Welcome
This community is said to have its origins in Maharashtra (Vijayadurg fort region), migrated first to Goa Region and subsequently to Uttara Kannada/Dakshina Kannada, Shimoga districts of Karnataka and Kasaragod/Kanhangad districts of Kerala more than three and a half centuries ago. In an early historic record (i.e. letter written to Shringeri Mutt in the year 1633), they have referred to themselves as Ramakshatriyas of Vijayadurga Fort.
It is said that Maharashtrian Kings who owned forts in South, sent this community to guard and administer these forts. Traditionally this community had preference for Military and Police Department jobs in particular and Government service in general. Unlike other communities, Ramakshathriyas do not have a traditional occupation linked to them, except being associated with Military/Police/Government posts and with Village administration as Patel/Shanbhog/Ugrani (Village Headman, Secretary, Storekeeper respectively).
Late Bhikshu Lakshmanananda Swamiji was a monk from this community who played a role in developing a spirit of 'community' in Ramakshatriyas. The Swamiji was a medical doctor, spiritual seeker, freedom fighter and social reformer. He was also an associate of Lokamanya Tilak.Late Bekal Rama Nayak was a noted Kannada writer, hailing from Ramakshatriya community. He has researched this community and written a book on the subject. Two other authors, i.e. Late Mr. S. K. Nayak and Late Mr. K. L. Shilahar (Lakshman Kumble) also have written books on the history and roots of this community. Mr Shilahar is of the opinion that Ramakshatriyas are descendants of Shilahar royal dynasty.
Ramakshatriyas have been a progressive and cosmopolitan community from a long time. Unlike other communities, the practice of shaving widow's head never existed in this community. Late Mr Bekalkar from our community took a very progressive and bold step in marrying a child-widow when widow remarriage was unheard of in the society.
Shree Swamiji was born on 18.05.1886 in a small family at Sorlu village of Kasargod (Now in Kerala). He studied in Mission High School in Mangalore. He completed his Medical Studies in Madras. During his Studies, in 1908 he started “Saraswati Sangha” and gave free medical Aid to the poor and needy people. After completing his Medical studies he joined the British Army, as a Doctor. During 1st world war he went to Burma. There he was so impressed by the speeches of Ramathirtha of Ramakrishna Ashram, that he resigned the service and decided to be a Sanyasi. He moved to an unknown place of Meditation.
After a period of 15 years he was seen in the Grave Yards of Kasargod. He came to be known as a ‘Bhikshu’ in Karnataka and Periya Swamiyar, Tennadu Chandhi Saadhu Doctor etc. in Madras.
He tried to gather our community members. He called the people to come and unite. Finally in Nov. 1932 he founded the 1st Rama Raja Kshatriya Seva Sangha in Kasargod. In the year 1934 he brought the people with similar minds on a single platform and founded “Ramaraja Kshatriya Seva Sangha” in Mangalore. His ambition was to bring the community together and provoke them with the feeling of unity within them.
In the year 1951, he left us for heavenly abode.