Vaduga
Telugu speaking castes based communities from Tamil Nadu, India
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Vadugar or Vaduga comprise distinct Telugu people caste-based communities found in present-day Tamil Nadu, India. Their caste identities are as many.They rose to prominence within the borders of Andhra and Karnataka and migrated southward following the defeat by Muslim forces in 1556.They speak Telugu but distinct from balijas(gavara),kamma or kapu naidus[1]
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]
