Ayyaraka Patrudu

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Ayyaraka Patrulu
Caste:	Kshatriya
Subdivisions:	Suryavanshi,Nagavanshi.
Found in:	Andhra Pradesh
Language	Telugu
Religion	Hinduism

Ayyaraka Patrudu is a kshatriya community of Andhra Pradesh who live principally in the districts of Visakhapatnam and Vijayanagaram, while a few are distributed in the district of Srikakulam.

Roots of the name

The name is derived from aiyya and rikam, meaning a distinguished person. Patrudu means a person worthy or fit for praise.

Origin and genealogy

In the literature they are stated to be of the solar race although we find among them Nagavanshis also .The genealogies of this caste accordingly trace them upto Kusha the second son of Rama the hero of the great epic Ramayana of the Hindus."""Though Edgar Thurston mentions in his book "castes and tribes of south india" that they are a sub section of kapus but they are not of the kapu caste. Kapu was the term used in Telugu at the time of british rule to describe any one who is in farming work.On enquiry of this issue the elderly members of the caste said that they are never ever kapus and that they are of pure Rajput origin. Ayyaraku patrulu are an off shoot descendants of gajapathi raju royal race. Their race started in 12th century from Ham vira patrudu the son of kapileswara gajapathi who was ruling the vijayanagara empire at that time. They are also mentioned in Telugu "vignana sarvasvam" to be of kshatriya community" ("Note: Nagaralu another community of andhra pradesh also use the title patrudu but they are not of the same race"). It seems that they have entirely given up their military inclinations of their fore fathers and are given to various occupations.

Sub divisions

The ayyaraka patrulu are divided into suryavanshis and nagavanshis.The two gotras which come under Suryavanshi are kasyapa and kurma gotras. Naganavanshi includes only one gotra namely naga gotra. Each gotra is further divided into exogamous lineages (intiperlu). Kantreddi, Lanka, Pediredla, Karri are some of the exogamous lineages.

History

They were soldiers in the Vijayanagara Empire. They are thekshatriyas who were the chief controllers of military forces in the Vijayanagara Kingdom.They occupied positions such as Senadhi Pathi("General") and Dandanayaka ("commander in chief") in the Vijayanagara army.Some of them were in the position of mahamantri helping the kings in administration, wars etc.Some of the territories were in the control of ayyarika samantarajus.

Religious customs

They wear silver sacred threads as a symbol of their kshatriyahood. The members of the community say that their origin is the same as that of other royal races like rajus etc. The women wear a silver ring to their left leg as a symbol of bravery they showed against a muslaman general and his army who attacked their native villages to destroy the whole brood at once. This event took place when the Patrudu soldiers attacked Golkonda, against muslamans and successfully defeated them Vizagapatnam Gazette (1869).

Ceremonies observed from birth

The tonsure and ear piercing ceremonies are performed for children between three and five years of age. Puberty rites are also observed.Those belonging to kasyapa and kurma gotras observe thread wearing ceremony (upanayana) at the age of 21.

Marriage customs

Their marriage customs are similar to those of rajus. Girls are married before puberty and abrahmin officiates at the wedding rites, during which the bride and bride groom wear silver sacred threads. A man can marry his elder sister's or maternal uncle's or father's sister's daughter. Divorce and widow remarriage are forbidden. The aiyyarakulu observe arivani or poornam saiji pendli. The sacred pendant(pusti or sethamanam) is tied around the brides neck at an auspicious time (muhurtham) and toe rings are put on her toes.

Death ceremonies

The dead are buried and ten days pollution is observed.

Names of their prominent ancestors in the

• Ham vira patrudu
• Kasava Patrudu (Senadhipathi)
• Chandra Maha Patrudu (Danda Nayaka)
• Prahareswara patrudu

These were the principal soldiers who helped Sri Krishna Devaraya in winning the battle of Kondaveedu Muttadi.

Present status in the society

The social status of the community is fairly high. Stories of their military prowess are discussed to this day Vizagapatnam gazette(1969).Owing to their low economic and literacy status they were recently transferred to the central list of OBC.In the state they are still included in the category of other castes(OC).The caste welfare society called Ayyaraka sangam is triying its best to include it in the BC list from the OC list.

References