Adi Karnataka
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Adi Karnataka[1] The Adi Karnataka refers to group of people in Karnataka, India. Historically, they were known as ‘Samantha’ and later ‘moola kannadiga kula’, which translates to ‘original Kannada clan’. This community was once wealthy and belonged to the upper Kshatriya class, holding caste status as Monarch, Rulers, Administrators and other prominent leadership role.
Adi Karnataka is a social group in Karnataka Gazette.
In the mid-1830s, a British traveller named Kristopher Fellowman made considerable research on the community which is also called 'Samantha' and 'moola kannadiga kula'--once belonging to kshatriya Kula which were called has samanta or moolakanadiga kula.
The Samanthas divided their roles and responsibilities into 'Edgai' and 'Balgai' sub-groups, which translated into left and right hands, respectively. While the Balgais comprised monarchs and administrators, the Edgais (<artisan>)were made responsible for work like farming, hunting and state's security.
The Adi Karnataka's strength started weakening around the middle of the 17th century, due to the political rise of various other Kashtriya communities. During the British rule, the foreigners allegedly joined hands with the Patils and Gowdas to defeat the Monarchs, Rulers belonging to Adi Karnataka clan and the number of its members got reduced alarmingly ( Around 1850's population of this community dropped to around 60,000 - 90,000)
In the early 19th century, the remaining Samantha's were stripped of properties and even driven out of their settlements and forced to live in caves and forests. Their women and children were forced into slavery after the males were killed and the practice continued well into India's independence. Many women, who still had some wealth, were forcibly married off in Gowda and Patil communities. Several communities still continue with the practices of the Adi Karnataka clan.
After Independence, when the Government of India undertook a survey to identify the castes, they found the Adi Karnataka a unique lineage to be an Endangered Community with population about 500,000. It was awarded the Schedule Caste status from their Kshatriya Class to provide the benefits from the government
Present day
[edit]The population is around 3 million, major settlement in south karnataka. Many families from Malur, Hosur, Krishnagiri, Den Kanakapura, Mysore, Mandya, Magadi and Hassan districts hold the AK dynasty's silver coins and artefacts with emblems. The cultural practices of this dynasty are supported by Gowda, Kuruba, Okkaliga, and Patil communities.
Adi Karnataka, Adi Andhra, Adi Dravida are similar terms used for section of people but they refer to distinct, separate communities, often confused as same.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Shubham (27 May 2016). "What are Scheduled Caste Left and Scheduled Caste Right in Karnataka?". www.oneindia.com. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
General references
[edit]- Bayly, Susan (1999). Caste, society and politics in India from the eighteenth century to the modern age. New York: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-26434-0. OCLC 39930558.
- Béteille, André. (1965). Caste, class, and power : changing patterns of stratification in a Tanjore village. Berkeley: University of California Press. ISBN 0-520-02053-7. OCLC 411150.
- Ghurye, G. S. (1994). Caste and race in India (5 ed.). Bombay: Popular Prakashan. ISBN 81-7154-205-0. OCLC 50940599.
- Gupta, Dipankar (2000). Interrogating caste : understanding hierarchy and difference in Indian society. New Delhi: Penguin Books. ISBN 0-14-029706-5. OCLC 45438793.
External links
[edit]- "Government decides to set up corporation for Madigas". The Hindu. 7 March 2018. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 5 January 2022.