The Gajula Balija Naidus were usually referred to or preferred to be known as Gavara, Kavara, Chetti, Setti, or Balijas during the period 1890 to 1950. Nowadays, most of these names have stabilised with their modifications while some families have retained their clan names and seemingly discarded the 'Balija' or 'Naidu' part, for e.g. Varada, Marri, Meka, Mudra or Chetty.
Andhra Pradesh was formed in 1956. And now, we are witness to the birth of Telengana and Seemandhra. At this moment, it does not feel like several decades have gone by. Many elders would remember the erstwhile pre-Andhra Pradesh days also. The key aspect to the development and progress of our families in the earlier Century was the construction of the Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage at Dowleshwaram, to the east of Rajahmundry. This was sometime around 1848-1852. The agriculture boomed, trade developed and the region became prosperous. Our families began to move out to expand their trade and undertook to stabilise themselves in different parts of this region and to undertake different types of work. This included trade in vegetables and flowers, transport of food products, trade in clothes, jewelry, artisanship and finished goods.
The initial movement was from Guntur, Vijayawada and south to Nellore. During this period, there was another movement, that was from Srivilliputtur, Madurai, Kanya Kumari and Nagarcoil regions, northwards to Srirangam, Thanjavur and to Madras. This led to the intermingling of families, clans and groups. New communities and larger families emerged. With the ongoing political turmoil, several other groups began to stabilise their communities, but the Gajula Balijas did not seem to do so well in taking care of themselves with an united front.
Some did well, and proved themselves in corrupt practices too, in connection with land revenue matters. There is one paper that mentions that one such Tahsildar, a Mr. Krishna Rao, Hujoor Tahsildar of Ananthapuram, appointed 108 of his family to various jobs. This led to many complaints, of course, and he was transferred. He took it upon himself to consider the transfer as another opportunity, and he appointed 117 from his kith and kin, of which 80 were from within his own family. This is not the united front that I am referring to, of course.
There were well-to-do families too. The Raja of Venkatagiri went into mining of mica. The Zamindars of Kalahasti lived a very opulent lifestyle. Similar families, with likewise tendencies, lived the best of their lives during the late 1800s, during 1870 to 1890, and went bankrupt. They were usually spoken of, when referring to the grand old days of Gajula Balija Naidus of those times. Every family, clan or community usually referred to themselves as having marriage relationships with these notoriously known families.
The first of the attempts at unifying the communities came from Gajula Lakshmi Narasu Chetty who founded the Madras Native Association in 1852. Later, Shri G. Rangaiah Naidu established the Mahajanasabha on 16 May 1894. The epidemic of 1891 in Madras killed many and discouraged several others from moving to the city. Several leading Naidus attended the first Indian National Congress Session in 1885. They included P. Rangaiah Naidu, N. Venkata Subbarayudu, and S. N. Narasimhulu Naidu. The second Indian National Congress Session held in 1886 was attended by prominent Naidus, including A. P. Parthasarathi Naidu and P. Rangaiah Naidu.
Political growth, understanding and evolution among Naidu communities continued during 1890 to 1920, with the formation of several local parties, until 1923-1924, when the Chief Minister of Madras, Panagal Raja, nominated some Naidus to the Zilla Board and Municipal Chairman's posts. They included Yathirajulu Naidu to the Zilla Board and Municipal Chairmanship of Guntur and Muniswami Naidu in Chittoor. In 1928, K. V. Reddy Naidu, a powerful political leader in Madras State, with sway from Vijayawada to Srirangam, founded the South Indian Liberal Federation. When Panagal Raja died, there were differences. B. Muniswamy Naidu fought against Bobbili Raja and came closer to N. G. Ranga (later, the veteran parliamentarian of independent India). Eventually, Muniswamy Naidu became the Chief Minister of Madras in 1930.
The Madras Presidency Map of British India
[from - http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/26/Pope1880MadrasPres2.jpg]
Andhra Pradesh was formed in 1956. And now, we are witness to the birth of Telengana and Seemandhra. At this moment, it does not feel like several decades have gone by. Many elders would remember the erstwhile pre-Andhra Pradesh days also. The key aspect to the development and progress of our families in the earlier Century was the construction of the Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage at Dowleshwaram, to the east of Rajahmundry. This was sometime around 1848-1852. The agriculture boomed, trade developed and the region became prosperous. Our families began to move out to expand their trade and undertook to stabilise themselves in different parts of this region and to undertake different types of work. This included trade in vegetables and flowers, transport of food products, trade in clothes, jewelry, artisanship and finished goods.
The British Indian Empire Map of the Imperial Gazetteer in 1910
with the Madras Presidency and the Hyderabad State
[from - http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/36/ British_Indian_Empire_1909_Imperial_Gazetteer_of_India.jpg]
The initial movement was from Guntur, Vijayawada and south to Nellore. During this period, there was another movement, that was from Srivilliputtur, Madurai, Kanya Kumari and Nagarcoil regions, northwards to Srirangam, Thanjavur and to Madras. This led to the intermingling of families, clans and groups. New communities and larger families emerged. With the ongoing political turmoil, several other groups began to stabilise their communities, but the Gajula Balijas did not seem to do so well in taking care of themselves with an united front.
Some did well, and proved themselves in corrupt practices too, in connection with land revenue matters. There is one paper that mentions that one such Tahsildar, a Mr. Krishna Rao, Hujoor Tahsildar of Ananthapuram, appointed 108 of his family to various jobs. This led to many complaints, of course, and he was transferred. He took it upon himself to consider the transfer as another opportunity, and he appointed 117 from his kith and kin, of which 80 were from within his own family. This is not the united front that I am referring to, of course.
There were well-to-do families too. The Raja of Venkatagiri went into mining of mica. The Zamindars of Kalahasti lived a very opulent lifestyle. Similar families, with likewise tendencies, lived the best of their lives during the late 1800s, during 1870 to 1890, and went bankrupt. They were usually spoken of, when referring to the grand old days of Gajula Balija Naidus of those times. Every family, clan or community usually referred to themselves as having marriage relationships with these notoriously known families.
The first of the attempts at unifying the communities came from Gajula Lakshmi Narasu Chetty who founded the Madras Native Association in 1852. Later, Shri G. Rangaiah Naidu established the Mahajanasabha on 16 May 1894. The epidemic of 1891 in Madras killed many and discouraged several others from moving to the city. Several leading Naidus attended the first Indian National Congress Session in 1885. They included P. Rangaiah Naidu, N. Venkata Subbarayudu, and S. N. Narasimhulu Naidu. The second Indian National Congress Session held in 1886 was attended by prominent Naidus, including A. P. Parthasarathi Naidu and P. Rangaiah Naidu.
The Justice Party in the 1920s in Madras Presidency
Shri Thyagaraya Chetty is at the Centre (with the girl seated near him).
Also present is the Raja of Venkatagiri.
[from - http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6e/Justice_Party_1920s.jpg]
Political growth, understanding and evolution among Naidu communities continued during 1890 to 1920, with the formation of several local parties, until 1923-1924, when the Chief Minister of Madras, Panagal Raja, nominated some Naidus to the Zilla Board and Municipal Chairman's posts. They included Yathirajulu Naidu to the Zilla Board and Municipal Chairmanship of Guntur and Muniswami Naidu in Chittoor. In 1928, K. V. Reddy Naidu, a powerful political leader in Madras State, with sway from Vijayawada to Srirangam, founded the South Indian Liberal Federation. When Panagal Raja died, there were differences. B. Muniswamy Naidu fought against Bobbili Raja and came closer to N. G. Ranga (later, the veteran parliamentarian of independent India). Eventually, Muniswamy Naidu became the Chief Minister of Madras in 1930.
