Reddy: Difference between revisions

For other uses, see Reddy (disambiguation).

Reddy or reddi refers to an upper class caste in India. They are generally Telugu-speaking originally from the state of Andhra Pradesh. The word reddi (old usage) in particular refers to the Reddi dynasty that ruled in the region around present day Vijayawada and Guntur towns for nearly a hundred years (1328-1428).

Historically Reddy's dominated the politics of the south india and are considered the most powerful caste in terms of wealth and having highly educated.

The first chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu happen to originate from the dominate reddy caste:

Andhra Pradesh: On the formation of Andhra Pradesh on 1 November 1956, Neelam Sanjiva Reddy(1-11-1956 –10-1-1960) became the first Chief Minister of the enlarged State.

Karnataka: Sri Kyasamballi Chengalaraya Reddy (25-10-1947 30-03-1952)

Tamil Nadu: O P Ramaswamy Reddiyar (March 23, 1947 April 06, 1949)

(Migrant reddys are often named themselves as Reddiayrs in Tamil Nadu)

Reddys dominate even in immigrated south indian communities in USA and are one of the wealthy groups in the sub-indian community (others happen to be Patel -Gujart)

The Reddy dynasty sprang as an offshoot of the defeated Kakatiya kingdom. There was another branch of Reddis at Rajahmundry. Many invading kingdoms like the Bahmani sultanate (1458), Vijayanagara empire (1516), the Qutb Shahis of Golconda, (1531, 1537, and 1579), the Mughal army of Aurangzeb in 1687, the French (1752), the Asaf jahi Nizams of Hyderabad, and finally the British (1766 & 1788) constantly ravaged the kingdom. Despite such attacks, somehow the Reddis were able to hold power in concentrated areas until the British put the final nail in the coffin.

The Reddis were known for their fortifications. Two major hill forts, one at Kondapally 20 km north west of Vijayawada and another at Kondavid about 30 km west of Guntur bear testimony of the fort building skill of the Reddi kings. The other fort which the Reddis were partially involved in building was the Khammam fort.

It is also believed that Reddis could be an offshoot of Rashtrakuta dynasty. After the decline of Rashtrakuta dynasty, the ruling clan broke off and settled in North and South India. Rashtrakutas were a Rajput clan. The settlers in the north are called Rathods/Rathores, and ruled Marwar in western Rajasthan, while the southern settlers were called Reddis (now Reddys).

Reddys are found predominantly in AP, but the neighbouring states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala also have Reddy settlers. Some prominent people from this caste in the modern era include:

• Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, President of India (1977-1982)
• Pingili Venkat Ram Reddy
• Dr. Anji Reddy, Dr Reddy's Labs
• Kasu Bramhananda Reddy
• Kotla VijayaBhaskara Reddy
• Marri chenna Reddy
• Jaipal Reddy
• Current AP Chief Minister, Y S Rajashekar Reddy
• Srinivasula Reddy Bolla

Reddy Kings (1353 - 1448 AD): The Reddys started a movement against the Muhammadan rule in A.P and succeeded in their movement. Rajahmahendravaram was ruled by Reddys approximately for 95 years(1353 - 1448 AD).

The reign of Reddy's: A revolt was raised against the Mohammedan rule lead by Mr.Prolaya Nayaka and Kapaya Nayaka. Prolaya Nayaka started his revolt from "Rekipally" but died before his revolt succeeded. From 1332 AD Kapaya Nayaka lead the revolt. In the year 1337 AD he conquered Orugallu(Warangal) fort. During the same period Prolaya Vema Reddy established Reddy Dynasty with Addanki as the capital city of his Kingdom. Later it was shifted to Kondaveedu.

Anavota Reddy (1335 - 1364 AD): Anavota Reddy became king of the Reddy dynasty and he conquered many small kingdoms including Nidadavolu(Ruled by Vengi Chalukya's), Vundi (Ruled by Suryavamsa Kshatriya's), Korukonda(Ruled by Kondanayaka's), Pithapuram(Ruled by Koppularaju's) before 1356 AD.

Anavema Reddy (1364 -1386 AD): Anavema Reddy brother of Anavota Reddy was also an able ruler. His ruled his kingdom Nirvajyapuram(Nidadavolu) as his capital city. During his rule he conquered Rajahmahendrapuram, Korukonda, Pithapuram, Kalingam and Simhachalam and annexed them into his kingdom.

Komaragiri(Kumaragiri) Reddy (1386 - 1402 AD): Komaragiri Reddy was the sonof Anavota Reddy. Internal disputes raised in the kingdom before his occupation of the throne. Katayavema Reddy (Senapathi)chief of Army of Anavota Reddy and Brother-in-law of Komaragiri Reddy) and PedaKomati Vema Reddy were the root of all the internal disputes. The rulers of different parts of the kingdom announced their Independence and didn't pay their taxes. To supress the revolt Katayavema Reddy and Anavotareddy, the second visited Rajamahendrapuram.

Harihara Rayalu, the Vijayanagara ruler, married his daughter Hariharamba to Katayavema Reddy on knowing his valour. Though internal disputes stopped for some time, raised again in no time.

Katayavema Reddy (1395 - 1414 AD): Katayavema Reddy ruled Rajahmundry for 19 years. He fought many wars against Pedakomativema Reddy. He extended his kingdom upto Katam. He had one son, Komaragiri Reddy and two daughters , Anitally and Hariharamba.

Allada Reddy (1414 - 1423 AD): Komaragiri Reddy was only 10yrs old by the time Katayavema Reddy died(in 1414). Allada Reddy ruled the kingdom on his behalf. Unfortunately Komaragiri Reddy also died. Pedakomati Vema Reddy raised a war against the kingdom twice, but Allada Reddy defeated him both the times. Allada Reddy made a treaty with Kalingas and Vijayanagara Emperors.

Veerabhadra Reddy (1423 - 1448): Alladareddy died in the year 1423 AD and Veerabhadra Reddy became the ruler of the Reddy dynasty. Rajamahendravaram was his Kingdom. Devarayalu, the second conquered the Rajamahendravaram and Simhachalam forts. The Reddy dynasty had it's decline started due to the wars raised by the Recharla Velama's and Gajapathi's. By the year 1448 Rajamahendravaram and surrounding places went into the hands of Kapileswara Gajapathi.

Vijayanagara and Kalinga wars - Rajamahendravaram: Reddy kings lost their support from the Vijayanagara empire after the Death of Devaraya, the second. After conquering Reddy's Kapileswara Gajapathi appointed Raghudeva Kumara as the ruler of Rajamahendravaram. Bohimini sultans invaded Rajamahendravaram and conquered. Later in 1485 AD Purushottama Gajapathi defeated Bahamani Sultans and occupied Rajamahendravaram.

Sri Krishna Devaraya was crowned as the Emperor of Vijayanagara Empire in 1509 AD. In 1512 AD he conquered Vudayagiri, Telangana, Vengi, Rajahmahendravaram, Konaseema and Simhachalam. Pratap Gajapathi of Katakam made a treaty with Sri Krishna Devaraya. As a result the areas to the north of river Krishna including Rajamahendravaram again went into the hands of Gajapathi's once again.

Abstracted from the History of Rajahmundry by Aacharya Betavolu Ramabrahmam

Famous Poets in the Reddy kingdom:

Errana was a great poet in the court of Prolaya Vemareddy (1325-1353), the founder of Reddy dynasty (1325-1424) of Kondaveedu, who ruled Guntur, Prakasam, Nellooru, and Kurnoolu districts of the state of Andhra Pradesh. Errana is also known as Yellapregada or Errapregada. He is honored with the title Prabandha Parameshwara (the supreme lord of Prabandha).

He belongs to Kavitrayamu (the trinity of poets) who translated Mahabharatamu. The other two poets are Nannaya and Tikkana. Nannaya translated two and a half parvamulu (books) of Mahabharatamu. Tikkana translated the remaining books starting from the 4th, leaving the half finished third book, Aranya Parvamu (the Book of Forest), for Errana. Tikkana did not touch this part because it was considered to be inauspicious to translate this book, which was left half-finished by Nannaya. He started the remaining half of the Aranya book with the style of Nannaya and ended it with the style of Tikkana as a bridge between the part translated by Nannaya and the rest translated by Tikkana. Just like Nannaya and Tikkana, he used half Sanskrit and half Telugu in his so called Telugu translation of Sanskrit Mahabharatamu. Thus, the Sanskrit Mahabharatamu is translated into Telugu over a period of several centuries beginning with Nannaya (11th AD to 14 century).

Ramayanamu, and Harivamshamu are some of his other translations from Sanskrit originals. He dedicated these two trnaslations to the king, Prolaya Vemareddy. Nrusimhapuranamu is his own independent work.

Yogi Vemana:

Vemana was born in 1820 in a rich family in the district of Godavari. His elder brother was King Anu Vema Reddy. Vemana was a Reddy by caste.

Narsamma was the wife of King Anu Vema Reddy. She was the first Guru of Vemana. She was very chaste, virtuous, kind, charitable and truthful. She treated Vemana with intense affection. Vemana regarded her as his mother.

Vemana kept a dancing girl and spent the whole of his time in her house. It was Narsamma who saved Vemana from the clutches of the prostitute. Therefore she became his first Guru.

Vemana wasted his time. He was idle. He visited one morning the State jeweller’s shop where Abhirama was preparing the State jewels. Vemana supervised the work of Abhirama. He continued this sort of work for some days. He was in the shop throughout the day and asked explanation for Abhirama’s late attendance. Abhirama said, "My lord, I have to take bath in the early morning and perform prayer, worship and meditation. Therefore I humbly beg that you will kindly excuse my later attendance". Vemana replied, "I cannot tolerate this on any account. Finish your duties earlier and attend the shop at 6 a.m. I cannot excuse delay hereafter under any circumstance".

Dr. C. Narayana Reddy received the prestigious Jnanpith Award in 1988 for his contribution to Telugu literature. Dr. C.Narayana Reddy was born on July 29th, 1931 at Hanumajipeta, a remote village in the interior of Karimnagar district. He completed his Master's degree and Ph.D. degree in Telugu literature from Osmania University. He worked in Osmania University as a professor and attained very high positions and earned many awards. It could be surprising to learn that Dr.CNR studied in Urdu medium till his graduation. Dr.CNR is the only Telugu person who has received Gnanpeeth award other than Sri Vishwanadha Sathyanarayana. He was nominated to the Rajya Sabha later. Students of Dr.CNR are often heard recollecting his grip over the language, especially his poetry reading sessionsGreat scholar and philosopher. Knighted for his contributions to literature(Telugu and English) and philosoph