BEDARA KANNAPPA & BEDARS Boya Kannapa is known as Bedara Kannappa in Karnataka.

Bedars were Boya poligars who looked after village / palayam administration under Vijayanager empire in South India. This system of village level administration was a well established one deep rooted Rayalaseema, parts of Karnataka, and Tamilnadu which formed a major part of Vijayanagar kingdom. Palayam was a group of villages which was under administrative control of Palayakar / palayakarar / poligar. Palayam administration is just parallel to that of Mutha system of administration. Mutha => Palayam Muthas were administered by Mutharachas who inherit their rights of administration by hirarchy of the family tree and acquired through heriditory rights. In case of Palayam system, the palayakars were appointed by the king at his sweet will but generally they too continue on hirachy basis as long as king was pleased with them. Palayakars <=> bedars <=> mutharachas The Nayakas were also called Bedars. The bedars were also known as Beydurs. Some times they are also known as Berads. The bedars might be a gradual corrupted form for Boya Doras. The Bhills of North India are known as Boyas in Telugu speaking areas Andhra Pradesh. Donra = Lord = Chief (singular) Doras = Lords = Chiefs (plural) Boya Doras=> Boydoras => Beydoras => Beydurs The fall of Vijayanagara empire caused the emergence of splinter states in South India and Deccan. These states were collectively known as Poligars ( Palegars). They dominated the political scenario of the South India. These Poligar states were founded by the warrior tribes of South India. One such Poligar state known as Surapura Samsthana was founded by the Bedars and ruled between 1650 and 1858 AD in Sagara-nadu or Shorapur Doab (Gulbarga Dist. Karnataka). Raidurga was originally a stronghold of 'Bedars' ('Boya Palegars') who were very turbulent during the Vijayanagar rule. The emperor deputed an officer driving them out and ruled place himself and the hill was thus called "Bhupatirayakonda". After the battle of 'Rakshasa Tangadi', the Bedars regained the place, but were again driven out after some time by 'Koneti Nayak'. His son 'Venkatapathi Nayak' who had

differences with the 'Palegar' of Chittaldurg greatly strengthened the fortifications. Tipu captured the fort and made it a part of his Gooty province.

http://mudiraja.com/mudiraju_various_names.html 09. BHAKTA KANNAPPA & VETTUVAS & BEDARS : Kannappa Kula is a subcaste of Muthurajas in Tamilnadu and the tribal people of Boya Kannappa of Srikalahasti region of Andhra Pradesh. These people are also known as Vettuva Goundan or Vettuva Gounder in Tamilnadu. Vettuva Goundan or Vettuva Gounder is an endogamous social group or caste of indigenous tribal origin and are a Tamil speaking people in the Erode area of West Tamil Nadu state. Vettuva Gounders are from agricultural family backround like other gounders. Vettuva gounder's ancestors from the devotional legend of Siva bhakta Kannappan. They are from Khalhasti and moved from there to south. The most pocket of people are located in Erode, Madurai, Coimbatore, Bhavanishakar and also near Thirunelveli. In Tamil language the word Vettuvan or Vetan means a hunter. The word is derived from the noun Vettu or to cut. Many hunter gatherer tribes across Tamil nadu and neighboring Kerala are still referred to as Vetan or Vetar. Vettuva Pulayar is a name of a significant caste in Kerala. This term is etymologically related to Sinhalese Vedda and Telugu Bedda for primitive tribes. Vettuvas are of Telugu origin from Srikalahasti region of Andhra Pradesh. In Telugu Veta means hunting. The word Vetan and Vetar in Tamil are derived from Veta. Veta = Hunting Veta => Veta Gaadu = Hunter (singular) Veta => Veta Vaaru => Veta Vaandru = Hunters (Plural) Veta => Vetan => Vedan = Hunter Veta => Vetar => Vedar => Bedar = Hunter Veta Vaandru => Vetavaanru => Vetavaan => Vettuvan = Hunter Veta Vaandru => Vetavaanru => Vetavaar => Vettuvar = Hunter Vettuvan => Vettuvar => Vettuva = Hunter Although they are historically considered to be native to the region some consider them to be Vadugans or northerners meaning immigrants from further north in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Today they are found in all walks of life and rarely engaged in hunter gatherer activities. Apparently the clan divisions between a settled group commonly known as Vellala Gounder and Vettuva Gounder show similarities showing an assimilation of hunting groups into settled agricultural groups[citation needed]. The historical war between

Vellala Gounder and Vettuvas is mentioned in the mythical local Annamar-Appachimar story where the latter were defeated. Karnataka : The Bedars of Karnataka and Maharastra are an extended branch of Valmikis ( Kannappa kula = Vettuvas) of Andhra Pradesh. The word Bedar is derived from telugu word Veta. Veta (Telugu) = Hunting Veta => Vetan => Vedan => Vedar => Bedar => Bedara = Hunter Boya Kannapa is known as Bedara Kannappa in Karnataka. The Bedars were mostly Boya poligars who looked after village / palayam administration under Vijayanager empire in South India. This system of village level administration was a well established one deep rooted Rayalaseema, parts of Karnataka,and Tamilnadu which formed a major part of Vijayanagar kingdom. Palayam was a group of villages which was under administrative control of Palayakar / palayakarar / poligar. Palayam administration is just parallel to that of Mutha system of administration. Mutha =>Palayam Muthas were administered by Mutharachas who inherit their rights of administration by hirarchy of the family tree. In case of Palayam system of administration, the palayakars were appointed by the king at his sweet will but generally they too continue on hirachy basis as long as king was pleased with them. Palayakars <=> bedars <=> mutharachas The Nayakas were also called Bedars. The bedars were also known as Beydurs. Some times they are also known as Berads. The bedars might be a gradual corrupted form for Boya Doras. The Bhills of North India are known as Boyas in Telugu speaking areas Andhra Pradesh. It is widely accepted that Bhils are of Telugu origin due to the fact bhil means villu and villu means bow used by archers. Dora = Lord = Chief (singular) Doras = Lords = Chiefs (plural) Boya Doras=> Boydoras => Beydoras => Beydurs => bedars The fall of Vijayanagara empire caused the emergence of splinter states in South India and Deccan. These states were collectively known as Poligars ( Palegars). They dominated the political scenario of the South India. These Poligar states were founded by the warrior tribes of South India.

One such Poligar state known as Surapura Samsthana was founded by the Bedars and ruled between 1650 and 1858 AD in Sagara-nadu or Shorapur Doab (Gulbarga Dist. Karnataka). Raidurga was originally a stronghold of 'Bedars' ('Boya Palegars') who were very turbulent during the Vijayanagar rule. The emperor deputed an officer driving them out and ruled place himself and the hill was thus called "Bhupatirayakonda". After the battle of 'Rakshasa Tangadi', the Bedars regained the place, but were again driven out after some time by 'Koneti Nayak'. His son 'Venkatapathi Nayak' who had differences with the 'Palegar' of Chittaldurg greatly strengthened the fortifications. Tipu captured the fort and made it a part of his Gooty province. The Berads of Sagar The region between between the Krishna and Bhima Rivers is hilly and forested and is called Malnad. From Mysore north through the Malnad region and all the way to Bijapur were lands colonized by the Beradsa race of aboriginal Kanarese belonging to the lowest Dhed caste on account of their life style. Many of them were Lingayets or Vaishnavs and they had no dietary restrictions. They eat mutton, beef, pork, and fowl with gusto and drank to excess. Their race name means hunter in Kanarese and they also indulged in cattle-lifting and other crimes. Alternatively called Bedars/Beydurs these people were dark, muscular, and of middle height; with round faces, thin lips, and frizzled hair. A popular story ran that the Mughal historians were so impressed by their fighting qualities that they changed the name Berad to Be-dar, meaning fearless. Dar = fear Be-dar = fearless For the purpose of hunting and war the Bedars had adopted the matchlock and had become adept in the use of firearm. Their tribal organizationwhere headmen controlled different bands of younger fightersensured discipline and unity in their ranks. Not surprisingly they had become the steadiest and most accurate musketeers in 17th century South India. Another singular name used for them was kala-piadas or black foot-musketeers. Later on these same Berads formed the bulk of Tipu Sultans Frenchled infantry. The Bedar King of Sagar used the title Nayak and is known in Persian histories as Pam Nayak. Kala = black Paidal= > paidas = foot Bedras were known as a thieving caste that assisted in the plundering of Vijayanagar after the battle of Talikota. These Naikdas or Nayakas are to be found not only in the districts of Mysore but also in Maharashtra and Rajasthan. Ramoshis :

Today's Ramoshi was called Boya, Berad and Vedan. In Andhra it was called Boya and in Karnataka and Tamilnadu it was called Berad and Bedar. Ramoshis of Maharashtra have come from mostly Karnataka and their surnames are same as Berad-Ramoshi of Karnataka. Their original language is sothern. They first got settled in Karnataka and later migrated to Maharashtra. Word 'Bhuyal' in Berad's language seems to have originated from Boya. though it is known in Maharashtra as Ramoshi-Berad, the name 'Ramoshi' is not older than 100-200 years. The British declared the Berad-Ramoshis of Maharastra a criminal tribe. Almost every fort of Shivaji had a settlement of Berad-Ramoshi warriors at its foothills? And that 50 Ramoshis captured Fort Purandhar near Pune defeating the Mughals? The Berad-Ramoshis, who live mostly in south Maharashtra and in Karnataka where they are known as Beydurs. One of the most interesting stories in the book concerns the disarming of the Berads of Halgali, near Mudhol in Karnataka, in November 1857. During the first war of Independence, the British made it mandatory for people to surrender their arms. Lt-Col. G.B. Settunkar was entrusted with the task of implementing the order in south Maharashtra and north Karnataka. The Berads from Halgali village in Mudhol refused to surrender their arms. Settunkar and his colleagues marched to Halgali. For almost two days the entire village fought along with the Berads and stopped the army from entering the village. As a last resort, the army set ablaze the village by throwing in fireballs but the Berads did not give up. In the end, 19 of them were captured by the British and killed. The Berad-Ramoshi king of Shorapur in Gulburga district of Karnatak - Shorapur kingdom was founded in 1636 by Gaddipida Nayak. The British annexed it in 1858, after king Venkatappa Nayak was found dead in mysterious circumstances. The British said that it was a suicide, but is widely believed that he was shot dead by British. The story of the Battle of Wagengere (Wakinkheda), as it is known now in Maharashtra) in February 1705 - It was the last battle of Aurangzeb and it is believed that the families of Maratha generals, who were fighting the Mughals since the death of Shivaji in 1680, were sheltered by the king of Beydur, Venkatappa Naik IV. The brave Naiks surrendered only after they learnt that the families of the Marathas were given a safe passage out of the Wakinkheda fort. The royal family still preserves a letter written by Aurangzeb to the king of Shorapur in 1658 when he took over the reins of the Mughal empire. The inhabitants in the South of the River Krishna whether Telegus, Berads, or Purbiasdid impact the evolution of infantry warfare. The leaders were mostly regional landowners and military commanders.

A very widespread conspiracy was attempted in the Southern Mahratta districts of the Bombay presidency. The young Rajah of Shorapoor was deeply implicated in this treason and Captain Campbell's life being threatened. A portion of the contingent force stationed at Lingsoogoor, under Captain Wyndham , went to his assistance. This was treacherously attacked on February 7, 1858, by the rajah's tribe of Beydurs, with some Arabs and Rohillas. History of Ramoshis In 1871 the British Government declared some tribes as "Criminal". The established society did ot oppose this, contrararily they seem to have liked it. Some clauses were:
1 Permission should be obtained from police while shifting from one location to other. 2 Govt. could send the group of people outside the bounds of a certain area. 3 Govt. got the right to form a 'settlement' and keep the groups of people there.

1. Maharashtra -- Ramoshis are Berads or Boyas. Ramoshi did not originate from 'Ram vamshi'. It is in use only for hundred to hundred and fifty years. Before that, they were called Berad or Bedar, as mentioned during rule of Peshavas. Narveer Umaji Naik, in a letter of 1828, mentions as Ranvasi addressed to Ramoshis. Those days they were staying in hills and doing the job of protection of villages and crops in fields. Ramoshi might be a gradual corrupted form of the word Ram Vasi. Ram = Sri Rama of Valmiky Ramayana Vasi = controlled Rama + vasi => Ramvasi => Ramosi => Ramoshi = Vanara warriors controlled Sri Rama Boyas or Bedars were non other than Vanaras of Kishkinda kingdom of Ramayana times in South India. These were the vanara warriors who were controlled by Sri Rama in the war against Demon Ravana of Srilanka to recue Sita 2. Andhra Pradesh -- Boya, Dorabiddu and Valmiki are the names in vogue. Dorabiddu means sons of sardars. Boya consider themselves as sons of sardars and descendents of Valmiki. Dorabiddu = Dora + Biddu Dora = Lord = Chief =head of tribe Biddu = son Biddadu => Bidda => Biddu =son Dorabiddu = sons of chief = sons of sardar Valmiki was a bhill. Bhills are known as Boyas in Andhra Pradesh. Bhill stans for Villu. Villu meand Bow. The bhill means great archer. Ekalavya who proved to be superior in the skills of archery was also a bhill . Sri Krishna killed Ekalavya when the later attacked Dwaraka.

3. Tamilnadu -- Name in vogue is 'Vedan'. 4. Karnataka -- Names Berad and Bedar are in vogue. Bedar was word used by Muslims either to show the dauntless quality or may be inability to pronounce properly. Muslim books use word Bedar. The names are Berad, Bedar, Nayak, Talwar, Nayavadi, Naykar, Valmiki, Palegar etc. each having distinctive meaning. 1. Nayak and Nayakar -- During Kakatiya and Vijayanagar rules in Andhra, a head of a region was called Nayak, and traditional 'vatandars' were called Naykar. Akin to Deshmukh and Desais in Maharashtra, were Palegar and Naykars. Many Berads became Palegar on their own bravery. Nayak in Teugu means Ownner or Head or leader. May be this is origin of word. 2. Naykvadi was the title of Killedar. Those protecting outer walls of fortes were called Nayakvadi. 3. Talwar was name one doing work of village watchman or revenue work. For villege policing, carrying the land revenue to treasury headquarters, the workers had to bear arms, so called Talwar meaning sword. Religious customs of Berad-Ramoshis 1. Devata and kulswami -- Ramoshis of Maharashtra worship Khandoba as 'kulswami'. Also worship Mariaai, kalubai, janaai, firanjaai, tukaai, bhairoba etc., and also Yellamma. Berads of Karnataka worship Mallikarjuna, Mauti, Vekatesh as main deities and also worship Yellamma. Boyas worship Tirupati Venkat Ramana, Mariamma, Kanathrathan etc. Most of Berads are Shaivaites. They worship Shiva and engage Jangam or Lingayat Swami for religious functions. 2. Devak (Totems) -- Every kula has separate totem. No marriages take place within same totem though surnames may be different. They include pan-kanis, vasan-vel, surya-ful, umbar, jambhul etc. 3. Caste Panchayat of Berad Ramoshis -- The head is called Naik in Maharashtra and well respected. Previously they dealt with all disputes. In Karnataka he is called Nayak or Kahimani and Head of Boyas is called Naidu, Doraa or Sinhasan Boya. Their word is final and punishments differed, fine, feast to excommunication. 4. Wedding / Barase / Marmik -- Lingayat or Jangam is required. Sometimes Brahmin does it. Remarriages and widow marriages are allowed. Groom pays to bride's father some teej/dej/tyaj. There WAS no dowry system.

5. Barase and pachavi -- Child is named on 13th day. 'ghugarya' are distributed. On 5th day 'pachava chi puja' is performed. This time 'satwai' is worshiped. Child is named on twelth or twentyfirst day. 6. Funeral rites -- Burial was in vogue. Somewhere they cremate. On 3rd or 7th or 12th day they do 'mati lotne'. 'uttar karya vidhi' is performed that time. At the burial place, the stones are aranged, gulal is sprinkled. On 3rd day flowers and 'naivadya' is offered. History of Berads The original man was Guh. According to Rajguru of Shorapur princely state, Berads come from Tamilnadu migrating to Karnatake during Vijaynagar rule. Names of 14 ancestors are known to him but not whereabouts. The last was 'goshti pid nayaka', a contemporary of Shivaji Maharaj. This means the history dates back to 800 years from Shivaji's known date of 1630. Epigraphs of 8th to 11th century mention 'Bed-Beda', are they for the community? During Vijaynagar rule, these Nayak kings were assigned duty of protecting province of Tungabhadra. After of fall of Vijaynagar, the kings of Shorpur became independant. They only came under Bijapur court for name sake. But the Bijapur court was always afraid of Berad Nayak Kings. Later, during Maratha - Moghul conflict, Nayak kings played important role. After fall of Sambhaji and migration of Rajaram to Jinji, Moghu-Maratha conflict spread from Narmada to Tamilnadu and from east to west coast. Moghul Emperors realized they were fighting with a hurt identity in 1695. But it was not possible to turn back. During this conflict, Berad Nayaks played a delicate and important role. The families of all important Maratha sardars and their treasury was in Vagana-gera (or Wakin-kheda), the capital of these Nayak kings. Therefore, Aurangjeb had to fight his last battle of his life against Berad Nayaks of Vagana-gera during 1705 - 06. Struggle against the British Inumerable Berads sacrificed their lives in uprisings against the British. History knows very few names. The important are:
1820 -1831 -- Umaji Naik, Bhulaji, Pandu Naik -- they rovolted in Pune, Nagar, Nasik, Satara, Solapur, Kokan. Most of participants in these rebelions were Ramoshis. 1817 -- Gokak, Pachapur regions in Karnataka, Nayaks organized and rebelled. They were mostly Berads. Revolt of Kittur Channamma and Sangoli Rayanna in Karnataka had mostly Berads, 1817 -- Trimbak Dengale's revolt in Pune by sardars in Peshaai mostly had Ramoshi, Bhil, Koli etc.

1857 - Uprising of Rango Bapuji in Satara, rebelled in name of Chatrapati of Satara. Centres established for recruitment where Ramoshi Koli and Mangs were in majority. Two Madane Brothers of Ramoshi wadi (Koregaon Satara) and Nana Ramoshi of Kundal were blown by cannon. Many Ramoshis from Tasgaon in Bijapur Taluka participated. 1844-50 -- Tukaram and Mahankal, two sons of Umaji Naik revolted. 1857 - Berads of Village Halgali Dist. Bijapur Karnataka revolted against disarming act. 19 Berads were hanged at Mudhol. 1857 -- Raja Venkappa Nayak of Shurpur Dist Gulbarga rebelled. He died in struggle, 1870 -- 1880 Rebellion of Vasudev Balwant Phadake was participated by most of Ramoshis. Head was Daulati Naik, who died in fight against Capt. Daniel in Tisubai Hills. Hari Ramoshi was hanged at Jejuri and Berads at Mudhol. 1910 -- Veer Sindhur Laxman rebelled against Sansthanik at Jat ant British, was killed by treachery. Vajya - Baijya - fought against Saranjamdar at Kukudwad Dist Satara. 1942 - 'Quit India' movement and formed 'prati sarkar' - parellel Government. Most Ramoshis of Satara Sangali Pune Districts participated.

In olden days the boya chiefs were known as Bedars and hence Kannappa was also known as BEDARA KANNAPPA in kannada as bedara is a well known terminlogy in Kannada due to Vijayanagar empire in Hampi.

http://mudiraja.com/mudiraju_various_names.html Below is the list of sub class name for Muthuraja that Mr. Kiruban, Malaysia found out in one of the Tamilnadu government website and sent this website on 28/09/2006:
Muthuracha, Muthiriyar, Mutharaiyar (Including Muthuraja, Muttiriyar, Ambalakaran, Servai, Servaikkaran, Valaiyar, Kannappa Kula Valaiyar, Bharatava Valaiyar (Paratava Valayar), Palayakkaran, Kavalgar, Talaiyari, Vazhuvadiyar, Poosari, Muthuraj, Muthiriya Moopar (Shanan), Muthiriya Moopanar (Parkava Kulam), Muthiriya Naidu (Gavara), Muthiriya Naicker, Palayakara Naidu, Palayakara Naicker, Muthuraja Naidu, Vanniyarkula Muthuraj, Muthiriya Urali Gounder,

Muthiriya Rao, Vettuva Valaiyar, Arayar, Ambalam, Pillai

http://mudiraja.com/mudiraju_kings.html POLIGARS Poligars <= palegars <= Palayakars => Palayakarars = Palayakkarars => Palayakkarans Palayam = Mutha = a group villages forming an administrative unit in feudal system. Poligars <=> Mutharayars THE factional violence that often engulfs the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh has its roots in medieval history. The poligari system had evolved with the extension of Vijayanagar rule into Tamil Nadu. Each poligar was the holder of a territory or palayam (usually consisting of a few villages), granted to him in return for military service and tribute. Where circumstances allowed, the poligars naturally tended to place less emphasis on performing their duties and more on enhancing their own powers. Given their numerical strength, extensive resources, local influence and independent attitude, the poligars came to constitute a powerful force in the political system of south India. They regarded themselves as independent, sovereign authorities within their respective palayams, arguing that their lands had been handed down to them across a span of sixty generations Such claims of course were to be brushed aside by the East India Company... The kings of the Vijayanagar empire, which flourished between the 14th and 16th centuries and had its capital in Hampi (now in Karnataka), appointed chieftains in Rayalaseema for better administrative control of the region. These chieftains came to be known as `poligars' and were responsible for law and order and revenue collection in their respective areas. The Vijayanagar kingdom was defeated and destroyed by the combined might of the Bahmani Sultans in the Battle of Tallikota in 1565. With the fall of the Vijayanagar kingdom, the region's control passed on to the Golconda rulers of Hyderabad. The poligars of Rayalaseema soon became independent rulers as the weak Golconda administration could not control them. At least 200 such local power centres emerged. Unable to contain the lawlessness owing to internecine feuds among these warlords, the Nizam ceded four districts - Kurnool, Anantapur, Bellary and Cuddapah - to the British. The British, especially the Thomas Munroe administration, used harsh measures to contain the poligars - including death by public hanging - but did not succeed.

The poligars ruthlessly pursued their rivals and passed on the baggage of vengeance to their subsequent generations. Over the years, the poligars began extending financial support to the families of their followers to ensure their continued service. In case of death or maiming, the victims' families were always taken care of. This led to a system where the dependent families continued to live in bondage. This mutually beneficial arrangement divided society on strong emotional lines. In the year 1520, the king of Vijayanagara, Krishna Rayalu sent his Governor Visvanatha Nayaka to take over Madurai (old name Madura). The governor Viswanatha Nayaka appointed the Palaiyakaras (Poligars), many of who were the dependents and adherents of his own caste, and they were granted a tract of country consisting of certain number of villages. ( Palayakarars are a subcaste of Muthurajas in Tamilnadu. From the above it is clear that Viswanatha Nayak himself and most of the poligars appointed by him were the warrior administrators belonging to Mutharaya caste.) These Palaiyakaras (Poligars) were bound to pay a fixed annual tribute and to supply and keep in readiness a quota of troops for the governor's armies. For fifteen generations Nayaka rulers ruled (1559 to 1736) Madurai. The Nayaka never called themselves kings of Madura. They professed to be lieutenants of the great Rayalu of Vijayanagara. These Poligar's reign record little more than a disgraceful, murders and civil commotions, relieved only by the factitious splendor of gifts to temples, idols, and priests, by means of which they apparently succeeded in getting the Brahmans and poets to speak well of them, and thus in keeping the mass of the people patient under heir misrule. Most of the time these poligars were not fighting the foreign foes but their legitimate ruler of the country. The Poligar of Panjalamkurichi was a Nayaka of the Kambala division of the caste. Bomma is a common Telugu name. Kattaboma Nayaka's rule towards the close of the 17th century was the centre of all disloyalty and misrule. He was just another ruthless, rapacious feudal lord, who just managed the fort that was granted to him. But, he nor his ancestors were true to their given assignments. From 1748, after the commencement of the rule of the Nawab of Arcot, under the Carnatic Nizam, Kattabomma Nayaka continued his attack against them. They collected taxes and other kaval charges from the people residing there but never gave their annual revenue to their ruling authorities (Vijayanagara rulers or the Carnatic rulers). By doing so, they often fought with the central authority. It was rarely possible to collect from them the revenue due to the central authority without the display of military force. (Even earlier than British Intervention) From his fort of Panjalamkurichi the Poligar used to sally forth at the head of his armed followers, and making incursions into Circar villages, as well as into the villages of other Poligars, sack and plunder all that came into his way, often times carrying off some of the

principal inhabitants. Kattaboma Nayaka often used to make raids into the neighbouring territories, especially into the territories of the Poligar of Ettaiyapuram. He occupied Supplapuram village of Ettappan. This resulted in the enmity between the two Poligars. He often made war or committed depredations, as his local interests, or his passions lead him, upon other Poligar's territories without any provocations. Some say that Ketti bommu was of naiker clan and his court language was telugu. He was not a king and zamindhar holding just half of todays tuticorin dist. No relation to Pandiya dynasty and he was not even of tamil orgin. He failed to pay his taxes and escaped to pudukottai after a tussle with british forces, captured and hanged. Some believe that he a blot to Tamil history. No tamils whose mother tongue was Tamil in the neigbhouring areas liked him. He was brutal and robbed ordinary peasants of that area of their livlihood because he was a telugu and he had no respect for the tamil speaking people. So, they joined hand with the british and eliminated him. Some people question that if he was a real hero of the masses, then why only naidus in that region worship him (with some of their rusted weapons). That too very few of them in numbers. So they argue that he was a Telugu and he was a Hero of telugus only. This was the reality. There is a huge portrait of Kattabomman near the Kattabomman memorial fort constructed by the Government of Tamil Nadu in 1974. His name is remembered among the people as a brave tamil hero who stood against the british long before the first war of Indian independence that would be instigated by Mangal Pandey on 1857. Special pujas were conducted at Sri Devi Jakkammal temple, hereditary goddess of Kattabomman, located near the fort. The cemetery of British soldiers are seen near the fort. Within the memorial Hall, there are beautiful paintings on the walls depicting the heroic deeds of the saga. The tourists can easily get a good idea about the history of the momentous period from that. The remnants of the old fort is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. At Kayatar, very near to Tirunelveli , there is another memorial for Kattabomman. It is the place where he was hanged.

http://www.traveladda.com/south_india/andhra_pradesh/forts_and_palaces/rayadurg_fort .html RAYADURG FORT Fast Facts : Situated : At a distance of 90 km away from Ananthapura

Close by Attractions : Penukonda Fort, Lepakshi, Hemavathi, Gooty Fort, Puttaparthi. Recommended time to be here : In the months of (September - February) Accommodation : Accommodation options are easily available in lodges and hotels at (Anantapur). 'Rayadurg' factually means ("King's Hill Fortress"). This Fort symbolized a very important part in the account of (Vijayanagar Empire). Rayadurg fort has numerous internal forts and was unapproachable for opponents to assail. It is constructed at an elevation of (2727 ft) above the sea level. Memoirs : Rayadurg was initially an iron grip of (Boya Palegars) 'Bedars' who were extremely tumultuous throughout the rule of Vijayanagar. The emperor assigned an officer lashing them out and feinted place hisself and thus the hill was known as "Bhupatirayakonda". Subsequently after the forceful Rakshasa Tangadi, the Bedars recuperated the place, however were once more driven out by (Koneti Nayak). His son ('Venkatapathi Nayak') who had disparity with ('Palegar' of Chittaldurg) greatly reinforced the ramparts. This fort was incarcerated by Tipu and he made it as a part of his (Gooty Province). Attractions inside the fort : Remains of Rayadurg fort can be still found on the foothills of the Rayadurg Town. This unique hill fort was constructed by Junga Nayak. A part of this citadels wall has disintegrated. There are 4 caves placed beneath the slope which has small doors of stone with sculptors of (Siddhas). The area of the fort comprises of many village temples like Elamma, Narashimhaswamy and Hanuman, which are often thronged by devotees. You can also visit some of the other temples like Jambukeswara, Kanyakaparameswari, Prassanna Venkatesvara and Venugopala. One more significant and a stunning display is ("Dasabhuja Ganapathi"), effigy of (Lord Ganesha) with 10 shoulders. This idol was sculpted from a monolithic stone of 4m.This idol of Ganesha ('Dasabhuja Ganapathi) is a proof of the architectural skills i.e. ecstatic Shilpkala of the ancient days.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rayadurg

'Rayadurga' literally means "King's Hill Fortress". The Rayadurga Fort played a very significant role in the history of the Vijayanagar Empire. The fort has many inner forts and is inaccessible for enemies to attack. It is built at a height of 2727 ft. from sea level. Rayadurga was originally a stronghold of "Rayadurg Palegar" who were very turbulent during the Vijayanagar rule. The emperor deputed an officer to drive them out and ruled the place himself and the hill was thus called "Bhupatirayakonda". After the battle of 'Rakshasa Tangadi', the Bedars regained the place, but were again driven out after some time by 'Koneti Nayak'. His son 'Venkatapathi Nayak' who had differences with the 'Palegar' of Chittaldurg greatly strengthened the fortifications. Tipu captured the fort and made it a part of his Gooty province. The ruins of the fort can still be seen on the hill at the foot of which the Raidurga town is built. The hill fort is said to have been built by one 'Junga Nayak'. A portion of the fort wall has crumbled. Down below the slope of the hill are four caves with small stone doors with carvings of 'Siddhas'. The fort area contains most of the temples of the village including those of 'Narashimhaswamy', Hanuman, and 'Elamma', which are frequently visited by devotees. There are other temples including those of 'Prasanna Venkateswara', 'Venugopala', 'Jambukeswara', 'Veerabhadra', and 'Kanyakaparameswari'. Another important and a spectacular sight is "Dasabhuja Ganapathi", a statue of Lord Ganesha with ten shoulders. It was carved out from a 4 m high monolithic stone. 'Dasabhuja Ganapathi' statue is witness to the beautiful "Shilpakala" of olden days. Kalyandurg fort, Akkamma Konda and Kothi Konda(kota konda) are some of the famous tourist destinations.

http://www.ambedkar.org/jamanadas/CriminalTribes.htm
*History of Ramoshis*

In 1871 the British Government declared some tribes as "Criminal". The established society did ot oppose this, contrararily they seem to have liked it. Some clauses were: 1. Permission should be obtained from police while shifting from one location to other. 2. Govt. could send the group of people outside the bounds of a certain area. 3. Govt. got the right to form a 'settlement' and keep the groups of people there. Before the British came, what was their history? Today's Ramoshi was called Boya, Berad and Vedan. In Andhra it was called Boya and in Karnataka and Tamilnadu it was

called Berad and Bedar. Ramoshis of Maharashtra have come from mostly Karnataka and their surnames are same as Berad-Ramoshi of Karnataka. Their original language is sothern. They first got settled in Karnataka and later migrated to Maharashtra. Word 'Bhuyal' in Berad's language seems to have originated from Boya. though it is known in Maharashtra as Ramoshi-Berad, the name 'Ramoshi' is not older than 100-200 years. 1. Maharashtra -- Ramoshis are Berads or Boyas. Ramoshi did not originate from 'Ram vamshi'. It is in use only for hundred to hundred and fifty years. Before that, they were called Berad or Bedar, as mentioned during rule of Peshavas. Narveer Umaji Naik, in a letter of 1828, mentions as Ranvasi addressed to Ramoshis. Those days they were staying in hills and doing the job of protection of villages and crops in fields. 2. Andhra Pradesh -- Boya, Dorabiddu and Valmiki are the names in vogue. Dorabiddu means sons of sardars. Boya consider themselves as sons of sardars and descendents of Valmiki. 3. Tamilnadu -- Name in vogue is 'Vedan'. 4. Karnataka -- Names Berad and Bedar are in vogue. Bedar was word used by Muslims either to show the dauntless quality or may be inability to pronounce properly. Muslim books use word Bedar. The names are Berad, Bedar, Nayak, Talwar, Nayavadi, Naykar, Valmiki, Palegar etc. each having distinctive meaning. 1. Nayak and Nayakar -- During Kakatiya and Vijayanagar rules in Andhra a head of a region was called Nayak, and traditional 'vatandars' were called Naykar. Akin to Deshmukh and Desais in Maharashtra, were Palegar and Naykars. Many Berads became Palegar on their own bravery. Nayak in Telgu means Ownner or Head. May be this is origin of word. 2. Naykvadi was the title of Killedar. Those protecting outer walls of fortes were called Nayakvadi. 3. Talwar was name one doing work of village watchman or revenue work. For villege policing, carrying the land revenue to treasury headquarters, the workers had to bear arms, so called Talwar meaning sword.

Religious customs of Berad-Ramoshis*

1. Devata and kulswami -- Ramoshis of Maharashtra worship Khandoba as 'kulswami'. Also worship Mariaai, kalubai, janaai, firanjaai, tukaai, bhairoba etc., and also Yellamma.

Berads of Karnataka worship Mallikarjuna, Mauti, Vekatesh as main deities and also worship Yellamma. Boyas worship Tirupati Venkat Ramana, Mariamma, Kanathrathan etc. Most of Berads are Shaivaites. They worship Shiva and engage Jangam or Lingayat Swami for religious functions. 2. Devak (Totems) -- Every kula has separate totem. No marriages take place within same totem though surnames may be different. They include pan-kanis, vasan-vel, surya-ful, umbar, jambhul etc. 3. Caste Panchayat of Berad Ramoshis -- The head is called Naik in Maharashtra and well respected. Previously they dealt with all disputes. In Karnataka he is called Nayak or Kahimani and Head of Boyas is called Naidu, Doraa or Sinhasan Boya. Their word is final and punishments differed, fine, feast to excommunication. 4. Wedding / Barase / Marmik -- Lingayat or Jangam is required. Sometimes Brahmin does it. Remarriages and widow marriages are allowed. Groom pays to bride's father some teej/dej/tyaj. There WAS no dowry system. 5. Barase and pachavi -- Child is named on 13th day. 'ghugarya' are distributed. On 5th day 'pachava chi puja' is performed. This time 'satwai' is worshiped. Child is named on twelth or twentyfirst day. 6. Funeral rites -- Burial was in vogue. Somewhere they cremate. On 3rd or 7th or 12th day they do 'mati lotne'. 'uttar karya vidhi' is performed that time. At the burial place, the stones are aranged, gulal is sprinkled. On 3rd day flowers and 'naivadya' is offered.

History of Berads*

There is no written history. Scanty writings are available by others. It has to be corelated with oral yraditions. The original man was Guh. According to Rajguru of Shorapur princely state, Berads come from Tamilnadu migrating to Karnatake during Vijaynagar rule. Names of 14 ancestors are known to him but not whereabouts. The last was 'goshti pid nayaka', a contemporary of Shivaji Maharaj. This means the history dates back to 800 years from Shivaji's known date of 1630. Epigraphs of 8th to 11th century mention 'Bed-Beda', are they for the community? During Vijaynagar rule, these Nayak kings were assigned duty of protecting province of Tungabhadra. After of fall of Vijaynagar, the kings of Shorpur became independant. They only came under Bijapur court for name sake. But the Bijapur court was always afraid of Berad Nayak Kings.

Later, during Maratha - Moghul conflict, Nayak kings played important role. After fall of Sambhaji and migration of Rajaram to Jinji, Moghu-Maratha conflict spread from Narmada to Tamilnadu and from east to west coast. Moghul Emperors realized they were fighting with a hurt identity in 1695. But it was not possible to turn back. During this conflict, Berad Nayaks played a delicate and important role. The families of all important Maratha sardars and their treasury was in Vagana-gera (or Wakin-kheda), the capital of these Nayak kings. Therefore, Aurangjeb had to fight his last battle of his life against Berad Nayaks of Vagana-gera during 1705 - 06.

Struggle against the British*

Inumerable Berads sacrificed their lives in uprisings against the British. History knows very few names. The important are: 1. 1820 -1831 -- Umaji Naik, Bhulaji, Pandu Naik -- they rovolted in Pune, Nagar, Nasik, Satara, Solapur, Kokan. Most of participants in these rebelions were Ramoshis. 2. 1817 -- Gokak, Pachapur regions in Karnataka, Nayaks organized and rebelled. They were mostly Berads. 3. Revolt of Kittur Channamma and Sangoli Rayanna in Karnataka had mostly Berads, 4. 1817 -- Trimbak Dengale's revolt in Pune by sardars in Peshaai - mostly had Ramoshi, Bhil, Koli etc. 5. 1857 - Uprising of Rango Bapuji in Satara, rebelled in name of Chatrapati of Satara. Centres established for recruitment where Ramoshi Koli and Mangs were in majority. Two Madane Brothers of Ramoshi wadi (Koregaon Satara) and Nana Ramoshi of Kundal were blown by cannon. Many Ramoshis from Tasgaon in Bijapur Taluka participated. 6. 1844-50 -- Tukaram and Mahankal, two sons of Umaji Naik revolted. 7. 1857 - Berads of Village Halgali Dist. Bijapur Karnataka revolted against disarming act. 19 Berads were hanged at Mudhol. 8. 1857 -- Raja Venkappa Nayak of Shurpur Dist Gulbarga rebelled. He died in struggle, 9. 1870 -- 1880 Rebellion of Vasudev Balwant Phadake was participated by most of Ramoshis. Head was Daulati Naik, who died in fight against Capt. Daniel in Tisubai Hills. Hari Ramoshi was hanged at Jejuri and Berads at Mudhol. 10. 1910 -- Veer Sindhur Laxman rebelled against Sansthanik at Jat ant British, was killed by treachery. 11. Vajya - Baijya - fought against Saranjamdar at Kukudwad Dist Satara.

12. 1942 - 'Quit India' movement and formed 'prati sarkar' - parellel Government. Most Ramoshis of Satara Sangali Pune Districts participated.

http://www.aparchaeologymuseum.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/ANANTAPUR.pdf 18. Chenakesava temple , Kadavakallu Estd. Cost Rs. 20.00 lakhs Puthur Mandal. This village is about 20 kms away from Tadipatri on the Kondapuram-Goddumarri road in Putlur mandal, and also known as Kalava-Koladu and it was the seat of local chiefs ie., Boya Palegars. The temple Chennakesava was constructed by Messa Thimma Naidu, a Boya palegar. The temple has garbhagriha, antrala ,mukhamandapa and faces west. are of Nagara order. The sikhara of thgis temple is decorated with stucco vainasanava sculptures. This temple is dated to 16th C.A.D.

http://www.isrj.net/UploadedData/2132.pdf The popular devotee of Shiva, Kannappa was cultural leader of all the Beda community. He gave his eyes to god shiva, so as to please him. Valmiki is the popular godman to the Bedar community. Further, Eklavya of Mahabharatha was also from Beda community. Madakari Nayaka of Bedar community was popular ruler in Chitradurga. Sindhoor Laxman was a popular freedom fighter, who fought against the British. It is noted that Maharshi Valmiki, Kirata Bhil, composed the Ramayana. He is considered to be an avatar in the Balmiki community. Sri Krishnadevaraya was ruling over the Vijayanagar Empire from 1509 AD to 1529 AD. In about 1562, there were very well known Nayakas in the Vijayanagar army were 'Boya Ramappa' and 'Tipparaju', the Boya chief of Pulivendakonda and the palaegars of Kotakonda-Kappatralla. During Vijaynagar rule, these Nayak kings were assigned the duty of protecting the province of Tungabhadra. After the fall of Vijaynagar, the kings of Sholapur became independent and only came under Bijapur court in name. The Bijapur court was always afraid of Beda Nayak Kings. The Chitradurga Palegar family was of the Beda, or Balmiki caste and belonged to one of the hunting hill tribes. Raja Venkatappa Naik of Surpur was also a popular ruler and revolted against the British and committed suicide due to his defeat from the British. Further, groups of Bedars were revolted against the British in Halagali in Bijapur District. Hence, it can be said that the Bedars or Valmiki tribe is brave and recorded its rich identification in the Karnataka history. The historical information sources reveal that the Beda community tribe is having its own rich heritage in the ruling of parts of Karnataka and also revolted in many parts of Karnataka against the British.

http://gazetteer.kar.nic.in/gazetteer/hand%20book/Chapter%20-2.pdf A Handbook of Karnataka 52 Birds eye view A birds eye view of Karnatakas political history is presented here briefly. The Gangas and the Kadambas ruling from c.345 A.D; the Chalukyas of Badami in Bagalkot district (c.540 to 753 A.D) overthrowing the Kadambas and subjugating the Gangas; the Alupas ruling in coastal region as minor rulers for morethan 1000 years; the Rashtrakutas of Malkhed from Gulbarga district (753 to History 53 973 A.D) succeeding the Badami Chalukyas, and they in turn were overthrown by the Chalukyas of Kalyana (973 to 1189A.D), ruling from modern Basava Kalyana, in Bidar district. The Gangas who continued in the Southern parts, earlier as sovereign rulers (350 to 550 A. D) and later as allies or feudatories of either Badami or Malkhed rulers till 1004 A.D., paved way for the Chola rule when their territory viz., Gangawadi-96,000 (Southern Karnataka) was occupied by the Cholas. The Cholas who dominated over Southern Karnataka from about 1004 A.D. were overthrown by Hoysala Vishnuvardhana in circa 1114 A.D. During the Kalyana Chalukya rule, came the Kalachuri Interregnum (1162-1184). It witnessed Basava and his Veerashaiva movement. The Kalyana Chalukyas were overshadowed by their feudatories, viz.,the Sevunas of Devagiri and the Hoysalas of Dwarasamudra, who divided Karnataka between themselves; when the armies of the Delhi Sultanate overthrew these two dynasties, the Vijayanagara Empire (1336) and the Bahamani Sultanate (1347) came to rule over Karnataka, and the former had control over the greater part of Karnataka. Of the five Shahi Sultanates which succeeded the Bahamanis, the Adilshahis of Bijapur (1489-1686) and the Baridshahis of Bidar (15041619), who held sway over northern parts of Karnataka and at a later stage, the former dynasty overthrew the latter. The city of Vijayanagara was ransacked by the combined Shahi forces of Deccan in 1565, The flee away Vijayanagara commander Venkatapatiraya and Tirumalaraya decided to shift the capital of the empire first to Penugonda (1565), and later, to Chandragiri both in Andhra Pradesh and subsequently to Vellore (Tamilnadu), beyond the frontiers of Karnataka. It continued as capital till 1646. Of the successors of Vijayanagar in Karnataka, among their numerous feudatories, the Mysore Odeyars, Chitradurga Palegars, Magadi Palegars and the Keladi Nayakas were the most important. The northern regions were under the control of the Adilshahis of Bijapur till 1686, when they were overthrown by the Mughals. With the weakening of the Mughal power in the North, the Marathas came to have control over northern districts of Karnataka. Haidar Ali, who usurped power from the Odeyars of Mysore in 1761, captured both Keladi and Chitradurga Kingdoms in 1763 and 1779 respectively and extended his sway over Mangalore. Later, Karnataka came under British rule immediately after the overthrow of Tipu, Haidars son in 1799 and the Marathas in 1818, when the Peshwa was defeated by British. But after having been subjected to a number of administrations during the British rule and witnessed active participation in the freedom struggle for Self rule, it became a single State in 1956 and in 1973 it was renamed as Karnataka.

http://valmikiresearch.com/Nayaka%20Valmiki.htm Chitradurga Nayaka (Karnataka) Socio Economic Conditions of Ramayana Period The society was divided in four Varnas. The four divisions (Varna) of the society were Brahamana , Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra. This division was based on the guna (characteristic tendencies) and the Karma (acts) of the individuals. Janmana jayate Shudrah Karmana Jayte Dvijah At birth every child is born as Shudra. By his own Karma (action) he becomes a twiceborn (dvijah). Brahaman, Kshatriya and Vaishya. The caste, as understood today is based on birth in particular division. It is the result of generations of people trying to preserve their knowledge and trade within limited circles, by limiting their alliances and minglings with others who follow the same pursuits for the same reasons. During the Ramayana period ,varna system(Varnashram Dharma) was prevalent. Vishwamitra , who was Kshatriya , was recognized as Brahmarishi. Why there was no caste discrimination in ancient India? read details? The Ramayana was written by sage Valmiki, born in a Nayaka, Kirat, Boya community. The Mahabharata was written by Veda Vyas,the son of Satyavati, daughter of a ferryman or fisherman, and the wandering sage Parashara. Maharshi Vasishta, Guru of Lord Rama, married Arundhati , not a brahmin. They were not brahmins. MY QUESTION IS HOW AND WHO DIVIDED INDIA INTO UPPER CASTES AND LOWER CASTES AND DALITHS WERE REGARDED AS UNTOUCHABLES? The Saraswat Brahmins claim descent from a Brahmin caste mentioned in ancient Hindu scriptures as inhabiting the Saraswati River valley. The reason for their generocity towards Saraswat Brahmins could be that many of these Valmikis were from the banks of river Saraswati in Rajastan and these Valmikis were highly aryanised. The Valmiki himself was an Indo-Aryan .

The Karnataka Government, according to tribal welfare activists, committed a grave injustice to the original tribal people by recommending to the Union Government to include the communities and castes such as Nayaka, Valmiki and Beda under the Scheduled Tribe classification by yielding to political pressure. According to them, the inclusion of the Nayaka community in the ST category has greatly diluted the ST classification, resulting in members of this dominant community cornering most benefits of reservation. From History of Karnataka, it can be seen that the Valmiki people were rulers of some places such as Chitradurga, Surpur, Keladi, etc. In Karnataka the Valmiki community are also called as Nayaka, Beda, Talavara. All these people are known as Valmikis. The Beda(means Hunters), Talavar (means Natives) also use Nayak as the last names. Now Beda and Talavar communities are identified as Nayaks. The Bedas are the Bedars and the Bedars are Vedars. While Vedars are a subcaste of Tamil Muthuraja community, these people known as Valmikis are a subcaste of Telugu Mudiraj community today. Vetans = Vedars = the people of Kannappa Kula. Beda or Boya=Boyar = Bedar = Vedar = Valmiki Chitradurga region has been in existence much before the Vijayanagara empire (1300 AD), governed by local chieftains called "Nayakas". One such Chieftain by name Timmanna Nayaka rose to the rank of governor of Chitradurga under the Vijayanagara empire as a reward for his excellence in military achievements; this fort was built by him in 1562 AD. After the fall of the city of Vijayanagara in 1565, the Chitradurga family and most other central Karnataka nayakas soon declared their independence of the remnants of that empire. Later, in the 17th-18th centuries, Chitradurga became the headquaters of Bedas, until it was occupied by Haider Ali in 1799 and then annexed by the British. It is well known fact that the Mudiraj people worship Goddess Ankamma. There is one Ankali mutt near Chitradurga. Nestling amongst a group of rugged hills, west of Chitradurga, this mutt is known for its subterranean chambers. Near the Panchalinga cave (Wonder cave) entrance, is an inscription dated 1286 A.D. executed in the reign of the Hoysala King Narasimha III. This stronly proves that these Valmiki Nayakas and Mudiraj are one and the same. This region of Tirupati and Srikalahasti is known to be the home land of Kalabhras ( the ancestors of Muthurajas ) who inveded Chola, Chera, and Pandya kingdoms. These Valmikis could be the descendants of kalabhras who are in turn are known as branch of Kalachuris of Central India. The term Nayaka means leader. The Nayaka community has three sub-castes namely Valmiki, Beda and Talavara. Valmiki claim direct descent from Valmiki, the author of Ramayana. Bedas practice hunting. Talavars function as messengers as well as village watchmen.NAIKADA, NAYAKA Popularly known as Palegar, Beda, Valmiki, Ramoshi Parivara etc., they are concentrated in the Chitradurga, Shimoga, Bellary and Tumkur. Madakari Nayaka

Madakari Nayaka was the last ruler of Chitradurga.From the south, Hyder Ali of Mysore pretended friendship with Madakari Nayaka and won the Nijagal fort from Marathas, but later Hyder-Ali's eyes fell on Chitraduraga. Hyder-Ali's son Tipu Sultan made it possible by defeating Madakari Nayaka. During the reign of Madakari Nayaka, the city of Chitradurga was besieged by the troops of Hyder Ali. Hyder Ali spotted a woman entering Chitradurga through a gap in the rocks and sent his soldiers through the crack hole. The guard on duty of the port near the gap had gone home for lunch, leaving his wife to guard the gap. Obavva noticed the soldiers emerging out of this crack, but used her onake (flail for rice) to kill the soldiers. The guard, Obavva's husband, upon his return from his lunch was shocked to see Obavva, with a blood stained Onake and hundreds of soldiers lying dead about her. The passage remains as a historical witness for the story, beside the Tanniru DoNi -a small water source which holds cold water all round the year. Hyder Ali attacked again in 1799 and took the fort. The place is renowned for its Kallina Kote ("the place of the stone fort"), and is home to the "Fort of Seven Rounds", built with large stones. The Chitradurga Paleyagar family was of the Beda or Boyar (caste), one of the hill tribes who subsisted by hunting and tending cattle. The accounts of their origin are somewhat confused. According to one tradition, three Beda families emigrated from Jadikal-durga, in Tirupati, and settled at Nirutadi near Bharamasngara about 1475. They are said to have belonged to the Kamageti family and Valmiki gotra. The son and the grandson of one of these, Hire Hanummappa Nayaka and Timmanna Nayaka, settled at Matti in Davangere taluk. The latter, called Kamageti Timmanna Nayaka, was appointed by the Vijayanagara king, first as the Nayaka of Holalkere, then of Hiriyur and finally of Chitradurga. He fortified the hill at the last-mentioned place and conducted himself in such a manner that a force was sent by the king against him. According to another account, Timmanna Nayaka came with a small body of armed men from a place called Madakeri below the ghats near Tirupati and entered the service of the Paleyagar of Basavapattana. When later as some quarrel arose about a mistress he had kept at Matti, he left the place and took refuge at Mayakonda. Being pursued there also, he escaped to the jungle near Guntur and from there, collecting a band, started plundering on every side, and erected a small fort called Rangapatna near Haleyur. The neighbouring Paleyagars of Harapanahalli, Nidugal and Basavapattana, being annoyed by his depredations, united against him and, with the aid of some Vijayanagara troops, marched upon Rangapatna. Timmanna Nayaka was then forced to retire to Chitradurga, where he was closely besieged. At that time the following incident occurred, which led to his recognition as one of the chiefs dependent on Vijayanagara. This was in about 1562. Timmanna Nayaka Timmanna Nayaka distinguished himself by stealing into the camp at night with the intention of carrying off the horse of Saluva Narasinga Raya, the Vijayanagara prince, who commanded the forces against him. The groom awoke, and Timmanna hid in the straw to escape observation, when the groom, driving in afresh the peg for the heel ropes, sent it right through the hand of the hiding thief! The latter bore the pain silently and

without moving, and when all was again still, he released himself by cutting off the hand which remained pinned to the ground, and made off with the horse This unexampled proof of fortitude showed the besieging army well that no intimidation would be effectual with such an opponent. A peace was, therefore, said to have been concluded. The Vijayanagara king invited the Nayaka to the capital and expressed his great admiration of his courageous exploit. At the request of the king, Timmanna Nayaka next took Gulbarga, which the Vijayanagara forces had failed to take even after a siege of 6 months. The king, pleased with this invited him to court. At a later period, however, he incurred the royal displeasure and was imprisoned at Vijayanagara, where he died. Timmanna Nayaka was succeeded by his son Obana Nayaka. He took the name Madakeri Nayaka and within a few years of his coming to the throne, declared his independence from the Vijayanagara empire. In 1602, Obana Nayaka was succeeded by his son Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka. His reign was full of conflicts with the neighbouring chiefs. There took place several battles with the Paleyagar of Basavapattana in connection with the possession of Mayakonda, Santebennur, Holalkere, Anaji, Jagalur and other places, which ultimately remained as parts of Chitradurga territory. At the time of his death in 1652, his possessions yielded a revenue of 65,000 Durgi Pagodas. Rangappa Nayaka was succeeded by his son Madakeri Nayaka II in 1652. He is also credited with a number of victories, particularly in the east. During his time, the kingdom was divided into four regions and the local officers in charge: of these were Hotte Gurukanna, Karanika Bhunappa, Abbigere Mallanna and Karanika Appanna. The Nayaka died in 1674, leaving a dominion yielding 100,000 Durgi Pagodas. Chikkanna Nayaka Madakeri Nayaka had no children and his adopted son, Obana Nayaka succeeded him to the throne of Chitradurga. Obana was put to death by the Dalavayis, possibly because he had failed to give them the customary gratuities. Chikkanna Nayaka, a younger brother of Madakeri Nayaka, was installed in 1676. At this time, the Harapanahalli chief laid siege to Anaji and killed the local officer Bhunappa. Chikkanna Nayaka went to Anaji and forced the opponents to ruse the siege. Immediately after this, he had to run to Harihar todefend it against the Muhammadans, who, under Shamsher Khan had attacked that place. The defence was effected by the following strategy ; On the approach of night, numerous torches were lit and fixed to the branches of trees and the horns of the cattle and the musicians were asked to play on their instruments as usual at his encampment on a hill called Baregudda. The intention was to create an impression in the enemies' camp that the army was there still. The Nayaka marched with his whole force by a circuitous route and threw himself into the fort from the west and drove off the enemies. The Chitradurga officer at Harihar at this time is said to have been a Muslim named Sher Khan who was continued in his position by the Nayaka. Chikkanna formed marriage alliances with the Rayadurga and Basavapattana chiefs. It is said that the Chitradurga family changed its religious faith twice during the reign of this Nayaka. First, the entire family embraced Veerashaivism and the Nayaka even caused a Matha to be built in the fort and a Virakta Jangama named Ugrachannaviradeva to be appointed to act as a guru

to them. But later, all are said to have returned to their original faith, except one lady named Hatti Mallavva Nagati, who wore the linga on her person and live separately from the rest of the family. Chikkanna Nayaka died in 1686. Chikkanna Nayaka was succeeded by his elder brother Linganna Nayaka, otherwise called Madakeri Nayaka III. But at this time there arose a serious difference of opinion amongst the Dalavayis as to the rightful successor to the throne. One section of them, headed by one Panchamara Muddanna, imprisoned, and later killed, Linganna Nayaka and set up one Donne Rangappa Nayaka on the throne. For some time Muddanna remained the strongest man in Chitradurga ; but soon the other section headed by one Dalavayi Bharamappa gained the upper hand. Muddanna and his brothers were soon destroyed and Donne Rangappa imprisoned. Bharamappa Nayaka This Dalavayi Bharamappa was a man of forethought interested in the integrity of the State. At this moment, there being no direct heir to the throne, he, in consultation with the other elders of the court, brought a distant heir named Bharamappa Nayaka. The new Nayaka ascended the throne in about 1689. This was really a difficult time for the State ; for, it was during this period that the Mughals overran the possessions of Bijapur and established their government at Sira, of which Basavapattana and Budihal were made paraganas and to which Chitradurga and other neighbouring States of Paleyagars became tributaries. There were many battles in the reign of this Nayaka between Chitradurga and Harapanahalli, Rayadurga and Bijapur in all of which the Nayaka had splendid success. His long reign of 33 years (1689-1721) was equally remarkable for the extent of his benefactions. He is said to have built as many as 30 temples, 3 or 4 palaces, 5 strong forts and not less than 20 tanks throughout his territory. A part of the Chitradurga fort, a number of gateways and bastions are also attributed to him. The only thing from which people suffered during this reign was the great plague in 1703, which took a heavy toll and which caused an almost complete evacuation of the capital city for some days. On his death in 1721, Bharamappa Nayaka was succeeded by his son Hiri Madakeri Nayaka. Within two or three years of accession, the young prince had to face the consequences of a famine and the Maratha raid under Piraji. His reign was punctuated with a number of hostilities against Harapanahalli, Savanur, Bidanur and the Marathas. He was generally successful in his engagements and, annexed a large tract of country, especially in the noth-east extending beyond Molakahnuru. There was a great battle in Mayakonda in 1747-48 between Chitradurga and the confederate forces of Bidanur, Rayadurga, Harapanahalli and Savanur. The Chitradurga army met with disaster and the Nayaka was slain by Somashekhara Nayaka of Harapanahalli. During the reign of this Nayaka, Chitratlurga rose in prosperity; State revenue reached 300,000 Durgi Pagodas. The chief is remembered for the construction of a number of temples, but is also said to have made arrangements for a number of worships and festivals in different temples. Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka II The next Nayaka was his son Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka II, who retook Mayakonda. This he achieved with the help of the Maratha Sardar Murari Rao and the Subedar of Advani. Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka is said to have made various expeditions to the north and

south, and in the latter direction gained some possessions in the Budihal region. He is also said to have kept up friendship with the Subedar of Sira. He died in 1754 without issue, and Madakeri Nayaka, called Madakeri Nayaka the last, son of one Bharamappa Nayaka of Janakal-Durga, was his successor. Raja Veera Madakari Nayaka At the time of his accession to the Chitradurga throne, Madakeri Nayaka, who was destined to be the last Nayaka of Nayak'a Cliitradurga, was but a boy of 12. The enemies of Chitradurga trie their hand once more on the State, but the Bedas remained faithful and defended the Nayaka. Kalyadurga made an effort alone and met with failure. Then there came in 1759-00 a united front formed by Rayadurga, Harapanahalli and Savannr. A battle took place near IHoskere in where Chilradurga got clear victory, though with some loss. This was followed by some minor disturbances owing to the activities of the chiefs of Tarikere and Jarimale in the border areas of the State. Chitradurga had become a powerful State in the south, so powerful that even the major powers like Haidar Ali and the Peshwas sought its help against each other. This placed the Nayaka in an embarrassing position. First he helped Haidar Ali in his campaigns against Bankapur, Nijagal, Bidanur and the Marathas. But in spite of all this, the Nawab had never been straightforward with the Nayaka. He had an eye on Chitradurga and was waiting for an opportunity to attack. In 1777, Haidar was threatened with a formidable invasion by the allied armies of the Marathas and the Nizam. The Nayaka of Chitradurga changed his allegiance. Haidar marched upon Chitradurga, rejecting the offers of the Chief to pay a large fine. The siege was maintained for some months without success, when an arrangement was entered into and a fine of thirteen lakhs of pagodas levied on the Chief. The Maratha campaign over, Haidar once more approached Chitradurga. The story of this siege forms a brilliant chapter in the history of Chitradurga, which held out against Haidar for months (153). At last, only by the treachery of the Muhammadan officers in the Paleyagar's service, the place was taken in 1779. Madakeri Nayaka and his family were sent as prisoners to Srirangapattana and 20,000 Beda soldiers from Chitradurga were also sent to the island of Srirangapattana(Mysore), with the sole view of breaking up their power. This last Madakeri Nayaka was undoubtedly a remarkable man. A brave soldier, a shrewd administrator and a generous chief, he was easily the most influential and respected Paleyagar of his age. Particularly his generosity to the soldiers and generals has been described as ' beyond limits' and was wondered at by the recipients themselves. With all this, this Nayaka is said to have had a detestable trait also in him, which often made him unpopular even amongst his own men. This was his harsh treatment to the enemies. In one of his campaigns against Haidar, he is said to have caused a huge Virasana or hero-platform made of the severed heads of the enemies and requested the Peshwa Madhava-rao, on whose side he had led this campaign, to be seated on it and bathe with enemies' blood! And when the Peshwa refused to do so, the Nayaka is further said to have had the honour done to himself(l54). After the death of the Nayaka, the Chitradurga treasury is said to have yielded to Haidar, inter alia, the following numbers of various coins : 400,000 silver, 100,000 royal, 1,700,000 Ashrafi, 2,500,000 Dabolikadali and 1,000,000 Chavuri.

Thus came to an end the Chitradurga line of Paleyagars, after ruling the present district of Chitradurga together with some outlying tracts. These princes invariably valorous in battle, merciful and generous to their enemies, wise and discreet in their administration, far-sighted in their policy,religious and orthodox in their belief. These powerful chieftains had some French engineers in their service and built very strong fortresses and other works of public utility. Keladi Nayaka Kingdom During the decline of Vijayanagar empire in the 14th century, the administration of Kasaragod area was vested with the Ikkery Naikans. They continued to be the rulers till the fall of the Vijayanagar empire in 16th century. Then Vengappa Naik declared independence to Ikkery. In 1645 Sivappa Naik took the reigns and transferred the capital to Bednoor. Thus they came to be known as Bednoor Naik. Chandragiri and Bekal forts are considered to be parts of a chain of Forts constructed by Sivappa Naik. KOTTAPPURAM Mud fort build by the Nileshwar Rajas and later annexed by Bednore Nayaks in the 18th century. Bednur seems to derive its name from Bedan ( Bedar) Nayaka rulers who built it and made it as the capital city of Bednur Nayaka kingdom. While Bedans or Bedars are a subcate of Tamil Muthurajas, the same people who are known as valmikis in parts of Karnataka and Andra are a subcaste of Telugu Mudiraj. Mudiraj = Muthuraja = Mudduraj Telugu Mudirajas, Tamil Muthurajas, Kodagu Muddurajas and Keladi & Chitradurg valmiki Nayas are all one and the same warrior people who ruled the entire South India.
Telugu Mudiraj = Tamil Muthuraj = Kodagu Mudduraj = Keladi Valmiki Nayaks

Aghoreshwara Temple, Rameshwara Temple, Rameshwara Temple, Rameshwara Temple, Keladi, Shivamogga District . Keladi Nayaka (1499 - 1763 CE) were an important ruling clan of post-medieval Karnataka, India. They initially started to rule as a feudatory of the Vijayanagar Empire. After the fall of the empire in 1565, they gained independence and ruled significant parts of Karnataka including Shivamogga, practically the whole of coastal districts and parts of central districts of present day Karnataka till 1763 when they were overthrown by Hyder Ali, the king of Mysore. They played an important part in the history of Karnataka, during a time of confusion and fragmentation that generally prevailed in South India after the fall of the Vijayanagar Empire. The Nayaka clan Chaudappa (1499 - 1530) from Keladi was the earliest chieftain to rule the area surrounding Shivamogga. Sadashiva Nayaka (1530 - 1566) was an important chieftain in the Vijayanagar Empire and earned the title Kotekolahala from emperor Aliya Rama Raya for his heroics in the battle of Kalyani. The coastal provinces of Karnataka came under his direct rule. He moved the capital to Ikkeri some 20 km. from Keladi. Sankanna Nayaka (1566 - 1570)

Chikkasankanna (1570 - 1580) was an opportunistic ruler who took advantage of the confusion in the Vijayanagar Empire following its defeat at Tallikota and grabbed a few provinces in Uttara Kannada district. Ramaraja Nayaka (1580 - 1586) Hiriya Venkatappa Nayaka (1586 - 1629) is considered by scholars as ablest monarch of the clan. He completely freed himself from the overlordship of the relocated Vijayanagar rulers of Penugonda. Italian traveller Pietro Della Valle, who visited his kingdom in 1623, called him an able soldier and administrator. In his reign the kingdom expanded so that it covered coastal regions, malnad regions, and some regions to the east of the western Ghats of present day Karnataka. He is also known to have defeated the Adilshahis of Bijapur in Hanagal. Though a Virashaiva by faith,a valmiki nayaka king converted to veerashaivism , he built many temples for Vaishnavas and Jains and a mosque for Muslims. Virabhadra Nayaka (1629 - 1645) faced many troubles from the start, including competition from rival chieftains for the throne of Ikkeri and invasion by the Sultanate armies of Bijapur. Ikkeri was plundered by the Bijapur army during his time. Shivappa Nayaka (1645 - 1660) is widely considered as the ablest and greatest of the Keladi rulers. He was not only an able administrator; he also patronised literature and fine arts. His successful campaigns against the Bijapur sultans, the Mysore kings, the Portuguese, and other Nayakas of the neighbouring territories east of the western ghats helped expand the kingdom to its greatest extent, covering large areas of present day Karnataka. He gave importance to agriculture and developed new schemes for collection of taxes and revenues which earned him much praise from later British officials. A statue of him and the palace built by him containing many artifacts of his times are reminders of the respect he has earned even from the present generation of people of the region. Chikkavenkatappa Nayaka (1660 - 1662) Bhadrappa Nayaka (1662 - 1664) Somashekara (1664 - 1672) The King who was once a good administrator, gave up his interest in administration after his associastion with a dancer named Kalavati. Bharame Mavuta, a relative of Kalavati slow poisoned the king which eventually led to his death. Keladi Chennamma (1672 - 1697) was an able ruler who some scholars say allied with the Maratha Shivaji and later his son Sambhaji to defeat all rival claimants to the throne. She gave shelter to Chhatrapathi Rajaram when he fled from the Mughal army. Chennamma of Keladi is well remembered by local people through tales of her bravery. Basavappa (1697 - 1714) Somashekara (1714 - 1739)

Kiriya Basavappa (1739 - 1754) Chennabasappa (1754 - 1757) Queen Virammaji (1757 - 1763) was defeated by Hyder Ali and the Keladi kingdom merged with the Kingdom of Mysore. Nayaka Dynasty of Ikkeri The Nayaka Dynasty of Ikkeri, a feudatory family rose to power due to the feudalistic decentralization in the Vijayanagara Empire was a very important empire. Later on the Nayakas became independent and came to be called the rulers of Ikkeri. They ruled from 1500 to 1763, under uncertain conditions in the south.
The Nayaka dynasty was matchless in framing the political and cultural history of Karnataka because they continued the policy of the Vijayanagara emperors in acting as a barricade against expansion of Islam. Besides this, the Keladi rulers successfully curbed the expansionist tendencies of the Portuguese power on the western coast. The kings also offered resistance to the absorption of their territory by the Sultan of Bijapur. At its zenith, the Keladi kingdom extended from Goa in the north and Cannannore in the south and included the present Shimoga, Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada and part of Hassan districts. Two semi-historical literary works Keladinripavijaya and the Sivcttattva Ratnakara speak about the history of Keladi. The founders of the kingdom were Chauda and Bhadra, the sons of a Veera Saiva agriculturalist. Having discovered a buried treasure in their field at Keladi, Chauda managed to become the chieftain of that village. He ruled for thirteen years having been crowned in 1500. The two brothers were employed by Krishnadeva Raya against rebel elements in his empire. In recognition of the heroism and loyalty of: Chauda the Vijayanagara emperor made him the governor of Pulladesa and gave him the title Keladi Mulasam Sthanada Chaudappa nayaka. He had two sons Sadasiva and Bhadrappa. Chaudappa Nayaka was succeeded by his son Sadasiva Nayaka.

Sadasiva Nayaka (1513-1536) or (1530-1567)

The Keladi Nayakas emerge into the limelight with the accession of Sadasiva. He is known to have routed the rulers of Kalyana, Kalburgi, Bidar, Bankapur, and the Tulu and Kerala countries and gained the title of `Satrusaptangaharana.` According to one of his inscriptions, Sadasiva ruled over 56 garudas comprising Araga, Gutti, thirty-six Kampanas, Tulu rajya, Barakura and Manguluru. Besides military exploits, Sadasiva is credited for having made grants to Brahmin and Virasaiva mathas, and constructing forts at Chandragiri, Keladi and Kasargod. He appears to have taken to a retired life towards the end of his life and left the responsibility of administration to Bhadrappa Nayaka. Later the successors of Sadasiva continued as feudatories of the Vijayanagar Empire till Venkatappa Nayaka I became independent some time in 1613. It is believed that the capital of this kingdom was shifted from Keladi to Ikkeri during Sadasiva Nayaka`s time. But according to some scholars this happened during Venkatappa Nayaka.

Venkatappa Nayaka (1582-1629)

Venkatappa was the most successful Nayaka who extended his kingdom on all sides and drove back the Bijapur forces. He defeated Bhairadevi of Gerusoppa and restricted the Portuguese expansion. To mark the victory against Bhairadevi, he erected a pillar at Hangal. The Keladi state became a power to be reckoned with and the rice and pepper trade of the west passed into the hands of the Nayaks from the Portuguese. Venkatappa is credited with the construction of a number of forts, temples and the founding of many agraharas (villages granted to learned Brahmanas). Venkatappa was succeeded by his grandson Virabhadra Nayaka (1629-45). Virabhadra`s reign was one of political troubles. As Virabhadra died without a male heir, the throne passed on to his uncle`s sons - Sivappa and Venkatappa. Sivappa murdered Venkatappa, who had been crowned because of his age, and ascended the throne in 1645.

Shivappa Nayaka Shivappa Nayaka (reigned 1645 - 1660) also known as Keladi Shivappa Nayaka, was a notable ruler of the Keladi Nayaka Kingdom. The Keladi Nayakas were successors of the Vijayanagara Empire in the coastal and Malnad (hill) districts of Karnataka, India, in the late 16th century. At their peak, the Nayakas built a niche kingdom comprising the coastal, hill and some interior districts (Bayaluseeme) of modern Karnataka, before succumbing to the Kingdom of Mysore ruled by Hyder Ali in 1763.He was known as Sistina Shivappa Nayaka because he introduced a tax system called Sist. Conquests Shivappa Nayaka is remembered as an able administrator and soldier. He ascended the throne in 1645. During this time, the last ruler of the diminished Vijayanagara Empire ruling from Vellore, Shriranga Raya III was defeated by the Bijapur Sultanate and sought refuge with Shivappa. The growing threat of the Portuguese was eliminated by 1653 and the ports of Mangalore, Kundapura and Honnavar were brought under Keladi control.[3] Having conquered the Kannada coast, he marched down to Kasargod region of modern Kerala and installed a pillar of victory at Nileshvara. The forts of Chandragiri, Bekal and Mangalore were built by Shivappa Nayaka. Later he invaded north of the Tungabhadra river and captured territory in the modern Dharwad district from the Bijapur Sultanate. In the south, when he invaded and laid siege to Srirangapatna in modern Mysore district, an epidemic broke out in his army forcing him the withdraw. Administrator Shivappa Nayaka introduced a revenue settlement scheme called Sist, a policy that has found favourable comparison to revenue schemes formulated by the Mogul emperor Akbar. According to this scheme, agricultural lands were divided into five types depending on the type of soil and available irrigational facilities. A unit of sowing capacity called Khanduga was developed and every irrigable land was taxed in varying amounts based on this unit. The rate of taxation depended on the yield in each one of these five types of land, the rate varying from village to village and amounting to a third of the total yield. Shivappa Nayaka gave importance to agriculture which resulted in an expanding agrarian economy.A religious and tolerant man, Shivappa Nayaka performed

Vedic sacrifices and rituals and patronised the Hindu Advaita order of Sringeri. He was tolerant towards Christians and gave them land to cultivate. He encouraged the mercantile communities of South India such as the Komatis and Konkanis to settle down and establish businesses in his kingdom. An interesting episode from the time of Shivappa Nayaka's rule goes as follows. A poor man called Ganesh Mallya came to Keladi, the capital city, with the intention of finding a job. Having no money, he carried a bag full of home-grown coconuts. Before entering the city, every traveller had to pass through eight toll gates, each of which collected a tax. Because he carried no cash, Ganesh Mallya had to part with two coconuts at each toll gate, one as tax and the other as a gift to the official. He also paid with two coconuts at the city entrance. Frustrated with all the tolls, Mallya boldly set up his own toll gate (the ninth toll gate) and collected a toll after registering full details of travellers into the city in his own register. In return for the toll, Ganesh Mallya handed out a receipt with a note new custom station for eighteen coconuts, signature of Ganeshayya Raja of Kumta. This went on unnoticed for eighteen months before King Shivappa Nayaka heard of it. When summoned by the king, Ganesh Mallya admitted he had collected an illegal toll to make a livelihood. Impressed by his honesty and business acumen, Shivappa Nayaka took Ganesh Mallya into his service. Shivappa Nayaka was succeeded on the throne by his younger brother Chikkavenkatappa Nayaka in 1660. Shivamogga district Shivamogga District is a district in the Karnataka state of India.Shivamogga is alternatively spelt as Shimoga. A major part of this district lies in the Malnad region of the Western Ghats; a region known for its green forests, plentiful rainfall, beautiful waterfalls and also of being the source of many rivers that flow in Karnataka. Shivamogga City is the headquarters of this district. The most popular attraction of this district is the Jog Falls. It is also the district that is the native of most number of Chief Ministers of the state of Karnataka. History The history of the Shivamogga region is very much the history of Karnataka itself, considering that all the great kingdoms that came to power here have vied for control of and ruled this land of rich resources. Prior to the beginning of the first millennium, the Shivamogga region formed a part of the Maurya empire. The Satavahana then came to control in central India and Shivamogga must have formed one of the southern most provinces of the kingdom.After the fall of the Shatavahana empire around 200 C.E., after a brief interlude of confusion that existed, the area came under the control of the Kadambas of Banavasi around 345 C.E. The Kadambas were the earliest kingdom to give administrative status to Kannada language. Banavasi is just across the border from Shivamogga inside Uttara Kannada district. Later the Kadambas became feudatories of the Badami Chalukyas around 540 C.E..Shivamogga passed into the hands of the Rashtrakutas in the 8th century. It was only under the Kalyani Chalukyas who overthrew the Rashtrakutas did Shivamogga come into prominence in Southern India. Balligavi in Shivamogga district had its greatest and grandest time during there rule. Later in the 12th. century with the weakening of the Kalyani Chalukyas the Hoysalas annexed this area. Shivamogga continued to play an important role in the development of Kannada culture and arts during this time. After the fall of the Hoysalas to the invasion of the Khilji

dynasty around 1343 C.E. the entire region came under the Vijayanagar Empire without any bloodshed. The Saluva kings of the Vijayanagar empire find their roots in this region. After the defeat of Vijayanagar empire in 1565 C.E. in the battle of Tallikota, Shivamogga had one more last surprise in that the local Keladi Nayakas who were originally feudatory of the Vijayanagar empire took control, declared sovereignty and ruled mostly as an independent kingdom for about two centuries, often waging wars with the Mysore Kingdom, the Sultans of Bijapur and finally the Maratha. In 1763 they were finally absorbed into the Kingdom of Mysore and remained a part of it till independence from the British . Tirumalai Nayaka of Madurai Nayaka dynasty of Madurai One of the well-known rulers of the Nayaka dynasty of Madurai, Tirumalai Nayak was very apt in administration activities. Son of Muttu Krishnappa, Tirumalai Nayaka succeeded his brother Muttu Virappa Nayaka on the throne. Muttu Virappa had changed his capital from Madurai to Tiruchirapalli. But, Tirumalai Nayak shifted his capital from Tiruchirapalli back to Madurai, and carefully organised the defenses of the kingdom.
Tirumalai`s reign was marked by a large number of military campaigns. He was successful in his wars with Mysore. He undertook a successful expedition against Travancore in about 1634-35 A.D. He settled the dispute for throne between Sadaika Deva and Tambi in the Ramanth region. Finally, Raghunatha Deva became the ruler and he remained loyal to Tirumala who rewarded him liberally when he crushed the poligar rising at Ettaiyapuram. Till about 1634 Tirumala was loyal to Vijayanagar, though it was only a normal subordination. Then he planned an alliance with the Nayaks of Gingee and Tanjavur, to oppose Sriranga III, the Vijayanagar emperor. His plans were betrayed by the Nayak of Tanjavur. Then Tirumala requested the Golconda Sultan to help him against the emperor. After defeating Sriranga, the Sultan turned against the other South Indian kingdoms. So Tirumala was forced to ask the Sultan of Bijapur for help. But all this led to expansion of Muslim rule in the south. He remained neutral in the contests between the Dutch and the Portuguese in the south. Tirumala made significant contributions in the realms of art and architecture. He built the Pudu mandapa, dug the Uppakula (tank), carried out many repairs and renovations to the Madurai temple and began the unfinished Raya gopura in Madurai. He also built an extensive palace to the south-east of the temple. Tirumala is credited with the building of many structures - both religious and civilians in his realm- at Madurai, Tirupparan-kunram, Alagarkoyil, Srivilliputtur, etc.

Rani Mangamma of Madurai Famous for developing infrastructure, Rani Mangamma was the queen of Chokkanatha Nayaka (1659-82) of Madurai. She ruled as the regent when her grandson Vijayaranga Chokkanatha was crowned when he was barely three months old. Her son Ranga Krishna Virappa Nayaka died in 1689 after a short rule. His wife Muttamma committed suicide after the birth of her son Vijayaranga Chokkanatha.

The tact and diplomacy of Mangammal helped in maintaining amicable relations with the neighbouring powers. She bought off the Muslims and was subordinate and loyal to them. She also bribed the Marathas. Mangamma successfully resisted the aggressive policy of Chikkadevaraya of Mysore. She undertook an expedition to Travancore to collect arrears of tribute. Her war with Tanjavur ended in peace and an alliance. In Ramnad, Kilavan Setupati was becoming more and more independent. In about 1698 A.D. he besieged Madurai city and took it but was soon driven out. In 1702 A.D. he became completely independent. Mangamma showed great lenience towards Christian preachers and her Christian subjects. She was equally considerate towards other religions. A copper plate inscription of 1692 records a grant for the maintenance of a mosque in the name of her grandson. In 1701 she financed for the construction of a Muhammadan dargah as a gift to some villages near Tiru-chirapalli. Mangamma has favoured many Hindus. Her liberality regarding charities and public works is proverbial. She is famous as a road maker. She built some artistic public edifices like summer house and the choultry, which is named after her prestigious name. She provided for the comfort of pedestrians by planting trees on the roads she constructed and repaired, and placing inns and supplies of water on the way. She made grants for providing village settlements for brahmanas called agraharas. An inscription of 1701 records a grant of land for a feeding institute. She paid attention to irrigation, as is indicated by her inscriptions on the bank of the Uyyakondan channel in 1687 and 1704. She is said to have met with a tragic death in 1706 A.D.

Vijayaraghava Nayaka of Tanjavur The last ruler of the great Nayaka rulers of Tanjavur, Vijayaraghava Nayaka was the son of Raghunatha Nayaka. He was also known as Mannarudasa and Achyuta Vijayaraghava Nayaka as he succeeded his father to the throne in c. 1634 A.D. and ruled over the Tanjavur area for a long time till 1673 A.D.
Trapped between several conflicts, Vijayaraghava`s reign was not a peaceful one as he was caught between the Nayakas of Madurai on one side and the Muslim armies on another. Unlike the Nayakas of Madurai who were disloyal to their overlords the last emperors of Vijayanagara, the Nayaks of Tanjavur, up to the time of Vijayaraghava rendered help to their masters and assisted them in all their battles against the Muslim forces. Vijayaraghava is very well-known with regard to his contributions to religion and culture, especially the fine arts of music and dance, for which Tanjavur had become very famous due to the contributions of his predecessors like Raghunatha, Achyutappa and Sevappa. He too was a great patron of learning and was a scholar in Sanskrit and Telugu and composed the Vijayaragbavabhyudayam and other works. Vijayaraghava sheltered a large number of poets, musicians and scholars who flocked to his court. He honoured these intellectuals for their imperishable talents. Some of the more important poets were Kamarazu Venkatapati Somayaji, the author of Vijaya-raghava Chandrika and Koneti

Dikshita, author of Vijayaraghava Kalyanam. Among the poetesses, Rangajamma was the most famous. The famous music composer Kshetragna, who composed numerous compositions known as padams sung by many musicians of the present day, frequented the court of this king.

Achyutappa Nayaka of Tanjavur A jewel stone in the crown of the Tanjavur Nayaka lineage was Achyutappa Nayaka of the 16th century A.D. He was one of the most well known rulers in South India. He ruled along with his father Sevappa Nayaka, for a period of about twenty years from 1560 A.D., and after his death ascended the throne at Tanjavur in 1580 A.D. Achyutappa Nayaka was an devout person, a Vaishnava by faith, and devoted to Lord Ranganatha (Vishnu) of the temple at Srirangam (Tiruchirapalli district), Tamil Nadu.
Literary works, the Nayaka age such as the Sanjjita Sudha and the Kaghunatha-bhyudayam divulge that, Achyutappa was also a patron of music and dance. Achyutappa Nayaka was fond of the Kuchipudi style of dance of the Andhra region and invited many Telugu exponents of this style of dance and also the Bhagavata Mela style from their native villages in Andhra to live in Melattur in Tanjavur district. They were provided with houses and land and this area came to be called Achyutapuram or Achyutarayapuram after the name of this patron. Achyutappa Nayaka`s other contributions to the cultural scene included building and renovating many temples and honouring poets and scholars by giving them gifts of land and money, which added to the enriching glory of the Tanjavur area. This liberal king extended his patronage to Saivas, Vaishnavas and Madhvas as seen from the inscriptions and the literary sources of that time. He abdicated the throne in 1680 and made his son Raghunatha the ruler of Tanjavur. Achyutappa was supported by his very loyal and brilliant minister Govinda Dikshita, a great scholar, who also went on to be the minister of Achyutappa`s son Raghunatha, one of the most famous kings of the Nayakas who ruled with Achyutappa as heir apparent (yuva-raja) for some time before ascending the throne in Tanjavur.

Sevappa Nayaka of Tanjavur The Vijayanagara Empire which covered most of South India has witnessed the most prosperous times in the 16th century. Following the death of their greatest emperor Krishnadeva Raya, Achyuta Raya succeeded the throne. He appointed a number of viceroys to govern various parts of his far-flung empire and one of these was Sevappa Nayaka who was given the Tanjavur area in the Tamil region to rule over. Sevappa was related to Achyuta Raya (his wife was the sister of Achyuta Raya`s queen) and so the emperor was fond of him for his loyalty and dedication.
Sevappa a peacemaker and gem of a person did not indulge in war activites.His reign in the Tanjavur kingdom was known to be one of comparative peace and prosperity. He helped the Vijayanagar emperor with his army and financial resources whenever needed during wars with the Bahmani kingdom.Sevappa`s contributions to the cultural and religious spheres is remembered even today. He brought about a cultural

efflorescence of Tanjavur in the subsequent ages. Numerous temples were constructed and many gifts of gold, jewels and land were donated to the deities on various occasions. Many tanks such as the Sivaganga tank in Tanjavur were repaired and renovated by him, which were of great help to the agriculturists of the area. One of the gopuras (temple towers) of the Arunachaleshwara (Siva) temple at Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, was constructed during his reign.

Sevappa`s spirit of religious tolerance is well known. Although a Vaishnava by faith, he donated liberally to Saiva shrines and his gift to a Madhva teacher as well as to other religious faiths such as Buddhism and Islam are also recorded. Sevappa was succeeded by his son Achyuttapa Nayaka after his death in 1680 A.D. References & Sources Gazetteer of India, Chitradurga District, 1967. Gazetteer of Mysore By B. L. Rice Patil, C. S. (1999) Karnataka Kotegalu [Forts of Karnataka]. Hampi: Kannada University. Puttanna, M. S. (1924) Chitradurgada Paleyagararu [Chitradurga Poligars]. Bangalore. Ramachandra Rao, P. B. (1943) The Poligars of Mysore and Their Civilization. Teppakulam: Palaniappa Bros. Rice, B. Lewis (1897) Mysore: A Gazetteer Compiled for Government. Revised edition. 2 Vols. London: Archibald Constable and Company. Rice, B. Lewis (1903) Inscriptions in the Chitaldroog District. Epigraphia Carnatica, Vol. XI. Bangalore: Mysore Government Central Press. Saletore, R. N. (1940) The Conquest of Citradurga by Hyder Ali. Quarterly Journal of the Mythic Society 29:171-188. Sathyan, B. N., ed. (1967) Mysore State Gazetteer: Chitradurga District. Bangalore: Government Press. Srikanta Sastri, S. (1928) Capitulation of Chitradurga. Quarterly Journal of the Mythic Society 18:145-154. Srikantaya, S. (1941) Chitaldrug. Quarterly Journal of the Mythic Society 31:339-356. Wilks, Mark (1989) Historical Sketches of the South of India in an Attempt to Trace the History of Mysore. 2 vols. Reprint of 1930 edition; originally published in 1810. New Delhi: Asian Educational Services. Dr. Suryanath U. Kamath, A Concise history of Karnataka from pre-historic times tothe present, Jupiter books, 2001, MCC, Bangalore (Reprinted 2002).

http://meerasubbarao.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/madhvacharyars_lineage.pdf page, 64 6. Teekakritpada (1365-1388) Raghunathanayaka or Dhondopant was the only son of Dhundiraja, the palegar of Jamkhandi under Yadavas of Devagiri*. Not only was he a scholar in Sanskrit as a boy, but also able in statecraft. Nayaka was married at his appropriate age. Raghunathanayaka became the Yuvaraja of Jamkhandi known as Sadinadu. In A.D.1352 Allauddin of Bahamani kingdom sent his army to invade the kingdom of Yadavas. The entire kingdom was looted. People underwent great hardship. This greatly distressed Yuvaraja and prompted him towards renunciation. Another interesting incident happened at this point of time. Yuvaraja who had gone for hunting with his royal entourage had become weary and thirsty. He went to the river Bheema in the vicinity and began to drink water bending down from the horse back. Akshobhyatheertha on his tour of north was doing his Ahneeka there. He was surprised at Nayakas queer act. He said, Raghunatha, what is this! Were you an animal in your earlier birth (M mv muSW?) Why this arrogance for you, a progeny of high pedigree? Is this regal splendour lasting? Seek upliftment of your

page 228, to Sudheendratheertha. In compliance, extending a royal welcome, Srirangaraya took the swamiji to his palace. Amidst special honours the king gifted the swamiji with the following villages on the auspicious day of Shivarathri corresponding to the thirteenth day of Magha Bahula in Yuva Samvatsara in the divine place of Pampavirupaksha. 1. Bacchanahalu in Tamaragere region 2. Khyada in Badami region 3. Yadwala on the banks of the Malaapaha in Manvi region 4. Chenchala down Sindhoosur 5. Aralihalli down Tavudugundi1 Sudheendras renown spread far and wide like that of his guru. Venkatapathiraya, the ruler of Vijayanagar became his disciple and honoured him with shower of gems at Penugonda.2 Venkatapathiraya did such honours to the swamiji on a number of occasions. Taking the cue king Raghunatha, the Nayak of Tanjavoor in all fervour had the swamiji visit his palace. He did special honours to the swamiji showering him with gold.3 Thus did the swamiji receive honours and tributes from host of kings. The Mutt reached the pinnacle of glory through persistent endeavours of his paramaguru, guru and himself. Everywhere honour from kings began pouring in. The Mutt became the nucleus of learning. Even the rulers of small provinces would volunteer to do special honours to the swamiji with liberal gifts to Raghupathis coffer. The research done on the basis of inscriptions reveals that the swamiji must have lived for a long time. All through his life as sanyasi, he held the flag of glory of the Mutt aloft everywhere. In 1620, a palegar by name Chenji Bhoopathi Vadiyaru gifted Nonmon page 231, Vadeendratheertha (1728-1750) Purushottamacharya was the son of Laksminarayanacharya, the poorvashrama son of Sri Gururaja. His son was Srinivasacharya. In keeping with the reputation of his family, he had acquired great

scholarship and was conducting classes in the Mutt. Recognising his scholarship and loyalty to the Mutt, Upendratheertha decided that he only was deserving and named him Vadeendratheertha after bestowing sanyasa. By then political turmoil had raised its ugly head in South India. If today one tiny ruler rose to power, tomorrow a new such ruler would conquer him. In the chaos that prevailed, it became an uphill task for religious institutions to enjoy the perpetual possession of the villages gifted by the rulers of yesteryears. If one Palegar was helpful to the possession, another would dispossess. Under the circumstances religious heads had to undertake different tours to protect through their personal influence. Instead of royal patronage forthcoming, anarchy that became the trend played havoc. It had become extremely difficult to defend the honour of the Mutt and pursue the routine of performing poojas and conducting classes in the face of such adversities. Despite these oddities, the heads of the Mutt did well to defend and nurture their tradition in the best http://www.the-criterion.com/V2/n3/Krishna.pdf The two short monologues in EnglishBroken Images (2004) and Flowers (2004) mark significant change in subjects and forms. Broken Images takes up a debate on the politics of language in Indian literary culture. Particularly in relation to the respective claims of the modern Indian languages and English which must also be recognized now as an Indian, though not an indigenous language. Manjula Nayak, the plays only character, is a writer of short and long fiction in Kannada and teacher of English in a Banglore college, succumbs to the temptation of larger audience and money making; she involves in plagiarism and exposed thereafter. She herself confesses while talking to her own television image that she is an imposter who has passed off her dead sister Malinis novel as her own. She has tried to cash in on a dead siblings talent. This Anglophilic attitude, comments Dharwadker, can only lead the Indian language author to prostitute herself (Introduction Vol. Two. xxvii). It deals with problems of authenticity and bad faith created by globalization, through a confrontation between a writer and her electronic image. When Karnad takes on literary politics in the play he immediately relates language to genre. The central issue in the play doesnt involve drama at all but the radically unequal status of fiction written in two contemporary languages, Kannad and English. Manjula Nayak is an epitome of an Indian woman emerging in a changed world order. How modern women can lag behind their male counterparts even in literary writing or plagiarism? Both Majula and Malini are contrastedone is an invalid another ready to exploit whatever is commercially significant. Flowers (2004) in contrast, returns to the world of folktale, and is the first work in this genre to focus on male rather than female desire, thus registering a small but important shift in Karnads dramaturgy. The legend of Veeranna on which the play is based belongs to the Chitradurg region, and became widely known when a Kannad writer T.R.Subbanna included it in his novel Hamsageete (1952). The married priest has been passionately in love with a mistress to whom he takes the offerings from the temple after the every prayer. One day the palegar (chieftain) discovers a hair in the prasada and demands an explanation from Veeranna, who claims that the hair belongs to God. Challenged by the chieftain to prove the truth of his claim the priest in turn challenges god to display hair or accept his head in punishment, and enters a meditative trance to the accompaniment of Venkatashubhayyas

song. When the chieftain arrives the next day to expose Veerannas lie, the shivalinga has indeed sprouted long silken hair, and when (urged by the singer) he pulls out a tuft to test its authenticity, blood begins to ooze from the crown of the lingam. Overwhelmed by a sense of sin at having injured his deity, Veeranna beheads himself in the sanctum. The conflict between religious devotion and erotic lovemingling of spiritual and carnal is central. The miracle of the shivalinga confirms the power of the priests worship and marks him as one of the chosen, but it also ends his life. Sudhir K. Arora has pertly commented: Thematically, both the monologues are sound and once again, Karnad has introduced his well-known confrontationbetween love and duty in Flowers and anthenticity and duplicity in Broken Images. Hence, Folwers spiritualises the aesthetics of floweres while Broken Images breaks the ethics of pseudo-images regarding the questions related to languages and the originality in literary world. (233) Both the monologues were originally written in English and later translated into Kannada reversed the common feature of Karnads writing. Flowers is a narrative and Broken Images dramatic in technique. Both are the result of complex structural design and thematic innovation which mark a turning point in the long dramatic career of Karnad.

http://oudl.osmania.ac.in/bitstream/handle/OUDL/14169/218295_Miltary_System_Of_T he_Marathas.pdf?sequence=2 16 MILITARY SYSTEM OF THE MARATHAS In the infantry the smallest unit consisted of ten men, commanded by a Naik- Five such units were placed under a Jumledar, and two or three jumlas formed a Hazaris division. When this cadre was introduced there were apparently only seven divisions of Mawle infantry and these were placed under the Sarnobat Yesaji Kank who held the chief command. The Sarnobat of infantry was inferior in rank and status to the Sarnobat of cavalry, for, while the latter was admitted to the Ashta Pradhan Council the former had no place in that body. For their civil assistants the Jumledar and the Hazari of the infantry had each a Sabnis, who kept the account and the muster roll. The Sabnis of the Jumledar drew a salary of 40 Horis23 while the officer of that name on the Hazari* s staff was given 100 to 125 Hons. As was natural the military officers were much better paid than their civil assistants. The Jumledar of the cavalry had five hundred Hons a year besides the proud privilege of riding in a palanquin. The Hazari, his official superior, drew a salary of 1,000 Hons while the Panchhazari received double that amount. Krishnaji Anant Sabhasad, to whom we are indebted for these figures, does not tell us the precise salary of the Sarnobat or the commander-in-chief; but from a memorandum drawn in the first year of the coronation era24 it appears that the clothes of honour awarded to the Senapati were in every respect similar to those of the crown prince and the Peshwa or prime minister. The document throws no light on the emoluments of the office. The infantry officers were not so well paid as their colleagues in the cavalry. The Jumledar received only one hundred Hons or about thirty rupees per month, and a Hazarfs pay was five hundred Hons or about 1,800 Rupees per annum. It should, however, be remembered that the purchasing power of

money was much higher in those days, while the general scale of pay was nowhere very high. The Portuguese Captain of 23. The value of a Hon varied from four to five rupees. 24. A new era was started from the year of Shivaji's coronation. This was CHAUTH AND SARDESHMUKHI page 37 since one of the treaties had been renewed in 1670. It is equally clear that when the Portuguese Government conceded this impost to the King of Ramnagar, otherwise called the Chauthia, they did not in any way acknowledge his supremacy or suzerainty. On the contrary, from the language of the letter patent and the treaties already discussed, he seems to have been in the position of a vassal of the Portuguese. He received the chauth as a sort of remuneration for the performance of certain police duties19. It is noteworthy that in the viceregal letter of 1638 chauth is described as an impost, and in another viceregal letter of 1719 it is called a pension. Professor Pissurlencar, Curator of the Records at Goa, says in a paper recently published ( May, 1926 ) that in the old Portuguese records the chauth is never styled a tribute. (Tanto isto e verdade que nos antigos documentos o chouto e designado como uma pensao ou foro e nunca como um tributo), and he quotes Antonio Bocarro, who wrote in 1634 that the Raja Chauthia had enjoyed this pension even in pre-Portuguese times20. This may or may not be accurate; but the chauth which he enjoyed in Portuguese times was hardly different from the perquisites granted in the period of the Peshwas to the Koli and Bhil Naiks for keeping their disorderly bands in check and maintaining peace and order throughout the countryside20a. The chauth that Shivaji demanded from his enemies and neighbours was quite different from a pension paid by a superior power in consideration of his services. Yet it is not difficult to see how the practice prevailing in the Portuguese province of the North must have suggested to the quick mind of the great Maratha leader the idea of exacting a regular contribution from his wealthy enemies to replenish his war chest. He often passed through the principalities of Jawhar and Ramnagar on his way to Surat, the richest emporium 98 MILITARY SYSTEM OF THE MARATHAS advocated, and probably practised, by Muhammad Adil shah; but Shivaji went further. He definitely laid down that the Havaldar should be a Maratha of good family, the Sabnis should be a Brahman known to his personal staff, and the Karkhannis should be a Prabhu9. The Marathas were doubtless good soldiers and the Brahmans and the Prabhus were well versed in accounts and clerical work, but their professional proficiency alone does not explain Shivaji's reasons for making military appointments on a caste basis; for good Brahman generals were not wanting in those days, and a Prabhu could very well be expected to perform the duties of a Sabnis as efficiently as those of a Karkhannis10. Shivaji had clearly laid down that the three officers must be dissimilar in caste. This would at once minimise the chance of their joint action against the king and placate the three principal castes of Maharashtra by an equitable distribution of state patronage in a manner best suited to the peculiar genius and traditions of each. The Brahman was not well disposed towards the Prabhu, the Prabhu had no kindly feeling for the Brahman who had bitterly opposed his claims to Vedic rites, and a Maratha could be ordinarily expected to be more loyal to the king of his own caste than to his colleagues of superior castes. Thus Shivaji utilised the best abilities that the three castes could provide, at the same time that he exploited their dislikes and differences to his own advantage. But he had to provide against another danger, that of

vested interest. A Havaldar or a Sabnis, if posted at the same place for a sufficiently long time, could, if he was so inclined, easily form a party of his own. The Bijapur Government recognised the hereditary rights of some officers called Naikwaris. These often created trouble and sometimes prevented the admission of a new governor into the forts for months, if their interest was in any way adversely affected11. FORTS page 99 Besides the three principal officers every fort had one or moreTaf Sarnobat according to its size. The Tat_ Sarnobat was in charge of the defence and supervision of the rampart, or a section of it, if it was too big for a single officer. And every unit of nine soldiers in the garrison was commanded by a petty officer called Naik14- The size of the garrison varied according to the size and the importance of the fort and according to the exigencies of the times. In times of special THE BEGINNING OF THE MARATHA NAVY page 189 officers accordingly proceeded to Panvel; but lack of boats prevented them from crossing, and the Portuguese Government, which was fully as apprehensive of the growing Maratha power by land and sea as the English, would not permit them to make use of its territories. So the two Admirals had to return without effecting any result. The English were on their guard; and the Sidi left Mazagon and took shelter with his fleet under the bastions of the fort of Bombay43. Shivaji was, however, resolved to prevent the Sidi's depredations ; and in order to bring force to bear upon the English, he sent Mai Naik and Daulat Khan to occupy the small and hitherto uninhabited island of Kenery. The twirl islands of Henery and Kenery commanded to a certain extent the harbour of Bombay, and once established there, it woulc^ not have been difficult to surprise the Janjira fleet. The English had by some means obtained notice of Shivaji's design. On the 4th September, 1679, the Surat council issued an order to the Bombay authorities ** that they immediately erect an English flag on the highest part of the Island (and if it may be done without any danger from the Mallabars) that a file of souldiers be kept there to guard it; and the Hunter friggat be ordered to attend upon them, plying up and downe neere the said Island giving the Commander orders, in a friendly way to acquaint those that are appointed by Sevagee, for the management of that designe, when they offer to erect their fort, that the Island belongs to His Majesty of Great Brittaine, and that none can attempt anything upon the place, without an open breach of friendship "44. But the resolution came too late ; the Marathas had acted more promptly than the English anticipated, and Mai Naik with 150 men was already in possession of the island and had raised a clumsy breast-work of dirt and stone, with guns behind it, before the English were prepared to step in. When requested to withdraw, he firmly replied that he had occupied the island at Shivaji's command page 12 MILITARY SYSTEM OF THE MARATHAS the jadhavas12, descendants of royal houses, had declined in the scale, the Pawars, another princely family, had reconciled themselves to their humble lot and no longer hesitated to jnarry Kunbi girls of lowly origin13. They still affected the title of '* Raje " after their first name, but that was the only trace of royalty now left to them. This society was naturally democratic, and the

common dangers, common risks, and common adventures of a soldier's life levelled what difference might have survived. A promising young man who had only recently rejected the plebeian plough for the more aristocratic sword, could aspire to the hand of a daughter of the proud Nirnbalkars, and could demand a matrimonial alliance with the princely family of the Jadhavs. Social intercourse was more intimate and less formal than what is possible in a modern barrack, and an able leader of magnetic personality commanded not only the admiration but also the affection of his following. The common soldiers except the few who formed the King's bodyguard, had nothing to do with the state but looked for pay, promotion and preference to the Jahgirdar tender whom they immediately served. A loyal Jahgirdar contributed to the strength of the Government; but in those days it was no discredit to set up as a " pund palegar " or lawless chief, as once did a Nimbalkar and a Jedhe14. Yet the state continued its policy of multiplying the military fiefs and conferring fresh jahgirs on each enterprising Silhedar. Even a wise prince like Muhammad Adilshah laid down that while a disloyal Zemindar should be deprived of his fief, the loyal lord should on no account be discouraged or disturbed

http://www.ncbc.nic.in/Pdf/Karnataka/Karnataka-Vol3/10.pdf