Balija caste is basically a trading caste of India. This merchant community is mainly spread over the southern region of the country. They are found in states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. Balija caste is sometimes considered as the sub-caste of Kapu tribe. Balija caste is often called as Naidu, which is a corruption of the Telugu word Nayakdu, meaning a leader. Scholars suggest that their ancestors probably have been Nayaks or the kings of Tanjore, Madura and Vijayanagar. Balija community is associated with the traditional occupation of making bangles and pearl and coral ornaments. They have a sub-caste known as Gazulu, or bangle-seller. In the southern province, they are considered as an offshoot of the cultivating castes of Kamma and Kapu. Balija caste is regarded as a mixed community. Another proof of the mixed ancestry can be traced from the fact that this community admit persons of other castes. The name Balija has been applied to a mixed caste originated by Basava, the creator of the Lingayat sect of Saivism.
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