- Reddy
Infobox caste
caste_name= Reddy
classification= Warriors , Land Lords and Farmers
subdivisions=53
populated_states=Andhra Pradesh ,Karnataka ,Tamil Nadu ,Kerala ,Maharastra
languages= Telugu,Kannada , Tamil,Malyalam ,Hindi ,Urdu
religions=Hinduism Reddy (Telugu:రెడ్డి, also
transliterated as "Reddi") was originally a title used by village chiefs in ancient Telugu society. The exact origin of this title is not known, however, many social sections seem to have adopted this title in due course of the history. Some of the Reddys have become wealthy and influential in the political and social mileu of the state ofAndhra Pradesh . Reddys regardAndhra Pradesh as their homeland and Telugu as their mother tongue, [http://www.odi.org.uk/publications/working_papers/wp180.pdf] . Many Reddys migrated toMaharashtra ,Karnataka andTamil Nadu and have formed distinct communities in the lands of their adoption to know more about [http://www.reddyorigin.blogspot.com/]Reddy's Reddys constitute about 6.8% [Ref-below] of the population of Andhra Pradesh. Significant numbers are present in the states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.
http://www.odi.org.uk/publications/working-papers/180-democratic-process-electoral-politics-andhra-pradesh-india.pdf
The 19th century writer
Edgar Thurston in his "Castes and Tribes of Southern India" stated that Reddys were the village chiefs. The village chiefs were given the title 'Reddy' ["Castes and Tribes of Southern India", Edgar Thurston, 1965, Government Press, Madras, http://www.archive.org/details/CastesAndTribesOfSouthernIndiaVolV ] . The census carried out during the British period in theMadras Presidency listed Reddy and Kapu together [A Manual of the Kurnool State in the Presidency of Madras, N. G. Chetty, Government Press, Madras, 1886, p.139] .People belonging to other agrarian communities such as Telaga, Balija,
Kamma ,Velama andYadava also use 'Reddy' title in their names, if not frequently. This indicates the common origin of all agrarian castes in the state ofAndhra Pradesh . Recent genetic studies support the belief that all the agrarian castes shared the similar ethnic origins as also all south Indian castesFact|date=September 2008.There are various theories regarding the origin of the term 'Reddy':
* Some linguists surmised the word 'Reddy' originated from the medieval term "Rattodu", which is derived from "Rashtrakutudu". The usage of the word "Reddy" was first seen in the inscriptions made during the Renati
Chola times (7th century CE) ). [South Indian Inscriptions, Vol. X, No. 598]* Another theory relates the Reddies to the "Rathis", who ruled over small principalities in the
Deccan plateau before 200 BCE and before theSatavahana s andMaurya s. The Rathis left coins in northern Andhra Pradesh,Kurnool district, and nearPune . The coins are found in the levels between themegalithic and Satavahana levels in excavations.* The founder of the Reddy kingdom in the 13th century, Prolaya Vema Reddy described himself belonging to "Panta Vamsa" [Precolonial India in Practice: Society, Region, and Identity in Medieval Andhra By Cynthia Talbot [http://books.google.com/books?id=pfAKljlCJq0C&pg=PA178&dq=kakatiya++reddi&sig=diEgFIp4swY1DyWLbrL1FdmXE7w] ] .
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History
Customs
Reddy sub-castes and surnames
There are seventy-two(72)sub-divisions ("
Kula ", "Gotra ") amongst Reddys. The sub-divisions have a particular geographical distribution although there has been considerable intermingling in recent times.Modern Period - Role in politics
Probably influenced by their long tradition of being village headman and kings, Reddys continue to be very active in local, state and national politics. Particularly in the state of Andhra Pradesh, a number of former chief ministers belong to this community. The list of chief ministers include
Bezawada Gopala Reddy ,Kasu Brahmananda Reddy , Marri Channa Reddy, Kotla Vijay Bhaskara Reddy,Nedurumalli Janardhana Reddy , and Bhavanam Venkata Ram Reddy who collectively ruled the state for 31 years after the formation of state in 1956. Neelam Sanjiv Reddy served as a President of India.Demographics
Reddys constitute about 6.8% [Ref-below] of the population of
Andhra Pradesh . Significant numbers are present in the states likeKarnataka ,Tamil Nadu andMaharashtra .http://www.odi.org.uk/publications/working-papers/180-democratic-process-electoral-politics-andhra-pradesh-india.pdf
Notes
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