Uppara is a Hindu caste and is classified as Backward Class or OBC, predominately found in the states of Andhra Pradesh,[1] Karnataka,[2] Telangana,[3] Tamil Nadu[4] and Kerala.[5] [6]

Uppara
ClassificationBackward Caste
ReligionsHinduism
CountryIndia
Populated statesAndhra Pradesh
Tamil Nadu
Telangana
Karnataka


During the rule of King Maharayar of Vijayanagara Empire, Sagaras Ruled 24 nadus. They acquired the title Naicker during Vijayanagara rule as they ruled This 24 nadus (areas) Back then.[7] Till today the caste is known by its alternate name Uppara Naicker in some areas.[8]

The primary activity of sagaras in 19th century was preparation of salt ('uppu' in Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam and Tamil is the same, which is 'salt') so they are called upparas by profession.

History edit

According to Buchanan, the most important occupation of the Telugu Upparas at the beginning of the nineteenth century was the manufacture of salt..

Some members of the caste are Vaishnavites and others Saivites. They also worship various village deities, which vary according to the place of residence.

The one man commission constituted by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, chaired by Sri Anantha Raman[who?] in its report in 1968 made certain observations and recommendations regarding the Uppara community. Some of the points mentioned in the report are as follows:

  • Uppara is a caste of workers engaged in agriculture.
  • They also engaged in manufacturing salt.
  • When private manufacture of salt was forbidden during the British rule, the people of the community turned to other occupations. The Uppara seem to have made little shifts in an agrarian context. Losing their caste based occupation as salt makers, they mainly did agriculture.

Notable People edit

Demographics edit

The "Chinnappa Reddy Report (1990)" indicates that the Uppara make up about 1.18 percent of the population of Karnataka.

References edit

  1. ^ Department Of Publication, Government Of India (13 September 1993). "Specification of OBCs in respect of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh (No. 12011/68/1993-BCC)"" (PDF). The Gazette of India: Extraordinary (in Hindi and English). Vidhan Sabha, Civil Lines, Delhi-110054.: Department of Publication: 38. ISSN 0254-6779. OCLC 1752771.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  2. ^ Department Of Publication, Government Of India (13 September 1993). "Specification of OBCs in respect of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh (No. 12011/68/1993-BCC)"" (PDF). The Gazette of India: Extraordinary (in Hindi and English). Vidhan Sabha, Civil Lines, Delhi-110054.: Department of Publication: 51. ISSN 0254-6779. OCLC 1752771.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  3. ^ Department Of Publication, Government Of India (11 August 2016). "Inclusion/Amendment in the Central Lists of OBCs in respect of the State of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. (No. 12011/04/2014-BC-II)" (PDF). The Gazette of India: Extraordinary (in Hindi and English). Vidhan Sabha, Civil Lines, Delhi-110054.: Department of Publication: 13. ISSN 0254-6779. OCLC 1752771.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  4. ^ Department Of Publication, Government Of India (13 September 1993). "Specification of OBCs in respect of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh (No. 12011/68/1993-BCC)"" (PDF). The Gazette of India: Extraordinary (in Hindi and English). Vidhan Sabha, Civil Lines, Delhi-110054.: Department of Publication: 64. ISSN 0254-6779. OCLC 1752771.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  5. ^ Backward classes Development Department (23 May 2014). BCDD - Hand Book (PDF) (Report). Printing Department - Government of kerala. p. 95. G.O.(MS) No. 10/2014/BCDD.
  6. ^ Thurston, Edgar; Rangachari, K. (1909). Castes and Tribes of Southern India. Vol. VII. Travancore (present in Today's kerala), Mysore (present in Today's karnataka), Coorg (present in Today's Karnataka) and Pudukkottai (present in Today's Tamilnadu): Madras Government Press. p. 230. ISBN 9788175364882.
  7. ^ Singh, K.S; Thirumalai, R.; Manoharan, S. (1997). People of India - Tamil Nadu. Vol. XL. 62 - A Ormes Road , Kilpauk, Madras 600-010: Affiliated East-West Press Pvt Ltd. pp. 1508–1509. ISBN 81-85938-88-1.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  8. ^ "PeopleGroups.org - Uppillian". peoplegroups.org. International Mission Board, SBC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Retrieved 2 March 2024.