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Raju

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For the village in Iran, see Raju, Iran.

Kshatriya Clan
Raju/Varma
Caste Kshatriya
surname Raju/Varma
Lineage Suryavansha
Princely state Vizianagaram estate.
Descended Pericchedi,Chagi,Kota Vamsa,Eastern Chalukyas,Chalukya-Cholas, Vishnukundina, Gajapati.
Religion: Hinduism
Gotra Vashistha,Dhananjaya (gotra),Kashyapa,Kaundinya.
Languages telugu.

The Raju (or Rajulu) are a Telugu caste inhabiting Andhra Pradesh, India.

Etymology

Raju is a Telugu language variant of the Sanskrit title Raja, which Cynthia Talbot describes as being "most often used by members of noble or princely lineages. [But it] could also designate an individual employed by a lord or prince." In medieval Andhra Pradesh, the title was used in both senses and was very likely adopted by some secular Brahmins, who occupied important advisory functions. The royal usage at that time was particularly prevalent in the northern coastal areas of the region. Talbot also notes that the title, and others in use at that time, do not align with the Vedic four-fold varna system and in that sense could not refer to a caste.[1] However, they do appear to have conformed to "the existence of broad social categories based primarily on occupation. Although [the title] did not necessarily designate a distinct class, much less a bounded community, or a hereditary grouping, various sets of these titles differentiated social types marked by a common status and shared occupation".[2]

The Raju term is today used to refer to a Telugu Kshatriya caste in Andhra Pradesh.[3] From the medieval period, the term "Andhra Kshatriya" has been used synonymously with Rachavaru, Rajus and Telugu Kshatriya.[4]

That caste, which A. Satyanarayana calls the "locally dominant landed gentry", claims Kshatriya status in the varna system despite there being "no real Kshatriya varna" in the Andhra region.[5] They also claim descent from the ancient royal dynasties of India such as the Eastern Chalukyas,[6] Chalukya-Cholas, Vishnukundina, Gajapati, Chagi, Paricheda and Kota Vamsa.[4]

Ethnonyms

Over the centuries they have been called by various alternative names that signified their military status. During the British Raj they were known as Ratsas and Rajavars, which means of or belonging to the caste of Ratsawars[7] (Raja Caste),[8] using the title of Raju.[9] As of 2002 the Rajus constituted less than 1 per cent of the population in Andhra Pradesh, concentrated mainly in the coastal region.[10]

Recent history

Padmanabham Raja Sagi clan (Raja Sagi Padmanabha Raju): Basically it was given to Raja Sagi Raja Ramachandra Raju in 1778 by 2nd Pusapati Vijaya Rama Gajapathi Raju(Maharaja of Vizianagaram)because he became Brother in Law to 2nd Pusapati Vijaya Rama Gajapathi Raju by marrying his Wife(Maharani)'s Sister. The War of Padmanabham was fought on July 10, 1794 between British Colonel Pendergast sent by the Governor of Madras, John Andrews and The Rajas of Vizianagaram kingdom because 2nd Pusapati Vijayarama Gajapathi Raju or Pusapati China Vijayaramaraju refused to Pay tax to British & also opposed British Governance on his Kingdom from the Time of his Grandfather. Pusapati China Vijayaramaraju along with his relatives who supported him in the war as one of The Chief Protectors of him namely Raja Sagi Gopala Narasa Raju (Younger Brother of Raja Sagi Ramachandra Raju & Raja Sagi Ramachandra Raju is Brother in Law or 'Shadrakulu' meaning in Telugu of The Pusapati Vijayarama Gajapathi Raju and also acted as Diwan for several estates of The Pusapati Vijayarama Gajapathi Raju from 1778 and also attained "Raja" title before surname in 1778 and was given a 101-door fort in Pandrangi Village) of Raja Sagi family of Pandrangi Village now in Padmanabham Mandal also lost their life in the war and the British got their full control over the Vizianagaram kingdom with loss of only 13 persons. The battle lasted up to a span of 1 hour or 1 hour 30 minutes. At that time The British were well equipped with rifles and cannons whereas the king lacked those weapons. At that time both Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam were united and were ruled by Pusapati Royal Family of Vizianagaram. After the Death of Pusapati China Vijayaramaraju in 1794, his Son named Pusapati Narayana Gajapathi Raju was Guarded by Raja Sagi Ramachandra Raju till 1796. In 1796, Pusapati Narayana Gajapathi Raju was crowned as king and due to the concern on Raja Sagi Ramachandra Raju and his brother (who gave his life in the battle with Pusapati China Vijayaramaraju) because of their affection and loyalty towards him and Pusapati royal family, Pusapati Narayana Gajapathi Raju granted several more estates like Mokasas of 'Kota Uratla/Thangedu', which is beside Tuni and also in some parts of Vizianagaram along with Visakhapatnam to Raja Sagi Ramachandra Raju of RAJA SAGI Family. Then onwards from 1796 he is called "Raja Sagi Raja Ramachandra Raju" in The Padmanabham areas. Raja Sagi Family of Thangedu Village in Kota Uratla Mandal in Visakhapatnam are also successors of this family and settled in Kota Uratla Estate. Later from this family Raja Sagi Suryanarayana Raju won as MLA from Bheemili in 1978 and his brother Raja Sagi Appala Narasimha Raju won as MLA from Bheemili in 1985, 1989, 1994 and 1999. He served as Excise minister in NT Rama Rao cabinet.[11]

Vizianagaram Rulers of this kingdom belong to the Pusapati clan.The Pusapati Royal family belongs to the Suryavanshi/Solar Dynasty Kshatriyas of Udaipur MahaRana family genealogical tree of which Ramachandra of Ramayana.According to Edward B. Eastwick, The Maharajah of Vijayanagaram claims descent from the Maharanas of Udaipur and is of the Vasistha Gotra or the Sisodhya branch of the Guhilot tribes. A brother of the Maharana emigrated to Oudh, and in the 529 A.D. his descendant, Madhava Varma, marched with Four clans into the Dakhan, and conquered the country from Ramanad to Katak. His capital was Vijayanagar, afterwards transferred to Bezawada. His descendants reigned over this kingdom for 921 years. In 1512 they were subjected by Sultan Kuli of the Golkonda dynasty. Under the 5th King of that line an ancestor of the present ruler of Vijayanagaram was made Subahdar of the North Sarkars. The Emperor Aurangzeb confirmed the Subahdar in his office and gave him a two-edged sword(zulfikar), which is still used in the coat-of-arms of the family. In 1817 the father of the present ruler made over his estate to Government to clear off his debts of 200,000 rupees. In 1827 he again made over his estate and died at Banaras, leaving a debt of 1,100,000. His successor, the later Maharajah Vijayarama Gajapati Raju III, was recognized in the room of his father in 1845 and had several honors conferred on him by the British Government. Lord Northbrook obtained for him the title of His Highness, and had his name enrolled among those of chiefs entitled to return visits from the Viceroy. He was clear of debt and distinguished himself by many acts of charity. His son was born December 31, 1850 and a daughter is married to His Highness Maharaj Kumar Singh, cousin and heir apparent of H.H.Maharajah of Rewah. The area of the country is 2,965 square miles (8,000 km2) with a population of 800,000 persons. Still in the coastal Andhra region, the last name Pusapati is associated with this ruling Dynasty. Additionally, the Pusapati has obtained power in modern India through participation in Government.The Rajahs of Vizianagaram obtained the title of 'Gajapathi', by right of conquest after the battle of Nandapur, in the Northern Circars in the sixteenth century. They never paid chouth to the Maharattas or any money as tribute to the French.The village Pooshpadu in Nandimandalam Taluq was built by Amala Raju. The village later came to be known as Pusapadu. Therefore, the Kshatriyas living there came to be known as Pusapati.The [Pericchedi|Paricchedi] Kings were ancestors of the Pusapati royal family who built Bezawada (Modern Vijayawada) off the river Krishna by 626 AD and another capital in Kollipaka establishing themselves for nine centuries there.Paricchedis were staunch patrons of Hindu Dharma in contrast to the Chalukyas, who initially were patrons of Jainism.[2] The family name was changed to Pusapati after moving to the coastal region. The name is derived from the Sanskrit Pushavat (Pushan), meaning of the sun, to highlight their Suryavanshi lineage. They founded the city of Vizianagaram, named after Vijay Rama Raju, spelled with a Z to differentiate it from the Vijayanagar Dynasty in Hampi. They obtained the title of Gajapathi, after the battle of Nandapur, in the Northern Circars in the 16th century. The Maharaja of Vizianagaram is stated to be descended from the Ranas of Udaipur,[3] the Sisodia branch of the Guhilot tribe and Vasishta gotra. According to the traditions of the Udaipur house, a member settled in Ayodhya (Oudh) and in the 6th century AD emigrated to Telingana, accompanied by representatives of the Vasishta, Dhanunjaya, Kaundinya and Kasyapa gotras. In 1484 Pusapati Rachi Raju wrote Vasistha Gotra Kshatriya Sisa Malika.The Rajas allied themselves with the Gajapathi Emperor of Orissa against the Vijayanagar Empire initially but after being conquered by Krishna Deva Raya they became their feudal allies. They, along with the other allies of Vijayanagar were conquered by Sultan Kali, the founder of the Qutub Shahi dynasty of Golkonda but by 1652 the 5th king of the subsequent Pusapati line was made Subahdar of the Northern Circars and they re-established themselves in the Vizagapatnam country. They obtained the title of Gajapathi, after the battle of Nandapur, in the northern circars in the 16th century.By 1713 they erected the fort at Vizianagaram where they have since resided. In 1827 Maharajah Vijay Rama Gajapati Raju III[6] had several honors conferred on him by the British Government. Lord Northbrook obtained for him the title of His Highness, and had his name enrolled among those of chiefs entitled to return visits from the Viceroy with a 13 gun salute. Vijay Ram Gajapati Raju Pusapati, the last crown prince of Vizianagaram, popularly known as P.V.G. and reverentially called "Raja Sahib".Until Our Independence in 1947,United Kingdom of Both Vizianagaram & Visakhapatnam were ruled by Pusapati Royal Family. Their Kingdom extended also beyond to some parts like Kotipalli in East godavari & some parts of Srikakulam & Borders of Orissa. The Kingdom of Pusapati Royal Family is the Largest & Royal Kshatriya Kingdom in Andhra Pradesh. Later on after Independence, Government divided both Visakhapatnam & Vizianagaram as separate Districts.

Modern community

After the independence of India, Zamindari was abolished. During this time many Raju zamindars donated their property and land liberally for the upliftment of poor and education. Vizianagaram is the oldest and largest Hindu Princely State of Andhra Pradesh (Samsthanam). Maharaja PVG Raju donated his Royal State to Republic of India. He also donated enormous wealth, Khazana, land, gold, diamonds, properties, palaces to Korukonda Sainik school, Andhra University, Mansas Trust and to poor and needy for schools, colleges and hospitals.[12]

References

  1. ^ Talbot, Cynthia (2001). Precolonial India in practice: Society, Region and Identity in Medieval Andhra. Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 57–58. ISBN 978-0-19-513661-6. Retrieved 2012-02-29.
  2. ^ Talbot, Cynthia (2001). Precolonial India in practice: Society, Region and Identity in Medieval Andhra. Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 61. ISBN 978-0-19-513661-6. Retrieved 2012-02-29.
  3. ^ K. Ramachandra Murty (1 January 2001). Parties, elections, and mobilisation. Anmol Publications. pp. 158–. ISBN 978-81-261-0979-1. Retrieved 25 July 2011.
  4. ^ a b Krishnarao, B.V (1942). A History of the Early Dynasties of Andhradesa. V. Ramaswami Sastrulu. p. 149,159.
  5. ^ Satyanarayana, A. (2002). "Growth of Education among the Dalit-Bahujan Communities in Modern Andhra, 1893-1947". In Bhattacharya, Sabyasachi (ed.). Education and the Disprivileged: Nineteenth and Twentieth Century India. Orient Blackswan. p. 53. ISBN 978-81-250-2192-6. Retrieved 2012-02-29.
  6. ^ Krishnarao, B.V (1942). A History of the Early Dynasties of Andhradesa. V. Ramaswami Sastrulu. p. 258.
  7. ^ C. D. Maclean (1877). Standing information regarding the official administration of the Madras presidency in each department: in illustration of the yearly administration reports. E. Keys. pp. 341–. Retrieved 25 July 2011.
  8. ^ Satish Chandra; Sri Venkatesvara University (1977*). Sri Rebala Lakshminarasa Reddy Endowment lectures, 1976. Sri Venkateswara University. Retrieved 25 July 2011. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ Krishnarao, B.V (1942). A History of the Early Dynasties of Andhradesa. V. Ramaswami Sastrulu. p. 269.
  10. ^ Suri, K. C. (September 2002). "Democratic Process and Electoral Politics in Andhra Pradesh, India" (PDF). London: Overseas Development Institute. p. 10. ISBN 0-85003-613-5. Retrieved 2012-02-29.
  11. ^ Book named SRI ANDHRA KSHATRIYA VAMSARATNAKARAM- Page No.s:642 & 643 about RAJA SAGI Family in Pandrangi Village, Padmanabham Mandal, Visakhapatnam District, and was Written & Published by Mr. Sri Buddharaju Varahalaraju in 1980.Based on this reference and also according to the history,the above articles about RAJA SAGI Family of Padmanabham & also Pusapati Gajapathi Kings of Vizianagaram in this page were written - Raja Sagi Sri Harsha Varma
  12. ^ http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2002080501120200.htm&date=2002/08/05/&prd=mp&
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