Agamudayar | |
---|---|
![]() The Marudhu Pandiyars (Periya Marudhu and Chinna Marudhu) | |
Religions | Hinduism |
Languages | Tamil |
Region | Tamil Nadu |
Ethnicity | Tamils |
Population | 1981-1982: 5 per cent of the Backward Class population of Tamil Nadu [1] |
Agamudayar (otherwise Agamudaiyar, Akamudayar, Agamudayan) are a Tamil community found in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. [2] In Southern parts of Tamil Nadu, they are considered as one of the three castes which make up the Thevar or Mukkulathor community. According to the anthropologist Zoe E Headley, the three communities (Agamudayar, Kallar and Maravar) are the "numerically dominant rural backward castes of the southern districts of Tamil Nadu". [3] Agamudayars are listed in the national commission of backward caste lists for Tamil Nadu as "Agamudayar”. Mukkulathor is Denotified community and Backward Class community. [4] [5] [6]
The term Agamudayar is a Tamil word of "Agam" which means Palace or Land and "Udayar"means Lord or Holder "Palace Chief " or "Land holder". [7]