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Naidu Naidu or Nayudu or Naidoo (derivative of Nayak) is a common title used by various social groups of Andhra Pradesh and some of the Telugu speaking populations in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka an Orissa.Majority of the Title users are Telugu speakers. It is a derivative of the Telugu word Nayakudu or Nayak and was predominantly used by Commanders, Barons, and Governors under the Vijayanagar Emperors. It is often used by two or more communities, like Kapu (and their sub-casts Telaga, Gavara, Balija) who use the Naidu title exclusively while Kammas adapt the title only in specific regions. In south Tamil Nadu, Naicker or (Nayaker) title, which is the Tamil word for Naidu, is used by some Telugu speaking communities. In South Africa, people of Telugu descent use a Nayudu or Naidoo title; which is an alternative spelling for Naidu.At times it can be misleading or confusing to assume these title users to any one specific community in any given region.

Name and Origins

Name

Nayaka or Nayak, as an origin can be traced out to the Western Chalukyan Expansion into Andhra Country rule during the 7th Century A.D. Naidu title in the Medieval times was associated with primarily with communities such as Kapu / Balija / Telaga initially and later Velamas and Kammas who served as Commanders under various Andhra Dynasities like Chalukya, Kakatiya and Vijayanagar.

Origins

It is a title denoting a village or Lineage headman or Commander or Governor and was granted by Kings for those who were responsible for collecting taxes and maintaining order. As such eventually in modern times it was inherited as a title by many although they no longer were either collecting taxes or were in any in leadership positions in villages. It is a Telugu derivation of the Sanskrit title for a head of a band of soldiers known as Nayaka the protector. During the expansion of Vijayanagara Empire into Southern India it was also conferred to other non-Telugu speaking communities who served as Commanders or Barons or Governors under the Vijayanagar Emperors.

Title usage

The word Naik (Nayaka, a leader or chief) is used by the older writers in South India in several senses, of which the following ex. given by Yule and Burnell may be cited: 1. Native captain or headman 2. Title of honor among Hindus in the Deccan. "The kings of Deccan also have a custom when they will honor a man or recompense their service done, and raise him to dignity and honor. They give him the title of Nayak." -Linschoten 3. The general name of the Kings of Vijayanagar. 4. Naik, Naickan, Naicker, Nayak or Nayakkan has been used by the Tamil Pallis, Vanniars, Irulas, Vedans, and also by various Kanada castes:

Andhra Pradesh

According to Edgar Thurston (Castes and Tribes of Southern India Vol. 5 pg. 138) Naidu or Nayudu is a title used by many Telugu castes. (In Alphabetical Order)

• 1. Balija - All
• 2. Gavara - All
• 3. Kalingi - n/a
• 4. Kamma - Some
• 5. Kapu - All
• 6. Mudiraju – n/a
• 7. Telaga – n/a
• 8. Velama – n/a

Tamil Nadu

In Tamil Nadu the Naidu and Naicker title usage is used by most of the Telugu speaking communities and some Tamil speaking communities (Arcot District). The Balija Naidus who are mostly found in Chennai, Salem and Northern districts use Naidu title while in South districts they use the Naicker title. The community of Kammas who are predominant in Coimbatore and western Tamil Nadu use Naidu title in Coimbatore District and Naicker title in Southern Districts. The communities of Gavara Naidus and their sub-sects, who are scattered in all districts, use only Naidu title.

Chennai

Naidu title is used by Balija, Kappu and Kammas.

Coimbatore

In Coimbatore, the Telugu speaking populations are predominantly Kammas and everyone uses Naidu title.

South Tamil Nadu

Nayaker Title

The Telugu communities Kambala (Gollala) and Thottiar ,predominantly found in the South West districts use the title Naicker but rarely the Naidu title. Kammas in Southern districts starting from Dindigul, Karur, and upto Tirunelveli use Naicker title. In Arcot and Chengulpet Districts the Naicker title is also used by a section of Tamil speaking communities.

Tulu and Karnataka

1. Mogers in some parts of South Canara prefer the title Naiker to the ordinary caste title of Marakaleru. 2. Some Bunts have the same title. 3. The headman amongst the Lambadis is called Naik. 4. Naicker also occurs as a hereditary title in some Brahman families.

Orissa

In the state of Orissa,the title Naik, Naiko or Nayako appears as the title of various Oriya classes.

Usage abroad

South Africa

It is used as a surname in South Africa where a variant spelling Naidoo or Nayudu. The usage may or may not denote Telugu ancestry any longer as intermarriage has diluted such identities.

Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka the title Naidu and Nayakar, is used amongst people the Hill Country (Kandy) population of Indian origins, largely due to the Nayakar or Nayak Dynasty of Kandy (1739-1815), who were Telugu speaking descendants of Madurai Nayak kings. The last rulers are also known as the Nayakkar Dynasty of Kandy. Naik is used by Singhalese population in Central and Hill Countries of the Island.

Mauritius

In Mauritius it is a surname among people of South Indian origins, not necessarily Telugu speaking, but also amongst Tamil speaking population.

Fiji, Guyana and West Indies

In Fiji, Guyana ,Trinidad and Tobago and it is a surname of the broader Indian Diaspora and has lost its South Indian origins completely.

Malaysia

In Malaysia it used by Telugus to denote their Telugu ancestry.

Dynasties

All governors of Vijayanagara Empire used the Nayak title, of whom many who established independent sovereigns in Tamil Nadu bearing the Nayak surnames. Notable of them were the

• Nayaks of Vellore
• Nayaks of Gingee
• Nayaks of Madurai
• Nayaks of Thanjavur
• Nayaks of Kandy (Sri Lanka)

Nayaks were also used by various other rulers, chieftains and Polygars in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Hyder Ali of Mysore was also known as Hyder Naik.