Linga Balija is a subcaste of the Indian Balija caste.

Linga Balija
Total population
15 Lakhs
Regions with significant populations
Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu,
Languages
Telugu, Kannada, Tamil
Religion
Hinduism
Related ethnic groups
Other Balija Subgroups

The Balija are a Telugu-speaking trading community primarily living in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and in smaller numbers in Telangana and Kerala.[1] Balijas are known as Banajigas in Karnataka.[2]

Linga Balijas (traders) are summed up in the Madras Census Report, 1901, as a Lingāyat sub-caste of Balija.[3]

Etymology

Variations of the name in use in the medieval era were Balanja, Bananja, Bananju, Banajiga and Banijiga, with probable cognates Balijiga, Valanjiyar, Balanji, Bananji and derivatives such as Baliga, all of which are said to be derived from the Sanskrit term Vanik or Vanij, for trader.[4]

Another etymological theory states that Balija is derived from the Sanskrit word Bali, a sacrifice made during 'Yagna' ritual and Ja meaning born. Therefore, Balija means "born from sacrifice".[5]

Balijas who followed Veerashaivism or Lingayatism called themselves Linga Balijas.

Other Names of Linga Balijas

  • Lingadhari Jangamar
  • Lingadhari Pandaram
  • Lingangatti Pandaram
  • Linga Pandaram
  • Linga Vadugar
  • Lingayath
  • Lingayath Naidu
  • Lingayath Balija
  • Veerashaiva Balija
  • Veerashaiva Lingayath Balija
  • Sivachar Kavarai
  • Jangamar
  • Jangam.

Family Names of Linga Balijas

Origin

The following legendary account of the origin of the "Linga Bhojunnalawaru " is given in the Baramahal Records. Para Brahma or the great god Brahma created the god Pralayakala Rudra or the terrific at the day of destruction, a character of the god Siva, and he created the Chatur Acharyulu or four sages named Panditaraju, Yekcoramalu, Murralaradulu, and Somaluradulu, and taught them mantras or prayers, and made them his deputies. On a time, the Asuras and Devatas, or the giants and the gods, made war on each other, and the god Pralayakala Rudra produced from his nose a being whom he named Muchari Rudra, and he had five sons, with whom he went to the assistance of the devatas or gods, and enabled them to defeat the giants, and for his service the gods conferred upon him and his sons the following honorary distinctions: —

  • A flag with the figure of an alligator (crocodile) portrayed on it.
  • A flag with the figure of a fish portrayed on it.
  • A flag with the figure of a bullock.
  • A flag with the figure of an eagle.
  • A flag with the figure of a bell.
  • A modee ganta, or iron for marking cattle.

The use of burning lamps and flambeaus in their public processions during the day. The use of tents. " On a time, when the god Pralayakala Rudra and Mochari Rudra and his five sons, with other celestial attendants, were assembled on the Kailāsa parvata or mountain of Paradise, the god directed the latter to descend into the Bhuloka or earthly world, and increase and multiply these species. They humbly prayed to know how they were again to reach the divine presence. He answered 'I shall manifest myself in the Bhuloka under the form of the Lingam or Priapus; do you worship me under that form, and you will again be permitted to approach me.' They accordingly descended into the earthly regions, and from them the present castes of Balijawaras deduce their origin.[6][7]

Dynasty

Rulers

Ananthapur, Bukkarayapatnam, Dharmavaram Linga Balijas of Hande Family.

  • Hande Hanumappa Nayudu (1569–1582)
  • Immadi Hampanaidu (1583–1595)
  • Malakappa Naidu (1595–1619)
  • Hampa Naidu (1619–1631) Hande Malakappa Naidu's (1595–1619) 4th Son
  • Siddappa Naidu (1631–1659)
  • Pavadappa Naidu (1659–1671)
  • Ramakka Naidu (1671–1690)
  • Siddappa Naidu (1690–1696)
  • Prasannappa Naidu (1696–1719)
  • Pavadappa Naidu (1719–1737)
  • Siddappa Naidu (1737–1740)
  • Ramappa Naidu (1740–1745)
  • Tadipatri and Poddatur. Hande Malakappa Naidu's (1595–1619) 1st Son Devappa Naidu and his descendents.
  • Bellari, Kurgodu and Surrounding Districts. Hande Malakappa Naidu's (1595–1619) 2nd Son Chinna Ramappa Naidu and his descendents.
  • Konderpi and Kanakal. Hande Malakappa Naidu's (1595–1619) 3rd Son Lingappa Naidu and his descendents.
  • Shivappa Nayaka (1645–1660)[11]
  • Chikka Venkatappa Nayaka (1660–1662)
  • Bhadrappa Nayaka (1662–1664)[12]
  • Somashekara Nayaka I (1664–1672)
  • Keladi Chennamma (1672–1697)
  • Basavappa Nayaka (1697–1714)[13]
  • Somashekara Nayaka II (1714–1739)
  • Kiriya Basavappa Nayaka (1739–1754)
  • Chenna Basappa Nayaka (1754–1757)
  • Queen Virammaji (1757–1763).[14]

Status

In the year 2019, representatives of the Telangana state Veerashaiva Lingayat Federation petitioned the National Commission for Backward Classes to include Linga Balija and Veerashaiva Lingayat in the central government's list of Other Backward Classes.[15] In 2022, Member of Parliament B. B. Patil met with the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar Khatik to discuss the two subcaste's inclusion in the OBC list.[16]

Notable peoples

References

  1. ↑ Kumari, A. Vijaya; Bhaskar, Sepuri (1998). Social Change Among Balijas. MD Publications. p. 12. ISBN 9788175330726.
  2. ↑ Thurston, Edgar. Castes and Tribes of Southern India. Vol. 4 of 7. p. 232.
  3. ↑ Francis, W. (1902). Census Of India 1901 Vol.15 (madras) Pt.1 (report). p. 165.
  4. ↑ Edgar Thurston, ed. (1909). Castes and Tribes of Southern India. VED from Victoria Institutions. p. 97.
  5. ↑ Venkatesa Iyengar, ed. (1932). The Mysore Tribes and Castes. Vol. 2. Mittal Publications. p. 100.
  6. ↑ Edgar Thurston, ed. (1998). Social Change Among Balijas: Majority Community of Andhra Pradesh. p. 9.
  7. ↑ Venkatesa Iyengar, ed. (1932). The Mysore Tribes and caste. p. 105.
  8. ↑ The quarterly journal of the Mythic society Vol.XI. Bangalore: The Mythic Society, Daly Memorial Hall. 1921. p. 47-48.:”Venkatappa. ruled from 1504 to 1551. His son Bhadrappa died before him. During his reign the Moghals under Ranadullakhan seized Ikkeri and set up a, viceroy there. Then Virabhadrappa Nayaka ascended the Gadi and -retiring to Bidarur ruled over his country more peacefully than before.* His rule lasted for 15 years from 1551 to 1566. During his reign the rule of Vokkaligas came to an end and was replaced by the rule of Banajigas”
  9. ↑ Keladi Nayakas - The Rebellious Rani of Belavadi and Other Stories. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. 2001. ISBN 9788126901272. Retrieved 22 May 2015. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  10. ↑ "Rulers of Keladi". Udupi Tourism. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  11. ↑ Portuguese Studies Review (ISSN 1057-1515) (Baywolf Press) p.35
  12. ↑ The quarterly journal of the Mythic society Vol.XI. Bangalore: The Mythic Society, Daly Memorial Hall. 1921. p. 47-48.:”Venkatappa. ruled from 1504 to 1551. His son Bhadrappa died before him. During his reign the Moghals under Ranadullakhan seized Ikkeri and set up a, viceroy there. Then Virabhadrappa Nayaka ascended the Gadi and -retiring to Bidarur ruled over his country more peacefully than before.* His rule lasted for 15 years from 1551 to 1566. During his reign the rule of Vokkaligas came to an end and was replaced by the rule of Banajigas”
  13. ↑ A journey from Madras through the countries of Mysore, Canara, and Malabar Vol 111 – 1807 – Francis Buchanan -from page 254 ""
  14. ↑ Advanced Study in the History of Modern India 1707–1813 by Jaswant Lal Mehta p.458
  15. ↑ "Include Balija caste in OBC list, demand Lingayats". The Hans India. July 9, 2019.
  16. ↑ "Make Lingayat, Balija castes part of OBC Category: Zaheerabad MP". Telangana Today. September 13, 2022.
  17. ↑ "1 year in office earns CM a snub". indiatoday. 2005. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  18. ↑ "BJP president Nitin Gadkari refuses to yield BS Yeddyurappa over Karnataka leadership". economictimes. 25 February 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  19. ↑ "The Tripwire Setters". Outlookindia. 6 April 2009. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  20. ↑ Nels Anderson, ed. (1969). Studies in Multilingualism I of VII. p. 134.
  21. ↑ The Indian Journal of Political Science. 1987. p. 583.
  22. ↑ "Which way now for the Lingayats?". indiatoday. 8 March 2004. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  23. ↑ Alessandro Monti, Marina Goglio, Esterino Adami, ed. (2005). Feeding the Self, Feeling the Way in Ancient and Contemporary South Asian Cultures. p. 91.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: editors list (link)
  24. ↑ Sameeksha Trust, ed. (1997). Economic and Political Weekly, Volume 32. p. 2348.
  25. ↑ "J H Patel stoops, yet may not conquer". rediff. 2004. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  26. ↑ "Rebel gives J H Patel a contest to remember". rediff. 3 September 1999. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  27. ↑ "NewsKarnataka". NewsKarnataka. Archived from the original on 2019-08-26. Retrieved 2019-08-27.
  28. ↑ Thomas Blom Hansen; Christophe Jaffrelot (2001). The BJP and the compulsions of politics in India. p. 176. The Lingayat votes had been important to the Janata Dal since 1978. Without Veerendra Patil (a member of the Banajiga jati), the long-standing difficulties of the national party president S. R. Bommai in appealing to voters beyond his Sadar jati (which has represent of other jatis gaining disproportionate share of spoils) became especially serious
  29. ↑ Sameeksha Trust (1992). Economic & Political Weekly. p. 1270. Veerendra Patil belongs to Lingayat Banajiga
  30. ↑ Bansy Kalappa & Naushad Bijapur, ed. (2019). Stormy season ahead for BJP over rebel Karnataka MLA Umesh Katti's exclusion. Newindianexpress.
  31. ↑ Bansy Kalappa & Naushad Bijapur, ed. (2019). Decoding the political clout of Shettar. timesofindia.
  32. ↑ Our Special Correspondent (2002). Parliament mourns death of B.D. Jatti, adjourns. Sri Basappa Danappa Jatti Born in a Kannadiga Lingayat Banajiga family at Savalgi in Jamkhandi Taluk of Bijapur district, Jatti entered politics as a Municipality member at Jamakhandi in 1940 and later became its President. He was eventually elected to the Jamakhandi State Legislature
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