Turpu Kapu

Turpu Kapu is a Telugu term for a sub-caste of Kapu living on the eastern (turpu) frontier of Andhra Pradesh.The term kapu means "protector" in the Telugu language.

The Turpu Kapu are primarily concentrated in the northern coastal Andhra Districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam. Minor settlements can also be found in the East Godavari, West Godavari and Krishna Districts, as well as in Orissa. Turpu Kapus speak Telugu and are primarily an agrarian community.

Origin

Kapus were the earliest inhabitants of the Deccan region. They migrated from the north, clearing forests for agriculture and building settlements as they moved. The Kapus are descendants of the Indo-Aryan Kaampu tribe, which migrated from Kampilya, Mithila and Ayodhya. These ancient cities were located in the Gangetic Plains of North India.

The Kapus initially settled along the banks of the Godavari river, cleared forests and built settlements and towns. To this day, a heavy concentration of Munnuru Kapus and Telagas live on the banks of the Godavari in the northern Telangana districts of Adilabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Warangal, Khammam and Nalgonda and in the coastal districts of East Godavari and West Godavari along the Godavari delta and the Krishna Delta (Krishna & Guntur).

The Kapus slowly moved north and started settling in the current geographical regions of Srikakulam and Vizianagaram, becoming known as Turpu Kapus. Turpu Kapus slowly spread throughout the three Shaiva Lingams of Draksharamam (East Godavari district), Srisailam (Kurnool district) and Srikalahasti (Chittor district). This area of Turpu Kapu settlements was referred to as Tri-linga Desam in ancient texts. The people who settled in this region were called Telaga and the language spoken by them was called Telugu.

The Telagas started referring to themselves as Balija when the Balijas became quite prominent in the medieval period (around 1000 CE). Their primary political and economic contributions were in the Setty Sub-Division of Balija. The caste title of the Kapus, Naidu—which is a derivation of the word Nayaka (meaning "leader")—was first used during the Vishnukundina dynasty, which ruled the Krishna and Godavari river deltas during the 3rd Century CE.

Kapus share their origins with similar warrior/agrarian communities like the Kurmis of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, the Kunbis/Marathas of Maharashtra and the Vokkaliga of Karnataka. They were primarily a military/agrarian community, fighting in wars and cultivating the land during peacetime. The Kapu sub-castes also evolved based on occupation. Kapu sub-castes dedicated to military service included Telaga, Munnuru Kapu and Ontaris (who served as special forces). Munnuru Kapus were a detachment of the Telagas that 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.

Sub-castes

• Telaga
• Balija
• Munnuru Kapu
• Ontari
• Turpu Kapu

The Munnuru Kapu and Turpu Kapu Sub-Castes are classified as BC-D whereas the Balija, Telaga and Ontari Sub-Castes are Classified as O.C. (Forward Caste).

Occupations

The Kapu community served as warriors or protectors of villages and regions from bandits or invading forces during medieval times. During times of peace warriors who stayed close to villages served as village heads or practised agriculture. During times of war they served as soldiers, governors (i.e. nayaks) and commanders in the 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.

Occupational titles

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

• Village and regional defence committees: Vuru Kapu, Pranta Kapu
• Administration: Chinna Kapu, Pedda Kapu
• Protection of farms and livestock from bandits: Panta Kapu

Social status

The Kapus were hard working and upper middle-class farmers. They form the majority in Srikakulam District, Vizianagaram District and Visakhapatnam District. Despite this majority, they are seen by some as backward due to their dependence on agriculture. In modern times the political awakening of this caste has led some representatives to be more politically active, and as a caste they have a major role in present-day politics. In this region, the leadership of all political parties is made up primarily of Turpu Kapus.

Notable Kapus

• List of Kapus
• List of Kapu dynasties