Reddy

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Castes of India
Reddy
Classification	Kings, Warriors, Landlords
Religions	Hinduism, Christianity
Language	Telugu, Hindi,English
Populated States	Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka

Reddy (Telugu:రెడ్డి, also transliterated as Raddi, Reddi) is the name of a socio-economically and politically dominant caste found in Southern India. Reddy community found all over Andhra Pradesh and the neighboring states. In Andhra Pradesh, the Reddy’s are considered traditional village headmen. The duties of headmen included the collection of tax, guarding the village and basically representing the village in dealing with outsiders or even the government. Physically they are very well built and strong, 'solid farmer stock' according to some english observers, and they retain a residual military -aristocratic tradition. Several members of the community are very wealthy landowners and businessmen.

Reddys regard Andhra Pradesh as their homeland and telugu is their mother tongue,^[1] however they form an intricate part of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Maharastra society as well and are proficient in those languages too. Many Reddys migrated to tamilnadu centuries ago and have formed a distinct community that is completely incorporated into andhra culture and doesn't necessarily feel a closer affinity to their Andhra cousins.

Contents 1 Origin 1.1 Early history 1.2 Kakatiya period 1.3 Reddy dynasty 1.4 Golkonda period 1.5 British period 1.6 Recent history 2 Role in politics 3 Notes and references

[edit] Origin

There are many theories put forth about the origins of Reddys.

• The oral traditions of Reddys state (first Reddy is a charioteer who impressed the king with his courage in the battle and own some lands) that their ancestors were charioteers, Reddy is a corruption of Ratti meaning chariot or charioteer.
• A theory relates the Reddies to the Rathis The term Rathi refer to "one riding a chariot" (Ratha=horse drawn chariot in prakrit and old sanskrit). A grander Rathi king might be called Maha rathi. "Rathi" can be traced directly to the people riding horse drawn chariot during the time of the rgveda and avesta ( 'rathaesthar' in avestan), Rathis 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.
• Some believe Reddys are an offshoot of the Rashtrakuta dynasty. After the decline of the Rashtrakuta dynasty, the ruling clan broke off and settled in North and South India. Rashtrakutas were a Rajput clan. The settlers in the north are called Rathods/Rathores, and ruled Marwar in western Rajasthan, while the southern settlers were called Reddys.
• The usage of the word Reddy specifically was first seen in the inscriptions made during the Renati Chola times (7th century CE) ).^[2]

[edit] Early history

The Rashtrakutas were initially the elite troops of the Chalukyas. They founded an empire after the Badami Chalukyas faded from the scene. After the Rashtrakutas declined we find inscriptions of the succeeding Kalyani Chalukya]]s in Andhra Pradesh, in which Reddys were mentioned (900 CE). They were soldiers appointed as Chieftans of villages in Medak district by the Kalyani Chalukyas. Some of the names mentioned are Mini Raddi and Kati Raddi. The inscription mentions the name of the appointee, the authorized appointer, the important personages of the areas and surrounding villages. Ratnagiri fort was built by potu sri chenna reddy and was captured by Muslim rulers in maharastra . Ratnagiri reddy's migrated to Adilabad and karim nagar in early 19th century.

[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 of Reddi^[3] in his inscriptions. Early inscriptions by the Kakatiyas indicated that they arose from the Chaturavarna. Rudramma Devi's daughter married a Chalukya prince or a Kota prince, her grandson was the famous Pratapa Rudra. Only since his birth did the Kakatiyas claim to be Warriors. By the early 14th century the Kakatiya Empire was under threat from the Delhi Sultanate. Kakatiya emperor Pratap Rudra agreed to pay tribute, but then withheld the payment and this provoked the final and fatal attack in 1323 CE. King Pratap Rudra was captured and committed suicide by drowning himself in the river Narmada while being taken to Delhi. The Telugu country was plundered and subjugated. This marked a watershed in the history of the Reddys. The Reddys who had been predominant in the Telangana region migrated to the coastal areas after the fall of Warangal. The brother of Pratap Rudra escaped to the Orissa region and founded a kingdom in Bastar. The royal family of Bastar claims descent from Kakatiya Annam Deo.^[4]

[edit] Reddy dynasty

The Reddy dynasty ruled some parts of the coastal Andhra Pradesh about 60years. ^[5] Reddys became independent after the martyrdom of Musunuri Kapaya Nayak^[6] at the hands of Recherla Velama kings in the battle of Bhuvanagiri (Bhongir in Telangana region). Komati Prolaya Vema Reddy was the first king of the Reddy dynasty.^[7] 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 all round 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, village policemen, tax collectors and farmers in the Telangana region, throughout Turkish rule and under the Nizams. The Reddy landlords styled themselves as Desais , Doras and Patel. Several Reddys were noblemen in the court of Nizam Nawabs. During the communist led Telangana people's movement against the Nizam state in the 1940s many Reddys actively took part in the struggle.

[edit] British period

Reddys in general and especially the ones in Nellore and Chittoor districts took to modern forms of agriculture early, helping them to increase their wealth and also were one of the first communities to place importance in education because of their proximity to Madras (Modern Chennai). Gautham Reddy was a great person in that period.

[edit] Recent history

Their recent history is quite distinguised as you can tell from the list of prominent members. Their political preeminence is being challenged from other castes but are still an influential component of Telugu society and politics. In addition to their traditional farming occupation large sections have taken up various professions including industry, business, real estate, construction and films.

[edit] Role in politics

Influenced by their long tradition of being village headman and Zamindhars, 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,Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, Kasu Brahmananda Reddy, Bhavanam Venkataram Reddy, Tanguturi Anjaiah, Marri Chenna Reddy , Nedurumalli Janardhana Reddy, Kotla Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy and Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy who collectively ruled the state for more than 30 years after the formation of state in 1956. Neelam Sanjiva Reddy also served as Speaker of Lok Sabha and President of India.

[edit] Notes and references

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This article needs references that appear in reliable third-party publications. Primary sources or sources affiliated with the subject are generally not sufficient for a Wikipedia article. Please add more appropriate citations from reliable sources. (June 2009)