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On examining the history and old volumes about the origin and evolution of Naagars, many opinions and stories come across us. Each of them has some sense and logic. However, just as all roads lead to Rome, all these opinions center around one basic thing - " Skanda Purana " - the oldest religious volume available, which narrates the origin and evolution of the Naagar community. All other opinions are more or less some views, which have very little base and support.
There is a detailed and an independent "Naga-Khand" in "Skanda-Purana" - which vividly narrates the evolution of the Naagar community.

1. There was a Brahmin named "Kratha" - who was the son of Devrat. He became a prodigy, and became arrogant as he grew older. Once while moving in a forest nearby, he went to "Nag-Tirth", the town where NAGA (Serpents) lived together. At the same time, Rudramal, the prince of the Naga king had come for a stroll in the town with his mother. It so happened that "Kratha" came into confrontation with Rudramal, and killed him - believing that he was an ordinary Nag boy. Rudramal ailing miserably, uttered, "Why are you killing me though I am innocent?…!!”… "Kratha” was astonished at hearing these words, which normally a human being speaks, was afraid of him and ran away. The mother of "Rudramal" fainted at this sight and cried while she came to senses. She went to her husband soon and narrated the whole sad incident. The whole Nag community gathered there and cremated the body of “Rudramal” amongst deep grief. His father took a bid that unless he destroys the whole family of the murderer he shall not pay last homage to his departed son. He ordered his whole community members to find out the culprit and instructed to go to Shri Hatkeshwar tirth and to kill all the family members of Krath. Thus, all the Nag citizens went to Chamatkarpur, invaded the houses of the Krath family and relatives and spread terror there. To save themselves from all these terror, all Brahmin families flew away to the forests. The Nag king then paid his last homage to his departed son.
How long can Brahmin stay in forests? They all surrendered to a Brahmin called Trijat - who was a big saint and narrated the whole story. Trijat had the blessings of Lord Shiva. Upon seeing all the Brahmins in such miserable condition, Trijat worshipped and prayed Lord Shiva to control the Nag community and to make Brahmins fearless and peaceful. Lord Shiva was pleased and heard Trijat with patience but told that He could not destroy the Nag community. However, He can nullify the poison contained in them. For this, Lord Shiva gave one hymn (Mantra). When these Brahmin - "NA-GAR" - (No Poison) and directed them to enter the city reciting the hymn. When these people entered back into their respective places, they were pretty old - " Vriddh ". Hence, the city was then known as " VriddhNaagar " - which later on changed to "Vadnagar". Thus, this city became peaceful and Brahmins of G4 sects (Gotra) steadily stayed there. (It may be remembered that Naagars are of G4 sects - Gotra origins).

2.   The community, which stands at the highest place of "Nose" in the worship of Lord Shiva, was known as "NAKAR" – which was popular as "NAAGAR" in the years that followed. (The view - that Naagars are devotees of Lord Shiva and that the Naagar community is at the helm of the Indian caste system, gets very solid support from this interpretation.

3.   There is also a belief that after the invasion of "Shakas" and "Yavans" in the western part of the Aryabhumi (India), many small states were established in Saurashtra. To save themselves from the invasion of foreigners, Brahmins left the lonely places of forests, where they lived earlier and started staying in the cities (Nagri) under the shelter of the state kings. And thus, they were known as Naagars (Naagare vasti eti Naagar). Persons living in the cities are citizens. (City means Naagar).

4.   It is also believed that before Naagars first came to Gujarat in 404 A.D., they lived in Sindh. According to Sir Herber Ridley, Naagars are a cross-breed of "Shaks" & " Dravids ". Dr.Bhandaarkar also considers that Naagars have their origin outside our country. Naagars from across the borders came first to Kashmir and then they spread out in the states of Rajasthan, Punjab, Utter Pradesh, Bengal, Malva and Gujarat. After migrating from Kurukshetra, they had first settled in Anandpur - Vadnagar of today.

5.   Another view asserts Naagars to be of Greek Origin. When Alexander invaded India, he had come with his army through Kashmir. While returning, many Greek soldiers settled in Kashmir. They came into close contact of the Pundit community of Kashmir and the progeny that resulted was known as Naagars. Afterwards, they had migrated to other parts of the country. Naagars and Greeks are considered similar even today so far as their intelligence and physique are concerned.

6.   When Pandavas of the Mahabharat times were driven out of forests, they used to move around the whole country. Once, Arjun while moving around, went to Assam. The Naga dynasty ruled there. He came into contact with Ulupi - the daughter of the Naga king and they stayed together for about 2 years. Arjun left Assam afterwards but Ulupi gave birth to a son was named Babrovahan. Times passed. The Pandavas decided to perform the Ashva Megh Yagna. The Yagna horse was not detained anywhere in the country except Assam. The warriors of Pandavas, Arjun and those of Assam - Babrovahan and others fought heavily and many were killed. Babrovahan went to his mother Ulupi to give the news of his victory and informed her about the killing of Arjun. Ulupi came to the battlefield  to confirm the news and felt very sorry to see Arjun dead. She told Babrovahan that Arjun was his father. Hence, both decided to make Arjun  alive and approached her father. Her father had performed a penance to please Lord Shiva, pleased him and received a life-saving drug "Sanjivam" from Lord Shiva. Ulupi told Babrovahan that, he also could get this life-saving drug if he performs a similar penance. Babrovahan did this, got the said drug and made Arjun alive. All came back to the city ( NAAGAR ) together. Grandpa of Babrovahan was the head of Naga dynasty and his name was Hatak. Hence the God of Hatak was known as HATKESHVAR. The organ statue before which both Babrovahan and Hatak had performed penance was given the name, " HATKESHVAR ". The whole army of Arjun along with Ulupi, Babrovahan and others came to the cities through Madhya Pradesh.  {The Naagar conference held at Surat in India had accepted this view unanimously.) Only for this reason, poetess Meera has introduced the God in her prayers-songs as "Naagar ". Lord Krishna was also NAG-HAR - a destroyer of the big snake Kaliya - who lived in river Yamuna and harassed people.

7.   Once the king Chamatkar of Anartland went for hunting. He killed a baby deer- while he was sucking his mother. The mother deer cursed the king and as a result, the king developed Leucoderma. Brahmins residing in the forest cured the disease. The King was pleased and gave a waste piece of land as well as the wealth for the Brahmins to live peacefully. There were 72 Brahmins out of which only 68 accepted the gift. Four of these 68 Brahmins migrated. 64 remained and settled there. As time passed by, this name was changed to Madanpur, Skandpur, Anantpur, Anandpur, VruddhaNaagar and Vadnagar. The persons residing therein were later called as NAAGARS.  (64 sects have been mentioned).

8.   Some 72 Brahmins of 72 sects had come to the lake Shankhtirth - where the Vishvamitra hermiteya was situated. Out of them, 68 Brahmins accepted charity.  These Brahmins of Anart country were the Brahmins, devotees of Lord SHIVA and in relation with the kshatriyas of NAGA dynasty. Only for this
reason, the Brahmins have kept their caste as Naagars to maintain their relationship with the Kshatriya dynasty. Bhatruyagna, a creator of the Naagar community has been named as a descendant of Saint Yagnyavalkya - as mentioned in the Kaumarikh section of Skandpurana. Thus, the facts about Kurukshetra and a surrender to Vishvamitra seem to be closely related with the pre-history of Naagars.

9.   According to Dr.Samarset Pain, Naagars are of Turkey-Syrian community beyond doubt and are perhaps the disciples of Turks working in the army. They were enunciated in a historical fireplace near Mount Abu and then they were termed as pure Brahmins with a special status. Some recent research also depicts Aryans as a base of the present Naagar community - whose native was Hatak of olden times and Ladakh of the present day. Hence, their godfather supreme God was known as HATKESHVAR..

10.   Lord Shiva was to marry Goddess Uma. At that time, the Brahmin priests had gone for some auspicious occasion at Lord Brahma's residence. Hence, to perform the marriage ceremony, Lord Shiva created Brahmins, - and after the marriage was over, gave them land to live near HATKESHVAR at Vadnagar. Lord HATKESHVAR became their supreme godfather and the Brahmins living there were named as NAAGARS. There is evidence to this fact in "ShaunakSmruti" epic.

11.   As per reference made by famous scholar Varah Mihir in his book, "Bruhad Samhit " the Naagar existed in the beginning of the Vikram Era. This makes us to believe
that the Naagars existed even before the Vikram Era.

12.   As per the popular Naagar literary personality, Late Shri Ramanlal Vasantlal Desai - Bappa Rao, the first man of Mewad of Rajasthan was a Naagar. He also believes that some Naagars came from Iran and settled in Gujarat. This justifies the view that Naagars must be originally from Gujarat first than from other parts of India.

13.   A famous historian from Junagadh and a well-known Naagar Shri Shambhuprasad Desai had mentioned in his book about the history of Naagars that, Naagars first came from Greece, Macedonia, Syria or regions surrounding these places. There is a Naagar ground near Jordan And Israel. Besides, there is a place like Naagar. Also there is also a Naagar community in Iran, who are intelligent and famous as good and efficient administrators. They might have come from there first to Kangda (old NAAGARKOT) of Himalayas. "NAG" means a mountain and "NAAG" means persons living in mountain region. "R" is a word of sixth sense. All these three put together becomes " NAAGARA " This leads us to believe that Naagars must be living in the beginning in the regions surrounded by mountains. (Naagar - a man protected by NAG-a mountain)
All these interpretations about the origin of Naagars are really of much importance in their own way. Without entering into any controversy about the
real facts contained therein, we must take in consideration the basics that the background of the origin of Naagars has much reference and relevance with
the feeling of selfless service related qualities and a special designation. The theme of all this is that the word Naagar denotes not the community or caste but denotes high cultural values. The notion of caste becomes secondary. In as much a similar sense only, Tulsidas in "Ramcharit Manas" and Meerabai in her verses have used the word Naagar to signify high cultural values.
In words of Keshavram K. Shastri, a famous literary personality of Gujarat, "All types of Naagarshad progressed highly in the field of education. Urat, the writer of Shukla Yajurved (a religious book) belonged to Vadnagar and was a great academician of the court of king of Bhoj of Malva (of Rajasthan). All these Naagars were of Brahmin attitudes and professions. Up to the 15th century, Pandit Someshwar,, Pandit Nayak of Solanki-Waghela dynasty were famous. When they entered Gujarat through Gohilvad of Saurashtra and spread over the big cities of Saurashtra and Gujarat. They were all Brahmins. Some of them, who went to Junagadh, accepted the state service of the Junagadh kings and were known as "Gruhastha". The priests of these Brahmins were from amongst themselves only. The priests of Vadnagar and other Naagars were only from amongst Naagars - is a speciality of this community. They will neither call other priests nor will they take any food prepared by them. They will take cook and make food only of milk-base and avoid any other food - even jams - where water is included and used as a base. This continued till we became independent in 1947. The best and ideal illustration of a true Naagar in all these respects is Late Dr.Anandshanker Bapubhai Dhruv.