Bhatraju

Bhatraju is an Indian caste Bhatraju caste are known as Scholors, Solidiers, Ministers, Poets.[1][2][3] Bhatraju caste claim to be one of the subcastes of the Kshatriyas.[4] They are primarily found in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and also in smaller numbers in the neighbouring states. They are also known as Bhatturaju or Bhataraju or Bhatrajulu. In Srikakulam district is known as Veda Kshatriya and Pandita Kshatriya.[5] The Bhatrajus were originally a caste of Ministers and Poets. [6][7] After the fall of indigenous kingdoms, they switched to teachers or business[8] They use Raju as their caste title.[3]The Bhatrajus wear the sacred thread like the Brahmins and are well versed in sacred literature. They call themselves Rajus (Rajputs) claiming half-decent from ancient Kshatriya clans.Bhatrajus are classified under the Other Backward Classes in most states of Southern India.[9][10][11]

History

Bhatraju population is concentrated in Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh to where they were posited to have migrated from Northern Circars.Bhattu is the most ancient race. The Bhatta tribe originated under the name 'Brahmarava Bhatta' during the Gupta period. Later the Bhatta caste - Brahma Bhatta, Maharaj, Bhatta, Bhatta Charya expanded into 5 branches. Later there were many changes in the Bhatta caste over time. At present there are 5 important branches of the Bhatta caste. Are spread all over India. There are 89 sage tribes among the Bhattu kings. The Bhatta kings were a caste of Brahmin sub-castes.[12] Therefore they also have Brahmin tribes.They were originally attached to the courts of the Hindu princes as bards or professional troubadours, reciting ballads in poetry in glorification of the wondrous deeds of local princes and heroes. They were described as, "having a wonderful faculty in speaking improvisatore, on any subject proposed to them. But their profession is that of chanting the exploits of former days in front of the troops while marshalling them for battle, and inciting them to emulate the glory of their ancestors."[3][7]

In Madras Census Report, 1871, they were described as, "a wandering class, gaining a living by attaching themselves to the establishments of great men, or in chanting the folklore of the people." Madras Census Report, 1891, describes them as, "being a class of professional bards, spread all over the Telugu districts. They are well versed in folklore, and in the family histories and legends of the ancient Rājahs. Under the old Hindu Rājahs the Bhatrāzus were employed as bards, eulogists, and reciters of family genealogy and tradition. Most of them are now cultivators, and only a few are ballad-reciters."[3][7]

Notable people

References
  1. Rajpramukh, K. E. (2013-08-13). Satellite Castes and Dependent Relations: Dalits in South India. Partridge Publishing. p. 38. ISBN 978-1-4828-1057-8.
  2. Journal of the Indian Anthropological Society. The Society. 1977. p. 134.
  3. Spurr, Michael James. "Sathya Sai Baba as Avatar: "His Story" and the History of an Idea" (PDF). University of Canterbury. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2017-11-29.
  4. Singh, Kumar Suresh (1992). People of India: Andhra Pradesh (3 pts.). Anthropological Survey of India. p. 339. ISBN 978-81-7671-006-0.
  5. Kutikuppala, Himasagar. "Andhra Pradesh Backward Caste List : Srikakulam Online". Srikakulam Online Portal. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  6. Singh, Kumar Suresh (1992). People of India: Andhra Pradesh (3 pts.). Anthropological Survey of India. pp. xlii. ISBN 978-81-7671-006-0.
  7. Thurston, Edgar; Rangachari, K. (1909). Castes and Tribes of Southern India. Madras: Government Press. pp. 223–224. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  8. Singleton, Mark; Goldberg, Ellen (2013-11-27). Gurus of Modern Yoga. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-937495-3.
  9. Central List of OBCs for the state of Andhra Pradesh, p. 4 (64 - Bhataraju)
  10. Department of Backward Classes, #8 - Bhatraju
  11. Central List of OBCs for the state of Tamil Nadu, p. 1 (12 - Bhatraju)
  12. S.R BHALLAM (2017). Bhatta raja history (in Telugu). Vijayawada: S.R BHALLAM. p. 257.
  13. Rao, A. Srinivasa. "A phenomenon called Sathya Sai Baba". India Today. Archived from the original on 2019-12-10. Retrieved 2019-12-10.
  14. Srinivas, Tulasi (2010-06-10). Winged Faith: Rethinking Globalization and Religious Pluralism through the Sathya Sai Movement. Columbia University Press. p. 54. ISBN 978-0-231-52052-2.
  15. "Dr.Shobha Raju - ABV". www.annamayya.org. Retrieved 2022-01-20.
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