Itinerant Communities and Deccan Culture: A Case of Perikas
By Anjaiah
Summary
The article examines the historical role of itinerary communities in India's trading networks, focusing on the Perikas in the Deccan region. It highlights how these mobile groups, each specializing in specific trades, developed distinct social practices and cultural identities, particularly in the Deccan due to its reliance on coastal resources and vast forests. The Perikas, one such community, were crucial in transporting goods like grains and salt, especially during famines, and received royal support from the Kakatiya and Vijayanagara rulers. Their trade activities, documented in medieval texts and inscriptions, included carrying merchandise via oxen, horses, and other means, with records showing they transported diverse goods like pepper, jaggery, and silk. The community's adherence to Saivism and their worship of Shiva as a family deity are noted. The article also discusses the impact of modern transportation, particularly railways, which marginalized traditional traders like the Perikas, leading to their shift to new occupations and migration. Despite population declines in some regions, the Perikas persist in Andhra Pradesh and neighboring states, with village names reflecting their historical presence. The study emphasizes the Perikas' adaptation to socio-political changes and their enduring cultural legacy in Deccan society.
Conclusion
This study highlights the historical significance of itinerary communities like the Perikas in shaping Deccan's cultural and economic landscape. Their role in internal trade, particularly under dynasties like the Kakatiyas and Vijayanagara, facilitated the movement of goods such as grains, salt, and spices, while their unique social practices and Saivite religious traditions contributed to regional cultural diversity. The Perikas' adaptation to modern education and Brahmanic values during the late 19th and 20th centuries led to caste mobilization and occupational shifts, though the advent of railways and colonial policies marginalized their traditional trading roles. The community's enduring legacy is evident in place names across Andhra Pradesh and their continued presence in diverse regions, reflecting their historical influence on the Deccan's socio-economic fabric. Their story underscores the dynamic interplay between mobility, trade, and cultural evolution in pre-modern India.