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The Vokkaligas (Kannada: ವಕ್ಕಲಿಗರು) are an Indian caste or social group found in the Old Mysore Region of southern Karnataka , Tamilnadu, In Tamil nadu they are known as Okkaligar and use Gounder as a title. They are also found in Andhra Pradesh ,Maharastra and Kerala. It is also known under different names viz, Kammakula Okkaliga, Kappu and Ku.Kappu in some settlements in South India. Okkaliga or Vokkalathana means tilling land and Vokkaliga means one who tills land.


Origins and History

The orgin and history of Vokkaligas date back to the dawn of the era Duvabarayugam (4000 - 3102 BC) and came into existence from the sticking milk that was poured over the Lingams of God Shiva by the Kamadhenu. They were very traditional, modest, non-aggressive and peace-loving people and led a disciplined life in the forest area of the Himalayan range by adhering strictly to the moral codes for living. They were secular and did not have any stratification in their commune during pre- Vedic period but worshipped the God Shiva in the form of Lingams. According to various inscriptions that were found on the copper plates and palm leaves in Archives in South India they were originally 48 in numbers and considered as forefathers of the modern Vokkaligars. Their behaviour, characters, physiques and their social activities are shown against their name in parenthesis as follows: 1).Alenavaru (Alcohol free), 2).Alpenavaru (Used to be Alcohol free), 3).Alunavaru (Philanthropist),4). Andenavaru (Good Anchors), 5).Arasanavaru (Guru, Judge), 6).Avinavar (Traditional),7).Badavanavaru (Singer), 8).Basalenavru (Traders), 9).Bellenavaru (Aggressive one), 10).Danyathavaru (Elegant people),11).Dasalenavaru (One who stitches),12).Ellaioru (Elite people), 13).Emmenavaru (Diplomat), 14).Eradukkarioru (Absent minded), 15).Ethirukaraioru (Moral people), 16).Goniyoru (Rigid people), 17).Gudioru (Guard, guest), 18).Hundenavaru (Humorous one), 19).Huliyaru (Humane people), 20).Janakallinavru (Caretaker), 21).Jannakkoru (Warden), 22).Jaladenavaru (Jailor), 23).Jeriyoru (Entertainers), 24).Jeerikkoru (Jealous people), 25).Kallaioru (Karma), 26).Kamblioru (Juvenile in nature), 27).Kankalanavaru (Zealous), 28).Karikkenavaru (Youthful), 29).Kakkiyavaru (Enthusiastic one), 30).Kattaratavaru (Ardent people), 31).Koopaenavaru (With eye makeup), 32).Kokkenavaru (Knowledgeable), 33).Kuloru (Traditional people), 34).Mansanvaru (Recite Hymen), 35).Mayoru (Confused one), 36).Ollakkaloru (Celebrity), 37).Onamanavaru (Powerful one), 38).Rageoru (Crazy people),39).Ravuththnaoru (Chatter), 40).Saradenavaru (Intelligent People), 41).Sarangathoru (Wisdom People), 42).Settenavaru (Decision makers), 43).Soolenavaru (Vocalists), 44).Thabbakkioru (Textile makers), 45).Thomkuthioru (Meticulous one), 46).Ullenavaru (Autocrat), 47).Uthathoru (Toolmakers) and 48).Uthenavaru (Commandeer). .Among them Avunavaru, Badavanaru, Basalenavaru, Emmenavaru, Dasalenavaru, Danyathavaru, Hundenavaru, Jaladenavaru, and Janakallinavaru got married to beautiful girls of Shri Krishna Kula set of Yadhava community and rest of them were married to the offspring of these couples by following the system of the brotherhood and living in the Himalayan regions and moved around Delhi during the pre-Vedic periods. Vokkaligas is a community that not only exists in South Karnataka but also in different parts of Tamillnadu,Andhrapradesh,Maharastra and Kerala and their main profession is agriculture similar to Kurmi caste of North India or Vellalar of Tamil nadu. . People belonging to Vokkaliga community are known as Okkalia of Utkala Kingdom presently Orissa.The origin of Cholas who founded a celebrated kingdom in Tamilnadu are also from this region and likely originated from this community. Many more people of different communities use Gowda as surname. Vokkaliga have names such as Gowda, Gowder, Gounder, Reddy, Rao, Naidu and Naicker as the title after their name in the Southern States of India and these names are being used in the modern time to identify the group to which a person belongs A Gowda, also spelled as Gowdaru or Gauda or Nayaka ( = Head / Chief) is the not a name of any caste. Gowda is a leader of a group or Head of Territory. The Gowdas claim to be Land Lords and Village Head Men and are known to be the dominant and powerful caste group in the Village. Vokkaliga Gowdas are known for their agricultural activities and recorded prosperity through cultivation. The common saying "Gowda Chennagiddare ooru Chennagiruthe" means "When a Gowda is happy the whole Village is Happy". This implies the significance of the group among the Socio-Economic Groups.

Great Migration

The Aryans who invaded had disregarded the local cultures and occupied greater part of North India by pushing others to southwards or towards the jungles and mountains in North India. The Manu Dharma Sasthra rules for living were devised to degrade the indigenous Dravidians during the reign of Huns who tyrannically suppressed and oppressed them in Northern India and forced them to migrate to different regions. The Hindu King Chandragupta-II who ruled North India during the post-Vedic period by waging the wars also pushed the Vokkaligas further from Delhi to other regions. They found their way to Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and regions lying between Ganga and Yamuna rivers, suggesting that the Hindus did have conflicts, unhealthy competition and inbuilt rivalry in those days as in the modern era, which alienated the people and exposed them to invasions by foreigners. The Nawabs who ruled India were also in opposition to Vokkaligas as they resisted to have their daughters married to them. The atrocities committed by the rulers on them in the North, and subsequently in the Central India made them to move to the Thungabadra River area in the South through Mazhava, Birar of Central India and Bhamini State lying on the South of Krishna River for safeguarding the interests of their women flock.The existence of 15 Dravidian languages out of 430 living languages of India in several regions of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharastra, Gujarat, Orissa and West Bengal is possible evidence to show that the Vokkaligars might have spread to these regions while fleeing from the North to the South during different periods of history.The River Thungabadra was in spate at the time of their arrival and found difficult to cross. Their chief Janakkallar made the prayers and offered sacrifice to God, which enabled them to cross the river on 18th of Adi /Asada Month i.e.3rd or 4th of August. According to the other version available with the Archeological Department at Coimbatore one of the Chieftains, Jallathipparaya (Jallam = water, Thipparaya = come back) was responsible for getting them to other side of Thungabadra River through his prayers and sacrifice.The event of crossing the River was being remembered every year by most of the South Indian communities irrespective of castes on 18th of Adi Month (August 3 or 4th) by celebrating it as ‘Adi Perukku’ (spate of Rivers) festival. It is performed not only for the prosperity of the family and society but also to remember the sacrifice made by their forefathers on this day while crossing the River. The population mourns and worships their forefathers on this day by conducting rituals. According to the Hyderabad and Arekaree Allakur Gazetteers the population of Vokkaligars was found to exist at Godhavari region of Andhrapradsh in A.D.8 and 10th centuries. They moved beyond Thungabadra River down to South and settled in a group at a place Nandana Hosur named after the Nandhi .The disturbances that possibly took place at Nandana Hosur in latter periods might have forced them to migrate to other places. Many of them were moved towards the Martha region presently Maharastra in 1224 and Tamilnadu in 1565 after the Talakad War. According to the Ethnographic Survey of Karnataka the successive influx of population that took place from the Western Martha region into Chitradurg and Tumkur areas of Karnataka might have set in the ecological succession that displaced their community down to Tamilnadu. They settled down at various parts in Tamilnadu mostly along the mountain range of the Western Ghats of Tamilnadu . There is another story that a Chieftain of Vokkaligar community from Bellary area of Karnataka invaded Madurai in Tamilnadu and ruled for a brief period .The people who came along with him had settled down in and around the Western region of Madurai on the mountain range of the Western Ghats. The people who migrated towards East founded their settlements in the present Orissa and Bengal regions, formed their kingdom and named as Gowda Desam .Wherever they went they built the ‘Ammasimane’ at their settlements and accommodated their Kula Devathaigals (Family Deities). There are more than 190 such family temples spread over 150 different villages covering 50 taluks in 13 Districts of Andhrapradesh, Karnataka and Tamilnadu States in India .The people of the community who settled down in different places of South and other States worshiped the Kula Devathaigals at Ammasimane by paying frequent visits on pilgrimages. They also organized an important festival called ‘Jathrai’ once in 12 years at their different settlements where the kula deity had been sanctified and offered their prayers for the welfare of people as preached by their chief at the time of crossing the River. This festival is being followed even now and has become an annual feature in some of the settlements in the modern days.

== Transformation ==

The Vokkaliga was neither a caste nor a cult in previous periods of history also succumbed to the influence of this system and became one of the dominant ‘castes’ in the Indian society which undergone several transformations and fractured into different sub divisions such as Kunchitiga vokkaligas literally means traditional and they were known for being conservative and ardent followers of traditions and were mostly farmers.

Gudi vokkaliga literally means guard or guest that perhaps related either to the duty of guarding the community or they were known for entertaining the guests and this division is an off shoot of one of the kula viz Gudioru .

Kerraikarar vokkaligar were very honest and keep up their words as understood from the meaning of the name of the sect and their main occupation was cultivating ‘kirai’ (Amranthus leaves) and other vegetables.

Gangadiga Vokkaliga (Gangatkars)were healthy and honest of Western Ganga Dynasty and Thooran Kootam of the Kongu Vellalar Gounder caste of Kongu Nadu, Tamil Nadu share the same origin along with some sects of the agricultural Kongu Vellala Gounder community, who migrated from Halebidu, near Hassan. The Vokkaligas of the Mysore are mostly ' Gangadikars ' of endogamous division.

The other endogamous sub divisions of negligible importance are Kamati, Gauri, Bai and Sani.

This community was further fractured to into more than thirty castes in South India This community was further fractured to into more than thirty castes in South India. They are Alubalija Naidu, Arumudi, Basunadi, Belakavadi,Daasa Vokkaliga, Devaru, Dhandivandake, Eazhibkka, Ellamakappu, Grama, Gangala, Gowda,''Hallikkar,Halakki Vokkaliga,Jogi Vokkaliga,Kamma,Konganiga,Kumbi,Malava,Musuku,Moasureddy,Mullu Vokkaliga, Murlay, Namadhari, Nadavaru,Nunubha,Nunubhakappu,'Okkulu makkalu,'Osadevaru,Palayakottai Pattakkarars, Pandi,Pandaru bellakudi, Pammareddy, Pattikasalina, Rodhagaru, Reddy, Sathsappa, Summareddy,Uppinagonika and Varajha.The genetic, ethnographic, and historical studies have shown that these castes of the Hindu have been highly endogamous for several thousand years and originated from one and the same biological entity. The rivalry with in the community, migration to new regions and intermarriages held with in and out side the four major divisions resulting new cultures and also ego of dominating persons are responsible for development of these castes from a single entity.

== Distribution of Vokkaligas ==

The populations of Vokkaligas of different sub-divisions had settled down in the districts of Darwar, Davengere, Chitradurga, Bellary, Raichur, Tumkur, Kolar, Bangalore, Shimoga, Hassan, Mandya,Chickaballapur, Uttara Kannada and Mysore of Karnataka State;Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh and Palaghat of Kerala State in South India. They were also settled down in more than 200 villages in the districts of Dharmapuri, Salem, Nilagiris, Coimbatore, Erode, Karur, Trichy, Dindigul, Medora, Theni, Tirunelvelli and Kancheevaram in Tamil Nadu State of Southern India. They are also found in various cosmopolitan cities of Andhrapradesh, Karnataka, Maharastra, Delhi and Tamilnadu States in India and also in USA, Canada, and Europe.

History of Vokkaliga in Karnataka

The Yelahankanadu (14 km (8.7 mi) from Bangalore) Prabhus were Gowdas or tillers of the Land. They belonged to Morasu Vokkalu sect, the ancestors of which were migrants from Morasunadu near Kanchipuram in Tamilnadu (on the Bangalore–Madras Highway). Fourth in succession from Rana Bhairave Gowda, founder of the dynasty of Avati Nadu Prabhus and great grandson of Jaya Gowda, who established separate dynasty, is the famous Yelahanka Nadu Prabhus, Kempe Gowda I who ruled for 46 years commencing his reign from 1513. Jaya Gowda accepted the sovergnity of the Vijayanagar emperor.

The Gangadikar Gowdas were the Vokklaigas in other parts of Karnataka. The name Gangadicara, which is derived from the word Gangawadi–kara, meaning the inhabitant of Gangawadi is a relic of Ganga Dynasty Rule and has since survived in this part of Karnataka.

Kempae Gowdas and Karnataka

Kempe Gowdas of the Morasu Vokkaliga sect, were great rulers who were concerned in the welfare of their subjects and spent lavishly in the construction of tanks, agraharas (suburbs of Brahmins), temples and forts. The Vokkaligas rendered great service in the fields of agriculture, animal husbandry and soldiery. Kempegowda I conquered Sivaganga principality, 30 mi (48.3 km) from Bangalore on Bangalore–Poona Hwy. Next, he annexed Domlur which is on the road from Bangalore to Old Bangalore Airport. Within this vast forest area, in 1537, he erected a mud fort and built the Township of Bangalore.

Kempe Gowda I (1510 - 1570), whose ancestor had immigrated from Kancheepuram to the neighborhood of Bangalore due to a personal feud with the chief of Kancheepuram established the city of Bangalore under the Vijayanagar empire. The document describing the city as he conceptualised it, written in Telugu the commonly spoken language of this region, is still preserved. This language is still spoken in the villages of Bangalore, Yelahanka, Devanahalli, Doddaballapur, Hoskote, Anekal and Hosur districts.

Kempe Gowda I next annexed Ulsoor and Hesaraghatta. Bangalore's four main streets of the Old Bengaluru Pete, the Chickpete and Doddapete leading to Ulsoor gate, the Sondekoppa gate, the Yelahanka gate and the Anekal gate were laid. Kempe Gowda shifted his capital from Yelahanka to Bangalore. Vijayanagar Emperor Achuta Raya granted Kempe Gowda I the neighboring villages of Begur, Jigani, Varthur, Kengeri, Banavara and Kumbalgode, besides many other hamlets yielding a revenue of 30,000 varahas. Kempe Gowda I built the cave temple of Gavi Gangadhareswara at Gavipur, the Bull Temple in Basavanagudi, the Kempambudhi Tank and the Dharambudhi Tank. His successor, Kempe Gowda II, built the Ulsoor Lake, the Karanjee Tank, the Sampangi Tank, the Someswara Temple of Ulsoor, the famous four Kempe Gowda Towers and the Ranganatha Temple in Balepete, Bangalore.

KempeGowda is a renowned name and is duly honoured by naming the prime locations of Karnataka in his name. A statue of Kempegowda I is erected in the city centre, in front of the Bangalore City Corporation office.

It is a fact that being the Ruler he promoted the upliftment of the backward classes and built colonies such as Thigalar Pet, Kumbar Pet for specific backward classes to ensure their welfare.

There is an inscription in old Kannada,dated 1628, in the Ranganatha Temple, the English translation of which is "Be it well, When Rajadhi-Raja-Parameshwara Vira Pratapa Vira-Maha-Deva Maharaya seated in the Jewel throne was ruling the empire of the world: When of the Asannavakula, the Yelahanka Nadu Prabhu Kempanacharya-Gauni's grandson Kempe Gowdas son, Immadi Kempegaunayya was ruling a peaceful kingdom in righteousness". With the decline of the Vijayanagar Empire, the eclipse of the rule of Yelahanka Nadu Prabhus took place at the dawn of the Seventeenth century.

Vokkaliga Organisations

There are several Vokkaliga organisations serving the community .

Vokkaligara Sangha : The Vokkaligara Sangha was founded in the year 1906 to promote social, cultural and educational aspirations of the agricultural community of the erstwhile Mysore State.Vokkaligara Sangha has it head quarters in Bangalore and has many affiliated regional sanghas. Today, Vokkaligara Sangha is one of the premium Community Organisation in Karnataka State and serving the Vokkaliga community in different areas. Sangha owns reputed educational institutions like Bangalore Institute of Technology, Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) etc.

Vokkaligara sanga has well structured election system . Elected members handle key roles in Sangha's activities and Sanga owned institutions .Elected members serve as community representative of their region.

Vokkaligara Parishat of America (VPA):VPA was established in 1991 and located in Illianos, USA . VPA is dedicated to assist and promote literacy, cultural, educational, social, economic, health of rural farming community. VPA is serving the North American Vokkaliga Community. VPA is also involved in various Charity works.

Community today

Vokkaligas once known for their successful agricultural activities now have diversified in to different fields with mild to moderate success.The current status of their population comprises professionals, affluent industrialists and reputed Scientists who are serving the society in different parts of the world in different capacities. They have made very impressive contributions not only in the field of production of agriculture, horticultural, floricultural products and marketing but also in the fields of environment, forestry, education, linguistics, arts, culture, health and medicine, sciences including the modern technologies, industries, trades, commerce, charity, social, justice, law and order, state administration, cinematography and politics. Their sustained efforts in these fields facilitated the improvement of the standard of living of people, which enabled the overall growth, and development of their settlements and the country to a great extent.

Since the early days Vokkaligas have played a very vital and dominant role in Karnataka Politics and also Union Politics.

Mr. K.C. Reddy and Mr. Kengal Hanumanthaiah prominent among them were the Presidents of Mysore Pradesh Congress and after freedom became the Chief Ministers of Mysore State. Sowcar Channaiah and Mr.Nagaiah Reddy also became Presidents of Mysore Pradesh Congress, Mr. Kadidal Manjappa another freedom fighter also became the Chief Minister of Mysore State for a period of two months until the reorganization of States till Mysore State became of part of Karnataka. The former Prime minister of India, H.D. Deve Gowda belongs to this community.

The renowned Kannada poet Kuvempu, who advocated the Universal Humanism (Viswamaanava) concept, is a Vokkaliga. The members of the Vokkaliga community have made a mark in all fields.

They are active members in Politics,Bureacracy,Art,Literature,Technology,Business and sports.

Even to date Karnataka Politics is controlled by the Vokkaliga Leaders.

Some famous Vokkaligas are

Prominent personalities

Politicians and leaders

Literature

Civil service and judiciary

Academicians and founders of educational institutions

Artists and cinema

Business

Others


==References==

  • Genetic Structure of ..... by R. Rajkumar and V.K. Kashyap, Central forensic laboratory, India
  • Subbaiah, C.: Kamukula Urbhva Puranam (in Tamil Language) . Madras Diamond Printing House, Madras (1911)
  • Sundaramurthy, V.T: The Genesis, Divisions, Movement and Transfonnation of Okkaligar Community, Anthropologist, 9(4): 305-313 (2007).
  • Danniel, A.Information on India-Religions in India From, Pezarkar.com> (2004)
  • Deivanayagam, M. and Devakala, D: Christianity in Hinduism, Dravidian Religion Trust, Page 107 (1997)
  • Thurston, E. and Rangachari, K.: Castes and Tribes of South India. Government Press, Madras (1909)
  • Natarasan, N.: Konghu Velhala Goundarghal (in Tamil Language). Pallavi Publisher Publishers, Chennai (1999)

Notes

  1. Vokkaligas since the Time of Kempe Gowda
  2. ^ Vokkaligara Parishat of America (VPA) - About Vokkaligas
  3. Kempegowda Day celebrations in Bangalore
  4. http://books.google.co.in/books?id=R84n-Wv1S-8C&pg=RA2-PA237&lpg=RA2-PA237#v=onepage&q=&f=false
  5. http://indiatoday.intoday.in/index.php?issueid=&id=44196&option=com_content&task=view&sectionid=21

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