Gotras
Rajus are classified into two sects (as per ancient Kshatriya tradition based on Vansh): 1. Suryavanshi (Sun Dynasty) include Vishnukundina, Paricheda, Kota Vamsa, Chola-Chalukyas (Cholas claimed Suryavanshi and Chalukyas were Chandravanshi, the two families merged) Eastern Ganga and Gajapati. 2. Chandravanshi (Moon Dynasty) includes Eastern Chalukyas, Kalachuris (Chedi-Haihaya), Saluva and Aravidu dyanasties of Vijayanagar.
They are further subdivided into Four Gotras.
1. Vasishta
2. Dhanunjaya
3. Kashyapa
4. Kaundinya
A poem called Sri Krishna-vijayam dated 1540 A.D. tells of a migration of these four clans to Telingana led by Madhav Varma. While Rajus of Coastal Andhra and Rajapalayam have above four gotras, the Rajus of Karnataka have three additional gotras:
1. Pasupati
2. Vishwamitra
3. Atreya
Each Gotra is again sub-divided into hundreds of endogamous sects based on surnames that are named after villages of origin, a famous member of the clan, personality, etc. Sage Kaundinya (Kundin) was the son of Vasishtha and nephew of Agastya. Dhanunjaya is a branch of Vishwamitra. Pasupati is a branch of Kashyapa. A book entitled Sri Andhra Kshatriya Vamsha Ratnakaram elaborates on the traditional accounts and genealogy of the Kshatriya Raju community of Coastal Andhra and was written by Varahala Raju Buddharaju in Telugu. This book gives genealogy details of the 109 surnames of Andhra Kshatriya Rajus and their Four gotras.
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