The earliest reference of Bhat can be found in Chandragupta's empire. In 'Mudrarakshasa', while describing different divisions in Chandragupta's army, a reference can be found to Bhat-Bala. Here 'Bala' means a division, hence 'Bhat-Bala' would mean a division composed of 'Bhat'. Chanakya had brought with him his disciples from Taxilla, who served as his loyal companions throughout his life. These disciples were also charged with training armies of Brahmins, to reduce the upper hand maintained by Kshatriyas in the indian politics. It can be conjenctured that the 'Bhat' spread all over the india is due to the reason that they were posted throughout the Maurya Empire as required.

They lived along the Sarswati river (Kashmir,Rajasthan,Gujrat and Sindh,Present Pakistan) and composed Sutras and vedas along the Sarswati River.Till Mauryan period they were the Sanskrit only speaking priests and as they migrated they passed their knowledge to their sons/descendents and other classification and class of Brahmins emerged .Brahmbhatt Brahmins are also called Saraswat Brahmins and all the Brahmins of Kashmir,Gujrat,Rajasthan and northern part of Indian subcontinent fall under Sarswat Division of the Panch Gaud.

A large part of the community has migrated over the centuries and largely settled in Bihar,UP,Maharastra,Goa and other Deccan part.

The Grief stricken Kashmiri Pundits are non other than Brahmbhatts/Bhatts technically who never migrated from the valley and their forefathers lived as sage in the vedic period. Kashmiri Pundit is just a popular name given to them initially they are Brahmbhatt/Bhatt Brahmins of Saraswat Division of the Brahmin Classification having surnames such as Bhatt,Bhar,Dhar,Koul et