# Kaul

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This article is about the surname. For other uses, see [Kaul (disambiguation)](/source/Kaul_(disambiguation)).

"Koul" redirects here. For other uses, see [Koul (disambiguation)](/source/Koul_(disambiguation)).

**Kaul** (also spelled **Koul**; Kashmiri: 𑆑𑆿𑆬 ([Sharada](/source/Sharada_script)), कौल ([Devanagari](/source/Devanagari)), كۄال ([Nasta'liq](/source/Nastaliq)), *Kọ̄l*, lit. 'well born') is a [Kashmiri](/source/Kashmiris) surname that is used by the [Kashmiri Pandit](/source/Kashmiri_Pandit) community in [India](/source/India).[1][2][3]

The word *Kaul*, meaning *well born*, is derived from *Kula*, the [Sanskrit](/source/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 *Mahakaul* (Sanskrit: महाकौल, *Mahākaula*), an [epithet](/source/Epithet) for [Shiva](/source/Shiva). *Shiva* followers were thus called *[Kaula](/source/Kaula_(Hinduism))*.[4] Koul therefore means a devotee of Shiva.[5]

### Koul/Kaul from Shakta worship

Another states that since the [Saraswat Brahmins of Kashmira](/source/Saraswat_Brahmin) were believers in [Shaivism](/source/Shaivism) and [Shakta](/source/Shaktism), the peak of [Shaivism in Kashmir](/source/Kashmir_Shaivism) 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](/source/Kashmiri_Pandits) were Kauls/Kouls 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 *[Aghoreshwar](/source/Aghoreshwar)* (Sanskrit: अघोरेश्वर, *aghōrēśvara*, lit. 'enlightened'). The *[Sādhakas](/source/S%C4%81dhaka)* (Sanskrit: साधक, *sādhaka*, lit. 'practitioners') of the *[Tantra](/source/Tantra)*, associated with *[Shakti](/source/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

- [Anita Kaul](/source/Anita_Kaul) (1954–2016), [Indian Administrative Service](/source/Indian_Administrative_Service) officer
- [Bansi Kaul](/source/Bansi_Kaul) (born 1949), Indian writer and theatre director
- [Bharat Kaul](/source/Bharat_Kaul), Bengali actor
- [Brij Mohan Kaul](/source/Brij_Mohan_Kaul) (1912–1972), commanded the [Indian forces](/source/Indian_Armed_Forces) in the [Sino-Indian War](/source/Sino-Indian_War)
- [Ekta Kaul](/source/Ekta_Kaul) (born 1987), Indian television actress
- [Hari Kishan Kaul](/source/Hari_Kishan_Kaul) (1869–1942), Kashmiri politician and author
- [Josh Kaul](/source/Josh_Kaul) (born 1980), [45th Attorney General of Wisconsin](/source/List_of_Wisconsin_attorneys_general)
- [Kailas Nath Kaul](/source/Kailas_Nath_Kaul) (1905–1983), Indian botanist and agricultural scientist, brother of [Kamala](/source/Kamala_Nehru)
- [Kamala Kaul Nehru](/source/Kamala_Nehru) (1899–1936), [Indian freedom fighter](/source/List_of_Indian_independence_activists) and wife of first [Indian Prime Minister](/source/Prime_Minister_of_India) [Jawaharlal Nehru](/source/Jawaharlal_Nehru)
- [Kanchi Kaul](/source/Kanchi_Kaul) (born 1982), Indian TV actress and model
- [Krishna Kaul](/source/KRSNA_(rapper)) (born 1989), Indian rapper, known as KR$NA, and formerly as Prozpekt
- [Mahendra Kaul](/source/Mahendra_Kaul) (1922–2018), British [BBC](/source/BBC) broadcaster and television presenter
- [Manav Kaul](/source/Manav_Kaul) (born 1986), Indian theatre director, playwright, actor and film-maker
- [Mani Kaul](/source/Mani_Kaul) (1944–2011), Indian film director
- [Manohar Kaul](/source/Manohar_Kaul) (1925–1999), Indian painter
- [Matthias Kaul](/source/Matthias_Kaul) (1949–2020), German musician
- [Niklas Kaul](/source/Niklas_Kaul) (born 1998), German athlete specializing in the decathlon
- [Pratap Kishen Kaul](/source/P._K._Kaul) (1929–2007), [ambassador of India to the United States](/source/List_of_ambassadors_of_India_to_the_United_States) (1986–1989)
- [Rajni Kaul](/source/Rajni_Kaul), British [BBC Hindi](/source/BBC_Hindi) broadcaster and radio presenter, wife of [Mahendra](/source/Mahendra_Kaul)
- [Raj Kaul](/source/Raj_Kaul), Indian [Sanskrit](/source/Sanskrit) and [Persian](/source/Persian_language) scholar and [Nehru family](/source/Nehru%E2%80%93Gandhi_family) patriarch
- [Sheila Kaul](/source/Sheila_Kaul) (1915–2015), Indian politician, cabinet minister
- [Siddarth Kaul](/source/Siddarth_Kaul) (born 1990), Indian cricketer, medium pace bowler
- [Swaroop Krishna Kaul](/source/S._K._Kaul) (born 1934), [Air Chief Marshal](/source/Air_chief_marshal_(India)) of the [Indian Air Force](/source/Indian_Air_Force), [Chief of the Air Staff (India)](/source/Chief_of_the_Air_Staff_(India)) (1993–1995)
- [Sanjay Kaul](/source/Sanjay_Kaul) (born 1962), Indian businessman and founder of the [University of Petroleum and Energy Studies](/source/University_of_Petroleum_and_Energy_Studies)
- [Sanjay Kishan Kaul](/source/Sanjay_Kishan_Kaul) (born 1958), [Judge](/source/Chief_Justice_of_India), [Supreme Court of India](/source/Supreme_Court_of_India) and former lawyer
- [Triloki Nath Kaul](/source/Triloki_Nath_Kaul) (1913–2000), Indian diplomat, [Indian Foreign Secretary](/source/Foreign_Secretary_(India)) (1967–1972)
- [Vijayendra Nath Kaul](/source/V._N._Kaul) (born 1943), Indian civil servant, [Comptroller and Auditor General](/source/Comptroller_and_Auditor_General_of_India) (2002–2008)

## Notable people with Koul surname

- [Anil Koul](/source/Anil_Koul) (born 1972), Indian pharmacologist
- [Omkar Nath Koul](/source/Omkar_Nath_Koul) (1941–2018), Indian linguist
- [Scaachi Koul](/source/Scaachi_Koul) (born 1991), Canadian journalist and writer
- [Shadi Lal Koul](/source/Shadi_Lal_Koul) (1954–2020), Kashmiri actor

## See also

- [Kaula](/source/Kaula_(Hinduism))

## References

1. Kumar Suresh Singh (1996). [*People of India: Delhi*](https://books.google.com/books?id=99c-AQAAIAAJ). Manohar Publishers for [Anthropological Survey of India](/source/Anthropological_Survey_of_India). p. 324. ISBN 978-8173040962. Retrieved 18 March 2012.

1. Schofield, Victoria (2003). [*Kashmir in conflict*](https://books.google.com/books?id=Ek00fuXVz1wC&pg=PA118). 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.*

1. Irvin Molotsky, Wayne King (2 September 1986). ["The Kauls are Everywhere"](https://www.nytimes.com/1986/09/02/us/washington-talk-briefing-the-kauls-are-everywhere.html). *nytimes.com*. Retrieved 8 August 2012.

1. Bhat, S.; Koal, J. N.; Dhar, B. B.; Shalia, Arun (2008). [*Kashmiri Scholars Contribution to Knowledge & World Peace*](https://books.google.com/books?id=It1LePnN2LsC&pg=PA134). New Delhi: APH Publishing. p. 131. ISBN 978-81-313-0402-0. Retrieved 18 March 2012.

1. Kaul, Ram Krishen (1982). [*Sociology of Names and Nicknames of India, with special reference to*Kas'mira'](https://books.google.com/books?id=XWcbAAAAYAAJ&q=kaul)**. New Delhi: Utpal Publications. p. 98. Retrieved 7 July 2012.**

1. Bhat, S.; Kaul, J. N.; Dhar, B. B.; Shalia, Arun (2008). [*Kashmiri Scholars Contribution to Knowledge & World Peace*](https://books.google.com/books?id=It1LePnN2LsC&pg=PA134). New Delhi: APH Publishing. pp. 130–133. ISBN 978-81-313-0402-0. Retrieved 18 March 2012.

1. 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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