Munnuru Kapu

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Munnuru Kapu
ReligionsHinduism [1]
Languages Telugu
CountryIndia
Region Telangana

Munnuru Kapu is a Telugu-speaking caste primarily found in the Indian state of Telangana. [2] Traditionally, they are a community of cultivators and are distributed across Telangana. [3] They are also present in Nanded and Latur districts of Maharashtra. [1] [4] Munnuru Kapus are distinct from the Kapu caste of Coastal Andhra. [5]

Contents

Munnuru Kapus are described as an economically and politically prominent community of Telangana. [6] [7] [8] In the 2018 Telangana Assembly, Munnuru Kapus are the third largest caste in unreserved seats with eight MLAs; next only to Reddy and Velama communities. [9] Some members of the community have also ventured into industry and business, and became established businessmen like B. V. Rao, Vikram Akula, and Myadam Kishan Rao. [10] [11]

Etymology

Kapu means cultivator or protector in Telugu. [12] [13] Munnuru means three hundred. [2] According to some writers, Telangana being a rocky area and deficient in water, has acute water scarcity. The Kapus who were water diviners (Munnuru = Mun + Neeru = water diviner) were said to have been called Munnuru Kapus. [14]

Another version of the etymology also exists. As per some other writers, 300 Kapu families migrated to present-day Telangana in the medieval period and they came to be called as Munnuru Kapus (transl.Kapus of the three hundred families). [2] [11]

Geographical distribution

Munnuru Kapus are distributed across the state of Telangana. [3] They are also present in Nanded and Latur districts of Maharashtra [1] [4] and in seven mandals of Andhra Pradesh that were transferred to it from Telangana in 2014. [15]

History

Traditionally, they are a community of cultivators and large sections of them are still into agriculture. [3] A few have served as village Patels (equivalent to Munasabu in Andhra), an official who maintained law and order in the village. Some have also risen to a high status as landlords and Zamindars, but the majority are ordinary cultivators. [14]

A considerable portion of the Munnurus over the years have entered government service or become traders. [14] Some members of the community have also ventured into industry and business, and became established businessmen like B. V. Rao, Vikram Akula, and Myadam Kishan Rao. [10] [11]

Notable people

See also

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