Kamma is a caste or social group found in the south Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamilnadu. They constitute about 5% of Andhra Pradesh's population which would make them the fifth largest community there. There are significant numbers of this community in the state of Karnataka as well. In the last decades of the previous century some of them migrated to other parts of the world, particularly to the US, UK and Australia. This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... Andhra Pradesh  : (Telugu: ఆంధ్ర ప్రదేశ్, Urdu: آندھرا پردیش, IPA: ), is a state in South India. ... Tamil Nadu (தமிழ் நாடு, Land of the Tamils) is a state at the southern tip of India. ... Karnātakā   (Kannada: ಕನಾ೯ಟಕ) (IPA: ) is one of the four southern states of India. ...

Ancient History

Origins

There are many theories about the origins of the word "Kamma" and the social group known as Kammas but none is conclusive. One theory is that the people who lived in the Krishna river valley, where Buddhism prevailed, got the name from Theravada Buddhist concept of Kamma (Pali) or Karma (Sanskrit). This region was once known as Kammarashtram / Kammarattam / Kammanadu, which was under the control of Pallavas, Eastern Chalukyas and Telugu Cholas. Inscriptions mentioning Kammanadu are available since 3rd century A.D. == krishna full name krishnadas and he is a hardware eng working in a mnc company his native is in kerala palghat alathur kunissery. ... A replica of an ancient statue of Gautama Buddha, found in Sarnath, near Varanasi. ... Theravada (Pali; Sanskrit: Sthaviravada) is one of the eighteen (or twenty) Nikāya schools that formed early in the history of Buddhism. ... Pali may refer to: Pāli, a Middle Indo-Aryan language Pali, Rajasthan, a town and district in Rajasthan, western India Pali, a Hawaiian word, meaning cliffs Nuuanu Pali, a region on the Hawaiian island of Oahu Ballaleshwar Pali, the Ganapati temple of pali and place in Maharastra This is... Karma(Sanskrit: from the root , to do, [meaning deed] meaning action, effect, destiny) means (the result of) action, generally taken as a term that comprises the entire cycle of cause and effect. ... The Sanskrit language ( , ) is a classical language of India, a liturgical language of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, and one of the 22 official languages of India. ... Kammanadu is an ancient geographical region in the present day South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. ... Pallavas were a South Indian dynasty. ... Eastern Chalukyas were a South Indian dynasty whose kingdom was located in the present day Andhra Pradesh. ... Many Telugu Chola kingdoms held sway over regions to the south of the Krishna River in the period between the seventh and the thirteenth century C.E. Some of them claimed descent from the legendary Karikala Chola (c 100 C.E.). It is not known much about these families or... Kammanadu is an ancient geographical region in the present day South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. ...

Kambhoja/Pallava Origin: Kamboja is ancient name of a country and the tribe settled therein. ... Pallavas were a South Indian dynasty. ...

Some historians opined that the name Kamma is probably derived from Kambhoja, an ancient Aryan warrior clan. Kamboja is ancient name of a country and the tribe settled therein. ... Aryan () is an English language word derived from the Sanskrit and Iranian terms ari-, arya-, ārya-, and/or the extended form aryāna-. The Sanskrit and Old Persian languages both pronounced the word as arya- () and aryan. ...

1. Historian Avadh Bihari Lal Avasthi comments as follows: We find Kambhi, Kamma, Kumbhi etc castes in South India. There is also a famous city Koimb-toor. Possibly, there has also been a Kamboja country in Southern India (See Garuda Purana, Aik Adhyan p 28).
2. Historians need to closely analyze if there are any links between Pahlava/Kambhoja migrations to Palnadu / Kammanadu region of ancient Telugu country. (See Origin of Pallava and Migration of Kambojas).

Kurmi Origin: Garuda Purana is one of the great puranas of India. ... Coin of Gondophares (20-50 CE), first and greatest king of the Indo-Parthian Kingdom. ... Kamboja is ancient name of a country and the tribe settled therein. ... Palnadu is the northern region of Guntur District in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. ... Kammanadu is an ancient geographical region in the present day South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. ... Please wikify (format) this article or section as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... The Pallava were a Southern Indian dynasty who established their capital at Kanchipuram in early the 4th century CE. The Pallava dominated the northern parts of Tamil region until the end of the 9th century for about six hundred years. ... References to Kambojas abound in ancient literature, and this may have been just the expansion of an Indo-Iranian tribe with both Persian and Indic affinities from their homeland in the Afghanistan-Turkistan region along the foothills of the Himalayas towards Bengal, along the coast to Gujarat, to Sri Lanka... Kurmi/Kunbi, which is the name of one of the Jatis (castes) of the Hindus, is an ancient name for several castes and sub-castes of people who call themselves as Kurmi Kshatriya it is a kshatriya name similar to ancient Kurus. ...

Another origin of Kammas is speculated as: Buddhist Kurmis from Gangetic plains migrated to Krishna river delta in large numbers to escape the persecution of Pushyamitra Sunga (184 B.C). Buddhism was already flourishing in Dharanikota, Bhattiprolu, Chandavolu etc in this fertile area. Historians surmised that the Sanskrit word Kurmi/Kurma became Kamma in later years. The first records of the word Kammarashtram appeared in the Jaggayyapeta inscription of Ikshvaku King Madhariputra Purushadatta (3rd century A.D.). The Kammarashtram extended from the Krishna River to Kandukur (Prakasam Dt.). The next record was that of Pallava King Kumara Vishnu II followed by that of Eastern Chalukya king Mangi Yuvaraja (627-696 A.D.). The subsequent inscriptions of Telugu Cholas/Chodas and Kakatiyas mentioned ‘Kammanadu’ (E.g., Konidena inscription of Tribhuvana Malla – 1146 A.D.). This region is also known as Pallavanadu/Palanadu/Palnadu due to Pallava rule. Kurmi/Kunbi, which is the name of one of the Jatis (castes) of the Hindus, is an ancient name for several castes and sub-castes of people who call themselves as Kurmi Kshatriya it is a kshatriya name similar to ancient Kurus. ... The Gangetic Plains are the part of the Ganges River (or River Ganga) that flows across Indias northern plains. ... == krishna full name krishnadas and he is a hardware eng working in a mnc company his native is in kerala palghat alathur kunissery. ... A replica of an ancient statue of Gautama Buddha, found in Sarnath, near Varanasi. ... There are very few or no other articles that link to this one. ... The Sanskrit language ( , ) is a classical language of India, a liturgical language of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, and one of the 22 official languages of India. ... Kurmi/Kunbi, which is the name of one of the Jatis (castes) of the Hindus, is an ancient name for several castes and sub-castes of people who call themselves as Kurmi Kshatriya it is a kshatriya name similar to ancient Kurus. ... Jaggayyapet is a town and a nagar panchayat in Krishna district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. ... The introduction of this article does not provide enough context for readers unfamiliar with the subject. ... The Krishna River is one of the longest rivers of India (about 1300 km in length). ... Pallavas were a South Indian dynasty. ... Eastern Chalukyas were a South Indian dynasty whose kingdom was located in the present day Andhra Pradesh. ... Many Telugu Chola kingdoms held sway over regions to the south of the Krishna River in the period between the seventh and the thirteenth century C.E. Some of them claimed descent from the legendary Karikala Chola (c 100 C.E.). It is not known much about these families or... The Kakatiya Dynasty was a South Indian dynasty that ruled parts of what is now Andhra Pradesh, India from 1083 to 1323. ... Palnadu is the northern region of Guntur District in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. ... Pallavas were a South Indian dynasty. ...

Medieval History

Origin of Caste

The division of warrior class into many castes and their consolidation commenced in the time of Pratapa Rudra I (1158-1195 A.D). Badabanala Bhatta prescribed Surnames and Gothras of Kammas. Castes such as Kamma, Velama, Reddy and Telaga probably had a common origin. The battle of Palnadu (1180 A.D) created strife among the social groups of the Telugu country, which echoes till today. Velamas are one of the older feudal castes or social groups in Andhra Pradesh, India. ... Bold text Reddy is a caste found mainly in the state of Andhra Pradesh in southern India. ... Telagas are the most ancient warriors clans of the Deccan and South India who are specialised in warfare and whose primary duty is to protect the people. ... Palnadu is the northern region of Guntur District in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. ... Telugu may refer to: TELUGU PORTAL Telugu language Telugu script Telugu people This is a disambiguation page: a list of articles associated with the same title. ...

The affiliation of Kammas as a caste to the ruling dynasties could not be ascribed till 11th century. Traces of evidence were found in the inscriptions of Telugu Cholas/Chodas of Velanadu starting from Gonka I (1075-1115), found in many places in Kammanadu. The Dharanikota kings (1130-1251) who belonged to Kota clan of Kammas had marital alliances with Telugu Cholas. Similarly, Kota kings married the women from Kakatiya dynasty (E.g., Kota Betharaja married Ganapamba, daughter of Ganapati Deva). Ganapati Deva married the sisters of Jayapa Senani, a brave warrior hailing from Chebrolu (Guntur Dt.). Jayapa is also well known for his contributions to the field of Indian dance (1231 A.D). Around this time many warriors from Kammanadu joined the forces of Kakatiya empire. Such evidences prompted some historians to speculate that Kakatiyas were Kammas. Many Telugu Chola kingdoms held sway over regions to the south of the Krishna River in the period between the seventh and the thirteenth century C.E. Some of them claimed descent from the legendary Karikala Chola (c 100 C.E.). It is not known much about these families or... Kammanadu is an ancient geographical region in the present day South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. ... Dhanyakataka means town of rice or paddy. ... Many Telugu Chola kingdoms held sway over regions to the south of the Krishna River in the period between the seventh and the thirteenth century C.E. Some of them claimed descent from the legendary Karikala Chola (c 100 C.E.). It is not known much about these families or... The Kakatiya Dynasty was a South Indian dynasty that ruled parts of what is now Andhra Pradesh, India from 1083 to 1323. ... Kammanadu is an ancient geographical region in the present day South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. ... The Kakatiya Dynasty was a South Indian dynasty that ruled parts of what is now Andhra Pradesh, India from 1083 to 1323. ... The Kakatiya Dynasty was a South Indian dynasty that ruled parts of what is now Andhra Pradesh, India from 1083 to 1323. ...

Kammas and Kakatiyas

Kammas grew to prominence during the Kakatiya reign (1083-1323 A.D) by holding important positions in their army. One of the most famous commanders during the time of Rudrama Devi and Prataparudra II was Daadi Nagadeva who played a prominent role in warding off the attack of Yadava king of Devagiri. Nagadeva’s son Ganna Mantri, also called Ganna Senani or Yugandhar was a great warrior and patron of arts and literature. Poet Maarana dedicated his “Markandeya Puranam” to Ganna. Nagadeva’s other sons Ellaya Nayaka and Mechaya Nayaka were also valiant fighters. Another warrior of repute was Muppidi Nayaka who went on an expedition to Kanchi, defeated the Pandya king and merged it with Kakatiya empire in 1316 A.D. In prolonged battles with Muslims between 1296 and 1323 A.D. thousands of Kamma Nayakas became martyrs along with others, in the defense of Warangal. The Kakatiya Dynasty was a South Indian dynasty that ruled parts of what is now Andhra Pradesh, India from 1083 to 1323. ... The Yadava Dynasty ruled a kingdom in what is now Maharashtra, India from the 12th century to the 14th century. ... Daulatabad (from Persian دولت‌آباد meaning Built by the Government), also called Deogiri or Devagiri, is a hill-fortress in Maharashtra state, India, in about 40 miles northwest of the city of Aurangabad in Aurangabad district. ... Kanchipuram, Kanchi, or Kancheepuram (also sometimes Conjeevaram) is the name of a temple town and the headquarters of Kanchipuram district in Tamil Nadu, India. ... The Pandyan kingdom was an ancient state at the tip of South India, founded around the 6th century BCE. It was part of the Dravidian cultural area, which also comprised other kingdoms such as that of the Pallava, the Chera, the Chola, the Chalukya and the Vijayanagara. ... The Kakatiya Dynasty was a South Indian dynasty that ruled parts of what is now Andhra Pradesh, India from 1083 to 1323. ... Warangal   is a city and a municipal corporation in Warangal district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. ...

The inhuman atrocities perpetrated by the aliens on Telugu people prompted two Kamma chieftains, Musunuri Prolaya Nayaka and Musunuri Kapaya Nayaka, who served the Kakatiya king Prataparudra, to raise the banner of revolt. After the fall of Warangal they united the Nayaka chieftains, wrested Warangal from the Delhi Sultanate and ruled for 50 years. (See Musunuri Nayaks) Telugu may refer to: TELUGU PORTAL Telugu language Telugu script Telugu people This is a disambiguation page: a list of articles associated with the same title. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Kammas and the Vijajanagar Empire

Subsequent to the martyrdom of Kaapaaneedu (Musunuri Kapaya Nayaka) many Kammas migrated to the Vijayanagar kingdom. During the Vijayanagar rule Kamma Nayaks formed the bulwark of its army and were appointed as Governors in many areas of Tamil Nadu. Their role in protecting the last great Hindu kingdom of India was glorious. Some of the prominent commanders who achieved fame by their valour were: Vijayanagara (often written Vijayanagar), in northern Karnataka, is the name of the now ruined capital city of the historic Vijayanagar empire in the Southern part of India. ... Vijayanagara (often written Vijayanagar), in northern Karnataka, is the name of the now ruined capital city of the historic Vijayanagar empire in the Southern part of India. ... Tamil Nadu (தமிழ் நாடு, Land of the Tamils) is a state at the southern tip of India. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

• Pemmasani Thimma Nayudu was the commander of Vijayanagar army which valiantly fought and won the battle of Gulbarga (Kalubarige) in 1422. The grateful king Devaraya II made him the governor of Gandikota (Cuddapah district). Thimma Nayudu constructed a large number of temples and tanks in Rayalaseema region. Gandikota Kammas kept Muslims at bay and protected Telugu land for a long time.

• Pemmasani Ramalinga Nayudu was the most favourite commander of Sri Krishna Deva Raya. The great battle of Raichur was won by Ramalinga during which thousands of Kamma warriors became martyrs. The exploits of Ramalinga were extolled by many poets. Portuguese historian Nuniz referred Ramalinga as ‘Camanayaque’ in his writings (See Pemmasani Nayaks).

• Pemmasani Viswanatha Nayudu proved his loyalty to Vitthala Raya by defeating his own father, Nagama Nayudu, who declared independence at Madurai, and later established the Nayak dynasty. The Pemmasani Kamma clan still has a Zamindari near Madurai called Nayakarpatti. (See Nayaks of Madhura).

• Another illustrious clan which won great laurels in Vijayanagar Empire was Ravella. Many commanders of this clan bravely fought and protected the honour of Telugu country (See Ravella Nayaks).

• Kammas controlled parts of south and north Tamil Nadu for several years under the title of Nayacker, which was a legacy of the Vijayanagar Empire. Thirumala Nayak of Madurai was the most famous among them.

• One of the well-known dynasties that flourished before the advent of British rule is the Vasireddy dynasty in Amaravati, established around 1413 AD. The prominent ruler was Vasireddy Venkatadri Naidu (See Vasireddy Clan).

Vijayanagara (often written Vijayanagar), in northern Karnataka, is the name of the now ruined capital city of the historic Vijayanagar empire in the Southern part of India. ... Gulbarga is a town in the Indian state of Karnataka. ... The early history of Gandikota, according to a legend contained in the Kaifiyat of Gandikota, begins in 12th AD when, a certain chief Kakaraja, a subordinate of Ahavamalla Someswara I, the Western Chalukyan king of Kalyana, founded it in 1123 A.D. It also played a significant role during the... Map showing cuddapah district Cuddapah, or Kadapa, as it is known now, is one of the districts of Rayalaseema in Andhra Pradesh, India. ... Rayalaseema is an unofficial region of Indias Andhra Pradesh state. ... The early history of Gandikota, according to a legend contained in the Kaifiyat of Gandikota, begins in 12th AD when, a certain chief Kakaraja, a subordinate of Ahavamalla Someswara I, the Western Chalukyan king of Kalyana, founded it in 1123 A.D. It also played a significant role during the... A Muslim (Arabic: مسلم, Turkish: Müslüman, Persian and Urdu: مسلمان, Bosnian: Musliman) is an adherent of Islam. ... Telugu may refer to: TELUGU PORTAL Telugu language Telugu script Telugu people This is a disambiguation page: a list of articles associated with the same title. ... Sri Krishna Deva Raya, was a Great King who ruled during the Golden Period of Telugu history. ... Raichur is a district in the Indian state of Karnataka. ... The hard earned independence of Telugu land came to an end in fifty years with the martyrdom of Musunuri Kapaneedu in 1370 A.D at the hands of Velamas who colluded with Bahmani sultan (See Musunuri Nayaks). ... Madurai   (மதுரை in Tamil ; IPA: ) is a city and a municipal corporation situated on the banks of River Vaigai in Madurai district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. ... Madurai   (மதுரை in Tamil ; IPA: ) is a city and a municipal corporation situated on the banks of River Vaigai in Madurai district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. ... This article, image, template or category belongs in one or more categories. ... The Vijayanagara empire was based in the Deccan, in peninsular and southern India, from 1336 onwards. ... Telugu may refer to: TELUGU PORTAL Telugu language Telugu script Telugu people This is a disambiguation page: a list of articles associated with the same title. ... Please wikify (format) this article or section as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... Tamil Nadu (தமிழ் நாடு, Land of the Tamils) is a state at the southern tip of India. ... The Vijayanagara empire was based in the Deccan, in peninsular and southern India, from 1336 onwards. ... Madurai   (மதுரை in Tamil ; IPA: ) is a city and a municipal corporation situated on the banks of River Vaigai in Madurai district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. ... Greek scroll supported by Indian Yaksha, Amaravati, 3rd century CE. An aniconic representation of Maras assault on the Buddha, 2nd century CE, Amaravati. ... The first historical record of the Vasireddy clan can be traced from 1413 AD inscription of Pothineedu at Pithapuram (East Godavari district) in the state of Andhra Pradesh. ...

Modern History

After the decline of major kingdoms Kammas controlled large fertile areas in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, as a legacy of their martial past. The British recognized their prominence and made them village heads (Choudary) to collect taxes. The association of Kammas with the land and agriculture is legendary. The martial prowess of Kammas was put to good use in right earnest to tame the lands in modern times. There are many proverbs in Telugu language which speak of Kammas’ adeptness in agriculture and their emotional attachment to the soil. English historians like Edgar Thurston and noted agricultural scientists like M. S. Randhawa eulogized the spirit of Kamma farmers. Andhra Pradesh  : (Telugu: ఆంధ్ర ప్రదేశ్, Urdu: آندھرا پردیش, IPA: ), is a state in South India. ... Tamil Nadu (தமிழ் நாடு, Land of the Tamils) is a state at the southern tip of India. ... An upper caste (community) mainly from the state Andhra Pradesh (AP) in southern India. ... Telugu (తెలుగు)is a Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, where it is the official language. ...

Construction of dams and barrages and establishment of an irrigation system in Godavari and Krishna river deltas by Sir Arthur Cotton was a great boon to the Kamma farmers. Availability of water and natural propensity for hard work made Kammas wealthy and prosperous. The money was put to good use by establishing numerous schools and libraries and encouraging their children to take up modern education. Kammas of Tamil Nadu have also excelled in the cultivation of black cotton soils and later diversified into various industrial enterprises. In the recent past, enterprising farmers migrated to other regions such as Nizamabad, Raichur and Bellary (Karnataka), Raipur (Madhya Pradesh) and Sambalpur (Orissa) and acquired lands. In the past fifty years, the enterprise of Kammas has profoundly influenced every aspect of social, economic and political life of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and the country in general. The contribution of Kammas to the economy of the state of Andhra Pradesh, to put it conservatively, is stupendous. The Godavari River is a major waterway in India, next to the Ganges and Indus rivers. ... The Krishna River is one of the longest rivers of India (about 1300 km in length). ... General Sir Arthur Thomas Cotton (15 May 1803 Oxford – 25 July 1899 Dorking) was a British general and irrigation engineer. ... Tamil Nadu (தமிழ் நாடு, Land of the Tamils) is a state at the southern tip of India. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Raichur is a district in the Indian state of Karnataka. ... Bellary is a city and district in Karnataka state, India. ... Karnātakā   (Kannada: ಕನಾ೯ಟಕ) (IPA: ) is one of the four southern states of India. ... Raipur (Hindi: रायपुर) is the capital city of the state of Chhattisgarh, India. ... Madhya Pradesh (मध्य प्रदेश) is a state in central India. ... Sambalpur is a city in the western portion of Indias Orissa state. ... Orissa   (Devanagari: उड़ीसा) (2001 provisional pop. ... Andhra Pradesh  : (Telugu: ఆంధ్ర ప్రదేశ్, Urdu: آندھرا پردیش, IPA: ), is a state in South India. ... Tamil Nadu (தமிழ் நாடு, Land of the Tamils) is a state at the southern tip of India. ... Andhra Pradesh  : (Telugu: ఆంధ్ర ప్రదేశ్, Urdu: آندھرا پردیش, IPA: ), is a state in South India. ...

With the power of knowledge and education, a large number of Kammas has migrated to USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand etc. This migration is continuing unabated. Kammas have truly become Global citizens.

Important components of the modern development of the Kamma community are:

• Their embrace of education. Among the non-Brahmin communities, Kammas were one of the first to take to education in large numbers. Over a period of 10 years, in Guntur District alone, 130 High schools were established by their initiative. Zamindars of Challapalli and Kapilewarapuram founded many schools and libraries.
• In the recent past, the pace of increase in wealth accelerated due to their enterprise and notable achievements in business, real estate, farming, arts and movie industry, education, medicine, engineering, media and high technology.

Map showing guntur district This is an article about Guntur District; see also Guntur (disambiguation). ... Zamindar, also known as Zamindari, or the Zamindari System (Persian: زمیندار) were employed by the Mughals to collect taxes from peasants. ...

Distribution

The Kamma community can be found in significant numbers in Guntur, Krishna, Godavari, Nellore and Prakasham Districts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh and in large numbers in Anantapur,cuddapah, Chittoor, Bellary,Bangalore, Nizamabad, Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy and Khammam districts. In Tamil Nadu they can be found in Chennai, Coimbatore, Tirunelveli, Tutucorin, Kovilpatti, Madurai, Virudhunagar, Theni, Karur, Dindigal, North Arcot and South Arcot districts.. Guntur (గుంటూరు in Telugu) is a city and a municipal corporation in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. ... == krishna full name krishnadas and he is a hardware eng working in a mnc company his native is in kerala palghat alathur kunissery. ... The Godavari River is a major waterway in India, next to the Ganges and Indus rivers. ... Anantapur   is a city and a municipal corporation in Anantapur district in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. ... Map showing cuddapah district Cuddapah, or Kadapa, as it is known now, is one of the districts of Rayalaseema in Andhra Pradesh, India. ... Map showing Chitoor district Chittoor, also known as Chittur, is a city and district of Indias Andhra Pradesh state. ... Bellary is a city and district in Karnataka state, India. ... Bangalore (Kannada: ; pronunciation: in Kannada and in English) is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Hyderabad   or Haydarābād // ( Urdu:حیدر آباد), (Telugu:హైదరాబాదు) is the capital city of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. ... Khammam is a town in the Khammam District of Indias Andhra Pradesh state. ... Tamil Nadu (தமிழ் நாடு, Land of the Tamils) is a state at the southern tip of India. ... Chennai   (Tamil: ), formerly known as Madras  , is the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu and is Indias fourth largest metropolitan city. ... now. ... now. ... Headline text Kovilpatti (கோவில்பட்டி in Tamil) is the second largest town in Tuticorin District in Tamil Nadu, India. ... Madurai   (மதுரை in Tamil ; IPA: ) is a city and a municipal corporation situated on the banks of River Vaigai in Madurai district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. ... Virudhunagar is a city and a municipality in Virudhunagar district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. ... Theni is a city and district in western part of Tamil Nadu state in South India. ... Karur is a city in Tamil Nadu state of southern India. ... Dindigul is a city in the Tamil Nadu state of southern India. ... The Indian District of North Arcot split on 1989-09-30 into Tiruvannamalai-Sambuvarayar (present-day Tiruvannamalai District) and North Arcot Ambedkar (present-day Vellore District). ... South Arcot is a former district of British India, located in the state of Tamil Nadu. ...

Zamindaris

• Challapalli - (Yarlagadda Clan)
• Chintapalli - Amaravati (Vasireddy clan)
• Kapileswarapuram (- Sri Bulusu clan)
• Muktyala - (Vasireddy clan)
• Kurivikulam (Tirunelveli Dt) – Pemmasani clan
• Ilavarasanandanan (Tirunelveli Dt) – Ravella clan
• Naickerpatti (Madurai Dt) – Pemmasani clan

Surnames

Several Kamma surnames end with 'neni' denoting descent from an ancestor having title 'Nayakudu/Nayudu/Nayuni. For example, persons with surname 'Veeramachaneni' are descendants of 'Veeramacha Nayudu'. Other surnames indicate the villages to which the persons originally belonged to. Kammas use different titles in different regions such as Choudary, Rao, Naidu and Naicker - Vadugar. In Tamil Nadu and Southern A.P., Naidu is commonly used. Naicker is added in the areas south of Coimbatore district. However, Telugu speaking Balija and Gavara communities also add the title Naicker in Tamil Nadu. An upper caste (community) mainly from the state Andhra Pradesh (AP) in southern India. ... Naidu or Nayudu or Naidoo is a common title used by various caste groups of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu. ... Naiker also Nayakar, Nayakkar, Naicker is title used by many Andhra Pradesh, Tamil nadu and Karnataka derived people in India and abroad in the Tamil diaspora. ... Naiker also Nayakar, Nayakkar, Naicker is title used by many Andhra Pradesh, Tamil nadu and Karnataka derived people in India and abroad in the Tamil diaspora. ... Tamil Nadu (தமிழ் நாடு, Land of the Tamils) is a state at the southern tip of India. ... Naidu or Nayudu or Naidoo is a common title used by various caste groups of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu. ... Naiker also Nayakar, Nayakkar, Naicker is title used by many Andhra Pradesh, Tamil nadu and Karnataka derived people in India and abroad in the Tamil diaspora. ... Telugu (తెలుగు)is a Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, where it is the official language. ... Balija is a Caste found in the state of Andhra Pradesh,Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and primarily concentrated in the Southern Districts of Andhra Pradesh. ... Gavaras are one of the many small communities or caste of Andhra who live mostly in the north coastal districts. ...

Sub-Divisions

There are a few divisions among Kammas although these are not adhered to for all practical purposes, in modern times. These divisions are:

1. Pedda Kamma (Descendents of Nayaks and ruling clans such as Gogineni, Yarlagadda, Veeramachaneni, Musunuri, Vasireddy etc).

2. Chinna Kamma (Majority of Kammas).

3. Kota Kamma (Descendents of Dharanikota kings with surnames Kota, Sagineni etc.).

4. Gampa Kamma (Descendents of Gandikota Nayaks who migrated after the downfall of Gandikota).

5. Gandikota Kamma (Descendents of Gandikota Nayaks who migrated to Tamil Nadu).

Religion

While most of the Kammas are Hindus there were conversions to other religions/schools of thought such as Christianity, Islam, rationalism, atheism, Arya Samaj movement and Buddhism. Christianity is a monotheistic[1] religion centered on Jesus of Nazareth, and on his life and teachings as presented in the New Testament. ... For other uses, including people named Islam, see Islam (disambiguation). ... Atheism, in its broadest sense, is the absence of belief in the existence of deities. ... Arya Samaj (Aryan Society or Society of Nobles) is a Hindu reform movement in India that was founded by Swami Dayananda in 1875. ... A replica of an ancient statue of Gautama Buddha, found in Sarnath, near Varanasi. ...

Politics

Kammas are politically very active, especially in Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions. During the twentieth century a number of leaders like Prof N.G. Ranga, Gottipati Brahmaiah, and Kalluri Chandramouli took prominent roles in the national freedom movement. Several Kammas were attracted to leftist ideals and joined the Communist Party. It was a strong political force in the state until the mid sixties. Many wealthy Kammas willingly relinquished their lands and actively worked for the land distribution reforms. This helped many landless individuals attain middle class status and brought about greater economic development of the state as a whole rather than to just one particular community. We are witnessing the benefits of this sacrifice now in the state as Andhra Pradesh has developed into an economic hub. However, their affinity towards the Communist party in the early days led them to lose political clout along with the diminished influence of the Communist party throughout the world. Rayalaseema is an unofficial region of Indias Andhra Pradesh state. ... N.G.Ranga or Achrya N. G. Ranga is a former politician from Guntur City in India. ... In modern usage, a communist party is a political party which promotes communism, the sociopolitical ideology based on Marxism. ... Andhra Pradesh  : (Telugu: ఆంధ్ర ప్రదేశ్, Urdu: آندھرا پردیش, IPA: ), is a state in South India. ... This article is about communism as a form of society and as a political movement. ... This article is about communism as a form of society and as a political movement. ...

During the 1980s, they again played a key role in state and national politics with the inception of the Telugu Desam Party. Nandamuri Taraka Ramarao (NTR)and Nara Chandra Babu Naidu gave a progressive direction to Andhra Pradesh and won global recognition to the Telugu language and the state of Andhra Pradesh. This recognition of the political and economic importance of Andhra Pradesh was manifest in the visits of American Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Telugu Desam Party (Party for Telugu Land) or TDP is a regional political party in Andhra Pradesh state of India founded by former Telugu film star N.T. Rama Rao on 29 March 1982. ... NTR Nandamuri Taraka Ramarao (28 May 1923 – 18 January 1996), more commonly known as N.T. Ramarao, NTR, or Anna garu, was an Indian film actor, director, and producer. ... NTR stands for: Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Nuclear Thermal Rocket - a propulsion system using nuclear reactor as a heat source vaporising liquid or solid propellant (such as water). ... Nara Chandrababu Naidu Nara Chandrababu Naidu (born April 20, 1951) was the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh during 1995-2004. ... Andhra Pradesh  : (Telugu: ఆంధ్ర ప్రదేశ్, Urdu: آندھرا پردیش, IPA: ), is a state in South India. ... Telugu may refer to: TELUGU PORTAL Telugu language Telugu script Telugu people This is a disambiguation page: a list of articles associated with the same title. ... Andhra Pradesh  : (Telugu: ఆంధ్ర ప్రదేశ్, Urdu: آندھرا پردیش, IPA: ), is a state in South India. ... Andhra Pradesh  : (Telugu: ఆంధ్ర ప్రదేశ్, Urdu: آندھرا پردیش, IPA: ), is a state in South India. ... President of the United States - The President of the United States The American President (film) - A Romantic Comedy surrounding a fictional President of the United States and his attempts to win over an attractive lobbyist This is a disambiguation page: a list of articles associated with the same title. ... William Jefferson Bill Clinton (born William Jefferson Blythe III on August 19, 1946) was the 42nd President of the United States, serving from 1993 to 2001. ... George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is an American businessman and politician, was elected in 2000 as the 43rd President of the United States of America, re-elected in 2004, and is currently serving his second term in that office. ...

Crossroads

The Kammas are at crossroads today. Large number of families has already transplanted themselves to urban centres in India and abroad. Their enterprising nature and hard work created a class of ‘neo-rich’. In villages, land reforms forced many Kammas to give away their lands to the government. Subsequently, land holdings got fragmented and presently most of the Kammas living in rural areas are small farmers. Vagaries of weather and lack of good support prices made agriculture unremunerative. Loss of interest in agriculture and the lure of urban environment have only exacerbated the situation. There are impending signs of a gulf developing between rural and urban Kammas. Development of collective and corporate agriculture in near future may obviate this possible scenario. Land reform (also agrarian reform) is the government-initiated or government-backed transfer of ownership of (or tenure in) agricultural land. ...

References and Notes

1. Kammavari Charitra by Kotta Bhavaiah Choudary (in Telugu).
2. Krishnaraja Vijayam by Kumara Dhurjati (in Telugu).
3. Telugu Vignana Sarvaswamu, Volume 2, History, Telugu University, Hyderabad (In Telugu).
4. Durga Prasad, History of the Andhras Till 1565 A.D., P. G. Publishers, Guntur.
5. Edgar Thurston, Castes and Tribes of Southern India, 1965, Government Press, Madras.
6. M. S. Randhawa, Farmers of India, 1959, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi.