The Kodavas are a patrilineal ethno-lingual group from the region of Kodagu, in Karnataka

Karnataka

Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...

 state of southern India who traditionally were land-owning agriculturists with martial traditions and natively speak Kodava takk

Kodava Takk

Kodava Takk or Kodava takka, is the original language of the south Karnataka district of Kodagu. The language is often called Kodava or Coorg language in English. The number of speakers is estimated at up to about 500,000. It is the primary language of Kodavas, but a large portion of other...

. By religion most of them are of the Hindu community but they believe more in reverence towards nature and their ancestors then in the strict following of the Vedic principles. Kodavas claim Kshatriya status based on their legendary descent, the rights they held to carry arms from the ancient times and their military traditions.