The Linga Balijas are a Telugu speaking trading community primarily residing in the Indian state of Andhra pradesh.[1][2] In Karnataka, they are known as Linga Banajigas.[3]
Linga Balijas, who are traders, are described in the Madras Census Report of 1901 as a Lingayat sub-caste of the Balija community.[4]
Etymology
Variations of the name used in the medieval era include Balanja, Bananja, Bananju, Banajiga, and Banijiga, with probable cognates such as Balijiga, Valanjiyar, Balanji, Bananji, and Baliga, as well as derivatives like Vani (in Maharashtra).[4] All of these are said to be derived from the Sanskrit term "Vanik" or "Vanij," meaning trader.[5]
Another etymological theory suggests that "Balija" is derived from the Sanskrit word "Bali," meaning a sacrifice made during the 'Yagna' ritual, and "Ja," meaning born. Therefore, "Balija" translates to "born from sacrifice."[6]
Balijas who followed Lingayatism or Veerashaivism referred to themselves as Linga Balijas or Linga Vaniks.
Origin
The following legendary account of the origin of the "Linga Bhojunnalawaru" is given in the Baramahal Records:
Para Brahma, or the great god Brahma, created Pralayakala Rudra, a fierce form of the god Shiva, associated with the day of destruction. Brahma also created four sages, known as the Chatur Acharyulu, named Panditaraju, Yekcoramalu, Murralaradulu, and Somaluradulu, and taught them mantras or prayers, appointing them as his deputies.
At one time, the Asuras (giants) and the Devatas (gods) waged war against each other. In response, Pralayakala Rudra created a being from his nose, whom he named Muchari Rudra. Muchari Rudra had five sons, and together they went to assist the Devatas, enabling them to defeat the Asuras. In recognition of their service, the gods conferred upon Muchari Rudra and his sons several honorary distinctions.
A flag with the figure of an alligator (crocodile) portrayed on it.
A flag with the figure of a fish portrayed on it.
A flag with the figure of a bullock.
A flag with the figure of an eagle.
A flag with the figure of a bell.
A modee ganta, or iron for marking cattle.
The use of burning lamps and flambeaus during their daytime public processions, as well as the use of tents, is attributed to this tradition.
Once, when the god Pralayakala Rudra, along with Mochari Rudra, his five sons, and other celestial attendants, were assembled on Kailāsa Parvata, the mountain of Paradise, the god instructed them to descend to Bhuloka, the earthly world, and to increase and multiply their species. They humbly asked how they could return to the divine presence. He replied, "I shall manifest myself in Bhuloka in the form of the Lingam. Worship me in that form, and you will be permitted to approach me again." They then descended to the earthly regions, and from them, the present castes of Balijawaras trace their origin.[7][8]
Native
The Linga Balijas are primarily reside in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, but also live in Kerala, Maharashtra and to a lesser extent.[9]
History
Beginning in the 9th century, inscriptions throughout the Kannada and Tamil regions reference a trading network, sometimes described as a guild, known as the Five Hundred Lords of Ayyavolu. This network facilitated trade links between communities in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.[10]
From the 13th century, inscriptions referring to "Vira Balanjyas" (warrior merchants) began appearing in the Andhra region. The Vira Balanjyas, whose origins are often traced back to the Ayyavolu, were part of long-distance trading networks that employed fighters to protect their warehouses and goods in transit. These traders were identified as nanadesi ("of many countries") and swadesi ("of one's own country").[11] The terms balanjya-setti and balija were also used for these traders, and in later periods, they were referred to as naidu and chetti.[12]
These traders formed collectives known as pekkandru and distinguished themselves from other collectives called nagaram, which likely represented Komati merchants. The pekkandru collectives also included members of other communities with status titles such as reddi, boya, and nayaka.[13] They spread throughout South India, Sri Lanka, and even into some Southeast Asian countries.[14][15]
Velcheru Narayana Rao and others note that the Balijas were first politically mobilized by the Vijayanagara emperor Krishnadevaraya.[16] Later, in the 15th and 16th centuries, they colonized the Tamil region and established Nayaka chieftaincies. During this period, the Balijas were leaders of the left-hand section of castes. These Balija warriors were known for their fearlessness, with some accounts describing them as assassinating kings who interfered with their affairs.[16] Cynthia Talbot suggests that in Andhra, the transformation of occupational descriptors into caste-based identifiers did not occur until at least the 17th century.[17]
The classification of people as Balija posed significant challenges for census enumerators during the British Raj era, who sought to simplify a complex social system into a manageable administrative framework using theories of evolutionary anthropology.[a] Early census attempts in the Madras Presidency recorded a wide variety of people claiming to be members of Balija subcastes, who often appeared to have little in common and thus defied the administrative goal of creating a rational and convenient taxonomy.
For instance, those identifying as Chetty were clearly connected through their involvement in trade, while those calling themselves Kavarai were simply using the Tamil term for Balija. However, other groups, such as the Linga Balija, based their claim to Balija status on sectarian identification, the Gazula were bangle-makers by profession, the Telaga had Telugu origins, and the Rajamahendram seemed to base their claim on their geographic origin in the town of Rajahmundry. Subsequent attempts to rationalize the enumeration led to further anomalies and dissatisfaction.[18]
Occupation
The Traditional occupation of Linga Balija is Trading, many of them are engaged in Agriculture, Business, petty trade, and jobs in government offices and in factories.[19]
^The quarterly journal of the Mythic society Vol.XI. Bangalore: The Mythic Society, Daly Memorial Hall. 1921. p. 47-48.:”Venkatappa. ruled from 1504 to 1551.
His son Bhadrappa died before him. During his reign the Moghals under
Ranadullakhan seized Ikkeri and set up a, viceroy there. Then Virabhadrappa
Nayaka ascended the Gadi and -retiring to Bidarur ruled over his country
more peacefully than before.* His rule lasted for 15 years from 1551 to 1566.
During his reign the rule of Vokkaligas came to an end and was replaced by the rule of Banajigas”
^The quarterly journal of the Mythic society Vol.XI. Bangalore: The Mythic Society, Daly Memorial Hall. 1921. p. 47-48.:”Venkatappa. ruled from 1504 to 1551.
His son Bhadrappa died before him. During his reign the Moghals under
Ranadullakhan seized Ikkeri and set up a, viceroy there. Then Virabhadrappa
Nayaka ascended the Gadi and -retiring to Bidarur ruled over his country
more peacefully than before.* His rule lasted for 15 years from 1551 to 1566.
During his reign the rule of Vokkaligas came to an end and was replaced by the rule of Banajigas”
^A journey from Madras through the countries of Mysore, Canara, and Malabar Vol 111 – 1807 – Francis Buchanan -from page 254
"[1]"
^Advanced Study in the History of Modern India 1707–1813 by Jaswant Lal Mehta p.458
^Thomas Blom Hansen; Christophe Jaffrelot (2001). The BJP and the compulsions of politics in India. p. 176. The Lingayat votes had been important to the Janata Dal since 1978. Without Veerendra Patil (a member of the Banajiga jati), the long-standing difficulties of the national party president S. R. Bommai in appealing to voters beyond his Sadar jati (which has represent of other jatis gaining disproportionate share of spoils) became especially serious
^Sameeksha Trust (1992). Economic & Political Weekly. p. 1270. Veerendra Patil belongs to Lingayat Banajiga
^Parliament mourns death of B.D. Jatti, adjourns. 2002. Sri Basappa Danappa Jatti Born in a Kannadiga Lingayat Banajiga family at Savalgi in Jamkhandi Taluk of Bijapur district, Jatti entered politics as a Municipality member at Jamakhandi in 1940 and later became its President. He was eventually elected to the Jamakhandi State Legislature
