Bhat (also spelled as Bhatt, Batt and Butt) is a surname in the Indian subcontinent. Bhat and Bhatt are shortened renditions of BrahmabhattaorBhatta.[1]
The word "Bhat" (Sanskrit: भट, IAST: Bhaṭa) means "scholar” in Sanskrit.[2][3] While the original shortened rendition of "Bhatta" was "Bhat" or "Bhatt,"[4] many of the Kashmiri Brahmin & Kashmiri Muslim migrants to the Punjab region started spelling their surname as "Butt", which is the spelling of the clan used in certain dialects of the Punjabi language, such as Pahari.[5][6][7]
Some Bhats/Butts found in the Punjab region are descendants of those who migrated to different cities of (undivided) Punjab from Kashmir and Jammu during the 1878 famine,[5][6][11]InLudhiana, Kashmiris became known for their contribution to the handicraft arena.[16]
The word Bhaṭṭa (Kannada:ಭಟ್ಟ) or Bhaṭṭar (Tamil: பட்டர்) is traditionally used, especially in the states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka usually to denote a "learned man" or a "scholar" (Brahmins), but also in other southern states.
It was originally used as an honorific like śāstri or paṇḍita, but has become a surname in parts of the country in modern times used as a family name rather than an honorific. In Southern Karnataka naming convention followed is such that, generally, one's father's name is kept as the surname irrespective of caste and many of these honorifics continue to be used as honorifics.[17]
In earlier times a caste name or village name was used by the Tamils as their last name, but due to the influence of the Dravidian movement, Tamils of all castes have mostly given up caste surnames. However, frequently adopt their father's or husband's name and take it for successive generations. But, honorific like Bhaṭṭar are still in use in spoke language rather than as a surname.[18]
^Sahagala, Narendra (1994). Converted Kashmir: Memorial of Mistakes. Utpal Publications. p. 53. ISBN978-81-85217-06-2. Bhat means a Brahmin, teacher, who imparts knowledge.
^Sehgal, Narender (1 January 2013). A State In Turbulence Jammu & Kashmir. Prabhat Prakashan. p. 18. ISBN978-81-8430-242-4.
^Saligram Bhatt (2008). Kashmiri Scholars Contribution to Knowledge and World Peace. APH. ISBN9788131304020. Retrieved 2 December 2010. Bhat {Bhatt}, surnames are found in Uttaranchal, Northern Belt, Central and Western parts of the country and is a surname of sizeable Brahmins in Konkan, Maharashtra and Gujarat; where they had migrated in sizeable strength. Bhattas who migrated to Gauda {Bengal} were called Acharaya's {Scholars} and thus Bhattacharaya's. In Nepal, they became priests, ardent worshippers of Bhadrakali and spread Kali worship; mostly around Pashupatinath Temple. In Uttaranchal, they became the Purohit {Priestly} class, adopted the surname Purohit, many changed profession but retained the Bhatt surname. In northern plains, few became Bhattas, many Bhatts; in both cases Purohit {Priestly} class. In Central and Western parts, strict requirements of a Bhatta {Purohit} could not be sustained, and to indicate the Brahmin roots they opted for a surname only. Thus Bhatta and Purohit are surnames of the same category. Bhatta has a shortened version, Bhat {Bhatt}; referring to the same class of people. Surname Bhat {Bhatt} in Kas'mira can also be traced to the short form of Bhatta. In Kas'mira, the Bhatta honorific has been associated with many personalities, scholars of the 9th and 10th centuries, scriptures, and specific in many cases in the 14th century and later.
^Saligram Bhatt (2008). Kashmiri Scholars Contribution to Knowledge and World Peace. APH. ISBN9788131304020. Retrieved 2 December 2010. Bhat {Bhatt}, surnames are found in Uttaranchal, Northern Belt, Central and Western parts of the country and are a surname of sizeable Brahmins in Konkan, Maharashtra, and Gujarat; where they had migrated in sizeable strength. Bhattas who migrated to Gauda {Bengal} were called Acharaya's {Scholars} and thus Bhattacharaya's. In Nepal, they became priests, ardent worshippers of Bhadrakali and spread Kali worship; mostly around Pashupatinath Temple. In Uttaranchal, they became Purohit {Priestly} class, adopted the surname Purohit, many changed profession but retained the Bhatt surname. In northern plains, few became Bhattas, many Bhatts; in both cases Purohit {Priestly} class. In Central and Western parts, strict requirements of a Bhatta {Purohit} could not be sustained, and to indicate the Brahmin roots they opted for a surname only. Thus Bhatta and Purohit are surnames of the same category. Bhatta has a shortened version, Bhat {Bhatt}; referring to the same class of people. Surname Bhat {Bhatt} in Kas'mira can also be traced to a short form of Bhatta. In Kas'mira, the Bhatta honorific has been associated with many personalities, scholars of the 9th and 10th centuries, scriptures, and specific in many cases in the 14th century and later.
^"Kashmiris' contribution to Ludhianvi culture". The Tribune. 24 July 2003. Retrieved 25 March 2007. In fact, the Ludhiana hosiery industry owes its origin to Kashmiris. According to the Ludhiana District Gazetteer, during a devastating famine in the 19th century a number of Kashmiris migrated to Ludhiana. They are known world over for their handicraft skills. They started weaving woollen fabric here. Slowly the trade got popular and Ludhiana started to be identified with hosiery only
