**Social Stratification and Mobility in Medieval Kadapa Region (1000-1300 AD)**
By K. Narasimhulu
Summary
The Kadapa region in medieval India (1000-1300 AD) was ruled by the Telugu Cholas, Vaidumbs, Chalukyas of Kalyani, Imperial Cholas, and Kayasthas. Geographically situated between 13°41' and 15°15' north latitude and 77°55' to 79°30' east longitude, it spanned 15,373 sq km and had a population of 2,884,524 lakhs as per the 2011 census. Historically, the region was known as Kripanagara, later evolving into Kadapa. Ptolemy referred to it as Karipe (2nd century AD), while Chinese traveler Heiun-Tsang acknowledged it as the Chiriya-Chola region. Post-Vijayanagara Empire, the Golkonda Nawab renamed it Nek-nam-khan. Socially, the region was stratified under the four-varna system, with Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Sudras. Brahmanas adhered to Dharmasastra, receiving royal patronage for land grants. Kshatriyas, as rulers, were claimed by various communities. Vaishyas dominated trade, while Sudras engaged in agriculture. Hunter-gatherer and pastoralist groups like Gollas, Lambadis, Chenchus, and Sugalis inhabited forests and hills. Artisans and occupational groups, including Reddis and Panchanamvaru, played significant roles in society. Revenue systems included land taxes (siddhaya, pannu, koluchu) and exemptions granted by rulers like Kakatiya Prataparudra. Food habits varied by class, with rice as a staple for the wealthy and rice consumption rare among the poor. Non-vegetarianism was common but limited to occasional meat consumption. Adornment (alamkarina) served as a marker of
Conclusion
The study of the Kadapa region during the medieval period (1000-1300 AD) reveals a complex social hierarchy shaped by political patronage and the varna system, with significant fluidity in social mobility. The interaction between settled communities and hunter-gatherer-pastoral groups like the Gollas, Chenchus, and Yanadis highlights dynamic cultural exchanges. The economic structure relied heavily on agriculture, with land taxes (siddhaya, pannu) and in-kind levies (koluchu) forming key revenue sources, though tax exemptions for Brahmins and administrative elites occasionally reduced royal income. The region's diverse occupational groups, including panchanamvaru artisans and Reddis administrators, underscored its socio-economic complexity. These outcomes reflect how political motivations and economic practices influenced social stratification, while also revealing the resilience of traditional frameworks like caste and land-based revenue systems.