguna. He was secretary to chief minister Smt. Sucheta Kripalani.

• Mahachandra Prasad Singh : He is 6 time congress MLC from Chaapra Graduate constituency. He is a long serving legislator and a respected congressman.

• Dr. Ravindra Kumar Rai : He belongs from a Zamindar Family of Giridih District. His Grandfather Nageshwar Rai was also MLa of 1st Vidhansabha of Bihar. He is currently a member legislative Assembly Jharkahnd. He was Cabinet minister of Industry and Mines Department in BJP Govt at Jharkhand. Currently in Jharkhand Vikas Morcha.

• Shyam Sunder Singh Dheeraj : Political leader from Mokama, Played important role in Congress Comeback after emergency and fall of Janta Party's Government. He saved Mr. Sanjay Gandhi from violent mob. He was youth congress leder in Bihar for more than 15 years. He was the yougest cabinet minister of Bihar.

• Ram Janam Sharma : A renowned personality from Bikram Patna. He is an ex -MLA from Bikram and played important role for Bhartiya Janata Party in Patna. His age is 53 years. He is in active politics from 18 years of his age. Atalji had praised him as most prominent of Bhumihar in Patna. Now also he is helping peoples of his constituency and and also apart from his constituency. He is very bold leader.

• Kapildeo Singh : Socialist Leader from Barahiya. In pre-independence he was active in the Quit-India movement as a young student. Post-independence he was an active socialist leader and became a Cabinet Minister in the Janata Party government of 1977. • Babu Braj Kishore Singh: Great Socialist Leader from Village Azizpur District Muzaffarpur. Played a vital role in Anti congress moment (also known as J P Andolan). A well known Social worker of his time.

• Dr. Lal Mohan Pd Singh : Professor & Head of Department of Psychology SRPS College Jaitpur, Muzafarpur. A scholar of psychology and a well known leader of BJP in Muzaffarpur. Former district president of BJP, Muzaffarpur and also member of National council. • Krishnanand Rai: He was the Bharatiya Janata Party legislator from Mohammadabad(Ghazipur). Krishnanand Rai was shot dead by unidentified men at Baswania, 100km from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh on 29th November 2005 because of his long time rivalry with Ansari brothers in that constituency. His wife Alka Rai represented his constituency after the bypoll held after his sad demise. It was a great loss for the people of region as they lost their young loving leader.

• Tilakdhari Singh : Twice M.P from Koderma.

• Rai Hari Shankar Sharma : Thrice M.L.A. from East Champaran district and a prominent leader in 70s and 80s. • Dr Akhilesh Prasad Singh: M.P of R.J.D representing Motihari and also the Minister of agriculture of state in present U.P.A government at centre.

• Jadish Sharma : Former Congress Heavyweight and present independent M.L.A from GHOSI asseembly seat representing it for seventh consecutive time.

• Surajbhan Singh : MP from Balia (Bihar) and LJP's General Secretary. A well known criminal turned politician of Bihar.

• Chandra Mohan Rai : Health Minister of Bihar in NDA government.

• Ramashray Prasad Singh : Many times served as the minister of water resources department in Bihar.

• Ram Jatan Sinha : Former Minister in Government of Bihar and former President of All India congress Committee of Bihar.

#Dr. Ranvijay Kumar MLA from Goh (Aurangabad) since Feb-2005. He is a proffesor of Ancient history in Gaya college (Magadh University) and a well known anti naxal leader and supporting bhumihar against extremist in Magadh region.