Origins
Since it is a large, diversified, and geographically dispersed organization with various divisions, there is no one root or genesis, although the most common hypotheses about its origin are listed below.
Kapu appear to be the first peoples of the Deccan region. They moved from the north, cleared forests for agriculture, and established settlements in the Deccan. They are regarded as the original Aryan descendants who moved to South India.
Kapu Community are thought to be the descendants of the Kaampu tribe migrating from Kampilya (near Ayodhya), and they were among the first people in South India to clear forests and start agriculture in the Deccan and modern-day Andhra Pradesh.
The Kapu community, also known as the Kaampu tribe or the Kossar tribe in ancient scriptures, is credited with founding the Satavahanas and other dynasties.
The Kapu community has a history similar to that of the Kurmi, Kunbis, and Maratha castes.
Brief Notes
The most prevalent Gotrams among the Kapu people are Janakula, Mahipala, Paidipaala, Raghukula, Kasyapa, Dhanunjaya, Athreya, and Achyuta, although there are many more.
- In Andhra Pradesh, Naidu refers to the Kapu, Telaga, Balija, Ontari, and Turpu Kapu communities.
- Balijas have the title, while Naidu and Setty
- In Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, they are known as Balija Naidu.
- Balijas have the title Naicker in Tamil Nadu’s southern areas.
- In Telangana, Munnuru Kapu’s has the title Rao and Reddy.
- Under the Kakateeya and Vijayanagar Empires, the Kapu, Balija, Telaga, and Munnuru Kapu clans were traders and went by the surname Setty.
(indicating that their ancestors formed powerful trading guild surnames such as Bandreddy, Ramiesetty, Polisetty, KaliSetty, Muthamsetty, Kamisetty, Tirumalasetty, Rangisetty, Singamasetty, Chennamsetty, and so on.) - The Telaga and Kapu communities in coastal Andhra also have Reddy surnames.
This indicates that some of their forebears were village leaders. Maddireddy, Muthareddy, Kunapareddy, Katreddy, Kasireddy, Rayapureddy, Siddireddy, Dharapureddy, Pedireddy, and so on. - Some Kapu and Telaga surnames end with the title Neni, a derivation of Senani.
This shows that the ancestors of these families were commanders during the Kakateeya Dynasty. Samineni, Lakkineni, Padalaneni, Vallabhaneni, Chitikineni, and Kasineni, among others. - As a relic of their association with the Vijayanagara empire, the Kapu and Telaga groups in the Coastal and Rayalseema Regions are known by the moniker Rayudu.
- The terms “Udayar” and “Odeyar” were employed by Chola-Chalukyas on several occasions.
Occupation
During the Medieval Ages, the Kapu Community largely protected settlements against bandits, but during times of peace, they transitioned to various professions such as village chiefs and farmers.
During wartime, they served as soldiers, governors (Nayaks), and commanders in several Andhra dynasties.
As a result, the terms Nayaka and Naidu refer to the same community.
The modern Kapu Community is primarily an agricultural community that has expanded into business, industry, film, academia, information technology, and other fields.
Note
During the pre-Kakatiyan period, the term “kapu” referred to soldiers and agriculturalists.
During the medieval period, “Kapus” had the following roles or responsibilities:
- Village Defence Committees (Kapu)
- Administration (Pedda Kapu)
- People in charge of protecting farms from robbers and livestock were (Panta Kapu).
The term Kapu is now associated with agriculturalists.
Because of this, Reddys are known as Rayalaseema in Andhra Pradesh and Kapu in Telangana (Genetics of the AP Communities).
Sub Castes
The Kapu community is divided into various subcastes, however the majority prefer to be referred to simply as Kapu.
Kapu
The Kapu community is concentrated in Andhra’s coastal areas. It is most likely the oldest middle caste in Andhra Pradesh, alongside the Yadava/Golla Community, and it serves as the state’s foundation. The caste title “Naidu” comes from the word “Nayaka.” The Nayaka/DandaNayaka could be found under the Vishnukundini Dynasty of Andhra, who ruled from the Krishna and Godavari Deltas in the third century A.D.
Kapu refers to landowners or agricultural communities in Andhra Pradesh. Landowners are referred to the agricultural workers as “Kapu,” while village chiefs are called “Reddy.” For this reason, the Kapu and Reddy castes share the appellation Reddy.
They are primarily concentrated in Andhra Pradesh’s coastal areas.
Kapu Branches
- Dhulipudi
- Mekala (Also found in Kamma, Boya, Chenchus)
- Mogili (Also found in Yerukulas)
- Motati
- Mungaru
- Tungala
- Thorati
- Nagali
- Nerati or Neravati (Also found in Reddy)
- Pakanati or Pakinadu (Eastern territory) (Also found in Reddy, Golla, Kamsala, Mala, and Tsakala)
- Oruganti (Also found in Mudiraju)
- Nagaralu / Patrulu
- Chalukya Kapu
- Challa
- Uggina
- paggina
- Koraganji
Note Konda Kapu, Vanne Kapu, Are Kapu, Kapu Savara, Moras Kapu and Reddy Subcastes like(Dommari Kapu, Godugulanati Kapu, Kodithi Kapu, Musugu Kapu, Nallevelama Kapu, Pakanati Kapu, Paala Kapu, Palle Kapu, Panta Kapu, Pedakanti Kapu, Pokanati Kapu, Sajjana Kapu, Velama Kapu, and Yerlam Kapu are not from the Kapu caste.
Balija
Balijas can be found in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and the Andhra and Rayalseema states.
This is the only Kapu subcaste that goes by both Setty and Naidu.
Balija is primarily a warrior/trading group by occupation, and it appears to have been founded as a result of a minor social change within some sections of the Kapu tribe. According to some historians, the original Balijas relocated from Balijipeta in Srikakulam District. Veera Balaingyas are mentioned in Kakatiya inscriptions. They were powerful and wealthy merchants who held high regard in Kakatiyan society. The Balijas, known as Setty, were mostly tax collectors and merchants.
The following are the key Balija governing clans or dynasties that formed the core of the Vijayanagar Empire. It is also stated that the great Emperor Krishnadeva Raya was of Balija Kapu origin.
- The Araveeti Dynasty was Vijaynagar’s last dynasty, and its ruler was Ramaraya, a Kota Balija.
- Maduri Nayaks
- Tanjavur nayaks
- Ceylon Khandi Kings
- Penukonda
- Kalyanadurg
- RayaDurgam
- Chandragiri
- Udayagiri
Kasturi Nayadu and Peda Koneti Nayudu, members of the Balija caste’s Vasarasi dynasty, were in charge of these areas.
Most of the Balijas refer to themselves as Kapu and Telaga in Andhra and as Munnuru Kapu in Telangana. They are called Balija, Setty Balija, Balija Naidu, and Naidu in Rayalaseema. Another community, the Reddys, are referred to as Kapu. However, they retain the caste title Naidu
Balija Branches
- Balija Setty These were the rich and powerful merchants and traders of the Kakatiya Dynasty. Some very old trading guilds from Bellary, Karnataka, were mentioned. According to historians, this was Balijas’s initial branch.
- Naidu Balija The term Balija Nayakulu is the source of Balija Naidu. During the Kakatiya Dynasty, this sub-caste seems to have developed mainly to defend the Setty and Balija trade caravans against bandit assaults. The modern Anantapur and Nellore districts were controlled by the Balija Naidu king families.
- Kota Balijas This genealogy gave rise to the Vijayanagar Empire’s Araveedu dynasty, as well as the Madurai and Tanjavore nayaks.
- Balija Gajula According to the Sugavansi Balija (Pure) story, the progenitor of the Gajula Balija was the one who carried Parvati’s bangles on a donkey after she performed a penance to win Siva’s favor.
- Gavara Balija Naidu; Kavarai (Kavara Balija Naidu). Thurston’s Castes and Tribes of Southern India states that the term “Kavarai” describes the Telugu trade caste known as the Balijas, who have made their home in Tamil Nadu. The Kavarais refer to themselves as “Balijas,” meaning “born of fire.” They are known as Setti and Nayak, Naidu, Nayakkan, or Chetti. The largest subdivision in Kavarais is Gajula Balija. Valaiyal Chetti is Gajula Balija’s Tamil name. (The Tamil term Valaiyal means Gajulu (bangles) in Telugu. Gajula Balijas first gained notoriety for making and selling bangles, but they later branched out into other markets.
- Musu Kamma Balija, also known as Rajamahendravaram Balija, is named after a specific type of ear jewelry worn by ladies.
- According to legend, Gandavallu or Gundapodi Vandlu originated in Komatis.
- Odda (Vada) Balija a subcaste of the Balija, headquartered in Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam, and East Godavari district, is a community of seafaring traders and merchants.
Munnuru Kapu
Munnuru Kapus are primarily located in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh. Their occupation is farmer. Munnuru, which translates to “three hundred,” appears to be a relatively new name. They were members of the Telaga tribe and were the Imperial Guard of the Tanjore Nayaks. The nawabs of Hyderabad asked the Tanjore Nayaks to deploy a regiment of their best infantry and cavalry for his personal protection. The Tanjore Nayak sent 300 Telaga men and their families. The descendants of these three hundred households are now known as Munnuru Kapu.
For one or more kingdoms, such as Tanjore Nayaks, Devarakonda, or Nizam, Munnuru Kapu have always been within palace guards.
Telaga
The Telagas originated with the Western Chalukyan Expansion into the Andhra region in the sixth century A.D. Telagas are the most ancient warrior/agricultural clans of the Deccan and South India, specializing in fighting. They governed over Andhra Pradesh’s Palnadu, Velanadu, and Renadu territories as Fuedataries and Principal Clans.
Some of the significant and notable Dynasties of Telagas are
- Telugu Chodas
- Kona Kings
- Koppula Chiefs
- Musunuri Nayaks
- Korukonda Nayaks
Telaga is a derivative of the word Telangana. Because it was home to three great Shivinsa-Aramas, Andhra was referred to in ancient texts as Telangana. As a result, the region was termed Tri-Linga’, and the inhabitants were known as Telugus, speaking Telugu. Under Pulakesin, the Telagas were vassals, commanders, and Nayakulu (Governors) under the Western Chalukya kings. These commanders were also known as Telugu Nayakulu, which may have influenced the community’s name, Telaga.
They served as the bastion for ancient Deccan and South Indian armies such as the Cholas, Pallavas, Chalukyas, and Kakatiyas. They appear to have a relationship with the Eastern Chalukya. The Chalukya Vassals formed matrimonial alliances, eventually establishing the Chalukya-Chola Dynasty. The Telugu Cholas are actually the Telagas. They appear to have a relationship with the Eastern Chalukya. During the Palnadu War, the Telugu Cholas (Velanati Cholulu) supported Bramha Naidu in his war against the Nalagam Raju. The other Telugu Chola dynasties included the Renati Cholas, Konidena Cholas, Nannuru Cholas, and Nellore Chola Kings.
Ontari
The Ontari community is situated primarily in coastal Andhra. They have the titles Naidu and Dora. The Ontari Kapus were troops or special forces in the Andhra Kingdoms. They differ from the Ontaris. The Ontari-Kapu community specialized in individual weaponry such as swords and spears, which were mostly employed in special operations. Their surnames all begin with weapons, such as Kattula (knife), Tupakula (pistol), Kommula, and so on.
Note Ontari of the Mudiraj Community is not part of the Kapu-Ontari Caste.
Turpu Kapu
In Telugu, Turpu means “east.” The Kapus, who lived along Andhra Pradesh’s eastern border, went by the name Turpu Kapus.This community has produced a few kings of coastal kingdoms. They are hardworking low- and middle-income farmers. They are the majority community, particularly in Vizinagaram District, yet many of them retain feudal devotion to the former Zamindars of Bobbili and Vizianagaram, among others. However, this caste’s political awakening has recently led to some of its representatives becoming more politically active.
Naidu
Nayaka→Nayudu→Naidu→Naicker→Naidoo
Native captain or headman.
Honorary title for Hindus in the Deccan. The Deccan’s kings also had a custom whereby they promoted a man to a position of honor and dignity in exchange for his service. “They grant him the title of Nayak.”
It changed in the following ways throughout history.
Many people with the surname Naidu have a distant ancestor who was a soldier who was elevated to “Nayaka.” It is equivalent to being a baron. They served as Nayaks for the Chalukyas, Kakatiyas, and Vijayanagar Empires. The Kakatiya Dynasty produced numerous notable Nayakas, several of whom were of Kapu descent. The Vijayanagar monarchs also had various Nayakas of Kapu, Telaga, and Balija descent.
Naidus, particularly those of Kapu descent, have moved to a variety of nations, including the United Kingdom (UK), South Africa, Mauritius, and the United States. They participate in the local Telugu and Tamil associations.
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