Boya (caste) - Revision history

LatonyaOconnor: typo fix

2026-03-21T12:36:35Z

typo fix

Ajay Kumar: Added citation

2023-07-23T14:35:14Z

Added citation

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:05, 23 July 2023
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	{{short description\|South Indian ~~community~~}}		{{Infobox tribe\|image=[[file:Madakarinayaka statue.jpg]]\|varna=Kshatriya (Warrior Class)\|location=Present States of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka\|religion=Hinduism\|name=Boya\|language=Kannada, Telugu, Tamil.\|caption=Statue of a Boya Chieftain}}{{short description\|South Indian Warrior Caste}}<gallery>
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=August 2020}}		</gallery>{{Use dmy dates\|date=August 2020}}

	{{Use Indian English\|date=August 2020}}		{{Use Indian English\|date=August 2020}}
	~~[[File:Bedar.jpg\|thumb\|Photo of Bedar Nayaka taken in early 20th century by Edgar Thurston]]~~
	The '''Boya''', also known as '''Bedar Nayaka, Boya Naidu, Boyar Naidu, Boyar Nayakkar''' are a community found in the South Indian states of [[Karnataka]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[Tamil Nadu]]. They speak Tamil and Telungu. Their traditional occupation was hunting, warriors and other martial pursuits.<ref>{{cite book \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ud_zjw5OLOEC&pg=PA88 \|title=Medieval Indian culture and political geography \|first=K. \|last=Satyamurthy\|year=1991 \|isbn=9788170244424 }}</ref>

			The '''Boya''', '''('''also referred to as '''Bedar Nayaka''' or '''Boya Naidu)'''<ref name=":0" /> is a disparate [[India\|Indian]] community found in the South Indian states of [[Karnataka]], [[Andhra Pradesh]] and [[Tamil Nadu]]. They are traditionally considered as "huntsmen caste"<ref name=":4" />, who ruled several regions and had served the ruling powers as administrators, raiders and had other martial pursuits.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite book \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ud_zjw5OLOEC&pg=PA88 \|title=Medieval Indian culture and political geography \|first=K. \|last=Satyamurthy\|year=1991 \|isbn=9788170244424 }}</ref>

			In Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh they are classified as a Scheduled Tribe and OBC.<ref>{{cite web \|last1=Outlook \|first1=Web Bureau \|title=Andhra Pradesh Government Passes Resolution To Include Boyas, Valmikis In ST List \|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/andhra-pradesh-government-passes-resolution-to-include-boyas-valmikis-in-st-list/305086 \|website=www.outlookindia.com \|publisher=Outlook \|access-date=2017-12-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite news \|title=Telangana Assembly passes resolution urging Centre to include Valmiki Boya, others in Scheduled Tribes list \|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/south/telangana-assembly-passes-resolution-urging-centre-to-include-valmiki-boya-others-in-scheduled-tribes-list-1189922.html \|work=Deccan Herald \|date=10 February 2023 \|language=en}}</ref> In Tamil Nadu they are classified as OBC.<ref>{{cite web \|title=List of Backward Classes approved by Government of Tamil Nadu \|url=https://www.bcmbcmw.tn.gov.in/bclist.htm \|website=Department of Backward Classes Most Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare (Tamil Nadu) \|access-date=10 Jan 2023}}</ref>

	== History ==		== History ==
	~~Boyar or Boya Naidu~~ is ~~a caste~~ in ~~India. In 1909, Edgar Durchton, who surveyed~~ the ~~population accounts for the Madras Province~~, ~~submitted~~ a ~~report~~ to ~~the government~~, ~~stating that~~ the ~~castes using~~ the ~~epithet Naidu were Balija, Pestha, Boyar, Ekari, Kavara, Kolla, Kalingi, Bhava, Muthuraja and Velama~~. ~~And Thurston Naidu is also known as Nayak or Nayakkan in Tamil.~~		[[File:Raja Veera Madakari Nayaka1.jpg\|thumb\|[[Nayakas of Chitradurga\|Nayakas of Chitradurga]] ruled between 1588–1779 CE.]]The earliest reference to "Boyas" is found in an inscription of the [[Eastern Chalukyas\|Eastern Chalukya]] ruler [[Vishnuvardhana II]], where land grants are made to several people from a variety of different villages, all with ''Boya'' appended to their name. Earlier colonial scholars thought it simply meant an "inhabitant of," but more recent scholarship suggests otherwise, meaning the recipients could have been from the Boya community.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal\|last=Nandi\|first=R. N.\|title=The Boyas—Transformation of a Tribe into Caste\|date=1968\|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44141458\|journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress\|volume=30\|pages=94–103\|jstor=44141458\|issn=2249-1937}}"Boya, in Telugu, means a savage, barbarian, inhabitant of the forest, huntsman, fisherman, etc, but it is never used in the sense of inhabitant."</ref>

	~~Bedar caste people called Boyar~~:
	~~Ramayana was written by sage Valmiki who was born in Nayaka~~ = ~~Kirat~~ = ~~Boya~~ = ~~Vedar~~ = ~~Beda community~~.
	~~The caste names~~ of the ~~Boers are called as follows:-~~
	~~Vedan~~ = ~~Vedar~~ = ~~People of Kannappa clan, Beda or boya~~ = ~~Boyar~~ = ~~Bader = Valmiki.~~
	~~The Boyars Kavara and Koharya are descended from Kohli.~~
	~~Kohlis inhabit~~ the ~~whole of Maharashtra~~, ~~they belong to~~ the ~~Kirat lineage and are also known as Kahars~~.


	~~The earliest reference to "Boyas" is found in an inscription of the~~ [[~~Eastern Chalukyas~~\|~~Eastern Chalukya]] ruler~~ [[~~Vishnuvardhana II~~]], where land grants are made to several people from a variety of different villages, all with ''Boya'' appended to their name. Earlier colonial scholars thought it simply meant an "inhabitant of," but more recent scholarship suggests otherwise, meaning the ~~recipients could have been from the Boya community.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal\|last=Nandi\|first=R. N.\|title=The Boyas—Transformation~~ of ~~a Tribe into Caste\|date=1968\|url=https://www~~.jstor.org/stable/44141458\|journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress\|volume=30\|pages=94–103\|jstor=44141458\|issn=2249-1937}}"Boya, in Telugu, means a savage, barbarian, inhabitant of the forest, huntsman, fisherman, etc, but it is never used in the sense of inhabitant."</ref>		[[File:1 of 7 concentric walled layers of Chitradurga fort.jpg\|thumb\|[[Chitradurga fort]] built during the regin of bedar Nayakas.]]
			The early Boyas were thought to have been a tribal community who were graduated acculturated into caste society. This is based on evidence from clan names in both inscriptions and in present-day, which seem to be occupational in nature.<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal\|last=Nandi\|first=R. N.\|title=The Boyas—Transformation of a Tribe into Caste\|date=1968\|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44141458\|journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress\|volume=30\|pages=94–103\|jstor=44141458\|issn=2249-1937}} Similarly, the Pulavanaboyas meaning flower-men and Minalavaru meaning fishermen were florists and fishermen catering to the needs of rural or urban population.</ref> By the seventh century CE, grants of villages in the Nellore-Guntur region were being made to Boyas, and a chieftain described as Nishada (most likely Boya) was ruling the fringes of Nellore as a feudal lord of Vishnuvardhana II. Nandi speculated these land grants were given because of the Boyas' predominance in what is today Southern Andhra Pradesh, a frontier region vulnerable to Pallava attacks.
	The early Boyas were thought to have been a tribal community who were graduated acculturated into caste society. This is based on evidence from clan names in both inscriptions and in present-day, which seem to be occupational in nature.<ref>{{Cite journal\|last=Nandi\|first=R. N.\|title=The Boyas—Transformation of a Tribe into Caste\|date=1968\|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44141458\|journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress\|volume=30\|pages=94–103\|jstor=44141458\|issn=2249-1937}} Similarly, the Pulavanaboyas meaning flower-men and Minalavaru meaning fishermen were florists and fishermen catering to the needs of rural or urban population.</ref> By the seventh century CE, grants of villages in the Nellore-Guntur region were being made to Boyas, and a chieftain described as Nishada (most likely Boya) was ruling the fringes of Nellore as a feudal lord of Vishnuvardhana II. Nandi speculated these land grants were given because of the Boyas' predominance in what is today Southern Andhra Pradesh, a frontier region vulnerable to Pallava attacks.

	The earliest references to them in Karnataka, starting from 700 CE, portray them as looters and raiders of settled villages. These references continue throughout the Medieval period. Under the name ''parivaras'', the Bedars are mentioned as troops in use by the [[Medieval Cholas\|Cholas]] during the [[Battle of Takkolam]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal\|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44147477\|access-date=2021-02-23\|journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress\|jstor=44147477\|language=en\|title=Situating Tribals in the Early History of Karnataka\|last1=Nayaka\|first1=Hanuma\|year=2010\|volume=71\|pages=97–109}}</ref>		The earliest references to them in Karnataka, starting from 700 CE, portray them as looters and raiders of settled villages. These references continue throughout the Medieval period. Under the name ''parivaras'', the Bedars are mentioned as troops in use by the [[Medieval Cholas\|Cholas]] during the [[Battle of Takkolam]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal\|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44147477\|access-date=2021-02-23\|journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress\|jstor=44147477\|language=en\|title=Situating Tribals in the Early History of Karnataka\|last1=Nayaka\|first1=Hanuma\|year=2010\|volume=71\|pages=97–109}}</ref>
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	In Kannada areas in the Medieval period, the Bedars were originally known as "Billavas" (lit. bow people) and had some power, enough to give land grants. Others had titles such as ''arasa'' and ''nayaka'', indicating they were part of the ruling class. To further their interests, inscriptions also reveal Bedars formed associations to promote their welfare and glorify themselves. Many others were employed as ''talavaras'' (watchmen), and were often glorified in ''viragallu''.<ref name=":1" />		In Kannada areas in the Medieval period, the Bedars were originally known as "Billavas" (lit. bow people) and had some power, enough to give land grants. Others had titles such as ''arasa'' and ''nayaka'', indicating they were part of the ruling class. To further their interests, inscriptions also reveal Bedars formed associations to promote their welfare and glorify themselves. Many others were employed as ''talavaras'' (watchmen), and were often glorified in ''viragallu''.<ref name=":1" />

	At the fall of the Vijayanagara empire, the power vacuum that ensued allowed many communities to come forward. Many Bedar chieftains, who had previously been ~~subordinate~~ now began to control territory more openly. Many of these ''polygars'' began to amass large forces of Boya troops. The entirety of Bellary was under their control at the time of its accession to the East India Company. The Bedars were heavily recruited into the armies of Mysore during the reigns of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan.<ref name=":2" />		At the fall of the Vijayanagara empire, the power vacuum that ensued allowed many communities to come forward. Many Bedar chieftains, who had previously been suboordinate now began to control territory more openly. Many of these ''polygars'' began to amass large forces of Boya troops. The entirety of Bellary was under their control at the time of its accession to the East India Company. The Bedars were heavily recruited into the armies of Mysore during the reigns of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan.<ref name=":2" />

	== Status ==		== Status ==
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	The Bedars worked in a variety of fields. Although some remained raiders and robbers, many others were granted high administrative positions such as collection of revenue.<ref name=":1" />		The Bedars worked in a variety of fields. Although some remained raiders and robbers, many others were granted high administrative positions such as collection of revenue.<ref name=":1" />
			==See also==
			*[[Nayak (title)]]
			*[[Nayaka dynasties]]
			*[[Balija]]
			*[[Nayakas of Chitradurga]]
			*[[Thanjavur Nayak kingdom]]
			*[[Nayaks of Gingee]]

	==References==		==References==
	{{Reflist}}		{{Reflist}}

			{{DEFAULTSORT:Caste, Boya}}

	==Further reading==		==Further reading==

Ajay Kumar: Added citation to support the statement.

2023-07-04T10:35:51Z

Added citation to support the statement.

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:05, 4 July 2023
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	{{short description\|South Indian ~~caste~~}}		{{short description\|South Indian community}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=August 2020}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=August 2020}}

	{{Use Indian English\|date=August 2020}}		{{Use Indian English\|date=August 2020}}
	[[File:Bedar.jpg\|thumb\|~~Image~~ of Bedar Nayaka taken in early 20th century by Edgar Thurston]]		[[File:Bedar.jpg\|thumb\|Photo of Bedar Nayaka taken in early 20th century by Edgar Thurston]]
	The '''Boya''', also known as '''Bedar Nayaka''' ~~or sometimes boyar Naidu~~ are a community found in the South Indian states of [[Karnataka]], [[Andhra Pradesh]] ~~and~~ [[Tamil Nadu]]. Their traditional occupation was hunting and other martial pursuits.<ref>{{cite book \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ud_zjw5OLOEC&pg=PA88 \|title=Medieval Indian culture and political geography \|first=K. \|last=Satyamurthy\|year=1991 \|isbn=9788170244424 }}</ref>		The '''Boya''', also known as '''Bedar Nayaka, Boya Naidu, Boyar Naidu, Boyar Nayakkar''' are a community found in the South Indian states of [[Karnataka]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[Tamil Nadu]]. They speak Tamil and Telungu. Their traditional occupation was hunting, warriors and other martial pursuits.<ref>{{cite book \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ud_zjw5OLOEC&pg=PA88 \|title=Medieval Indian culture and political geography \|first=K. \|last=Satyamurthy\|year=1991 \|isbn=9788170244424 }}</ref>

	.

	== History ==		== History ==
			Boyar or Boya Naidu is a caste in India. In 1909, Edgar Durchton, who surveyed the population accounts for the Madras Province, submitted a report to the government, stating that the castes using the epithet Naidu were Balija, Pestha, Boyar, Ekari, Kavara, Kolla, Kalingi, Bhava, Muthuraja and Velama. And Thurston Naidu is also known as Nayak or Nayakkan in Tamil.

			Bedar caste people called Boyar:
			Ramayana was written by sage Valmiki who was born in Nayaka = Kirat = Boya = Vedar = Beda community.
			The caste names of the Boers are called as follows:-
			Vedan = Vedar = People of Kannappa clan, Beda or boya = Boyar = Bader = Valmiki.
			The Boyars Kavara and Koharya are descended from Kohli.
			Kohlis inhabit the whole of Maharashtra, they belong to the Kirat lineage and are also known as Kahars.


	The earliest reference to "Boyas" is found in an inscription of the [[Eastern Chalukyas\|Eastern Chalukya]] ruler [[Vishnuvardhana II]], where land grants are made to several people from a variety of different villages, all with ''Boya'' appended to their name. Earlier colonial scholars thought it simply meant an "inhabitant of," but more recent scholarship suggests otherwise, meaning the recipients could have been from the Boya community.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal\|last=Nandi\|first=R. N.\|title=The Boyas—Transformation of a Tribe into Caste\|date=1968\|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44141458\|journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress\|volume=30\|pages=94–103\|jstor=44141458\|issn=2249-1937}}"Boya, in Telugu, means a savage, barbarian, inhabitant of the forest, huntsman, fisherman, etc, but it is never used in the sense of inhabitant."</ref>		The earliest reference to "Boyas" is found in an inscription of the [[Eastern Chalukyas\|Eastern Chalukya]] ruler [[Vishnuvardhana II]], where land grants are made to several people from a variety of different villages, all with ''Boya'' appended to their name. Earlier colonial scholars thought it simply meant an "inhabitant of," but more recent scholarship suggests otherwise, meaning the recipients could have been from the Boya community.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal\|last=Nandi\|first=R. N.\|title=The Boyas—Transformation of a Tribe into Caste\|date=1968\|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44141458\|journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress\|volume=30\|pages=94–103\|jstor=44141458\|issn=2249-1937}}"Boya, in Telugu, means a savage, barbarian, inhabitant of the forest, huntsman, fisherman, etc, but it is never used in the sense of inhabitant."</ref>

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	In Kannada areas in the Medieval period, the Bedars were originally known as "Billavas" (lit. bow people) and had some power, enough to give land grants. Others had titles such as ''arasa'' and ''nayaka'', indicating they were part of the ruling class. To further their interests, inscriptions also reveal Bedars formed associations to promote their welfare and glorify themselves. Many others were employed as ''talavaras'' (watchmen), and were often glorified in ''viragallu''.<ref name=":1" />		In Kannada areas in the Medieval period, the Bedars were originally known as "Billavas" (lit. bow people) and had some power, enough to give land grants. Others had titles such as ''arasa'' and ''nayaka'', indicating they were part of the ruling class. To further their interests, inscriptions also reveal Bedars formed associations to promote their welfare and glorify themselves. Many others were employed as ''talavaras'' (watchmen), and were often glorified in ''viragallu''.<ref name=":1" />

	At the fall of the Vijayanagara empire, the power vacuum that ensued allowed many communities to come forward. Many Bedar chieftains, who had previously been ~~suboordinate~~ now began to control territory more openly. Many of these ''polygars'' began to amass large forces of Boya troops. The entirety of Bellary was under their control at the time of its accession to the East India Company. The Bedars were heavily recruited into the armies of Mysore during the reigns of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan.<ref name=":2" />		At the fall of the Vijayanagara empire, the power vacuum that ensued allowed many communities to come forward. Many Bedar chieftains, who had previously been subordinate now began to control territory more openly. Many of these ''polygars'' began to amass large forces of Boya troops. The entirety of Bellary was under their control at the time of its accession to the East India Company. The Bedars were heavily recruited into the armies of Mysore during the reigns of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan.<ref name=":2" />

	== Status ==		== Status ==

2409:4072:10F:6C4:DCD9:6AEB:9C1C:CBCE: Boyar Naidu

2021-06-30T19:50:55Z

Boyar Naidu

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:20, 1 July 2021
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	{{Use Indian English\|date=August 2020}}		{{Use Indian English\|date=August 2020}}
	[[File:Bedar.jpg\|thumb\|Image of Bedar Nayaka taken in early 20th century by Edgar Thurston]]		[[File:Bedar.jpg\|thumb\|Image of Bedar Nayaka taken in early 20th century by Edgar Thurston]]
	The '''Boya''', also known as '''Bedar Nayaka''' or sometimes ~~'''Valmiki'''~~ are a community found in the South Indian states of [[Karnataka]], [[Andhra Pradesh]] and [[Tamil Nadu]]. Their traditional occupation was hunting and other martial pursuits.<ref>{{cite book \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ud_zjw5OLOEC&pg=PA88 \|title=Medieval Indian culture and political geography \|first=K. \|last=Satyamurthy\|year=1991 \|isbn=9788170244424 }}</ref>		The '''Boya''', also known as '''Bedar Nayaka''' or sometimes boyar Naidu are a community found in the South Indian states of [[Karnataka]], [[Andhra Pradesh]] and [[Tamil Nadu]]. Their traditional occupation was hunting and other martial pursuits.<ref>{{cite book \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ud_zjw5OLOEC&pg=PA88 \|title=Medieval Indian culture and political geography \|first=K. \|last=Satyamurthy\|year=1991 \|isbn=9788170244424 }}</ref>

	~~In Karnataka they are classified as a Scheduled Tribe~~.		.

	== History ==		== History ==

WikiDwarf: 1 revision imported

2021-05-01T14:40:13Z

1 revision imported

← Older revision	Revision as of 20:10, 1 May 2021
(No difference)

>John of Reading: /* History */Typo/general fixes, replaced: chieftan → chieftain

2021-04-22T07:49:38Z

History: Typo/general fixes, replaced: chieftan → chieftain

New page

{{short description|South Indian caste}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}

{{Use Indian English|date=August 2020}}
[[File:Bedar.jpg|thumb|Image of Bedar Nayaka taken in early 20th century by Edgar Thurston]]
The '''Boya''', also known as '''Bedar Nayaka''' or sometimes '''Valmiki''' are a community found in the South Indian states of [[Karnataka]], [[Andhra Pradesh]] and [[Tamil Nadu]]. Their traditional occupation was hunting and other martial pursuits.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ud_zjw5OLOEC&pg=PA88 |title=Medieval Indian culture and political geography |first=K. |last=Satyamurthy|year=1991 |isbn=9788170244424 }}</ref>

In Karnataka they are classified as a Scheduled Tribe.

== History ==
The earliest reference to "Boyas" is found in an inscription of the [[Eastern Chalukyas|Eastern Chalukya]] ruler [[Vishnuvardhana II]], where land grants are made to several people from a variety of different villages, all with ''Boya'' appended to their name. Earlier colonial scholars thought it simply meant an "inhabitant of," but more recent scholarship suggests otherwise, meaning the recipients could have been from the Boya community.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Nandi|first=R. N.|title=The Boyas—Transformation of a Tribe into Caste|date=1968|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44141458|journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress|volume=30|pages=94–103|jstor=44141458|issn=2249-1937}}"Boya, in Telugu, means a savage, barbarian, inhabitant of the forest, huntsman, fisherman, etc, but it is never used in the sense of inhabitant."</ref>

The early Boyas were thought to have been a tribal community who were graduated acculturated into caste society. This is based on evidence from clan names in both inscriptions and in present-day, which seem to be occupational in nature.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Nandi|first=R. N.|title=The Boyas—Transformation of a Tribe into Caste|date=1968|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44141458|journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress|volume=30|pages=94–103|jstor=44141458|issn=2249-1937}} Similarly, the Pulavanaboyas meaning flower-men and Minalavaru meaning fishermen were florists and fishermen catering to the needs of rural or urban population.</ref> By the seventh century CE, grants of villages in the Nellore-Guntur region were being made to Boyas, and a chieftain described as Nishada (most likely Boya) was ruling the fringes of Nellore as a feudal lord of Vishnuvardhana II. Nandi speculated these land grants were given because of the Boyas' predominance in what is today Southern Andhra Pradesh, a frontier region vulnerable to Pallava attacks.

The earliest references to them in Karnataka, starting from 700 CE, portray them as looters and raiders of settled villages. These references continue throughout the Medieval period. Under the name ''parivaras'', the Bedars are mentioned as troops in use by the [[Medieval Cholas|Cholas]] during the [[Battle of Takkolam]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44147477|access-date=2021-02-23|journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress|jstor=44147477|language=en|title=Situating Tribals in the Early History of Karnataka|last1=Nayaka|first1=Hanuma|year=2010|volume=71|pages=97–109}}</ref>

After the death of Vishnuvardhana V, the Boyas rose up against the Chalukyas and quickly captured [[Vengi]], in modern-day Coastal Andhra Pradesh. The new king sent Pandranga, a general, to defeat the Boyas. Pandranga successfully retook Vengi and conquered 12 Boya estates, and to prevent a recurrence, was made governor of the whole region.

In Kannada areas in the Medieval period, the Bedars were originally known as "Billavas" (lit. bow people) and had some power, enough to give land grants. Others had titles such as ''arasa'' and ''nayaka'', indicating they were part of the ruling class. To further their interests, inscriptions also reveal Bedars formed associations to promote their welfare and glorify themselves. Many others were employed as ''talavaras'' (watchmen), and were often glorified in ''viragallu''.<ref name=":1" />

At the fall of the Vijayanagara empire, the power vacuum that ensued allowed many communities to come forward. Many Bedar chieftains, who had previously been suboordinate now began to control territory more openly. Many of these ''polygars'' began to amass large forces of Boya troops. The entirety of Bellary was under their control at the time of its accession to the East India Company. The Bedars were heavily recruited into the armies of Mysore during the reigns of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan.<ref name=":2" />

== Status ==
The early status of the Boyas is hard to pin down. As they most likely originated as a tribe, they were outside the caste system and within the same community its members could pursue different occupations. However different sections of the community who were pursuing different occupations would identify themselves with their occupation in Brahminical society, such as ''Boya-Brahmanas'', who were generally accepted. However, they did not accept all the claims of the varnas they were in.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Nandi|first=R. N.|title=The Boyas—Transformation of a Tribe into Caste|date=1968|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44141458|journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress|volume=30|pages=94–103|jstor=44141458|issn=2249-1937}} But more striking is tke absence of any gotra-name in the case of a majority of boya brāhmaņas.</ref> Some inscriptions indicate some Boya clans officiated as priests for the entire community, traces of which can still be found in the relations between the Myasa-boyas and Uru-boyas. This practice is also preserved in the rite of ''Bhuta-bali'', where a Boya priest sacrifices an animal to the village goddess and receives a cloth in return, as well as an ''inam'' (tax-free) land plot.<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal|last=Nandi|first=R. N.|title=The Boyas—Transformation of a Tribe into Caste|date=1968|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44141458|journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress|volume=30|pages=94–103|jstor=44141458|issn=2249-1937}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite book|last=Thurston|first=Edgar|url=https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Castes_and_Tribes_of_Southern_India/B%C4%93dar|title=Castes and Tribes of Southern India}}</ref> Today, however, no Boyas are accepted as Brahmins although they claim descent from Brahminic ''rishis'' like [[Valmiki]].<ref name=":3" />

The Bedars worked in a variety of fields. Although some remained raiders and robbers, many others were granted high administrative positions such as collection of revenue.<ref name=":1" />

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* [http://www.odi.org.uk/livelihoodoptions/papers/wp179.pdf#search='caste%2C%20class%2C%20and%20social%20articulation' Caste & Class Articulation of Andhra Pradesh]
* Precolonial India in Practice By Cynthia Talbot
* Kiratas in Ancient India By G. P Singh
* Vol.XXXVIII, Part IV V ''1986 Journal of the Andhra Historical Research Society'' By Dr. N. Venkataramanayya

{{DEFAULTSORT:Boya}}
[[Category:Indian castes]]
[[Category:Social groups of Tamil Nadu]]

{{India-stub}}