Search This Blog

Monday 16 April 2012

kshatriyas and their origin?

who are kshatriyas ? why they are called in andhra pradesh as "rajulu" ? is the term is in synonumous with caste or social status irrespective of varna (caste ) ?

In historical period, the kshatriya means one who protects his clan or people.
its sunonymous with caste.

Kshatriyas are known differently at different regions in India. They are called by the popular names as:

Raju in Andhra
Raya in Karnataka
Varma in Northern States
Burman in Bengal
Solanky in Gujarat
Singh in Punjab
Rajput in Rajasthan



As of 2012, the Rajus constituted less than 1 per cent of the population in Andhra Pradesh, concentrated mainly in the coastal region with pockets in the Rayalaseema, North Arcot and Rajapalayam of Tamil Nadu, Bellary of Karnataka and Ganjam of Orissa.

During 4th - 5th century AD few Kshatriyas  clans travelled from northern India to the south, where they initially worked as feudatories of Vakatakas before establishing the Vishnukundina Kingdom. While some Kshatriyas of Andhra are said to be descendants of Eastern Chalukyas and few other Kshatriya dynasties.

A report published by the Overseas Development Institute in 2002 described the Rajus of Andhra as a "peasant" caste 

No comments:

Post a Comment