Adi-Andhra | |
---|---|
Religions | |
Languages | Telugu |
Populated states | Andhra Pradesh • Telangana • Karnataka |
Ethnicity | Telugus |
Adi-Andhra is a Telugu caste found in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, primarily in the Coastal Andhra region. They are categorised as a Scheduled Caste by the Government of India.[1]
Adi-Andhra literally means 'the original people of Andhra'.[1][2] The Adi-Andhra group is a composite caste that consists of about 60% of Malas and 40% of Madigas, who belong to second and third generation of educated scheduled castes.[3][4] Many Adi-Andhras are engaged in modern occupations created by western education.[3] A small section of Adi-Andhra also lives in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.[4][5]
As per the 2001 census, Adi-Andhra constituted 9% of the total Scheduled Caste (SC) population of United Andhra Pradesh.[3] As per the 1981 census, Adi-Andhras had the highest literacy rate among the Dalit castes of Andhra Pradesh.[6] They are the most advanced group in terms of education and employment among the Scheduled Castes (SCs) in Andhra Pradesh.[6]