Balija Naidu

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Balija is a caste found in the state of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and primarily concentrated in the Southern Districts of Andhra Pradesh. Balija is a Sub Caste of the Kapu or Naidu caste of Andhra Pradesh. This is the only Subcaste of Kapu which bears both the titles Setty and Naidu.

[edit] Sub Castes

The other SubCastes or Geographical Names of Balija are

Kapu
Munnuru Kapu
Telaga
Turpu Kapu
Ontari
Naidu

[edit] Origins

Primarily Traders by Occupation they seem to have been formed by a small Social Change that seem to have occurred among some sections of the Kapu community the Original Balijas seem to have migrated form the Baleejipeta, Srikakulam District According to some Historians.

Veera Balaingyas were mentioned in Kakatiya inscriptions. They were powerful and wealthy merchants who were highly respected in Kakatiyan society. The Balijas had the title Setty and were primarily Tax collectors and Merchants. Most of the Balijas refer themsleves as Kapu/Telaga in Andhra and as Munnuru Kapu in Telangana. But in Rayalaseema Area they call themselves Balija/Setty Balija/Balija Naidu here Kapu refers to another Community.

Balija Branches

Setty BalijaThese were the Rich and Powerful Traders and Merchants of the Kakatiya Dynasty. There was mention of some very old Trading Guilds concentrated in Bellary in Karnataka[1].Infact Historian's suggest this was the first branch in Balijas.
Balija Naidu Balija Naidu is a derivation of the term Balija Nayakulu. This sub caste seems to have formed during the Kakatiya times primarily to protect the Balija / Setty trading caravans from being attacked by bandits.The current Anantapur Dt and Nellore Dt were ruled by Balija Naidu Kings/Families.
Kota Balijas the Araveedu dynasty of Vijayanagar Empire was from this lineage so are the Madurai Nayaks and the Tanjavore Nayaks.
Gajula Balija/Sugavansi Balija(Pure) Myth is that Siva’s wife Parvati made a penance in order to look beautiful for Siva and the person that brought her bangles riding a donkey was the ancestor of the Gajula Balija.
Kavarai(Kavara Balija Naidu or Gavara Balija Naidu). "Kavarai is the name for Balijas(Telugu trading caste), who have settled in the Tamil country" as per Thurston of Castes and Tribes of Southern India. Kavarais call themselves Balijas(Born from fire).They use the titles Naidu, Nayakkan, Chetti or Setti and Nayak. Gajula Balija is the largest sub -division of Kavarais. The equivalent name for Gajula Balija in Tamil is Valaiyal Chetti. The meaning of Tamil name Valaiyal in Telugu is Gajulu(Bangles). Gajula Balijas attained this name as they were involved in manufacturing and selling bangles initially though they made their mark in various other fields later.

Rajamahendravaram Balija or Musu Kamma Balija(Named after a special ear ornament worn by women)
Gandavallu or Gundapodi Vandlu (Supposed to have originally Komatis)
Anamala
Linga
Panchama
Thota
Ralla
Pusa
Andey
Racha
Vyasa
Gopati Balija
Mulaka
Miriyala
Nemilli
Pagadala
Pakanati
Oppanakkaran (Trader)

Balijas are concentrated throughout Andhra and Rayalseema Region.

* Excerpts from Thimmamba Charithra (Eddula Nandi Reddy & Penukonda Charitra (Puttaparthy Narayana Charyulu)

Mentioned In Penugonda Chartira about Srikrishna Devarayas surname is Sammeta or Sampeta. He belongs to Balija Caste. Still the same surname balijas are heading villages in Anantapur Dist Anegondhi vilage. Krishnaraya had matrimonial alliances with Matla or metla ("Kadapa District").

Sri Timmamba great women belongs to Balija cast took sathi after her husband died, she belonged to Gangarajula family around 14th century they build a fort near Kadiri,( Gootibayalu). There is temple and world famous banyan tree called Timmamma Marrimanu (Guinniess Book).

Linga Balija of Ande Prasannapaa palegar of Bukkarayapatnam. There were several small kingdoms in Anantapur Dist owned by Balijas. Gandikota (Near chitravati River) ruled by Pemmasinga Kasthoori Nayudu, Kalyanadurgam Butna family. Rayadurgram etc.