08-04-2005, 10:13 AM
I am somewhat familiar with the history of the Nayakas (and the naidus, Velamas and Reddies), but i remain unconvinced that the word Kamma has an antiquity as old as even the middle ages and that references to the word Kamma in literature was scant during that period.By that i mean, i do not think there was a rigid caste called Kamma even as late as the 1300's.
The following seems to be a knowledgeable source"Kakatiya Dynasty (1000-1323 AD) was an indigenous power that sprang from the local people (the so-called vedic fourth class, the Sudras). Jainism was prominent during 11th century but was wiped out by Shaivism during this period. Reddy dynasty (1325-1424AD) was established by Kammas, Velamas, and Reddis, powerful non-Aryan tribes/castes. " ( I have problems with the use of the term non-aryan in this context, but that is another issue)
http://www.vepachedu.org/castemore.htm
In any event the antiquity of the Kammas is not my main point.What is at isssue is whether these 'Jatis' were water tight with no intermarriage outside their community. I maintain that none of these communties were watertight rigid communities and that such a situation was actively fostered by the British who had everything to gain by accentuating the diversity of the country and its people. Furthermore the British confused the whole issue by trying to tie Jati to Varna (as stated in the Vedic texts) Varnaas we are aware is distinguished by behavior and as we further know , most of the r ishis (whose names form the Gothras we identify with) were not of Brahminic stock.
Finally i mean no disrespect to the Kamma community whom i greatly admire for their progressiveness in embracing the modern era.
The following seems to be a knowledgeable source"Kakatiya Dynasty (1000-1323 AD) was an indigenous power that sprang from the local people (the so-called vedic fourth class, the Sudras). Jainism was prominent during 11th century but was wiped out by Shaivism during this period. Reddy dynasty (1325-1424AD) was established by Kammas, Velamas, and Reddis, powerful non-Aryan tribes/castes. " ( I have problems with the use of the term non-aryan in this context, but that is another issue)
http://www.vepachedu.org/castemore.htm
In any event the antiquity of the Kammas is not my main point.What is at isssue is whether these 'Jatis' were water tight with no intermarriage outside their community. I maintain that none of these communties were watertight rigid communities and that such a situation was actively fostered by the British who had everything to gain by accentuating the diversity of the country and its people. Furthermore the British confused the whole issue by trying to tie Jati to Varna (as stated in the Vedic texts) Varnaas we are aware is distinguished by behavior and as we further know , most of the r ishis (whose names form the Gothras we identify with) were not of Brahminic stock.
Finally i mean no disrespect to the Kamma community whom i greatly admire for their progressiveness in embracing the modern era.