Barua in Bangladesh
2017-05-11 17:30:27|Editor: Ratana Barua
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| Barua in Bangladesh |
বড়ুয়া জাতির
প্রাচীন রাষ্ট্র যা বিশ্বে প্রাচীনতম প্রজাতন্ত্র
জম্বুদ্বীপ বা ভারতীয় উপমহাদেশ প্রাচীনতম
প্রজাতন্ত্র এর উত্তরাধিকারী যা এথেন্স ( খৃ. পূর্ব ৫০৮ - ৩২২) এবং রোমান
প্রজাতন্ত্র (খৃ. পূর্ব ৫০৯ - ২৭) থেকেও প্রাচীন।
ভগবা বুদ্ধের সময়ে (খৃ. পূর্ব ৬০০)
বৈশালী রাজ্যের (বর্তমান বিহার রাজ্য, ভারত) বজ্জি/বৃজি (বর্তমান "বড়ুয়া") কনফেডারেসি
বা রাষ্ট্র এক্ষেত্রে পরম গুরুত্বপূর্ণ সাক্ষ্য।
সেসময় থেকেই, আমাদের এই
উপমহাদেশীয় প্রজাতন্ত্র ধারাবাহিকভাবে বিস্তার লাভ করে আসছে যা আজও অস্তিত্বশীল।
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We had republics in Indian subcontinent or
Jamvudweep prior to the oldest known Republics like classical Athens (508 - 322
B.C) and Roman Republic (509 - 27 B.C).
Many Indian republics preceded these, most
notably the Vajjian (present Barua) confederacy in Vaishali (in present
Bihar) around 600 B.C in the golden times of Bhagava Buddha.
Since then, we have recurring evidence of
republics in Indian subcontinent.
Barua (Bengali: বড়ুয়া Boṛua) is the last name of a
distinct Bengali-speaking Indo-Aryan ethno-religious minority group native to Chittagong Division in Bangladesh, Rakhine State in Myanmar, where
they are known as the Maramagyi,
and parts of Tripura in
northeast India.[1][2] The
Buddhists of Bangladesh known as the Burua-Buddhist are the ancient peoples of
Bangladesh who have lived there for five thousand years according to Arakanese chronology.[3]
Chittagong was once called
"Chaityagrama" "town with Buddhist shrines".[4] It was a
center of Mahayana Buddhism in the 10th century. Magh was
the general term used for Buddhists; Baruas were sometimes termed Rajbansi "of royal descent".
They insist that they came
from the Aryavarta or
the country of the Aryans which is practically identical to the country later
known as Majjhimadesa or Madhyadesa in the Pali texts.[5][6] Bengali
speaking Barua people of Chittagong are all Buddhist by religion, unlike Hindu Barua of Assam who are generally Assamese Brahmins or Ahom people or
may belong to any other general caste in India. Barua came from
"Baru" "great" and "arya", meaning "noble
ones".
A Magh king, Jaychand, ruled
the Chittagong region in the 16th century.[7]
1. The thousand-petalled lotus: an English Buddhist in India,
Sangharakshita (Bhikshu), Heinemann, 1976, p. 265
4. The Buddhists of Chittagong, Appendix to Chapter 3, Bengal
district gazetteers, 1908, p. 65
6. Popular Literature and Pre-modern Societies in South Asia,
Surinder Singh, I. D. Gaur, Pearson Education India, 2008 p. 194
7. Magh
raiders in Bengal, Jamini Mohan Ghosh Bookland, 1960p. 55
Ethnicity and dwelling places:
The Barua Buddhist (Barua, Baruah) ethnic community
is Mongoloid chagtai and is closely related with Chakmas,
Tancangyas, Marmas, Chagtai, Mugal and Mugh tribes. All this tribes are
follower of Theravada Buddhist Religion. Now they are inhabited
highly concentrated in Chittagong district and Southern part of
Bangladesh and some family of Baruas live in large districts of Comilla and Noakhali. In India – Kolkata and it surrounding, Jalpaiguri District Siliguri, Koch Bihar, Durgapur etc in West Bengal, Jamshedpur, Rachi in Jharkhand, Lucknow in UP, Shillong in
Meghalaya, Guwahati,
Bongaigon, Tinsukia and it
surrounding etc in Assam, the Sadar Subdivision of West Tripura District (also known Agartala) the Udaipur Subdivision of the South
Tripura District and Delhi. Depending on the occupational, social and
economical status although some Barua Buddhist use titles like ‘Mutsuddi’,
‘Coudhuri’,’Talukdar’,’Sikdar’,’Hajari’, ‘Sinha’ etc.
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| Magadha (Vajji or Baruas' original country) |
‘Barua’ means:
The surname Barua is derived
from two words, ‘bara’ meaning ‘renowned’; and ‘ua’ meaning ‘ruler’. In ancient
times, the most highly ranked military ruler of Chattagram under the king of Arakan was a man called ‘Barua’.
Opinions with regard to the term Barua:
1) According to myths it is said that ‘Amar Manikya’ of
the Tipura kingdom become a king with the title ‘Barua’, mentioned in Rajamala,
the chronicles of the Tripura kings.
“I am the zaminder (landlord) of the king Bijay
Manikya,
You, being a Barua of that king, became a king.”
[As quoted by Mr. Suniti Ranjan Barua, Bangladesh Barua
Jatir Itihas o Oitijya (Bangladesh - The history and tradition of Barua nation),
p.9 ]
2) Baru
Chandidas, a 14th century Bengali poet in his book named ‘Srikrisna
Kirtan’ used the term Barua in the sense of ‘great’. Even the poet was called
‘Baru’ means great.
3) In 1891, the English census superintendent Mr.
Hunter conforms that ‘Baruas are the descendent of a powerful dynasty of a
Buddhist kings, which is also accounted in Bengali Encyclopedia.
4) Some opine that Barua is the derivative of the
Sanskrit term Ba?uk.
5) The noted scholar Dr. Benimadhab Barua (1888 - 1948),
D.Litt, the former Professor of the Pali, Sanskrit and ancient Indian history
of the Calcutta University in 1938 the term Barua is a derivative from Vrijjiya
which is derivative from Vrijji (in Pali, Vajji). Pundit Dharmadhar Mahasthavir
agrees with Dr. Barua. We Bangladeshi Baruas all respect and accept it.
6) In the 6th century A.D. with the arising
of Brahmanism, Buddhism declined and Baruas from India came to Chittagong.
7) In
the 12th century, having invaded by the Islam, Magadha, from Vrijji
community, a prince with his 700 relatives came to Chittagong and they are the
ancestors of Barua.
Dark
days in Buddhism or Buddhist history and its effect in Barua society
"There are periods in
history which are known as the dark days and Buddhism or Buddhist history too
had to pass through this period in India. Starting with Brahmanism and then the Muslim invasion
when Ikhtiyar
Uddin Muhammad bin Bakhtiyar Khilji with his marauding soldiers
plundered their way to the throne of India, it was a time when the Buddhist
Viharas were destroyed and monks fled the place to escape the brutality and
later the Brahmins too caused immense damage to Buddhism by killing the
Buddhist monks and destroying the very fabric a Buddhism. By the advent of the
nineteenth century, Buddhism was almost extinct in the land of its birth save
except for a few pockets where it survived with the influence or migration of
Buddhist tribes from Myanmar, Thailand and Chittagong (now in
Bangladesh)." Bhikkhu Bodhipala (edited).
Other
historical evident and Social changes in Baruas
Considering the
statements of Mr. Hunter and the Bengali Encyclopedia and looking at the
history of Buddhist kings in Bengal it becomes clear that Barua-s are the
descendants of those kings. Following dynasties of Buddhist kings were said to
have ruled Bengal from 6th up till 13th century A.D. Dynasty Period Kingdom:
·
Shal 5th to 6th A.D. South East Bengal
·
Kharga 7th to 8th A.D. As above
·
Candra’s (Deva Dynasty) 11th to 13th A.D. South-east Bengal
The Dev-Pahar of
present Chittagong was said to be the capital of Deva kings. The ancient ruins
are found here.Mr. Suniti opines that these lineages of king are
the ancestors of Bengali Baruas.
The title of Manik candra from the Candra Lineage was ‘Barua’. His subsequent generations dwelt in a place near Lalmai which is named after 'Barua'. At present Barua is a name of a district. The descendents from the Candra-lineage could be see even today. They are the people who use ‘Candra’ after their names such as Satish Candra Barua, Sunil Candra Barua etc.
‘Chittagong’
is said as a misrepresentation introduced by British as they found uneasy to
pronounce the original name ‘Caittagram’ (Cetiyagāma – meaning
the village of stupas) which suggest how Buddhism once
flourished there. The region is also known by many other names among the
dwellers therein as – Cattragram, Cottol, Cnatga. Their spoken
language is the Chittagong (Chittagnongian) dialect of Bengali
– the official language of the country. “However, the two languages are not
mutually intelligible, meaning that those who only know how to speak Standard
Bengali will not understand Chittagonian speakers”.
They are spread in
various divisions known as thanas. Dwellers of various thanas in Chittagong too
have distinct differences in their languages. However, they follow the same
family or kinship pattern, religious ceremonies, New Year festivals and various
celebrations. According to the history of Buddhism in Bangladesh there was once
a deformation of the religious system; particularly the role of priests who
were not recognized by the State and had no sponsors. As there was no
government supports much of their cultural ceremonies and religious festivals
were incorporated with Hindu system. Outside they were like Hindus but among
themselvesthey retained the Buddhist identity which is significant mainly by
names. Priests were a set of people known as ‘raoli purohits’. The term
‘purohit’ is still used by Hindus to refer to a class of their priests. Ven.
Saramedha (Saramitra) who was trained according to Burmese Buddhism
played an important role in early 19th century for the revival of this religion
and establish in the original form. However, even today, many of their cultural
aspects including the form of dresses they maintain Hindu influence. The form of
Buddhism among them is according to Theravāda tradition. They believe
that every Buddhist male should be ordained as a Buddhist monk at least for a
weak. Otherwise, he will never be reborn as a human and hence no probability of
his liberation from samsāra. In fact, when such people die their
corpses are not carried by shoulders but holding the coffins above the knee
level.
Most of the religious festivals among Baruas are common to other Buddhist
countries. New Year festival gained religious importance among them. The Kathin Festival (after three months
of rainy season) is celebrated and regarded as a joyful event. They also
developed a form of unwritten devotional songs known as kīrtan (or
samkīrtan singing together) in praise of Buddha and good principles of life. In
most of the Buddhist festivals kīrtans are sung either by a single person, in a
group or only by two persons who debate taking two roles (popularly Siddhartha
andDevadatta) and capturing a historical incident in Buddha’s life.
Sīvali pūja – offering of a large number of food and fruit items in name
of Arahanth Sīvali is one of the festivals not much popular
among Sri Lankan Buddhists. Offerings in name of Ven.Upagupta who
appears as a prominent figure in the Sanskrit avadāna literature and believed
still living in nāgaloka is significant among the Baruas and Buddhists in
Bangladesh as a whole. Ven. Sadhanananda – popular as ‘vanabhante’ (a
still living forest monk, who meditated in deep forest for 12 years) from
Chakma community is also venerated with great respects by them. There are many
great Buddhist scholar monks from Barua community, who played responsible roles
for the propagation of Buddhism in and outside the country. Ven. Atisha
Dīpamkara srījñāna – the founder of Tibetan Buddhism in 10th century
B.C. is interpreted by many scholars as from Barua community. Ven.
Karmayogi Kripasaran mahasthavir with many others was a close
associate of Anagarika Dharmapala in
reviving the Bodhgaya Buddhist Temple and Buddhism in India.
Prehistoric
Barua Language and Culture:
During pre and post Arakan period in Bangladesh, Baruas had
their own language, culture, traditional costume etc. and it was destroyed
gradually during Hindu and Muslim ruling period. Now only Baruas have Buddhist
culture & religion and it is link with Buddhist temple.
Modern
Barua Language and Culture:
Presently
Barua tribes speak Chittagongi Bengali. In India Baruas are adapted with local
Indian culture and maintain their old traditional religion equally. Nothing can
be denied; the Hinduism has influenced deeply to Baruas social life with
passing of time and the value of Buddhism is loosing among in new generation,
especially in India.In Bangladesh, the old tradition have been maintained some
extend, although Islamic influence is clearly visible in there language and
culture.
Migrated
Baruas in India and Myanmar:
Most
of Baruas are migrated from their ethnic place to India, Myanmar and other
countries during British Colonial period and East Pakistan. The main purpose of
migration was in search job and religious persecution.
Constitutional Status:
Government of Bangladesh ha been recognized and accepted the Baruas as the Bengali as an ethnic group and Buddhist as a religious view.
Government of West Bengal
has been recognized and accepted as special ethic group belongs to Schedule
Tribe of Mug[1] in the listed Indian constitution.
Unfortunately, just by the name ‘Barua’ not yet separately listed in the
constitution.
Economic
Condition of Baruas:
Economic conditions of
Baruas in village (Bangladesh) are moderately lower middle class and depend
on agriculture. Most of the Barua youths are migrating toward City or
foreign country in search of job. Few of Baruas have well established in
Chittagong town. Government of Bangladesh has list bother on minorities for
their economic, health and social development. Many of dropout minor students
are joining in garment manufacture industry with fist of wages. Their futures
are ruining in their early age. After independents of Bangladesh, in Chittagong
some villages, few underground Islamic land mafias are forcefully capturing
ethic Baruas land and disestablishing Buddhist culture and society. Likely in
recent decade some improvements have seen in political arena, where few
ministers, belonging to Barua community elected as Local Minister and doing
betterment for Barua community.
In India, most of the
Baruas are lower middle class although Baruas are consider as minority
community without any government economical support, except West Bengal. As an
occupation, in India most of the Baruas are engage in retail business, motor
mechanic and some of them are serving government job in group C and Group D
post. After migration from East Pakistan or British India, unfortunately from
Barua community does not have produced even single ICS (Indian Civil Service), MP or head of any
PSUs/Banks/Corporate from North East India, except one or two from West Bengal
and Northern belt. It is unfortunate and Government of India is silent in this
regards. Therefore, it is indicating that the social and economical positions
of Baruas are vulnerable stage. Government of India and State Governments from
North East India has list bother with this unique Buddhist Barua tribe.
Special Thanks to
Ranmalee Priyadarshani Kalahe Bandara
She has given me food for thought.
See references:
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