| Thuluva Vellalar | |
|---|---|
| Religions | Hinduism, Christianity and Jainism [ citation needed ] |
| Languages | Tamil |
| Region | Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka cities: Chennai, Bangalore, Vellore |
| Feudal title | Mudaliar, Pillai, Goundar, Udayar, Chettiar, Nayakar |
| Related groups | Tamil people |
Thuluva Vellalar, [1] [a] also known as Agamudi Mudaliar [3] [4] or Arcot Mudaliars, [5] [6] is a caste found in northern Tamil Nadu, southern Andhra Pradesh and southern Karnataka. [7] [8] [9] They were an elite and dominant land-owning community. [10]
The earliest occurrence of the term Velaalar (வேளாளர்) in Sangam literature is found in Paripadal, where it is used in the sense of a landowner. [11] The word Vellalar (வெள்ளாளர்) may originate from the root Vellam for flood, denoting their ability to control and store water for irrigation purposes. [12] which led to the development of various land rights, ultimately giving the Vellalar their name. [13] The term Velaalar (வேளாளர்) is also derived from the word Vel (வேள்), a title used by Velir chieftains during the Sangam age.
Since they migrated from the Tulu region of ancient Tamizhagam, they are called Thuluva Vellalar. [7] [8] [9]
Thuluva Vellalars are part of larger Vellalar community. An early Tamil tradition states that a king known as Ādonda Chakravarthi brought a large number of agriculturists (now known as the Tuluva Vellalas) from the Tulu areas in order to reclaim forest lands for cultivation in Thondaimandalam. [14] Scholar M. Arokiaswami identifies Tondaiman Ilandiraiyan with king Adondai Chakravarthi, the legendary figure who is referred to in the Mackenzie Manuscripts . [15]
Sometimes this migration of Thuluva Vellalas is also assigned to later Chola times when Hoysala Ballalas of Karnataka had occupied portions of Kanchipuram and Trichy. [16]
Their original stronghold in present-day Tamil Nadu was Thiruvannamalai in North Arcot district, the town that served as the capital of the Hoysala king Veera Ballala III in the 14th century. [17] [18]
Tuluva Vellalars are progressive and prosperous [7] in the society. They are considerably advanced in the matter of education [19] and the community was eagerly involved in business, Government and Non- governmental institutions.
The community commonly use Mudaliar [20] and Udayar titles. However Naicker, [21] Gounder, Reddy and Pillai titles are also present in some pockets.
In Tamil Nadu
Arcot Mudaliar and Arcot Vellala sects: Classified as Forward Class. [22]
Other sects of Thuluva Vellala: Classified under the Other Backward Class (OBC) category at both the Central [23] and State levels. [24]
Thuluva Vellala, Agamudi Mudaliar, and Aghamudi Vellala: Recognized under the Backward Class (D) category under the umbrella term 'Mudhaliar'. [25]
The Thuluva Vellalar community, also referred to as Thuluva Vellala Mudaliars, was historically classified as a Forward Caste (FC) in Tamil Nadu. [22] [26] However, over time, they were reclassified as a Backward Class (BC). [27] [24]
Notes
Citations
Tuluva Vellala is a prosperous and progressive caste in Tamil Nadu and they migrated from Tulu Nadu to Tamil Nadu in ancient times.
The names of these four main Vellalar divisions are the Tondaimandalam (residents of the Pallava country), the Sōliyan (of the Cōla country), the Pandya (from the ancient Pandyan kingdom) and the Konku (from Konku country). Each of these four great divisions is further divided on a territorial basis. For example, the Tuluva are that branch of the Tondaimandalam Vellalar with origins in the Tulu country.
The Thondaimandalam Vellalas are sub-divided into the Tuluvas, originally of the Tulu country.
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