Nayak (title)

Not to be confused with Nayak (caste).

Nayak is a historical surname primarily found among Sikhs and Hindus, especially those with ancestral links to warrior or military lineages in the Indian subcontinent. Derived from the ancient Sanskrit word Nāyaka, meaning leader or hero, the surname was originally associated with Kshatriya captains who led successful military campaigns, ^[1] upon achieving a successful military expedition in various feudal states of the Indian subcontinent, as a derivative of the ancient Sanskrit word Nāyaka.^[2] Nayak's were often granted rewards such as palayam, jagir, or zamindars land holdings carved out of newly annexed territories. Over time, their descendants adopted Nayak as a hereditary surname, symbolizing leadership and valor. While the surname is most commonly used by Sikhs and Hindus, it is also seen in regional variants such as Nayakar, Nayakan, Naicker (Tamil), Nayakudu,, Naidu (Telugu), and Nair (Malayalam). The modern Indian Army rank of "Naik" and its use in popular cinema (e.g., Katha Nayagan and Kathanayakudu) reflect its enduring legacy. At its core, Nayak is a surname that signifies martial heritage and leadership, primarily among Sikh and Hindu communities.^[3]

As a title

Today, the title is primarily used by Sikhs and Hindus, and also by various other castes and ethnic groups across India as a matter of tradition and custom.

• Nayak and Naik are surnames used by Koli caste of Maharashtra. The Princely State of Jawhar was founded by a Koli Nayak Jayaba Mukne around 1300.^[4] The Maval region was known as Koli country of fifty two valleys in Maratha Confederacy. Each valley was controlled by a Koli Nayak and the Sirnayak, or head chief, lived at Junnar, and presided over the gotarni, or caste council.^[5] the Fort of Sinhagad was built and ruled by Koli chief Nag Nayak who resisted the Sultan Muhammad bin Tughluq for eight months.^[6] the Kolis of Maharashtra revolted against Mughal ruler Aurangzeb under their Koli chief Khemirao Sirnaik and in 1769, Kolis revolted against Peshwa of Maratha Confederacy under their Koli Naik Javji Bamble and broken the peace of Konkan and in 1798, Kolis challenged the Company under their Koli Naik Ramji Naik Bhangria who was father of freedom fighters Bapuji Bhangare and Raghoji Bhangare.^[7]
• In Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka, the Naik and Nayak versions are used by people belonging to Lambadi and Banjara social groups. Naicker and Naidu titles are also used by Telugu castes, such as Balija, Golla and Kamma.^[8][9][10] Also in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the Naik surname is adopted as a surname by other communities, including Bedar.^[11]
• The Muslim Siddis of Karnataka, use the surname Nayaka which they received as a title from the kings of Bijapur.^[12]
• In Karnataka it is used by some subcastes of the Vokkaliga, Namadhari Naik communities.^[13][14][15]
• In Maharashtra the surname Nayak and Naik is used by Kshatriya Marathas, CKPs, Saraswat Brahmin and Deshastha Brahmin communities.^[16]
• Nayakkar, Naidu or Naicker is also a surname used by Kannada, Tamil and Telugu speaking people, in some cases as a caste affiliation. Naicker, also spelt as Nayakar, is the Tamil equivalent for the Telugu Naidu and the Sanskrit Nayaka. This title was historically bestowed upon army commanders of the Vijayanagara empire who once ruled present-day Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Telangana as Nayakas and Poligars. Many places in Tamil Nadu, which were once fortified palayams like Palayamkottai that were ruled by the local Nayak poligar, have portmanteau names prefixed by the original ruling poligar's patronymic followed by "naicken and "palayam", such as Narasimhanaickenpalayam, Kamanaicken Palayam, and Thimmanayakanpalayam.

As a surname

Naicker has also been adapted as a surname among the Indian diaspora in South Africa.

Notable people with the surname include:

• George Naicker (1919–1998), South African anti-apartheid activist^[17]
• Marimuthu Pragalathan Naicker (1920 – 29 April 1977), South African journalist, anti-apartheid activist and trade unionist^[18]
• Monty Naicker (1910–1978), South African anti-apartheid activist; president of the Natal Indian Congress (NIC) and president of the South African Indian Congress (SAIC)^[19]
• Sherwyn Naicker (born 1991), South African soccer player^[20]

See also

• List of Nayakars
• Nayaka dynasties
• Vijayanagara Empire
• Poligars