Talk:Musunuri Nayakas

Good work

this is a well written article, and yet I feel like the title is deceptive. this is a piece of indian history (a well written piece to be sure) and not the biography of any one person in the story. I would suggest renaming.66.82.9.56 03:55, 24 May 2006 (UTC)

Vandalism

Dear Mr Siddhu, This article was written after painstaking research. We can discuss in this forum about various evidences to show that Musunuri cousins belonged to Kamma social group. Please participate in the discussion if you have evidences contrary to what is written in the article.--Polumetla

Incredible

This story tries to marginalise a great empire (the Vijayanagar empire) and extols a measly Nayaka kingdom, which for most part served as a feudatory of the Vijayanagar empire. There were numerous Nayakas who served under the Vijayanagar empire like the Nayakas of Shimoga, Kanakagri, Chitrdurga all in Karnataka alone. This is just another Nayaka kingdom. Please restudy your history and dont create parallel histories. All the Nayakas whether of Kannada origin or Telugu origin need to be seen in the shadow of Vijayanagar Empire.

Dinesh Kannambadi

Reply

Mr Kannambadi was totally mistaken. The article throws light on a small but significant chapter of Andhra history which steered the South Indian history after 1350 AD. This was the first South Indian rebellion against the powerful Delhi sultanate which not only succeeded but inspired the subsequent Vijayanagar empire to protect Hindu dharma. The glory and grandeur of Vijayanagar was yet to come. The nayak chiefs of Vijayanagar were predominantly the progeny of Kakatiya nayaks. I suggest the critic to read a beautiful treatise on Musunuri nayaks written by M. Somasekhara Sarma (cited in the article). It is interesting to read How Bukka and Kapaya Nayaka worked together to achieve the common goal. This formed the basis for subsequent migration of Nayaks to Vijayanagar after Kapaya was killed by jealous Rachakonda Velamas who colluded with Bahmanis.

Vandalism

59.93.48.55 should refrain from vandalism. Changes without giving reason will be reverted. 59.93.48.55 must login with User name and explain why he changed Kamma (caste) to Kapu (caste) with evidences. It should be noted that I gave proper evidence to Viswanatha Nayudu being Balija and suggested deletion of false info from the article on Kamma (caste). Please read the book: Durga Prasad, History of the Andhras Till 1565 A.D., P. G. Publishers, Guntur; page 168. Kumarrao 07:43, 10 March 2007 (UTC)

Dear kumarRao,

Durga Rao himslef claims its not an Authentic publication and his articles have not been Accepted or published as journals by any other University And there are contradictory claims from SuvarnamPratapa Reddy saying Musnuri Kapaya nayaka was a Kapu/reddy and from Colin Mckenzie of all historians saying he was a Kapu.

You do not have supporting claims and Musunuri is not their Surname as is being projected the same set of people who went on claiming Kakatiyas as Kamma Madura Nayaks are Kamma are also spoiling this article just for the sake of glorifying the Community... Give us sound proof and then it would be accepted...

Musnuri nayaka married of niece and daughters to Korukonda nayaks they were Kapu and not Kamma... Another piece of information if you are interested in.

Evidences

192.216.42.56 must login as a Wiki user, reveal his identity and engage in meaningful discussion.

1. The book by Durga Prasad is accepted by all historians. It is cited in many articles on Wiki, including Vijayanagar empire, Andhra Pradesh history etc. All Universities in A.P., prescribe this book in History departments (E.G., Univ. of Hyderabad)

2. Musunuri Nayaks could not be Reddy because the very basis of selection of Musunuri Prolaneedu by Bendapudi Annaya Mantri and Kolanu Rudradeva was to avoid Reddy-Velama rivalry (This excludes Reddy and Velama claim to Prolaneedu. Suravaram was clearly wrong in his statement).

3. Musunuru village near Nuziveedu (Krishna Dt) is populated predominantly by Kamma farmers even today. There is a small dilapidated fort in the village. This region was part of Vengi Chalukya kingdom. After the rise of Kakatiyas on the ashes of Chalukyan empire, Musunuri warriors migrated to Warangal to serve Kakatiya kings.

4. Surname "Musunuri" exists only in Kamma and Brahmin communities of AP. (The only other claimant to Prolaneedu is Brahmin caste). Mr Kotta Bhavaiah Choudary in his "Kammavari Charitra" logically argued in this direction on the basis of Surname and Gothra.

5. The name of Prolaya Nayak's uncle (China Naanna) was Kamma Nayak.

6. Telugu historians generally agreed that Musunuri cousins were Kammas. Dr B.S.L. Hanumantha Rao in his "Andhrula Charitra" and Prof. Mallampalli Somasekhara Sarma, Former Head of the Department of History, Andhra Aniversity, also reiterated this view.

7. Anapota Nayaka, son of Recherla Singama Nayaka got the title "Kammadoralamodina Kaaladandama" after the demise of Kapaaneedu. (Nelaturi Venkataranayya's English translation of "Velugotivaari Vamsavali"). Obviously these Kammadoras were Kaapaneedu and his relatives.

8. "Velugotivaari Vamsaavali" also mentioned "Birudula Nirasinchu Kammadoralu", after the capture of Warangal by Padmanayakas. Kamma Nayaks declined the positions and power offered to them by victorious Velamas and migrated to Vijayanagar in view of good relations between Bukka Raya and Kapaaneedu. Obviously, the persons who were in control of Warangal at that point of time were Kamma Nayaks.

9. Many old-time Velama Zamindars always referred to Kapaaneedu as a Kamma rival. (I cannot offer tangible proof to this hearsay).

10. During the attack by Golkonda general 'Mir Jumla' on Gandikota Pemmasani China Thimma Nayudu invited his relatives of 66 Kamma clans to join him in the battle. He referred "Asahaayasoorulou Musunuri varu" in his letter. Obviously, Musunuri varu were Kammas.

11. MacKenzie's Krishna District manual was silent on Musunuris (Any evidence otherwise may be cited with proof).

12. Marital alliances were made for political purposes during medieval times.

Other info:

• Kakatiyas were not Kammas. I edited the article "Kamma (caste)" to that effect.

• Madhura nayaks were Balija merchants. I edited the article to that effect. I also cited historical references.Kumarrao 08:35, 13 March 2007 (UTC)

" Surname "Musunuri" exists only in Kamma and Brahmin communities of AP. "

Its factually wrong. My mother's(maiden family name) and my wife's (maiden family name) is Musunavaru and we are Balijas — Preceding unsigned comment added by 14.96.8.81 (talk) 15:47, 8 April 2012 (UTC)

Problems

Aside from the grammar, style, and tone (all of which need work) and the wikification (miscapitalisation, unwikified lead, etc.), the article is couched in very one-sided langauge; it makes very dogmatic statements about events with no sign that there might be alternative interpretations and views. --Mel Etitis (Talk) 22:18, 19 April 2007 (UTC)

Unexplained edits

150.198.150.245 has been repeatedly editing without giving any explanation. He/she must consult the rerefence: "History of Andhras" by Durga Prasad.

(http://igmlnet.uohyd.ernet.in:8000/gw_44_5/hi-res/hcu_images/G2.pdf). Kumarrao 09:27, 22 June 2007 (UTC)

Dear MR.kumarRao,

I am sorry, that I havent posted any references for my editings. Initially i thought it was some miscreants, who's simply changing articles and havent responded. I apologise. I have read that prolaya belongs to telega caste in wikipedia and therefore tried to correct it. Im not sure who posted it,U could check in the Kapu caste/telaga section. Also Durga Rao himslef claims its not an authentic publication and there are contradictory claims from SuvarnamPratapa Reddy saying Musnuri Kapaya nayaka was a Kapu/reddy and from Colin Mckenzie saying he was a Kapu. need more input ---raju

Reply

1. Durga Prasad clearly mentioned on page 168 that Musunuris belonged to fourth caste (Sudra, Kamma).See his webbook above.

2. K. B. Choudary (Kammavari Charitra, 1939) provided convincing evidence.

3. Suravaram was wrong. He did not cite any evidence.

4. McKenzie never talked about Musunuris. If he did, provide a citation.

A list of evidences/reasoning is available on this talk page.Kumarrao 11:01, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

Editing

Editing process is on. Citations are being provided in line.Kumarrao 11:30, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

Please make changes to Kapuscaste/Telaga section which points that musunuri nayaks belongs to telaga caste.----raju

Sufficient evidences for the ethnicity of Musunuri cousins exist.

This article modified by Kumarrao shows a bias towards the Kamma caste.I think this is not the way to show history..if u have refered to any history text books or wikipedia for instance the one who wrote for e.x Cholas,Pallavas,Madurai Nayaks etc never wrote saying that these are from so n so caste even if written never bragged the caste....You hav modified this article in order to praise or show bias towards the Kamma community...If u have mentioned only in the introduction as to who Musunuru nayaks are provided if u r pretty much sure about it it would been enough.... John Rambo 05:38, 21 September 2007 (UTC) —Preceding unsigned comment added by Rambo4u (talk • contribs) 05:22, 21 September 2007 (UTC)

Point out the bias with evidences. We can discuss.Kumarrao (talk) 06:57, 5 April 2010 (UTC)

Nuetrality of this article is disputed

The reason provided by Kumarrao are also not convincing...

I like to counter Kumarrao regarding this assumption that Musunuru Nayaks are of Kamma origin..

a) Saying that Books by Prasad is prescriped a History text in many universities doesn't make it a reliable source....Even Suravaram Pratap Reddy Book is a text to many universities. Even in Civils Services it is one of the prescribed texts...so ur argument doesn't hold much in that aspect...

b)Your 2nd argument that "Musunuri Nayaks could not be Reddy because the very basis of selection of Musunuri Prolaneedu by Bendapudi Annaya Mantri and Kolanu Rudradeva was to avoid Reddy-Velama rivalry" Why is only Kamma should be selected for this ?? Why not a Telaga or Balija Nayakas or a Mudiraja ?? to avoid this rivalry...These are also the important Nayakas during that time... So this argument too does not hold water... John Rambo 05:38, 21 September 2007 (UTC)

Mallampalli Somasekhara Sarma who unearthed the history of Musunuri cousins was also in agreement. Please see the proof before arguing.Kumarrao (talk) 06:59, 5 April 2010 (UTC)

Reply

Dear Mr Rambo,

1. Please follow wiki guidelines. You are not signing your contributions with four tildes. Mere mention of your Wiki username will not do.

2. You have to refute the supporting arguments (see above; # 1-10) one by one.

3. The most important argument in favour of 'Kamma' theory is based on Surname. 'Musunuri' surname exista only in Kamma and Brahmin communities. Please show any evidence that it exists in Reddy or Kapu communities of AP.

4. Another important evidence comes from Rayavachakamu in which Pemmasani chief (Kamma) invited his relatives including "Asahaayasoorulou Musunuri varu" to join them in battle with muslims. Obviously, Musunuri warriors were Kammas.

5. Suravaram's thesis was totally wrong and unsupported by any evidence. If you have, please produce one.Kumarrao 14:29, 21 September 2007 (UTC)

This article is a glory hunting article,It has correct information but also indulges in blatant one-sided glorification

For example author has claimed that Musunuri Kaapaya Nayaka "gave" autonmy to the Reddys and Velamas. This is the biggest joke. To their credit, Musunuri Nayaks collaborated with other Nayaks and Reddys and were responsible for fostering unity and "organized" a revolt against the invading muslims, but the Musunuri nayaks never controlled the whole region or other clans. Wanton glory is in vain :)Foodie 377 (talk) 13:31, 10 August 2011 (UTC)

Authentic

Please read Mallampalli (The Forgotten Chapter of Andhra History) and Telugu Vignana Sarvasvamu published by Telugu University to know about Musunuri Nayaks who led the confederation. If anything was glorious it was Mallampalli who wrote it. Kumarrao (talk) 14:02, 27 August 2011 (UTC)

Musunuri Nayaks were the main organizers of the revolt, I am not disputing that at all. And they were leaders in the sense that they pioneered the revolt - no denying that also. BUT they are not leaders in the sense that they had absolute control over the entire region or other Nayaks and clans like the Reddys and Velamas. Thats precisely what I am disputing that when this article claims that "musunuri kapaneedu gave autonomy to Reddys and Velmas". That is not possible because Kapaneedu was not the absolute ruler to grant autonomy or Kapaneedu was not the ruler of the entire region. Reddys controlled their own territories and Velmas also had their own territories. He fostered unity among warring clans. Not sure that equates to autonomy Foodie 377 (talk) 16:31, 27 August 2011 (UTC)

Read any book in Google books after "Musunuri nayaks". It becomes obvious who preceded whom and who were in control. If one understands the meaning of titles “Andhradesaadheeswara” and “Andhrasuratraana” given to Kapaneedu, it again becomes obvious the coverage of Andhra kingdom under Kapaneedu, although short lived. I leave it to the wisdom of Users/Editors of Wiki the final word. Let truth prevail.Kumarrao (talk) 15:52, 30 August 2011 (UTC)

I do not like ambiguity. Lets break it down bit by bit. Musunuri Nayaks controlled Warangal for a short time. The Padmanayaka Velmas controlled Rachakonda. The Reddis controlled coastal regions and ruled from Kondavidu. They were separate entities. Its a big joke if you are claiming that Musunuris were the rulers of all these three regions which is 100% false. Thats precisely what I am challenging when the article claims that Musunuri Kaapanedu "gave" autonomy to Reddis and Velmas. Thats a false statement because Musunuris never controlled the regions of the Velmas and Reddis. Now second point, as regards to the titles "Andhrasuraatrana" etc, it does not substantiate anything. Those were just "figurative" poetic songs of praise hailing a great fighter in the hour of victory. They do not equate that he was monarch of whole Andhra. For example, after India won the cricket world cup, people said Sachin is the God of India and Dhoni is the King of India. Does that really make them Kings and Gods of India? Foodie 377 (talk) 17:44, 30 August 2011 (UTC)

NO PROPER PROOF:- here their is no proper proof munusurinayakulu kamma valuani so i delete the kamma from it. if you show the strong proof and then you add it after that i can agree it. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 117.211.118.9 (talk) 11:50, 19 February 2013 (UTC)

Kamma tag was removed...

Who remove the kamma tag? It must be include.. All historians accepted that musunuri nayaks were belonged to kamma caste.. Please help. 8.37.225.141 (talk) 02:49, 1 September 2013 (UTC)

Kamma is completely wrong. Kamma history is that they were migrants from the North like Velamas who came South to run away from Muslim onslaught in the North to seek better opportunities in the South. They were not rulers. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 183.83.231.29 (talk) 17:38, 16 January 2015 (UTC)

Puffery

As others have said before me over the years, this article is a puffed-up mess. For starters, please note the content at Kakatiya dynasty#Aftermath - there are a lot of myths surrounding these people and they have been elevated to truths. - Sitush (talk) 09:44, 10 April 2015 (UTC)

Nayaka vs Nayak

@Sitush:, Nayaka is the correct transliteration of their names, as you can see in Eaton and Talbot. The dropping of the vowel endings didn't happen until the Raj era. -- Kautilya3 (talk) 20:03, 13 September 2017 (UTC)

I'm not fussed, as long as we're consistent (and across articles, not just this one). Whatever COMMONNAME is, follow it. - Sitush (talk) 20:06, 13 September 2017 (UTC)

To clarify, I just followed the spelling in this article's title. - Sitush (talk) 20:20, 13 September 2017 (UTC)

Page name needs to be changed

The page title reeks of casteim. Musunuri Nayaks is the standard term used by historians. Even if they were Kammas, for which there is no credible information, including the caste in the title is very inappropriate. For people, who changed the title, provide citations from valid sources or revert the title to the old name. Kekamohan (talk) 11:46, 4 August 2018 (UTC)

Andhra historians

@Tostmonl: I think this is a tall claim. Who are the "prominent" Andhra historians? Have any of them published in national or international venues? I see very few names among the historians that I have read, who are recognizably from Andhra. Cynthia Talbot and Rchard Eaton, who pay strong attention to South Indian history have contradicted numerous claims of the "Andhra historians". Finally, I find this statement in a national publication:

There is nothing in the Guraja grant on other records to show that the authority of Kāpaya nāyaka extended into the Guntur district wherein the kingdom of Vema lay.

Since Kammanadu was in Guntur district and to the south of it, this pretty much rules out any connection between the Musunuri chiefs and the "kammas". -- Kautilya3 (talk) 08:46, 29 August 2018 (UTC)

References

M. Rama Rao wrote his book in 1940's. In 1970's & 1980's 2 inscriptions of Kapaya nayaka are discovered in Guntur district. Ancestors of Kapaya nayaka also has inscriptions in guntur district. Musunuri nayakas are warrior kamma kings from Kammanadu. Vema reddy kingdom is a feudatory kingdom under kapaya nayaka. Kapaya is sovereign king. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Testeronix1 (talk • contribs) 09:18, 12 October 2018 (UTC)

Reddy dynasty ruled kammanadu (Addanki & kondaveedu) so are they Kammas? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Testeronix1 (talk • contribs) 09:45, 12 October 2018 (UTC)

Need sources for the assertion that Musunuri Nayaks were Kammas

The article says "Musunuri Nayakas belonged to the Kamma caste group" and provides the following two references.

1. History of Andhras, B. S. L. Hanumantha Rao 2. Talbot 2001, p. 86

The first one is inaccessible. I didn't find from the second source where it says Musunuri Nayaks were Kammas. Can someone come up with additional sources for this please?? Kautilya3 Thanks Sharkslayer87 (talk) 14:33, 15 December 2018 (UTC)

I did another revert to reinstate an attribution which somebody removed.

The local historians tend to assume that castes like Kamma were ancient, whereas Christine Talbot, after looking at loads of inscriptions, concluded that they only date from something like the 18th century. And, you are right that she never says anything about Musunuri Nayaks belonging to any caste. -- Kautilya3 (talk) 15:50, 15 December 2018 (UTC)

Consensus?

Vivek987270, you claimed here that there was a "consensus" reached about the caste of Musunuris. Can you point me to where this is? -- Kautilya3 (talk) 20:48, 13 April 2019 (UTC)

Kautilya3. I believe Kummarrao detailed why they were Kammas in the "Evidence" section. Can Sitush, weigh in? Also would you mind editing out the Reddy Dynasty from the Reddies since Talbot has stated the no caste groups were formalized until before the 18th century? This cannot selectively apply to the Kammas. Is there any harm in mentioning the viewpoints of regional historians. I feel like only relying on Westerners leads to a Euro-centric view of history when regional historians research isn't included. -- — Preceding unsigned comment added by Vivek987270 (talk • contribs)

Kumarrao didn't provide a single citation to any source. I don't see him having generated any consensus. You are welcome to provide sources. The sources that were in the article (which I deleted) are not good enough. See WP:SCHOLARSHIP.

For issues with the Reddy page, please post on its talk page, not here. -- Kautilya3 (talk) 21:30, 13 April 2019 (UTC)

Musunuri Nayakas are Kammas

Musunuri Nayakas are 14th century warrior kings of Shudra varna. In 14th century Kamma caste of Shudra varna is present as quoted by prominent 14th century brahmin poet Srinatha in his book "Bheemeswara Purana".

Prominent Historians views:

• Durga prasad told Musunuri Nayakas are Kammas.
• Mallampalli Somasekhara Sharma told Musunuri Nayakas are Kammas.
• Etukuri Balaram murthy told Musunuri Nayakas are Kammas.
• Bsl Hanumantha Rao told Musunuri Nayakas are Kammas.

These historians have extensively researched on caste of Musunuri nayakas and confirmed they are Kammas.

Inscriptional evidences:

• An inscription of Musunuri Gundaya in bapatla in guntur district (South indian inscriptions volume 4:page.146) mentions he belong to Chaturtha varna of Kammanadu.

Literary evidence

• Vedasara Ratnavali a book written by uppuluri ganapathi shastry in 1974 mentions musunuri nayakas as Kammas. Shastry is the descendant of Musunuri prolaya nayakas gifted agrahara brahmin family. Shastry clearly said his ancestors told that musunuri nayakas are Kammas. Shastry also told that he also have supporting ancient talapatras with their family to say musunuri nayakas are Kammas. Vedasara Ratnavali book was published in 1974 by annavaram devasthanam which was under the control of Velama caste zamindars.

All these evidences clearly point out that musunuri nayakas are Kammas. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Ventrun (talk • contribs) 02:30, 15 April 2019 (UTC)

• Ventrun, you have been here long enough to know that you need to provide WP:Full citations. This is apparently a subject you care about. So, please spend the effort and provide enough information for us to make a judgement. If the books are online, please provide links. If not, please provide quotations. Until a consensus is reached, please retain the WP:STATUS QUO text. -- Kautilya3 (talk) 17:24, 15 April 2019 (UTC)
• The "insciptional evidence" and "literary evidence" that you mention are WP:PRIMARY sources. Wikipedia cannot use PRIMARY sources. Please provide WP:SECONDARY sources, typically books/articles authored by academics and published by scholarly presses/journals. -- Kautilya3 (talk) 17:59, 15 April 2019 (UTC)

Ventrun and Kautilya3 . I suggest that the status quo of mentioning that Andhra Historians think they are Kammas and Talbot, who is indeed an international scholar that I have become more familiar with, believes the castes haven't become formalized much latter. This way both historians have their POV heard, which is what Wikipedia aims for in topics that raise debate. This is what I was aiming for with my initial edit. I don't think it's appropriate to discount the Bheemeshwara Puranam nor the Andhra Historians. In the same breath, the view of Talbot should be notes and heard, unlike the previous version of the page. There is also a need to have regional historians because of a potential issue with Etic Research. It's a documented type of research in Psychology that results in research taking local applications and applying it more broadly. I am not saying that Talbot has engaged in that, but to balance out any potential likelihood that she may have, regional historians should have a say.--Vivek987270 (talk) 20:58, 15 April 2019 (UTC)

I also think the article, as it is right now, is one of good faith by Ventrun and Kautilya3. Let's leave it at that. --Vivek987270 (talk) 20:58, 15 April 2019 (UTC)