Kuruba

Kuruba, (also known as Kuruba Gowda, Kuruma and Kurumbar) is a Hindu caste native to the Indian state of Karnataka, where they are the third-largest caste group.[1] The community's traditional occupation was shepherding.

This article is about the pastoral community in Karnataka. For the similarly-named tribe of the Nilgiris, see Kurumba (tribe).

Etymology

The term kuruba, meaning shepherd, is derived from kuri, meaning sheep. Shephering was traditionally their primary occupation[2] and still is for many, who lead a nomadic lifestyle.[3]

History

Traditional sources claim that the Kurumas or Kurubas founded the Sangama dynasty, the founding dynasty of the Vijayanagara Empire.[4] According to Ramchandra Chintaman Dhere, a scholar of the religious traditions of Maharashtra {{quote|The history of South India shows clearly that all the southern royal dynasties who arose from pastoralist, cowherd groups gained Kshatriya status by claiming to be Moon lineage Kshatriyas, by taking Yadu as their ancestor, and by continually keeping alive their pride in being 'Yadavas'. Many dynasties in South India, from the Pallavas to the Yadavarayas, were originally members of pastoralist, cowherd groups and belonged to Kuruba lineages."[4]

Notable people

Main article: List of Kurubas

References

1. Ranganna, T. S. (12 August 2006). "Kuruba community sets a new trend at math". The Hindu. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
2. Ramchandra Chintaman Dhere, Translated by Anne Feldhaus (2011). Rise of a Folk God: Vitthal of Pandharpur, South Asia Research. Oxford University Press. pp. 240–241. ISBN 9780199777648.
3. "Bandaru assures ST category for Golla-Kuruma". The Hindu. Special Correspondent. 25 August 2015. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 27 May 2020.CS1 maint: others (link)
4. Dhere, Ramchandra Chintaman (2011). Rise of a Folk God: Vitthal of Pandharpur, South Asia Research. Feldhaus, Anne (trans.). Oxford University Press. p. 243. ISBN 978-0-19977-764-8.