- Maravar (caste)
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Maravar Regions with significant populations Tamilnadu, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia Languages Religion Related ethnic groups Maravar (Tamil: மறவர்) are one of the oldest social groups to be mentioned by the Sangam Tamil literature.[1] This indicates an association with the Tamil land which is at least 2,000 years old. The writers of the Sangam Age place them in rural settlements withdrawn from cities.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. The Kingdom of Ramnad was a Maravar kingdom and was ruled by the Setupati Kings.[2] Some of the Pandyan kings are said to have belonged to the Maravar tribe.[3][4][5] Ramanathapuram, Sivagangai and Thirunelveli are Maravar homeland although the entire Southern Districts of Tamilnadu are Maravar Stronghold since ancient times.
Bold text==History== some pandiya kings are from this community .Military genrals of Pandiya Kings are Maravars.Pandiya Kings constituted Personal security force (Thennavan Aabatthuthavikal )from this community.Pandiya Kings belived this community so they kept them as their bodygaurds. Maravar were inhabitants of Palai during the Sangam period.A Social History of Early India, page 33</ref> 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.
Contents
Vijayanagar Empire
The downfall of the Mukkulathors occurred in 1345 with the fall of Vira Pandyan IV and the subsequent conquest of Madurai by the Delhi Sultanate. However, the southern territories of the Sultanate soon asserted their independence and the Mukkulathors recovered under the Vijayanagar Empire and later under the Nayyak dynasty during whose period they served as Polygars or chieftains.
Singampatti Zamin
Ambalakarar is the most important people, they are feudal chiefs of the villages and towns they ruled during 18th century. They are found in Madurai and Sivaganga districts. In these districts, each village is headed by an Ambalam (president of an assembly) and the Ambalam took upon themselves the power to adjudicate disputes that arose among the inhabitants in the "NADU", belonging to different castes. They used to hear complaints, hold inquiries and punish the offenders. They wielded considerable powers to intervene in any kind of transaction or transfer of property among the people. No land could be alienated from one man to another without the permission of the Ambalams.
Customs
Maravar take the titular surname of Devar or Thevan, meaning divine.[6] Historically they were somewhat a matriarchal society where the children inherit the kothu and kilai from the maternal side. Until recently they always buried their dead like the kallar and other ancient Tamil castes. But most sections have now slowly changed due to the influence of Vedic hinduism.
Notable Reformers
Although there are Many Kings, Polygors,Zamindars and Land lords the main occupation of Maravar is Warrior, hence many Maravar Families struggled for income During British rule and after independence.. There were many reformers served for their Community.
- Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar (முத்து ராமலிங்க தேவர்)
- Freedom fighter and social reformer.
Current status
They can now be found in all walks of life such as doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs, politicians and civil servants. Large number of people from the community are serving the nation as military men. A significant number of them are employed as civil servants in the state and central governments.
Notes
- ^ The Tamils eighteen hundred years ago, page 43
- ^ Asia and Oceania: eds.: Paul E. Schellinger ; Robert M. Salkin, page 714
- ^ Tamil Nadu edited by Kumar Suresh Singh, R. Thirumalai, S. Manoharan
- ^ The origin of Saivism and its history in the Tamil land, page 15
- ^ Indian antiquary, Volume 4, page 168
- ^ The cyclopædia of India and of eastern and southern Asia, commercial industrial, and scientific: products of the mineral, vegetable, and animal kingdoms, useful arts and manufactures, Volume 2, page 862
See also
- Cholas
- Pandyas
- Malayaman
- Mukkulathor
- Moovendar Munnetra Kazhagam
- All India Moovendar Munnani Kazhagam
References
- The Tamils eighteen hundred years ago, By V. Kanakasabhai
- Asia and Oceania: eds.: Paul E. Schellinger ; Robert M. Salkin, By Robert M. Salkin, Trudy Ring
- The origin of Saivism and its history in the Tamil land, By K. R. Subramanian, K. R. Subramanian (M.A.)
- Indian antiquary, Volume 4, By Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland
- On the original inhabitants of Bharatavarsa or India: the Dravidians, By Gustav Salomon Oppert
- A Social History of Early India, By Brajadulal Chattopadhyaya
- The Journal of the Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland, Volume 33, By Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland
Categories:- Indian castes
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