What does Boyars mean?

Answer 1

Boya's are Nayaka's

The Boyas / Bedars are plural form and in their language is South Indian base Telugu, in singular form the called as Boya / Boyar / Bedar / Nayaka / Naidu / Boya Naidu / Boya Nayaka etc., Please Refere Andhra Pradase Gazette for caste references.

Boyas are Naidu alias Nayaka (King/Leader), Nayaka is Sanskrit word Nayaka Mean Head or Leader, Boya Leaders were ruled many kingdoms in India, a few are examples Boya kings fort and ruling place submitted for you. (Please refer Andhra pradesh Jamindars in Gazette in the same as follows)

(a) Gingee fort in tamilnadu.

(b) Rayadurg was initially an iron grip of (Boya Palegars) 'Bedars' who were extremely tumultuous throughout the rule of Vijayanagar. The emperor assigned an officer lashing them out and feinted place hisself and thus the hill was known as "Bhupatirayakonda". Subsequently after the forceful Rakshasa Tangadi, the Bedars recuperated the place, however were once more driven out by (Koneti Nayak). His son ('Venkatapathi Nayak') who had disparity with ('Palegar' of Chittaldurg) greatly reinforced the ramparts. This fort was incarcerated by Tipu and he made it as a part of his (Gooty Province).

(c) The Chitradurga Palaegar(Polygar) family was of the Beda, or Boya, caste and belonged to one of the hunting hill tribes. According to one tradition, three Boya families emigrated from Jadikal-durga, in the neighbourhood of Tirupati, and settled at Nirutadi, near Bramhasagara, at about 1475 AD. They are said to have belonged to the Kamageti family. The son and the grandson of one of these was named Hire Hanummappa Nayaka and Timmanna Nayaka, respectively. There were many battles in the reign of this Nayaka between Chitradurga, Harapanahalli, Rayadurga, and Bijapur, in all of which the Nayaka had splendid success.

1. Nayaka (Naidu) was an honorary title that was used by the people belonging to the other Telugu castes of Ekari (Pala Ekari) Boyar(warrior), Kamma, Mudi Raju, Koppula /Polinati Velama,Ayyaraka,gangavar(Boyar) etc in Andhra Pradesh and other states. Many communities later began using the Naick or Naidu surname. Edgar Thurston (Castes and Tribes of Southern India Vol. 5; p. 138) noted that "Naidu" or "Nayudu" title was in use by several Telugu castes in colonial India (in alphabetical order): Balija, Bestha, Boyar(warrior) caste, Ekari, gangawar(Boyar), Gavara,Kalingi, Kamma, Kapu, Mudirajus, Velama, Odde, Tottiyan, Reddy, Telaga, Uppiliyan, Idiga and Valmiki.

2. In the Gazetteer of the Anantapur district is noted that "the Boyas are the old fighting caste of this part of the country, whose exploits are so often recounted in the history books. The Poligars' forces, and Haidar Ali's famous troops were largely recruited from these people, and they still retain a keen interest in sport and manly exercises."

3. The titles of the Boyas are said to be Naidu or Nayudu, Naik, Dora, Dorabidda (children of chieftains), and Valmiki. They claim direct lineal descent from Valmiki, the author of the Ramayana.