Sarola Brahmin


Sarola Brahmin, also called Saryul and Serul is a Garhwali Brahmin sub-caste from Uttarakhand, India. Sarola Brahmins were the earliest authenticated Brahmin castes in the then small Garhwal Kingdom 1200 years ago. The capital of this kingdom was Chandpur Garhi and twelve castes of Brahmins were settled in twelve villages surrounding the capital. Each of this Brahmin faction have their own Kuladevata or Kuladevi. They were settled as rajpurohits, royal astrologers, priests, cooks, gurus, and as royal advisors. Along with this they were also designated the task of cooking food on auspicious occasions and also on royal occasions by the King of Garhwal, thus named "Sarola". These twelve villages were collectively known as "Bara Than" meaning "Barah Sthan", and the Brahmins living in these villages were known as "Sarola" Brahmins. Later the relatives of these Brahmins who joined them in Garhwal were also known as "Sarola Brahmins".
The original twelve Sarola Brahmin castesare as follows:
  1. Semwal from Semgaon village
  2. Dimri from Dimmar village
  3. Nautiyal from Nauti village
  4. Thapliyal from Thapli village
  5. Khanduri from Khandura village
  6. Kothiyal from Kothi village
  7. Maithani from Maithana village
  8. Gairola from Gairoli village
  9. Raturi from Ratura village
  10. Hatwal from Hatgaon village
  11. Semalti from Semalta village
  12. Chamoli from Chamola village