Kapu (caste)

Kapu
Classification	Warriors and farmers
Religions	Hinduism
Languages	Telugu
Populated states	Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharastra, Orissa
Subdivisions	7

Kapu (Telugu కాపు) refers to a community or social grouping found primarily in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.The word Kapu or Kaapu in Telugu means protector. Kapus speak Telugu and were, and still are primarily an agrarian community. A significant number of them are adopt their caste title Naidu, which means leader.

The Kapu community is also found in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Orissa, Kerala, Maharashtra and Chattisgarh. Kapu and its subcastes(Balija, Telaga, Munnuru Kapu, Turpu Kapu, Ontari) constitute about 25.18% percent of the population of Andhra Pradesh, making them the single largest community in the state.

Origin

File:EpicIndiaCities.jpg

Ancient Indian (Bharata) cities and Places(Title and location names are in English.)

• Kapus were the earliest inhabitants of the Deccan region, people who migrated from the north, cleared forests for agriculture and built settlements.

• Kapu are believed to be descendants of the Kaampu, an Indo-Aryan tribe, which migrated from Kampilya, Mithila and Ayodhya, ancient cities situated in the Gangetic Plains of North India .

• This migrant tribe initially settled down along the banks of the Godavari river, cleared forests and started cultivation. To this day, a heavy concentration of Munnuru Kapus and Telagas are found on the banks of the Godavari in the North Telangana districts of Adilabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Warangal, Khammam and the coastal districts of East Godavari and West Godavari, in which lies the Godavari delta.

• The caste title of the Kapus, "Naidu", which is a derivation of the word "Nayaka" (meaning "leader"), was first used during the era of the Vishnukundina dynasty, which ruled the Krishna and Godavari river deltas during the 3rd Century A.D.

• The settlement slowly spread among the geographical area of the three Shaiva Lingams of Draksharamam (East Godavari district), Srisailam (Kurnool district) and Srikalahasti (Chittor district) . The people living in this area came to be called Telagas and the language spoken by them as Telugu.

• This settlement of Telagas started referring to themselves as Balija when the Balijas became quite prominent in the medieval period (around about 1000 CE) with their political and economic contributions.

• Kapus share their origins along with similar warrior/agrarian communities like the Kurmis of Bihar and UP and Kunbis/Marathas of Maharashtra and Vokkaliga of Karnataka.

• The Kapus were primarily an military/agrarian community who took up military service and were into cultivation during peace time. Consequently the Kapu subcastes also evolved based on occupation.

• Kapu subcastes dedicated to military service included Telaga, Munnuru Kapu and Ontaris (who served as special forces). Munnuru kapu were a detachment of the Telagas who migrated to the current Telangana Districts and served under the Kakatiyas and Nizams.

• Kapus engaged in trade were referred to as Balija. Balijas who took up military service and protected trading caravans were called Balija Nayakulu or Balija Naidu.

• A significant number of Kapus have today diversified into industry, arts and academia. However, a substantial segment of the population are still farmers.

Sub Castes

• Balija/ Balija Naidu
• Munnuru Kapu
• Telaga
• Turpu Kapu
• Ontari
• Naidu (caste title)

Distribution

The Kapu community in Andhra Pradesh is predominantly concentrated in the coastal districts, North Telangana and Rayalaseema regions of Andhra Pradesh .They are also found in large numbers in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Chattisgarh and Orissa.

Occupation

• The Kapu community served during the medieval ages as warriors or protectors of villages and regions from bandits or invading forces.
• During times of peace, warriors who stayed close to villages served as village heads or practiced agriculture.
• During times of war, they served as soldiers, governors (i.e. Nayaks) and commanders in armies of many south Indian dynasties.
• The modern day Kapu community is predominantly agrarian, but a significant number have diversified into business, industry, arts and academia.

Some Kapu names are associated with occupations practiced during the medieval period.

• Village and regional defence committees (Vuuru Kapu, Pranta Kapu)
• Administration (Chinna Kapu,Pedda Kapu/Reddy)
• Protection of farms and livestock from bandits (Panta Kapu)

Kapus were leasing agricultural land and most of them, even today, are farmers. Landlords and farmers who served as village heads are also given the title "Pedda Kapu" or "Reddy". Patel and Patwari, who were mostly Brahmins were the village heads. This is why the title Reddy, which is used by predominately land-owning castes, is found not only in the separate Reddy caste but also among some of the Kapu castes. Another point of confusion is that the Reddy community also refers to themselves as Kapus in Rayalaseema and Telangana. Here the Kapu community is referred to as Balija / Balija Naidu and Munnuru Kapu.

Branches

• Chalukya Kapu
• Mungaru
• Mogili
• Mekala
• Pakanati (eastern territory)
• Telaganati (Telaga)
• Simhapuri (Balija/Reddy)
• Velanati
• Oruganti
• Neravati
• Pedakanti (Narollu)
• Naagali
• Namadarlu
• Modikarlu
• Koraganji
• Makena
• Gandla

Disambiguation Nagaralu, Ayyaraka Patrulu, Venna Kapu, Kapu Savara, Konda Kapu and Reddy Subcastes(Dommari Kapu. Godugulanati Kapu, Kodithi Kapu, Velama Kapu, Yerlam Kapu are not part of the Kapu Caste.

Balija or Balja Naidu

Balijas/Balija Naidu are found in the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. These were agrarians, merchants and warriors of the Kakateeya and Vijaynagara empire periods.

The term Balija is a Telugu derivative of the Sanskrit word, Vanijya, meaning merchant. Balijas are the merchant branch of the Kapu caste, with subcastes based on occupation (members who are purely merchants use the title "Setty"). Balija's also have a warrior branch whose members use the title Naidu. Some Balija Naidu families were appointed to supervise provinces as Nayaks (governors, commanders) by the Kakatiya and Vijayanagara kings and, after these empires lost power, they continued to rule parts of southern Andhra Pradesh and northern Tamil Nadu independently. This includes the Madurai Nayaks, Thanjavur Nayaks, and the last rulers of Sri Lanka, the Kandy Nayaks, before the British occupied Sri Lanka.

There is regional variation in the Balija community as to how they call themselves. In coastal Andhra, they call themselves Kapu/Telaga/Naidu, and in Rayalaseema they are referred to as Balija / Setty Balija / Balija Naidu / Naidu. In Telangana they call themselves Munnuru Kapu.

Origins

As per one theory the Balija branch of Kapus migrated from Balijipeta, Srikakulam District and arose by social changes that occurred among some sections of Telugu society. The Encyclopedia of World History states, “ Balijas were originally part of the great Telugu migrations southward into the Tamil country in the 15th and 16th centuries, Balija merchant-warriors who claimed these Nayaka positions rose to political and cultural power and supported an ethos that emphasized non-ascriptive, heroic criteria in legitimizing political power. The new egalitarian ethos made it easier for claimants from a variety of communities to succeed to political control".

Veera Balaingyas were mentioned in Kakatiya inscriptions as powerful tax collectors and wealthy merchants who were highly respected in Kakatiyan society and used the title Setty. They are previosly known as ayyavolu/ihole kshatriyas/lords. Kasturi Nayadu and Peda Koneti Nayudu of the Vasarasi family belonged to the Balija subcaste, and ruled some provinces. The first Rebellion against British Rule was launched by another famous Balija Nayak Katta Bomma Naicker in Tamil Nadu long before the Sepoy Mutiny in Bengal.

Vijayanagar emperor Krishna Deva Raya had a number of present day Kapu-Balija in his service. In Edgar Thurston's "Castes And Tribes of Southern India" and R.V.Russell's "The Tribes and Castes of Central Provinces of India", the ruling clans of Vijayanagar, Madurai and Thanjavur came from the Balija caste, which is disputed. According to Kante Narayana Desayi's, "Balijakula Charithra", Kings of Vijayanagar, Madurai, Thanjavur, Khandi (Kandy) and Thundeera (Gingee/Chenchi) were interrelated and belonged to Balija caste.

Branches

• Setty Balija: These were traders and merchants of the Kakatiya dynasty. There was mention of some very old trading guilds concentrated in Bellary, Karnataka. Historian's suggest this was the first branch in Balijas.
• Balija Naidu: A derivation of the term Balija Nayakulu. This sub caste formed during the Kakatiya dynasty time, primarily to protect the Balija / Setty trading caravans from bandits. The current Anantapur Dt and Nellore Dt were ruled by Balijas.
• Kota Balijas: The Madurai Nayaksand the Tanjavore Nayaks are from this lineage. Kandy Nayaks were descendants of Madurai Nayaks.
• Gajula Balija/Sugavansi Balija: Myth is that Siva’s wife Parvati made a penance in order to look beautiful for Siva and the person that brought her bangles was the ancestor of the Gajula Balija.
• Kavarai (Kavara Balija Naidu/Gavara Balija Naidu): "Kavarai is the name for Balijas (Telugu trading caste), who have settled in the Tamil country" as per Thurston. Kavarais call themselves Balijas (Born from fire). They use the titles Naidu, Nayakkan, Chetti or Setti and Nayak. According to Jogendranath Bhattacharya in "Hindu Castes and Sects" though Kavarais were originally devoted entirely to agriculture,in the capacity of land owners, and their lands were cultivated by inferior castes,they were also involved in the other professions such as trading,sailing etc.Gajula Balija is the largest sub-division of Kavarais. The equivalent name for Gajula Balija in Tamil is Valaiyal Chetti. The meaning of Tamil name Valaiyal in Telugu is Gajulu (Bangles). Gajula Balijas attained this name as they were involved in manufacturing and selling bangles initially though they made their mark in various other fields later.The other branch of the Kavarais is Kambalattars(Thottiyars/Thottiyans). Kambalattars were originally the Telugu speaking cultivators that had migrated from Telugu and Karnataka lands to Western parts of Madura Country in sixteenth century during the reign of Madurai Nayaks.They had found employment in Madurai Balija Nayak dynasty and even got promoted as Poligars. Veerapandiya Kattabomman Naicker belonged to this branch of Balija caste (Rajakambala Balija).Kambalattars primarily practiced Vaishnavism.They were known to be energetic and industrious people.

• Rajamahendravaram Balija or Musu Kamma Balija (named after a special ear ornament worn by women)
• Gandavallu or Gundapodi Vandlu (Supposed to have originally been Komatis)

Balija ruling clans:

• Araveeti Dynasty the last ruler, Ramaraya, was a Kota Balija.
• Madurai Nayaks
• Tanjavur Nayaks
• Kandy Nayaks who ruled Sri Lanka
• Penukonda
• Kalyandurg

• Rayadurgam
• Chandragiri
• Udayagiri
• Metla Rajulu
• Thundeera (Gingee Nayaks / Chenchi Nayaks) controlled by Balijas during Vijayanagar but later controlled by Marathas
• Poligars: Land owners and tax collectors of Tamil Nadu where of Balija origin.

Metla Rajulu who ruled in Cuddapah and was the last pricely state to be captured by the British when Rayalaseema was Ceded to them by the Nizam after laying seize to the fort for a couple of months.The Metla Rajulu had alliances and married off their daughter to Sada Siva Raya of the Tuluva Dynasity which helped them establish and play a prominent role during the reign of the Tuluva and Atraveeti Dynasities.

Note:Perika Balija,Krishna Balija,Surya Balija(Kalavatula), Vada Balija (Fishermen), Ediga Balija/Goud (Toddy Tappers), Setty Balija/Chettu Balija/Goud (Toddy Tappers) of Coastal Andhra are not part of Balija or Balija Naidu Caste.

Refer to Balija for further Information

Munnuru Kapu

Munnuru Kapus are located primarily in the Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh. They are a military branch of the Kapu community, who farmed during peace time. "Munnuru" means "three hundred". The Munnuru Kapu functioned as interior palace guards or cavalry in kingdoms such as those of the Tanjavore Nayaks, Devarakonda, and Nizam.

Munnuru kapus were part of the Original migration which took place to the Deccan and settled along the banks of the Godavari from Nizamabad to the Delta regions in Coastal Andrra. To support this theory even today most of the Munnuru kapu poulation can be found in the Northern Telangana Districts of Nizamabad,Karimangar,Warangal and Khammam.

Munnuru Kapus are also called Thota Balijas, Telugus, Telengas, Munnurwar, Telenga Kunbi and Thopatkari. They apparently moved to Chanda region from Telugu country travelling along Godavari and Pranahitha rivers.

There was a professional rivalry that lasted for decades between the Munnuru Kapus and the Mudiraju community during the Kakateeya rule. The Mudiraj's were associated with the Devarakonda Velamas.

Origin

There are several stories regarding the origin of the "Munnuru Kapu":

• King Ganapati Deva of Kakatiya needed support of agrarian communities from coastal Andhra region during the establishment and expansion of the empire, since he had not established power over the Telugu Chodas (Telaga) and Chalukyas in that region. In order to bring legitimacy to their rule and to strengthen its roots, he requested the migration of three hundred families of Kapu / Telaga soldiers from the Kondavidu region of the current Krishna District. The descendants of those who migrated with three hundred families are called Munnuru Kapu. This migration occurred around about 900 years ago.

• Queen Rudrama Devi of Kakateeya wanted to cultivate large tracts of the Telangana region. A large migration of agriculturists from coastal Andhra region came after her alliance with the Chalukyan Prince. Three hundred Kapu / Telaga families were dispatched by the prince to bring these vast Telangana lands under cultivation. These three hundred families are called as Munnuru Kapu.

• The Nawab of Hyderabad requested the Tanjavore Nayaks to send a battalion of his best infantry and cavalry for his personal security. The Nayak dispatched three hundred Telaga men and their families from their imperial guard. The descendants of these three hundred families are now called Munnuru Kapu.

• The Perikas community, found in Rayalaseema, recall fighting a great battle against three hundred Balijas to prove their valor. As there was no community called Munnuru Balija at that time, it was likely to be the Munnuru Kapus who fought this battle (Kapus are referred to as "Balija Naidu" in Rayalaseema).

Refer to Munnuru Kapu for further Information

Telaga

Telagas are the most Ancient Fuedal Warrior/Agricultural clans of the Deccan and South India, who specialized in Warfare and practiced agriculture during times of peace. Modern-day Telagas continue in their traditional agricultural occupation, but also have diversified into trading, industry, IT, films and others.

Origin

• The origin of the Telagas can be traced to the Western Chalukyan expansion into the Andhra region during the 4th century A.D. The term "Telaga" was a derivation of the word "Telingana". Andhra was referred to as Telingana in the ancient texts as it was the area that had three major Shivinsa-Arama's, thus was called Tri-Linga. The people living there were called "Telugus" and the language spoken by the people there was called "Telugu".

• Another source of origin mentions that when the Chalukyas invaded Andhra so in order to differentiate between the Native Commanders of the Tri-linga Desam from the commanders in the Chalukyan army the term Telugu Nayakulu was coined which eventually became Telaga Nayak/Naidu.

The Telagas may have served as soldiers of the Western Chalukya rulers under Pulakesin. They formed the bulwark of ancient armies of the Deccan and South India like Cholas, Chalukyas, Kakatiyas, Vijayanagar and Nayaks. They seem to have a connection with the Eastern Chalukyas. The Vassals of Chalukyas entered into matrimonial alliances and ultimately established the Chalukya - Chola Dynasty. Another important dynasty of Telagas were the Telugu Cholas who were the first Andhra Kings to write inscriptions in Telugu. They ruled over the Palnadu, Velanadu and Renadu regions of Andhra Pradesh for most of the medieval ages. The Telugu Chodas formed the base on which Chalukyan Empire flourished and were the principal combatants of the Palanadu war/Palanati Yuddam. Telugu Cholas supported Bramha Naidu in this war against the Nalagam Raju.

Other Telaga dynasties are mentioned below.

Dynasties:

• Telugu Chodas
  • Velanati Chodas (Velanadu region, current E.G, W.G and Krishna Districts)
  • Renati Chodas (Renadu regions, current Cuddapah, Kurnool Regions)
  • Pottapi Cholas (Renadu regions, current Cuddapah, Chittor Districts)
  • Konidena Chodas (Palanadu region, current Guntur, Prakasam Districts)
  • Nannuru Chodas (Pakanadu region Current Anantapur District)
  • Nellore Chodas (Nellore, Chittor, Chengalpeta and Cuddapah Regions)
• Kona Kings (Visakhapatnam, E.G, W.G regions, The name Konaseema is derived after these Kings)

• Kolanu Kings (ruled from Kolanupuram (eluru), ganapavaram, akiveedu as their capitals)
• Koppula Chiefs (ruled with Pithapuram as capital, E. Godavari, were one of the main combatants along with Mununuri, Reddy and Velama Nayaks in the revolt against Muslim rule)
• Musunuri Nayaks (Kapaaya Nayaka and Prolaya Nayaka liberated Andhra from Muslim rule by bringing all the Nayaks against the Muslims after Kakateeya Kingdom fell. They had matrimonial alliances with the Korukonda Nayaks and ruled from Warangal)
• Korukonda Nayaks (ruled from Korukonda)

Refer to Telaga for further Information

Turpu Kapu

Turpu in Telugu means east. The Kapus living on the eastern frontier of Andhra Pradesh called themselves Turpu Kapus. There have been some rulers of coastal kingdoms from this community. They are hard working poor and middle farmers. They are the majority in Srikakulam District,Vizianagaram District and Visakhapatnam District but many of them still show their feudal loyalty to erstwhile Zamindars of Bobbili and Vizianagaram etc. Of late however the political awakening of this caste has led some representatives of this group to be more politically active.

Ontari

The Kapu Ontari community is concentrated in coastal Andhra Pradesh. They use the titles "Naidu" and "Dora". The Ontari were soldiers and special forces in Andhra Kingdoms who specialized in weapons. Their surnames start with names of weapons (e.g. Kattula (knife), Tupakula (pistol), Kommula, Bollu).

The Kapu Ontari community are different from the (Bunt Ontari community (who were individual hand to hand fighters) and the Ontari of Mudiraj community, who are not part of the Kapu Ontari caste.

Naidu

The Naidu Sub caste is primarily seen in the Krishna District and Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh.Althou this also serves as the title for the entire community through the State irrespective of the Sub- castes Naidu is a title commonly incorporated into the names of members of the Kapu community whose ancestors may have served as an army commander, governor, knight, baron, village headman or tax collector. It eventually became a hereditary title. "Naidu" is a Telugu derivation of the Sanskrit title for a head of a band of soldiers, who is known as Nayaka (i.e. protector). The first usage of the title "Nayaka" was by the Vishnukundinas, who conferred the title "Danda Nayaka" on commanders.

During times of war, rulers would call upon the local farmers to join the army. Amongst the Kapu community, some members who served became specialisst in certain types of combat and were referred to as Telaga or Ontari Kapus. Some were given posts as commanders and given the title of Nayak/Naidu. At the conclusion of service, some were rewarded by being given charge of territories and made responsible for tax collection, administration and security. Initially, the Naidus served only for so long as the rulers felt they were effective, but some declared independence whenever the central government became weak. They had their greatest influence in telugu society during the Chalukya, Kakatiya, Nayaka, Vijayanagar periods and had the greatest independent power following the fall of Vijayanagar in Tanjore, Madurai, Chenchi, Kandy at least until the Moghuls, Marathas and British took over. Basically although staunchly Hindu, over the centuries this large and proud community was involved in all aspects of society and developed their own social, economic and political structure outside of the rigid Hindu Varna system without developing the habit of preventing marriage between the factions.

In the medieval times the Kakatiyas had many prominent nayakas, several from a Kapu background. Vijayanagar also had several Nayakas of Kapu, Telaga and Balija background. 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 being used by other communities in Tamil Nadu and southern Andhra Pradesh.

In southern Tamil Nadu, Balija's use the title Naicker. It evolved in the following manner during different phases of history.

Nayaka --> Nayudu -->Naidu--> Naicker --> Naidoo

Refer to Naidu for further Information

Dynasties

The following are some ruling clans associated with Kapu community.

• Telugu Chodas
• Kona Kings
• Koppula Chiefs
• Musunuri Nayaks
• Korukonda Nayaks
• Madurai Nayaks
• Tanjavur Nayaks
• Vijayanagar- Araveeti Dynasty
• Kandy Nayaks(Khandi kings of Ceylon)
• C.P. Brown mentioned that the Poligars of Anantapur belonged to the Balija Naidu community.
• The Current Nellore was also ruled by Balija Naidus.
• Etukuri Bala Rama Murthi mentions in "Andhrula Samkshiptha Charithra" that the Cholas came to be called Kapu and Telaga. Some of their gotra (is a patrilineal classification and identification of a caste) is referred as "Cholla" or "Chola". These Kings were from the Chaturtha Kulamu (Source Palanati Veera Charitra) and Kasyapa is their gothram.
• In Balijakula Charithra, the Kotikam Kaifiyat states: " Sree Manmahaa mandaleshwara Achyuthadeva Mahaa Raayalayya vaaru Daivaprasaada labdavasaath chethanu, karunatho goodi Balija Varna Garikepaati Vamsamuna Kalgina Sree Sree Viswanatha Naayaka gariki Paandya mandalaadhiraaju ane rendunnara koti dravya Raajyaanku sasthrothkamuga pattaabhisekham Vijayanagaramandu Cheyinchiri."
• According to Vijaya Kumari and Sepuri Bhaskar in their book "Social changes among Balijas", Sree Krishna Deva Raya belonged to Kapu caste.
• As per "Gazetteer of the Nellore district :Brought up to 1938 " by Government of Madras staff, the Desa section of Balija caste comprises the descendents of the Nayak kings of Madura,Thanjore and Vijayanagar.
• According to G.S.Ghurye in "Caste and Race in India",the Nayak kings of Madura and Thanjavur were Balijas.
• According to "Questioning Ramayana: A South Asian Tradition" by Paula Richman,the famous Thanjavur king Raghunatha Nayudu belonged to Balija caste.
• According to "Literary Cultures in History" by Sheldon Pollock warriors/Traders from Balija caste acquired kingship of the Southern Kingdoms of Madurai and Thanjavur.
• According to "The Castes and Tribes of The Nizam's Dominions" by Syed Siraj Ul Hassan Kakatiya king Raja Prathaparudra belonged to Kapu Caste.
• Garikepati is the last name of Madura Balija Kings
• Alluru is the last name of Thanjavur Balija Kings
• Chinthalapudi is the last name of Khandi (Ceylon) Balija kings.
• Chenchi is the last name of Chenchi Nayaks (Senji Nayaks/Genji Nayaks/Gingee Nayaks)

• There were matrimonial alliances between Kapus and Telugu Chodas, Kakatiya, Vijayanagar,Madurai and Thanjavur Kingdoms. The following are some of the interesting matrimonial alliances among Balija/Kapus of Vijayanagar, Madura, Thanjavur, Kandy and Kakatiya.
  • Vijayanagar emperor Sri Krishna Deva Raya’s half brother was Achyuta Deva Raya. Achyutha Deva Raya's wife Thirumalamba's sister, Murthimamba (Achyuta Deva Raya's sister-in-law) was married to Naidu Alluri Sevappa of Thanjavur.
  • A relative of Naidu Sevappa of Thanjavur, Achyutha Raghunathamma was married to Naidu Garikepati Thirumala of Madura. Achyutha Raghunathamma was the daughter of Naidu Raghunatha, the grandson of Naidu Sevappa of Thanjavur and Murthimamba (sister-in-law of Vijayanagar emperor Achyutha Deva Raya).
  • The daughter of Naidu Vijaya Raghava of Thanjavur and Naidu Sevappa's great grand daughter Mangamma was married to Naidu Chokkalinga, the grandson of the celebrated Naidu Thirumala of Madura dynasty.
  • Naidu Raghunatha of Thanjavur married Chenchi Lakshmamma and Kalaavathemma of Madurai and Thundeera (Gingee/Chenchi) dynasties.
  • One of the kings of Kandy was married to a family member of the last king of Thanjavur dynasty, Chengamala Dasu. One of the family members of Madurai dynasty was married to the daughter of Naidu Vijaya Raghava, the son of Chengamala Dasu, the last king of Thanjavur dynasty. The royal members from Thanjavur lived in Khandi (Kandy) of Ceylon for a certain period of time.
  • Queen Sri Ranga Devi, sister of Veera Narasimha Rayalu of Narapathi dynasty was married to king Bhuvanaika Malla of Kakatiya dynasty. (Note: Narapathis are also called Chalukyas. Araveeti families come under genealogical tree of Narapathis).
  • Naidu Chinthalapudi Vijaya Bhupala (Also called Lakshmana Simha Vijayapalana Raju) who ruled Khandi was the brother-in-law of Naidu Kumara Krishnappa (Son of Naidu Viswanatha Garikepati) of Madurai Balija Dynasty. The sister of Naidu Vijaya Bhupala of Khandi (Kandy) was married to Naidu Kumara Krishnappa of Madurai. When Naidu Kumara Krishnappa crowned Naidu Vijaya Bhupala of Khandi(Kandy), he sent 60 families of relatives to Khandi as help. A total of six kings ruled from Kandy Nayak dynasty.

Kapu Surnames and Gothrams

• Kapu/Balija/Telaga/Ontari/Turpu Kapu communities use the caste title Naidu.
• Balija/Kapu/Telaga/ communities use the title Setty / Setti in their surnames to indicate that they are traders (e.g. Polisetty, Perisetty, Pinisetty, Sennamsetty, Sankarasetty, Bolisetti, Lakkimsetty, Bavisetty and Yengisetty)
• Munnuru Kapu/Telaga/Kapu/Balija communities use the suffix Reddy in their surnames in Telangana, Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra indicating that ancestors had served or were appointed as Borons under the Rashtrakutas and Eastern Chalukyas.
• Kapu and Balija communities also use the tite Rayudu in their names indicating Vijaynagar affiliation and lineage.
• Kapu/Telaga surnames ending with the Neni (e.g. Lakkineni), which is a derivation of Nayakuni, indicate ancestors served as Mandaladheesulu/commanders under the Kakateeya dynasty.
• Some /Telaga/Kapu/Balija surnames end with the suffix Pati (e.g. Garikepati), which indicates ancestors owned large tracts of land in medieval times.
• Chola-Chalukyas have used the title Udayar or Odeyar.

Below is a list of common gothrams found largely in the Kapu community and is not a complete listing of all the Gothrams in the community since there are hundreds of surnames and Gothrams and it would be impossible to catlogue them.The link gives a list of few more Surnames and Gothrams

• There has been claims and counter claims through out History that the Kapu community are Chandra Vamsa Kshatriyas who were De-Generated into Shudras because of various Social Aspects this was primarily because of the wide spread precense of Kshatryia Gothrams in Kapu community like which is not the case with the rest of Shudra Communities.However this theory could not be proved.

1. Atreya
2. Achyuta
3. Dhananjaya
4. Janakula
5. Kashyapa
6. Mahipala
7. Mrutyunjaya
8. Nagula
9. Pagadala
10. Paidipaala
11. Raghukula
12. Vasishta
13. Vipparla

Political, social and cultural contributions to South India

History records of the Kapu community state that it lived in the area between the Krishna and the Godavari rivers. This community which has prospered even before the Christian era had Telugu as the mother tongue. According to historians the Kapu community during later centuries spread into other regions developing the Telugu language and culture. It is evident that the Kapus were originally a peace loving community but due to onslaught of the invading forces from the north it formed itself into a force which protected its individuality by war. The ability to defend the cultural and religious fabric of the society from the invading forces allowed the Kapus to elevated themselves to superior status among all the other varnas all throughout the medieval ages. The Kapu caste through the Vijayanagaram Empire and through the various Nayaks played a significant role in the formation and expansion of the Telugu Empire and its culture throughout South India and Sri Lanka. Many inspiration leaders who have contributed greatly to the social, cultural and political aspects of South India came from this community. Some of them contributed greatly to the freedom struggle and in the upliftment of the downtrodden by fighting hard against oppression and social evils. The most prominent among them are listed below:

• Telugu Cholas Kings under whom the Telugu language flourished.
• Telugu speaking Nayaks of Vijayanagar, Tanjore, Madurai, Kandy expanded the Telugu empire and its culture to Southern most parts of India and Sri Lanka.
• Many of the Kakatiya chiefs belonging to the Kapu/Telaga/Balija descent protected the Telugu land from Muslim invasions.
• Katta Bomma Naiker the Poligar in Tamil Nadu was the first to revolt against the British in 1799.
• Kanneganti Hanumanthu led the anti-tax revolution in the Palnadu area and sacrificed his life to the bullets of Rutherford.
• E.V.Ramaswamy Naicker (Periya) founder of the Dravida Khazagham Movement which fought for Down Trodden and was to be the base and ideology from which all the Dravida Political Parties originated like DMK,AIDMK etc.
• Rao Bahadur Sir Kurma Venkata Reddy Naidu Chief Minister of the Erswhile Madras Presidency.
• Marotrao Kannamwar Chief Minister Government of Maharashtra 1961- 1964.

• Father of South Indian cinema Raghupathi Venkaiah Naidu who fought against social evils prevalent at his time through his socially conscious films.
• T. Venkata Surya Prasad (Kalaprapurna, Andhra Kalidasa, Kavibhushana) made great contribution to Telugu literature.
• Dwaram Venkatswamy Naidu, Musician and Violinist, Gandharva Vidya Bhushana
• Col C.K. Naidu, first Indian Cricket captain and is considered as the Father of Indian Cricket.
• S.V. Ranga Rao, one of the greatest actors in the history of Indian Cinema.
• Kodi Ram Murthy Naidu, famous Indian Wrestler and freedom fighter known as Indian Hercules and Kaliyuga Bhima.
• Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga fought for the downtrodden and the oppressed.
• Chiranjeevi Politician,iconic film star, social worker and philanthropist who has won the hearts of the people of Andhra Pradesh.

The following links give you a brief overview and the contributions to all Fields of Social Life

• Famous Naidus [9]
• List of Kapus

Contribution of Kapus/Balija/Telagas to literature

Lot of Kapu Nayak kings themselves being great poets enriched Telugu language by encouraging many Telugu poets. It was a common practice of the king's son to compose a Dwipada poem equating his father with "Vishnu" in Madurai and Thanjavur Nayak dynasties as per the "Literary Cultures in History" by Sheldon Pollack . Two views,one stating the king as the diety Vishnu and the other stating the king as the human being representing an aspect of Vishnu had surfaced during the period of Sreekrishna devaraya.They became more obvious when the warriors/Traders from Balija caste became kings of Madurai and Thanjavur dynasties in the seventeenth century. Poets may have been allowed to use Dwipada style with the subject of the court being the king himself.

The following is the list of Balja Naidus that made enormous contribution to Telugu and Sanskrit languages.

• Raghunatha Naidu(Thanjavur king): Sangeetha Sudha,Ramayana Katha Sangrahamu,Bharatha Katha Sangrahamu,Ramayanam,Parijathapaharanam,Nalabhyudayamu,Achyuthabhyudayamu,Valmiki Charithram.
• Vijaya Raghava Naidu (Thanjavur king,son of Raghunatha Naidu): Yakshaganas and composition of poems,Raghunatha Nayakabhyudayamu
• Mannaru deva Prabhuvu(Son of Vijaya Raghava Naidu):Vijaya Raghavabhyudayamu
• Pasupuleti Rangajamma (One of the queens of Vijaya Raghava Naidu): Mannarudasa Vilasam
• Vemanayogi: Centum(Sataka) of verses
• Queen Ganga devi ( wife of Vijaya nagar prince Kumara Kampana): Madhura Vijayam
• Vijayaranga Chokkanatha Naidu (Madura king): Maghamahathmyamu,Sreeranga Mahathmyamu
• Samukham Venkata Krishnappa Naidu (Poet in the court and Army chief of Vijaya Ranga Chokkanatha Naidu of Madura dynasty): Jaimini Bharatham,Ahalya Sankradana Vilasam,Radhika Santhwanam,Saarangadhara Charithra.
• Thupakula Anantha Bhoopaludu (Poet and Dalavai of Vijaya Ranga Chokkanatha Naidu of Madura): Vishnupuranam,Bhagavatham,Ramayanam,Bharatham,Garalapuri Mahathmyam,Bhagavadgeetha.
• Nanne Choda Prabhuvu(Telugu Choda prince,son of Chodaballi of Pakanadu, and Poet): Kumara Sambhavam.
• Gudaru Venkatadasa Kavi(Poet's sur name is Gudaru and Gothram is Paidipala) : Balarama Charithram.
• Konidena Nagaya Kavi(Born in Yellammapeta in Kadapa district): Vedavedantha Sarasagraham,Ashtottara Sathakam,Brahmanarada Samvadam
• Chekuri Siddha Kavi ((Born in Yellammapeta,Kadapa district): Sreerama Karnamrutham,Dwadasa manjareesthavam,Chathurdasa manjareestavam,Venugopala sathakam,Vishnupuranam,Sreeranga mahathmyamu,Haribhakthamrutha saaramu.
• Macha Venkataraya Kavi (Born in Jalumuru,Visakhapattanam district): Vydarbhee Parinayam,Haribhajana Keerthana kruthi,Chennakesava Ramayana Sangraham,Chaya putra Sathakam,Mukhalingeswarodaharanamu,Rukmini Natakam,Droupadi vasthrapaharanam,Mayuradhwajopakhyanamu,Suddhandhra nirvachana niroshtya kusa charithram.
• Thumu Ramadasa Kavi (Born in Warangal): Rukmini Kalyanam,Gopika vilasam,Mitravindo dwaham,Kalidasu Natakam,Andhrapada nidhanamu.
• Tripurana Venkata Surya Prasada Rao (Born in Siddhantham in Visakhapattanam district): Nirvachana Kumara Sambhavamu,Raghu vamsamu,Kiratharjuneeyamu,Uttararama Charithramu,Raghudayamu,Indumati mandaramu,Rati vilapamu,Pathala khandamu,Moilu Rayabharamu,Sree Bhagavadgeethamruthamu
• Erra Venkata Swami: Vasthuguna Deepika
• Erra Ayyanna: Telugu Kavaathu
• Matla Anantharaju(Kadapa district,Telugu Chola descendent):Kakustha Vijayamu

See List of Kapus for information.

Kapus in the 20th century

Though the Kapu community did have a great role to play in the various social, economic, political and cultural aspects of the Telugu society up until the 19th century, it has not enjoyed economic and political success after India's independence. They started getting into a steady decline except for a few sections of the community who adopted to modern education and economic transition. The decline peaked during the 1970s and 1980s. Off late with economic liberalization and with the removal of License Raj and government monopoly on sectors, the community is slowly but steadily rebuilding itself.

• The Kapu community were slow in adopting the modern techniques of cultivation, education, business and politics.
• The richer sections of the community primarily in Coastal Andhra took part in the renaissance but to a larger extent the middle farmers from Rayalaseema and Telangana could not take advantage of this because of not being blessed with natural resources like their coastal counterparts.
• This resulted in a drastic decrease in education among the community in Rayalaseema, Telangana and North Andhra resulting in poverty.
• Although socially still a forward community, lack of Government support by the way of political representation, reservations, welfare measures made the some sections of the Kapus economically deprived.
• They currently have only about 5% representation in government jobs and services despite being about 25.18% of the state population.
• They have only about 48 members representing both the Parliament and Assembly seats which does not represent the numbers the community has in the state.
• It is of the opinion that both the major political parties, the Congress and Telugu Desam did not equitably allocate assembly seats to Kapus as per their population. For instance, Balijas, even after being a majority in the Rayalaseema districts have hardly any MLAs representing them in the State Assembly.
• The lack of strategic or collective decision making and disinclination to join politics are believed to have had a detrimental effect on the community. Off late, however, they are trying to consolidate their representation in elected bodies.
• A large number of Kapus have diversified into business, industry, arts and academia both in India and abroad. There are also a number of budding entrepreneurs who have succeeded in different fields.

Notes

References and sources

Important information about Kapu origins can be obtained from Balijapuranam in the Chennai library.

• Balijavaaru Puraanam, or Vamsa-Prakaasikai and Naayudugarla Samsthana-Charitram (A brief sketch of the Origin and History of the Balija Caste people or Nayudu Community), written and compiled by the help of the Legend of Coimbatore, Sri Selam Pagadaala Narasimhalu Nayudu, Coimbatore.
• Munnuru Kapu Kulabhyudayamu A Book on Historical Details of Munnuru Kapu Community written by Sri Bojjam Narsimlu, 1968 - Akhila Bharata Telugu Munnuru Kaapu Samaakya Adyakshulu
• Questioning Ramayanas - by Paula Richman
• The Literary Cultures in History - by Sheldon I Pollock
• Further Sources of Vijayanagara History By K A Nilakanta Sastry
• Penumbral Visions - by Sanjay Subrahmanyam
• Andhrula Sanghika Charitra (Suvarnam Pratapa Reddy)
• Caste & Class Articulation of Andhra Pradesh[10]
• Social status of Kapus in Hindu Varna system[11]
• Social Changes among Balijas (by Vijaya Kumari and Sepuri Bhaskar)
• Caste and Race in india (by G.S.Ghurye)
• District Gazetteer: Cuddapah by Brackenbury
• [12]
• Religion in Vijaya nagara Empire (Konduri Sarojini Devi)
• - History in Telugu
• - Kapu History
• - History in English
• - All about kapu community
• Balijakula Charithra (by Kante Narayana Desayi)
• Kerala information [13]
• http://www.gfbv.ba/index.php?id=155
• (6) http://www.indo-european.nl/cgi-bin/response.cgi?root=leiden&morpho=0&basename=%5Cdata%5Cie%5Cslav&first=21
• The Madura Country (James Henry Nelson)
• Hindu Castes And Sects (Jogendranath Bhattacharya)
• (9) http://infomotions.com/alex/?cmd=search&query=balija
• - The Warrior Merchants - by Mittison Mines
• India's Silent Revolution - By christophe Jaffrelot
• Social Change in Modern India - by M N Srinivas
• The Trading world of the Tamil Merchant - by Kanakalatha Mukund
• Gazetteer of the Nellore District - by Government of Madras
• Constructing the Colonial Encounter - by Niels Brimnes
• The Political Economy and Commerce - by Sanjay Subrahmanyam
• The World of the Weaver in Northern Coromandel, C.1750- C.1850 by P. Swarnalatha

• AP assembly caste wise statistics[14]
• Religion in Vijaya nagara Empire (Konduri Sarojini Devi)
• History in telugu
• History in english
• All about kapu community
• The Mughal State, Oxford in India Readings, Oxford University Press [15]
• Kerala Naidus[16]
• http://nfwa-kerala.com/ABOUT.HTM
• The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India(R.V.Russell)
• The Encyclopedia of World history
• Thanjavuri Andhra Rajula Charitha (Veturi Prabhakara Sastri)
• Hindu Castes And Sects(Jogendranath Bhattacharya)
• The Castes and Tribes of The Nizam's Dominions(Syed Siraj Ul Hassan)
• American Kapu Association[17]
• "Rethinking India's Oral and Classical Epics: Draupadi among Rajputs, Muslims" By Alf Hiltebeitel.
• The Wars of The Rajas - by Charles Philip Brown

• The View from Below - By Kanakalatha Mukund
• American Kapu Association(AKA)-[18]
• Caste & Class Articulation of Andhra Pradesh
• American Kapu Association [19]
• Government Oriental Manuscripts Library in Chennai (Madras), W. C. Mackenzie: Colonel Colin Mackenzie, first Surveyor-General of India. Edinburgh: W&R Chambers, 1952
• Castes And Tribes of Southern India (Edgar Thruston)
• A Hand Book of the Fighting Races of India by P.D Baneerjee .1975
• Mughal State and Tribes in 17th century - by Sunita Ziadi Indian Economic Social History Review.1989; 26: 343-362
• Genetic Evidence on Caste Origins
• Caste politics in the North, West and South India before Mandal