Of the Razus, Mr. H. A. Stuart writes [125] that "this is a Telugu caste, though represented by small bodies in some of the Tamil districts. They are most numerous in Cuddapah and North Arcot, to which districts they came with the Vijayanagar armies. It is evident that Razu has been returned by a number of individuals who, in reality, belong to other castes, but claim to be Kshatriyas. The true Razus also make this claim, but it is, of course, baseless, unless Kshatriya is taken to mean the military class without any reference to Aryan origin. In religion they are mostly Vaishnavites, and their priests are Brahmans. They wear the sacred thread, and in most respects copy the marriage and other customs of the Brahmans." The Razus, Mr. Stuart writes further, [126] are "the most numerous class of those who claim to be Kshatriyas in North Arcot. They are found almost entirely in the Karvetnagar estate, the zemindar being the head of the caste. As a class they are the handsomest and best developed men in the country, and differ so much in feature and build from other Hindus that they may usually be distinguished at a glance. They seem to have entirely abandoned the military inclinations of their ancestors, never enlist in the native army, and almost wholly occupy themselves in agriculture. Their vernacular is Telugu, since they are immigrants from the Northern Circars, from whence most of them followed the ancestors of the Karvetnagar zamindar within the last two centuries. In religion they are mostly Vaishnavites, though a few follow Siva, and the worship of village deities forms a part of the belief of all. Their peculiar goddess is called Nimishamba who would seem to represent Parvati. She is so called because in an instant (nimisham) she once appeared at the prayer of certain rishis, and destroyed some rakshasas or giants who were persecuting them. Claiming to be Kshatriyas, the Razus of course assume the sacred thread, and are very proud and particular in their conduct, though flesh-eating is allowed. In all the more well-to-do families the females are kept in strict seclusion." In the Vizagapatam district Razus are recognised as belonging to two classes, called Konda (hill) and Bhu (plains) Razu. The former are further divided into the following sections, to which various zamindars belong:--Konda, Kodu, Gaita, Muka, Yenati. The Konda Razus are believed to be hill chiefs, who have, in comparatively recent times, adopted the title of Razu.