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Surnames and Gotras of the Perki Community in Maharashtra:

Common Surnames	Gotras
Akkalwar, Akalwad, Akkalwad	Elumbbula
Acchewar, Aachewar, Acchevad, Aachevada	Katkashila, Perala
Anagulwar, Anagulwad	Mahipati
Anapartalwar, Anapartulwar, Anapatwar, Anapatwad	Arella
Appanwar, Appanwad	Appa
Allamshettivar, Alshettivar, Alsetwar, Alchetwar, Alchetwad, Alishettivar	Puttashila, Pidala
Allewar, Aallewar, Alewar, Allevad, Aallewad, Alewad	Ugge
Ankitamwar, Ankatwar, Ankatwad	Satrashila
Angalwar, Angalwad	—
Achatwar, Anchetw ar, Anchatwad, Anchalwar, Anchamwar, Anchamwad	Perala
Enchalwar, Panchalwad, Yenchalwar, Yenchalwad	Bolena
Akuredivar, Akareddivar, Akadwar, Akaredwar	Maddikunta
Akulwar, Akulwad	Manda
Asamshettivar, Vasamshettivar, Asamsetwar, Asamshettwad	Katka
Ugewar, Uggewar, Ugewad, Uggewad	Golena
Ullewar, Ullewad	Areni
Upparwar, Upparwad	Kandi
Uppalwar, Upparwad	Peddapurapu Mallu
Utlawar, Utlawad	Satrashila
Embadwar, Yembadwar, Emdiw ar, Yemdiwar, Embadwad, Abadwar	Areni
Edmewar, Yedmewar, Edemawar, Edmewad, Edamawar	Kappaganti
Katkamwar, Katkamwad	Kandi
Kattewar, Kattawar, Kattewad, Kattawad	Arella
Kanyawar, Kanyawad	Dabbhanala
Kannamwar, Kannamwad, Kanemod	Gundla, Golena
Kardewar, Khardiwar, Kardewad	Karampuri
Karenwar, Karenwad, Khardewad, Kale	Karampuri
Kandamwar, Kandamwad	Golena / Arella
Kandulwar, Kandalwar, Kandalwad	Vanama
Kamagantivar, Kamaganti, Kamaghanti, Kamaghate, Kamagate	Shambhu
Karkurwar, Karkurwad, Kharkunwar	Katka
Kalkulwar, Kolkulwar	Murupu
Kirange, Kamanashe	Karugonda
Kilashettivar, Kilashetwar, Kilachetwar, Kilachedwad	Sautaparnī
Kunchalwar, Kunchalwar, Kunchalwad	Yedorla
Yedorla, Yedol	Kapuganti
Kokkuwar, Kokkuwad	Katka
Kottapalle, Kottapalli	Katka
Koppulwar, Kopulwar, Koppulwad	Sadganti
Gattikoppuwar, Gatkapwar, Gatkawar, Getkewar, Gatkapwad	Katra / Sattra
Gamppwar, Gamppawad	Sattra
Galewar, Galewad	Bolena
Gujewar, Gujjivar, Gujiwar, Gujewar, Gujwar, Gunjewad	Katka
Gudenkwar, Gudankwar, Gudankwad, Gudenukawad	Shalpati
Gudewar, Gudawar, Gadevad
Gunfuvar, Gunfulwar, Gumppulwad	Shambhu
Godlawar, Godlewar, Godlawad	Naga
Gopatwar, Gopatwad	Uggi / Ugge
Gopewar, Gopewad	Peddavari
Gorlewar, Gorlewar, Gorlewad	Udugonda
Govindwar, Govindulawar, Govindwad	Chennashila
Chandangiriwar, Chandangiriwad	Kattula
Chandgiriwar, Chandgiriwad	Parvatala
Chaligunjiwar, Chaligunjevar, Saligunjiwar, Chaligunjiwad	Karugonda
Chintanwar, Chintamwar, Chintamwad	Katka
Chintakuntwar, Chintakuntlawar, Chintakuntlawad	Katra / Satra
Chunchunwar, Chunchwar, Chunchuwad	Katka
Jiddewar, Jiddewar, Jiddewad	Golena / Jooturu
Dakawar, Dokevar, Dokevad, Dakawad	Sadganti
Tammishetwar, Tamashettiwar, Tamasetwar, Tamashetwar, Tamasatwar, Tangasetwar	Raula Shila
Tatavar, Tatewar, Tatewad	Aireni
Tirthwar, Tirthalwar, Tirthalawar	Pulicharla
Tippanwar, Tippanwar, Tipanwar, Tippanwad	Katka
Tudamwar, Tudamwar	Marpushila
Tongalwar, Tongalwar, Tongalwad	Vallala
Totawar, Totevar, Tottlawar, Totevad	Polala
Battulwar, Deshbattulwar, Batulwar, Battulwad	Shalapati
Dachapalliwar, Dasapalliwar, Dasanapalliwar	Goritula
Damanwar, Damanwar, Dhamanwar, Dasarwar, Dasarwad	Goritula
Daspatwar, Daspatlawar, Daspatlawad	Mahipati
Dummanwar, Dummanwar, Dummanwad	Polala
Tundrawar, Dhundrawar, Dudawar, Dudawar	Katra
Doddiwar, Doddewar, Dodewar, Dodewad	Raula / Guttlashila
Chandgiriwar, Chandgiriwad	Parvatala
Chaligunjiwar, Chaligunjevar, Saligunjiwar, Chaligunjiwad	Karugonda
Chintanwar, Chintamwar, Chintamwad	Katka
Chintakuntwar, Chintakuntlawar, Chintakuntlawad	Katra / Satra
Chunchunwar, Chunchwar, Chunchuwad	Katka
Jiddewar, Jiddewar, Jiddewad	Golena / Jooturu
Dakawar, Dokevar, Dokevad, Dakawad	Sadganti
Tammishetwar, Tamashettiwar, Tamasetwar, Tamashetwar, Tamasatwar, Tangasetwar	Raula Shila
Tatavar, Tatewar, Tatewad	Aireni
Tirthwar, Tirthalwar, Tirthalawar	Pulicharla
Tippanwar, Tippanwar, Tipanwar, Tippanwad	Katka
Tudamwar, Tudamwar	Marpushila
Tongalwar, Tongalwar, Tongalwad	Vallala
Totawar, Totevar, Tottlawar, Totevad	Polala
Battulwar, Deshbattulwar, Batulwar, Battulwad	Shalapati
Dachapalliwar, Dasapalliwar, Dasanapalliwar	Goritula
Damanwar, Damanwar, Dhamanwar, Dasarwar, Dasarwad	Goritula
Daspatwar, Daspatlawar, Daspatlawad	Mahipati
Dummanwar, Dummanwar, Dummanwad	Polala
Tundrawar, Dhundrawar, Dudawar, Dudawar	Katra
Doddiwar, Doddewar, Dodewar, Dodewad	Raula / Guttlashila
Dorashettiwars, Dorashettiwad, Dorshetwar, Dorsetwar, Dorasatwar	Aireni
Domtiwar, Domtwar, Domtwad	Raula
Narsikar (originally Vaddewar)	Raulamallu
Naredlawar, Nardelwar, Nardelwar, Nardelwar, Naredwar, Nardwar	Chandana
Nagamwar, Nagamwad	Satra
Narendrawar, Nalendrawar, Nalendrawad	Satra
Namdar	Satra
Namsani, Namsan	Satra
Neelamwar, Neelamwad	Aluvala
Nellikwar	Uggi
Panchalwar, Panchalwad	Katka
Panchphuliwar, Panchphuliwad	Golena
Pannaswar, Pannaswad	Peddapurpu / Golena
Parshanwar, Parshanwad	Shambhu / Elimbbula
Pailwar, Pailawar, Pailiwar, Payalwar, Paidlawar, Paidlewar, Paydalwar, Paydalwar, Paidalwar	Karampu / Katka
Patakyamwar, Patakewar, Patiwar, Patakewad	Kandi
Patodekar (originally Kandalwad)	Arella
Passewar, Pasewar, Pasewad	Golena
Paishettiwars, Paishetwar, Paisatwar, Paysatwar, Peshettiwars	Uggeshila / Katka
Byaramwar, Pyaramwar, Byaramwad	Satra
Pinnamwar, Pinnamwad	Perla
Pingalwad, Pingalwar	Chandukonda
Punjalwar, Pujalwar, Pujawar, Pujari	Madutana, Satra
Petramwar, Petrewar, Pettewar, Pettewad	Satra / Katka
Potrajwar, Potrajwar	Aireni / Pattipandla
Phirange (Subbanwar)	Yedorla
Bandawar, Bandiwar, Badewar, Badewad	Golena
Bachchewar, Bachchewad	Sayampu
Baddawar, Baddalwar, Baddewar, Baddewad	Uggi / Satra
Badgewars, Badgewad	Nagarapu
Barpatwar, Barpatwad	Satrashila
Barlawar, Barlawar, Barlawad	Katra
Bakamwar, Bakamwad	Aireni
Badewar, Badewad	Poorna, Talla
Billa, Bille	Katka
Buddhewar, Buddewar, Buddhawar, Buddewad	Ainadani / Nanella
Bhushettiwars, Bhushetwar, Bhusetwar, Bhusatwar, Bushettiwars, Busatwar, Bhushatwad	Kandi
Bussawar, Bhusewar, Busewar	Aletti / Ugra
Butyanwar, Butyanwad, Buttonwad	Manikattamallu
Burinwar, Burrewar, Buriwar, Burrivad	Usuri Gonda
Beddewar, Beddawar, Bedidewar, Berdewar	Murupu / Mrigashira
Bogawar, Bogevar, Bhogevar, Bhogewad	Raula
Bodakuntiwar, Bodkuntwar, Bolkuntwar, Borkuntwar	Ugge
Borkundawar, Bodawar, Bodawadu, Bodewar
Bolgodwar, Bolgudewaar, Bolgundwar	Katka
Manchalwar, Manchalwar, Manchalwad	Arula
Mallewar, Mallelwad	Peddapuramu
Mahajan (originally Tatewar)	Chedarla
Medamwar, Mademwar, Myadamwar, Myadamwad	Boleni
Maratwar, Martawar
Malewaar, Malewad	Kandi, Katra
Masamshettivar, Mashettivar, Masetwar, Mastwar	Aireni
Misevar, Misevad	Satra
Miralwar, Miralwad	Chedarla
Mindevar, Mindevad	Peddapuram
Muttenwar, Muttenwad	Bonapati
Mudasan, Mudhasan	Katka
Muddumwar, Muddumwad	Upiri
Muttemwar, Muttivar, Muttewar, Mutyemwar, Mutnewar, Mutnepwad, Mullewar, Mullemwar	Ugge, Golena
Murashettivar, Murashetwar, Murashetwad	Katka / Chintala
Maganwar, Menganwad	Pettela
Melchetwar, Melchetwad	Katka
Melkewar, Melkewad	Magge
Maidapwar, Maidamwar, Maidapwad	Katra / Satra
Modewad	Boleni
Yelgatpwar, Yelagatwar, Yelgatpwad	Murupu
Yerewar, Yerewad	Murupu
Ramineni, Ramineini	Uggi / Komirelli
Rajnlawar, Rajanlawar, Rajanwar, Ranjanwar	Chennapati
Ramenliwar, Ramenlawar, Ramellawar	Yamarla
Radewar, Ralewar, Ryadawad	Tappakam T / Katka
Lakadswar	Katka
Linganwar, Lingalwar, Linganwad, Lingarwar	Chandukonda, Paidila
Voddhewar, Vaddewar, Vaddewad	Raul Mallu
Vangalwar, Vangalwad	Satra
Vannewar, Vannewad	Varala
Shahanamwar, Shahanamwad, Shahanam	Ederla / Edurla
Shingatwar, Singatwar, Singatwar, Shingatwad, Singatwad	Varimarla, Aireni
Shiramashettiwars, Shiranashettiwars, Siranesetwar	Katka
Shreeramulawar, Shreeramulawad	Katka
Sanganwar, Singanwar, Sanganwad, Sanganod	Murupu
Sandelwar, Sandalawar	Katka
Sadawar, Sadalawar, Sadalawad	Katka
Sasanwar, Sasanwad	Mudderla
Samurtawar, Samritwar, Shamritwar, Samritwad	Art
Sidrapwar, Sidrapwad, Sidralawar	Karampuri
Sirtawar, Sirtawad, Siratawar	Maddi
Subbanwar, Subanwar, Subbanwad	Vanam, Yedorla
Sunkinwar, Sunkanawar	Karampuri
Somashettiwars, Somasetwar	Aireni

The above-mentioned gotras are completed by adding the words “Mallu,” “Shri,” or “Shila” to them. For example: Ugge → Uggemallu, Satra → Satrashri, Katla → Katkashila, etc. These are the types of gotras traditionally held by members of the Perki community.

In some cases, a single surname may have one or more gotras associated with it. Some gotras even appear identical to surnames. The presence of multiple gotras under one surname may have arisen due to linguistic or dialectal variations, regional pronunciation differences, or even lack of awareness among the people.Therefore, it is difficult to determine how exactly these variations emerged.

A single gotra might be associated with several surnames, but one surname having several gotras appears unnatural or irregular.

The gotras of the Perki community are not derived from Rishi lineages (as in traditional Brahminical systems), and though they show some resemblance to Dravidian “Daivaka” (ancestral deity-based) systems, they are entirely independent and distinct.

Some gotras are based on ancestors’ names, while others are descriptive of qualities, actions, professions, or places — showing great diversity in origin and meaning.

However, today, most members of the Perki community in Maharashtra are largely unaware of their original gotras. They are often confused when asked about them and hesitate to respond. As a result, they frequently identify themselves using traditional Rishi-lineage gotras, blending in with mainstream Hindu practices. If someone does not know or remember their gotra, priests usually assign them the Kashyap gotra to perform rituals.

This situation clearly shows a lack of awareness and respect for their ancestral gotra system.

Nevertheless, the fact remains that the ancestors of the Perki community preserved their independent gotra tradition despite centuries of struggle — something every member of the Perki community should recognize and take pride in.

Nanded
In Marathwada, the Perki community is primarily concentrated in Nanded district.

Before India’s independence, this region was under the rule of the Nizam of Hyderabad.

Hence, since it was originally part of Andhra territory, the Perki people of this area cannot be called complete migrants.

Even today, in villages along the Andhra border, especially in the Mukhed and Biloli talukas, the influence of the Telugu language is still noticeable.

On 17 September 1948, the Nizam’s rule ended, and Hyderabad State became part of independent India.

Later, under linguistic reorganization, on 1 May 1960, the state of Maharashtra was formed, incorporating the Marathwada region, including Nanded — a border district adjoining Andhra.

Naturally, there have been instances of migration from Andhra into Maharashtra, especially in these border areas, where the Telugu influence on language and culture remains evident.

In general, the Marathwada region is considered socially and economically backward, and the Perki community is no exception. Most people are engaged in agriculture, and educational levels remain very low. Only those with some agricultural land appear moderately well-off, but their numbers are very few.

In recent times, it is indeed a matter of great satisfaction that several young members of the Perki community have pursued education and are progressing in life. However, the lack of capable and visionary leadership to guide the community in the right direction remains a major tragedy.

In rural areas, many young people can be seen making sincere efforts toward social development, which is a hopeful sign in itself. Yet, unemployment continues to be a serious problem in the community. Many educated but jobless youths can be seen wandering in search of work, as agriculture is no longer sustainable. Farming today barely provides enough for subsistence, and some farmers have been forced to become farm laborers themselves.

As a result, migration from villages to cities has increased. Earlier, the presence of community members in Nanded was negligible, but today there are around 50 to 60 families settled in the city. This migration is primarily driven by the need for livelihood and employment—and that is the undeniable truth.

Locally, these settlements are referred to as “Perkewada,” a term reflecting the influence of the Telugu language. However, over time, the people of this region have fully assimilated into Maharashtrian culture. In Bhokar, Hadgaon, and Himayatnagar talukas, members of the community are now completely integrated into Marathi cultural life.

Earlier, when this region was under the rule of the Nizam of Hyderabad, the pain and trauma of his oppressive regime left deep marks that can still be felt in some areas. Many elderly people still recount the horrors and atrocities committed by the Razakars—the Nizam’s private militia. Stories of Kasim Razvi’s brutalities are etched in the memories of the older generation.

The people’s resentment and anger against the Nizam’s rule were immense. His regime was marked by fanatic religious intolerance, severe persecution of Hindus, and rampant violence, including open daylight looting of women and families. Witnessing such atrocities filled people’s hearts with rage, but they were powerless before the Nizam’s vast military might.

Mass killings became common, and an atmosphere of terror and fear spread across the land. People were confused, unsure of what to do or how to resist.

Amid such circumstances, many young men began organizing resistance movements. In several villages, they started uniting against the Razakars, determined to at least protect their own communities. This collective effort began to yield results — in many instances, the villagers successfully defended themselves, repelled Razakar attacks, and saved innocent lives.

Their confidence and courage grew with each victory, and soon such resistance began to spread from village to village. Gradually, the Razakar forces started to retreat.

Amid this atmosphere, the first signs of India’s dawn of independence began to appear — a faint glimmer of hope after long years of darkness. As India stood on the threshold of freedom, the spirit and determination of these brave young men to end the Razakars’ tyranny only grew stronger. They fought valiantly and relentlessly, contributing their strength to the struggle for liberation.

About Us

Surnames and Gotras of the Perki Community in Maharashtra:

Perki Gotra