Gowda (also known as Gauda, Goud, Gouda or Gonda[1][2]) is a surname native to Karnataka state of India. It is mainly found among the Vokkaligas in South Karnataka, Vokkaliga Gowda/Reddy and the Lingayats in north Karnataka.[3][4] It is also used by other communities like Namadhari Naiks,[5] Billavas.[6] Gowda was originally an honorific used by the administrative head of a village. Typically, such a head owned land and held political and social sway in the village.[7] Among Reddy, it was used to refer to the head of the community.[8][9]
- ^ Census of India, 1961, Volume 11, Part 6, Issue 23. India: Office of the Registrar, General Manager of Publications. 1976. p. 10.
...Gowda (also spoken as Gonda colloquially)...
- ^ Ramananda Chatterjee (1930). The Modern Review. Vol. 47. India: Prabasi Press Private, Limited. p. 80.
- ^ D K Kulkarni (1992). "Tenants movements in Uttara Kannada district and the Kagodu Satyagraha". Peasant movements in Karnataka since 1900 their nature and results (PDF). Karnatak University / Shodhganga. p. 80. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
Gowdas, literary means a village headman usually from Vokkaliga community in Southern district of Karnataka and Lingayat in Northern part
- ^ George Matthew (1984). "Shift in Indian Politics: 1983 Elections in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka". Concept. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
- ^ The Mysore Tribes and Castles. Mittal Publications.
- ^ A. S. Seetharamu (1997). Literacy Campaigns in India. APH Publishing. p. 131. ISBN 978-81-7024-814-9.
- ^ K. T. Margaret, ed. (1999). The Open Classroom: A Journey Through Education. Orient Blackswan. p. 131. ISBN 978-81-250-1669-4.
- ^ . Page:Castes and Tribes of Southern India, Volume 4.djvu – via Wikisource.
According to Mr. Stuart, "each community of Kurubas, residing in a group of villages, has a headman or Gaudu. He acts the part of pūjāri or priest in all their ceremonies, presides over their tribal meetings, and settles disputes.
- ^ Malini Adiga 1997, pp. 145, 147.