Kamma Catholic Global Federation
Due to many regional, political, religious, social, and economic changes in India, Telugu-speaking Kammas were not confined to just one region. Today, they have spread across South India to Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. It is our duty to know the greatness of our ancestors, our ancient glory, and the importance of the Kamma caste. The existence of the Kamma caste can be seen in inscriptions from about 1,000 years ago. This history specifically explains the lineage journey of the Kammas who ruled centered around Gandikota and later converted to Christianity (Catholicism). Chapter 1: The Kamma Caste: Origin and Early Historical Introduction Narratives of the Origin of the Kamma Caste There are several narratives in circulation about how the Kamma caste was formed: 1. Kamma - Velama Unity Narrative: In ancient times, Kamma and Velama people were one caste, involved in national defense and agriculture. As families grew, the practice of ghasha (women staying indoors without working) increased. There was no consensus in the discussion on whether to continue or abolish this practice. Ultimately, those who agreed not to have ghasha and signed on kammalu (palm leaves) to come to work were called Kammas, according to this narrative. 2. Kakatiya Prataparudra's Narrative (13th Century AD): In a war fought by Kakatiya Prataparudra, when his kamma (earring) was lost, it is another narrative that the heroes who bravely retrieved and returned it began to be called Kammas. 3. Ambassadorial Pattas Narrative: During the time of Sri Krishnadevaraya, for administrative affairs, information documents were written on kammalu (palm leaves) for royal representatives, and those who performed diplomatic missions were labeled as 'Kammavaru'. Historical Developments and Titles Kammas had Kshatriya characteristics, lived by the sword, and engaged in public administration, bravery, and martial duties. 1. 'Chowdary' Title: After the Golconda Qutb Shah occupied the Kondaveedu kingdom, he divided the region into 14 divisions (samitulu). He appointed Kammas as Chowdarys (protectors of the law) for their administration. From that day, Kammas have used the "Chowdary" title. 2. Naiks (Polygars) System: Between 1500-1600 AD, Kammas followed this Polygars (Naiks) system along with their kings and rulers.
Chapter 2: The Glory of Kammanadu - The Land of Diamonds Kamma Rashtram and Kammanadu Rashtram or Radha formerly indicated land areas outside the capital city. In the Andhra region, this Kamma land area has a very ancient history: Time Period Name Mention in Inscriptions Ikshvaku Period Kammakardha Bethavolu (Jaggayyapet region) Inscription Pallava Period Karma/Kamma Rashtram Skandavarma Ongole Inscription Vishnukundina Period Kammakaramdha Polamburu Inscription (mentioning Konur village) Eastern Chalukya Period Kamma Rashtra Vishayam / Kammanati Vishayam Jaisimha's Chandulur Inscriptions Kakatiya Period Kammanadu Ganapati Deva Chakravarti Inscriptions From 1330 to 1424 AD, this Kamma Rashtram was part of the Kondaveedu kingdom and ruled by the Reddys. The Glory of the Kohinoor Diamond in Kammanadu There is another important historical reason for the unique fame of 'Kamma Rashtram' and 'Kammanadu': this region flourished as the birthplace of valuable, priceless quality diamonds. 1. Kohinoor Diamond: In 1565 AD, French diamond merchant J.B. Tavernier visited the area and clearly stated that this diamond was found in Kolluru village, south of Guntur district's Pulichinta and north of Bellamkonda fort. Even today, this area is marked as a prohibited place called 'Diamond Poramboku' in revenue records. This diamond, weighing approximately 900 carats, went from the Telugu country to the Golconda Nawabs and Delhi Padshahs, eventually adorning the British Queen's crown. 2. Pitt (Regent) Diamond: This diamond, weighing about 410 carats, was found in Paritala village in Krishna district in 1701 AD. It adorned the crown of the French Emperor. It is a historical specialty that these two world-famous diamonds were found in 'Kammanadu', specifically near the capital (Lakshmipuram) of Raja Vasireddy. Chapter 3: Gandikota - The Impregnable Fort of the Kammas The Significance of Gandikota The history of Gandikota is a golden chapter in the history of the Kammas. 1. Location and Construction: It was built on a hill about 10 kilometers from Jammalamadugu in the present-day Y.S.R. Kadapa district, at an altitude of 1670 feet above sea level. Because the Penna River flows by deeply cutting a gorge (gandi) for about 5 km, forming a natural moat around the fort, this fort is impregnable and splendid. The Gandikota Kaifiyat states that it was built by Kaka Raju on January 9, 1123 AD. 2. Gandikota Region (Seema): This region was part of the domain of the Nawab of Kadapa. Many taluks in the districts of Kadapa, Anantapur, and Kurnool (such as Badvel, Jammalamadugu, Tadipatri, Dharmavaram, Koilkuntla) were together called the Gandikota Seema. The Prominence of Kammas in the Administration of Gandikota This region, which gained importance during the time of the Kakatiyas, became part of the Vijayanagara Empire. 1. Pemmasani Dynasty: During the time of Harihara Bukkaraya, Mikkilineni Ramanayudu ruled this region. Kumara Timmanayudu came from Bellamkonda in Guntur district as a resident son-in-law to Gandikota and became the progenitor of the Pemmasani dynasty. 2. Relationship with Vijayanagara: The Pemmasanis supported the Kakatiyas and Vijayanagara kings from the beginning. 3. Pemmasani Ramalinga Nayudu was the Commander-in-Chief of Sri Krishnadevaraya. 4. The relationship became stronger because a daughter of the Pemmasani family, Nagamamba, was the mother of the Raya. 5. When the Raya set out for wars, he used to send special invitations to Kamma chieftains like Vithalappa Nayudu and Parashurama Nayudu. 6. Kamma Army: There were about 80,000 Kamma soldiers at that time. It is believed that the surname "Sayappaneni" originated from the Commander Sayappa Nayudu's name. 7. Kingdom Expansion: From 1431 to 1652 AD, the Kammas ruled for two and a half centuries with Gandikota as their center, and with the support of the Vijayanagara emperors, they appointed their relatives as rulers of Madhura, Thanjavur, and Sri Lanka (Ceylon). Thus, the administration that started in Gandikota spread as far as Ceylon. Lifestyle of Gandikota Kammas 1. Main Occupation: The Kammas who reached Gandikota primarily depended on agriculture for their livelihood. 2. Illillani Kammavaru: Women in this Kamma community did not come out to work, which is why they were also called 'Illillani Kammavaru' (Kammas who stay indoors). 3. Surnames: The surnames of Gandikota Kammas were formed from the names of the areas where their ancestors lived in the Gandikota region. Examples: Potakamuru, Edapalli, Malepadu, Eturu, Pondota (Pootota), etc. It is their specialty that place names are used as house names. 4. Classification based on Clothing: If women wore the pallu of the sari over their right shoulder, they were identified as Gampa Kammas; if they wore it over their left shoulder, they were identified as Induru Kammas.
Donation
Volunteer
Country
The Gandikota Kammas are a sub-caste of the Kamma community, primarily found in the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh, India. They are known for their bravery, martial skills, and administrative abilities.
Gandikota Fort, also known as the "Gandi Kshetra," is a 12th-century fort located in the Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh. It was founded by the Pemmasani Nayaks, a Kamma chieftain family, in the 12th century.
The founder of the Gandikota Empire was Pemmasani Timma Nayudu, a Kamma chieftain who served under the Kakatiya dynasty. He built the Gandikota Fort and established the Pemmasani Nayaka dynasty, which ruled the region for over 200 years.