 | This article is an orphan, as no other articles link to it . Please introduce links to this page from related articles . (December 2025) |
| Ontari | |
|---|---|
| Classification | Forward caste |
| Religions | Hinduism |
| Languages | Telugu |
| Country | India |
| Populated states | Andhra Pradesh |
| Region | South India |
Ontari / Vantara / Vantari is a community living in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. [1] Ontari is a subcaste of the Kapu community. [2]
Ontari literally means 'the lone one' which referred to their bravery in the context of historical warfare. [3] Ontaris, also known as Ekkatis, took part in hand-to-hand fight called Ekkati Kayyamu, the combat of singles. 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. [4] These now form one of the three sections of the Telaga community, the other two being the Telaga (proper), and the Kapu. 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. They received rent-free lands for their services as warriors. During the colonial era, Ontaris were recorded as people who valued honour over their lives. 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). [5]
Historically, Ontaris were exclusively into military service. In the present day, Ontaris are landholding agriculturists. [6]
Ontaris are classified as a forward caste in Andhrapradesh.
community are regulated entirely by the elderly men and women . The ... ONTARI / VANTARA / VANTARI The community name is also spelt as Vantara or ... caste . Thurston ( 1909 ) suggests that the Telaga and Vantari should be ...
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.
 | This article about an Indian ethnicity or social group is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |