Thuluva Vellalar , [5][a] also known as Agamudi Mudaliars [7][8] or Arcot Mudaliars,[9] is a caste found in northern Tamil Nadu, southern Andhra Pradesh and southern Karnataka.[10][11][12] They were originally significant landowners.[13]
| Thuluva Vellala or Thozhuva vellala | |
|---|---|
| Classification | The Arcot Mudaliar and Arcot Vellala sects are classified as Forward Class[1] in Tamil Nadu, while the other sects of Thuluva Vellala are classified as Other Backward Class (OBC) at the Central[2][3] and State level[3] as serial no.1 Agamudayar including Thuluva Vellala. where as, Thuluva Vellala, Agamudi Mudaliar and Aghamudi Vellala are classified as Backward Class (D) in Andhra Pradesh under the ‘Mudhaliar’ title.[4] |
| Gotra | Shiva and Vishnu which is further insignificantly grouped as Vanadhirayar, Kalingarayar, Siva Maharshi etc., |
| Kuladevi (female) | Pachayamman, Angala Parameshwari, Saptha Kannimar and Ammachchar |
| Religions | Predominantly Vaishnavism, also Shaivism, and Jainism[citation needed] |
| Languages | Tamil |
| Region | Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, KarnatakaCities : Chennai, Bangalore, Vellore. |
| Feudal title | Mudaliar, Goundar, Udayar, Chettiar, Nayakar, Pillai |
| Related groups | Tamil people |
Etymology
The term Vellalar may be derived from the word Vellam meaning water (flood), denoting their ability to control and store water for irrigation purposes.[14] Since they migrated from the Tulu region of ancient Tamizhagam, they are called Thuluva Vellalar.[10][11][12]
History
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.[15] Scholar M. Arokiaswami identifies Tondaiman Ilandiraiyan with king Adondai Chakravarthi, the legendary figure who is referred to in the Mackenzie Manuscripts.[16]
Sometimes this migration of Tuluva Vellalas is also assigned to later Chola times when Hoysala Ballalas of Karnataka had occupied portions of Kanchipuram and Trichy.[17]
Demographics
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.[18][19]
Tuluva Vellalars are progressive and prosperous[10] in the society. They are considerably advanced in the matter of education[20] and the community was eagerly involved in business, Government and Non- governmental institutions.
The community commonly use Mudaliar[21] and Udayar titles. However Naicker,[22] Gounder, Reddy and Pillai titles are also present in some pockets.
Notable people
- Vallal Pachayappa Mudaliar[23]- a famous Dubashe of Madras and the founder of Pachayappa Educational Trust.
- V. L. Ethiraj, Barrister and philanthropist who founded Ethiraj College for Women.
- Sir Dr. C. Natesa Mudaliar,[24][need quotation to verify] one of the founders of the Justice Party, politician, activist and philanthropist.
- Diwan Bahadur Sir Arcot Ramasamy Mudaliar,[25] KCSI - Founder Chairman of UNESCO and the Diwan of Mysore.
- P U Shanmugam[7] - Former Tamil Nadu minister of Public Works Department.
- V. M. Muralidharan, Chairman, Ethiraj College for Women
See also
References
Notes
Citations
Bibliography
- Bayly, Susan (2004) [1989]. Saints, Goddesses and Kings: Muslims and Christians in South Indian Society, 1700-1900. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-52189-103-5.
- Neild, Susan M. (1979). "Colonial Urbanism: The Development of Madras City in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries". Modern Asian Studies. 13 (2): 217–246. doi:10.1017/S0026749X00008301. JSTOR 312124. S2CID 144309252.