Linga Balija

Last updated

Linga Balija is a subcaste of the Indian Balija caste.

Contents

Linga Balija
Total population
15 Lakhs
Regions with significant populations
Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu,
Languages
Telugu, Kannada, Tamil
Religion
Om symbol.svg Hinduism
Related ethnic groups
Other Balija Subgroups

The Balija are a Telugu-speaking trading community primarily living in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and in smaller numbers in Telangana and Kerala. [1] [2] Balijas are known as Banajigas in Karnataka. [3]

Linga Balijas (traders) are summed up in the Madras Census Report, 1901, as a Lingāyat sub-caste of Balija. [4]

Etymology

Variations of the name in use in the medieval era were Balanja, Bananja, Bananju, Banajiga and Banijiga, with probable cognates Balijiga, Valanjiyar, Balanji, Bananji and derivatives such as Baliga, all of which are said to be derived from the Sanskrit term Vanik or Vanij, for trader. [5]

Another etymological theory states that Balija is derived from the Sanskrit word Bali, a sacrifice made during 'Yagna' ritual and Ja meaning born. Therefore, Balija means "born from sacrifice". [6]

Balijas who followed Veerashaivism or Lingayatism called themselves Linga Balijas.

Origin

The following legendary account of the origin of the "Linga Bhojunnalawaru " is given in the Baramahal Records. Para Brahma or the great god Brahma created the god Pralayakala Rudra or the terrific at the day of destruction, a character of the god Shiva, and he created the Chatur Acharyulu or four sages named Panditaraju, Yekcoramalu, Murralaradulu, and Somaluradulu, and taught them mantras or prayers, and made them his deputies. On a time, the Asuras and Devatas, or the giants and the gods, made war on each other, and the god Pralayakala Rudra produced from his nose a being whom he named Muchari Rudra, and he had five sons, with whom he went to the assistance of the devatas or gods, and enabled them to defeat the giants, and for his service the gods conferred upon him and his sons the following honorary distinctions: —

The use of burning lamps and flambeaus in their public processions during the day. The use of tents. " On a time, when the god Pralayakala Rudra and Mochari Rudra and his five sons, with other celestial attendants, were assembled on the Kailāsa parvata or mountain of Paradise, the god directed the latter to descend into the Bhuloka or earthly world, and increase and multiply these species. They humbly prayed to know how they were again to reach the divine presence. He answered 'I shall manifest myself in the Bhuloka under the form of the Lingam or Priapus; do you worship me under that form, and you will again be permitted to approach me.' They accordingly descended into the earthly regions, and from them the present castes of Balijawaras deduce their origin. [7] [8]

History

Beginning in the 9th century, references are found in inscriptions throughout the Kannada and Tamil areas to a trading network, which is sometimes referred to as a guild, called the Five Hundred Lords of Ayyavolu that provided trade links between trading communities in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. [9] From the 13th century, inscriptions referring to "Vira Balanjyas" (warrior merchants) started appearing in the Andhra country. The Vira Balanjyas, whose origins are often claimed to lie in the Ayyavolu, represented long-distance trading networks that employed fighters to protect their warehouses and goods in transit. The traders were identified as nanadesi (of 'many countries') and as swadesi ('own country'). [10] The terms balanjya-setti and balija were also used for these traders, and in later times naidu and chetti. [11] These traders formed collectives called pekkandru and differentiated themselves from other collectives called nagaram, which probably represented Komati merchants. The pekkandru collectives also included members of other communities with status titles reddi, boya and nayaka. [12] They spread all over South India, Sri Lanka, and also some countries in the Southeast Asia. [13] [14]

Velcheru Narayana Rao et al. note that the Balijas were first mobilised politically by the Vijayanagara emperor Krishnadevaraya. [15] Later, in the 15th and 16th centuries, they colonised the Tamil country and established Nayaka chieftaincies. At this time, Balijas were leaders of the left-hand section of castes. These Balija warriors were noted as fearless and some stories speak of them assassinating kings who interfered with their affairs. [15] Cynthia Talbot believes that in Andhra the transformation of occupational descriptors into caste-based descriptors did not occur until at least the 17th century. [16]

The classification of people as Balija was one of many challenges for the census enumerators of the British Raj era, whose desire was to reduce a complex social system to one of administrative simplicity using theories of evolutionary anthropology. [lower-alpha 1] Early Raj census attempts in Madras Presidency recorded a wide variety of people claiming to be members of Balija subcastes but who appeared to share little in common and thus defied the administrative desire for what it considered to be a rational and convenient taxonomy. Those who claimed to be Chetty had an obvious connection through their engagement in trade and those who called themselves Kavarai were simply using the Tamil word for Balija but, for example, the Linga Balija based their claim to Balija status on a sectarian identification, the Gazula were bangle-makers by occupation, the Telaga had Telugu origins and the Rajamahendram also appeared to be a geographic claim based on their origins in the town of Rajahmundry. Subsequent attempts to rationalise the enumeration merely created other anomalies and caused upset. [17]

Dynasty

Rulers

Ananthapur, Bukkarayapatnam, Dharmavaram Linga Balijas of Hande Family.

Status

In the year 2019, representatives of the Telangana state Veerashaiva Lingayat Federation petitioned the National Commission for Backward Classes to include Linga Balija and Veerashaiva Lingayat in the central government's list of Other Backward Classes. [25] In 2022, Member of Parliament B. B. Patil met with the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar Khatik to discuss the two subcaste's inclusion in the OBC list. [26]

Other Names

Family Names

Family Names of Linga Balijas

Notable peoples

Notes

  1. ↑ The Raj theories of evolutionary anthropology, typified by the work of H. H. Risley, are nowadays considered to be scientific racism.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lingayatism</span> Shaivite sect founded by Basava in 12th century

Lingayatism is a Hindu denomination based on Shaivism. Initially known as Veerashaivas, since the 12th-century adherents of this faith are known as Lingayats.

Devanga is a Hindu caste from South India that traditionally followed the occupation of textile merchandise, weaving and farming mostly found in the Indian states of Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Odisha.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vokkaliga</span> Group of castes in Karnataka

Vokkaliga is a community of closely related castes, from the Indian states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Keladi Chennamma, was queen regnant of Keladi Veerashaiva Kingdom in Karnataka between 1677 and 1696.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thanjavur Nayak kingdom</span> 16th-17th century rulers of Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu

The Thanjavur Nayakdynasty were the rulers of Thanjavur in the 15th and 17th centuries. The Nayaks, who belonged to the Telugu-speaking Balija social group were originally appointed as provincial governors by the Vijayanagara Emperor in the 15th century, who divided the territory into Nayak kingdoms which were Madurai, Tanjore, Gingee and Kalahasthi. In the mid-15th century they became an independent kingdom, although they continued their alliance with the Vijayanagara Empire. The Thanjavur Nayaks were notable for their patronage of literature and the arts.

The Nayak, or Naik is a historic Indian title conferred on military generals 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.

Kapu is a Hindu caste mainly found in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. They are classified as a Forward caste. They are a community of land-owning agriculturists. Historically, they have also been warriors and military generals (Nayakas) in Hindu armies. They are a dominant caste of Andhra Pradesh. Kapus commonly carry the title Naidu. They are primarily present in Coastal Andhra with major concentration in the Godavari-Krishna delta region.

<i>Jangam</i> Shaiva order of wandering religious monks

The Jangam or Jangamaru are a Shaiva order of religious monks. They are the priests (Gurus) of the Hindu Shaiva sect, Gurus of Veerashaiva sect and are disciples of Shiva as mentioned in Basava Puranas. The meaning of word Jangam is 'moving linga'. Jangama is one who is endowed with true spirit of Agamic knowledge, and has sacrificed his life for giving Samskara (good) character building practices in all sections of the Hindu society.

Nayaka dynasties emerged during the Kakatiya dynasty and the Vijayanagara Empire period. The Nayakas were originally military governors under the Vijayanagara Empire. After the battle of Talikota, several of them declared themselves independent.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nayakas of Keladi</span> Ruling dynasty in Karnataka, India (1499–1763)

Nayakas of Keladi (1499–1763), also known as Nayakas of Bednore and Ikkeri Nayakas, were an Indian dynasty based in Keladi in present-day Shimoga district of Karnataka, India. They were an important ruling dynasty in post-medieval Karnataka. They initially ruled as a vassal of the famous Vijayanagar Empire. After the fall of the empire in 1565, they gained independence and ruled significant parts of Malnad region of the Western Ghats in present-day Karnataka, most areas in the coastal regions of Karnataka and the central plains along the Tungabhadra river. In 1763 AD, with their defeat to Hyder Ali, they were absorbed into the Kingdom of Mysore. They played an important part in the history of Karnataka, during a time of confusion and fragmentation that generally prevailed in South India after the fall of the Vijayanagar Empire. The Keladi rulers were of the Vokkaliga and Banajiga castes and were Veerashaivas by faith. The Haleri Kingdom that ruled over Coorg between 1600 A.D and 1834 A.D. was founded by a member of the Keladi family.

Telaga is a community found in Coastal Andhra region of India. Telaga is a subcaste of Kapu and both terms are often used synonymously. They are classified as a Forward caste. They are a land-owning agrarian community. Historically, they were a warrior caste known for their honour and bravery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allama Prabhu</span> Indian writer

Allamaprabhu was a 12th-century mystic-saint and Vachana poet of the Kannada language, propagating the unitary consciousness of Self and Shiva. Allamaprabhu is one of the celebrated poets and the patron saint of the Lingayata movement that reshaped medieval Karnataka society and popular Kannada literature. He is included among the "Trinity of Lingayathism", along with Basavanna, the founder of the movement, and Akka Mahadevi, the most prominent woman poet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nayaks of Kandy</span> Rulers in Sri Lanka, 1739 to 1815

The Nayaks of Kandy were the rulers of the Kingdom of Kandy between 1739 and 1815, and the last dynasty to rule on the island. The term Nayak is derived from the Sanskrit word Nāyaka. Their rise to power came about as a result of the death of Vira Narendrasinha, who left no legitimate heir- the throne passed to his brother-in-law, who was crowned as Sri Vijaya Rajasinha in 1739. They were of Telugu Balija origin, spoke Telugu and Tamil, and used Sinhala and Tamil as their court languages. They are also credited for building various Vishnu temples in Sri Lanka dedicated to their clan deity Vishnu, known as Upulvan in Sinhala. A prominent one of them was the Kandy Vishnu Temple established at their capital Kandy. A cadet branch of the Madurai Nayak dynasty, the Kandyan Nayaks were related to the Thanjavur Nayaks as well. Both Madurai and Thanjavur nayaks belonged to Balija caste.

The Madurai Nayaks were a Telugu dynasty who ruled most of modern-day Tamil Nadu, India, with Madurai as their capital. The Madurai Nayaks had their origins in the Balija Chetti merchants clans of present-day Andhra Pradesh. The Nayak reign which lasted for over two centuries from around 1529 to 1736 was noted for its achievements in arts, cultural and administrative reforms, revitalization of temples previously ransacked by the Delhi Sultans, and the inauguration of a unique architectural style.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thanjavur Maratha kingdom</span> Principality of Tamil Nadu

The Thanjavur Maratha kingdom ruled by the Bhonsle dynasty was a principality of Tamil Nadu between the 17th and 19th centuries. Their native language was Thanjavur Marathi. Venkoji was the founder of the dynasty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nayaks of Gingee</span> Rulers of Gingee, India from 16th to 18th century CE

The Nayaks of Gingee (Senji) were Telugu rulers of the Gingee principality of Tamil Nadu between 16th to 18th century CE. The Gingee Nayaks had their origins in the Balija warrior clans of present-day Andhra Pradesh. They were subordinates of the imperial Vijayanagara emperors, and were appointed as provincial governors by the Vijayanagar Emperor who divided the Tamil country into three Nayakships viz., Madurai, Tanjore and Gingee. Later, after the fall of the Vijayanagara's Tuluva dynasty, the Gingee rulers declared independence. While they ruled independently, they were sometimes at war with the Tanjore neighbors and the Vijayanagara overlords later based in Vellore and Chandragiri.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kunchitiga</span> Indian ethnic group

The Kunchitigas are a community of people from Karnataka, India. They are mostly concentrated in the Tumkur, Bangalore, Mysore, Ramanagara, Shivamogga and Chitradurga districts. They are also found in Tamil Nadu.

Damarla Chennapa Nayaka was a Nayaka ruler of Kalahasti and Vandavasi under the suzerainty of Vijayanagar emperor Venkatapati Raya. He was also the Dalavoy or the Commander-in-Chief of the emperor.

References

  1. ↑ Jakka Parthasarathy, ed. (1984). Rural Population in Indian Urban Setting. B.R. Publishing Corporation. p. 52. ISBN   9788170181392. Balija are the chief Telugu trading caste , scattered ! throughout Andhra Pradesh , Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
  2. ↑ Kumari, A. Vijaya; Bhaskar, Sepuri (1998). Social Change Among Balijas. MD Publications. p. 12. ISBN   9788175330726.
  3. ↑ Thurston, Edgar. Castes and Tribes of Southern India. Vol. 4 of 7. p. 232.
  4. ↑ Francis, W. (1902). Census Of India 1901 Vol.15 (madras) Pt.1 (report). p. 165.
  5. ↑ Edgar Thurston, ed. (1909). Castes and Tribes of Southern India. VED from Victoria Institutions. p. 97.
  6. ↑ Venkatesa Iyengar, ed. (1932). The Mysore Tribes and Castes. Vol. 2. Mittal Publications. p. 100.
  7. ↑ Edgar Thurston, ed. (1998). Social Change Among Balijas: Majority Community of Andhra Pradesh. M.D. Publications Pvt. p. 9. ISBN   978-81-7533-072-6.
  8. ↑ Venkatesa Iyengar, ed. (1932). The Mysore Tribes and caste. p. 105.
  9. ↑ Stein, Burton; Arnold, David (4 February 2010). A History of India. John Wiley & Sons. p. 120. ISBN   978-1444323511.
  10. ↑ Stein, Burton (2010-02-04). A History of India. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN   978-1-4443-2351-1.
  11. ↑ Talbot, Cynthia (2001). Pre-colonial India in Practice: Society, Region, and Identity in Medieval Andhra. Oxford University Press. p. 75. ISBN   978-0-19803-123-9.
  12. ↑ Talbot, Cynthia (2001). Pre-colonial India in Practice: Society, Region, and Identity in Medieval Andhra. Oxford University Press. p. 81. ISBN   978-0-19803-123-9.
  13. ↑ Sarma, M Somasekhara; Sōmaśēkharaśarma, Mallampalli (1948), History of the Reddi Kingdoms (circa. 1325 A.D. to Circa 1448 A.D.), Andhra University, p. 396
  14. ↑ "Guild Inscriptions".
  15. 1 2 Rao, Velcheru Narayana; Shulman, David Dean; Subrahmanyam, Sanjay (1992). Symbols of substance: court and state in Nāyaka Period Tamilnadu. Oxford University Press. pp. 10, 74. ISBN   978-0-19-563021-3. These Balija fighters are not afraid of kings: some stories speak of their killing kings who interfered with their affairs.
  16. ↑ Talbot, Cynthia (2001). Pre-colonial India in Practice: Society, Region, and Identity in Medieval Andhra. Oxford University Press. p. 86. ISBN   978-0-19803-123-9.
  17. ↑ Baker, Christopher John (1975). "Figures and Facts: Madras Government Statistics 1880-1940". In Baker, Christopher John; Washbrook, D. A. (eds.). South India. Springer. pp. 222–223. ISBN   978-1-34902-746-0.
  18. ↑ The quarterly journal of the Mythic society Vol.XI. Bangalore: The Mythic Society, Daly Memorial Hall. 1921. p. 47-48.:”Venkatappa. ruled from 1504 to 1551. His son Bhadrappa died before him. During his reign the Moghals under Ranadullakhan seized Ikkeri and set up a, viceroy there. Then Virabhadrappa Nayaka ascended the Gadi and -retiring to Bidarur ruled over his country more peacefully than before.* His rule lasted for 15 years from 1551 to 1566. During his reign the rule of Vokkaligas came to an end and was replaced by the rule of Banajigas”
  19. ↑ Basavaraj S. Naika (2001). Keladi Nayakas - The Rebellious Rani of Belavadi and Other Stories. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. ISBN   9788126901272 . Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  20. ↑ "Rulers of Keladi". Udupi Tourism. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  21. ↑ Portuguese Studies Review (ISSN 1057-1515) (Baywolf Press) p.35
  22. ↑ The quarterly journal of the Mythic society Vol.XI. Bangalore: The Mythic Society, Daly Memorial Hall. 1921. p. 47-48.:”Venkatappa. ruled from 1504 to 1551. His son Bhadrappa died before him. During his reign the Moghals under Ranadullakhan seized Ikkeri and set up a, viceroy there. Then Virabhadrappa Nayaka ascended the Gadi and -retiring to Bidarur ruled over his country more peacefully than before.* His rule lasted for 15 years from 1551 to 1566. During his reign the rule of Vokkaligas came to an end and was replaced by the rule of Banajigas”
  23. ↑ A journey from Madras through the countries of Mysore, Canara, and Malabar Vol 111 – 1807 – Francis Buchanan -from page 254 ""
  24. ↑ Advanced Study in the History of Modern India 1707–1813 by Jaswant Lal Mehta p.458
  25. ↑ "Include Balija caste in OBC list, demand Lingayats". The Hans India. July 9, 2019.
  26. ↑ "Make Lingayat, Balija castes part of OBC Category: Zaheerabad MP". Telangana Today. September 13, 2022.
  27. ↑ "Census Of India 1951" (PDF). Tamil Digital Library.
  28. ↑ "Definition Kapu". Wisdom Library. October 25, 2021.
  29. ↑ "Census Of India 1951" (PDF). Tamil Digital Library.
  30. ↑ "Details Internet".
  31. ↑ "1 year in office earns CM a snub". indiatoday. 2005. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  32. ↑ "BJP president Nitin Gadkari refuses to yield BS Yeddyurappa over Karnataka leadership". economictimes. 25 February 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  33. ↑ "The Tripwire Setters". Outlookindia. 6 April 2009. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  34. ↑ Nels Anderson, ed. (1969). Studies in Multilingualism I of VII. p. 134.
  35. ↑ The Indian Journal of Political Science. 1987. p. 583.
  36. ↑ "Which way now for the Lingayats?". indiatoday. 8 March 2004. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  37. ↑ Alessandro Monti; Marina Goglio; Esterino Adami, eds. (2005). Feeding the Self, Feeling the Way in Ancient and Contemporary South Asian Cultures. L'Harmattan Italia. p. 91. ISBN   978-88-7892-006-4.
  38. ↑ Sameeksha Trust, ed. (1997). Economic and Political Weekly, Volume 32. p. 2348.
  39. ↑ "J H Patel stoops, yet may not conquer". rediff. 2004. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  40. ↑ "Rebel gives J H Patel a contest to remember". rediff. 3 September 1999. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  41. ↑ "NewsKarnataka". NewsKarnataka. Archived from the original on 2019-08-26. Retrieved 2019-08-27.
  42. ↑ Thomas Blom Hansen; Christophe Jaffrelot (2001). The BJP and the compulsions of politics in India. p. 176. The Lingayat votes had been important to the Janata Dal since 1978. Without Veerendra Patil (a member of the Banajiga jati), the long-standing difficulties of the national party president S. R. Bommai in appealing to voters beyond his Sadar jati (which has represent of other jatis gaining disproportionate share of spoils) became especially serious
  43. ↑ Sameeksha Trust (1992). Economic & Political Weekly. p. 1270. Veerendra Patil belongs to Lingayat Banajiga
  44. ↑ Bansy Kalappa; Naushad Bijapur (2019). "Stormy season ahead for BJP over rebel Karnataka MLA Umesh Katti's exclusion". New Indian Express.
  45. ↑ Rishikesh Bahadur Desai (2019). "Decoding the political clout of Shettar". The Times of India.
  46. ↑ Parliament mourns death of B.D. Jatti, adjourns. 2002. Sri Basappa Danappa Jatti Born in a Kannadiga Lingayat Banajiga family at Savalgi in Jamkhandi Taluk of Bijapur district, Jatti entered politics as a Municipality member at Jamakhandi in 1940 and later became its President. He was eventually elected to the Jamakhandi State Legislature
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.