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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by AumprakashReddy (talk | contribs) at 20:04, 30 March 2006 (rv-in rayalaseema reddys known as kapu(dont confuse this kapu with kapu caste in andhra region)). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Reddy is also an Irish surname. This article is about the Reddy caste from India

Reddy is a caste found mainly in the state of Andhra Pradesh in southern India. Though there are a number of Reddys with roots in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, they are predominantly a Telugu-speaking farming community from the state of Andhra Pradesh.

Origins

There are many theories about the origins of Reddys, none of which have been conclusively proven. The word "Reddy" originated as the head of a village appointed by the king as a rashta kuta (Police) to supervise the law and order of the village. The name Reddy in particular refers to the Reddy dynasty that ruled in Telangana around Mahaboobnagar, Vijayawada, Guntur, Kurnool and Rajahmundry towns for a hundred years (1328-1428).

Reddys are believed to be an offshoot of the Rashtrakuta dynasty. After the decline of the Rashtrakuta dynasty, the ruling clan broke off and settled in North and South India. The settlers in the north are called Rathods/Rathores, and ruled Marwar in western Rajasthan, while the southern settlers were called Reddys.

Reddy as a title

In Ancient India, Reddy was the title of the village leader. It was a hereditary position so their offspring retained the title. During the medieval period it came to represent the present community as a whole. Even today some non-Reddys bear the last name or (title name) of Reddy. For example J Geeta Reddy, who was the Minister of Tourism and Sugar for Andhra Pradesh, does not belong to the Reddy caste.[1]. The saying Kapu balisthe Reddi refers to the fact that many Kapu families around Hyderabad have Reddy as their last name.

Reddy sub castes

Some of the well known sub castes of Reddys are:

  • Ayodhi Reddy (Tamil Nadu)
  • Chowdary Reddy (Saudary Reddy)
  • Gandla Reddy
  • Ganjam Reddy (Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Orissa)
  • Gudati Reddy
  • Gone Kapu
  • Motati Reddy
  • Neravati Reddy
  • Namadarlu
  • Nanugonda Reddy
  • Pedakanti Reddy
  • Panta Reddy
  • Pakanati Reddy
  • Pokanati Reddy
  • Palle Reddy
  • Palnati Reddy
  • Reddy Gandla
  • Velanati Reddy
  • Vadde Reddy


Hyderabad and Rangareddy are dominated by Gudati, Gone Kapu and Reddy Kapu sub castes [2]. Adilabad and Karimnagar have Reddy Gandla, Gudati and Motati. They vary in some of their customs. For example, Pedakanti Reddy women do not wear talibottu (Tilak) and Kapu Reddy women wear saris with a belt coming from the middle.

The most common subcaste among Reddy's are the Motati,Gudati,Pokanati,Gone, Chittapu, Pedkanti, and Panta Reddys. Today, the sub caste distinction in the Reddy community is being slowly lost and it has become very difficult to find out the sub caste of a Reddy. Marriages commonly occur between all the sub castes.

Reddy's in Rayalaseema are called Kapu's also. But Kapu in coastal Andhra is a different caste. Some sub-castes of Kapu Reddy are confined to certain regions.

Nayaks

After the fall of Kakatiya empire in 1323 A.D, a great independence movement was led by two cousins who served as military commanders under King Prataparudra. They belonged to the Musunuri clan from Krishna district. Musunuri Prolaya Nayaka was assisted by his cousin Kaapaya Nayaka who united all the warriors of Andhra and successfully recaptured Warangal from the Delhi Sultanate. However, the unity lasted only for fifty years. After the death of Prolaya, Reddy and Velama Chiefs controlling Kondavidu and Rachakonda became independent. Rajahmahendravaram was ruled by Reddys (1353-1448 AD).

Reddy Dynasty

Reddys ruled Andhra Pradesh from 1353 to 1448. Their initial capital was Addanki and then Kondavidu and later Rajahmundry. Major cities included Orugallu (Warangal), Bezawada ( Vijayawada), Devagiri (Davanagere in Karnataka, Dharmapuri in Tamil Nadu, Rayagada in (Orrisa), and Ratnagiri in Maharashtra.

Reddys rose to power after the revolt against the Muslim rulers in Andhra Pradesh under the Nayak Confederation led by Musunuri Prolaya Nayaka. The dynasty eventually declined due to wars with Recharla (Vellama) Chiefs and the Gajapathis of Orissa. Ratnagiri fort was built by Reddys but was captured by the Muslims, after which the Reddy's fled to the Andhra Pradesh border districts, Adilabad and Karimnagar. There was a cultural gap between the local Reddys and the migrant Ratnagiri Reddys who are locally known as Reddy Gandla and Saudars.

The Reddys were known for their fortifications. Two major hill forts at Kondapally 20 km north west of Vijayawada and another at Kondavidu about 30 km west of Guntur bear testimony to the fort building skill of the Reddy kings. The other fort which the Reddys were partially involved in building was the Khammam fort.

Reddys also ruled many local dominions (samsthanams).

The Reddy Kings

Prolaya Vema Reddy established The Reddy Dynasty with Addanki as the capital city of his Kingdom. Later it was shifted to Kondaveedu.

Anavota Reddy (1335 - 1364 AD) became king of the Reddy dynasty and conquered many small kingdoms including Nidadavolu (Ruled by Vengi Chalukya's), Vundi (Ruled by Suryavanshi Kshatriya's), Korukonda (Ruled by Kondanayaka's), Pithapuram (Ruled by Kapus) before 1356 AD.

Anavema Reddy (1364 -1386 AD), brother of Anavota Reddy, was also an able ruler. His ruled his kingdom with Nirvajyapuram (Nidadavolu) as his capital city. During his rule he conquered Rajahmahendrapuram, Korukonda, Pithapuram, Kalingam and Simhachalam.

Komaragiri (Kumaragiri) Reddy (1386 - 1402 AD) was the son of Anavota Reddy. There were internal disputes in the kingdom before he occupied the throne. Katayavema Reddy (Senapathi), chief of the army of Anavota Reddy and brother-in-law of Komaragiri Reddy and Peda Komati Vema Reddy were the root of all the internal disputes. The rulers of different parts of the kingdom announced their Independence and didn't pay taxes. To suppress the revolt Kataya Vema Reddy and Anavota Reddy the second visited Rajamahendrapuram.

Harihara Rayalu, the Vijayanagara ruler, married his daughter Hariharamba to Kataya Vema Reddy. Though internal disputes stopped for some time, it arose again in time.

Kataya Vema Reddy (1395 - 1414 AD) ruled Rajahmundry for 19 years. He fought many wars against Peda komati Vema Reddy. He extended his kingdom up to Katam. He had one son, Komaragiri Reddy and two daughters, Anitally and Hariharamba.

Allada Reddy (1414 - 1423 AD). Komaragiri Reddy was only 10 yrs old by the time Kataya Vema Reddy died (1414). Allada Reddy ruled the kingdom on his behalf. Unfortunately Komaragiri Reddy also died. Peda Komati Vema Reddy raised a war against the kingdom twice, but Allada Reddy defeated him both the times. Allada Reddy made a treaty with Kalingas and Vijayanagara Emperors.

Veera Bhadra Reddy (1423 - 1448). Allada Reddy died in the year 1423 AD and Veera Bhadra Reddy became the ruler of the Reddy dynasty. Rajamahendravaram was his Kingdom. Devarayalu the second conquered the Rajamahendravaram and Simhachalam forts. The Reddy dynasty's decline started due to the wars raised by the Recharla Velama's and Gajapathi's.

Famous Poets

  • Errana was a poet in the court of Prolaya Vema Reddy (1325-1353), the founder of Reddy dynasty (1325-1424) of Kondaveedu. He ruled Guntur, Prakasam, Nellore, and Kurnool districts of the state of Andhra Pradesh. Errana is also known as Yellapregada or Errapregada. He was honored with the title Prabandha Parameshwara (Supreme lord of Prabandha). He belongs to Kavitrayam (Trinity of poets) who translated Mahabharatam.

The Sanskrit Mahabharatam was translated into Telugu over a period of several centuries beginning with Nannaya (11th to 14 century). Nannaya translated two and a half parvamul (books) of the Mahabharata. Tikkana translated the remaining books, starting from the 4th, leaving the half finished third book, Aranya Parvamu (Book of Forest), for Errana. Tikkana did not translate this part because it was considered to be inauspicious to translate this book. It was left half-finished by Nannaya. He started the remaining half of the Aranya book with Nannaya's style and ended it with Tikkana's style, as a bridge between Nannaya's and Tikkana's Translation. Like Nannaya and Tikkana, he used half Sanskrit and half Telugu in his Telugu translation of Sanskrit Mahabharatam. The Ramayanam and Hari Vamsham are some of the other epics he translated from Sanskrit. He dedicated these two translations to king Prolaya Vema Reddy. Narasimha Puranam is his own independent work.

  • Srinathudu, known as Kavi Sarva Bhowma, is probably the most famous Telugu poet. He was a poet and Chief Educational Officer in Peda komati Vema Reddy's court. His works include Maruttarat Charitra, Salivaahana Sapta Sati, Pandit Aaraadhya Charitra, Sringaara Naishadham, Haravilaasam, Bheema Khanda Kaashi Khandam, Kreeda Abhiraam, Siva Ratri Mahaatmyam and Palnaati Veera Charitram. His love for women is reflected in his literary works.

Role in politics

Reddys have played a significant role in South Indian politics. Dr. Bejawada Gopala Reddy served as the chief minister of Andhra. Ten of the twenty [3] elected Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh including the present chief minister of Andhra Pradesh Dr. Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy are from the Reddy community. The sixth president of India, Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, who was in office from 1977 to 1982, is also from the Reddy community. The population of Reddys is 11% in Andhra Pradesh but they have occupied upto 40% of the state legislative assembly seats (MLA) and have played a vital role in the social and economic development of the state of Andhra Pradesh. The situation has been changing over the last ten years because of changing voter demographics and reservations for disadvantaged groups.

The Reddy community is divided because of the many sub-castes and varying religious affiliations, sometimes segmenting political power. Out of the five Reddy chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh, one is Christian (YSR), two were actually of the Kapu caste (Janardhan Reddy and Kasu Brahm Ananda Reddy), one was of the Gudati sub-caste (Chenna Reddy), and one was of the Gone sub-caste (Anjaiah Reddy). Neelam Sanjiva Reddy bolonged to Pakanati.

The present Chief Minister Y.S. Rajashekar Reddy is Reddy by caste and Christian by religion. There are many Reddy's who are Catholics in Andhra Pradesh. The towns of Guntur, Warangal, Hyderabad, Mahaboobnagar, Ranga-Reddy have many Reddys who are Catholics. The first conversion of Reddy's took place at Madigubba in Anantapur district in 1850 where Thumma Hanumnata Reddy got converted into Thumma Rayapa Reddy. The Catholic Reddy women wear Talibottu and bottu. They wear mettalu and follow Telugu traditions and customs. There are few marriages of Catholic Reddy's with the people of other castes. It is common for Catholic Reddys to have many Hindu relatives, as in the case of YSR. Catholic Reddys are treated as OC's or Forward caste by the government as they are landlords and enjoy their position in villages.

Facts:

  • Ana Vemana (Vemana, the greatest Telugu poet know for Vemana Padyalu) is a Reddy (C.P. Brown,Thurston[noted authority in south indian history] considered him a Kaapu).
  • First Chief minister of Andhra Pradesh: Neelam Sanjiva Reddy (1-11-1956 –10-1-1960)
  • First Chief Minister of Karnataka: Sri Kyasamballi Chengalaraya Reddy (25-10-1947 30-03-1952)
  • First Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu: O P Ramaswamy Reddiyar [4] (March 23, 1947 April 06, 1949)

Immigration of community

Indira Gandhi's land reform policy in 1969 put a ceiling on private property, which affected the richer Reddy land lords in the state of Andhra Pradesh and most of them are now middle class. Economic changes during the 1960's and 70's triggered the migration of the community to North America.

In the 2004 the American Medical Association survey of last names in United States revealed that 4% of the practicing physicians in the USA had Reddy as their Last Name [5]. Many work in the Information Technology fields and there is a significant Reddy community in Academia and Research at American Universities. Reddys are a very influential and affluent group among the immigrated South Asian communities of North America. Reddys who were educated between 1940 and 1950 migrated to USA and UK, but the Reddy communities in places where reservations are 100%, are leading hand to mouth as agricultural labor. The Reddy community is also a major comunity in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. As northern Tamil Nadu a predominantly a Telugu dominated region (Madras was supposed to be part of Andhra Pradesh but due to political influences it became part of Tamil Nadu).

The Reddy Name

Reddys use a family name or surname followed by a given name and then a caste name. Many Reddys in North America have chosen to change their family name to the last name to avoid confusion. Others have chosen to eliminate "Reddy" altogether from the name.

for more information on Indian naming conventions see Indian family name

Notable Reddys

Politicians

Non-Politicans

See also

Andhra Communities

Notes

  1. ^ http://www.dailypioneer.com/indexn12.asp?main_variable=VOTE_2004&file_name=vote983.txt&counter_img=983
  2. ^ A Manual of the Kurnool state in the Presidency of Madras by Narahari Gopalakrishnamh Chetty , Government Press, Madras, 1886) p.139
  3. ^ Some were elected more than once.
  4. ^ Reddys in Tamil Nadu are called as Reddiyars as a courtesy of High respect.
  5. ^ Even though Reddy is the name of the Caste in the Hindu system, Reddy is taken as the last name in India and as the middle name in North America. Read the Reddy Name confusion section.
  6. ^ http://www.vepachedu.org/castemore.htm.

References

  • Abstract from Indian Caste systems, Kingdoms, Rulers by Tom Baker, Oxford University, 1897
  • Abstract from South Indian Princely states, George Barnard, Oxford University, 1877
  • Abstracted from the History of Rajahmundry by Aacharya Betavolu Ramabrahmam
  • Adapted from History and evolution of Caste systems in India, Telugu University.
  • Abstract from Hindu caste system, Pandit Vendanta Sharma & Michel Vincent, University of Delhi, 1923
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