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Book on History and Traditions of Our Community by Late Mr S. K. Nayak
The above book was written by Mr. S K Nayak. Late Mr. S K Nayak was an Instructor with military having been born in Kundapur and receiving his education in Jabalpur. He served the military in various locations like Bombay, Delhi, Calcutta, Darjeeling, Kashmir, Punjab, U P and Gujarat. He belongs to the family of late Mr. Siddha Nayak, a freedom fighter from Kundapur. The author says in his foreword that his intention in writing the book was to introduce each member of the community to our glorious past culture. He had a vision to ensure that the book was kept and read in each household of our community.
The book was brought out with the active co-operation from the Jati Sangha of Mangalore in the year 1988. In his foreword Mr. Jayarama the then Secretary of the Sangha rightfully says it is quite essential to imbibe a sense of oneness despite many local names and surnames for our community which lost its anchor after loss of royal patronage. He appeals to each intellectual and leader in the community to work towards unity and upliftment of our fragmented and dispersed caste.
Major portion of this book is devoted to the history of Kshathriyas in general and their Vedic traditions. The author brings out forcefully the historic fact that Kshathriyas are brahmanical and Vedic in their traditions and beliefs.
He outlines our history thus: -
We migrated from the Gangetic plains and settled around the Vijayadurga fort in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. He quotes from an article written by Karandikar Brothers in Times of India dated 24/5/1934: -
"Vijayadurga, a coastal town near Ratnagiri had a famous kingdom around 2700 BC. The king of this place invaded Ayodhya but was slain by Dasharatha of Ayodhya.
There is a Rameshwara temple near Vijayadurga fort. This Vijayadurga was a centre of military during the rules of Kadambas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagara Rayas, amd Keladi (Ikkeri) Nayakas. "
Our community traces its origin to Vijayadurga. In 1633, they identified themselves as 'Ramkshatriyas of Vijayadurga' in a memorandum submitted to Sringeri Mutt. A branch of Vijayadurga army was located in Goa and some of our ancestors had lived in Goa for long duration. The author says even now many of our community visit Goa with offerings to their Kula Devathas.
At the end of the book the author has given the full text of the memorandum of our community submitted to Sringeri Mutt about 360 years back. The same is signed by Purushayya Havaldara, Manjayya Shervegara, Bagvadi Hobli Lokayya Sherogara, Chandavara Nagayya Havaldara, Gersoppe Lakyu Havaldara, Barkuru Venkatesh Naika, Rama Havaldara, Kumble Guruvayya and Hanumanta Naika.
It shows the resourcefulness of the author that he was able to rope in community leaders like Mr. B Purushothama, Retd. Deputy Secretary to Govt. of Karnataka, Mr P K Annayya Rao ("Om Kripa", Babugudde, Attavara ), Mr. K Sashidhara, Asst. Director of Fisheries Department, Mr Keekana Ramachandra, then President Kannada Sahitya Parishad, Mangalore and Principal K C Keshava Rao, to write a few words before the main book.