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Naidu (also spelled Nayudu or Naidoo) is a title used by various social groups of the Andhra Pradesh state of India. It is also used in Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha and Chhattisgarh. It is a Telugu derivation of the Sanskrit Nayaka, meaning "protector" or "leader".

The word Naidu is etymologically related to the Nair of Kerala, Marathi Naik and Nayaks (Pattanayak) in Odisha.

Usage

The Nayaka title was conferred mostly upon warriors who received land along with the title Nayaka as a part of the Nayankara system that recognised services rendered to the court during the Kakatiya dynasty. Nayaka was one among approximately 25 titles used by the Kakatiyas to create a new political infrastructure to undercut the authority of hereditary regional elites. Little is known of the responsibilities associated with the title at that time. The Nayankara system was also used by Rajayyan, wherein land was granted to a Nayaka on condition that they would place their military service at the disposal of the king.

By 1909, when Edgar Thurston was writing, the Naidu or Nayadu title was used by many Telugu communities in census returns, of whom he notes the Balija, Bestha, Boyar, Ekari, Gavara, Golla, Kalingi, Kamma, Kapu, Mutracha and Velama.

Origins

The Nayaka / Danda Nayaka term started being used during the Vishnukundina dynasty which ruled from the Krishna and Godavari deltas during the 3rd century A.D. Little is known about the title usage prior to that. A more widespread usage of the term Nayaka can be traced to the expansion of the Western Chalukyas into Andhra country during the 7th century. However, the most widespread usage of the term Nayak happened during the period of the Vijayanagar empire.

The word Naidu is used by the older writers in southern India in several senses, of which the following example given by Yule and Burnell may be cited:

  • It denoted a Commander or a Governor.
  • Native captain or headman.
  • Title of honor among Hindus in the Deccan. "The kings of deccan also have a custom when they will honor a man or recompence their service done, and raise him to dignity and honor. They give him the title of Nayak." -Linschoten
  • The general name of the Kings of Vijayanagar.

Though originally not meant to be a hereditary title, it was inherited by many despite them not participating in the traditional titular roles.

Notable Naidus

References

  1. Sinopoli, Carla M. (2003). The Political Economy of Craft Production: Crafting Empire in South India, c. 1350-1650. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 73. ISBN 9780521826136.
  2. Ratnam, A. Venkata (1972). Local government in the Vijayanagara Empire. Prasaranga, University of Mysore. p. 14.
  3. Thurston, Edgar; Rangachari, K. (1909). Castes and Tribes of Southern India. Vol. V (M to P). Madras: Government Press. p. 138. Retrieved 2012-03-24.
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