Global InformationSettibalija information
Settibalija (also Setti Balija, Setty Balija) refers to two distinct and completely unrelated communities in Andhra Pradesh, India. The term Setti Balija (or Chetty Balija) historically referred to a sub-caste of the Balija community.[1] These Setti Balijas were a prominent mercantile community of South India with a history dating back to the Vijayanagara Empire.[1] They are currently found in the Rayalaseema region and are classified as a Forward Caste.[2]
In 1920, as a part of Sanskritization process, the toddy-tapper community of Godavari districts — not related to the Balija caste and the historical Setti Balija trader community — changed their caste name from Ediga or Eendra to the more respectable name of Chettu Balija (Chettu meaning tree in Telugu), which transformed to Setti Balija over a period of time.[3][4] The Settibalijas of Godavari districts are related to the larger Goud community and are classified as a Backward Caste.[5]
- ^ a b Paul, John Jeya; Yandell, Keith E. (2000). Religion and Public Culture: Encounters and Identities in Modern South India. Psychology Press. pp. 33–34. ISBN 978-0-7007-1101-7.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
:11was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Devi, Dr V. Vasanthi (3 May 2021). A Crusade for Social Justice: P. S. Krishnan: Bending Governence Towards The Deprived. South Vision Books. pp. 47–48.
In some parts of Andhra Pradesh, the Idiga have assumed the name of "Setty Balija", which is felt as more respectable than the traditional name. But the socio-economic and educational conditions of the Idiga of Andhra Pradesh are now worse than that of Ezhava and Nadar. A large percentage of them continue to still work as toddy-tappers.
- ^ Census of India, 1961. Part 6. Vol. 2. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. p. 13.
For instance, Chetti Balija or Chettu Balija means a section of people engaged in economic activity whose main raw material base is trees. In other words, Chettu Balija is a section of people who are engaged in tapping the juice from trees particularly ....
- ^ W. Chandrakanth (27 February 2004). "Gouda, Settibalija conference". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 18 January 2005. Retrieved 24 January 2012.