Reddy

Reddy or reddi refers to an upper class caste in India. They are generally Telugu speaking originally from the state of Andhra Pradesh. The word reddi (old usage) in particular refers to the reddi dynasty that ruled in the region around present day Vijayawada and Guntur towns for nearly a hundred years (1328-1428).

The reddy dynasty sprang as an offshoot of the defeated Kakatiya kingdom. There was also another branch of reddis at Rajahmundry, south of AP. Many invading kingdoms like the Bahmani sultanate(1458), Vijayanagara empire(1516), the Qutb Shahis, (1531,1537 & 1579), the Mughal Army of Aurangzeb in 1687, the French (1752), the Asafjahi Kings, and finally the British (1766 & 1788) constantly ravaged the kingdom. However despite such attacks, somehow the reddis were able to hold power in concentrated areas until the British put the final nail in the coffin.

The reddis were known for their fortifications. Two major hill forts, one at Kondapally 20 km north west of Vijayawada and another at Kondavid about 30 km west of Guntur bear testimony of the fort building skill of the Reddi Kings. The other fort which the reddis were partially involved in building was the Khammam fort.

It is also said that Reddis are an offshoot of RashtraKootas. After the decline of Rashtrakoota dynasty, the ruling clan broke off and settled in North and South India. Rashtrakootas were a Rajput clan. The settlers in the North are called Rathods/Rathores where the southern settlers were called Reddis. (Now Reddys).

Reddys are found predominantly in AP, but the neighbouring states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala also have Reddy Settlers. Some prominent people from this caste in the modern era include

• Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, President of India (1977–1982)
• Dr. Reddy, Reddy Labs
• Current AP Chief Minister, YS Rajashekar Reddy