The history of the Brahmin community in India begins with the Vedic religion of early Hinduism, now often referred to by Hindus as Sanatan Dharm.The Vedas are the primary source of knowledge for brahmin practices. Most sampradayas of Brahmins take inspiration from the Vedas.

In 1931 (the last Indian census to record caste), Brahmins accounted for 4.32% of the total population. Brahmins even in Uttar Pradesh, where they were most numerous, constituted just 12% of the recorded population. In Andhra Pradesh, they formed less than 6%,Tamil Nadu they formed less than 3% and in Karnataka, less than 2%. In Kerala, Nambudiri Brahmins make up 0.7% of the population.