| Muthuraja | |
|---|---|
| Classification | Backward caste |
| Religions | Hinduism • Jainism |
| Languages | Tamil |
| Country | India |
| Populated states | Tamil Nadu |
| Region | Central Tamil Nadu |
Muthuraja (also known as Mutharaiyar) is a Tamil speaking community found in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
The etymology of the community name is unclear. The names Muthuraja and Muthuraiyar may be derived from two words, the Tamil name muthu meaning "pearl" and raja or raiyar both meaning "king". [1] Muttaraiyar may also be derived from mundru meaning "three" and tharai meaning "earth".[ citation needed ]
Their title Ambalakkarar is derived from the Tamil word ambalam meaning panchayat or "village council", as they served as the heads of these councils. [1]
The Tamil-speaking Muthuraja are densely distributed in the Tiruchirappalli, Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Karur, Madurai, Dindigul, Perambalur and Sivagangai districts of Tamil Nadu.[ citation needed ]
The Telugu-speaking Muthuraja Naidu, comparatively fewer in number, are mostly distributed in the Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Viluppuram and Cuddalore districts of northern Tamil Nadu.[ citation needed ] The Muthuraja (Mutharaiyar) community originated in the Tamil region, mainly around Thanjavur, Tiruchirappalli, and Pudukkottai, where inscriptions between the 6th – 9th centuries CE record Tamil-speaking Muttaraiyar chiefs serving the Pallavas. [2]
The Kalabhra period (3rd – 6th century CE) ended before the rise of the Mutharaiyars, proving that they were not Kalabhras but a later Tamil polity. [3] In later centuries (Vijayanagara and Nayaka rule), Telugu-speaking groups migrated south and some adopted the same “Muthuraja” title, creating bilingual sections, but the core origin remains Tamil.
