Kapu | |
---|---|
Classification | Forward caste |
Religions | Hinduism |
Languages | Telugu |
Country | India |
Populated states | Major: Andhra Pradesh Yanam Minor: Telangana Orissa |
Region | South India |
Subdivisions | Telaga, Ontari |
Kapu is a Hindu caste primarily found in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Kapus are classified as a Forward caste, [8] and are a community of land-owning agriculturists. [17] Historically, they also served as military generals (Nayakas) and warriors in Hindu kingdoms such as the Vijayanagara Empire. [18] [22] Kapus are a dominant caste of Andhra Pradesh. [28] They are primarily present in Coastal Andhra, with a major concentration in the Godavari-Krishna delta region. [1] [29] Kapus commonly use the title Naidu. [37]
The Kapu caste includes the subcastes Telaga and Ontari, both historically recognized as warrior communities known for their honour and bravery. [18] [38] The terms Kapu and Telaga are often used interchangeably. [39] The origins of the Telagas are linked to the Velanadu chiefs (1076–1216 CE), who ruled Coastal Andhra and gradually became known as Telagas. [40] [41] In most of Coastal Andhra, Kapu, Telaga, and Ontari are all referred to as Kapu, except in the former Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts, where they are specifically known as Telagas. [42] [43] The Kapu caste is closely related to the Balija community of Rayalaseema, and the two groups are often categorized together in governmental and sociological contexts. [50]
Kapus of Coastal Andhra are distinct from other similarly named communities like the Munnuru Kapus of Telangana, the Turpu Kapus of Uttarandhra, and the Reddys of Rayalaseema and Telangana. [7] [51]
Kāpu literally means cultivator or protector in Telugu. [52] More specifically, Kāpu refers to landowning cultivators in the context of the Jajmani system. [51] In several places, the landowning cultivators are addressed by the agricultural labourers as Kāpu. [31] : 11
Various subgroups of Kapus (cultivators) branched off into separate communities in the post-Kakatiya period (Velamas, Panta Kapus and Pakanati Kapus—both of whom got labelled Reddys, and Kapus of Kammanadu—eventually labelled Kammas). [53] The remaining Kapus continue to use the original label. [54] B. S. L. Hanumantha Rao while explaining the term Kapu noted, "people who are into cultivation, or farming, but who do not belong to Kammas, Reddys and Velamas are known as Kapus." [55] All the cultivator caste clusters have a common ancestry in the legends. [54] According to Cynthia Talbot, the transformation of occupational identities as caste labels occurred in the late Vijayanagara period or later. [56]
An inscription dating to 1205 CE (1127 Saka year) mentions Teliki Kapulu, which K. Iswara Dutt interprets as referring to Telagas. [57]
The earliest occupation of Kapu community was farming along with military service. [58] [59] In the medieval period, Kapus served as protectors of villages from bandits and as village headmen. They were recruited into army during periods of war and served as governors (nayaks), commanders and soldiers in various Andhra kingdoms. [60] They returned to agriculture during times of peace. [59] Kapus were one of the five major land-owning castes during the Qutub Shahi (1518–1687) rule. [61] Hanumantha Rao notes that Kapus have embraced military as well as farming till the fall of the Vijayanagara Empire. [62]
Kapu sub-castes like Telagas and Ontaris were recorded as warrior communities in the medieval era. [18] Ontaris were elite warriors who engaged in hand-to-hand combat and wielded heavy weapons like maces. [21] They were great wrestlers and received rent-free lands for their military service. Inscriptions from the 15th century register gifts of lands to temples by Ontarlu. [63] [21]
During the medieval era, many Nayakas were Telagas along with Velamas and Balijas. [64] [65] [66] There existed Nayak (Telaga) regiments in the Vijayanagara Empire and they later joined the British army after the fall of Vijayanagara. [67] Telagas in British army held ranks such as Major, Naik, Subedar, Jemadar, Havildar etc. [38] Telagas of Bobbili served as commanders and generals in armies. [68] They formed a major part of the Bobbili army along with Velamas in the famous Battle of Bobbili in 1757. [69] [70] [71]
In the late medieval era, Telagas led the right-hand caste faction, which included Komatis and various other castes, in Machilipatnam and other places of Andhra. [72] At the end of the eighteenth century, Telagas, along with Niyogi Brahmins, were the leaders of the Maha-nadu, a multi-caste assembly to enforce norms in the society. [72]
During the colonial regime, Kapu-Telaga along with other warrior castes dominated military occupations. [73] When the British reduced military recruitment from agrarian castes and opted for lower castes in order to have more control over the army, Kapus concentrated on agriculture. [62] Kapus held the village headman and munasabu (munsif) position in many villages. [74] [75] [76] [77] In the Godavari districts, some Kapus also held the Karanam (village accountant) post, usually the preserve of Niyogi Brahmins. [78]
The latter half of the 19th century saw the emergence of important social reformers, educationists and literary figures, who left an impact on the social consciousness of the people of Andhra. [79] Prominent Kapus like Raghupati Venkataratnam Naidu and Kurma Venkatareddi Naidu were at the forefront of the social reform movement. [80] [79] Raghupathi Venkataratnam Naidu (1862–1939) worked for the eradication of untouchability, promoted widow remarriages, encouraged women's education, and strived for a reformation of the Devadasi system. [81] [82] [83] Kurma Venkatareddi Naidu (1875–1942), a prominent leader of the Justice Party, formulated policies that promoted social equality, abolition of untouchability, social reform and established the first women's college in Andhra region in Eluru. [84] [85]
Kanneganti Hanumanthu (1870–1922), a Kapu from Palnadu region, rebelled against the British rule and spearheaded the Palnadu Rebellion. [86] When the British imposed 'Pullari' tax on farmers for using the forest produce, Hanumanthu mobilised people to not pay the tax and organised a social boycott of Revenue and Forest department officials. British executed Hanumanthu by a firing squad in 1922. [87] Many Kapus participated in the Swadesi movement, civil disobedience movement and the Quit India movement. [88] [89] [90]
Since Kapu was a generic term for people involved in kapudanam (farming), the British India censuses from 1871 till 1921 clubbed Kapus together with Reddys for enumeration purposes. [91] But, Reddys are distinct from the Kapu community of Coastal Andhra. [92] [93] [51]
Apart from zamindars and large landlords, many Kapus are small-and-medium landholding farmers. [94] Historically, Kapus owned most of the land in the Godavari districts. [95] They also own most of the coconut fields and affiliated agri-businesses in Konaseema region. [96]
Some Kapus also diversified their surplus economy into several entrepreneurial domains like movie theatres and hotels in cities like Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Rajahmundry. [97] [98] There are also multigenerational Kapu military families in places like Madhavaram in West Godavari. [70] As of 2011, the percentage of graduates among Kapus is one of the highest among Telugu castes. [99]
Film industry
Kapus have historically played a prominent role in Telugu cinema. Raghupathi Venkaiah Naidu, a Kapu from Machilipatnam, was the first Telugu film producer and exhibitor and is regarded as the "father of Telugu cinema". [100] Kapus figure as A-list actors, directors, producers, screenwriters, music composers and technicians in the Telugu film industry. Well-known Telugu cinema icons like S. V. Ranga Rao, Savitri, Chiranjeevi, Pawan Kalyan, Allu Arjun, Ram Charan, Dasari Narayana Rao hail from the Kapu community. [101] [102] [103]
Kapus are primarily present in the Coastal Andhra region with major concentration in the erstwhile districts of East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, and Visakhapatnam. [29] [104] They are present in smaller numbers in the former districts of Srikakulam and Vizianagaram (where they are primarily referred to as Telagas), and in Prakasam. [104] [51] Kapus are also native to Yanam district of Puducherry and are the second largest caste there. [105] [106]
A significant number of Kapu settlers are present in the Hyderabad Metropolitan Region of Telangana. [107] [108] [109] Small communities of Telaga-Kapu also exist in Orissa and Kharagpur, West Bengal. [110] [111]
In the 19th and early 20th century, Kapu-Telaga were among the Telugu migrants to Burma, Malaysia, Mauritius and Fiji. [112] [113] [114] Telagas were said to form the largest caste among the Telugu people of Mauritius. [113] In recent decades, Kapus have migrated to the Anglophone countries like United States. [115] [112]
There also exist other Kapu communities like the Munnuru Kapus in Telangana, and the Turpu Kapus in Uttarandhra who are enumerated separately from Coastal Andhra Kapus. [7]
Due to Kāpu being a generic Telugu term for landowning cultivator, Reddy caste is sometimes referred to as Kapu in parts of Rayalaseema and Telangana. But, Reddys are distinct from the Kapus of Coastal Andhra. [51] [116] [92] Kapu caste is also unrelated to Konda Kapu, Pattapu Kapu, Vanne Kapu, Palli Kapu, Are Kapu, Morasu Kapu, Kapu Savara castes. [117]
Telaga, a sub-caste of Kapu, has no relation to the Mudiraj and Teli castes who are sometimes referred to as Telaga. [118]
Kapu, Telaga and Ontari are the subcastes of Kapu community. All three frequently inter-marry and are usually classed as a single unit. [20] : 47 [119] Most Telagas and Ontaris have also referred to themselves as Kapus for a long time. [120] [121] The terms Kapu and Telaga are often used as synonyms to collectively refer to all three sections. [39]
Manati Kapu (మానాటి కాపు) or Mahanati Kapu (మహనాటి కాపు) is a section of Kapu community along with Telaga and Ontari. [38] They are popularly known as Kapus and are classified as a Forward caste. They are distinct from Turpu Kapus. Traditionally, Manati Kapus did not recognise divorce and their women would not leave their houses. They were agriculturists and were of a good social standing. [38] Manati Kapu and Telaga are together referred to as Pedda Kapu in comparison with Turpu Kapu. [43]
Charles Philip Brown's Telugu-English Dictionary (1852) mentions Mahanati Kapu as equivalent to Telaga caste. [128] Brown also notes that Mahanati Kapus were leaguesmen and members of the Mahanadu community. [129] [130] Mahanadu was a multi-caste assembly which enforced norms in the society. [72] [131] [132] Andhra Vignanamu, Volume 3 (1939) mentions that Manati Kapus were present in large numbers in erstwhile East and West Godavari districts and in smaller numbers in Krishna, Guntur, Visakhapatnam and Ganjam districts of Madras Presidency. [38]
Telaga is a subcaste of Kapu and both terms are often used synonymously. [39] Historians like Etukuru Balaramamurthy and Chintamani Lakshmanna note that Telagas are the descendants of dynasties like Velanadu chiefs (1076–1216 CE) who ruled Coastal Andhra. [40] [41] Telagas are classified as a Forward caste. [142] They are a land-owning agrarian community. [150] Historically, they were a warrior caste before taking up cultivation. [18] During the colonial era, Telagas were noted to be of a high social position. [159] [160] [161]
Ontari (also Vontari, Vantari) are a section of Kapu caste. [162] [163] [21] Ontaris are classified as a Forward caste. They are a small community and are primarily found in Kakinada and Anakapalli districts and in smaller numbers in erstwhile West Godavari and Guntur districts. [38] [164] 1901 Census of India describers vantarlu as a sub-caste of Telagas and notes that their name literally means 'a strong man'. [165]
In the present day, Ontaris are landholding agriculturists. [162] Historically, Ontaris were exclusively into military service. [166] [63] Ontari literally means 'the lone one' which referred to their bravery in the context of historical warfare. [167] [38] [63] M. L. Kantha Rao calls Ontaris 'a great warrior class'. [63] They were a clan of warriors in medieval Andhra who engaged in hand-to-hand combat and wielded heavy weapons like maces. [21]
Srinatha mentions Ontarlu in his Palnati Veera Charitra and Bhimeswara Puranam , written in early 15th century. [21] [63] Inscriptions from Vellaturu (dated to 1418 CE) and Tangeda in former Guntur district register gifts of lands to temples by Ontarlu. [63] [168] Mallampalli Somasekhara Sarma notes that Ontari was the vernacular equivalent of the Sanskrit word Ekangavira— a hero who fights the combat alone. [21] Major towns and villages of medieval Andhra had gymnasiums for Ontarlu. [169] Analysing literary sources, Sarma notes that Ontaris, also known as Ekkatis, took part in hand-to-hand fight called Ekkati Kayyamu, the combat of singles. He adds:
Ontari forces served as the reserve army, and each fighter in this division was probably a great wrestler and also wielded heavy weapons like maces and the like. The ekkatis of the Reddi period gradually formed into a separate military caste or community, and are now popularly called Vantarlu. These now form one of the three sections of the Telaga community, the other two being the Telaga (proper), and the Kapu. [21] [63]
As per K. S. Singh, "The title Ontari was awarded to them during the time of Sri Krishnadevaraya in the sixteenth century as a reward for their bravery in warfare. Prior to this, they were only known as Telaga." [162] They received rent-free lands for their services as warriors. [21] [38] [162] During the colonial era, Ontaris were recorded as people who valued honour over their lives. [38] They were known to carry daggers on their waists at all times. Ontari women previously observed gosha. Ontaris in Parlakimidi (Orissa), Bobbili, Pitapuram were referred to as Dora (lord or master). [38] [170]
Balijas are closely related to Kapus and both are often enumerated together in government, sociological and psephological contexts. [50] Andhra Vignanamu, Volume 3 (1939) mentions four sections in Telaga community — Telagas (or Naidus), Ontaris (or Doras), Balijas, and Kapus. [38] Anthropological Survey of India notes that Balijas of Rayalaseema are ethnically similar to Kapus of Coastal Andhra. [32]
Various sources note the similarities between the communities of Kapu, Telaga, Balija, and Ontari. These terms are often used as synonyms and are mentioned as sections of each other. [174] Kapu, Telaga, and Balija are considered as variant names of the same community in different regions. [32] [1] [175] [173] Andhra Pradesh government's Kapu Welfare and Development Corporation refers to Kapu, Telaga, Balija, and Ontari communities collectively as Kapu. [49]
Kapus are classified as a Forward caste both by the Central Government of India as well as the Andhra Pradesh Government. As of 2023, they do not avail any caste-based quotas or reservations. [8] [176] They are a community of land-owning cultivators [17] and are one of the dominant castes of Andhra Pradesh. [28]
The four-tier varna system of ranking never really took hold in South Indian society. The two intermediate dvija varnas—the Kshatriyas and Vaishyas—did not exist. [184] In South India, on the other hand, there existed only three distinguishable classes—the Brahmins, the non-Brahmins and the Dalits. [186] Kapus are referred to as a non-Brahmin upper-caste. [195] [196] They are considered to be a "Sat Shudra" (also known as "upper/high-caste/clean Shudra") [197] community in the traditional Hindu ritual ranking system. [200]
In a study on the history of Guntur district, Robert Eric Frykenberg categorized Kapus and Telagas among "elite agricultural (warrior) castes". [201] In 1982, Barbara D. Miller of Syracuse University remarked, "Generally the Telaga-Kapu rank fairly high in status". [202] K. C. Suri notes that non-Brahman caste groups like Kapus, whose main occupation has been cultivation, are the most important social groups in Andhra Pradesh in terms of numerical strength, land control, and access to political power. [31] : 10 K. Srinisavulu notes that Kapus are fairly prosperous and are dominant in the erstwhile districts of East Godavari and West Godavari. [91]
During the 1920s and 1930s, Kapus, along with other feudal landed castes, were major supporters of the Justice Party. [203] [204] [205] Prominent Kapu leader Kurma Venkatareddi Naidu [203] was a member of the Justice Party and formulated policies that promoted social equality, abolition of untouchability, and social reform. [206] [84] In 1920, the first legislative council elections to Madras Presidency were held after the passing of the Government of India Act 1919. Naidu was one of the three ministers in the Cabinet holding the portfolios of Development and Industries. [207] [84] [208] In 1936, he was appointed as the Governor of Madras Presidency, one of the only two Indians in history to have held the post. [84] In 1937, he was elected as the Chief Minister of the Madras Presidency. [84] He was the only person to have held both the posts of Chief Minister and Governor of the Madras Presidency (which included all of present-day Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu along with parts of Kerala and Karnataka). [209]
After Indian independence, Andhra State was formed in 1953. Pasala Suryachandra Rao, a Kapu from West Godavari district was the first deputy speaker of Andhra State Assembly from 1953 to 1954. [210] Rokkam Lakshmi Narasimham Dora, a Telaga Kapu from Srikakulam district served as the second speaker of Andhra State Assembly from 1955 to 1956. [211] [212] In the 1955 Andhra State legislature, there were 16 Kapu legislators, the third-highest among all castes. [93] In Pondicherry, Kamisetty Parasuram Naidu, a Kapu leader from Yanam [213] served as the first deputy speaker of Pondicherry Assembly from 1963–1964. [214] [215] He also served as the speaker of Pondicherry Assembly from 1985–1989. [214]
In 2009 Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections, Kapu community had 19 MLAs — the third-highest among unreserved communities. In the 2019 Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections, 24 Kapus were elected as MLAs, next only to Reddys and higher than Kammas. Together, these three upper castes accounted for nearly two-thirds of unreserved seats in the Assembly. [199] [216] In the past decade, there have been three Kapu Deputy Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh — Nimmakayala Chinarajappa (2014–2019), [217] Alla Nani (2019–2022), and Kottu Satyanarayana (2022–present). [218]
Kapunadu movement was formed in the early 1980s and under the leadership of Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga they demanded quotas for Kapu, Telaga, Balija, and Ontari communities. [219] [20] : 48 However, the N. K. Muralidhar Rao commission in 1982 did not recommend quotas for Kapus and noted as follows:
"Kapus are land owners and enjoy social status in the villages. They are already politically conscious and socially forward. On the educational side also they are not backward as the students belonging to the Kapu Community are in considerable number in the educational institutions in the state. The literacy in this community is higher than the state average. There is a good representation from Kapu Community in the employment under the state government, semi-government and local bodies. The Commission thinks that it is not necessary to disturb this." [220]
In early 2016, the Kapus of the residual Andhra Pradesh state launched an agitation demanding quotas, leading to violent protests. [221] [222] Due to the support provided by Kapus in the 2014 assembly elections which helped it come to power, the Telugu Desam Party-led state government allocated 5% quota for Kapus in educational institutions and government jobs in the state. However, this was opposed by the Central Government and was found to be legally untenable. [223] In July 2019, the subsequent YSR Congress government reversed the decision. [224] As of 2024, Kapus do not avail any quotas and are classified as a Forward caste. [176]
Andhra Vignanamu, Volume 3 (1939) mentions Eluru, Ganapavaram and Akividu in former West Godavari district as places ruled by Telagas. They were called Telaga-prabhuvula-seemalu (transl. Territories of Telaga Lords). [225]
In pre-independent India, many Kapu-Telaga zamindari families with extensive landholdings existed, especially in Godavari districts. Some of them were bestowed with Diwan Bahadur and Rao Bahadur titles. [226] One of the wealthiest zamindaris in former Krishna district was the Vallur Estate of Bommadevara family. [227] [161] [228] [229] Further, Gopisetti Narayanaswami Naidu, a Telaga, was the receiver of Nidadavolu Estate. [230] [231]
Some of the Kapu zamindaris (samsthanams) include:
Note: The list only includes people from Kapu and sub-castes (Telaga, Ontari), not Balija, Turpu Kapu, and other castes.
Politics
Sports
Social Activists
Sciences
Film
Arts
Literature
Kamma is a largely Hindu caste from South India. The community of Kammas is believed to have originated from agriculturists of the Kammanadu region of the erstwhile Guntur district and Ongole division in Andhra Pradesh. Propelled by their military activity in the Vijayanagara Empire, Kammas are believed to have spread out from the region during the Vijayanagara period, followed by some in-migration during the British period and out-migration again during the twentieth century. Today they are regarded as one of the richest groups in Andhra Pradesh and are a dominant caste from Coastal Andhra with socio-economic and political prominence throughout the Telugu-speaking regions of India.
Naidu is a Telugu honorary title commonly used by various Telugu castes of South India. 'Nayudu/Naidu' (నాయుడు) is a contraction of the Telugu word 'Nayakudu' (నాయకుడు) meaning leader, chief, or headman. Telugu castes such as the Kamma, Gavara,,Kapu/Balija, Boya, Golla, Turpu Kapu, Velama, among others use this title today.
Cottari Subbanna Nayudu was an Indian cricketer who played in eleven Tests from 1934 to 1952. He was an allrounder, and had a distinguished Ranji Trophy career between 1931–32 and 1961–62. He was the younger brother of the cricketer C. K. Nayudu.
Velama is a Hindu caste found mainly in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The earliest recorded use of the term "Velama" to refer to a community dates back to the 17th century. In the caste-based hierarchy, they hold a high position alongside the Reddy and Kapu/Telaga castes. They are also referred to as "Dora" (Lord) by other castes, a term that signifies respect. The modern Velama community is divided into four distinct categories: Padmanayaka Velama, Adi Velama, Koppula Velama, and Polinati Velama. In general usage, the term Velama refers to Padmanayaka Velama, a Forward caste.
The Nayak, or Naik is a historic honorific title conferred on military captains and governors of feudal states in the Middle Ages. Today it is also a surname. Nayaks are mostly Hindu and few Sikhs, who follow Hinduism and Sikhism respectively.
The Balija are a Telugu-speaking mercantile community primarily living in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and in smaller numbers in Telangana and Kerala. In Tamil Nadu, they are known as Kavarais.
Gavara is a term used to refer to four distinct and completely unrelated communities in South Indian.
Rao Bahadur Sir Kurma Venkatareddi NaiduKCSI (1875–1942), also known as K. V. Reddi Naidu, was an Indian politician, lawyer, diplomat, and academic. He served as the Premier of Madras Presidency and was one of only two Indians to hold the position of Governor of Madras Presidency, making him the only individual in history to have served as both Premier and Governor. As a prominent leader of the Justice Party, Naidu was known for his efforts to promote social equality, the abolition of untouchability, and social reforms. He was instrumental in the establishment of the first women's college in the Andhra region, located in Eluru.
Telaga is a land-owning agrarian community primarily found in the Coastal Andhra region of India. Telaga is a subcaste of the Kapu community, with both terms often used interchangeably. They are classified as a Forward caste. Historically, they were a warrior caste known for their honour and bravery.
Palacholla Venkata Rangayya Naidu is an Indian politician and retired Indian Police Service (IPS) officer. He served as the Deputy Minister for Communications, Minister of State for Power, and Water Resources in the Government of India from 1991 to 1996. He was a member of the 10th Lok Sabha representing the Khammam constituency of Andhra Pradesh. One of his most important contributions as a minister is making the Resettlement and Rehabilitation (R&R) mandatory for all major projects.
Munnuru Kapu is a Telugu-speaking caste primarily found in the Indian state of Telangana. Traditionally, they are a community of cultivators and are distributed across Telangana. They are also present in Nanded and Latur districts of Maharashtra. Munnuru Kapus are distinct from the Kapu caste of Coastal Andhra.
Settibalija refers to two distinct and completely unrelated communities in Andhra Pradesh, India. The term Setti Balija historically referred to a sub-caste of the Balija community. These Shetty Balijas were a prominent mercantile community of South India with a history dating back to the Vijayanagara Empire. They are currently found in the Rayalaseema region and are classified as a Forward Caste.
Grandhi Venkata Reddy Naidu (1885–1967) was an Indian politician and the first Minister of Law for the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly. When Andhra Pradesh became a newly formed state, Neelam Sanjiva Reddy was its first Chief Minister. Grandhi Venkata Reddy Naidu served in his cabinet.
Malaysian Telugus, consist of people of full or partial Telugu descent who were born in or immigrated to Malaysia. Most Malaysian Telugus are descended from migrants from Madras Presidency during the colonial period. Historically, most Malaysian Telugus originated from the Uttarandhra region with some from the East Godavari and Chittoor regions of present-day Andhra Pradesh.
Turpu Kapu is an Indian caste in the state of Andhra Pradesh. They are primarily found in the erstwhile districts of Srikakulam and Vizianagaram, with smaller numbers in other regions of the state. Traditionally, they are an agrarian caste. They are a politically prominent community in the Uttarandhra region of the state.
The Golla are a Telugu-speaking pastoral community primarily living in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Telangana with smaller numbers in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. They are related to other pastoral-herding castes like Gulla, Gullar, Gollewar, Gavli and Dhangar and are a part of the larger Yadav community. They are classified as a Other Backward Caste.
The Komati is a trading community which is a Vaishya community that is currently organised as a caste. They are primarily found in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha and in smaller numbers in neighbouring states. The members of the Komati caste are commonly engaged as moneylenders, businessmen, and shopkeepers. The community consists of many sects who are followers of Hinduism, namely the Gomata, the Thrivarnika, and the Kalinga, along with the Jaina Komatis who are followers of Jainism. Traditionally, most Komatis are vegetarian due to their belief in ahimsa (nonviolence).
Karanam or Karnam was an office and title native to the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Traditionally, Karanam was an official who maintained the accounts and records of the villages and collected the taxes. Karanam was one of the two village-level administrative posts that existed in Andhra along with 'Munasabu' (Munsiff). The Karanam kept an elaborate system of village accounts.
Rayudu is a title used by South Indian Telugu castes such as Balija, Kamma and Velama,Kshatriya Perika. Rayudu title is native to Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka states in India. Rayudu is a Telugu name and synonym for the word "Royal". The word "Rayudu" means "king", or "a man with rich background".
Citations
The Kapus, concentrated in Guntur, Krishna, West and East Godavari districts are listed among the forward castes. In Rayalaseema districts they are known as Balijas.
In Andhra Pradesh, the forward castes (mainly Brahmins, Kapu, and Kamma) ....
The Forward Castes comprise the Brahmin, Kapus, Kamma, Reddys, Komati, Kshatriya, Velama.
It is also seen that Brahmin, Vysya, Telaga, Kapu who are considered to be socially and economically forward castes ....
The term Kapu is variously used in different regions of Andhra Pradesh. They are equated with Reddis in Rayalaseema districts (Thurston, 1909). In East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna, and Guntur districts, the same term refers to a forward caste, often synonymously used with the Telaga and Ontari.
Taking Andhra Pradesh alone, all the populous land-owning castes such as Reddy, Kamma, Kapu, Telaga, Velama, Raju, etc. (which are among the forward sections), constitute definitely more than nine percent of the total population which is the proportion of the land-owning castes in the above extrapolation for northern India.
The Kapus who are otherwise popularly known as Telagas in these parts primarily belong to a caste of cultivators and land owners. They are among the most respected of the non-Brahmins. It is said that in the past they were soldiers in the armies of the Hindu Sovereigns.
.... belongs to the Hindu upper (landed) caste Kapu, one of the dominant castes in coastal Andhra Pradesh.
Kapus are a community of land-owning cultivators and are one of the dominant castes of Andhra Pradesh, generally affiliated to like Balijas, Telagas and Ontaris.
Another important division of the infantry was ekkatlu, the plural form of the term ekkati, a contracted form of Ekkatidu. Ekkati, otherwise called Ontari, was, as his name indicates, brought into the field of battle almost at the end of the fight, when it was a losing game, and was ordered to take part in hand to hand fight. Ekkati kayyamu, the combat of singles, began only after every prospect of victory was lost. The ekkati forces served probably as the reserve army, and each fighter in this division was probably a great wrestler and wielded also heavy weapons like maces and the like. There were ekkatis in every important town and village in the kingdom. The ekkatis of Velanturu (Vellaturu), Tangeda and Polepalli are mentioned in the records of the Reddi period. From the way in which these ekkatis made gifts to local gods, we come to know that they were remunerated for their services by grants of land. All these sections of infantry are mentioned in the Palnativiracaritra, produced in this period. In this work ekkatlu are referred to as Ontarlu (Selagola prajalanu heccu vantarla; Vantari is the corrupt form of Ontari). Ekkati and its synonym Ontari seem to have been the vernacular equivalents of the Sanskrit word Ekangavira, the hero who fights the combat singly. These ekkatis of the Reddi period gradually formed into a separate military caste or community, and are now popularly called Vantarlu. These now form one of the three sections of the Telaga community, the other two being the Telaga (proper), and the Kapu.
In Andhra Pradesh, at the state level, one might mention a few castes such as Reddy, Velama, Kamma, Raju, Kapu / Telaga / Balija castes as the dominant (cultivator) castes.
..... and all of them were contested against the dominant caste candidates like Reddy, Kamma, Kapu, etc.
The Telugu word kapu means protector or cultivator. They use the suffix – Naidu – in the East and West Godavari, Krishna and Guntur.
The group is also known as Kapu, Naidu, Telaga in coastal districts of the state and is ethnically similar to Balija Naidus of Rayalaseema area of Andhra Pradesh.
... Velanadu (Krishna and Penna Doab) was ruled by Velanati Chodas and other areas were ruled by Telugu Chodas. In course of time, these were called Telagas, one of the important non-Brahman castes.
(p. 97) తాము చతుర్ధ వంశస్టులమని, దుర్జయ కులోద్భవులమని వెలనాటి చోడులు చెప్పుకున్నారు. మిగతా తెలుగు చోడులు తాము సూర్యవంశజులమని, కరికాల చోళుని వంశస్థులమని చెప్పుకున్నారు. కాని వాస్తవానికి అందరూ ఒకే కుదురునుండి ప్రారంభమైన చతుర్ధ వంశస్థులే తప్ప వేరు కారు. వీరందరికీ కాలక్రమేణా తెలగాలు లేక కాపులు అను పేరు స్థిరమైంది. (p. 114) కోట బేతరాజు మొదలైనవారు తెలుగుచోడులు. వీరు క్రమంగా తెలగాలుగా మారారు.
.... as there are good number of Balija voters in the constituency. The community is the equivalent of the Kapu community in the Rayalaseema region.
The Telaga are a Telugu speaking dominant cultivator community, concentrated in all the coastal towns and hinterlands of East and West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur and Nellore districts of Coastal Andhra and in all the ..... Today we find the Kapu, Ontari and Balija of the state often call themselves Telaga, and the Telaga in some parts also use Kapu as synonym.
Most of them who opt for military service from this village belong to the Kapu community ..... Though the Kapu community is now chiefly agrarian, there was a time when they were soldiers. They gained reputation when they took part in the famous Battle of Bobbili on January 23, 1757.
The Reddi, are also known as Kapu (different from the Kapu community of coastal Andhra).
The constituency also has a good number of voters from Kapu community, to which Rayudu belongs.
High castes (like Brahmins) and dominant castes (like Patels in Gujarat and Kapu and Kamma in Andhra Pradesh) constitute over 90 percent of Indians in America.
గోదావరి కృష్ణా జిల్లాలలో రెడ్లకు, కాపులకు భేదమున్నది. కాపులను 'తెలగాలు' 'నాయుళ్లు' అని పిలుచుచుందురు. కాని కడప కర్నూలు ప్రాంతములలో 'రెడ్ల'న్నను 'కాపు'లన్నను ఒక్కకులమునకే వాడుచున్నారు. పర్యాయపదములుగా నుపయోగించుచున్నారు.
Telagas termed themselves as Kapus and by profession were agriculturists. The first Telaga Mahajana Sabha of the region met at Railway Kodur in Kadapa district in September 1920. The later Telaga Conferences were held mostly in the Coastal Andhra areas than in the Rayalaseema region since the population of Telagas was more in the former region than in the latter. But some of the leaders of the region participated in these conferences as they had good rapport, with the prominent Coastal Andhra leaders like Kurma Venkata Reddy Naidu, who seldom visited the region.
The Kapu form the bulk of the population and are agriculturists and horticulturists. The Kapus of the East Godavari call themselves Telaga or Pedda (Big) Kapus.
But Reddis, Kammas, and Telaga Naidu are equal in social rank. They are originally agricultural castes.
The Kapus of Godavari Districts are quite well off and politically dynamic. They proudly declare themselves as Telagas.
The Kapus constitute a separate caste in the Coastal districts of West Godavari, Visakhapatnam, Vijayanagaram and Srikakulam. The Kapus of Coastal regions are politically dynamic. They proudly declare themselves as Telagas.
Telagas termed themselves as Kapus and by profession were agriculturists. The first Telaga Mahajana Sabha of the region met at Railway Kodur in Kadapa district in September 1920. The later Telaga Conferences were held mostly in the Coastal Andhra areas than in the Rayalaseema region since the population of Telagas was more in the former region than in the latter. But some of the leaders of the region participated in these conferences as they had good rapport, with the prominent Coastal Andhra leaders like Kurma Venkata Reddy Naidu, who seldom visited the region.
Srikakulam district: ... The Brahmins, Rajus (Kshatriya), Komati, and Telaga communities are considered to be forward communities and these castes constitute around 8 percent of the district.
Other forward communities are Brahmins, Vaishyas, Kshatriyas, Telagas, Khaists.
The Brahmin, Raju (Kshatriya), Komati (Vaisya) and Telaga castes are considered 'forward communities' in the district.
Among the forward communities, Vysya, Telaga and Brahmin communities had higher representation in that order.
About half the 153 households in the village are from the dominant Telaga caste of landed farmers ....
It was because of the caste composition of land ownership, for most of the agricultural land is owned by the dominant castes - Kamma, Reddy, Velama, Telaga, and Kshatriya communities.
Now let us look at the various castes associated with our epics. Those associated with the Palnati Katha are Telaga, Velamas, and Kammas—all traditionally landowning castes.
The Telaga were once a military caste, and were till recently recruited for the native regiments of the British army, but now they are cultivators of a moderately high position, and only differ from their neighbours in being somewhat more fully Brahmanised.
... local warrior castes such as Rajus, Kammas, Velamas, Kapus, and Telagas dominated military occupations.
Scholars have drawn attention to the fact that in the south Indian social hierarchy the second and third varnas, namely Kshatriya and Vaishya did not exist.
However, for reasons probably relating to the relationship between processes of state formation and major models of kinship organization in south India, south Indians generally recognized the existence of only one varna, the Brahman varna in society. The other two twice-born, high-status varnas – Kshatriya (warrior) and Vaishya (merchant and agriculturalist) – and the lowly, serving Sudra varna were not universally recognized as existing.
It is important to recognise here that 'farmers' refers to members of the non-Brahmin upper castes, particularly the Reddy, Kamma, and Kapu castes.
She states that most of the non-Brahmin upper castes, such as Kamma, Reddi, Velama and Kapu, formed as an association under the political banner of the Justice Party to voice their interests.
The Kapu (Telaga) community in the Circar districts of Andhra was entirely in the grip of the Justice Party ... One of the staunch leaders of the Justice Party was Sir Kurma Venkata Reddy Naidu, a leading advocate of Eluru, who was closely related to the rich landlords of the Kapu community in the Circar districts. ... But it was felt that the backing of the Kapu community was also essential to the Congress, as that community was in a considerable position and status in the Circars.
In East and West Godavari districts, quite a few Telaga zamindari families exist, with extensive landholdings. Some of them were bestowed with Diwan Bahadur and Rao Bahadur titles.
.... granted by Gopisetti Narayanaswami Nayudu garu, son of Narasimhulu Nayudu garu, Telaga, residing at .....
The community also has zamindars who are of the ruling class including the samsthans of Athili.
K. V. S. Ramachandra Rao garu, Zamindar of Dharmavaram: This gentleman, born in 1870, comes of a respectable Telaga family of Merakaveedhi, Rajahmundry, in the Godavari District, Madras Presidency.
C. K. Nayudu is today universally acknowledged as one of the greatest Indian cricketers that ever lived.
He hails from the Kapu community ...
Mr Raghupati Venkaiah, regarded as the father of Telugu film industry, laid the foundation stone for the industry in the South by setting up Glass Studio and bringing one of the first cameras into the country.
First woman producer Dasari Kotiratnam produced Anasuya in 1935.
Dasari Kotiratnam was the first actress to set up a theatre group while Venkubai and Kamala of the Surabhi Company were well-known stage artists. Dasari Kotiratnam later became the first woman to produce films.
Allu Arjun reportedly hails from the Kapu community ....
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