Desai Familee Tree Web Site

My name is Vijaya Rao Desai and I started this site.This site was created using MyHeritage.com. This is a great system that allows anyone like you and me to create a private site for their family, build their family tree and share family photos.   “DESAI” LineageVamsha Mulapurusha (foremost in the lineage) Viswambara was a Bhat (1328-1418) a Vaishnavite belonging to Udupi,South Canara Dt., Karnataka adopted Madhwaism. (Bhat is a Priest in Sanskrit and predominantly Hindu last name found most commonly in the States of Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra & UP), (Madhwacharya belonged to Udipi (1238-1317) and professed Madhwaism. The Madhwa cult subsequently divisionalised to different Mutts viz., Uttaradi/Rayara/Vyasaraja /Vadiraja and 8 Shivalli Udupi Krishna Mutts).The descendants migrated to the Vijayanagar empire (1336-1565), at Hampi, to hold several key posts in the Royal Court/Service. (Our ancestral Palace/Village Nandavaram (now in Kurnool district,AP,India) was under Vijayanagar Empire and continued under Bellary District of Integrated of Madras until formation of the state of A.P.). During this period the names were suffixed with “Raya” travessed thru Bahamani Rule.The Sixth descendants of Viswambara Bhat are three brothers (1) Nagarasayya (2) Thipparasayya & (3) Shankarasayya.    Our lineage is indicates “Thipparasayya took to Islam upon imprison-ment of 3 brothers and married the daughter of Sultan of Bijapur, to get safe release of 2 brothers, and were gifted to become the Inamdars /Zamindars (Benefeciaries) of several villages viz., Nandavaram, Nagaladinne, Motumole ,Pendlikallu,Chikka Harivanam,Sarangadona,Kondapuram, etc. Thipparasayya was later known as Pyare Khan and had a son by name Abdul Desai and are regarded as Fatesh Desai (Vamsha) Descendants. This is seen thru “Madras Gazette, District - Bellary by W. Francis, Indian Civil Service, published in 1887”............ Quote: “In the village (Nagaladinne) live the descendants of a Musalman named Tipparasayya, who with his brother Naga-rasayya held high office in Adoni about 1600. He was, it is said, compelled by the Bijapur Sultan to embrace Islam. The family hold considerable inams (Gifts) and are credited with having built the fort in the village, of which the ruins may still be seen. The descendants of the brother who remained a Hindu, live in Nandavaram, some eight miles to the South-West” (to Adoni).It is to be noted that during this period the Bijapur Sultan was Ibrahim Adil Shah (1556-1627) who was a great admirer of Brahmins and Hinduism.  He was the fifth king of the Adil Shahi dynasty and is known in Indian history as Jagadguru Badshah. He spoke Marathi, Dakhani, Urdu and Kannada languages fluently and employed several Hindus in top posts. He tried to create cultural harmony between the Shias and the Sunnis and between Hindus and Muslims through music. He loved the art form, played musical instruments, sang and composed praises of Hindu deities Saraswati and Ganapati.  He wrote:   "bhaka nyari nyari bhava ek // kaha turuk kaha barahaman // nouras soor juga joti ani saroguni  //yusat sarasuti mata //ibrahim parasada bhayi dooni" meaning  "Whether a Turk (Muslim) or a Brahmin with different language—emotion is the same. Oh mother Saraswati! Since you have blessed Ibrahim, his work Navras will last for long". During this period the Surname “Desai” replaced “Raya”. (Desai is an administrative title and sur-name derived from the Vedic Sanskrit words "desh sai", which mean "land lord" or “lord of the land”. Much later, during the Muslim Mughal rule and also the British, Desais were revenue collectors who looked after a region or area on the ruler's behalf and in return would get ten percent share of revenue.)Srinivasa Rao Desai (1988-1952) was awarded the title Rao Bahadur by the British and hence forth the title Rao is prefixed to surname Desai after the first name of the individual. (Incidentally, he is first educated thru school final studies) (Rao is commonly added as a suffix to a man's name in southern and western parts of India, in particular in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Konkan/Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Haryana. The name originally derives from the title "Rao Bahadur" given to men from some landed families.Incidentally, Mantralayam, the temple town of Sri Raghavendraswamy is 8 miles from our ancestral place Nandavaram.  The feuds growing high between Desais and Gowdas in the Village. Tirumarala Rao Desai (1912-1962) (Incidentally, first Gruaduate of Maths from Layola College, Madras) left the the village to become Sub-Registrar, Govt.of AP. The property is now managed by the cut off cousins.We are followers of Madwaism (followed thru Uttaradi Mutt, Vyasaraja Mutt since 15th Century and now Rayara mutt from 16/17th Century onwards).We belong to : Raghavendraswamy (Rayaru) Mutt - Yajurveda, Moudgalya Gotra of “Angirasa, Bhargasya & Moudgalyeti” pravara.