Nayak (title)
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Nayak also Nayaka is the title of various caste and ethnic groups across India.
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[edit] Similar titles
The word Naidu (Telugu) Naicker(Tamil) Nair (Malyalee) are all derived from the word Nayaka/Nayak. Initially found among the Andhra Dynasities and being used by Telugu communities like Kamma, Kapu, Balija, Telaga and Velama who were appointed as Nayakas under Kakateeya and Vijayanagar Kingdoms slowly was given to other communities in recognition of their services. It is believed to be etymologically related to Tamil Nayakar and Naicker, Telugu Nayudu and Naidu, Malayalam Nair, Sinhalese Nayake and Marathi Naik
[edit] Nayak systems of South India
It could mean a government official, equivalent to a provincial governor or viceroy, in the Telugu kingdoms of southern India, including the Kakatiya dynasty of Warangal (11th-14th centuries) and the Vijayanagara kingdom (14th-16th centuries). It should be noted that during the Vijayanagar empire many different people of different ethinicities and castes were nominated as Nayakas not just Telugus as it expanded into the Southern Indian State of TamilNadu.
The Nayak system was dominant from the fifteenth to the early seventeenth century. The Nayaks were key state administrators, functionaries, and revenue collectors and as such were liable to be transferred.
Although they played a very important administrative role, there are no detailed studies on them except those on some big families like Kanaka Nayaka or Kanakadasa, Madhakari Nayaka, D.K.Naiker and Periyar.
After the collapse of the Vijayanagara Kingdom in the 16th century, Nayaks of some of the kingdom's former provinces became de facto independent rulers, and established hereditary dynasties. Nayaks who ruled Madurai, Thanjavur, Chitradurga, and Keladi until the 18th century were of Telugu Origin.
[edit] Title usage across caste and ethnic lines
The Beda or hunters and Talavar meaning natives also use Nayak as their last name. Now Beda and Talavar communities are identified as Nayaks. Like Kanaka dasa or Kanaka Nayaka, D.K. Naiker who are Kuruba, also have Nayaka or Naiker surnames.
Nayak is also a surname of Konkani Brahmin community, spelled as Naique during Portuguese rule in Goa, they were landholders and traders by profession. Kumble Nayak Family of Kumbla town between Mangalore and Kasaragod were a prominent trading family in export of rice and other commodities to Maldives, China etc., during AD 1700.
Ethinically Tamil Vanniar of Tamil Nadu also use this as a caste title today in India and abroad. (See Naiker)
[edit] Some notable Nayaks
- Kanaka Nayaka
- Daya Nayak
- Gururaj Nayak
- Shri Vasantrao Naik
- Tanjore Nayaks (Ruling Dynasty)
- Madurai Nayaks (Ruling Dynasty)
