All this ensured that the Brahmins, the most learned, were encouraged and supported, to learn at the cost of the Society and that such learning was in turn used for the benefit of all sections of the Society. Brahmins enjoyed their status as advisors and teachers, However, there is no record of any Brahmin Kings, so how is it that today they are seen as oppressors of the other Jatis’? This was a myth created by the British, who in their desire to break-up, subjugate and convert the Indians, sought to destroy the status of the Brahmins who they saw as the key element that kept the Indian Society functioning as well as it did, and as the main obstacle for conversions and acceptance of the superiority of the British. Over nearly 200 years, the British succeeded in so maligning the Brahmins, as being responsible for all the so-called ills of Society, that today, the Brahmins themselves were soon apologizing for the many alleged faults of their ancestors for which they were being blamed for, instead of being proud of them for having kept alive the culture and protected the knowledge, of ancient India.

If the Brahmins were really so powerful, how is it that there is no Brahmin God in the vast pantheon of Hindu Gods and there is no record of any Brahmin King?

Also, Brahmins believed more in oral transmission of knowledge, and contrary to the present public perception, most scriptural writings were authored by non-Brahmins who obviously were not only never prevented from learning the Sanskrit they wrote in, but actually were even taught by the Brahmins. Some secret societies may have had restrictions about some of their rituals being witnessed, their mantras being heard, by others and their punishment to transgressors, such cases, might be the reason for stories of denial of knowledge.

It may also, be noted that Kautilya, in his Arthashastra, has clearly said that most of the various appointments to run the administration even in his time, were all based on merit and specific knowledge, and not on birth into any Jati / Caste or Class.

It is also, noteworthy that the Kings were never Brahmins and that many Kings were even from the Shudra class and that even the major epics, and many other ancient writings were written by non-Brahmins. Thus clearly evidencing that in the ancient Indian Society education was not all that restricted and that the Society was then not as Jati bound as it seems to have been forced into by circumstances under the rule of Non-Hindus when they were mostly denied an opportunity to continue to operate and study in traditional schools, even as a few were encouraged to learn in English Schools to have an opportunity to join the administration even if only as interpreters or at clerical / peon levels and to see themselves as being privileged.

In the past about two hundred years, the British also, ensured that Temples, which were the cultural and financial centres of the communities, were deprived of their properties and that the donations received by them were taken over by the Government, thus denying the Brahmins their ability to support and encourage their culture and community. It is deplorable that the many Governments of independent India have yet to correct this injustice.

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