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Caste in South India From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Adi-Andhra is a Telugu caste found in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, primarily in the Coastal Andhra region. They are categorised as a Scheduled Caste by the Government of India.[1]
Adi-Andhra | |
---|---|
Religions | |
Languages | Telugu |
Populated states | Andhra Pradesh • Telangana • Karnataka |
Ethnicity | Telugus |
Adi-Andhra literally means 'the original people of Andhra'.[1][2] The Adi-Andhra group is a composite caste that consists of about 60% of Malas and 40% of Madigas, who belong to second and third generation of educated scheduled castes.[3][4] Many Adi-Andhras are engaged in modern occupations created by western education.[3] A small section of Adi-Andhra also lives in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.[4][5]
As per the 2001 census, Adi-Andhra constituted 9% of the total Scheduled Caste (SC) population of United Andhra Pradesh.[3] As per the 1981 census, Adi-Andhras had the highest literacy rate among the Dalit castes of Andhra Pradesh.[6] They are the most advanced group in terms of education and employment among the Scheduled Castes (SCs) in Andhra Pradesh.[6]
Bhagya Reddy Varma (originally Madari Bhagaiah), a Mala from Hyderabad state, was a pioneer of the Adi-Hindu movement in Andhra.[7]: 179–180 In November 1917, he was invited to preside over the 'First Andhra Panchama Mahajana Sabha' at Vijayawada. It was convened by Guduru Ramachandra Rao, a Brahmin social reformer from Krishna district.[8]: 159 In his presidential address, Bhagya Reddy remarked that the Depressed Classes were the original inhabitants of India and ought to be called Adi-Hindu, instead of Panchama. Consequently, the conference adopted the name of Adi-Andhra Mahajana Sabha.[7]: 179–180 [8]: 161 [9] It was very active in Andhra and met in several conferences.[10]
After the first Adi Andhra conference, the Adi identity gained popularity among Dalits.[8]: 163 The government accepted the nomenclature of Adi-Andhra vide order No. 617 on 25 March 1922.[11][7]: 71–72 Some of the educated Dalits and those who were part of the Adi movements adopted Adi identity, leaving behind their traditional caste names.[8]: 163 By the 1931 census, nearly a third of Malas and Madigas of Madras Presidency had given their identity as Adi-Andhra.[9]
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