Nayak (caste) explained

The Nayak are a Hindu caste; also some Nayak are Punjabi found in India and Pakistan. Mainly Nayak follows Hindu.^[1] According to Vinay Krishin Gidwani, the Nayaks claim that they were, historically, Brahmins.^[2]

Demographics and occupation

The Nayaks reside in Haryana,^[3] Punjab, Rajasthan and West Bengal.^[4] They also live in Khammam district and West Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh^[5] and in a number of villages near Ahmedabad in Gujarat. According to Kathryn Hansen, the main occupation of Gujarati Nayaks had been "singing, dancing and acting in plays".

Present circumstances

The Nayak caste is classified as a Scheduled Caste in Gujarat and Rajasthan states of India.^[6]

See also

• Nayak dynasty
• Nayakas of Keladi

Notes and References

1. Book: Hansen, Kathryn . Stages of Life: Indian Theatre Autobiographies . illustrated, reprint . First published 2011 . 2013 . 102–169 . Anthem Press . Radheshyam Kathavachak, My Theatre Days . 978-1783080687 . 855190685 . https://books.google.com/books?id=M7JEAgAAQBAJ&q=%22Nayak+caste%22.
2. Ph.D. . Fluid Dynamics: An Essay on Canal Irrigation and the Processses of Agrarian Change in Matar Taluka (Gujarat). India . Vinay Krishin . Gidwani . 1996 . xii . . 41175219 . nayak a Scheduled Caste, especially patronized by patels, claim to have been brahmins historically.
3. Book: Lok Sabha Debates . . 2002 . 545 . . New Delhi, India . 0445-6769 . 8866894 . ...the Government of Haryana has also demanded that Nayak Caste be included in the list of Scheduled Castes..
4. Book: Lunheim, Rolf . Desert People: Caste and Community — A Rajasthani Village . 1993 . 92–93 . . 978-8290896121 . 33369188 .
5. News: . Polls bring dispute over Nayaka caste status in West Godavari . G. . Nagaraja . Visakhapatnam, India . 15 July 2013 . 13 February 2021.
6. Book: Lipner, Julius . Julius J. Lipner . Hindus: Their religious beliefs and practices . 2010 . Routledge . 978-0-415-45676-0 . 173 . 2nd . The Nāyak caste of the bhopo is among the lowest in the hierarchy of Rajasthan, and is listed officially as a scheduled caste (viz. Untouchable)..