Vaduga

The Vaduga or Vadugar comprise three distinct Telugu caste-based communities found in present-day Tamil Nadu, India. Their caste identities are as Kamma, Balijas, and Rajakambalathars. They rose to prominence within the Vijayanagara imperial court and migrated southward following the defeat of the Vijayanagara Empire by Muslim forces in 1556.^[1]

Badagas, who inhabited the southeastern coast of India

People from Orissa, in the eastern coast of India

History

The term Vadugar was used initially to refer to the people occupying the regions north of Tamil Nadu. In Sangam literature it was applied to the chief of Erumainadu (roughly Southern Karnataka) and to the people of Vengadam (roughly the regions around Tirupathi).^[2] Sekkiliar used the term "Vaduka Karunadar Mannan" to refer to the Kalabhra invaders of Madurai in Periya Puranam.^[3] The Hoysalas invasions were called "Periya Vadukan Kalaham" in inscriptions.^[3] Badaga is derived from Vaduga.^[3] Therefore historians believe the term was initially used to refer to Kannadigas.^[3] However it was largely used to refer to Telugu people later.^[4]

Historical figures such as Veerapandiya Kattabomman, Tirumala Nayaka, Maharaani Mangammal, and Virupatchi Gopala Naicker were prominent leaders and rulers of the Vaduga Nayaka kingdoms in Tamil Nadu.^[1]