Karan | |
---|---|
Religions | Hinduism |
Languages | Odia |
Populated states | Odisha |
Subdivisions | Karan, Karan Vaishnav |
Related groups | Brahmin |
Status | Forward caste |
The Karan or Karana is a community of scribes[1] found in the state of Odisha in India. The post of Karana used to be a professional designation that was occupied by literate members of the lower as well as the higher castes.[2] They also held Karanam post in some parts of Andhra Pradesh, where they speak Odia[3] and played the similar role in Odisha as that of the Kayasthas of West Bengal and Bihar. Traditionally they were the official record-keepers in the royal courts of the Odia princely states historically (Orissa Tributary States).[4] Today they are a politically dominant community and have reigned over the politics of Odisha for 40 years.[5]