The Nayak are a Hindu caste; also some Nayak are Punjabi found in India and Pakistan. Mainly Nayak follows Hindu. According to Vinay Krishin Gidwani, the Nayaks claim that they were, historically, Brahmins.

Demographics and occupation

The Nayaks reside in Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and West Bengal. They also live in Khammam district and West Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh and in a number of villages near Ahmedabad in Gujarat. According to Kathryn Hansen, the main occupation of Gujarati Nayaks had been "singing, dancing and acting in plays".

Present circumstances

The Nayak caste is classified as a Scheduled Caste in Gujarat and Rajasthan states of India.

See also

• Nayak dynasty
• Nayakas of Keladi