Joshis

 

 

One who has the knowledge of astrology was called a Jyotishi or Joshi, it ment the same. In hills the Joshis are mostly Kanyakubja Brahmins They are amongst the Satkulis (or six leading lineages) brahmins. They were called Joshi for their knowledge in astrology. They were known for their knowledge, dexiterity and political power. In Kumaon for several centuries the political power was enjoyed by Joshis, mostly from Jhijar and Danya, and too some extent by Joshis from Galli, later on however Joshis from Cheenakhan and Makidi also progressed in this area.

 

 

Joshis from Jhijar

 

Pandit Sudhanidhi Chaubey was a kanyakubja brahmin and a resident of Dyodiyakheda near Unnao. He examined the horoscope of Kunwar Som Chand and predicted that soon he will become a King and gain a kingdom in the North. Kunwar Som Chand took him to Kumaon and when after some time he acquired a kingdom he named him his wazir or Diwan. He was granted Selakhola Village near Champawat as jagir. He was called Joshi of selakhola. When his sons, Narottam Joshi and Vishnu Dass,  settled down in Jhijar or Jhusiar village near Almora, they were also called Joshi of Jhijar.  His other son's dcendents got Selakhola Village as jagir and were called Selakhola Joshi. The decendents of Pt Sudhanidhi Chaubey alias Joshi now live in Jhijar, Selakhola, Degauli, Naieegaon, Baliagaon, Barakot, kalaun, Kotalgaon an Almora.

 

 

Joshis from Danya   

 

 

Shri Niwas Dwivedi of Upmanyu Gotra, resident of Jairaj Makau neay Prayag, came to Kali Kumaon in the 14th Century during the regin of Raja Thohar Chand. The King was very happy with his work and gave him the title of Pandeand classified him amongst the CHAUTHANI Brahmins, then considered amongst the top four high class brahmins. After some generations one of the decendent went to Neopal and became a courtier and some brothers/ decendents became Vaidyas. One of the brothers who had gone to kashi to study Astrology, was called Joshi. In the 16th Century Shri raghunath Joshiwas given danya Village as jagir, he was called Joshi of Danya and he became the manager of Jageshwer Temple. When the Royal Courts shifted to Almora, Shri Bharat Joshi became a courtier and was given the title of Diwan. His decendents became ministers and high officials in the Chand King's court as also in the Courts of the neighbouring kings. One of the decendents Trilochan Joshi was a Diwan in the court of the Gorkha King and became the Sadar Amin to the British when they took over Kumaon from the Gorkhas, His son Shri Badri Dutt Joshi, Sadar Amin, was an extremely influential person when Sir Ramsay was the Commisioner of Kumaon.

 

Joshis from Galli

 

 

Two brothers Nathu Raj and Vijay Raj Jyotishacharya of Angrish Gotra, came to Kumaon from Kannauj. They stayed in Katyuri Village during the reign of Katyuri King. They were appointed Royal Astrologers and were given Village Sedhu or Senu as jagir. Their decendents were appointed Danayadhyaksha or manager of Royal Gifts in the Gwalior Courts. One of the brothers went to Nahan and was appointed as Dharmaadhikari in the Royal Court. One of the decendent Shri Padma Nidhi Joshi got Galli village as jagir in the early 17th Century, and since then they were called  Joshi's from Galli. in 1626 AD Shri Dinker Joshi was apointed as Offficer of the Accounts of the Brahmins nd was appointed as Deputy Diwan, Joshis of this Gotra live in galli, Chauda, Kapkot, Khakholi, Haneti, Khadi, gankot, Palyuda, Mala, Katyur and Mahinari; and some live in Musmauli and Garwhal too.

Joshis from Bherang

 

To be added

 

 

Joshis from lataula

 

 

To be added

 

Joshis from Shilwal

 

 

To be added