Nayak (title): Difference between revisions

Content deleted Content added

Inline

Revision as of 23:32, 9 April 2012

Nayak, Nayaka, Nayakar, Nayakkar, Naik, Naiker, Naicker, Naickan, Naiken, Nayakkan, Naidu, Nayudu or Naidoo is a common title used by various caste and ethnic groups across India. They are all derivatives of the original Sanskrit Nayaka, meaning a leader.^{[citation needed]} The community history of various groups that use this title differs from place to place. In Kerala, it is said to be the corruption of the word Nayak in Malayalam.^[1]^[2]

References

^ P. V. Balakrishnan (1981). Matrilineal System in Malabar. p. 27.
^ Madras (Presidency) (1885). Manual of the Administration of the Madras Presidency. p. 100.

External links

http://www.telugudiaspora.com/telugu_publications_article9.htm

[1] P. V. Balakrishnan (1981). Matrilineal System in Malabar. p. 27.

[2] Madras (Presidency) (1885). Manual of the Administration of the Madras Presidency. p. 100.

[1]

[2]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{refimprove|date = February 2012}}
-'''Nayak, Nayaka, Nayakar, Nayakkar, Naik, Naiker, Naicker, Naickan, Naiken, Nayakkan, Naidu, Nayudu or Naidoo''' is a common  title used by various caste and ethnic groups across [[India]]. They are all derivatives of the original Sanskrit ''Nayaka'', meaning a leader. The community history of various groups that use this title differs from place to place.
+'''Nayak, Nayaka, Nayakar, Nayakkar, Naik, Naiker, Naicker, Naickan, Naiken, Nayakkan, Naidu, Nayudu or Naidoo''' is a common  title used by various caste and ethnic groups across [[India]]. They are all derivatives of the original Sanskrit ''Nayaka'', meaning a leader.{{cn|date = April 2012}} The community history of various groups that use this title differs from place to place. In Kerala, it is said to be the corruption of the word Nayak in Malayalam.<ref>{{cite book | title = Matrilineal System in Malabar| author = P. V. Balakrishnan | year = 1981 | page = 27}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | title = Manual of the Administration of the Madras Presidency | author = Madras (Presidency) | year = 1885 | page = 100}}</ref>
-==South India==
-* Nair [in Kerala]: is said to be the corruption of the word Nayak in Malayalam.<ref>{{cite book | title = Matrilineal System in Malabar| author = P. V. Balakrishnan | year = 1981 | page = 27}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | title = Manual of the Administration of the Madras Presidency | author = Madras (Presidency) | year = 1885 | page = 100}}</ref>
-==Sri Lanka==
-The suffix Nayaka or Nayake was used in titles denoting leadership. Examples of this are Gajanakaya ([[Lord]] in charge of the Elephant [[Cavalry]] in a Kingdom), Dissanayaka (Lord in charge of a province - roughly equivalent to a [[Duke]]), and Basnayaka (Lord in charge of temple duties).
-The origin of the Sinhalese Naickers in Sri Lanka can be traced to the Kandy Kings who descended from the Madurai Nayak dynasty. {{Citation needed|date=March 2012}} They adopted Buddhism and changed their surname to Sinha. The suffix [[Boyar caste|Boya]] used by the Sinhalese in Sri Lanka is a caste of the Naickers {{Citation needed|date=March 2012}} well known for their fearsome brutality in battle. In Tamil Nadu they are called Boyan. The name Nayagam used by the Jaffna Tamils is directly related to the Sri Lankan Sinhalese Nayakes and Boyar, a close genetic link.{{Citation needed|date=September 2011}}
-==Etymology in South India==
-As a conferred title:
-* The term ''Nayankara'' is an abbreviation of ''Amaranayenkara'', composed of three syllables, ''Amara'', ''Nayaka'' and  ''ara''.
-# Amara literally stands for a command of a thousand foot soldiers.
-# Nayaka stands for the military chief who held land from the king.
-# Kara probably means an office.
-Thus the term ''Amaranayakara'' may be taken to refer to a military chief who was granted land, yielding a fixed revenue for the sovereign.
-* Medieval Andhra dynasties like the Vishnukundins and Chalukyas conferred the title Nayaka / Nayakudu to a commander or a leader of a band of soldiers.
-* A title bestowed (to usually warriors) who had received land and the title as a part of the ''[[Nayankarapuvaram]]'' system for services rendered to the court during the [[Kakatiya]] dynasty. Nayaka was one among approximately 25 titles used by the Kakatiyas to create a new political infrastructure to undercut the authority of heredity regional elites. <sup>[1]</sup>.
-===Nayankara System in South India===
-The first widespread use of the title ''Nayaka'' appeared during the [[Kakatiya]] period and was conferred to whoever served as a commander in the military. Its use spread throughout the Deccan during the expansion of the [[Vijayanagar Empire]], the title was conferred upon individuals who served as commanders or governors. It was predominant during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries in Vijayanagar dynasty in southern India
-The provincial three level administration of the Vijayanagara empire consisted of:
-#Hereditary Kings
-#Imperial provinces: They were directly administered by the emperor through his representatives and were generally referred to as Rajas or Mandaleshwars or sometimes as Chavidis. The distinguished members of the royal family were appointed as governors. At times when suitable members were not found in the royal family or when a capable and trustworthy officer of the central government was required to administer a troubled area, such a person was appointed as governor. Generally the king used to appoint governors after consulting his ministers.
-#Vassal states: They were administered through the Nayakas (or Samantas).
-The first division of administration was the royal family who held ultimate power. In the second type of provinces, the administration was done by the feudal vassals, variously called Samanta, Nayaka, etc. The system of administration of the kingdom through these feudal vassals (Nayakas) is known as the Nayankara system in the Vijayanagara times. This system resembles somewhat the feudal system of medieval Europe. The king being the owner of the soil granted lands to some persons as a reward. They were called nayakas and ruled over the territory under their charge with great freedom. In return they had to pay a fixed amount as tribute to the king besides maintaining a prescribed number of troops for the service of the sovereign during war. On ceremonial occasions, these Nayakas offered the king great presents of money and costly gifts or presentations. Failure to conform to these obligations was liable for punishment.
-The governors were required to submit regular accounts of the income and expenditure of their charges to the central government and render military aid in times of necessity. They maintained an agent at the imperial capital to keep themselves informed of the happenings at the court. In case of oppressive and tyrannical governors, the central government used to  transfer them from one place to another. The autonomy enjoyed by these governors later led to the disruption of the empire under incompetent rulers.
-The position of Nayaka was quite different from that of the Governor. He was merely a military vassal who had been assigned a district in lieu of certain military and financial obligations. He was not transferable and his office was personal but later on became hereditary, when the kings at the centre became weak. The Nayakas maintained two agents, one military and the other civil, representing their masters interests at the imperial city. The Nayankara system had its own merits and demerits. It was because of this system of administration, new settlements were formed, irrigation facilities were extended, new hands were brought under cultivation and Hindu culture and civilization was fostered and developed. However the amount of autonomy which the Nayakas enjoyed gave them sufficient opportunity to engage themselves in local wars and mutual feuds. They even defied at times the central authority. In spite of its inherent weaknesses, it served its purpose tolerably well.
-====Origins (in South India)====
-Nayaka's origins can be traced to the expansion of the  [[Western Chalukyas]] into Andhra country during the 7th Century. The Nayaka / Danda Nayaka term started being used during the [[Vishnukundina]] dynasty which ruled from the Krishna and Godavari deltas during the 3rd Century A.D. Little is known about the title usage prior to that.
-===Usage (in South India)===
-'''Naicker, Nayaka and Naidu'''
-In [[Tamil Nadu]], the name "Naicker" is used to denote persons of [[Telugu people|Telugu]]  or [[Kannada]] origins who moved into Tamil lands with the expansion of [[Vijayanagara Empire|Vijayanagar]] empire. They were also referred to as [[Vadugar]] or Northerners. Both titles carry the same meaning.
-In the medieval times, the title ''Naidu'' was associated primarily with the people who served as commanders under various Andhra dynasties, such as [[Chalukya]], [[Kakatiya]], etc. However, during the expansion of the Vijayanagar kingdom into Southern India, the title was conferred upon other non-Telugu speaking communities who served as Commanders, Barons or Governors under the Vijayanagar emperors in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka—hence the widespread usage of the surname ''Naidu'' among many non-Telugu speaking communities in states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Orissa.
-The word Naidu is used by the older writers in southern India in several senses, of which the following example given by Yule and Burnell may be cited:
-*It denoted a Commander or a Governor.
-*Native captain or headman.
-*Title of honor among Hindus in the Deccan. "The kings of deccan also have a custom when they will honor a man or recompense their service done, and raise him to dignity and honor. They give him the title of Nayak." (Linschoten).
-*The general name of the Kings of Vijayanagar.
-*Naidu, Naickan, Naicker, Nayak or Nayakkan has also been used by Tamil communities like Pallis, boyar,gangawar, [[Vanniar]]s,  Irulas, Vedans apart from various Kannada and Telugu speaking Communities.
-Though originally not meant to be a heredity title, by modern times, the Nayaka / Naicker / Naidu title had been inherited by many, although they no longer were governors, army commanders or tax collectors.
-====Tamil Nadu====
-Many communities use the title Naidu / Nayaka/ Naicker. And most of them are sometimes referred to as subcastes of Naidu which is not correct as they are different communities. The title ''Naidu'' is used only by people of [[Telugu people|Telugu]] origins, whereas the title [[Naicker]] is used by both [[Tamil language|Tamil]] and [[Telugu language|Telugu]] speakers. Both titles carry the same meaning.
-A section of Vanniars use Naicker as title in northern parts of Tamil Nadu and southern parts of Karnataka.
-====Kerala====
-In Kerala there are just about 5000 Naidu families spread all over Kerala state. Their ancestors migrated around 200 years back from Madurai region. Some families came from Tirunelveli region. They are mostly Gavara Balija. In Kerala, this group was in the OBC list in the 1950s and 60's. But later on it was removed from the list and the community no longer receives concessions.  Earlier their marriages were solemnised for four days. There were different Telugu songs for each ceremony of the marriage. These songs are in corrupted form due to inheritance by word of mouth and are no longer in practice now. In Kerala the two major sub-sects of the Balijas are Gajulu Balija and Kavarai Balija.
-===Usage abroad===
-'''Naidu'''
-In [[South Africa]] a variant spelling of "Naidoo" is used amongst its Telugu citizens. The usage may not denote Telugu ancestry any longer as intermarriages had diluted such identities. In [[Mauritius]]  it is a common surname of Tamil populations. In [[Fiji]], [[Trinidad and Tobago]] and [[Guyana]], it is a surname of the broader [[Indian diaspora]]. In [[Malaysia]] it is used by Telugus to denote their Telugu ancestry.
-'''Naicker'''
-It is used as a title in [[Sri Lanka]] and the people of Tamil origin of [[South Africa]]. It is used in [[Malaysia]], [[Singapore]], [[Mauritius]] and [[Réunion]] as common surname amongst Tamil citizens of these countries. The Nayake surname and title is used by the Sinhalese people of Sri Lanka.
 ==References==