Reddy

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Castes of India
Reddy
Classification Peasants and Warriors
Subdivisions 53
Significant populations in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharastra
Languages Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, Malyalam, Hindi, Urdu
Religions Hinduism

Reddy (Telugu:రెడ్డి, also transliterated as Raddi, Reddi) was originally a title used in ancient Telugu society that has recently been adopted by a section of the Kapu social group found in South India[1]. Many members of this social group are small and marginal farmers and some have become wealthy and influential in the political and social mileu of the state of Andhra Pradesh. Reddys regard Andhra Pradesh as their homeland and Telugu is their mother tongue,[2]. Many Reddys migrated to Tamil Nadu and Karnataka centuries ago and have formed distinct communities in the lands of their adoption.

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[edit] Origin

Telugu literature and inscriptions show that Reddys were Kapus.[3] For instance, an inscription dated 1094 CE mentions:

"Alu-kumbatla Proli-raddi, Mudivi-raddi, Narapa-raddi, veeru muvvuru Kampulu tama putranu-poutrika machandrar-kamu….." [4].

The 19th century writer Edgar Thurston in his Castes and Tribes of Southern India stated that Reddys were Kapu peasantry. The village chiefs were given the title 'Reddy'[5]. The census carried out during the British period in the Madras Presidency listed Reddy and Kapu together[6].

Other agrarian communities such as Kapus/Telaga/Balija, Kamma, Velama and Yadava also use 'Reddy' title in their names, if not frequently. This indicates the common origin of most of the agricultural communities in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Recent genetic studies support the belief that all the agrarian castes shared the same ethnic origins.

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 Rashtrakutas employed wealthy local farmers (Kapus) to head villages and collect taxes in the empire and conferred the title 'Reddy'. The usage of the word Reddy was first seen in the inscriptions made during the Renati Chola times (7th century CE) ).[7]
  • Another theory relates the Reddies to the Rathis, who ruled over small principalities in the Deccan plateau before 200 BCE and before the Satavahanas and Mauryas. The Rathis left coins in northern Andhra Pradesh, Kurnool district, and near Pune. The coins are found in the levels between the megalithic and Satavahana levels in excavations.
  • The founder of the Reddy kingdom in the 13th century, Prolaya Vema Reddy described himself belonging to Panta Vamsa[8].

[edit] Kakatiya period

After the decline of Kalyani Chalukyas at the beginning of the 12th century, Prola II (1110-1158 CE) declared himself independent from the Chalukyas and established the Kakatiya dynasty. Prola used the title 'Reddi'[9]. After the fall of Warangal, a Reddy chieftain Prolya Vema Reddy hailing from Addanki in coastal Andhra Pradesh formed part of the confederation under the leadership of Musunuri Nayaks to drive the muslims out of Telugu country. Vema Reddy asserted independence after the death of Musunuri Kaapaaneedu.

[edit] Reddy dynasty

Main article: Reddy dynasty

The Reddy kings ruled parts of the coastal Andhra Pradesh from 1353 to 1448 CE.[10]. Reddys became independent after the martyrdom of Musunuri Kapaaneedu[11]. Komati Prolaya Vema Reddy was the first king of the Reddy dynasty [12]. The capital of the kingdom was Addanki which was moved to Kondavidu and subsequently to Rajahmundry. His reign was characterized by restoration of peace, patronage of arts and literature and development. Errana, the translator of Ramayana, lived during this period. The dynasty declined due to the wars with Recherla chiefs and Gajapathis of Orissa. In later years, Reddys had to be content as vassals of Golconda Muslim kings.

[edit] Golkonda period

The Reddys continued to be Chieftains, tax collectors and farmers in the Telangana region, throughout Turkish rule and under the Nizams. The Reddy landlords styled themselves as Desais and Doras. Several Reddys were noblemen in the court of Nizam Nawabs.

[edit] British period

Reddys in general and especially the ones in Nellore and Chittoor districts took to modern agriculture which made them wealthy and resorting to modern education. During the communist-led Telangana people's movement against the Nizam state in the 1940s many Reddys actively took part in the struggle.


[edit] Customs

Main article: Reddy customs

[edit] Reddy sub-castes and surnames

There are fifty-two sub-divisions (Kula, Gotra) amongst Reddys. The sub-divisions have a particular geographical distribution although there has been considerable intermingling in recent times. Reddys write the surname first followed by a given name and the title 'Reddy'. The surname is known as Inti-Peru (House name or Family name) in Telugu. Surnames are generally derived from the names of ancestral villages and professions.

[edit] 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 Brahma Ananda Reddy, Marri Channa Reddy, Kotla Vijay Bhaskara Reddy, Nedurumalli Janardhana Reddy, Bhavanam Venkata Ram Reddy and Y.S. Raja Shekar Reddy who collectively ruled the state for 35 years after the formation of state in 1956. Neelam Sanjiv Reddy served as a President of India.

[edit] Demographics

Reddys constitute 11-15% of the population of Andhra Pradesh. Significant numbers are present in the states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.

[edit] Notable Reddys

Main article: Notable Reddys

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Livelihood Options[1]
  2. ^ http://www.odi.org.uk/publications/working_papers/wp180.pdf
  3. ^ Andhrula Sanghika Charitra, Sastry, B.N., 1975, Moosi Publications, Hyderabad. (in Telugu)
  4. ^ South Indian Inscriptions, Vol. , No. 126
  5. ^ Castes and Tribes of Southern India, Edgar Thurston, 1965, Government Press, Madras, http://www.archive.org/details/CastesAndTribesOfSouthernIndiaVolV
  6. ^ A Manual of the Kurnool State in the Presidency of Madras, N. G. Chetty, Government Press, Madras, 1886, p.139
  7. ^ South Indian Inscriptions, Vol. X, No. 598
  8. ^ Precolonial India in Practice: Society, Region, and Identity in Medieval Andhra By Cynthia Talbot[2]
  9. ^ The Indian Geographical Journal By Indian Geographical Society [3]
  10. ^ Andhrula Sanghika Charitra, Suravaram Pratapa Reddy, (in Telugu)
  11. ^ The Story of the Telugus and Their Culture By G. Krishna [4]
  12. ^ A Sketch of the Dynasties of Southern India By Robert Sewell [5]

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