Rajaka
Encyclopedia
Rajaka, also Hena and Rada, is a minority Sri Lankan
and Indian caste. It is known as Chakali in Andhra Pradesh
, India.
system.
In the Andhra Pradesh state of India, the Rajakas form 12% of the total population and they are considered backward caste. Their nature of business is laundry. Their social status need help and the community is requesting AP Government to move them into Schedule caste and Government promised them to move them into Schedule caste over and over again but ignoring them from long time. Primary reason for this is from this community there is no representation in any higher positions in polities no any sort of government representation. In other parts of country it is well known as Dhobi caste and there in schedule caste. Another statical information regarding Rajaka caste in Andhra Pradesh this community evenly spread across Andhra Pradesh (Andhra area, Telengana and Rayalaseema Areas).
caste, production of spurious caste hierarchy lists by this class and changes to the land tenure
system, resulted in this caste too being classified as a low caste during this period. Although contrary to history, some modern Govigama
historians even go to the extent to now suggest that this caste was traditionally bound to serve the Govi caste.
The influential Mudaliyar class attempted to keep this caste and all other Sri Lankan castes out of colonial appointments. The oppression by the Mudaliars and connected headmen extended to demanding subservience, service and even restrictions on the type of personal names that could be used by this community.
Despite the above odds, several members of this caste became pioneer Ship chandler
s, commercial Laundry
operators and successful Merchants during the British period and were recognised as members of the local elite.
To see a sample of India dhobi ghat please look this video place Bombay - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbbh2r5J8Oo
Another video from Andhra Pradesh - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2jpe1QfZdM&feature=related
as the leadership selection processes within the two main political parties are not democratic.
Caste discrimination by the Buddhist monastic establishment is also an impediment to the progress of this community.
Caste system in Sri Lanka
The Caste system in Sri Lanka is a division of society into strata, differing somewhat from the classic Varnas of North India but is similar in nature to the Jāti system found in South India...
and Indian caste. It is known as Chakali in Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
, India.
History
As with other occupational castes in Sri Lanka, the traditional occupation of this caste, too, was agriculture. But, they also provided laundry services to their landlord as and when required under Sri Lanka’s feudal land tenureLand tenure
Land tenure is the name given, particularly in common law systems, to the legal regime in which land is owned by an individual, who is said to "hold" the land . The sovereign monarch, known as The Crown, held land in its own right. All private owners are either its tenants or sub-tenants...
system.
In the Andhra Pradesh state of India, the Rajakas form 12% of the total population and they are considered backward caste. Their nature of business is laundry. Their social status need help and the community is requesting AP Government to move them into Schedule caste and Government promised them to move them into Schedule caste over and over again but ignoring them from long time. Primary reason for this is from this community there is no representation in any higher positions in polities no any sort of government representation. In other parts of country it is well known as Dhobi caste and there in schedule caste. Another statical information regarding Rajaka caste in Andhra Pradesh this community evenly spread across Andhra Pradesh (Andhra area, Telengana and Rayalaseema Areas).
British period
The creation of the above Mudaliyar class by the British in the 19th century, its restriction only to the GovigamaGovigama
Govi, Govigama, Goigama, Goygama, Goyigama, Goviyo is the most influential and the dominant Caste in Sri Lanka and certainly comes as the leading cast in the hierarchy of cast system in Sri Lanka.The term Govi denotes farmer.From time immemorial the Govigama have been the landlords and have been...
caste, production of spurious caste hierarchy lists by this class and changes to the land tenure
Land tenure
Land tenure is the name given, particularly in common law systems, to the legal regime in which land is owned by an individual, who is said to "hold" the land . The sovereign monarch, known as The Crown, held land in its own right. All private owners are either its tenants or sub-tenants...
system, resulted in this caste too being classified as a low caste during this period. Although contrary to history, some modern Govigama
Govigama
Govi, Govigama, Goigama, Goygama, Goyigama, Goviyo is the most influential and the dominant Caste in Sri Lanka and certainly comes as the leading cast in the hierarchy of cast system in Sri Lanka.The term Govi denotes farmer.From time immemorial the Govigama have been the landlords and have been...
historians even go to the extent to now suggest that this caste was traditionally bound to serve the Govi caste.
The influential Mudaliyar class attempted to keep this caste and all other Sri Lankan castes out of colonial appointments. The oppression by the Mudaliars and connected headmen extended to demanding subservience, service and even restrictions on the type of personal names that could be used by this community.
Despite the above odds, several members of this caste became pioneer Ship chandler
Ship chandler
A ship chandler is a retail dealer in special supplies or equipment for ships.For traditional sailing ships items that could be found in a chandler might include: rosin, turpentine, tar, pitch , linseed oil, whale oil, tallow, lard, varnish, twine, rope and cordage, hemp, oakum, tools A ship...
s, commercial Laundry
Laundry
Laundry is a noun that refers to the act of washing clothing and linens, the place where that washing is done, and/or that which needs to be, is being, or has been laundered...
operators and successful Merchants during the British period and were recognised as members of the local elite.
To see a sample of India dhobi ghat please look this video place Bombay - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbbh2r5J8Oo
Another video from Andhra Pradesh - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2jpe1QfZdM&feature=related
Modern period
Members of this community are in all the leading professions in Sri Lanka and in commerce and make positive contributions to society. They are gaining an increased say in modern Sri Lankan politics, mainly through the alternative political party Janatha Vimukthi PeramunaJanatha Vimukthi Peramuna
The Janathā Vimukthi Peramuṇa is a Marxist-Leninist, Communist political party in Sri Lanka. The party was involved in two armed uprisings against the ruling governments in 1971 and 1987-89...
as the leadership selection processes within the two main political parties are not democratic.
Caste discrimination by the Buddhist monastic establishment is also an impediment to the progress of this community.
Notable people
- Chakali Ilamma : A key leader in Telangana RebellionTelangana RebellionThe Telangana Rebellion or Vetti Chakiri Movement also known as Telangana Raithanga Sayudha Poratam was a communist-led peasant rebellion against the feudal lords of the Telangana region and later against the princely state of Hyderabad between 1946 and 1951...
- Basavaraju SaraiahBasavaraju SaraiahBasavaraju Saraiah is an Indian politician and an MLA in AP Legislative Assembly. He is an MLA from Warangal East. Recently sworn in as Minister for backward castes welfare in the Kiran kumar reddy lead AP State Cabinet...
- MLA and Minister, Government of Andhra Pradesh