Mukkulathor

The Thevar people (Thevar literally means "celestial beings divine natured-people in Sanskrit")^[1] collectively forms the Mukkulathor(meaning: people of the three clans).^[2] native to the Southern districts of Tamil Nadu^[1][3][4][5] The name "Mukkulathor" alludes to the three roughly designated groups, Agamudaiyar, Kallar, Maravar and which make up this large endogamous social group. Kallar and Maravar were inhabitants of Palai region during the Sangam period The literature during sangam period divided the regions based upon the climate and topography. Palai was mainly a desert like region with little to no rain.

Nowadays, Mukkulathors are found all over the southern districts of Tamil Nadu. There is also a small community in Chattisgarh where they had migrated during British rule. The Royal houses of Sivagangai, Ramnad and Pudukkottai belongs to the Mukkulathor community.

Contents  [hide] 1 Agamudayar 2 Kallar 3 Maravar 4 Freedom Fighters 5 Religion 6 Inscriptions 6.1 Current Status 7 See also 8 References 9 External links

[edit]Agamudayar

Agamudayar(Tamil: அகமுடையார்)

The word Agamudaiyan or Ahamudaiyan is derived from the root Aham which in Tamil means Land and also House.Signifying that Agamudaiyars are Landlords and Householder; the suffix Udaiyar indicating ownership. The word is also used in another form, Ahampadiyar, derived from another meaning of the same root, i.e., inside. And, in this derivation, it signifies a meaning of a particular profession, whose office it was to attend to the business in the Interior's of the King's Palace or in the Pagoda". The name," Mr. J. H. Nelson writes, "is said by the Rev. G. U. Pope, in his edition of the Abbe Dubois' work to be derived from aham, a temple, and padi, a step, and to have been given to them in consequence of their serving about the steps of temples. But, independently of the fact that Madura pagodas are not approached by flights of steps, this seems to be a very far-fetched and improbable derivation of the word. Or, perhaps, the name comes from aham in the sense of earth, and pati, master or possessor."

In Tamilnadu south districts, Agamudayars are famously known by their title Servaikaaran(servai)in Pandiya nadu. They make expert soldiers,warriors and constituted the bulk of chola & Pandya armies. Agamudayars are famously known by their title Servai - "A community show many signs of independence and non-submission to any form of subjugation".In South districts the legendary Marudhu Brothers' came from the Agamudayar (Servai) community. when 29 April 1789, the British forces attacked Kollangudi. It was defeated by a large body of Marudhu.'It is said that the Marudhu brothers could kill a tiger without using any weapons'. The lands the community owns are actually rewarded for their loyal and valuable service rendered for the cause of the Kings and the nation.

The Agamudayars are largely found in the Southern and Central districts of Pudukkottai, Trichy, Sivagangai, Ramanathapuram, Thanjavur,Thiruvarur (In Taluks of Mannargudi, Vedharanyam and Mayiladuthurai the large group of Agamudayars are found ), Nagapattinam, Madurai, Coimbatore and North and South Arcot districts & Also in Karnataka state Hiriyur Taluk, Aranakatte & Maskal matti where Agamudayars are living in large groups.

The Agamudayars Sub-sects & Titles:

• Kottai Patru (or Pathinettu Kottai Patru),
• Servaikkaran,
• Raajakulam,
• Irumbuththalai,
• Malainaadu,
• Aivali Nattan,
• Naattumangalam,
• Raajaboja,
• Raajavaasal,
• Kalian,
• Sani,
• Thuluva Vellala or vellalar,
• Agamudaya Mudhaliyaar,
• Agamudaya Pillai,}(Kottai patru)
• Agamudaya Thevar.}(Kottai patru)
• Agamudaiyans are also called Terkittiyar ("Southerners").

[edit]Kallar

Main article: Kallar

Kallar (Tamil: கள்ளர்) Kallars are one of the three related castes which constitute the Mukkulathor confederacy. They are described as "A fearless community shows many signs of independence and non-submission to any form of subjugation".

Kallars are largely found in the Southern districts of Thanjavur, Madurai, Pudukkottai, Trichy, Theni, Dindigul, Sivaganga, Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Ramanathapuram districts of Tamil Nadu and Northern Srilanka.

In Tamilnadu Kallars are called by various Surnames, these names comes to them during various times by the place they have ruled, the place of the battlefield and to state their strong valour and bravery in the battle with the foreign forces.

There are over 2,000 surnames in use among the community.^[6]. There is no other caste in the whole of South India which has this many surnames.

During Chola rule there were many small Kallar kings(Araiyar) ruling there respective areas under the Chola. Some of the names are seen in Tamil copper-plate inscriptions are also mentioned in Ponniyin Selvan (a Tamil historical novel written by Kalki Krishnamurthy).

Historical evidences indicate clearly that the Chola, Pandya and Later Pallava dynasties came from the Kallar community.

• Cholagar *
• Malusuthiyar.
• Kandiyar
• Muniaraiyar
• Puvaraiyar
• Velar(வேளார்)
• Vanataraiyar

Another important Kallar subcaste is the Piramalai Kallar. They are a highly traditional people and have preserved their ancient customs to the present day. They are also believed to be the oldest inhabitants of the Tamil country with reports of their presence going back to Tamil literary works of the 4th century B.C. Recent study by BBC confirmed that they migrated to India from Africa around 70000 BC and share the same M130 genepool as the aboriginals of Australia.They are found mainly in the districts of Madurai(Usilampatti), Dindigul and Theni. Their popular deity is Amman, the Mother Goddess. They have contributed enormously in the freedom struggle for India. Perungaamanallur people near Usilampatti, fought against the British and many have died and they have a Thiyagigal Thoon . Piramalai Kallars have also made big contribution in Nethaji's INA force when Subash chandra bose made a call for the INA force from the submarine radio lots of people from the community went and joint to fight against the British for India. They are kept alive of our ancient culture.

Some of the other feudal classes include Ambunattu kallar(Royal community,rulers of the pudukkotai presidency),Koothappar Kallars, Periyasuriyur Kallars, Gandarvakoatai Kallars and Esanattu Kallars found largely dominated in the Thanjavur, Pudukkottai, Sivagangai & Trichy Districts.

[edit]Maravar

See also main article Maravar

Maravar (Tamil: மறவர்) also "Maravan" (meaning "Grateful Warrior") are one of the oldest social groups. The writers of the Sangam Age place them in rural settlements withdrawn from cities. Maravars are the courageous breed and were involved in the major wars that Tamilnadu witnessed. Kottravai(Durga), the goddess of Maravars worshipped in palai region prescribed in Silapathikaram.The Kingdom of Ramnad was a Maravar kingdom and was ruled by the Setupati kings^[7]. Ramanathapuram and Sivagangai districts are Maravar strongholds from ancient times.

Maravars are courageous breed and were involved in almost all the major battles and wars that ancient Tamilnadu witnessed. Maravars are found predominantly in the Southern districts of Tamilnadu viz., Madurai, Theni, Sivagangai, Ramanathapuram, Dindigul districts of Tamil Nadu. Both these tribes seems to have common origin,Tamil nagas. The Southern martial arts of Kalarippayattu, Silambam, Varma Kalai have been practiced primarily by Maravars Nairs, Kallars,Parathavars and Villavars of erstwhile Travancore areas.

Large number of Maravars served in the armies of many princely states of Kerala. But during the 18th and 19th centuries, most of them were assimilated in to the Tamil Padam Nairsubcaste of the Nair community. The Maravar regiment of the Travancore army was known as "Maravar Padai", which supplemented Nair Pattalam, the larger indigenous military unit.^[8]Tamil Padam Nair is recognized as a part of the Malayala Kshatriya social grouping.

There are 7 major subdivisions among the Maravar community. There are Appa Nattu Kondyankottai,Chembiya Nattu Maravar,Agathu Maravar,Uppu katti Maravar,Kurinchi katti Maravar,Vanikutti Maravar,Oru nattu Maravar. The Kondyan Kottai Maravars are still maintaining Killai(branches) as their sub sects. The Killai is inherited from mother. So a boy or girl will not marry in their same Killai. It is assumed that they are brother & sister. Such a practice is no longer prevailing amongst other maravars. The married women of kondyankottai maravers wear "Thali" (Thirumangalyam) in the shape of Shiva lingam. So it is called "Linga Thali". Most of the Tamil castes wear the same type of "Linga Thali".

The Chembiya Nattu Maravars are Surya vamsam. They are historically from Thanjavur. Kondayan kottai maravars women were having habits of maruthalli. But Chembiya Nattu Maravars women were having habit of Udankattai yeruthal. And 6 martial suicides are Practising by Maravar community and its called avipillai. The Fame of maravars are written in Nattrinai,kurunthogai,Agananooru,Puranaanooru,Kalithogai and many pathu pattu collection. Among maravars Chembiya marvar belong to chola dynasty,Tamil padam marvar belong to chera later become thiruvithangur. But most of maravars belong to pandyan dynasty the major soldiers of pandiyan are only marvars at the end of 15th centuary Kondayan kottai marvars involve in the partition of pandyan kingdom and took over the major zamins from pandyas mentioned in "Kula vamsam".

The sure name of Maravars are

All the maravar has a common tittle called Thevar.

• Maravan
• Valangai maran
• Vilangu Thevan
• Vetchi
• Karanthai
• Thevan
• Puli maran
• Gora maran
• Madurai Thevan
• Thumbai
• Komban
• Vallai Thevan
• Neela maran
• Pattankatti
• Thalumban
• Purayar
• Kottravaien Sayon
• Alakiya Pandiyan
• Maran
• Veyyon
• Ninkondan

[edit]Freedom Fighters

British colonisation of India was strongly resisted in the South especially in Mukkulathor country.

Puli Thevar from the eighteenth century is remembered as the first Indian king to have fought and defeated the British in India. His exploits have since become legendary.

Resistance to British rule was also offered by Padal Vellaiya Tevan who fought the British along with Kattabomman. His son Desakaval Senbaga Tevan is also remembered for his exploits.

[edit]Religion

Thevars are traditionally Hindus of Saiva Siddhanta maargam. However, some of them follow Christianity under the influence of missionaries.

[edit]Inscriptions

An inscription, from 1655, records an accord between the Sathanathar, a Chetti merchant community, and the Nattar to contribute fifty Kalanju of gold to the Elunattu Mutt atChidambaram.^[9]

[edit]Current Status

Although a great many of the members are still agriculturalists, many have also progressed up the social ladder as doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs, politicians and civil servants. Especially in entertainment field this community is still has the dominating position. This community people are spread allover in the media world like cinema, television etc. They are well placed in politics as well.