The word Kapu or Kaapu in Telugu means protector. They speak Telugu and are primarily an agrarian community. They are also referred to by their caste title Naidu. Traditionally based in Andhra Pradesh, they are also found in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Orissa, Kerala, Maharashtra and Chattisgarh. Kapu and its sub castes (Balija, Telaga, Munnuru Kapu, Turpu Kapu, Ontari) constitute a sizeable percentage of Andhra Pradesh’s population.