Bhat


Bhat, also spelled as Butt, both of which are a shortened rendition of Bhatta, also spelled Bhatt, is a common surname in the Indian subcontinent. The Bhatta surname is associated with the Brahmin varna of Hinduism, however, large number of Muslims retained the surname after their conversion to Islam from Hinduism.

Etymology

Historians state the surname is a distorted form of Bhatta, which originates from Sanskrit, meaning "scholar" according to the . While the original shortened rendition of "Bhatta" was "Bhat" or "Bhatt," many of the migrants to the Punjab region started spelling their surname as "But" or "Butt" which is the spelling of the clan used in the Pahari language.

Geographic distribution

Nepal

Hindu Bhattas who reside in Nepal and speak Nepali language and Doteli language are mostly found in the Mahakali zone of Sudurpashchim Pradesh,Nepal. Some Nepali Bhattas are also found from the Gorkha district of Nepal. However, due to migration of people for opportunities nowdays, Bhattas can be found in different parts of Nepal.

Goa

The surname is in use among some Konkani Christians who trace their ancestry to the Goud Saraswat Brahmins of Goa.

Karnataka

This is a common surname among the Tuluva Brahmins, Goud Saraswat Brahmins and Havyaka Brahmins of Karnataka.

Kashmir

Bhat, also spelled as Butt, is a Kashmiri surname, found among individuals native to the Kashmir Valley, as well as Kashmiri émigrés who have migrated to the Punjab, a region divided between India and neighbouring Pakistan. Many such Muslim Kashmiris migrated to the Punjab in the late 19th century due to natural disasters. The surname is shared by both Kashmiri Hindus and Muslims.

Punjab

Some Muslim Bhats/Butts found in the Punjab migrated from Kashmir and Jammu during the 1878 famine, and are Brahmin Hindu converts to Islam. Many such Muslim Kashmiris migrated to the Punjab in the late 19th century due to natural disasters and oppression at the hands of the Rajput Dogra Hindu rulers of Kashmir.

Gujarat

Hindu Bhatts who speak the Gujarati language reside in the Indian state.

Notable individuals

Academics