Naidu

Naidu (also spelt Nayudu or Naidoo) is a title used by various social groups of the Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu states of India. It is also used in Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa and Chattisgarh. It is a Telugu derivation of the Sanskrit Nayaka, meaning "protector" or "leader".

The word Naidu is etymologically related to the Tamil Naicker, the Nair of Kerala, Marathi Naik and Nayaks (Pattanayak) in Orissa.And it is considered one of the upper caste in south india which they claim kshatriya according to the varna system According to our Indian history of kingdom the Naidus were the nayak kings of madurai,tanjore,tirunelveli,gingee as no other castes cannot constitute as Nayakkars.

Usage

The term Naidu is the caste name and the title of the Kamma caste in Rayalaseema Region in Andhra Pradesh and Kapu caste(Telaga/Balija Naidu)of Andhra Pradesh which accounts for about 28% of the population of Andhra Pradesh. Nayaka (Naidu) was an honorary title that was used by the people belonging to the other Telugu castes of Ekari (Pala Ekari) Boyar(warrior), Kamma, Mudi Raju, Koppula/Polinati Velama,Ayyaraka,gangavar(Boyar) etc in Andhra Pradesh and other states. It was used as a title denoting a village or lineage headman. Medieval Andhra dynasties like the Vishnukundins and Chalukyas and the recent ones like the Vijayanagara Empire conferred the title Nayaka / Nayakudu to a commander or Danda-nayaka (Army Commander) or a leader of a band of soldiers.

The Nayaka title was originally conferred upon Telugu communities. In medieval times, the Kakatiya and Vijayanagara Kingdoms had many prominent nayakas from various castes. During the expansion of Vijayanagar Empire, the Nayak title was conferred upon non-Telugu speaking communities who served in the same function in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. This title is also used by other communities in Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

The Nayaka title was conferred upon warriors who received land along with the title Nayaka as a part of the Nayankarapuvaram system for services rendered to the court during the Kakatiya dynasty. Nayaka was one among approximately 25 titles used by the Kakatiyas to create a new political infrastructure to undercut the authority of heredity regional elites. The Nayankara system was also used by the Vijayanagar empire wherein land was granted to a Nayaka or Palayakarrar (Polygar) on condition that they would place their military service at the disposal of the king.

Many communities later began using the Naick or Naidu surname. Edgar Thurston (Castes and Tribes of Southern India Vol. 5; p. 138) noted that "Naidu" or "Nayudu" title was in use by several Telugu castes in colonial India (in alphabetical order): Balija, Bestha, Boyar(warrior) caste, Ekari, gangawar(Boyar), Gavara,Kalingi, Kamma, Kapu, Mudirajus, Velama, Odde, Tottiyan, Reddy, Telaga, Uppiliyan, Idiga and Valmiki.

Origins

The Nayaka / Danda Nayaka term started being used during the Vishnukundina dynasty which ruled from the Krishna and Godavari deltas during the 3rd Century A.D. Little is known about the title usage prior to that. A more widespread usage of the term Nayaka can be traced to the expansion of the Western Chalukyas into Andhra country during the 7th Century. However, the most widespread usage of the term Nayak happened during the Vijayanagar rule.

The word Naidu is used by the older writers in southern India in several senses, of which the following example given by Yule and Burnell may be cited:

• It denoted a Commander or a Governor.
• Native captain or headman.
• Title of honor among Hindus in the Deccan. "The kings of deccan also have a custom when they will honor a man or recompence their service done, and raise him to dignity and honor. They give him the title of Nayak." -Linschoten
• The general name of the Kings of Vijayanagar.

Though originally not meant to be a heredity title, by modern times, the Naidu title had been inherited by many, although they no longer were governors, army commanders or tax collectors.

Andhra Pradesh

In Andhra Pradesh, the title is predominantly used by the Kapu caste (Balija Naidu/Gavara Naidu/Telaga Naidu/Kapu Naidu) though other castes like the kamma, pala ekari, Boyars,Koppula/Polinati Velamas, Kammas and Kalingas have begun using it of late.

Tamil Nadu

Many Telugu-speaking communities like Boyar, Gangawar Naidu, kamma Naidu, Baljia Naidu, Gavara naidu, vadugar, kapu, Gajulu use the title Naidu, whereas the title Naicker is used by both Tamils and Telugus. Boyar is the telugu-speaking warrior class, later involved in the construction work of forts, administratative buildings and palaces. There are sub-communities in the Boyar community, 'oddar/oddisa', or people who migrated from Orissa to give assistance in these professions, who are included in these castes. In these days, in Tamil Nadu, Kamma, Gavara, Balija, Boyars and Vadugars are called Naidu or Nayakars.

In the Vijanagar Dynasty, Kammas, kapus, boyars and Balijas were warriors, landlords, administrators and governors for the Emperor or King. During the British period, they were called Palayakarargal.

The Government of India and of Tamil Nadu includes many Naidu main and subcastes as either 'other backward class' or 'backward class'.

Kerala

In Kerala there are just about 5000 Naidu families spread all over the state. Their ancestors migrated around 200 years back from the Madurai region. Some families came from Tirunelveli region. They belong to Balija caste group.

Diasporas

Notable diasporic communities are found in South Africa [spelled Naidoo: Xavier Naidoo], Polynesia, mainly the South-western arc and eastern island chains.

Notable Naidus

• Sarojini Naidu - first Indian woman President of the Indian National Congress
• Leela Naidu, Savitri - Indian actress
• C. K. Nayudu - Indian Cricketer
• Buchi Babu naidu - father of chennai Cricket
• Janakiraman Naidu. The first person to develop acetoxy silicone sealant in Middle East, Africa, Indian sub continent, Central Asia and CIS Countries.
• Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga -- Politician of Naidu
• Konidela Chiranjeevi(Siva Shankara Vara Prasad)-Indian Actor
• Konidela Pawan Kalyan(Konidela Kalyan Babu)-Indian Actor

References

General references

• Caste and Race in India (by G.S.Ghurye)
• The Tribes and Castes of The Central Provinces Of India, by B V Russel
• The Castes and Tribes of Southern India, by EdgarThurston
• Further Sources of Vijayanagara History By K A Nilakanta Sastry
• Penumbral Visions - by Sanjay Subrahmanyam
• Trishan Naidoo