South Indian castes/ tribes (numerically small): R
This article is an excerpt from Government Press, Madras |
Rācha (= Rāja).—Rācha or Rāchu, signifying regal, occurs as the title of various Telugu classes, for example, Balija, Golla, Kāpu, Konda Dora, Koya, Majjulu, and Velama. Some Perikes, who claim to be Kshatriyas, call themselves Rācha Perikes. Rācha is further given as an abbreviated form of Mutrācha.
Rāfizī .—A term, meaning a forsaker, used by Sunni Muhammadans for any sect of Shiahs. The name appears, in the Madras Census Report, 1901, as Rābjee.
Rāgala (rāgi: Eleusine Coracana).—An exogamous sept of Chembadi, Korava and Mādiga. The equivalent Rāgithannaya occurs as an exogamous sept of Bant. Rāgi grain constitutes the staple diet of the poorer classes, who cannot afford rice, and of prisoners in jails, for whom it is ground into flour, and boiled into a pudding about the consistency of blanc-mange. The name is derived from rāga, red, in reference to the red colour of the grain.
Rāghindala (pīpal: Ficus religiosa).—A gōtra of Gollas, the members of which are not allowed to use the leaves of this tree as food-plates.
Rājakan .—A Sanskrit equivalent of Vannān (washerman).
Rājamāhendram .—The name, in reference to the town of Rājahmundry in the Godāvari district, of a sub-division of Balija.
Rājāmakan .—A Tamil synonym for the Telugu Rāzu.
Rājavāsal —The name, denoting those who are servants of Rājas, of a sub-division of Agamudaiyans, which has been transformed into Rājavamsu, meaning those of kingly parentage. The equivalent Rājavamsam is recorded, in the Census Report, 1901, as being returned by some Maravans in Madura and Kurumbans in Trichinopoly. Rājakulam, Rājabāsha, or Rājaboga occurs as a sub-division of Agamudaiyan.
Rājpinde .—See Arasu.
Rākshasa (a mythological giant).—An exogamous sept of Toreya.
Rālla (precious stones).—A sub-division of Balijas who cut, polish, and trade in precious stones. A further sub-division into Mutiāla (pearl) and Kempulu (rubies) is said to exist. Rāmadōsa (Cucumis Melo: sweet melon).—A sept of Vīramushti.
Rāma Kshatri —A synonym of Sērvēgāra.
Rāmānuja .—Sātānis style themselves people of the Rāmānuja Matham (religious sect) in reference to Rāmānuja, the Tamil Brāhman, who founded the form of Vaishnavism which prevails in Southern India.
Rānaratōd. —An exogamous sept of the Kuruvikkārans, who call themselves Rātōdi.
Ranavīran .—A name, meaning a brave warrior, returned by some Chakkiliyans.
Rāndām Parisha (second party).—A section of Elayad.
Rao .—The title of Dēsastha Brāhmans, and various Marātha classes, Jains, and Sērvēgāras. Some Perikes, who claim Kshatriya origin, have also assumed Rao (=Rāya, king) instead of the more humble Anna or Ayya as a title.
Rarakkar .—The Rarakkars or Vicharakkars are exorcisers for the Kuravans of Travancore.
Rāti (stone).—A sub-division of Oddē.
Ratna (precious stones).—An exogamous sept of Kuruba. The equivalent Ratnāla is a synonym of Rālla Balijas, who deal in precious stones.
Rattu .—A sub-division of Kaikōlan.
Rāvāri .—Recorded, in the Madras Census Report, 1901, as a trading section of the Nāyars. The word is said to be a corruption of Vyāpāri, meaning trader. The equivalent Rāvēri occurs as a class inhabiting the Laccadive islands.
Rāvi Chettu (pīpal tree: Ficus religiosa).—An exogamous sept of Kālingi. The pīpal or aswatha tree may be seen, in many South Indian villages, with a raised platform round it, before which Hindus remove their shoes, and bow down. On the platform, village council meetings are often held. It is believed that male offspring will be given to childless couples, if they celebrate a marriage of the pīpal with the nīm tree (Melia Azadirachta).
Rāvutan .—Rāvutan, or Rowthan, is a title used by Labbai, Marakkāyar, and Jōnagan Muhammadans. The equivalent Rāvut or Raut has been recorded as a sub-caste of Balija, and a title of Kannadiyan.
Rāya Rāuturu .—The name of certain chunam [lime] burners in Mysore.
Rāyan .—A title assumed by some Pallis or Vanniyans, who wear the sacred thread, and claim to be Kshatriyas.
Rāyi (stone).—An exogamous sept of Māla.
Reddi .—See Kāpu.
Reddi Bhūmi (Reddi earth).—A sub-division of Māla, Mangala, and Tsākala.
Rēla (fig. Ficus, sp.).—A gōtra of Mēdara.
Relli.—See Haddi.
Rendeddu .—A sub-division of Gānigas or Gāndlas, who use two bullocks for their oil-pressing mill.
Rokkam (ready money).—An exogamous sept of Kōmati.
Rōlan .—Rōlan, or Rōli Cheruman, is a sub-division of Cheruman.
Ronguni .—The Rongunis are Oriya dyers and weavers. The caste name is derived from rangu, dye. A noticeable fact is that they do not eat flesh of any kind, but are vegetarians, pure and simple. They have various titles, e.g., Bēhara, Dāso, Prushti, and Sāhu, of which some practically constitute exogamous septs.
Rottala (bread).—An exogamous sept of Bōya.
Rowthan .—See Rāvutan.
Rūdra .—One of the various names of Siva. A sub-division of Palli.
Runzu .—Runzu, Runza, or Runja is the name of a class of Telugu mendicants, who beat a drum called runjalu, and beg only from Kamsalas (q.v.).
References
1 Manual of the South Canara district.
2 W. Crooke. Tribes and Castes of the North-Western Provinces and Oudh.
3 Madras Census Report, 1891.
4 Manual of the North Arcot district.
5 Gazetteer of the Vizagapatam district.
6 Madras Census Report, 1891.
7 Manual of the North Arcot district.
8 Madras Census Report, 1871.
