Kapu (Telugu:కాపు) is a community found mainly in the Southern Indian State of Andhra Pradesh. They are also concentrated in states such as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka,Orissa , Kerala,Maharashtra and Chattisgarh. The term Kapu or Kaapu in Telugu means Protector. The community is primarily agrarian. They are also referred to by their caste titles Naidu[1] and make up about 35% of the state's population. The Indian caste system describes the social stratification and social restrictions in the Indian Subcontinent, in which social classes are defined by thousands of endogamous, hereditary groups often termed as jātis or castes. ... For other uses, see Warrior (disambiguation). ... Agrarian has two meanings: It can mean pertaining to Agriculture It can also refer to the ideology of Agrarianism and Agrarian parties. ... For other uses, see 6 (disambiguation). ... “Andhra” redirects here. ... , Karnataka (Kannada: , IPA:  ) is a state in the southern part of India. ... Tamil Nadu (தமிழ் நாடு, Land of the Tamils) is a state at the southern tip of India. ... , Kerala ( ; Malayalam: കേരളം; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of southwestern India. ... Maharashtra (महाराष्ट्र) is a state in west-central India. ... , Orissa   (Oriya: ଓଡ଼ିଶା), is a state situated on the east coast of India. ... Chhattisgarh (छत्तीसगढ़), a state in central India, formed when the sixteen southeastern districts of Madhya Pradesh gained statehood on November 1, 2000. ... “Telugu” redirects here. ... Kannada - aptly described as sirigannada (known to few as Kanarese) is one of the oldest Dravidian languages and is spoken in its various dialects by roughly 45 million people. ... Tamil ( ; IPA ) is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamils in India and Sri Lanka, with smaller communities of speakers in many other countries. ... Malayalam (മലയാളം ) is the language spoken predominantly in the state of Kerala, in southern India. ... Marathi is one of the widely spoken languages of India, and has a long literary history. ... Oriya is the official language of the Indian state of Orissa. ... Hindi (DevanāgarÄ«: or , IAST: , IPA:  ), an Indo-European language spoken all over India in varying degrees and extensively in northern and central India, is one of the 22 official languages of India and is also used for central government administrative purposes , along with English. ... Hinduism (known as in modern Indian languages[1]) is a religious tradition[2] that originated in the Indian subcontinent. ... “Telugu” redirects here. ... “Andhra” redirects here. ... Tamil Nadu (தமிழ் நாடு, Land of the Tamils) is a state at the southern tip of India. ... , Karnataka (Kannada: , IPA:  ) is a state in the southern part of India. ... , Orissa   (Oriya: ଓଡ଼ିଶା), is a state situated on the east coast of India. ... , Kerala ( ; Malayalam: കേരളം; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of southwestern India. ... , Maharashtra (Marathi: महाराष्ट्र , IPA:  , translation: Great Nation) is Indias third largest state in area and second largest in population after Uttar Pradesh. ... Chhattisgarh (छत्तीसगढ़), a state in central India, formed when the sixteen southeastern districts of Madhya Pradesh gained statehood on November 1, 2000. ... “Telugu” redirects here. ... Naidu or Nayudu or Naidoo is a common title used by various social groups of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. ...

Origins

Since it is a large, diverse and geographically well spread with multiple divisions there is no one root or origin but the most prevalent theories of their origin are mentioned below.

• Kapu seem to be the earliest inhabitants of the Deccan region who migrated from the North and cleared Forests for Agriculture and built Towns in the Deccan. They are considered to be the Descendants of the Original Aryans who migrated to South India.
• Kapu Community are believed to be the descendants of migrants of the Kaampu tribe from Kampilya (near Ayodhya) and were one of the earliest inhabitants of South India who took to clearing the forests and starting agriculture in the Deccan and Andhra Pradesh.
• They are also referred to as the Kaampu tribe in the Ancient Texts, which was also referred to as the Kossar tribe, who some historians believe established the Satavahanas and other ancient Deccan and South Indian dynasties.
• Telaga,a subcaste of the Kapu caste was a derivation of the word Telingana.[4] Andhra was referred to as Telingana in the ancient texts as it was the area that had three major Shivinsa-Aramas, thus was called Tri-Linga', and the people living there were called Telugus and the language spoken by the people there was called Telugu.
• Kapu Community share a similar history to the Kurmi, Kunbis and Maratha castes.
• The Mackenzie Manuscript suggests that Kapu Community are the Descendants of the many of the Ancient Kingdoms of Coastal AP like Satavahanas, Vishnukundis etc.
• Colin Mackenzie was the Surveyor General of India who did extensive research from the available manuscripts of documented Indian history and social groups.
• The First Inscription in Telugu was written by the Telugu Chola Kings who were Telagas.

Occupation This article is about the term Aryan. For Arian, a follower of the ancient Christian sect, See Arianism. ... Telaga is a Sub Caste or a Division of the Kapu, or Naidu Community of Andhra and concentrated primarily in the Coastal Areas of Andhra. ... Kurmi(Hindi:कुर्मी), which is the name of one of the Jātis (castes) of the Hindus,Kurmi are the Kshatriya,the generation of Kuru Kingdom. ... Kunbis, also known as Kunbi Marathas, are a Maratha sub-caste residing primarily in Maharashtra & Karnataka, India. ... The Marāthās (Marathi: , also Mahrattas) form an Indo Aryan group of Hindu warriors and peasants hailing mostly from the present-day state of Maharashtra, who created a the expansive Maratha Empire, covering a major part of India, in the late 17th and 18th centuries. ... Colin Mackenzie (born 1754, Stornoway, Scotland, died 1821, Calcutta (India) Colonel and surveyor in the British Raj, also an art collector and orientalist. ... The Cholas were the most famous of the three dynasties that ruled ancient Tamil Nadu. ... Telaga is a Sub Caste or a Division of the Kapu, or Naidu Community of Andhra and concentrated primarily in the Coastal Areas of Andhra. ...

• Kapu Community primarily served as protectors of villages from bandits,army generals,warriors,traders in the Medieval Ages who later took to other Professions like Village heads and Farmers during times of peace.
• During times of war they also served as Soldiers, Governors (Nayaks), Commanders in many of the South Indian Dynasties.Hence the term Nayaka/Naidu becamse synonymous with the community
• Modern day Kapu Community is predominantly are an Agrarian community diversified into Business, Industry, Films, Academia, and IT etc.

Note

• Kapu in the Pre Kakatiyan period referred to Soldiers and Agriculturists.
• Some of the occupations or responsibilities that “Kapus” had in the medieval period -

1. Village and Area defence committees (Vuuru Kapu, Pranta Kapu)
2. Administration (Pedda Kapu)
3. People responsible for protecting the farms from bandits and those protecting livestock were (Panta Kapu).

Sub Castes

There are many sub castes within the Kapu community but most of them prefer to be simply called Kapu.

• Kapu
• Balija/Balija Naidu
• Munnuru Kapu
• Ontari
• Telaga
• Turpu Kapu
• Naidu

Kapu is a caste in the Indian State of Andhra Pradesh. ... Balija is a is a Sub Caste of the Kapu or Naidu caste of Andhra Pradesh found in the state of Andhra Pradesh,Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and primarily concentrated in the Rayalaseema Region of Andhra Pradesh. ... ... Munnuru Kapu community is primarily concentrated in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh. ... Ichiro Suzuki lays down a bunt. ... Telaga is a Sub Caste or a Division of the Kapu, or Naidu Community of Andhra and concentrated primarily in the Coastal Areas of Andhra. ... Naidu or Nayudu or Naidoo is a common title used by various social groups of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. ...

Kapu

The Kapu community is primarily concentrated in the state of Andhra Pradesh heavily concentrated in the coastal districts though their are found in large numbers in Tamilnadu,Karnataka,Kerala,Maharashtra,Chattisgadh and Orissa. It is probably the oldest middle caste in South India similar to the Yadav,Maratha communities of India and forms the bed rock of the state of Andhra. They carry the caste title Naidu which is a derivation of the word Nayaka which means Leader. The Nayaka/DandaNayaka could be found being under the Vishnukundini Dynasity of Andhra who ruled from the Krishna and Godavari Deltas during the 3rd Century A.D. Tamil Nadu (தமிழ் நாடு, Land of the Tamils) is a state at the southern tip of India. ... , Karnataka (Kannada: , IPA:  ) is a state in the southern part of India. ... , Kerala ( ; Malayalam: കേരളം; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of southwestern India. ... , Orissa   (Oriya: ଓଡ଼ିଶା), is a state situated on the east coast of India. ... Yadavas redirects here. ... The Marāthās (Marathi: , also Mahrattas) form an Indo Aryan group of Hindu warriors and peasants hailing mostly from the present-day state of Maharashtra, who created a the expansive Maratha Empire, covering a major part of India, in the late 17th and 18th centuries. ... Naidu or Nayudu or Naidoo is a common title used by various social groups of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. ... For other uses of Nayak, see Nayak (disambiguation) A Nayak (also Nayaka, Nayaker or Naicker) is the title of a government official, equivalent to a provincial governor or viceroy, in the Telugu kingdoms of southern India, including the Kakatiya kingdom of Warangal (11th-14th centuries) and the Vijayanagara kingdom (14th... The Godavari River is a major waterway in India, next to the Ganges and Indus rivers. ...

Kapu as a term is used to refer to Landowning or Agragarian Communities in Andhra Pradesh. Today the Land Owners are called Kapu by the Agricultural Laborers, and those who served as village heads were given the title of Reddy. This is the reason the title Reddy is found among the Kapu and Reddy communities.Though Reddy is not a caste by itself rather is a title used by many castes who are landowners or fuedals.There are some 50 sub-castes in Reddies who don't intermarry with each other. Reddy (Telugu:రెడ్డి, also transliterated as Raddi, Reddi, etc. ...

Kapu Branches

• Galidevara
• Golakoti
• Dhulipudi
• Tungala
• Thorati
• Nagula
• Talari
• Nerati or Neravati (Also found in Reddy)
• Pakanati (Eastern territory)
• Nagaralu / Patrulu
• Chalukya Kapu
• Koraganji
• Makena
• Gandla
• Saudar
• Gudati

• Nagaralu means the dwellers in a nagaram (City). This caste was originally a section of the Kapus which took to town life and separated itself off from the parent stock. They are mainly agriculturists but are also into medicine. A number are Physicians and Pharmacists.

Balija

Balijas are concentrated throughout Andhra and Rayalseema regions, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. They are primarily a Merchant and Warrior community that ruled Southern parts of Andhra Pradesh, TamilNadu for hundreds of years in the form of Madurai Nayaks, Tanjavur Nayaks and as fuedataries of the Vijayanagar Kingdom. They were also the last rulers of Srilanka in the form of Kandy Nayaks before the British Occupied Srilanka. The Madurai Nayaks were the rulers of the city and region of Madurai, in India, from 1559 until 1736. ... TANJORE NAYAK KINGS Tanjore Nayak kings started as viceroys of Vijaynagar dynasty lasted 1535 to 1675,a span of 140 years by only 4 kings each having a lengthy reign. ... Nayakar Dynasty of Kandy The Nayaks of Kandy (a. ... The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (ශ්රී ලංකා in Sinhala / இலங்கை in Tamil) (known as Ceylon before 1972) is a tropical island nation off the southeast coast of the Indian subcontinent. ...

Origins

This is the only subcaste of Kapu which bears both the titles Setty and Naidu. Naidu or Nayudu or Naidoo is a common title used by various social groups of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. ...

Balija is Primarily a Warrior/Trading community[2][3] by Occupation but they seem to have been formed by a small social Change that seem to have occurred among some sections of the Kapu community the original Balijas seem to have migrated form the Balijipeta, Srikakulam District According to some Historians. Veera Balaingyas were mentioned in Kakatiya inscriptions. They were powerful and wealthy merchants who were highly respected in Kakatiyan society. The Balijas had the title Setty and were primarily Tax collectors and Merchants.Kasturi Nayadu, Peda Koneti Nayudu of Vasarasi family of Balija caste ruled provinces.The first Rebellion against British Rule was launched by another famous Balija Nayak Katta Bomma Naicker in Tamilnadu long before the Sepoy Mutiny in Bengal. Balija is a is a Sub Caste of the Kapu or Naidu caste of Andhra Pradesh found in the state of Andhra Pradesh,Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and primarily concentrated in the Rayalaseema Region of Andhra Pradesh. ...

The following are the major Balija ruling clans or Dynasties which comprised the heart of Vijayanagar Empire.It is also said the great Emperor KrishnadevaRaya had a Balija/Kapu Origin.As per Edgar Thurston's "Castes And Tribes of Southern India" and R.V.Russell's "The Tribes and Castes of Central Provinces of India"the dynasties of Vijayanagar,Madurai and Thanjavur belonged to Balija Naidu caste.

• Araveeti Dynasity the last Dynasity of Vijaynagar and its ruler Ramaraya the last ruler of the Vijaynagar Empire was a Kota Balija.
• Madurai Nayaks[4][5][6][7]
• Tanjavur Nayaks[8][9]
• Kandy Nayaks who ruled Srilanka
• Penukonda[10]
• Kalyanadurg
• RayaDurgam
• Chandragiri[11]
• Udayagiri
• Gingee Nayaks(Chenchi Nayaks)
• Poligars,chief Land owners and tax collectors of Tamilnadu where of Balija Origin.

Most of the Balijas refer themselves as Kapu/Telaga in Andhra and as Munnuru Kapu in Telangana. But in Rayalaseema area they are not referred as Kapu but as Balija/Setty Balija/Balija Naidu/Naidu here Kapu refers to Reddy another social group.However they retain the caste title Naidu 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. ... The Madurai Nayaks were the rulers of the city and region of Madurai, in India, from 1559 until 1736. ... TANJORE NAYAK KINGS Tanjore Nayak kings started as viceroys of Vijaynagar dynasty lasted 1535 to 1675,a span of 140 years by only 4 kings each having a lengthy reign. ... Nayakar Dynasty of Kandy The Nayaks of Kandy (a. ... The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (ශ්රී ලංකා in Sinhala / இலங்கை in Tamil) (known as Ceylon before 1972) is a tropical island nation off the southeast coast of the Indian subcontinent. ... Categories: Possible copyright violations ... For other places with the same name, see Chandragiri (disambiguation). ... Udaigiri (also Udayagiri) is a the site of a now-ruined complex of Buddhist buildings 60km north-east of Cuttack in Orissa state in India. ... Palaiyakkarar, poligar, polygar or palegar was the title for a class of territorial administrative cum military chiefs (Knights and Barons) appointed by the Nayak rulers of South India (notably Nayaks of Madurai and the Kakatiya dynasty) during 16th - 18th centuries. ... 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 social groups of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. ...

Balija Branches

• Setty Balija :- These were the Rich and Powerful Traders and Merchants of the Kakatiya Dynasty. There was mention of some very old Trading Guilds concentrated in Bellary in Karnataka. In fact Historian's suggest this was the first branch in Balijas.
• Balija Naidu :- a derivation of the term Balija Nayakulu. This sub caste seems to have formed during the Kakatiya dynasty times primarily to protect the Balija / Setty trading caravans from being attacked by bandits. The current Anantapur Dt and Nellore Dt were ruled by Balija Naidu Kings/Families.
• Kota Balijas :- The Araveedu dynasty of Vijayanagar Empire was from this lineage so are the Madurai Nayaks and the Tanjavore Nayaks.Kandy Nayaks were descendents of Madurai Nayaks.
• Gajula Balija/Sugavansi Balija : Myth is that Siva’s wife Parvati made a penance in order to look beautiful for Siva and the person that brought her bangles was the ancestor of the Gajula Balija.
• Kavarai(Kavara Balija Naidu or Gavara Balija Naidu):- "Kavarai is the name for Balijas (Telugu trading caste), who have settled in the Tamil country" as per Thurston of Castes and Tribes of Southern India. Kavarais call themselves Balijas (Born from fire).They use the titles Naidu, Nayakkan, Chetti or Setti and Nayak. Gajula Balija is the largest sub -division of Kavarais. The equivalent name for Gajula Balija in Tamil is Valaiyal Chetti. (The meaning of Tamil name Valaiyal in Telugu is Gajulu(Bangles).Gajula Balijas attained this name as they were involved in manufacturing and selling bangles initially though they made their mark in various other fields later.
• Rajamahendravaram Balija or Musu Kamma Balija (Named after a special ear ornament worn by women)
• Gandavallu or Gundapodi Vandlu (Supposed to have originally Komatis)

The Kakatiya dynasty was a South Indian dynasty that ruled parts of what is now Andhra Pradesh, India from 1083 to 1323. ... The Madurai Nayaks were the rulers of the city and region of Madurai, in India, from 1559 until 1736. ... TANJORE NAYAK KINGS Tanjore Nayak kings started as viceroys of Vijaynagar dynasty lasted 1535 to 1675,a span of 140 years by only 4 kings each having a lengthy reign. ... Nayakar Dynasty of Kandy The Nayaks of Kandy (a. ...

Popular Surnames

• Pagadala,Chigilisetty, sigilisetti, Palasala, manda, muddusetti, arza, yenupuri, allapati, bacchu,Chalamalasetty,Perisetty, Polisetty [12], Pothamsetty, Posinasetty, Sennamsetty, Sanisetty, Sirivisetty, sirigiri, ,Vallamsetty, Gangisetty, Allepalli, Nagisetty, Surekaram, , Malisetty,Meruva,kommisetti, Behara,Pasupuleti,Kothaluru,Bandaru, Madasu, Gudamsetty, Sangisetty, Bommisetty, ambula,Kamala, Dasari etc

Note:- Perika Balija, Vada Balija(Fishermen), Ediga Balija/Goud (Toddy Tappers), Setty Balija/Chettu Balija/Goud (Toddy Tappers) of Coastal Andhra are not part of Balija or Balija Naidu Caste.

Munnuru Kapu

Munnuru Kapu is primarily concentrated in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh. By Occupation they are Farmers. The Munnuru Kapus had a military origin and took to Agriculture during peace Times. Modern days' Munnuru Kapus have diversified and adopted other Occupations like Trading, Industry,Politics, IT etc. Munnuru Kapus are also called Telugus,Telengas,Munnurwar,Telenga Kunbi and Thopatkari.Some of these people apparently moved to Chanda region from Telugu country travelling along rivers Godavari and Pranahitha. Munnuru Kapus of Chanda were credited for building palaces of Gond kings and the great wall of Chanda as they were skilled in masonry work.

The name Munnuru seems to be of a recent origin, which means three hundred. There are several sources of Origins.A few are mentioned below.

• King GanapatiDeva of the Kakatiya Dynasity during the establishment of the Kakateeya Empire and expansion needed the Support of local Agragarian Communities from the Coastal Andhra Region where the Kakateeya Kingdom still did not establish its Power and was mostly under the rule of the Telugu Chodas(Telaga) and Chalukyan Princes.In order to bring legitamacy to the Kakteeyan rule and to strenghthen its roots the King requested the migration of Three Hundred Familes of Kapu/Telaga Soldiers from the Kondavidu Region of the current Krishna District. These people who migrated with Three Hundred Families are called Munnuru Kapu.This migration could be dated back to around about 900 years.

• Queen RudramaDevi of the Kakateeya Dynasity wanted to bring large tracts of the Kakteeya Kingdom primarily the Telanga Region into Cultivation. With her Alliance with the Chalukyan Prince came the migration of these Agriculturits from Andhra.And Three Hundred Families were dispatched to bring these vast Tracts of land under Cultivation. These families are called as Munnuru Kapu.

• The Nawab of Hyderabad requested the Tanjavore Nayaks to send a battalion of best infantry and cavalry for his personal security. The Tanjore Nayak dispatched three hundred Telaga men and their families from were the Imperial guard of the Tanjore Nayaks. The descendants of these three hundred families are now called Munnuru Kapu.

In Telangana region of Andhra pradesh Munnuru Kapu's have Reddy name in many places. It is very difficult to differentiate between Reddy and Kapu in Nizamabad, Adilabad and Karim nagar districts. Kapus have sub castes like gudati, Motati and Saudar which are very common among Reddy's too. Nawab (Urdu: نواب ) was originally the subadar (provincial governor) or viceroy of a subah (province) or region of the Mughal empire. ... The Asafia flag of Hyderabad This article is about Hyderabad State. ... TANJORE NAYAK KINGS Tanjore Nayak kings started as viceroys of Vijaynagar dynasty lasted 1535 to 1675,a span of 140 years by only 4 kings each having a lengthy reign. ... TANJORE NAYAK KINGS Tanjore Nayak kings started as viceroys of Vijaynagar dynasty lasted 1535 to 1675,a span of 140 years by only 4 kings each having a lengthy reign. ...

The Munnuru Kapu's have always been associated with one Kingdom or the other in the form of Interior Palace Guards like Tanjavore Nayaks,Devarakonda, Nizam etc. TANJORE NAYAK KINGS Tanjore Nayak kings started as viceroys of Vijaynagar dynasty lasted 1535 to 1675,a span of 140 years by only 4 kings each having a lengthy reign. ...

Refer to Munnuru Kapu for further Information Munnuru Kapu community is primarily concentrated in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh. ...

Telaga

Telagas are the most ancient Warrior/Agricultural clans of the Deccan and South India who specialized in warfare and took to agriculture during times of peace. Modern day Telagas still continue to specialize in their traditional occupation of Agriculture but also have diversified into Trading,Industry,IT,Films etc.

Origin

The Origin of the Telagas can be traced back to the Western Chalukyan Expansion into Andhra region which happened in the 3th century A.D. The term Telaga was a derivation of the word Telingana.[4] Andhra was referred to as Telingana in the ancient texts as it was the area that had three major Shivinsa-Aramas, thus was called Tri-Linga, and the people living there were called Telugus and the language spoken by the people there was called Telugu. The Telagas have served as Nayakulu (Governors), commanders and vassals of the Western Chalukya rulers under Pulakesin. These commanders were also called Telugu Nayakulu from which the community name might also have been derived Telaga. Telaga is a Sub Caste or a Division of the Kapu, or Naidu Community of Andhra and concentrated primarily in the Coastal Areas of Andhra. ... Telangana or Telingana is an unofficial region of Indias Andhra Pradesh state. ...

They formed the bulwark of Ancient armies of the Deccan and South India like Cholas, Pallavas, Chalukyas, Kakatiyas etc. They seem to have a connection with the Eastern Chalukyas. The Vassals of Chalukyas entered into Matrimonial Alliances and ultimately established the Chalukya - Chola Dynasity. The Telugu Cholas are in fact the Telagas. They seem to have a connection with the Eastern Chalukyas. The Cholas were a South Indian Tamil dynasty, antedating the early Sangam literature (c. ... The Pallavas were hereditary Hindu rulers who dominated southeastern India between the 4th and 9th centuries. ... The Chalukya Dynasty was an Indian royal dynasty that ruled parts of southern India between 550 and 750, and again between 973 and 1190. ... Many Telugu Choda kingdoms ruled over many regions including the cities on the banks of Krishna River in the period between the seventh and the thirteenth century. ...

The important Dynasity of Telagas were the Telugu Chodas who were also the first Andhra Kings to write Inscriptions in Telugu. They ruled over the Palnadu, Velanadu and Renadu Regions of Andhra Pradesh for 400+ years as fuedals and principal clans of these regions. The Telugu Chodas formed the Base on which Chalukyan Empire flourished and were the principal combatants of the Palanadu war/Palanati Yuddam. Telugu Cholas supported Bramha Naidu in this war against the Nalagam Raju. So were the other Telugu Chola Dynasities like Renati Cholas, Konidena Cholas, Nannuru Cholas and Nellore Chola Kings.

Some of the major and important Dynasities of Telagas are

• Telugu Chodas
  • Velanati Chodas ( Ruled the Velanadu Region Current E.G,W.G and Krishna Districts)
  • Renati Chodas (Ruled the Renadu Regions Current Cuddapah, Kurnool Regions)
  • Pottapi Cholas (Ruled the Renadu Regions Current Cuddapah, Chittor Districts)
  • Konidena Chodas (Ruled the Palanadu region Current Guntur, Prakasam Districts)
  • Nannuru Chodas (Ruled the Pakanadu region Current Anantapur District)
  • Nellore Chodas (Ruled the Nellore,Chittor, Chengalpeta and Cuddapah Regions)
• Kona Kings (Ruled the current Visakhapatnam, E.G,W.G Regions, The name Konaseema is derived after these Kings )
• Koppula Chiefs(Ruled with Pithapuram as capital, W.Godavari Koppula Chiefs were one of the main Combatants along with Mununuri Nayaks , Reddy and Velama Nayaks in the Revolt against the Muslim Rule)
• Musunuri Nayaks( Kapaaya Nayaka and Prolaya Nayaka liberated Andhra from the Muslim rule by bringing all the Nayaks under them and revolted against the Muslim rule after the fall of the Kakateeys Kingdom. Musunuri was not the Surname of these Kings they had Matrimonial Alliances with the Korukonda Nayaks.Ruled from Warangal as capital)
• Korukonda Nayaks(Ruled from Korukonda)

Many Telugu Choda kingdoms ruled over many regions including the cities on the banks of Krishna River in the period between the seventh and the thirteenth century. ... The conquest of South India (Deccan) by the Delhi Sultanate started in 1296 when Alauddin Khilji, the son-in-Law and commander of the Sultan Jalaluddin raided and plundered Devagiri (Maharashtra). ... , For the district of the same name, see Warangal district. ...

Surnames

For surnames and further information Refer to Telaga Bodapati,Adabala,Addagarla,Vungarala,Dusanapudi,Kasetti, Telaga is a Sub Caste or a Division of the Kapu, or Naidu Community of Andhra and concentrated primarily in the Coastal Areas of Andhra. ...

Ontari

Ontari community is concentrated mainly in Coastal Andhra. They have the title Naidu and Dora. Ontari Kapu's used to be soldiers/ Special Forces in Andhra Kingdoms. They are different from the Ontaris (Bunt -Individual hand to hand fighters). The Ontari-Kapu community was primarily specialized in individual weapons like a sword or a spear and was primarily used for special operations. Their surnames always start with weapons like Kattula (Knife), Tupakula (Pistol), Kommula, Bollu etc. Naidu or Nayudu or Naidoo is a common title used by various social groups of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. ... Look up [[wiktionary:Dora the Explorer|Dora the Explorer]] in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Bunt is a Tulu/Kannada-speaking class found mainly in Southern coastal Karnataka. ...

Note: Ontari of Mudiraj Community are not part of the Kapu-Ontari Caste.

Turpu Kapu

Turpu in Telugu means east. The Kapus living on the eastern frontier of Andhra Pradesh called themselves Turpu Kapus. There have been some rulers of coastal kingdoms from this community. They are hard working poor and middle farmers. They are majority community especially in Vizianagaram District but many of them still show their feudal loyalty to erstwhile Zamindars of Bobbili and Vizianagaram etc. Off late however the political awakening of this Caste has led some representatives of this caste group to be more politically active. Districts of Andhra Pradesh. ...

Popular Surnames

KURIMINENI,killari,lavety,Bonda, Gedda,Pathivada, Mahanthi,Routhu, Maamidi, Duvvuru,Suvvada, Attada, Ommi, Saaketi,Sarika, Revalla, Botsa, Mandala, Gedela, Gorle, Paandranki, Boorle, Bevara, Buridi, Majji , Budithi, Puvvala, Gavara, Matsa, Boddala, Bevara, Padaala,Meesaala, Talari, Reddy, Pushpala, Allada, Alahari,Kalisetty, Kalyanapu,Thirumalasetty, Gopisetty,mundala,Gurrala, Katreddi, Thota, Kanna, Mekala,yerrapatruni,Yazzavarapu, Chandaka, Pinninti,pappala,gottipati,sanchana,kandi,samanthula etc.,

Naidu

Although not a Sub Caste of Kapu Community it is the Caste Title born by all the Sub Caste of the community.

Naidu is a title denoting a Army Commander or Governor or Knight or Baron or a Village or lineage Headman and was granted for those who were responsible for Maintaining Order and Collecting taxes. As such eventually in Modern times it was inherited as a title. It is a Telugu derivation of the Sanskrit title for a head of a band of soldiers known as Nayaka the protector. Sanskrit ( , for short ) is a classical language of India, a liturgical language of Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism, and one of the 23 official languages of India. ... For other uses of Nayak, see Nayak (disambiguation) A Nayak (also Nayaka, Nayaker or Naicker) is the title of a government official, equivalent to a provincial governor or viceroy, in the Telugu kingdoms of southern India, including the Kakatiya kingdom of Warangal (11th-14th centuries) and the Vijayanagara kingdom (14th...

The first usage of the title Nayaka among the Andhra Kingdoms could be found in the Vishnukundis who ruled from the Krishna Basin and were conferring the title Danda Nayaka to commanders.

Nayaka as an origin can be traced out to the Western Chalukyan Expansion into Andhra Country rule during the 7th Century. The Telugu Commanders in his army were called Telugu Nayakas which came to be calles as Telaga.

Naidu title in the Medieval times was associated with primarily with communities such as Kapu / Balija / Telaga who served as Commanders under various Andhra Dynasities like Chalukya, Kakatiya and Vijayanagar. During the expansion of Vijayanagar Kingdom into Southern India it was conferred to other non-Telugu Speaking communities who served as Commanders or Barons or Governors under the Vijayanagar Emperors in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Many people with the Naidu surname had some remote ancestor who was a soldier that was promoted to "Nayaka". It is equivalent to a Baron. They served as Nayaks under the Chalukyas, Kakatiyas and Vijayanagar Emperors. The Kakatiya Dynasty had many prominent Nayakas, of which several were from a Kapu background. The Vijayanagar kings also had several Nayakas of Kapu, Telaga and Balija background.

In Southern Tamil Nadu Balija's use the title Naicker.

It evolved in the following manner during different phases of history.

Nayaka --> Nayudu --> Naidu--> Naicker --> Naidoo Naidu or Nayudu or Naidoo is a common title used by various social groups of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. ...

Kapu Dynasties

The following are some ruling clans associated with Kapu community.

• Telugu Chodas
• Kona Kings
• Koppula Chiefs
• Musunuri Nayaks
• Korukonda Nayaks
• Madurai Nayaks [13][14]
• Tanjavur Nayaks[15][16]
• Vijayanagar- Araveeti Dynasity
• Kandy Nayaks(Khandi kings of Ceylon)
• AnandaGotrikas
• C.P. Brown mentioned that the Poligars of Anantapur belonged to the Balija Naidu community.
• The Current Nellore was also ruled by Balija Naidu's.
• Etukuri Bala Rama Murthi in "Andhrula Samkshiptha Charithra" Cholas gradually came to be called as Kapu and Telaga. The surnames Chaladi, Chode, Duvvuru,Chodapaneedi, Chodasetty, Chodepala, Konidena and Chodavarapu show link to the Telugu Cholas(Choda) Dynasties with the Kapus. Even some of their gotra [17](is a patrilineal classification and identification of a caste) is referred as "CHOLLA" or "Chola". These Kings were from the Chaturtha Kulamu (Source Palanati Veera Charitra) and Kasyapa as their Gothram.

• Balijakula Charithra, the Kotikam Kaifiyat says as follows: " Sree Manmahaa mandaleshwara Achyuthadeva Mahaa Raayalayya vaaru Daivaprasaada labdavasaath chethanu, karunatho goodi Balija Varna Garikepaati Vamsamuna Kalgina Sree Sree Viswanatha Naayaka gariki Paandya mandalaadhiraaju ane rendunnara koti dravya Raajyaanku sasthrothkamuga pattaabhisekham Vijayanagaramandu Cheyinchiri."

• "Garikepati" is the last name of Madura Balija Kings."Alluri" is the last name of Thanjavur Balija Kings.
• "Chinthalapuri" is the last name of Khandi (Ceylon) Balija kings. Chinthalapuri Vijaya Bhupala Naidu (Also called Lakshmanasimha Vijayapalanaraju) who ruled Khandi was the brother-in-law of Kumara Krishnappa Naidu (son of Viswanatha Naidu) of Madurai Balija Dynasty. When Kumara Krishnappa Naidu crowned Vijaya Bhupala Naidu as the king of Khandi(Kandy), he sent 60 families of relatives to Khandi as help. Along with Vijaya Bhupala Naidu, a total of six kings ruled from Kandy Nayak dynasty.
• There were matrimonial alliances between Kapu community and major Dynasties like Eastern Chalukyas, Telugu Chodas, Kakatiya, Vijayanagar,Madurai and Thanjavur Kingdoms. Some inscriptions belonging to the Eastern Chalukyan King Bhima Raja, who was the Ancestor of Raja Raja Narendra, point to a possible link between the Chalukyan Dynasties and the Kapu Community of Coastal Andhra. The following are some of the interesting matrimonial alliances among Balija/Kapu Dynasties of Vijayanagar, Madura, Thanjavur, Kandy and Kakatiya.

• Vijayanagar emperor Sri Krishna Deva Raya’s half brother was emperor Achyuta Deva Raya. Achyutha Deva Raya's wife Thirumalamba's own sister Murthimamba (Achyuta Deva Raya's sister-in-law) was married to Thanjavur king Alluri Sevappa Naidu.
• One of the members of Thanjavur king Sevappa Naidu was married to Madura king Garikepati Thirumala Naidu.
• Thanjavur King Vijaya Raghava Naidu's daughter and Sevappa Naidu's great Grand daughter Mangamma was married to king Chokkalinga Naidu, the grandson of the celebrated Thirumala Naidu of Madura dynasty.
• Queen Sri Ranga Devi, sister of Veera Narasimha Rayalu of Narapathi dynasty was married to king Bhuvanaika Malla of Kakatiya dynasty. (Note: Narapathis are also called Chalukyas. Araveeti families come under Genealogical tree of Narapathis. Vijayanagar emperor Sri Krishna Deva Raya's son-in-law Rama Rayalu belongs to Araveeti family of Kapu caste. According to Vijaya Kumari and Sepuri Bhaskar In "Social Changes among Balijas" the famous Vijayanagar King Sri Krishna Deva Raya belonged to Kapu caste).
• Khandi(Kandy)king Vijaya Bhupala Naidu's sister was married to Madurai king Kumara Krishnappa Naidu (son of Garikepati Viswanatha Naidu).
• One of the kings of Kandy was married to a family member of the last king of Thanjavur dynasty, Chengamala Dasu. Hence royal members from Thanjavur lived in Khandi (Kandy) of Ceylon for a certain period of time.
• The Kona Kings were Descendants of Haiheya and had Kasyapa as their Gothram found in the Kapu Community.
• The Vijayanagar Araveeti line of Kings called themselves as Chalukya Prince's and were descendants of these Haiheyas and can also be found in History as Arayeti during Eastern Chalukyan Rule and had Atreya as their Gothram which is found in the Kapu communities.

Despite inscriptional evidence of the Chalukyas claiming Kshatriya status, off late this has become questionable. Historian Suravaram Pratapa Reddy hypothesizes that though Raja Raja Narendra called himself a Kshatriya this was done to justify his rule and subsequent legacy. He may have even gotten the Kshatriya classification through matrimonial alliances. Many Telugu Choda kingdoms ruled over many regions including the cities on the banks of Krishna River in the period between the seventh and the thirteenth century. ... The conquest of South India (Deccan) by the Delhi Sultanate started in 1296 when Alauddin Khilji, the son-in-Law and commander of the Sultan Jalaluddin raided and plundered Devagiri (Maharashtra). ... The Madurai Nayaks were the rulers of the city and region of Madurai, in India, from 1559 until 1736. ... TANJORE NAYAK KINGS Tanjore Nayak kings started as viceroys of Vijaynagar dynasty lasted 1535 to 1675,a span of 140 years by only 4 kings each having a lengthy reign. ... 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. ... Nayakar Dynasty of Kandy The Nayaks of Kandy (a. ... Palaiyakkarar, poligar, polygar or palegar was the title for a class of territorial administrative cum military chiefs (Knights and Barons) appointed by the Nayak rulers of South India (notably Nayaks of Madurai and the Kakatiya dynasty) during 16th - 18th centuries. ... Balija is a is a Sub Caste of the Kapu or Naidu caste of Andhra Pradesh found in the state of Andhra Pradesh,Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and primarily concentrated in the Rayalaseema Region of Andhra Pradesh. ... Many Telugu Choda kingdoms ruled over many regions including the cities on the banks of Krishna River in the period between the seventh and the thirteenth century. ... Telaga is a Sub Caste or a Division of the Kapu, or Naidu Community of Andhra and concentrated primarily in the Coastal Areas of Andhra. ... Many Telugu Choda kingdoms ruled over many regions including the cities on the banks of Krishna River in the period between the seventh and the thirteenth century. ... The Madurai Nayaks were the rulers of the city and region of Madurai, in India, from 1559 until 1736. ... TANJORE NAYAK KINGS Tanjore Nayak kings started as viceroys of Vijaynagar dynasty lasted 1535 to 1675,a span of 140 years by only 4 kings each having a lengthy reign. ... Nayakar Dynasty of Kandy The Nayaks of Kandy (a. ... The Kakatiya Dynasty was a South Indian dynasty that ruled parts of what is now Andhra Pradesh, India from 1083 to 1323. ... 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. ... The Madurai Nayaks were the rulers of the city and region of Madurai, in India, from 1559 until 1736. ... TANJORE NAYAK KINGS Tanjore Nayak kings started as viceroys of Vijaynagar dynasty lasted 1535 to 1675,a span of 140 years by only 4 kings each having a lengthy reign. ... Eastern Chalukyas were a South Indian dynasty whose kingdom was located in the present day Andhra Pradesh. ... The Emperor Sri Achyuta Raya was a ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire of south India. ... Eastern Chalukyas were a South Indian dynasty whose kingdom was located in the present day Andhra Pradesh. ...

Kapu Names

Gothrams

Some of the very common Gothrams found in the Kapu community are Puligolla, Janakula, Mahipala, Paidipaala, Raghukula, Kasyapa, Dhanunjaya, Mrutyunjaya, Athreya, Achyuta, Naghula, Thabelu to name a few.[18]

• Balija/Kapu/Telaga/Munnuru Kapu communities have the title Setty in their Surnames which indicates that they served as Traders during the Kakateeya and Viajayanagar Empires..

(Indicating their Ancestors established Powerful Trading Guilds Surnames like Polisetty[19], KaliSetty, Muthamsetty, Kamisetty, Tirumalasetty, Rangisetty, Singamasetty, Chennamsetty etc)

• Munnuru Kapu/Telaga/Kapu/Balija Communities also has the title Reddy in their Surnames in Telangana and Coastal Andhra Region.

• Kapu/Telaga Surnames end with the title Neni which is a derivation of Senani.

- (Indicating the Ancestors of these families served as Commanders under the Kakateeya Dynasity. Samineni, Lakkineni[20], Padalaneni, Vallabhaneni, Chitikineni, Kasineni,Ramineni etc)

• Some Munnuru Kapu/Telaga/Kapu/Balija Surnmaes end with the Suffix "Pati" which meant a Family which held a Large Tracts of Land in the Medieval Days.

like Garikepati, Chigurupati,Uppalapati etc.

• Kapu and Telaga community aare majorly in Coastal and Rayalseema Regions

• Chola-Chalukyas used titles Udayar or Odeyar for certain period of time.

Also with surnames like Konda, Pujari etc from the North Andhra side..

Eminent Kapus

• AKA ( American Kapu Association)[21]

References & Sources

Important information about Kapu origins can be obtained from Balijapuranam in the Chennai library. , “Madras” redirects here. ...

• Government Oriental Manuscripts Library in Chennai (Madras), W. C. Mackenzie: Colonel Colin Mackenzie, first Surveyor-General of India. Edinburgh: W&R Chambers, 1952
• Castes And Tribes of Southern India (Edgar Thruston)
• Further Sources Of Vijayanagara History (K.A.Nilakanta Sastry)[22]
• Andhrula Sanghika Charitra (Suvarnam Pratapa Reddy)
• Caste & Class Articulation of Andhra Pradesh[23]
• Genetic Evidence on Caste Origins[24]
• Caste politics in the North, West and South India before Mandal[25]
• Social Changes among Balijas (By Vijaya Kumari and Sepuri Bhaskar)
• Andhrula Sankshiptha Charitra (E. Balarama Murthi)
• Religion in Vijaya nagara Empire (Konduri Sarojini Devi)
• History in telugu
• History in english
• All about kapu community
• Balijakula Charithra (By Kante Narayana Desayi)
• The Mughal State, Oxford in India Readings, Oxford University Press [26]
• Kerala Naidus[27]
• The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India(R.V.Russell)
• Kapu development-Contact-PAGADALA Srinivas, pacesrinivas@yahoo.com