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It is a caste found in the Indian State of Andhra Pradesh. They are also called Balija, Ontari,Munnuru Kapu,Telaga or Naidu. They make up about 25% of the population of Andhra Pradesh and are involved in various professions.
Kapus are the earliest inhabitants of South India who had migrated from Kampilya (near Ayodhya).Kapu's come under kshytria community. Since it is a diverse, large and geographically well spread group there is no one root or origin. Many sections resemble people of Rajasthan and Haryana particularly the dark complexioned Rajasthanis, especially Bhatti rajputs.
Kapu gentry are sturdy, tall, sharp featured and dark brown in complexion. Many of today's Kapus strongly resemble people in ancient Indian paintings, especially the girls. Note the pic... looks like today's Naidu girl in Nalgonda or Adoni or Vuyyuru. ( or anywhere in AP...most of the folks featured in old paintings are sharp featured and dark complexioned....).
Kapus are traditionally warriors, and kings as well, of most of the Andhra dynasties.Presently, Kapus are predominantly an agrarian community which has diversified into business, industry, films, academia, etc.
The list of kapu dynasties include vijayanagara dynasty,chalukya dynasty,chola dynasty,kakatiya dynasty(only kapayya nayudu),tajore kings(vishwanadha nayakulu) etc. A common Kapu surname is Naidu, the name is derived from Nayaka, (kakatiya commander-warlord, later Vijayanagar commander and governors.
Many of the people with Naidu surname had some remote ancestor who was a knight , promoted to something like baron--"nayaka" which means law-giver. This became Nayakudu--nayadu-naidoo. Kakatiya dynasty had many prominent nayakas, of which several were from Kapu background. Later vijayanagar promoted several warriors to military governors (nayaka) thus you have many 'naidus' who trace links to Vijayanagar. The subsequent development of Vijayanagar to areas of Madurai and Tanjavur, Tamilnadu also shows prominent Kapu Naidus(vishwanadha nayakulu,nagama nayakulu(general of vijayanagara dynasty when sri krishna devaraya(kapu king) ruled ). The Nayaka kings ruled in these parts. Hence there is a very large Kapu Naidu population in Tamil nadu even today.
Naidus especially of kapu background have migrated to several countries like South Africa, Mauritius etc. They are active in the local Telugu and Tamil associations.
Important informatiom about Kaapu origins can be obtained from Balijapuranam in chennai library. For further information log on to the website for history of kapus
Telaga
Telaga and balija means same.These are the people who belong to chola dynasty which was present before 100 BC,because this dynasty first situated between three siva-aramas called tri-lijga' later on passage of time became telaga and the language spoken by the people became telugu.these telega are mainly situated in costal areas.
Balija
Balija means peolpe who have born by giving sacrifices or bala-jeeva ie people having lot of power.These baljas after collapse of kapu empires doesn't like control of other kings ,so they use to trouble the kings since they are powerful and lot of power and also good in number kings use to be in control with them.telaga and balija or nothing but the same.
turpu kapu
These are the people who use to live in east frontier so called turpu kapu. There is nothing Backward with them .There are also listing of turpukapu rulings in Andhra.They are very good natured
Ontari
These kapu's are very powerful so called ontari. These are the people who use to work in armies.
munnuri Kapu
Munnuri means three hundred. These are people who belong to Balija community, who use to live in Tanjore. The nawab of hyderabad requested the Tanjore king to send his men to keep security in his kingdom(now telangana) the king send three hundred balija famlilies.
who now now are called Munnuri Kapu.