Kayastha is a caste in the Hindu religion. In Bengal, the Kayasthas are subdivided into different classes or ranks. They are also divided in terms of their geographical locations. According to legend, the Bengali Hindu King Ballal Sena started the ranking system of Brahmins and Kayasthas. The highest ranked Brahmins and Kayasthas are known as Kulin Brahmins and Kulin Kayastha respectively. The Kayasthas who are not Kulins (highest ranked) are considered Maulika (Maulik, Moulik or Moulika)
Bengali Kayastha were subdivided into different classes based on where they lived. Four geographical locations were used for such differentiation - Dakshin Rahri, Uttar Rahri, Bangaj (Bangaja or Vangaja) and Varendra (Barendra). In each region, the Kayasthas were divided into Kulina and Maulika ranks. Among the kulins of one region there were no more divisions, although kulins from different regions were considered very different. Depending on the region same family could be either Kulina or Maulika. Among Dakshin Radhi Kayasthas Guha is Maulika, among Bangaja Guha is a kulin. On the other hand, depending on the region, Maulikas were further classified into different ranks.
Dakshin Rahri Maulika Kayasthas are ranked into only two classes - Siddhya Maulika and Sadhya Maulika. Eight families were classified into Siddhya Maulika class and seventy two families were classified into Sadhya Maulika (also known as bahatture) class. Siddhya Maulikas were considered superior to Sadhya Maulika. However, in present days these classifications are no longer recognized.
The last names of Siddhya Maulika families
There is some confusion about last names of the 72 Sadhya Maulika families. However, the following 72 names are most common.
Bangaj (Bangaja or Vangaja) Maulika Kayasthas are divided into three classes - Madhyalaya (Madhyalya) (highest ranked) , Mahapatra (second ranked) and Sadharana (Achala) (lowest ranked). Among the Sadharana rank there were two subgroups as described below.
The last names of Madhyalaya families
The last names of Mahapatra families
The Sadharana families were ranked into two classes. The last names of the higher 15 sadharana families are