Naidu

Naidu (also spelt Nayudu or Naidoo) is a title used by various social groups of the Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu states of India. It is also used in Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa and Chattisgarh. It is a Telugu derivation of the Sanskrit Nayaka, meaning "protector" or "leader".

The word Naidu is etymologically related to the Tamil Naicker, the Nair of Kerala, Marathi Naik and Nayaks (Pattanayak) in Orissa.

Usage

• The term Naidu is the caste name and the title of Kapu caste(Telaga/Balija Naidu)of Andhra Pradesh which accounts for about 28% of the population of Andhra Pradesh.
• Nayaka (Naidu) was an honorary title that was used by the people belonging to the other Telugu castes of Ekari (Pala Ekari) Boyar(warrior), Kamma, Mudi Raju, Koppula/Polinati Velama,Ayyaraka,gangavar(Boyar) etc in Andhra Pradesh and other states.
• It was used as a title denoting a village or lineage headman.
• Medieval Andhra dynasties like the Vishnukundins and Chalukyas and the recent ones like the Vijayanagara Empire conferred the title Nayaka / Nayakudu to a commander or Danda-nayaka (Army Commander) or a leader of a band of soldiers.
• Nayaka title was originally conferred upon Telugu communities. In the medieval times, the Kakatiya and Vijayanagara Kingdoms had many prominent nayakas from various castes. During the expansion of Vijayanagar Empire, the Nayak title was conferred upon non-Telugu speaking communities who served in the same function in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. This title is also used by other communities in Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
• The Nayaka title was conferred upon warriors who received land along with the title Nayaka as a part of the Nayankarapuvaram system for services rendered to the court during the Kakatiya dynasty. Nayaka was one among approximately 25 titles used by the Kakatiyas to create a new political infrastructure to undercut the authority of heredity regional elites.^[1] The Nayankara system was also used by the Vijayanagar empire ^[2] wherein land was granted to a Nayaka or Palayakarrar (Polygar) on condition that they would place their military service at the disposal of the king.^[3]
• However many communities later began using the Naick or Naidu surname. Edgar Thurston (Castes and Tribes of Southern India Vol. 5; p. 138) noted that "Naidu" or "Nayudu" title was in use by several Telugu castes in colonial India (in alphabetical order): Balija, Bestha, Boyar(warrior) caste, Ekari, gangawar(Boyar), Gavara, Golla, Kalingi, Kamma, Kapu, Mudirajus, Velama, Odde, Tottiyan, Reddy, Telaga, Uppiliyan, Idiga and Valmiki.

Origins

The Nayaka / Danda Nayaka term started being used during the Vishnukundina dynasty which ruled from the Krishna and Godavari deltas during the 3rd Century A.D. Little is known about the title usage prior to that. A more widespread usage of the term Nayaka can be traced to the expansion of the Western Chalukyas into Andhra country during the 7th Century. However, the most widespread usage of the term Nayak happened during the Vijayanagar rule.

The word Naidu is used by the older writers in southern India in several senses, of which the following example given by Yule and Burnell may be cited:

• It denoted a Commander or a Governor.
• Native captain or headman.
• Title of honor among Hindus in the Deccan. "The kings of deccan also have a custom when they will honor a man or recompence their service done, and raise him to dignity and honor. They give him the title of Nayak." -Linschoten
• The general name of the Kings of Vijayanagar.

Though originally not meant to be a heredity title, by modern times, the Naidu title had been inherited by many, although they no longer were governors, army commanders or tax collectors.

Andhra Pradesh

In Andhra Pradesh, the title is predominantly used by Kapu caste (Balija Naidu/Gavara Naidu/Telaga Naidu/Kapu Naidu) though other castes such as kamma, pala ekari, Boyars,Koppula/Polinati Velamas, Kammas, Kalingas etc started using of late.

Tamil Nadu

Many Telugu speaking communities like boyar, gangawar naidu, kamma Naidu, Baljia Naidu, Gavara naidu, vaduga naidu,kajulu naidu use the title Naidu , whereas the title Naicker is used by both Tamils and Telugus.Boyar is telugu speaking people They are doing construction work. There are sub-communities in Boyar, consturction works are doing by Boyar(Sunnambu-Oddar) cut stone work are doing by Boyar(Kal-Oddar).In tamilnadu now a days Kamma, Gavara, Balija Naidus are called in the Name of Vadugan. Vadugan is notified as backward Class by Government of TamilNadu and Other Backward class by Government of India. In Vijanagar Dynasty Kammas and Balijas were warriors and LandLords They were Close circle of the Emperor or King. During British Periods They were called Palayakarargal.

Kerala

In Kerala there are just about 5000 families spread all over Kerala state. Their ancestors migrated around 200 years back from Madurai region. Some families came from Tirunelveli region. They belong to Balija caste group.

Diasporas

Notable diasporic communities are found in South Africa [spelled Naidoo: Xavier Naidoo], Polynesia, mainly the South-western arc and eastern island chains.

Notable Naidus

• Sarojini Naidu - first Indian woman President of the Indian National Congress
• Krishna Devaraya - Freedom Fighter
• Leela Naidu,Savitri - Indian actress
• C. K. Nayudu - Indian Cricketer
• Janakiraman Naidu.First person developed Acetoxy silicone sealant in Middle East,Africa,Indian sub continent,Central Asia and CIS Countries.
• Vangaveeti Ranga-Politician of Naidu
• Konidela Chiranjeevi(Siva Shankara Vara Prasad)-Indian Actor(Tolly wood no:1)

References

1. ^ The political economy of craft production: crafting empire in South India, c. 1350-1650, by Carla Sinopoli, p.73
2. ^ History of Tamil Nadu, 1565-1982, by K. Rajayyan, p.20-23.
3. ^ Local government in the Vijayanagara Empire, by Venkata Ratnam, p.14.

General references

• Caste and Race in India (by G.S.Ghurye)
• The Tribes and Castes of The Central Provinces Of India, by B V Russel
• The Castes and Tribes of Southern India, by EdgarThurston
• Further Sources of Vijayanagara History By K A Nilakanta Sastry
• Penumbral Visions - by Sanjay Subrahmanyam
• Trishan Naidoo