The institution of barber is a very old one in India. Usually barbers belong to a hereditary caste or clan, variously called
Mangali, Vostaad, Hajjam, Nayee, or Nayi-brahmin.
Apart from their barbering they have a few special functions in India.
The earliest surgeons, like the ones tending to battlefield injuries, were barbers because of their expertise in handling the razor. Archeologists have found well designed copper-bronze razors in Indus valley excavations. In ancient India, barbers were traditionally used as messengers and go-betweens in delicate matters. Even today, for instance opening the discussion of an arranged marriage alliance to the father of a prospective groom and bride, barbers are the preferred go-betweens. Court barbers with direct access to the kings and ministers were obviously men of influence.
A barber was usually attached to a village, and was paid every harvest in sacks of grain, granted some land which he could till, a place to stay and obtained some tips. In turn he had to look after the hair of everybody in the village. In some villages hairy species of water buffalo too needed regular skin shaves.
There are several
sub-communities among barbers, usually regional in origin. These subcastes are found in many states. As an example, in Andhra Pradesh there are two main barber communities called
Konda and
Sri. They are on very good terms with one another. The origin seems to be connected to
temple employment---pilgrims.
in Ancient days they are called Vaidya Brahmin & Nyaya Brahmin and it became Nayee brahmin.
Vaidya means medicine in Sanskrit
