Raju

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Raju
Religions Hinduism
Languages Telugu
Populated States Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Orissa and some areas in North part of India.

The Raju (or Rajulu) are a Telugu Kshatriya caste in Andhra Pradesh.[1]

Etymology

Raju is a Telugu language variant of the Sanskrit title Raja, which Austin Cynthia Talbot describes as being "most often used by members of noble or princely lineages. [But it] could also designate an individual employed by a lord or prince." In medieval Andhra Pradesh, the title was used in both senses and was very likely adopted by some secular Brahmins, who occupied important advisory functions. The royal usage at that time was particularly prevalent in the northern coastal areas of the region. Talbot also notes that the title, and others in use at that time, do not align with the Vedic four-fold varna system and in that sense could not refer to a caste.[2] However, they do appear to have conformed to "the existence of broad social categories based primarily on occupation. Although [the title] did not necessarily designate a distinct class, much less a bounded community, or a hereditary grouping, various sets of these titles differentiated social types marked by a common status and shared occupation".[3]

The Raju term is today used to refer to a Telugu Kshatriya caste in Andhra Pradesh.[1] From the medieval period, the term "Andhra Kshatriya" has been used synonymously with Rachavaru, Rajus and Telugu Kshatriya.[4]

That caste, which A. Satyanarayana calls the "locally dominant landed gentry", claims Kshatriya status in the varna system despite there being "no real Kshatriya varna" in the Andhra region.[5] They also claim descent from the ancient royal dynasties of India such as the Eastern Chalukyas,[6] Chalukya-Cholas, Vishnukundina, Gajapati, Chagi, Paricheda and Kota Vamsa.[7]

Ethnonyms

Over the centuries they have been called by various alternative names that signified their military status. During the British Raj they were known as Ratsas and Rajavars, which means of or belonging to the caste of Ratsawars[8] (Raja Caste),[9] using the title of Raju.[10] As of 2002 the Rajus constituted less than 1 per cent of the population in Andhra Pradesh, concentrated mainly in the coastal region.[11]

Modern community

After the independence of India, Zamindari was abolished. During this time many Raju zamindars donated their property and land liberally for the upliftment of poor and education. Vizianagaram is the oldest and largest Hindu Princely State of Andhra Pradesh (Samsthanam). Maharaja PVG Raju donated his Royal State to Republic of India. He also donated enormous wealth, Khazana, land, gold, diamonds, properties, palaces to Korukonda Sainik school, Andhra University, Mansas Trust and to poor and needy for schools, colleges and hospitals.[12]

A report published by the Overseas Development Institute in 2002 described the Rajus of Andhra as an ex-warrior caste and noted that along with the Kapu and Vellamar they were "important communities with considerable political significance in the State, although in numerical terms they constitute only a small percentage of the population and spatially are confined only to small pockets."[13]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 K. Ramachandra Murty (1 January 2001). Parties, elections, and mobilisation. Anmol Publications. pp. 158–. ISBN 978-81-261-0979-1. Retrieved 25 July 2011. 
  2. ↑ Talbot, Austin Cynthia (2001). Precolonial India in practice: Society, Region and Identity in Medieval Andhra. Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 57–58. ISBN 978-0-19-513661-6. Retrieved 2012-02-29. 
  3. ↑ Talbot, Austin Cynthia (2001). Precolonial India in practice: Society, Region and Identity in Medieval Andhra. Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 61. ISBN 978-0-19-513661-6. Retrieved 2012-02-29. 
  4. ↑ Krishnarao, B.V (1942). A History of the Early Dynasties of Andhradesa. V. Ramaswami Sastrulu. p. 149,159. 
  5. ↑ Satyanarayana, A. (2002). "Growth of Education among the Dalit-Bahujan Communities in Modern Andhra, 1893-1947". In Bhattacharya, Sabyasachi. Education and the Disprivileged: Nineteenth and Twentieth Century India. Orient Blackswan. p. 53. ISBN 978-81-250-2192-6. Retrieved 2012-02-29. 
  6. ↑ Krishnarao, B.V (1942). A History of the Early Dynasties of Andhradesa. V. Ramaswami Sastrulu. p. 258. 
  7. ↑ Krishnarao, B.V (1942). A History of the Early Dynasties of Andhradesa. V. Ramaswami Sastrulu. p. 258. 
  8. ↑ C. D. Maclean (1877). Standing information regarding the official administration of the Madras presidency in each department: in illustration of the yearly administration reports. E. Keys. pp. 341–. Retrieved 25 July 2011. 
  9. ↑ Satish Chandra; Sri Venkatesvara University (1977*). Sri Rebala Lakshminarasa Reddy Endowment lectures, 1976. Sri Venkateswara University. Retrieved 25 July 2011. 
  10. ↑ Krishnarao, B.V (1942). A History of the Early Dynasties of Andhradesa. V. Ramaswami Sastrulu. p. 269. 
  11. ↑ Suri, K. C. (September 2002). "Democratic Process and Electoral Politics in Andhra Pradesh, India". London: Overseas Development Institute. p. 10. ISBN 0-85003-613-5. Retrieved 2012-02-29. 
  12. ↑ http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2002080501120200.htm&date=2002/08/05/&prd=mp&
  13. ↑ Srinivasulu, K. (September 2002). "Caste, Class and Social Articulation In Andhra Pradesh. Mapping Differential Regional Tragectories". London: Overseas Development Institute. p. 3. ISBN 0-85003-612-7. Retrieved 2012-02-29. 
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