Bunt (community)
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| Castes of India | |
| Bunts | |
| Classification | Matrilineal |
| Subdivisions | - |
| Significant populations in | Karnataka and Kerala (Tulunad region), Mumbai |
| Languages | Tulu and Kannada |
| Religions | Hinduism and Jainism |
The Bunts are a Tulu speaking largely Hindu community found mainly in Southern coastal Karnataka and Kerala. Kannada is also used amongst the community.
The word Bunta in Kannada implies soldier. This is derived from the Sanskrit word Bhata again meaning 'powerful man' or 'a soldier'. The Tulu equivalent is Bunte or Bunter(plural).
Bunts are mostly found in the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts of Karnataka, the Kasaragod district of Kerala and in Mumbai. They share Tulu Nadu with other communities such as the Dalits, Billava, Mogaveeras, Brahmins, Konkanis, Catholics, Muslims and Jains. The southern Bunts inhabiting Dakshina Kannada, northern Kasaragod, Udupi, and Karkala taluks of Udupi district are called Tuluvas. Tuluva Bunts in Kundapura speak a dialect of Kannada known as Kundagannada.
