Vishwakarma

Vishwakarmas are also known as Vishwabrahmins. Hence, now the expression Vishwarkama denotes a neighborhood or group of castes of artisans from India. These castes are the goldsmith, carpenter, blacksmith, copper-smith, stone-mason.

Aside from being known as Vishwabrahmins, we are also known as Panchal meaning "technically specialized in five distinct works;" Kavi, Madhvi, Suhastasour and Narashansha identical castes in early Vedic mention; Rathakar, because they used to produce the chariot for ancient kings; and Karmmalar in Thamilnadu. Based on which side - Southern or Northern side of India- the mention is made, there are many more names connected with the Vishwakarmas.

The Vishwakarmas played a very important part in the Indian village economy in which their communities are frequently spread across the country. They considered themselves"missionaries of culture, culture and religion" as they spread Hinduism through their art. They have contributed heavily to Indian culture and culture as city and temple contractors, architects, engineers, and artists. In ancient India, Vishwabrahmins where highly considered. However, they're not as highly esteemed by the Brahmins - the priestly castes. The origin of such feud is largely unknown, but one reason was the refusal of Brahmins to comprehend the status of the Vishwakarmas to be at par with their status. The Vishwakarmas has also rejected the"pastorship" or"leadership" or even"supremacy" of the Brahmins and have set up themselves as spiritual guides and religious teachers.

Their communal identity has ever been closely tied to their profession. The economic and technological forces have been buffeting their profession to extinction. This has led to some type of identity disasters - being not able to spot with the upper castes or even the lower castes. They have a somewhat unpopular history (before the 1980s) of identifying with the communists. Their socio-economic status varies from a really large level to the low level in different parts of India since they gained high salary in towns because of their factory employment and low in villages.

History

Vedic Period

Present Day

Culture

Occupations

Socio-Political Organization

Economic Condition

Sub-groups

Demographics