Reddy (Telugu: రెడ్డి Kannada: ರೆಡ್ಡಿ), also transliterated as Ruddy, Roddy, Raddi, Reddi) is a social group or caste of India, predominantly inhabiting Andhra Pradesh.Classed as Upper Shudras,[5] historically they have been the land-owning aristocracy of the villages.Their prowess as rulers and warriors is well documented in Telugu history.The Reddy dynasty (1325 - 1448 CE) ruled some parts of the coastal Andhra Pradesh for over a hundred years.The origin of the social group of Reddys has been linked to the Rashtrakuta dynasty. Reddys regard Telugu as their mother tongue.According to the 1921 census, they constituted 6.5% of the population of Andhra Pradesh.More recent records put their population at 10-11% of Andhra Pradesh.There is also significant population of Reddys in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and states of India as well as in the United States and the United Kingdom.
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.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).
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).
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.
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.[20] Prola used the title of Reddi in his inscriptions.The first of the Reddy clans came into prominence during this period. The Reddy chiefs were appointed as generals and soldiers under the Kakatiyas. During this time the Reddys carved out for themselves feudal principalities. After the death of Pratapa Rudra II and the subsequent fall of the Kakatiya empire, the Reddy chiefs became independent and this led to the emergence of the Reddy kingdom.
Main article: Reddy dynasty
The Reddy dynasty (1325 - 1448 CE) ruled some parts of the coastal Andhra Pradesh for over a hundred years.Reddys became independent after the death of Pratapa Rudra II and the subsequent fall of the Kakatiya Dynasty. Thus emerged the Reddy KingdomThe Reddy dynasty that first rose to power came from the Pantakula or the Panta Vamsa ReddysProlaya Vema Reddy was the first king of the Reddy dynasty.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.
Extent of rule:
They ruled the coastal area of Andhra Pradesh from 1325 to 1448 CE. The initial capital of the kingdom was Addanki. Later it was moved to Kondavidu and subsequently to Rajahmundry.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.The dynasty remained in power till the middle of the 15th century and declined due to regular warfare with Gajapathis of Orissa.
Golkonda period:
Reddys ruled as vassals of Golkonda. They 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.
British period:
The Reddys ruled many local dominions (samsthanams) until the British seized their power.The British appointed Reddys as zamindars and tax collectors. They were also enlisted in the British army. One of most prominent figures from the community during the British period is Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy. He challenged the British and led an armed rebellion against the British East India company in 1846. He was finally captured and hanged in 1847. His uprising was one of the earlier rebellions against the British rule in India as it was 10 years before the famous Indian Rebellion of 1857.
Role in politics:
Influenced by their long tradition of being village headmen, Reddys continue to be very active in local, state and national politics. Reddy community holds the distinction of producing the most number of Chief Ministers for the state of Andhra Pradesh. 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, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy and Kiran Kumar Reddy who collectively ruled the state for more than 25 years after the formation of state in 1956.
One of the prominent leaders of the Congress Party of Andhra Pradesh, ex-Chief Minister, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy was instrumental in introducing several innovative schemes for the upliftment of the rural farmers and the poor of the state which earned him the affectionate sobriquet "Man of the Masses".[39] Most noted of them is the highly successful Rajiv Arogyasri health insurance scheme for all persons below poverty line whereby the latest techniques in surgery were made available to the poor and needy who otherwise would not have access to quality healthcare.
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