Kapu (Telugu:కాపు) is a community found mainly in the Southern Indian State of Andhra Pradesh. They are also concentrated in states such as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka,Orissa , Kerala,Maharashtra and Chattisgarh. The term Kapu or Kaapu in Telugu means Protector. The community is primarily agrarian. They are also referred to by their caste titles Naidu[1] and make up about 18- 22% of the state's population. Kapus form the single largest community of Andhra Pradesh.

• 1 Origins
• 2 Sub Castes
• 3 Kapu
• 4 Balija
• 5 Munnuru Kapu
• 6 Telaga
• 7 Ontari
• 8 Turpu Kapu
• 9 Naidu
• 10 Kapus uniting on a Common Platform
• 11 Kapus as social change agents
• 12 Kapu Dynasties
• 13 Kapu Names
• 14 Eminent Kapus
• 15 References & Sources
• 
  

       

Origins

Since it is a large, diverse and geographically well spread community with multiple divisions there is no one root or origin; but the most prevalent theories of their origin are mentioned below.

• Kapus seem to be the earliest inhabitants of the Deccan region who migrated from the North and cleared Forests for Agriculture and built Towns in the Deccan. They are considered to be the Descendants of the Original Aryans who migrated to South India.
• Kapus are believed to be the descendants of migrants of the Kaampu tribe from Kampilya (near Ayodhya) and were one of the earliest inhabitants of South India who took to clearing the forests and starting agriculture in the Deccan and Andhra Pradesh.
• They are also referred to as the Kaampu tribe in the Ancient Texts, which was also referred to as the Kossar tribe, who some historians believe established the Satavahana and other ancient Deccan and South Indian dynasties.
• Telaga,a subcaste of the Kapu caste was a derivation of the word Telingana.[4] Andhra was referred to as Telingana in the ancient texts as it was the area that had three major Shivinsa-Aramas, thus was called Tri-Linga', and the people living there were called Telugus and the language spoken by the people there was called Telugu.
• Kapu Community shares a similar history to the Kurmi, Kunbis and Maratha castes.
• The Mackenzie Manuscript suggests that Kapus are the Descendants of the many of the Ancient Kingdoms of Coastal A.P like Satavahanas, Vishnukundins etc.
• Colin Mackenzie was the Surveyor General of India who did extensive research from the available manuscripts of documented Indian history and social groups.
• The First Inscription in Telugu was written by the Telugu Chola Kings who were Telagas.

Occupation

• Kapu Community primarily served as protectors of villages from bandits,Farmers,Army Generals,Soldiers,Traders in the Medieval Ages who later took to other Professions like Village heads and Farmers during the times of peace.
• During the times of war they also served as Soldiers, Governors (Nayaks), Commanders in many of the South Indian Dynasties.Hence the term Nayaka/Naidu becamse synonymous with the community .
• Modern day Kapu Community is predominantly an Agrarian community that has diversified into Business, Industry, Films, Academia, and IT etc.

Note

• Kapus in the Pre-Kakatiyan period were referred to as Soldiers and Agriculturists.
• Some of the occupations or responsibilities that “Kapus” had in the medieval period -

1. Village and Area defence committees (Vuuru Kapu, Pranta Kapu)
2. Administration (Pedda Kapu)
3. People responsible for protecting the farms from bandits and those protecting livestock were (Panta Kapu).

Sub Castes

There are many sub castes within the Kapu community, but most of them prefer to be simply called "Kapu".

• Kapu
• Balija/Balija Naidu
• Munnuru Kapu
• Ontari
• Telaga
• Turpu Kapu
• Naidu

Kapu

The Kapu community is primarily concentrated in the state of Andhra Pradesh and heavily in the coastal districts; though they are found in large numbers in Tamilnadu,Karnataka,Kerala,Maharashtra,Chattisgadh and Orissa. It is probably the oldest middle caste in South India similar to the Yadav,Maratha communities of India and forms the bed rock of the state of Andhra Pradesh. They carry the caste title Naidu which is a derivation of the word Nayaka meaning Leader. The Nayaka/ Danda Nayaka could be found being under the Vishnukundini Dynasity of Andhra who ruled from the Krishna and Godavari Deltas during the 3rd Century A.D. Kapu as a term is used to refer to Land owning or Agrarian Communities in Andhra Pradesh. Today the Land Owners are called "Kapus" by the Agricultural Laborers, and those who served as village heads are given the title "Reddy". This is the reason the title Reddy is found among the Kapu/Balija/Telaga/Munnuru Kapu and Reddy communities.Though Reddy is not a caste by itself rather it is a title used by many castes who are the landowners or feudals. Another confusion that arises is the Reddy Community that refers themselves as Kapus in Rayalaseema and Telangana. Here the Kapu Naidu Community is referred to as Balija/Balija Naidu. Kapu Branches

• Galidevara
• Golakoti
• Dhulipudi
• Tungala
• Thorati
• Nagula
• Talari
• Nerati or Neravati (Also found in Reddy)
• Pakanati (Eastern territory)
• Nagaralu / Patrulu
• Chalukya Kapu
• Koraganji
• Makena
• Gandla
• Nagaralu means the dwellers in a nagaram (City). This caste was originally a section of the Kapus which took to town life and separated itself off from the parent stock. They are mainly agriculturists but are also into medicine. A number are Physicians and Pharmacists.

Balija

Balijas are concentrated throughout Andhra and Rayalseema regions, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. They are primarily a Merchant and Warrior community that ruled Southern parts of Andhra Pradesh, TamilNadu for hundreds of years in the form of Madurai Nayaks, Tanjavur Nayaks and as feudataries of the Vijayanagar Kingdom. They were also the last rulers of Srilanka in the form of Kandy Nayaks before the British Occupied Srilanka. Origins This is the only subcaste of Kapu which bears both the titles Setty and Naidu. Balija is Primarily a Warrior/Trading community[2][3] by Occupation but 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 Balijipeta, 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.Kasturi Nayadu, Peda Koneti Nayudu of Vasarasi family of Balija caste ruled provinces.The first Rebellion against British Rule was launched by another famous Balija Nayak Katta Bomma Naicker in Tamilnadu long before the Sepoy Mutiny in Bengal.According to Encyclopedia of World history the greatness of Balija Naidus goes as follows. " Originally part of the great Telugu migrations southward into the Tamil country in the 15th and 16th centuries, Balija merchant-warriors who claimed these nayaka positions rose to political and cultural power and supported an ethos that emphasized nonascriptive, heroic criteria in legitimizing political power. The Balijas were proud of their Sudra status, in a world previously dominated by a classical Sanskritic varna scheme that insisted that kings had to be Kshatriya (two castes higher than Sudras). The new egalitarian ethos made it easier for claimants from a variety of communities to succeed to political control".
The following are the major Balija ruling clans or Dynasties which comprised the heart of Vijayanagar Empire.It is also said the great Emperor KrishnadevaRaya had a Balija/Kapu Origin.As per Edgar Thurston's "Castes And Tribes of Southern India" and R.V.Russell's "The Tribes and Castes of Central Provinces of India"the dynasties of Vijayanagar,Madurai and Thanjavur belonged to Balija Naidu caste.According to Kante Narayana Desayi's "Balijakula Charithra"kings of Vijaya nagar,Madurai,Thanjavur,Khandi(Kandy)and Thundeera (Gingee/Chenchi) belonged to Balija caste and were interrelated.

• Araveeti Dynasity the last Dynasity of Vijaynagar and its ruler Ramaraya the last ruler of the Vijaynagar Empire was a Kota Balija.
• Madurai Nayaks[4][5][6][7]
• Tanjavur Nayaks[8][9]
• Kandy Nayaks who ruled Srilanka
• Penukonda[10]
• Kalyanadurg
• RayaDurgam
• Chandragiri[11]
• Udayagiri
• Thundeera (Gingee Nayaks /Chenchi Nayaks)
• Poligars,chief Land owners and tax collectors of Tamilnadu where of Balija Origin.

Most of the Balijas refer themselves as Kapu/Telaga in Andhra and as Munnuru Kapu in Telangana. But in Rayalaseema area they are not referred as Kapu but as Balija/Setty Balija/Balija Naidu/Naidu here Kapu refers to Reddy another social group.However they retain the caste title Naidu Balija Branches

• Setty Balija :- These 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. In fact Historian's suggest this was the first branch in Balijas.
• Balija Naidu :- a derivation of the term Balija Nayakulu. This sub caste seems to have formed during the Kakatiya dynasty 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.Kandy Nayaks were descendents of Madurai Nayaks.
• Gajula Balija/Sugavansi Balija : Myth is that Siva’s wife Parvati made a penance in order to look beautiful for Siva and the person that brought her bangles 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)

Popular Surnames

• Pagadala,Chigilisetty, sigilisetti, Palasala, manda, muddusetti, arza, yenupuri, aengula, allapati, bacchu,Chalamalasetty,Perisetty, Polisetty [12], Pothamsetty, Posinasetty, Sennamsetty, Sanisetty, Sirivisetty, sirigiri, ,Vallamsetty, Gangisetty, Allepalli, Nagisetty, Surekaram, , Malisetty,Meruva,kommisetti, Behara,Pasupuleti,Kothaluru,Bandaru, Madasu, alam, Gudamsetty, Sangisetty, Bommisetty, ambula,Kamala, Dasari etc

Refer to Balija for further Information Note:- Perika Balija, Vada Balija(Fishermen), Ediga Balija/Goud (Toddy Tappers), Setty Balija/Chettu Balija/Goud (Toddy Tappers) of Coastal Andhra are not part of Balija or Balija Naidu Caste.

Munnuru Kapu

Munnuru Kapu is primarily concentrated in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh. By Occupation they are Farmers. The Munnuru Kapus had a military origin and took to Agriculture during peace Times. The name Munnuru seems to be of a recent origin, which means three hundred. There are several sources of Origins.A few are mentioned below. Modern days' Munnuru Kapus have diversified and adopted other Occupations like Trading, Industry,Politics, IT etc. Munnuru Kapus are also called Telugus,Telengas,Munnurwar,Telenga Kunbi and Thopatkari.Some of these people apparently moved to Chanda region from Telugu country travelling along rivers Godavari and Pranahitha. There was an Ancient Legendary rivalry that lasted for decades between the Munnuru kapus and the Mudiraj community during the Kakateeya rule. This was a Professional rivalry between to Military Clans. The Mudiraj's was associated with the Devarakonda Valamas.

• King GanapatiDeva of the Kakatiya Dynasity during the establishment of the Kakateeya Empire and expansion needed the Support of local Agragarian Communities from the Coastal Andhra Region where the Kakateeya Kingdom still did not establish its Power and was mostly under the rule of the Telugu Chodas(Telaga) and Chalukyan Princes.In order to bring legitimacy to the Kakteeyan rule and to strenghthen its roots the King requested the migration of Three Hundred Familes of Kapu/Telaga Soldiers from the Kondavidu Region of the current Krishna District. These people who migrated with Three Hundred Families are called Munnuru Kapu.This migration could be dated back to around about 900 years.
• Queen RudramaDevi of the Kakateeya Dynasity wanted to bring large tracts of the Kakateeya Kingdom primarily the Telangana Region into Cultivation. With her Alliance with the Chalukyan Prince came the migration of these Agriculturits from the Curent Krishna District in Coastal Andhra region .And Three Hundred Kapu Naidu/Telaga Families were dispatched by the prince to bring these vast Tracts of land in Telangana under Cultivation. These three hundred families are called as Munnuru Kapu.
• The Nawab of Hyderabad requested the Tanjavore Nayaks to send a battalion of best infantry and cavalry for his personal security. The Tanjore Nayak dispatched three hundred Telaga men and their families from were the Imperial guard of the Tanjore Nayaks. The descendants of these three hundred families are now called Munnuru Kapu.
• There is also a reference of Perikas (Community found in Rayalaseema) fighting a great battle

with Three Hundred Balijas to prove their valour. Since there was no community called as Munnuru Balija it should have been Munnuru Kapus who fought this battle.Since the Kapus are referred to as Balija Naidu in Rayalaseema. In Telangana region of Andhra pradesh Munnuru Kapu's have Reddy name in many places. It is very difficult to differentiate between Reddy and Kapu in Nizamabad, Adilabad and Karim nagar districts. Kapus have sub castes like gudati, Motati and Saudar which are very common among Reddy's too.
The Munnuru Kapu's have always been associated with one Kingdom or the other in the form of Interior Palace Guards or Cavalry like Tanjavore Nayaks,Devarakonda, Nizam etc. Refer to Munnuru Kapu for further Information

Telaga

Telagas are the most ancient Warrior/Agricultural clans of the Deccan and South India who specialized in warfare and took to agriculture during times of peace. Modern day Telagas still continue to specialize in their traditional occupation of Agriculture but also have diversified into Trading,Industry,IT,Films etc. Origin The Origin of the Telagas can be traced back to the Western Chalukyan Expansion into Andhra region which happened in the 3th century A.D. The term Telaga was a derivation of the word Telingana.[4] Andhra was referred to as Telingana in the ancient texts as it was the area that had three major Shivinsa-Aramas, thus was called Tri-Linga, and the people living there were called Telugus and the language spoken by the people there was called Telugu. The Telagas have served as Nayakulu (Governors), commanders and vassals of the Western Chalukya rulers under Pulakesin. These commanders were also called Telugu Nayakulu from which the community name might also have been derived Telaga. They formed the bulwark of Ancient armies of the Deccan and South India like Cholas, Pallavas, Chalukyas, Kakatiyas etc. They seem to have a connection with the Eastern Chalukyas. The Vassals of Chalukyas entered into Matrimonial Alliances and ultimately established the Chalukya - Chola Dynasity. The Telugu Cholas are in fact the Telagas. They seem to have a connection with the Eastern Chalukyas. The important Dynasity of Telagas were the Telugu Chodas who were also the first Andhra Kings to write Inscriptions in Telugu. They ruled over the Palnadu, Velanadu and Renadu Regions of Andhra Pradesh for 400+ years as fuedals and principal clans of these regions. The Telugu Chodas formed the Base on which Chalukyan Empire flourished and were the principal combatants of the Palanadu war/Palanati Yuddam. Telugu Cholas supported Bramha Naidu in this war against the Nalagam Raju. So were the other Telugu Chola Dynasities like Renati Cholas, Konidena Cholas, Nannuru Cholas and Nellore Chola Kings. Some of the major and important Dynasities of Telagas are

• Telugu Chodas
  • Velanati Chodas ( Ruled the Velanadu Region Current E.G,W.G and Krishna Districts)
  • Renati Chodas (Ruled the Renadu Regions Current Cuddapah, Kurnool Regions)
  • Pottapi Cholas (Ruled the Renadu Regions Current Cuddapah, Chittor Districts)
  • Konidena Chodas (Ruled the Palanadu region Current Guntur, Prakasam Districts)
  • Nannuru Chodas (Ruled the Pakanadu region Current Anantapur District)
  • Nellore Chodas (Ruled the Nellore,Chittor, Chengalpeta and Cuddapah Regions)
• Kona Kings (Ruled the current Visakhapatnam, E.G,W.G Regions, The name Konaseema is derived after these Kings )
• Koppula Chiefs(Ruled with Pithapuram as capital, W.Godavari Koppula Chiefs were one of the main Combatants along with Mununuri Nayaks , Reddy and Velama Nayaks in the Revolt against the Muslim Rule)
• Musunuri Nayaks( Kapaaya Nayaka and Prolaya Nayaka liberated Andhra from the Muslim rule by bringing all the Nayaks under them and revolted against the Muslim rule after the fall of the Kakateeys Kingdom. Musunuri was not the Surname of these Kings they had Matrimonial Alliances with the Korukonda Nayaks.Ruled from Warangal as capital)
• Korukonda Nayaks(Ruled from Korukonda)

Surnames Some Famous Surnames are Adabala,Bodapati,Kambala,Mutyala,Pappula,Gangumolu,Urrinki,Kothapalli,Balla,Addagarla,Vungarala,Dusanapudi,Tam Tam, Kasetti,Chikkam. Refer to Telaga for further Information

Ontari

Ontari community is concentrated mainly in Coastal Andhra. They have the title Naidu and Dora. Ontari Kapu's used to be soldiers/ Special Forces in Andhra Kingdoms. They are different from the Ontaris (Bunt -Individual hand to hand fighters). The Ontari-Kapu community was primarily specialized in individual weapons like a sword or a spear and was primarily used for special operations. Their surnames always start with weapons like Kattula (Knife), Tupakula (Pistol), Kommula, Bollu etc. Note: Ontari of Mudiraj Community are not part of the Kapu-Ontari Caste.

Turpu Kapu

Turpu in Telugu means east. The Kapus living on the eastern frontier of Andhra Pradesh called themselves Turpu Kapus. There have been some rulers of coastal kingdoms from this community. They are hard working poor and middle farmers. They are majority community especially in Vizianagaram District but many of them still show their feudal loyalty to erstwhile Zamindars of Bobbili and Vizianagaram etc. Off late however the political awakening of this Caste has led some representatives of this caste group to be more politically active. Popular Surnames Palle, Daarapu, Bodasingu,Suvvada,Kurimineni,killari,lavety,Bonda, Gedda,Pathivada, Mahanthi,Routhu, Maamidi, Duvvuru,Suvvada, Attada, Saaketi, Revalla, Botsa, Mandala, Gedela, Gorle,  Boorle, Bevara, Majji , Budithi, Puvvala, Gavara, Matsa,  Padaala,Meesaala, Talari, Reddy,

Naidu

Although not a Sub Caste of Kapu Community it is the Caste Title born by all the Sub Caste of the community. Naidu is a title denoting a Army Commander or Governor or Knight or Baron or a Village or lineage Headman and was granted for those who were responsible for Maintaining Order and Collecting taxes. As such eventually in Modern times it was inherited as a title. It is a Telugu derivation of the Sanskrit title for a head of a band of soldiers known as Nayaka the protector. The first usage of the title Nayaka among the Andhra Kingdoms could be found in the Vishnukundis who ruled from the Krishna Basin and were conferring the title Danda Nayaka to commanders. Nayaka as an origin can be traced out to the Western Chalukyan Expansion into Andhra Country rule during the 7th Century. The Telugu Commanders in his army were called Telugu Nayakas which came to be calles as Telaga. Naidu title in the Medieval times was associated with primarily with communities such as Kapu / Balija / Telaga who served as Commanders under various Andhra Dynasities like Chalukya, Kakatiya and Vijayanagar. During the expansion of Vijayanagar Kingdom into Southern India it was conferred to other non-Telugu Speaking communities who served as Commanders or Barons or Governors under the Vijayanagar Emperors in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Many people with the Naidu surname had some remote ancestor who was a soldier that was promoted to "Nayaka". It is equivalent to a Baron. They served as Nayaks under the Chalukyas, Kakatiyas and Vijayanagar Emperors. The Kakatiya Dynasty had many prominent Nayakas, of which several were from a Kapu background. The Vijayanagar kings also had several Nayakas of Kapu, Telaga and Balija background. In Southern Tamil Nadu Balija's use the title Naicker. It evolved in the following manner during different phases of history. Nayaka --> Nayudu --> Naidu--> Naicker --> Naidoo

Kapus uniting on a Common Platform

Even after having such a glorious past the present situation of the Kapus is somewhat bleak

• Majority of the present day Kapus are predominately poor farmers economically and educationally backward.
• They have only about 6% representation in Government jobs and services.
• There is a drastic decrease in education among the Kapus in Rayalaseema,Telangana and North Andhra where they are present in large number due to poverty and lack of reservations.
• Even after being about 22% of the state population they have only have about 30 seats in the present Andhra Pradesh state assembly whereas the other 2 dominant communities,each primarily belonging to the major political parties jointly constituting about 12% of the total population bag about 130 seats in the AP State assembly including the Chief Minister and other major cabinet minister posts.The backward classes which constitute about 40% of the population also have much better representations in the State assembly(about 120+ seats are reserved for them.

In recent years Kapus all over the world have come to common platform to fight for the share of their Political and Economic share in nation building.Even after being the largest and the oldest community in South India,proper share of resources(economic and political) was not granted to them.Kapus have united a decade ago under Kapunadu to fight for their rights but time and again the demands were kept aside by both the Congress and Telugu Desam parties.The power(economical and political)is being concentrated only among a few communities.The lack proper leadership among the Kapus can also be termed as one of the reasons for not being able to fight for their share.Kapus all over the world have now united to uplift the community and demand for their proper share and rights due to them.

Kapus as social change agents

From history it has been observed that many prominent and inspiration leaders have evolved from this community to change the destiny of the common man and the downtrodden.Many important personalities have greatly contributed to the upliftment of the downtrodden and fought hard against oppression and social evils.The most prominent among them are listed below :-

• The Great Vijayanagram King Sri Krishna Deva Raya who rule is considered as the Golden Age for South India was instrumental in uniting all people and thwarting the Muslim forces who threatened to destroy the whole of South India.
• Prominent freedom fighter Katta Bomma Naiker who was first leader to revolt against the British even before the First War of Indian Independence in 1857.
• Periyar considered as the "Father of the Dravidian Movement" changed the course of politics in Tamil Nadu to make a model state where caste has taken a backstage in their politics.He was instrumental in ending age old domination of Hindu dharma by some upper castes and opened the doors for the socially backward and oppressed.
• Vemanna called The People's poet fought hard against the hipocracy and oppression of the rulers of his time.
• Inspirational Leaders like Late Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga who fought for the downtrodden and the oppressed.
• Social reformer and Father of South Indian Cinema Raghupathi Venkayya Naidu who fought against social evils prevalent at his time through his inspiration and social conscious films.
• Mega Star Chiranjeevi with his social service and chairty works was able to win the hearts of all the people of Andhra Pradesh.

Inspiration from these people have mobilised the people from this community to unite to fight for their proper share due to them and change the present political and economic mess the state of Andhra is right now.

Kapu Dynasties

The following are some ruling clans associated with Kapu community.

• Telugu Chodas
• Kona Kings
• Koppula Chiefs
• Musunuri Nayaks
• Korukonda Nayaks
• Madurai Nayaks [13][14]
• Tanjavur Nayaks[15][16]
• Vijayanagar- Araveeti Dynasity
• Kandy Nayaks(Khandi kings of Ceylon)
• AnandaGotrikas
• Chalamalasetti Naidu's
• C.P. Brown mentioned that the Poligars of Anantapur belonged to the Balija Naidu community.
• The Current Nellore was also ruled by Balija Naidu's.
• Etukuri Bala Rama Murthi in "Andhrula Samkshiptha Charithra" Cholas gradually came to be called as Kapu and Telaga. The surnames Chaladi, Chode, Duvvuru,Chodapaneedi, Chodasetty, Chodepala, Konidena and Chodavarapu show link to the Telugu Cholas(Choda) Dynasties with the Kapus. Even some of their gotra [17](is a patrilineal classification and identification of a caste) is referred as "CHOLLA" or "Chola". These Kings were from the Chaturtha Kulamu (Source Palanati Veera Charitra) and Kasyapa as their Gothram.
• Balijakula Charithra, the Kotikam Kaifiyat says as follows: " Sree Manmahaa mandaleshwara Achyuthadeva Mahaa Raayalayya vaaru Daivaprasaada labdavasaath chethanu, karunatho goodi Balija Varna Garikepaati Vamsamuna Kalgina Sree Sree Viswanatha Naayaka gariki Paandya mandalaadhiraaju ane rendunnara koti dravya Raajyaanku sasthrothkamuga pattaabhisekham Vijayanagaramandu Cheyinchiri."
• According to Vijaya Kumari and Sepuri Bhaskar in their book "Social changes among Balijas", the famous king Sreekrishna Devaraya belonged to Kapu caste.
• "Garikepati" is the last name of Madura Balija Kings."Alluri" is the last name of Thanjavur Balija Kings.
• "Chinthalapuri" is the last name of Khandi (Ceylon) Balija kings. Chinthalapuri Vijaya Bhupala Naidu (Also called Lakshmanasimha Vijayapalanaraju) who ruled Khandi was the brother-in-law of Kumara Krishnappa Naidu (son of Viswanatha Naidu) of Madurai Balija Dynasty. When Kumara Krishnappa Naidu crowned Vijaya Bhupala Naidu as the king of Khandi(Kandy), he sent 60 families of relatives to Khandi as help. Along with Vijaya Bhupala Naidu, a total of six kings ruled from Kandy Nayak dynasty.
• "Chenchi" is the last name of Chenchi Nayaks(Senji Nayaks/Genji Nayaks/Gingee Nayaks)
• There were matrimonial alliances between Kapu community and major Dynasties like Eastern Chalukyas, Telugu Chodas, Kakatiya, Vijayanagar,Madurai and Thanjavur Kingdoms. Some inscriptions belonging to the Eastern Chalukyan King Bhima Raja, who was the Ancestor of Raja Raja Narendra, point to a possible link between the Chalukyan Dynasties and the Kapu Community of Coastal Andhra. The following are some of the interesting matrimonial alliances among Balija/Kapu Dynasties of Vijayanagar, Madura, Thanjavur, Kandy and Kakatiya.
• Vijayanagar emperor Sri Krishna Deva Raya’s half brother was emperor Achyuta Deva Raya. Achyutha Deva Raya's wife Thirumalamba's own sister Murthimamba (Achyuta Deva Raya's sister-in-law) was married to Thanjavur king Alluri Sevappa Naidu.
• One of the members of Thanjavur king Sevappa Naidu,Achyutha Raghunathamma was married to Madura king Garikepati Thirumala Naidu.Achyutha Raghunathamma was the daughter of Raghunatha Naidu,the grand son of Thanjavur king Sevappa Naidu and Murthimamba(sister-in-law of Vijayanagar emperor Achyuthadevaraya).
• Thanjavur King Vijaya Raghava Naidu's daughter and Sevappa Naidu's great Grand daughter Mangamma was married to king Chokkalinga Naidu, the grandson of the celebrated Thirumala Naidu of Madura dynasty.
• Thanjavur king Raghunatha Naidu married Chenchi Lakshmamma and Kalaavathemma of Madurai and Thundeera(Gingee/Chenchi)dynasties.

• Queen Sri Ranga Devi, sister of Veera Narasimha Rayalu of Narapathi dynasty was married to king Bhuvanaika Malla of Kakatiya dynasty. (Note: Narapathis are also called Chalukyas. Araveeti families come under Genealogical tree of Narapathis. Vijayanagar emperor Sri Krishna Deva Raya's son-in-law Rama Rayalu belongs to Araveeti family of Kapu caste.
• Khandi(Kandy)king Vijaya Bhupala Naidu's sister was married to Madurai king Kumara Krishnappa Naidu (son of Garikepati Viswanatha Naidu).
• One of the kings of Kandy was married to a family member of the last king of Thanjavur dynasty, Chengamala Dasu.One of the family members of Madurai dynasty was married to the daughter of Vijaya Raghava Naidu,the son of Chengamala Dasu,the last king of Thanjavur dynasty. The royal members from Thanjavur lived in Khandi (Kandy) of Ceylon for a certain period of time.
• The Kona Kings were Descendants of Haiheya and had Kasyapa as their Gothram found in the Kapu Community.
• The Vijayanagar Araveeti line of Kings called themselves as Chalukya Prince's and were descendants of these Haiheyas and can also be found in History as Arayeti during Eastern Chalukyan Rule and had Atreya as their Gothram which is found in the Kapu communities.

Despite inscriptional evidence of the Chalukyas claiming Kshatriya status, off late this has become questionable. Historian Suravaram Pratapa Reddy hypothesizes that though Raja Raja Narendra called himself a Kshatriya this was done to justify his rule and subsequent legacy. He may have even gotten the Kshatriya classification through matrimonial alliances.

Kapu Names

Bold text Gothrams Some of the very common Gothrams found in the Kapu community are Puligolla, Janakula, Mahipala, Settypala, Paidipaala, Raghukula, Kasyapa, Dhanunjaya, Mrutyunjaya, Athreya, Achyuta, Naghula, Thabelu to name a few.[18]

• Balija/Kapu/Telaga/Munnuru Kapu communities have the title Setty/Setti in their Surnames which indicates that they served as Traders during the Kakateeya and Viajayanagar Empires..

(Indicating their Ancestors established Powerful Trading Guilds Surnames like Polisetty[19], KaliSetty, Muthamsetty, Kamisetty, Medisetti, Tirumalasetty, Rangisetty, Singamasetty, Cheeda, Chennamsetty etc)

• Munnuru Kapu/Telaga/Kapu/Balija Communities also has the title Reddy in their Surnames in Telangana and Coastal Andhra Region.
• Kapu/Telaga Surnames end with the title Neni which is a derivation of Senani.

- (Indicating the Ancestors of these families served as Commanders under the Kakateeya Dynasity. Samineni, Lakkineni[20], Padalaneni, Vallabhaneni, Chitikineni, Kasineni,Ramineni etc)

• Some Munnuru Kapu/Telaga/Kapu/Balija Surnmaes end with the Suffix "Pati" which meant a Family which held a Large Tracts of Land in the Medieval Days.

like Garikepati, Chigurupati,Uppalapati etc.

• Kapu and Telaga community aare majorly in Coastal and Rayalseema Regions
• Chola-Chalukyas used titles Udayar or Odeyar for certain period of time.

Also with surnames like Konda, Pujari etc from the North Andhra side..

Eminent Kapus

• AKA ( American Kapu Association)[21]

References & Sources

Important information about Kapu origins can be obtained from Balijapuranam in the Chennai library.

• Government Oriental Manuscripts Library in Chennai (Madras), W. C. Mackenzie: Colonel Colin Mackenzie, first Surveyor-General of India. Edinburgh: W&R Chambers, 1952
• Castes And Tribes of Southern India (Edgar Thruston)
• Evidence of Satavahanas being Kapus[22]
• Kapus the Telugu Cholas[23]
• Further Sources Of Vijayanagara History (K.A.Nilakanta Sastry)[24]
• Andhrula Sanghika Charitra (Suvarnam Pratapa Reddy)
• Caste & Class Articulation of Andhra Pradesh[25]
• Genetic Evidence on Caste Origins[26]
• Caste politics in the North, West and South India before Mandal[27]
• Social Changes among Balijas (By Vijaya Kumari and Sepuri Bhaskar)
• Andhrula Sankshiptha Charitra (E. Balarama Murthi)
• Religion in Vijaya nagara Empire (Konduri Sarojini Devi)
• History in telugu
• History in english
• All about kapu community
• Balijakula Charithra (By Kante Narayana Desayi)
• The Mughal State, Oxford in India Readings, Oxford University Press [28]
• Kerala Naidus[29]
• http://nfwa-kerala.com/ABOUT.HTM
• The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India(R.V.Russell)
• The Encyclopedia of World history