British Raj era. Philosophy and literature Saraswats have contributed to the fields of Sanskrit, Konkani, Marathi and Kannada literature and philosophy. All the mathadhipathis of Kashi Math, Gokarna Math, Kavale Math and Chitrapur Math without a single exception are from the Saraswat Brahmin community. The 17th-century Madhva Saraswat scholar, Sagara Ramacharya, authored the Konkanabhyudhaya Advaita saints such as Gaudapada, grand-teacher of the philosopher Shankaracharya; Narayana Tirtha, the first peetadhipathi of Gokarna Math and Yadavendra Tirtha, the first peetadhipathi of Kashi Math, are some of the prominent saints from the Saraswat Brahmin community. Society and culture Northern India Kashmir In Kalhana's Rajatarangini (12th century CE), the Saraswats are mentioned as one of the five Pancha Gauda Brahmin communities residing to the north of the Vindhyas. According to M. K. Kaw (2001), Kashmiri Pandits, a part of the larger Saraswat Brahmin community hold the highest social status in Kashmir. Based on the calendar used, they divided into two groups-Malmasi (who remained in the valley despite religious persecution) and Banmasi (who are said to have immigrated or re-immigrated under King Zain ul Abidin in the fifteenth century) The former follow the lunar calendar while latter who are in the majority follow the solar calendar. Walter Lawrence states that the Kashmiri Pandit community to be divided into the following classes - the Jotish (astrologer), the priestly class Guru or Bachabat and the Karkun (working class) that was employed in government service. Philosophers like Sureśvara, the first peetadhipathi of Sringeri Sharada Peetham, Mandana Mishra, were Kashmiri Saraswat Brahmins. and Parijnanashram I, was the first peetadhipathi of Chitrapur Math. Punjab Mohyal Brahmins are a sub-caste of Saraswat Brahmins from the Punjab region, who are sometimes referred to as 'Warrior Brahmins'. Mohyal Brahmins stopped practising priestly duties. A small minority of Mohyals also have an association with Shia Muslims because they helped Imam Hussain in the Battle of Karbala, these Mohyal Brahmnins are called Hussaini Brahmins. The Vaishnava saint Surdas was born in a Saraswat Brahmin family near Delhi. Western and Southern India Here the Saraswat Brahmins are divided into three sub-groups, they are, Gaud Saraswat Brahmins, Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmins and Rajapur Saraswat Brahmins. Vaishnavas among them are followers of Kashi Math and Gokarna Math, while the Smarthas are followers of Kavale Math and Chitrapur Math. Western India The majority of Saraswats speak Konkani, one of the languages of the Indo-Aryan language family. The major dialects of