Vokkaliga

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Vokkaliga (IPA: [(w)okːɐliɡɐ], also transliterated as Vokkaligar, Vakkaliga, Wakkaliga, Okkaligar, Okkiliyan) is a community of closely related castes, from the Indian states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. As a community of warriors and cultivators they have historically had notable demographic, political, and economic dominance in Old Mysore (region). It is believed by some historians that the Rashtrakutas and Western Gangas were of Vokkaliga origin. The Vokkaligas occupied administrative positions in the Vijayanagara Empire. They later formed the early rulers of the Nayakas of Keladi. The Vokkaligas had the most families in the ruling classes of the 17th century when the Arasu caste of the Wodeyars was created to exclude them. Under the Kingdom of Mysore they operated autonomously and also served in the army and militia. The Vokkaligas formed the landed-gentry and warrior class of Karnataka. Most subsects of the Vokkaliga community are designated as Forward castes by the Central Government of India, while some subsects in rural areas are designated as Other Backward Class by the Karnataka Government. Vokkaligas of the Lingayat faith are treated separately. Vokkaligas commonly carry titles such as Gowda, Hegde and Gounder.