Heritage & History

Our community is a sub caste of the Kapu or Naidu caste of Andhra Pradesh. Our forefathers were the earliest inhabitants of the Deccan region. Over the centuries our ancestors migrated from the north, cleared forests for agriculture, and built settlements.

Our caste is considered one among the many trading castes present in India. As a merchant community we are spread over the southern region of the country such as Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. We are also known as Banajigas in Karnataka.

Some scholars suggest that our ancestors probably have been Nayaks or the royalties of Tanjore, Madura, and Vijayanagar. Few from our community are associated with the traditional occupation of making bangles and pearl and coral ornaments such as our sub-caste known as Gazulu, or bangle-seller. There are many sub groups in our community with their distinctive specialties or professions.

Members of our brethren have accomplished social and economic development which has been appreciated worldwide. Many have entered various professions in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, from being technically savvy industrialists to owners of large companies and also many small scale industries.

Today members of our brethren stand as shining stars in various fields. We also have many distinguished jurists, educationists, scientists, engineers, politicians, doctors, philosophers, poets, and scholars as part of our large family.

Every family in our community has a distinctive surname and gotras. Marriages are synchronized by surnames. Individuals with the same surname are not allowed to marry.

Did you know?

• Our forefathers have been a crucial part of The Vijayanagar Empire which was based on an expanding, cash-oriented economy. This was further enhanced by the structured tax policies developed by the members of our community. Some families were appointed to supervise provinces as Nayaks (governors, commanders) by the Vijayanagara kings.
• Veera Balaingyas were mentioned in the 13th century stone inscription known as the Kakatiya inscriptions.