Kaul (also spelled Koul; Kashmiri: कौल (Devanagari)) is a Kashmiri surname that is used by the Kashmiri Pandit community in India.[1][2][3]

The word Koul, meaning well born, is derived from Kula, the Sanskrit term for family or clan.

Origins

There are several theories regarding the origins of Kaul as a surname.

Koul from Mahakoul

One says that it is associated with the word Mahakoul, an epithet for Shiva. Shiva followers were thus called Kaula.[4] Koul therefore means a devotee of Shiva.[5]

Koul/Kaul from Shakta worship

Another states that since the Saraswat Brahmins of Kas'mira were believers in Shaivism and Shakta, the peak of Shaivism in Kashmir around the 9th–12th century gave rise to use of the name.[6] This has led many scholars to believe that almost all Kashmiri Pandits were Kauls/Koul and they were later subdivided into different nicknames, then with the passage of time these nicknames became surnames. In recent years the use of the nicknames is being progressively discarded and the surname Kaul/Koul is being adopted by almost all such people. The word Kaul/Koul is associated with being an aghoreshwara or enlightened. The practitioners (sadhaks) of the Tantra, associated with Shakti worship, are believed to reach the top of the spiritual ladder, and thus become a Kaul/Koul.[6][7]

Notable people with Kaul surname

Portrait of Radha Krishan Kaul, an astrologer of the Sikh Empire. Pahari-Sikh; attributed to Chhajju, from the family of Nainsukh of Guler, ca.1840
  • Anita Kaul (1954–2016), Indian Administrative Service officer
  • Bansi Kaul (born 1949), Indian writer and theatre director
  • Bharat Kaul, Bengali Actor
  • Brij Mohan Kaul, commanded the Indian forces in the Sino-Indian War
  • Ekta Kaul (born 1987), Indian television actress
  • Hari Kishan Kaul (1869–1942), Kashmiri politician and author
  • Josh Kaul (b. 1980), 45th Attorney General of Wisconsin
  • Kailas Nath Kaul (1905–1983), Indian botanist and agricultural scientist, brother of Kamala
  • Kamala Kaul Nehru (1899–1936), Indian freedom fighter and wife of first Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru
  • Kanchi Kaul, Indian TV actress and model
  • Krishna Kaul , Indian rapper, known as KR$NA, and formerly as Prozpekt
  • Mahendra Kaul (1922–2018), British BBC broadcaster and television presenter
  • Manav Kaul, Indian theatre director, playwright, actor and film-maker
  • Mani Kaul (1944–2011), Indian film director
  • Manohar Kaul (1925–1999), Indian painter
  • Matthias Kaul (1949–2020), German musician
  • P. K. Kaul (1929-2007), ambassador of India to the United States (1986–1989)
  • Raj Kaul, Nehru family patriarch
  • Robert H. Kaul (1911–2000), Associate Justice of the Kansas Supreme Court
  • Siddarth Kaul (born 1990), Indian cricketer, medium pace bowler
  • Sheila Kaul (1915–2015) Indian politician, cabinet minister
  • S. K. Kaul (born 1934), Air Chief Marshal of the Indian Air Force, Chief of Air Staff (India) 1993–1995
  • Triloki Nath Kaul (1913–2000), Indian diplomat, Indian Foreign Secretary 1967–1972
  • V. N. Kaul (born 1943), Indian civil servant, Comptroller and Auditor General 2002–2008
  • Sanjay Kaul (born 1962), Indian businessman and founder of the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies
  • Sanjay Kishan Kaul (b.1958), Judge, Supreme Court of India and former lawyer

Notable people with Koul surname

See also

References

  1. ↑ Kumar Suresh Singh (1996). People of India: Delhi. Manohar Publishers for Anthropological Survey of India. p. 324. ISBN 978-8173040962. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  2. ↑ Schofield, Victoria (2003). Kashmir in conflict. I.B. Tauris & Co. p. 4. ISBN 1860648983. Retrieved 25 June 2012., ...looms rose to 24,000 by 1813. Despite the religious oppression that many hindus were subjected , they were however, useful to the Afghans because of their administrative experience. Kashmiri Pandits were not prevented into entering into government service & there were some families whose names consistently appear in public service - the Dhars, Kauls, Tikkus & Saprus.
  3. ↑ Irvin Molotsky, Wayne King (2 September 1986). "The Kauls are Everywhere". nytimes.com. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  4. ↑ Bhat, S.; Koal, J. N.; Dhar, B. B.; Shalia, Arun (2008). Kashmiri Scholars Contribution to Knowledge & World Peace. New Delhi: APH Publishing. p. 131. ISBN 978-81-313-0402-0. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  5. ↑ Kaul, Ram Krishen (1982). Sociology of Names and Nicknames of India, with special reference to Kas'mira. New Delhi: Utpal Publications. p. 98. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  6. 1 2 Bhat, S.; Kaul, J. N.; Dhar, B. B.; Shalia, Arun (2008). Kashmiri Scholars Contribution to Knowledge & World Peace. New Delhi: APH Publishing. pp. 130–133. ISBN 978-81-313-0402-0. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  7. ↑ Koal, Ram Krishen (1982). Sociology of Names and Nicknames of India, with special reference to Kas'mira. New Delhi: Utpal Publications. p. 161.
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