User:58.137.132.196/sandbox

Kaul, Koul, or Kol (कौल (Devanagari), کول (Nastaleeq)) refers to Kashmiri Pandit Surname. The term Kaul also refers to the Kaul Community from which several other Krams or Surnames of Kashmir have originated.

Etymology
The word 'Kaul', meaning 'well born', is derived from the term Kula, the Sanskrit term for family or clan. The Surname or appellation Kaul is a direct derivative of the ancient surname Kaula, & is related to Saivite beliefs.

History & Origins
One of the origins of the Kaula surname is associated with the word Mahakoul an epithet for Shiva''. Shiva followers were called Kaulas. Another theory states that since the Aryan Saraswat Brahmins of Kas'mira had Saivism & Shakta workship as their belief, their peak around the 9th ~ 12th century gave rise to the Appellation cum Surname Kaula.

This has led many scholars to believe that all Kashmiri Pandits were Kauls (Kaulas) & they were later subdivided into different nicknames, & with the passage of time these nicnames became surnames. In recent years the use of the nicknames is being progressively discarded and surname Kaul is being adopted by almost all such people.

Kauls are considered the highest ranking Brahmins. & trace their lineage to Dattatreya Gotra.

Notable Kauls
The list of eminent Members of the Kaul Community & Surname of India (Origins in North India, Kashmir)


 * Jawahar Lal Nehru - First Prime Minister of India


 * Mani Kaul (1944-2011) - Indian filmmaker, Filmfare Critics Award (1969), National Film Award (1974)
 * Prithivi Nath Kaul Bamzai (1910 – 2007) - Kashmiri Pandit scholar and historian. Wrote several books on the history of Kashmir and related topics.
 * Kailas Nath Kaul (1905-1983) - Botanist & agriculture scientist. Established the National Botanical Research Institute at Lucknow in 1948. Has Five plant species named after him, including "Kaulinia Polypodiaceae" (polypod ferns)
 * Prof Jayalal Kaul - Prominent Kashmiri writer & Ex selection committee of Bharatiya Jnanpith Award.
 * Sanjay Kaul - Managing Directory & Chief Executive Officer, NCMSL (National Collateral Management Services) NCMSL Website, & Ex IAS (Indian Administrative Services) officer.
 * S.K. Kaul - Swaroop Krishna Kaul, Air Cheif Marshall of Indian Air Force (1993-1995). Chairman of Chiefs of Staffs committee