Raju - Etymology

Etymology

Raju is a Telugu language variant of the Sanskrit title Raja, which Cynthia Talbot describes as being "most often used by members of noble or princely lineages. could also designate an individual employed by a lord or prince." In medieval Andhra Pradesh, the title was used in both senses and was very likely adopted by some secular Brahmins, who occupied important advisory functions. The royal usage at that time was particularly prevalent in the northern coastal areas of the region. Talbot also notes that the title, and others in use at that time, do not align with the Vedic four-fold varna system and in that sense could not refer to a caste. However, they do appear to have conformed to "the existence of broad social categories based primarily on occupation. Although did not necessarily designate a distinct class, much less a bounded community, or a hereditary grouping, various sets of these titles differentiated social types marked by a common status and shared occupation".

The Raju term is today used to refer to a Telugu Kshatriya caste in Andhra Pradesh. From the medieval period, the term "Andhra Kshatriya" has been used synonymously with Rachavaru, Rajus and Telugu Kshatriya.

That caste, which A. Satyanarayana calls the "locally dominant landed gentry", claims Kshatriya status in the varna system despite there being "no real Kshatriya varna" in the Andhra region. They also claim descent from the ancient royal dynasties of India such as the Eastern Chalukyas, Chalukya-Cholas, Vishnukundina, Gajapati, Chagi, Paricheda and Kota Vamsa.

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