Vokkaliga

Vokkaliga is a major agrarian community in Karnataka, India. They are predominantly concentrated in southern districts such as Mandya, Mysuru (Mysore), Hassan, and Bengaluru Rural, with communities also found in neighboring regions. Historically, Vokkaliga communities are associated with farming and landholding, and the name Gowda is commonly used as a traditional family surname among men in the community.

Social status and organization: In Karnataka, Vokkaliga is recognized as a backward class by the state government and is commonly treated as an Other Backward Class for purposes of education and employment reservations. The community comprises subgroups such as Gowda, Kunchitiga, and others, with Gowda often used as a surname across districts.

History and influence: Historically, the Vokkaliga formed a rural landholding class and played a significant role in local governance. They provided village heads and, in certain periods, served as feudal lords under regional states such as the Vijayanagara and Mysore kingdoms. In modern Karnataka, they have remained an influential political and social bloc in many rural constituencies.

Culture and language: The community speaks Kannada as its predominant language and shares in the broader Karnataka Hindu cultural milieu. Community rites, marriage customs, and festivals reflect regional Kannada traditions, with subgroups preserving distinct practices while maintaining a common regional identity.

Notable figures: The Vokkaliga have produced several prominent leaders, including H. D. Deve Gowda, former Prime Minister of India; S. Nijalingappa, a veteran Congress leader; and B. S. Yediyurappa, a long-serving chief minister of Karnataka. Their prominence in rural and state politics has shaped the state's political landscape.