Sunday, February 6, 2011

Reddy (Telugu: రెడ్డి), also transliterated as Ruddy, Roddy, Raddi, Reddi) is a social group or caste of India, predominantly inhabiting Andhra Pradesh. Reddys regard Telugu as their mother tongue,[1] Hindi and English as secondary language. There are also significant population of Reddys in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and states of India.
Contents[hide]
1 Origin
2 Extent of rule
2.1 Early history
2.2 Kakatiya period
2.3 Reddy dynasty
2.4 Golkonda period
3 Role in politics
4 Notable Reddys
5 Notes and references
//
Origin
The 19th century writer Edgar Thurston in his "Castes and Tribes of Southern India" stated that Reddys were the village chiefs and listed them under the section Kapu[2]. The village chiefs were given the title 'Reddy'. The census carried out during the British period in the Madras Presidency listed Reddy and Kapu together.
People belonging to other agrarian communities such as Telaga, Balija, Kamma, Velama and Yadava also use 'Reddy' title in their names, if not frequently. This indicates the common origin of all agrarian castes in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Recent genetic studies support the belief that all the agrarian castes shared the similar ethnic origins as also all south Indian castes.
Some linguists surmised the word Reddy originated from the medieval term Rattodu, which is derived from Rashtrakutudu. The Rashtrakutas employed wealthy local farmers to head villages and collect taxes in the empire and conferred the title of Reddy. The usage of the word Reddy specifically was first seen in the inscriptions made during the Renati Chola period (7th century CE).[3]
Another theory relates the Reddies to the Rathis, who ruled over small principalities in the Deccan plateau before 200 BCE and before the Satavahanas and Mauryas. The Rathis left coins in northern Andhra Pradesh, Kurnool district, and near Pune. The coins are found in the levels between the megalithic and Satavahana levels in excavations.
The usage of the word Reddy specifically was first seen in the inscriptions made during the Renati Chola times (7th century CE) [3]. After the fall of Kakatiya dynasty in south India in 1323 CE, there was a movement for independence under the leadership of Musunuri Nayaks. All the warrior castes of Telugu land united and successfully recaptured Warangal from the Delhi Sultanate. However, the unity of Telugu land lasted only for fifty years.
Extent of rule
The Reddy LandLords of Addanki became independent after the death of Musunuri Kapaya Nayaka at the hands of Recherla Velama chiefs in the battle of Bhuvanagiri (Bhongir in Telangana region). They ruled the coastal area of Andhra Pradesh from 1353 to 1448 CE. The initial capital of the kingdom was Addanki. Later it was moved to Kondavidu and subsequently to Rajahmundry. The dynasty declined due to its regular warfare with Recharla Velama chiefs and Gajapathis of Orissa. In later years, the Reddys had to be content as vassals of Golconda Muslim kings. The Reddys were known for their fortifications. Two major hill forts, one at Kondapally, north west of Vijayawada and another at Kondavidu near Guntur bear testimony of the fort building skill of the Reddys.[citation needed]
Early history
The word "Rashtrakuta" is the Sanskrit version of the "Rettakudi".Rettakudi is converted into Rettadi and later Reddy.The Rashtrakutas were initially the elite troops of the Chalukyas. They founded an empire after the Badami Chalukyas faded from the scene.After the Rashtrakutas declined, inscriptions of the succeeding Kalyani Chalukyas in Andhra Pradesh mention Reddys (900 CE). They were soldiers appointed as chieftains of villages in Medak district by the Kalyani Chalukyas. Some of the names mentioned are Mini Raddi and Kati Raddi. The inscription mentions the name of the appointee, the authorized appointer, the important personages of the areas and surrounding villages.[citation needed]
Kakatiya period
After the decline of Kalyani Chalukyas at the beginning of the 12th century, Prola II (1110-1158 CE) declared himself independent from the Chalukyas and established the Kakatiya dynasty. Prola used the title of Reddi[4] in his inscriptions.
Reddy dynasty
Main article: Reddy dynasty
The Reddy dynasty ruled some parts of the coastal Andhra Pradesh about 60 years.[5] Reddys became independent after the death of Musunuri Kapaya Nayak[6] at the hands of Recherla Velama kings in the battle of Bhuvanagiri (Bhongir in Telangana region). Komati Prolaya Vema Reddy was the first king of the Reddy dynasty.[7] The capital of the kingdom was Addanki which was moved to Kondavidu and subsequently to Rajahmundry. His reign was characterized by restoration of peace, patronage of arts and literature, and all round development. Errana, the translator of Ramayana, lived during this period.
Golkonda period
The Reddys continued to be chieftains, village policemen, tax collectors and farmers in the Telangana region, throughout Turkish rule and under the Nizams. The Reddy landlords styled themselves as Desais , Doras and Patel. Several Reddys were noblemen in the court of Nizam Nawabs.
Role in politics
Influenced by their long tradition of being village headmen, Reddys continue to be very active in local, state and national politics. Particularly in the state of Andhra Pradesh, a number of former chief ministers and business leaders belong to this community. The list of chief ministers include Bezawada Gopala Reddy, Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, Kasu Brahmananda Reddy, Bhavanam Venkataram Reddy, Tanguturi Anjaiah, Marri Chenna Reddy , Nedurumalli Janardhana Reddy, Kotla Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy and Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy who collectively ruled the state for more than 25 years after the formation of state in 1956. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, even though is Reddy, he is converted Christian. Neelam Sanjiva Reddy also served as Speaker of Lok Sabha and President of India.
The Rashtrakutas were initially the elite troops of the Chalukyas. They founded an empire after the Badami Chalukyas faded from the scene.
The word "Rashtrakuta" is the Sanskrit version of the "Rettakudi".Rettakudi is converted into Rettadi and later Reddy http://thegreatreddy.blogspot.com/

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Padma Vibhushan
Y.Venugopal Reddy (2010)
Prathap C. Reddy (2010)Dr.C.Narayana Reddy(1992)Raavi Narayana Reddy(1992)

Padma Bhushan
Dr.K.Srinath Reddy (2005)
Perugu Siva Reddy (1977)
Dabbala Raj Reddy (2001)

Padma Sri
Kallam Anji Reddy (2001)
Dr.C.Narayana Reddy( 1977)Perugu Siva Reddy (1971)

Jnanpith Award
C. Narayanareddy for his Telugu poetic work Viswambara (1988)
Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy. She rose in revolt against child marriage and the devadasi system. Muthulakshmi was a freedom fighter and a patriot. She was one of the women pioneers who stood for the cause of liberating India from the British. She was a women activist and a social reformer too. She had many firsts to her recognition.
Reddys 2nd in India, 5th in Asia, 11th in World, The 4th Most Richest Community in World, by 2018 Reddys will be Worlds No.1