Reddy

Reddy Caste groups of India

Classification Titles Reddy Reddiar Reddappa

Regions with significant Population Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala Languages Telugu, Tamil, Kannada Religion Hinduism Related Social groups Kapu, Vellalar and Vokkaliga

Reddy (Telugu: రెడ్డి Kannada: ರೆಡ್ಡಿ), also transliterated as Ruddy, Roddy, Raddi, Reddi) is a social group or caste of India, predominantly inhabiting Andhra Pradesh. The are described in some sources as "upper Shudra", and of the aristocracy of the villages. Reddys regard Telugu as their mother tongue. There are also significant population of Reddys in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and states of India as well as in USA and UK.

Origin

• The 19th century writer Edgar Thurston in his "Castes and Tribes of Southern India" stated that Reddys were the village chiefs and listed them under the section Kapu. The village chiefs were given the title 'Reddy'. The census carried out during the British period in the Madras Presidency listed Reddy and Kapu together.
• People belonging to other agrarian communities such as Telaga, Balija, Kamma, Velama and Yadava also use 'Reddy' title in their names, if not frequently. This indicates the common origin of all agrarian castes in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Recent genetic studies support the belief that all the agrarian castes shared the similar ethnic origins as also all south Indian castes.
• Some linguists surmised the word Reddy originated from the medieval term Rattodu, which is derived from Rashtrakutudu. The Rashtrakutas employed wealthy local farmers to head villages and collect taxes in the empire and conferred the title of Reddy. The usage of the word Reddy specifically was first seen in the inscriptions made during the Renati Chola period (7th century CE).
• Another theory relates the Reddies to the Rathis, who ruled over small principalities in the Deccan plateau before 200 BCE and before the Satavahanas and Mauryas. The Rathis left coins in northern Andhra Pradesh, Kurnool district, and near Pune. The coins are found in the levels between the megalithic and Satavahana levels in excavations.
• The usage of the word Reddy specifically was first seen in the inscriptions made during the Renati Chola times (7th century CE). After the fall of Kakatiya dynasty in south India in 1323 CE, there was a movement for independence under the leadership of Musunuri Nayaks. All the warrior castes of Telugu land united and successfully recaptured Warangal from the Delhi Sultanate. However, the unity of Telugu land lasted only for fifty years.

Extent of rule

The Reddy Landlords of Addanki became independent after the death of Musunuri Kapaya Nayaka at the hands of Recherla Velama chiefs in the battle of Bhuvanagiri (Bhongir in Telangana region). They ruled the coastal area of Andhra Pradesh from 1353 to 1448 CE. The initial capital of the kingdom was Addanki. Later it was moved to Kondavidu and subsequently to Rajahmundry. The dynasty declined due to its regular warfare with Recharla Velama chiefs and Gajapathis of Orissa. In later years, the Reddys had to be content as vassals of Golconda Muslim kings. The Reddys were known for their fortifications. Two major hill forts, one at Kondapally, north west of Vijayawada and another at Kondavidu near Guntur bear testimony of the fort building skill of the Reddys.

Early history

The word "Rashtrakuta" is the Sanskrit version of the "Rettakudi".Rettakudi is converted into Rettadi and later Reddy.The Rashtrakutas were initially the elite troops of the Chalukyas. They founded an empire after the Badami Chalukyas faded from the scene.After the Rashtrakutas declined, inscriptions of the succeeding Kalyani Chalukyas in Andhra Pradesh mention Reddys (900 CE). They were soldiers appointed as chieftains of villages in Medak district by the Kalyani Chalukyas. Some of the names mentioned are Mini Raddi and Kati Raddi. The inscription mentions the name of the appointee, the authorized appointer, the important personages of the areas and surrounding villages.

Kakatiya period

After the decline of Kalyani Chalukyas at the beginning of the 12th century, Prola II (1110-1158 CE) declared himself independent from the Chalukyas and established the Kakatiya dynasty. Prola used the title of Reddi in his inscriptions.

Reddy dynasty

Main article: Reddy dynasty

The Reddy dynasty ruled some parts of the coastal Andhra Pradesh about 60 years. Reddys became independent after the death of Musunuri Kapaya Nayak at the hands of Recherla Velama kings in the battle of Bhuvanagiri (Bhongir in Telangana region). Komati Prolaya Vema Reddy was the first king of the Reddy dynasty. The capital of the kingdom was Addanki which was moved to Kondavidu and subsequently to Rajahmundry. His reign was characterized by restoration of peace, patronage of arts and literature, and all round development. Errana, the translator of Ramayana, lived during this period.

Golkonda period

The Reddys continued to be chieftains, village policemen, tax collectors and farmers in the Telangana region, throughout Turkish rule and under the Nizams. The Reddy landlords styled themselves as Desais , Doras and Patel. Several Reddys were noblemen in the court of Nizam Nawabs.

Role in politics

Influenced by their long tradition of being village headmen, Reddys continue to be very active in local, state and national politics. Reddy community holds the distinction of producing the most number of Chief Ministers for the state of Andhra Pradesh. Particularly in the state of Andhra Pradesh, a number of former chief ministers and business leaders belong to this community. The list of chief ministers include Bezawada Gopala Reddy, Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, Kasu Brahmananda Reddy, Bhavanam Venkataram Reddy, Tanguturi Anjaiah, Marri Chenna Reddy , Nedurumalli Janardhana Reddy, Kotla Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy and Kiran Kumar Reddy who collectively ruled the state for more than 25 years after the formation of state in 1956. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy converted to Christianity. Neelam Sanjiva Reddy also served as Speaker of Lok Sabha and President of India.

See also

• List of Reddys
• Christoph von Fürer-Haimendorf