Adi Karnataka

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Adi Karnataka^[1] refers to a group of people who are indigenous to Karnataka, India.

History[]

Adi Karnataka is a term used by the Ministry of Home Affairs (India) to refer to the members of one of the aboriginal Kannadigas who are primarily indigenous to the Karnataka state. In 1836, British traveler Kristopher Fellowman studied their history. The Adi-Karnataka dynasty, also called the Samanthas and Moola Kannadiga Kula were a once wealthy people belonging to the upper caste in 'Kshatriyas Kula'(a ruling caste status lent to kings). The Samanthas split their roles and responsibilities into the Edgai and Balgai (the left hand and right hand, respectively), meaning left and right political wings. The right wing consisted of monarchs and administrators while the left wing was responsible for general duties like farming, hunting and security of the state. Members of this Samantha community hold the surname Varma, Raja in Karnataka and Koil Thampuran in Tamil Nadu and Kerala states.

Colonial period[]

Around 1624 Adi-Karnataka (AK) began weakening, due to political unrest caused by other Kshatriya communities like Patils and Gowdas. Under British rule, it was alleged that Britishers joined forces with Patil and Gowda communities to eliminate the entire Adi-Karnataka (Samantha) clan whose numbers dwindled. During 1803, Samanthas were stripped of holding property or wealth, banished from village settlements and forced to live in caves and forests. Many brutalities ensued including genocide of male adults and enslavement of the women. Children were forced to take up demeaning jobs and as punishment for minor offences and breaking the banishment rule, they were enslaved, a practice that continued well into India's Independence. After 1800, many AK women who still held any property were forcibly married into Gowda and Patil communities.

Present day[]

The cultural practices of this dynasty are supported by Gowda, Kuruba, Okkaliga, and Patil communities. Many families from Malur, Hosur, Krishnagiri, Denkanakote, Kanakapura, Mysore, Mandya, Magadi and Hassan districts holdthe AK dynasty's silver coins and artifacts with emblems.

In 1950, after Independence, a government survey was taken to segregate the states and caste. Owing to their poverty, reduced numbers and unique lineage, the Government decided to include Adi-Karnataka as a distinct caste and awarded them Scheduled Caste status.

See also[]

• Caste system in India

References[]

General references[]

• Bayly, Susan (1999). Caste, society and politics in India from the eighteenth century to the modern age. New York: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-26434-0. OCLC 39930558.
• Béteille, André. (1965). Caste, class, and power : changing patterns of stratification in a Tanjore village. Berkeley: University of California Press. ISBN 0-520-02053-7. OCLC 411150.
• Ghurye, G. S. (1994). Caste and race in India (5 ed.). Bombay: Popular Prakashan. ISBN 81-7154-205-0. OCLC 50940599.
• Gupta, Dipankar (2000). Interrogating caste : understanding hierarchy and difference in Indian society. New Delhi: Penguin Books. ISBN 0-14-029706-5. OCLC 45438793.

External links[]

• "Government decides to set up corporation for Madigas". The Hindu. Special Correspondent. 7 March 2018. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 5 January 2022.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: others (link)