Bhatraju: Difference between revisions

'''Bhatraju''' is an Indian caste of [[Telugu language|Telugu]]-speaking poets, [[ballad]] reciters, [[Panegyric|panegyrists]], and religious musicians.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aXOSAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA38&dq=Bhatraju+caste#v=onepage&q=Bhatraju%20caste&f=false|title=Satellite Castes and Dependent Relations: Dalits in South India|last=Rajpramukh|first=K. E.|date=2013-08-13|publisher=Partridge Publishing|isbn=978-1-4828-1057-8|pages=38|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lbIiAAAAMAAJ&dq=Bhatraju&q=Bhatraju|title=Journal of the Indian Anthropological Society|date=1977|publisher=The Society|pages=134|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/35458340.pdf|title=Sathya Sai Baba as Avatar: "His Story" and the History of an Idea|last=Spurr|first=Michael James|website=University of Canterbury}}</ref> They are primarily found in the states of [[Telangana]] and [[Andhra Pradesh]], and also in smaller numbers in the neighbouring states like [[Karnataka|Karnataka and Tamil Nadu]]. They are also known as ''Bhatt Murtis'' or ''Bhatrajulu'' or ''Rai Bhats'' or ''Bhat Rajah'' or ''Brahma Kshatriya'' or simply ''Rajus''.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cvcejt9krDkC&q=Bhatraju+caste&dq=Bhatraju+caste|title=People of India: Andhra Pradesh (3 pts.)|last=Singh|first=Kumar Suresh|date=1992|publisher=Anthropological Survey of India|isbn=978-81-7671-006-0|pages=339|language=en}}</ref> The Bhatrajus were originally a caste of court bards, poets, eulogists, and reciters of family genealogy and tradition.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cvcejt9krDkC&dq=Bhatraju&q=Bhatraju|title=People of India: Andhra Pradesh (3 pts.)|last=Singh|first=Kumar Suresh|date=1992|publisher=Anthropological Survey of India|isbn=978-81-7671-006-0|pages=xlii|language=en}}</ref> After the fall of indigenous kingdoms (historical claim: from the Bhatti Rajput clan of North-West India), they migrated downward to South Indian regions in the search of livelihood. During the reign of Kakatiya rulers, they were allowed to integrate into the society by contributing their literary knowledge of Sanskrit. Eventually they instilled pious positions by devoting their duties as temple coordinators, priests and they switched to singing religious songs,<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GSpnAQAAQBAJ&pg=PT368&dq=Bhatraju#v=onepage&q=Bhat%20raju&f=false|title=Gurus of Modern Yoga|last1=Singleton|first1=Mark|last2=Goldberg|first2=Ellen|date=2013-11-27|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-937495-3|language=en}}</ref> poetry and  praises of richer land lords and performing their respective Dharmic traditions in wedding and other auspicious occasions. They use Raju as their caste title.<ref name=":0" />They hold the primary Brahman ''Gothras'' like ''Bharadwaja, Kashyapa, Athreyasa, Srivasta'' etc. It is one of the few ''Brahmanic'' castes that has maintained the continuity of Sacred Thread called as [[Upanayana|Upanayanam.]]

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, with less than 500,000 living in AP/TS regions today.<ref>[http://www.bcmbcmw.tn.gov.in/obc/faq/andhrapradesh.pdf Central List of OBCs for the state of Andhra Pradesh], p. 4 (64 - Bhataraju)</ref><ref>[http://backwardclasses.kar.nic.in/eng/guidance_bureau.htm Department of Backward Classes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213083455/http://backwardclasses.kar.nic.in/eng/guidance_bureau.htm |date=2012-02-13 }}, #8 - Bhatraju</ref><ref>[http://www.bcmbcmw.tn.gov.in/obc/faq/tamilnadu.pdf Central List of OBCs for the state of Tamil Nadu], p. 1 (12 - Bhatraju)</ref>

As progress concurrently happened they were well versed as Landlords in regions of North West Telangana, and Coastal Andhra Pradesh, credibly called as ''Patwaris'' and ''Patels.''

By the erstwhile end of 1800s they established themselves into the Telugu society as Teachers, Poets and Government officials. As of now most of them are highly educated individuals working as Professionals in various Industries and Disciplines. Very less populace has still held onto the Poetical and Ballad lineage. While a majority of the older generation still practice those customs, and rely upon cultivation in rural areas.