Niyogi Brahmin | |
---|---|
Classification | Forward caste |
Religions | Hinduism |
Languages | Telugu (primary) Other Dravidian languages [1] |
Country | Primarily India |
Niyogi Brahmin is a Telugu Brahmin subcaste [2] native to the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, but are spread throughout South India and Maharashtra. [3] [4] The traditional occupations of the Niyogi Brahmins are settled cultivation and priesthood. [5] But majority of them took up various secular vocations including military activities and karanams. They were associated with administration, economics, literature, music composing, politics, scholarly, scientific, engineering, defense and warfare careers. [6] [7]
Niyogin in Sanskrit means "employed", "appointed" or "assigned" and it is probable that Niyogis were given this name because they accept secular employment. [8] As per Eastern Chalukyan records, Brahmins who were appointed to a 'Niyoga', commission, charge or office, were called 'Niyogins', officials or functionaries. The term 'Niyogikavallabha' finds mention in a record of Eastern Chalukyan king Mangi Yuvaraja (r. 682 – 706 CE). [9]
Niyogis are divided into groups like Aruvela Niyogis, Pakanati Niyogis, Prathamasaki Niyogis and others. [10] Golkonda Vyaparis were said to be a part of Niyogis. The word "vyapari" means trader. While Niyogis were Smartas, Vyaparis are Vaishnavas. [11] [12] [13] In Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, there are some sections of Niyogis such as Aruvela and Prathamasaki who follow Dvaita Vedanta of Madhvacharya. [14] [15]
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.
Deshastha Brahmin is a Hindu Brahmin subcaste mainly from the Indian state of Maharashtra and North Karnataka. Other than these states, according to authors K. S. Singh, Gregory Naik and Pran Nath Chopra, Deshastha Brahmins are also concentrated in the states of Telangana (which was earlier part of Hyderabad State and Berar Division), Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh (Which was earlier part of Central Provinces and Berar) Historian Pran Nath Chopra and journalist Pritish Nandy say, "Most of the well-known saints from Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh were Deshastha Brahmins". The mother tongue of Deshastha Brahmins is either Marathi, Kannada or Telugu.
Deshmukh (IAST:Dēśamukh) is a historical title conferred to the rulers of a Dēśamukhi. It is used as a surname in certain regions of India, especially in the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Telangana and also in Andhra Pradesh and northern parts of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, Goa whose family received it as a title.
Telugu Brahmins are Telugu-speaking Brahmin communities native to the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. They fall under the Pancha Dravida Brahmin classification of the Brahmin community in India. Telugu Brahmins are further divided into sections like Vaidiki, Niyogi, Deshastha, Dravida, Golkonda Vyapari among others.
Rigvedi is an Indian surname used by Deshastha Rigvedi Brahmin (DRB) community, meaning versed in Rigveda. It is one of the two major sub-sects among Deshastha Brahmins. Similarly there are Yajurvedi.
The Badaganadu are a Brahmin community that mainly reside in Karnataka and in Tamil Nadu. They are followers of either the Advaita Vedanta propounded by Adi Shankara or the Dvaita Vedanta propounded by Madhvacharya and hence there are Smarthas and Madhwas among them.
Dravida Brahmins, or simply Dravidulu, are Hindu brahmins and a sub-caste of the Telugu Brahmins of Andhra Pradesh in South India, who migrated from Tamil-speaking regions. They are further divided into sub-sects based on the places where they have settled such as Aaraama Dravidulu, Pudur Dravidulu, Konaseema Dravidulu, Peruru Dravidulu, Tummagunta Dravidulu and Dimili Dravidulu. They are primarily categorized as the Saiva Brahmins or followers of Shiva.
The Nayak, or Naik, is a historic honorific title conferred on military captains and governors of feudal states in the Middle Ages. It is also a surname. Nayaks are mostly Hindu with some Sikhs.
Kapu is a Hindu caste primarily found in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Kapus are classified as a Forward caste, and are a community of land-owning agriculturists. Historically, they also served as military generals (Nayakas) and warriors in Hindu kingdoms such as the Vijayanagara Empire. Kapus are a dominant caste of Andhra Pradesh. They are primarily present in Coastal Andhra, with a major concentration in the Godavari-Krishna delta region. Kapus commonly use the title Naidu.
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.
Padmasali is a Hindu caste residing in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. Their traditional occupation is weaving and clothes business.
Uppara, also known as Sagara, is a Hindu caste predominantly found in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. They are classified as an Other Backward Class.
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 currently organised as a caste. They are primarily found in Central and South Indian states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Karnataka. Small communities of Komati's are also present in the neighbouring states of Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Chhattisgarh. 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/Kombattulas were one of the two village-level administrative posts that existed in Andhra along with 'Munasabu' (Munsiff). The Karanam/Kombattulas kept an elaborate system of village accounts.
Madhva Brahmins, are communities of Hindus from the Brahmin caste in India, who follow Sadh Vaishnavism and Dvaita philosophy propounded by Madhvacharya. They are found mostly in the Indian states of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Kannada Brahmins or Carnatic Brahmins are Kannada-speaking Brahmins, primarily living in Karnataka, and also present in the states of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. They belong to one of three traditions: Smartism, Sadh Vaishnavism, and Sri Vaishnavism, and are followers of Adi Shankara, Madhvacharya, and Ramanuja, respectively.
Andhra Vaishnavas is a Brahmin community in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana who follow Ramanuja Vishishtadvaita Vedanta Darshana and profess Sri Vaishnavism.
Golconda Vyapari Brahmin, is a Telugu Brahmin subcaste native to the Indian states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, but are also found in Maharashtra and other parts of South India. In the Telangana region they served as Karanams and in Andhra Pradesh region they served as Karanams / Kombattulas and other higher officials under Qutb Shahis of Golconda and Nizams of Hyderabad.
In Maharashtra, the Niyogi Brahman have eleven subgroups like Aruvela Niyogi and Kammelu Niyogi. They have migrated from Andhra Pradesh. In social practices and rituals they do not differ from their original stock in Andhra Pradesh.
The traditional occupations of the Niyogi Brahman of Andhra Pradesh are settled cultivation and priesthood. They were Patwaris also.
Among the Niyogis, there are Aruvela Niyogis, Pakanati Niyogis and others.
The Madhwas are followers of the Dwaitha philosophy of Madhwacharya and have sub-sects like the Badaganadu, Aravelu, Aravathuvokkalu, Deshastha, etc.
In Tamil Nadu, the Madhwa Brahmins are migrants from Karnataka. They have six sub-groups, they are Aruvela, Aruvanththuvakkalu, Badaganadu, Pennaththurar, Prathamasaki and Desastha and Badaga. They are concentrated in the Madras, Coimbatore, Coonoor and in Ooty.