They were Warriors by ancient heritage and traditional Textile Merchants and Weavers, by occupation.
[1][2] In Tamilnadu, they are known as Senguntha Kaikola Mudaliar, one of the dominant communities during the rule of Imperial Cholas.
They consider the Chola emperor Karikala Choludu as their hero who is said to have conquered Andhra region around 3rd century CE.
After the fall of Chola empire, the community adopted textile businesses and Weaving as full time profession.
The Kaikalas form a very important part of the Thathayagunta Gangamma Jatara, the annual folk festival held at Tirupati.