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{{Short description|Title and surname used in Tamil Nadu, India}}
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'''Mudaliar''' (alternatively spelled: '''Muthaliar''', '''Mudali''', '''Muthali)''' is a ] title and surname.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YFF9BgAAQBAJ&pg=PA236|title=The Politics of Cultural Nationalism in South India|last=Barnett|first=Marguerite Ross|year=2015|publisher=Princeton University Press|isbn=9781400867189|page=236}}</ref> As title, it was historically given to high-ranking officers, administrators and their descendants during the rule of ].'''<ref>{{Cite book |last=Silva |first=Chandra Richard De |title=Portuguese Encounters with Sri Lanka and the Maldives: Translated Texts from the Age of Discoveries |date=2009 |publisher=Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. |isbn=9780754601869 |pages=225 |language=en}}</ref>'''<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j1afGkg1JsEC |title=Vidyodaya Journal of Arts, Science, and Letters: Vidyodaya Vidyā Kalā Bhāsāśāstrīya Sangrahaya |date=1970 |publisher=Vidyodaya Campus, University of Sri Lanka |pages=117 |language=en}}</ref> The surname is most prevalent among Tamils from ] and ]. Descendants of Tamil migrants also bears variants of the name in countries such as ], and elsewhere in the ].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Younger |first=Paul |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2oI8DwAAQBAJ |title=New Homelands: Hindu Communities in Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad, South Africa, Fiji, and East Africa |date=2010 |publisher=Oxford University Press, USA |isbn=978-0-19-539164-0 |pages=135 |language=en}}</ref>
''' Mudaliar ''' also '''''Mudaliyār''''', '''''Mudali''''' and '''''Moodley''''' in ] literally means a person of first rank in a feudal society<ref name = "http://content.cdlib.org/xtf/view?docId=ft038n99hg&brand=eschol">Irschick, Eugene F. Dialogue and History: Constructing South India, 1795-1895. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1994. direct web reference: http://content.cdlib.org/xtf/view?docId=ft038n99hg&brand=eschol</ref> in south ]. It is originally the title and the surname of '''Tondaimandala Vellalars'''<ref name = "http://content.cdlib.org/xtf/view?docId=ft038n99hg&brand=eschol">Irschick, Eugene F. Dialogue and History: Constructing South India, 1795-1895. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1994. direct web reference: http://content.cdlib.org/xtf/view?docId=ft038n99hg&brand=eschol</ref> <ref name="Order and Disorder in Colonial South India Eugene F. Irschick Modern Asian Studies, Vol. 23, No. 3 (1989), pp. 459-492, http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0026-749X(1989)23%3A3%3C459%3AOADICS%3E2.0.CO%3B2-B">Order and Disorder in Colonial South India Eugene F. Irschick Modern Asian Studies, Vol. 23, No. 3 (1989), pp. 459-492,http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0026-749X(1989)23%3A3%3C459%3AOADICS%3E2.0.CO%3B2-B</ref> <ref name="Lionel Place, 1799 East India Company Report, para. 59.">Lionel Place, 1799 East India Company Report, para. 59.</ref><ref name=" http://www.hindu.com/fr/2004/09/03/stories/2004090300780600.htm"> http://www.hindu.com/fr/2004/09/03/stories/2004090300780600.htm</ref>.
However in recent times the ''Mudaliar'' surname is widely used by people belonging to various ]s originally from ], ] and in the ] across the world. Most Mudaliars are ] with ] as their mother tongue.


The title is usually borne by the communities like the ], ]r, ], ]<ref name=":7">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qExuAAAAMAAJ|title=The Sri Lankan Tamils: ethnicity and identity|last1=Manogaran|first1=Chelvadurai|last2=Pfaffenberger|first2=Bryan|date=1994|publisher=Westview Press|isbn=9780813388458|pages=34, 36|language=en}}</ref> and ].<ref name="ramaswamy">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ALUvDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA229|title=Historical Dictionary of the Tamils|last=Ramaswamy|first=Vijaya|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |year=2017 |isbn=978-1-53810-686-0|page=229}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=73msCkfD5V8C&pg=PA109|title=Caste, Nationalism and Ethnicity: An Interpretation of Tamil Cultural History and Social Order|last=Pandian|first=Jacob|publisher=Popular Prakashan|year=1987|isbn=978-0-86132-136-0|pages=109, 114}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/193948/7/chapter%205.pdf|title=Mudaliar title usage}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=M, S, A|first=Vijaya, Kanthimathi, Ramesh|date=2 August 2008|title=Genetic study of scheduled caste populations of Tamil Nadu|url=https://www.ias.ac.in/article/fulltext/jgen/087/02/0171-0174|journal=Journal of Genetics|volume=87|issue=2|pages=171–4|doi=10.1007/s12041-008-0026-2|pmid=18776647|s2cid=32841661|via=Indian Academy of Sciences}}</ref>
==Origin==


==Etymology==
In ancient times, cultivation in South India was spread by force, people would move into virgin land which was used by tribal people for slash and burn agriculture or for hunting and convert it into prime agricultural land. These raids were organized and carried out by chieftains, feudal lords and agricultural landlords called ].<ref name="http://www.saivaneri.org/keralal-pillai-history.html">http://www.saivaneri.org/keralal-pillai-history.html
The title is derived from the Tamil word ''muthal'' or "muthar" meaning ''first'' with the suffix ''yaar'' denoting ''people''.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YFF9BgAAQBAJ&pg=PA236|title=The Politics of Cultural Nationalism in South India|last=Barnett|first=Marguerite Ross|year=2015|publisher=Princeton University Press|isbn=9781400867189|page=236|language=en}}</ref> The title is used in the same sense as simply meaning ''headman''.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OEolDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA47|title=Who Are the Jews of India?|last=Katz|first=Nathan|year=2000|publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0-52021-323-4|pages=47–48}}</ref>
</ref><ref name="Castes & Tribes of South India - ET.Thurston, VII 361">Castes & Tribes of South India - ET.Thurston, VII 361
</ref><ref name="http://dino-latchmi.tripod.com/id12.html">http://dino-latchmi.tripod.com/id12.html
</ref>. ] are agricultural landlords and inhabitants of the "marutha nilam" (one of the ] advocated by the ] literature).


==History==
Mudaliar, like ] is a title conferred upon prominent ] chieftains and feudal lords by the King depending upon the Tamil Kingdom. More specifically, the Vellalars of Thondaimandalam or the Pallava Kingdom were given the title Mudaliar, while the ] of ] and ] Kingdoms were given the title Pillai <ref name="http://www.saivaneri.org/keralal-pillai-history.html">http://www.saivaneri.org/keralal-pillai-history.html
The term '''"Mudali"''' (or "Mudaliar") is an ] historically associated with the Vellalars, a group of agrarian communities, particularly in the Tondaimandalam region.<ref>{{cite book |last=Robb |first=Peter |title=Meanings of Agriculture: Essays in South Asian History and Economics |year=1996 |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=348}}
</ref><ref name="Castes & Tribes of South India - ET.Thurston, VII 361">Castes & Tribes of South India - ET.Thurston, VII 361
</ref><ref name="Response to John Harriss">{{cite book | last1 = Rajadurai | first1 = S. V. | last2 = Geetha | first2 = V. | year = 2004 | title = Response to John Harriss | editor1-last = Wyatt | editor1-first = Andrew | editor2-last = Zavos | editor2-first = John | publisher = Routledge | pages = 115 | isbn = 978-1-13576-169-1 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=0L6RAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA115 | accessdate = 2024-11-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Balakrishnan |first=Raja Gopal |title=The Rashtrakutas of Malkhed: Studies in the History and Culture |year=1965 |publisher=Mythic Society, Bangalore by Geetha Book House |edition=1994 |page=178}}
</ref>.
</ref> Among the ], subgroups like the ] and ]s used this title to emphasize their deep-rooted connection to agriculture and land. The name "]" itself is commonly believed to stem from "vel-anmai," meaning "command over agriculture," highlighting the community's role as ] and signify their longstanding role in ] in Tamil Nadu.


Over time, this title was also adopted by other groups, notably the ] community. Sengunthars, traditionally held a prominent place as skilled ] in the Tamil region and served as soldiers and commanders in ] .{{sfn|Mines|1984|p=11}}During the rule of ], the Sengunthars were warriors and were given the title "'''Sengunda-Mudali'''", indicating an evolution in their social status within ] society.<ref>{{cite book |last=Robb |first=Peter |title=Meanings of Agriculture: Essays in South Asian History and Economics |year=1996 |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=349}}
The Chola King, Karikala Chola collected the whole of the Mudali tribe of Vellalars and settled them in Tondaimandalam<ref name="http://books.google.com/books?vid=030r8wCzi070dfHyMo&id=TTQKoe4eXzgC&q=kurumbars+chola&dq=kurumbars+chola&pgis=1">http://books.google.com/books?vid=030r8wCzi070dfHyMo&id=TTQKoe4eXzgC&q=kurumbars+chola&dq=kurumbars+chola&pgis=1</ref>. The country was divided into 24 territorial domains called kottams, a reference to kurumbar policies for administrative purposes. The spatialization of the vellalas in the villages of the Tondai country had begun long before the British arrived. <ref name = "http://content.cdlib.org/xtf/view?docId=ft038n99hg&brand=eschol">Irschick, Eugene F. Dialogue and History: Constructing South India, 1795-1895. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1994. direct web reference: http://content.cdlib.org/xtf/view?docId=ft038n99hg&brand=eschol</ref><ref name="Order and Disorder in Colonial South India Eugene F. Irschick Modern Asian Studies, Vol. 23, No. 3 (1989), pp. 459-492, http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0026-749X(1989)23%3A3%3C459%3AOADICS%3E2.0.CO%3B2-B">Order and Disorder in Colonial South India Eugene F. Irschick Modern Asian Studies, Vol. 23, No. 3 (1989), pp. 459-492,http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0026-749X(1989)23%3A3%3C459%3AOADICS%3E2.0.CO%3B2-B</ref><ref name="Lionel Place, 1799 East India Company Report, para. 59.">Lionel Place, 1799 East India Company Report, para. 59.</ref>
</ref><ref name="Response to John Harriss"/> <ref>{{cite book |last=David |first=Kenneth |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Vp_la9QMGIQC&q=Senkuntar+India+warriors+given+title+Mutaliyar+their+bravery&pg=PA188 |title=The New Wind: Changing Identities in South Asia (World Anthropology) |publisher=De Gruyter Mouton; Reprint 2011 edition (1 December 1977) |year=1977 |isbn=9027979596 |pages=188}}</ref> Sengundhars are a relatively high ranking caste who rival in status the main agriculturist caste, the ].{{sfn|Mines|1984|p=13}}


The adoption of the "Mudali" honorific by both ] and ] communities reflects the social dynamics and intermingling of caste and occupational identities within ]’s historical caste structure.
This is further confirmed from another source ''The Tamils Eighteen Hundred Years Ago by V. Kanakasabhai'' in which the author describes the settlement of Tondaimandalam by the ] King ] the Great who divided the Tondaimandalam country into 24 Kottams or districts and parcelled it out to families of the Vellala tribe <ref name="The Tamils Eighteen Hundred Years Ago By V. Kanakasabhai, http://books.google.com/books?id=BzgYmdwFby4C&pg=PA42&dq=maravar#PPA28,M1 (Page 28)">The Tamils Eighteen Hundred Years Ago By V. Kanakasabhai, http://books.google.com/books?id=BzgYmdwFby4C&pg=PA42&dq=maravar#PPA28,M1 (Page 28)</ref>(''A complete list of the 24 Kottams and the 79 nadus can also be found in the same source'').


== India ==
==Origin of Vellalars and other castes==


=== Kondaikatti Vellalar ===
During cultural diversification, the Vellalars of TamilNadu can be classified into layers. The first layer consists of Saiva Vellalars (Saiva Vellala Mudaliars and Pillais). They are strict vegetarians, literate and sophisticated like Brahmins but do not perform priestly duties. They were major landlords, feudal lords and powerful like Rajputs and Thakurs of Northern India. Saiva Vellalars of the ] became the Thondaimandala vellalars Mudaliars. This area includes the present day areas of ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], etc.<ref name="http://www.saivaneri.org/keralal-pillai-history.html">http://www.saivaneri.org/keralal-pillai-history.html
] or '''Thondaimandala Mudaliar'''{{efn|Some of the important endogamous sub-divisions among the Vellalas are: Aranbukatti, Arunattu, Cholapuram Chetti, Choliya, Dakshinattan, Kaniyalan, Karaikatta or Pandya, Kodikkal, Kongu, Kottai, Malaikanda, Nainan, Mangudi, Pandaram or Gurukal, Panjukara Chetti, Ponneri Mudali, Pundamalli Mudali, Sittak kattu Chetti, Tondamandalam Mudali or Kondaikatti, Tuluva, Uttunattu, and Yelur. The Tondaimandalam, Ponneri and Pundamalli Vellalas use the title Mudaliar;{{sfnp|Indian Council of Agricultural Research|p=120}}}} is a ]{{efn|Most of the Dubashes in the late eighteenth-century Madras were Telugu brahmans or Telugu perikavārs, Tamil kannakapillais, Tamil yādhavas, or Tamil Kondaikatti vellalas. {{sfnp|Irschick|1994|p=34}}}} caste in south India. Historically, they were a caste of non-cultivating land-holders and some of them were administrators under various south Indian dynasties especially the ].{{efn|Among Tamil castes, both ''Karkattar Vellalas'' (Arunachalam, 1975) and ''Kondaikatti Vellalas'' (Barnett, 1970) have much the same profile as the KP: both are non-cultivating land-holders, with a history of service to ruling dynasties. Both are of high status, laying great stress on ritual purity. {{sfnp|Chanana|Krishna Raj|1989|p=92}}}}{{efn|Like the Kondaikatti Velalar described by Barnett(1970), they have allied themselves with south Indian dynasties as administrators, and have built up a position in the religious sphere in being employers of Brahmans and builders of temples for "high" gods like Siva, Ganesh and Vishnu.{{sfnp|Mariola Offredi|1992|p=284}}}}{{efn|The original stronghold of the Kondaikatti Vellalas was Tondaimandalam. Later they spread from there throughout Tamil Nadu. Some of them were employed in the king's court and others as military leaders during expansionist times.{{sfnp|Pillay|Pillay|1977|pp=23-24}}}} Their original homeland was ] and from there they spread to other areas in south India and northeastern parts of Sri Lanka.{{efn|The original home of the Kondaikatti Vellalar is Tondaimandalam and subsequently they are found throughout Tamil nadu.{{sfnp|Venkatasubramanian|1993|p=105}}}}{{sfnp|Pillay|Pillay|1977|pp=23-24}} Since they historically used the ''Mudaliar'' title, they are sometimes referred to as Thondaimandala Mudaliar.{{sfnp|Indian Council of Agricultural Research|p=120}}
</ref>,<ref name="Castes & Tribes of South India - ET.Thurston, VII 361">Castes & Tribes of South India - ET.Thurston, VII 361
</ref>


=== Thuluva Vellalar ===
The second layer consists of a number of unique castes, which do not intermarry at all like Pandia Vellalar, (Madurai) Chozhia Vellalar, those who inhabited the areas of ] (], ], and ]) and ] ]s (], ], ], and ]) became the Shoziya Vellar (or "Chola Velar") and Pandiya Vellar respectively. These communities use Mudaliar, udyar,Pillai titles.<ref name="http://www.saivaneri.org/keralal-pillai-history.html">http://www.saivaneri.org/keralal-pillai-history.html
]r (Thondaimandala Tuluva Vellalar), also known as '''Agamudaya Mudaliars'''  and '''Arcot Mudaliars''', is a caste found in northern ], southern ]. They were originally significant landowners. An early Tamil tradition states that a king known as ], a feudatory of ] brought a large number of agriculturists (now known as the ''Tuluva Vellalas'') from the ] in order to reclaim forest lands for cultivation in ] during late 2nd century CE.
</ref><ref name="Castes & Tribes of South India - ET.Thurston, VII 361">Castes & Tribes of South India - ET.Thurston, VII 361
<ref>{{cite book |author=Krishnaswamy Ranaganathan Hanumanthan |title=Untouchability: A Historical Study Upto 1500 A.D. : with Special Reference to Tamil Nadu |publisher=Koodal Publishers |page=101}}</ref> Tuluva Vellalars are progressive and prosperous<ref name="TanjaiTamil">{{cite book |author=Tañcai Tamil̲p Palkalaik Kal̲akam, Tañcai Tamiḻp Palkalaik Kaḻakam |title=Glimpses of Tamil Civilization. Articles from the University Quarterly, Tamil Civilization |publisher=Tamil University |year=1994 |page=142 |quote=Tuluva Vellala is a prosperous and progressive caste in Tamil Nadu and they migrated from Tulu Nadu to Tamil Nadu in ancient times.}}</ref> in the society. They are considerably advanced in the matter of education<ref>{{Cite book |title=Census Book of India 1961 |publisher=The Director of stationery and Printing, Madras. |year=1961 |volume=9 North Arcot District |location=Madras |pages=31 |language=Tamil |chapter=3}}</ref> and the community was eagerly involved in business, Government and Non- governmental institutions.
</ref>


=== Senguntha Kaikola Mudaliar ===
The Kaikolar also known as Sengunthar, who are weavers and were militarised for a brief period during the ] empire also use the Mudaliyar surname for social upliftment.
] is a caste commonly found in the ] of ], ] and the neighboring country ]. In ], they are called as ], who consider the Chola emperor ] as their hero.<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Commission for Backward Classes |url=http://www.ncbc.nic.in/user_panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLvYBtdZSrP4uO+ploAhiJHMALWmHIwbzS8Il37YLL3Fb0FHfWDHzP7c |access-date=2023-06-26 |website=www.ncbc.nic.in}}</ref> They were ]s by ancient heritage and traditional, Textile Merchants and Slik Weavers by occupation.{{sfn|Mines|1984|p=11}} They were part of the ] as Kaikola regiment and were dominant during the rule of ], holding commander and minister positions in the court.<ref name=":0">Martial races of undivided India by Vidya Prakash Tyagi 2009 Page 278 https://www.google.com/books?id=vRwS6FmS2g0C</ref> ], 12th century court poet and rajaguru of ] under ], ], ] reign belong to this community.In the olden days in India, the Sengunthars were warriors and were given the title Mudaliar for their bravery.<ref>{{cite book |last=David |first=Kenneth |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Vp_la9QMGIQC&q=Senkuntar+India+warriors+given+title+Mutaliyar+their+bravery&pg=PA188 |title=The New Wind: Changing Identities in South Asia (World Anthropology) |publisher=De Gruyter Mouton; Reprint 2011 edition (1 December 1977) |year=1977 |isbn=9027979596 |pages=188}}</ref> In early thirteenth century, after the fall of ] large number of Kaikolars migrated to ] from ] and started doing weaving and textile businesses as their full time profession as they sworn to be soldiers only for Chola emperors.<ref name="Ramaswamy 662">{{cite book |last=Ramaswamy |first=Vijaya |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DzcrDwAAQBAJ&q=Kaikkolar |title=Migrations in Medieval and Early Colonial India |publisher=Routledge |year=2017 |isbn=9781351558259 |pages=172–174}}</ref> At present, most of the textile businesses in Tamil Nadu are owned by Senguntha Mudaliyars.


== Sri Lanka ==
Agamudaiyar, a caste belonging to the Mukkulathor community who generally use Thevar as their
surname also use the Mudaliar surname. "Kallarum, Maravarum, Agamudaiyarum mella mella vanthu vellalar anaarkal"- so goes the saying in Tamil. <ref name="http://www.saivaneri.org/keralal-pillai-history.html">http://www.saivaneri.org/keralal-pillai-history.html
</ref>.


=== Karaiyar and Sri Lankan Vellalar ===
==Various castes using the "Mudaliar" title==
After the expulsion of the Portuguese, was the growing ] revolted in 1658 in the ] by the Christian Karaiyars and ]s.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rGSGAAAAIAAJ|title=Rivalry and Conflict: European Traders and Asian Trading Networks in the 16th and 17th Centuries|last1=Veen|first1=Ernst van|last2=Blussé|first2=Leonard|date=2005|publisher=Amsterdam University Press|isbn=9789057891045|pages=116|language=en}}</ref> A ] minister of the 17th century, ], described the Karaiyars, Madapallis and ] among the influential classes of the Christians.<ref name=":0" /> Elite Karaiyars were appointed to the rank of ].<ref name=":7"/> The Karaiyar dominance got weakened through the political rise of the ] under ].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m2puAAAAMAAJ|title=Ceylon and the Dutch, 1600-1800: External Influences and Internal Change in Early Modern Sri Lanka|last=Arasaratnam|first=Sinnappah|date=1996-01-01|publisher=n Variorum|isbn=9780860785798|pages=390|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XotuAAAAMAAJ&q=karaiyar|title=South Indian Studies|last=Soundra Pandian|first=Mathias Samuel|date=1997|publisher=Chithira Publishers|location=Madras Institute of Development Studies|pages=168|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Eva Gerharz|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=c7JEAwAAQBAJ|title=The Politics of Reconstruction and Development in Sri Lanka|publisher=Routledge|year=2014|isbn=978-1-317-69280-5|page=41}}</ref>


==== Karaiyar ====
A brief description of various castes using the title Mudaliar is given below.
For centuries have the Karaiyars had sea-trade relations with ] but also ], ], ] ] and ], which has been heavily restricted since ].<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Bound and the NonBound: Variations in Social and Cultural Structure in Rural Jaffna, Ceylon|last=Kenneth Andrew|first=David|year=1972|location=The University of Chicago|pages=142}}</ref>


At the hand of the powerful maritime trading clans of the Karaiyars, the emergence of ] known as ''pattanam'' were seen.Mudaliar (meaning "capitalist") were conferred on the maritime elite trading clans of the Karaiyars as ].<ref>{{Cite journal|last=K|first=Arunthavarajah|date=March 2014|title=The Administration of Jaffna Kingdom- A Historical View|url=http://ijbarr.com/downloads/2014/vol2-issue3/5.pdf|journal=International Journal of Business and Administration Research Review|publisher=University of Jaffna|volume= 2| issue = 3|pages=32}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dCFRAQAAIAAJ|title=Cambridge South Asian Studies|date=1965|publisher=Cambridge South Asian Studies|isbn=9780521232104|location=University of Cambridge|pages=27|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=73msCkfD5V8C|title=Caste, Nationalism and Ethnicity: An Interpretation of Tamil Cultural History and Social Order|last=Pandian|first=Jacob|date=1987|publisher=Popular Prakashan|isbn=9780861321360|pages=109|language=en}}</ref>
===''Tondaimandala Saiva Vellalar''===


== See also ==
The Tondaimandala Saiva Vellala Mudaliars are forward-caste and are vegetarians. They are the original homogeneous group of Mudaliyars who were settled in Tondaimandalam or Tondai Nadu in South ] by Chola King, Karikala ]<ref name="The Tamils Eighteen Hundred Years Ago By V. Kanakasabhai, http://books.google.com/books?id=BzgYmdwFby4C&pg=PA42&dq=maravar#PPA28,M1 (Page 28)">The Tamils Eighteen Hundred Years Ago By V. Kanakasabhai, http://books.google.com/books?id=BzgYmdwFby4C&pg=PA42&dq=maravar#PPA28,M1 (Page 28)</ref><ref name = "http://content.cdlib.org/xtf/view?docId=ft038n99hg&brand=eschol">Irschick, Eugene F. Dialogue and History: Constructing South India, 1795-1895. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1994. direct web reference: http://content.cdlib.org/xtf/view?docId=ft038n99hg&brand=eschol</ref><ref name="Order and Disorder in Colonial South India Eugene F. Irschick Modern Asian Studies, Vol. 23, No. 3 (1989), pp. 459-492, http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0026-749X(1989)23%3A3%3C459%3AOADICS%3E2.0.CO%3B2-B">Order and Disorder in Colonial South India Eugene F. Irschick Modern Asian Studies, Vol. 23, No. 3 (1989), pp. 459-492,http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0026-749X(1989)23%3A3%3C459%3AOADICS%3E2.0.CO%3B2-B</ref><ref name="Lionel Place, 1799 East India Company Report, para. 59.">Lionel Place, 1799 East India Company Report, para. 59.</ref><ref name=" http://www.hindu.com/fr/2004/09/03/stories/2004090300780600.htm"> http://www.hindu.com/fr/2004/09/03/stories/2004090300780600.htm</ref>. Karikala Chola annexed Thondai naadu and gave it to his son Athondai after whom the region is named after. They are feudal lords, major landowners in Thondaimandalam area which includes the present day areas of ], Chengalpet, ], ] etc. A significant population of Thondaimandala Saiva Vellala Mudaliars have also migrated to other areas such as ], ] etc. Dalawai Ariyanatha Mudaliar who is regarded as the founder of the Poligar system also settled some of them in areas outside of Thondaimandalam. They are endogamous and inter-marriage with other Mudaliars is quite rare. Their mother tongue is ]<ref name="http://www.saivaneri.org/keralal-pillai-history.html">http://www.saivaneri.org/keralal-pillai-history.html
</ref> <ref name="http://dino-latchmi.tripod.com/id12.html">http://dino-latchmi.tripod.com/id12.html
</ref> . Some of the ] in ] also trace their lineage to this group some of whom had become saints called ]. The book: ''The Tamils in Early Ceylon By C. Sivaratnam'' traces some of the ''Mudaliyars'' in Ceylon to ''Thaninayaka Mudaliyar'' (among other), a rich Saiva Vellala who emigrated to ] from Tondaimandalam''<ref name="The Tamils in Early Ceylon By C. Sivaratnam, http://books.google.com/books?vid=0PrqSaY8TV9DtgCG9v&id=hlocAAAAMAAJ&q=mudaliyar+vellala&dq=mudaliyar+vellala&pgis=1">The Tamils in Early Ceylon By C. Sivaratnam, http://books.google.com/books?vid=0PrqSaY8TV9DtgCG9v&id=hlocAAAAMAAJ&q=mudaliyar+vellala&dq=mudaliyar+vellala&pgis=1</ref>.


*]
===''Tondaimandala Kondaikatti Vellalar''===
*]
Tradition suggests that this group were one of the Vellalar groups that were settled in Tondaimandalam by Adondai Chakravarti after overthrowing the Kurumbar sovereignty<ref name="Religion and Public Culture: encounters and identities in modern South Indi by John Jeya Paul, Keith Edward Yandell,http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN0700711015&id=x3GuKnZTGG4C&pg=PA241&lpg=PA241&ots=0mGugDgcw8&dq=adondai+kondaikatti&sig=rvjX3UZKGetOlVMyoGQS0IC4ac0">Religion and Public Culture: encounters and identities in modern South Indi by John Jeya Paul, Keith Edward Yandell,http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN0700711015&id=x3GuKnZTGG4C&pg=PA241&lpg=PA241&ots=0mGugDgcw8&dq=adondai+kondaikatti&sig=rvjX3UZKGetOlVMyoGQS0IC4ac0</ref>. Adondai Chakravarti is described in various ways: a) as a lieutenant in the Chola empire<ref name="Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland By Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland,http://books.google.com/books?vid=0o3HpzvAK7y1RHyxOc&id=JLFfVFU1mCoC&pg=PA581&lpg=PA581&dq=adondai+chola#PPA581,M1">Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland By Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland,http://books.google.com/books?vid=0o3HpzvAK7y1RHyxOc&id=JLFfVFU1mCoC&pg=PA581&lpg=PA581&dq=adondai+chola#PPA581,M1</ref>, b) as the son of ancient Chola King Kokkili and a Naga princess, c) as the illegitimate son of Rajendra Kulotunga Chola I and a palace attendant <ref name="Some Contributions of South India to Indian Culture By S. Krishnaswami Aiyangar, http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN8120609999&id=vRcql-QBhRwC&pg=PA394&lpg=PA394&dq=adondai+chola&sig=CUdOfMyvFWr60FUG2jBelSkCQhQ">Some Contributions of South India to Indian Culture By S. Krishnaswami Aiyangar, http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN8120609999&id=vRcql-QBhRwC&pg=PA394&lpg=PA394&dq=adondai+chola&sig=CUdOfMyvFWr60FUG2jBelSkCQhQ</ref>, d) son of Karikala Chola <ref name="History of Tirupati: The Tiruvengadam Temple By T. K. T. Viraraghavacharya, http://books.google.com/books?vid=0EAC1QqCYpse1n8eEo&id=VBoaAAAAMAAJ&q=adondai&dq=adondai&pgis=1">History of Tirupati: The Tiruvengadam Temple By T. K. T. Viraraghavacharya, http://books.google.com/books?vid=0EAC1QqCYpse1n8eEo&id=VBoaAAAAMAAJ&q=adondai&dq=adondai&pgis=1</ref>. This claim appears blurred due to the ambiguous identity of Adondai Chakravarti and the time of such settlement. There are conflicting sources, some that say, the settlement was in 7th or 8th century AD and others that say that it was much later in 11th or 12th century AD. Nevertheless, this settlement is much later than Karikala Chola's settlement of Tondaimandalam<ref name="<ref name="http://books.google.com/books?vid=030r8wCzi070dfHyMo&id=TTQKoe4eXzgC&q=kurumbars+chola&dq=kurumbars+chola&pgis=1">http://books.google.com/books?vid=030r8wCzi070dfHyMo&id=TTQKoe4eXzgC&q=kurumbars+chola&dq=kurumbars+chola&pgis=1</ref>. This Vellalar group seems to have been the most successful group during British times. There were many Mirasidars and Zamindars belonging to this group. They are mainly concentrated in Madras and Chingleput district only. Their monther tongue is Tamil.
*]
*]


==Notes==
===''Agamudayar/Arcot/Thuluva Vellala''===
{{notelist}}


==References==
The Adamudayars ] actually belong to the ] community, which also includes the ]s and ]s. These three communities together known as ] generally use "]" as their surname. But later the ]s (the most upward community among the three) slowly migrated towards the northern part of Tamil Nadu, settled there, changed their caste name to Thuluva Vellala. So in reality Thuluva vellalar is just the renaming of Agam udayar and hence are classified as one by the ] government, ]<ref name="http://www.tn.gov.in/bcmbcmw/bclist.htm">http://www.tn.gov.in/bcmbcmw/bclist.htm</ref>. So intermingling of on a large scale between two distinct communities is very unlikely and has no historical evidence. The Agam udaiyars changed their name to Thuluva Vellala.
{{reflist}}


==Sources==
As early as 13th century, Agam udayars were using Mudaliar title. This inscription illustrates the accounts of the temple of Rajaraja-Isvaram-Udaiyar at Rajraja-Kulattur in Tiruvindalur-nadu, a subdivision of Rajraja-valanadu were audited by Kayiladamudaiyan alias Solakon-Pallavaraiyar, an agambadi-mudali of Solakon, between the 23rd and 25th <ref name="http://www.whatisindia.com/inscriptions/south_indian_inscriptions/volume_12/stones_176_to_200.html No 199" http://www.whatisindia.com/inscriptions/south_indian_inscriptions/volume_12/stones_176_to_200.html>http://www.whatisindia.com/inscriptions/south_indian_inscriptions/volume_12/stones_176_to_200.html</ref>
{{refbegin}}

*{{cite book|title=Gender and the Household Domain Social and Cultural Dimensions|editor-first1=Karuna |editor-last1=Chanana|editor-first2=Maithreyi |editor-last2=Krishna Raj|publisher=Sage Publications|year=1989}}
===''Kerala Muthali/Mudali''===
*{{cite book|title=Farmers of India, Band 2|author=Indian Council of Agricultural Research|publisher=Indian Council of Agricultural Research, 1961}}
Kerala Muthali (Mudali) belongs to various Mudaliar communities. They are predominantly found in the areas of Trivandrum and Palghat Districts of Kerala and Kanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu. They migrated to these places starting late 17th Century onwards for various purposes including Agriculture, Coconut Oil extraction, Coir Trade and as Specialized Fighters and Reliable Spies. They were given special preference by Royal Family of Travancore due to their cultural similarity and loyalty. This status resulted in furhter deepening their area of influence with in Travancore. During the British era many families came in to the influence of Christianity and became strong supporters and eventually embraced that religion. Unlike the Tamil Brahmins settled in various places of Kerala, Muthalis/Mudalis engage with marital relationships with Nairs, Chakravar, Sakravar (Kavathi) and those who are converted to Christianity but retaining Mudaliar identity. Kerala Muthalis still keep their separate identity even though they are a micro-minority caste in Kerala. Due to their linguistic and educational backwardness Kerala , Tamilnadu and Pondicherry states have categorized them as BCs. Gradually after independence and state reorganization, Kerala Muthalis have completely integrated with the Kerala Culture, but still consider Lord Muruga/Subramanya as their primary god of worship while most of the Kerala Hindus are devotees of Lord Vishnu.
*{{cite book|title=Dialogue and History: Constructing South India, 1795-1895|first=Eugene F. |last=Irschick|publisher=University of California Press|year=1994}}

*{{cite book|title=Literature, Language, and the Media in India: Proceedings of the 11th European Conference on South Asian Studies, Amsterdam, 1990, Panel 13|editor=Mariola Offredi|publisher=Manohar Publications, 1992|year=1992}}
===''Sri Lankan Mudaliyars''===
*{{cite book |last=Mines |first=Mattison |year=1984 |title=The Warrior Merchants: Textiles, Trade and Territory in South India |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=9780521267144 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=y089AAAAIAAJ}}

*{{cite book|first1=Kolappa |last1=Pillay |first2=Kanakasabhapathi |last2=Pillay|title=The Caste System in Tamil Nadu |publisher=University of Madras |year=1977}}
History of Jaffna has at least two or three clans from Thondaimandalam with Mudali surname. Irumarapum Thooya Thaninayaga Mudali from Seyyoor and Mannadukonda Mudali whose clan has been quoted even during famour poet Kambar's time. Please read Vaipava Malai and migration of people from Thondai Nadu to Jaffna and then write about Sri Lankan Mudaliars. It is not a British Phenomenon.
*{{cite book|title=Societas to Civitas Evolution of Political Society in South India : Pre-Pallavan Tamilakam|first=T. K. |last=Venkatasubramanian|publisher=Kalinga Publications|year=1993}}

{{refend}}
Here is the direct quotation from a part of Kailaya Malai a historical book of Jaffna on the migration into Jaffna from Thondai Nadu. The other clans may come under this section or under Sri Lankan Vellalar section.

''The next was the Vellala of the family of him who shed over kamban a shower of gold for the work of Erezhupatu, whose country was Tondainade, who had a widespread name, who used to wear a lotus garland and whose name was Maanadukanda Mudali. He was made to reside at Irupalai. The next was the Vellala of Seyur, who was as wealthy as Indra, and who never deviated from the path of visture. whose garland was of water lilies. Whose fame was great and whose paternal and maternal lines were matchless and pure and whose name was Taninayaga. He was made a chief of Neduntiva.''<ref name="http://noolaham.net/library/books/02/101/101.htm">http://noolaham.net/library/books/02/101/101.htm</ref>

See ] for the class of Mudaliyars created by the British administrators during 19th century ].

===''Sengunthar/Kaikolar/Isai Vaelalar''===
''See main article at ]''

The Kaikolars also called as Sengunthar, are a large ] and ] caste of weavers in the states of ] and ] in southern India<ref name="http://www.tn.gov.in/bcmbcmw/bclist.htm">http://www.tn.gov.in/bcmbcmw/bclist.htm</ref><ref name="http://ncbc.nic.in/backward-classes/ap.html">http://ncbc.nic.in/backward-classes/ap.html</ref>. There are seventy-two subdivisions (nadu or desams). Their name comes from the ] words "kai" (hand) and "kol" (shuttle used in looming or spear). They consider the different parts of the loom to represent various gods and sages. They are also known as Sengunthar, which means a red dagger in ].

Isai Vaelalar are none other than that section of Sengunthar Mudaliars or Kaikolars who were associated with the system of Devadasis<ref name="Union Territory of Pondicherry By Francis Cyril Antony, Pondicherry (India : Union Territory)">Union Territory of Pondicherry By Francis Cyril Antony, Pondicherry (India : Union Territory)</ref>. Kaikkolars have very close ties of kinship with '']s'' (meaning servant of god in ]) <ref name="The Erotic Sculptures of India Y. Krishan, Artibus Asiae, Vol. 34, No. 4 (1972), pp. 331-343">The Erotic Sculptures of India Y. Krishan Artibus Asiae, Vol. 34, No. 4 (1972), pp. 331-343, http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0004-3648(1972)34%3A4%3C331%3ATESOI%3E2.0.CO%3B2-2</ref><ref name="Artisans in Vijayanagar Society, Vijaya Ramaswamy, Indian Economic & Social History Review, Vol. 22, No. 4, 417-444 (1985), http://ier.sagepub.com/cgi/content/citation/22/4/417">Artisans in Vijayanagar Society, Vijaya Ramaswamy, Indian Economic & Social History Review, Vol. 22, No. 4, 417-444 (1985), http://ier.sagepub.com/cgi/content/citation/22/4/417, register here for free->http://www.sagepublications.com/sjofreeaccess/ </ref>. Traditionally, one girl in every family was set apart to be dedicated to temple service and becomes a '']''(meaning female servant of god). In the temple, the girl is considered married to the temple deity but in practice becomes a prostitute, especially to the Brahmans and she learns traditional music and dancing <ref name="Contending identities: Sacred prostitution and reform in colonial South India Priyadarshini Vijaisri A1, A1 Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), New Delhi, South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group Issue: Volume 28, Number 3 / December 2005 Pages: 387 - 411. http://journalsonline.tandf.co.uk/link.asp?id=jv31l27518262711">Contending identities: Sacred prostitution and reform in colonial South India Priyadarshini Vijaisri A1, A1 Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), New Delhi, South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group Issue: Volume 28, Number 3 / December 2005 Pages: 387 - 411. http://journalsonline.tandf.co.uk/link.asp?id=jv31l27518262711</ref><ref name="Donors, Devotees, and Daughters of God. Temple Women in Medieval Tamilnadu by Leslie C. Orr">Donors, Devotees, and Daughters of God. Temple Women in Medieval Tamilnadu by Leslie C. Orr</ref><ref name="Artisans in Vijayanagar Society, Vijaya Ramaswamy, Indian Economic & Social History Review, Vol. 22, No. 4, 417-444 (1985)">Artisans in Vijayanagar Society, Vijaya Ramaswamy, Indian Economic & Social History Review, Vol. 22, No. 4, 417-444 (1985)</ref>

''A custom prevails among the Kaikolars by which one woman in each family becomes a prostitute, while retaining her caste<ref name="Some Marriage Customs in Southern India:Deformity and Mutilation, Uralis, Sholagas and Irulas by Thurston.E">Some Marriage Customs in Southern India:Deformity and Mutilation, Uralis, Sholagas and Irulas by Thurston.E</ref>. The girl chosen is taken to the temple where a sword is placed beside her with a tali (marriage badge) under it. The tali is then tied round her neck by any woman present and she returns to her own house where she is permitted to carry on any amours she chooses. <ref name="Some Marriage Customs in Southern India:Deformity and Mutilation, Uralis, Sholagas and Irulas by Thurston.E">Some Marriage Customs in Southern India:Deformity and Mutilation, Uralis, Sholagas and Irulas by Thurston.E</ref>

In present day, the regular Kaikolars have renamed themselves as Sengunthars and the Kaikolar Devadasis have renamed themselves as Isai Vellalar in order to evade detection and for the purpose of social upliftment in the society <ref name="Union Territory of Pondicherry By Francis Cyril Antony, Pondicherry (India : Union Territory)">Union Territory of Pondicherry By Francis Cyril Antony, Pondicherry (India : Union Territory)</ref>. This is similar to Pallars renaming themselves as Devendra Kula Vellalars and claiming to be Vellalars and the descendants of the Pallavas.{{Fact|date=June 2007}}

Another reference book ''Donors, Devotees, and Daughters of God. Temple Women in Medieval Tamilnadu by Leslie C. Orr.'' gives ample references to inscriptions regarding the Kaikkolars being Devadasis in Tanjore temples during the Chola empire. This research article explains how ''Kaikola women still go into sacred prostitution''<ref name="Contending identities: Sacred prostitution and reform in colonial South India Priyadarshini Vijaisri A1, A1 Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), New Delhi, South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group Issue: Volume 28, Number 3 / December 2005 Pages: 387 - 411. http://journalsonline.tandf.co.uk/link.asp?id=jv31l27518262711">Contending identities: Sacred prostitution and reform in colonial South India Priyadarshini Vijaisri A1, A1 Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), New Delhi, South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group Issue: Volume 28, Number 3 / December 2005 Pages: 387 - 411. http://journalsonline.tandf.co.uk/link.asp?id=jv31l27518262711</ref>. Another research article explains the blood relation between the Devadasis and the Kaikolar. (Quoted from article: ''"Devaradiyar (dancing girls who have very close kinship ties with the Kaikkolar"'') <ref name="Artisans in Vijayanagar Society, Vijaya Ramaswamy, Indian Economic & Social History Review, Vol. 22, No. 4, 417-444 (1985), http://ier.sagepub.com/cgi/content/citation/22/4/417">Artisans in Vijayanagar Society, Vijaya Ramaswamy, Indian Economic & Social History Review, Vol. 22, No. 4, 417-444 (1985), http://ier.sagepub.com/cgi/content/citation/22/4/417</ref> The Kaikkolars used their women to enjoy special privileges in the Vijayanagar empire<ref name="Weaver Folk Traditions as a Source of History, Vijaya Ramaswamy, Indian Economic & Social History Review, Vol. 19, No. 1, 47-62 (1982), http://ier.sagepub.com/cgi/content/citation/19/1/47?ck=nck">Weaver Folk Traditions as a Source of History, Vijaya Ramaswamy, Indian Economic & Social History Review, Vol. 19, No. 1, 47-62 (1982), http://ier.sagepub.com/cgi/content/citation/19/1/47?ck=nck</ref>. (Text Quoted from article: ''At least one woman in every Kaikkola household was, according to age-old tradition dedicated to the temple as a devaradiyar or devadasi. The devaradiyar enjoyed special privileges in the days of the Vijayanagar empire and were the only women permitted a direct audience with the king''<ref name="Weaver Folk Traditions as a Source of History, Vijaya Ramaswamy, Indian Economic & Social History Review, Vol. 19, No. 1, 47-62 (1982), http://ier.sagepub.com/cgi/content/citation/19/1/47?ck=nck">Weaver Folk Traditions as a Source of History, Vijaya Ramaswamy, Indian Economic & Social History Review, Vol. 19, No. 1, 47-62 (1982), http://ier.sagepub.com/cgi/content/citation/19/1/47?ck=nck</ref>

=== Historical Gatti Mudaliars===

The Gatti Mudaliars were in charge of the most dangerously exposed province of the Nayak Kingdom with Kaveripuram on the right bank of the Cauvery as their strategic capital commencing one of the principal passes to the Mysore Plateau. The centre of their power seems, however, to have been Taramangalam where they have built a grant edifice of a temple. It is said their domination extended as far as ] to the east, Dharapuram in Erode district in the west and Karur district in the south. The forts of greatest strategic importance held by the Gatti Mudaliars were Omalur and ]. By about 1635 A.D., the Muslim Sultans of Bijapur and Golkonda made in roads into the south when the power of Tirumalai Nayak had wanted palacode area came under Bijapur. Meanwhile Kantirava narasa Raja of Serangapatnam took several places in Coimbatore from Gatti Mudaliars in 1641 A.D.

===Mudaliars of Bangalore===

Mudaliars constitute a significant percentage of the population in South Bangalore (surrounding Ulsoor Lake, MG Road, High grounds). Many well-known buildings on MG Road & surrounding were once owned by Mudaliars (e.g - Gangaram's, Plaza Cinema). The famous "Attara Kachheri" or the red court house that stands opposite of Vidhana Sauda was built by Rai Bahadur Arcot Narayansamy Mudaliar. Palatial homes surrounding Windsor Manor (5 star hotel) are even today owned & inhabited by affluent Mudaliar families. The Bangalore Exhibition is usually conducted on the RBANMS grounds in Ulsoor which owned by Rai Bahadur Arcot Narayansamy Mudaliar trust. The trust has several schools and colleges affiliated to it.

===Mudaliars of Hyderabad===
Mudaliars live in significant numbers in the areas of Boiguda, Padma Rao Nagar, Maredpalli in Secunderabad. They run a popular girls school called "Keys High's School" in addition to some colleges. A popular residential area called "Padma Rao Nagar" is named after the late Dewan Bahadur Padma Rao Mudaliar.{{Fact|date=July 2007}}

==Notable Mudaliars==
{{Refimprove|date=July 2007}}
===Saints===
Thirunavukarasu Nayanar: One of the 63 Saivite Nayanars
<br>Vaayilar Nayanar: One of the 63 Saivite Nayanars</br>

===Kings & Lords===

* Sadayappa Mudaliar - philanthropist and a rich landlord from Vennainallur whom Kambar praises in his poems. <br /> Thaninayaka Mudali - 13th Century Chieftain from Seyyur in Thondai Mandalam who migrated to Jaffna with 18 boats of feudal retinue.

* Thalavai Ariyanadha Mudaliyar - Prime Minister of Viswanatha ]
* Kanthappa mudaliar - land lord, ruled a island under ariya kings government

===Arts===
*]: Modern Theatres, Salem to Produce and direct many movies who patronised MGR,VC.Ganesan & M.K.
*]: Tamil film producer (Saravana Films) who was instrumental in paving a bright career for MGR,Shivaji by giving hit films like Paasa malar, Paava manippu etc.
*] : Tamil Film Actor
*] : Tamil Actor
*] (1891-1964) Tamil Poet
*]: Tamil movie director and actor of early 20th century.
*]: Founder of South Indian Cinema - to Produce and direct a Movie in South India-(1917)
*]: ] movie producer who introduced Dr. Rajkumar to films.
*]: Kannada movie star, son of N Veerasamy.
*]: Kannada Music Director.
*]: Tamil comedian.
*] : Stunt master in Tamil and other cine field
*]: Tamil film actor.
*]: Tamil film Director.
*]: Popular Tamil film Director.
*] :Popular Tamil Film Director
*]: Tamil film Actor.
*]: Tamil film actor.
*]: Founder of National pictures who introduced Shvajiganesan in Parasakthi.
*]: Theater person.
*]: Poet
*] : Tamil film actor
*] :Popular producer of Tamil movies
*]:Music Director(Neice of A.R Rahman)
*] :Notable Tamil cinema director

===Education===
*]: Mayor of Madras(1928-30), Member-Advisor in High Level "War Committee" formed by the British PM Sir. Winson Churchill during the World Wars, Member-Advisor in all the 3 London-Round Table Conferences(1930,'31,'32);Commerce member of the Viceroy's Council;Indian Representative & Leader in U.N.in 1945 and his efforts put India as a Member Nation in the U.N.; Chief of U.N. Finance Committee; Diwan of Mysore(1946-49) and his efforts put Mysore in joining the Indian Union in 1949; Vice Chancellor of University of Kerala(1951-61), Travancore ; Chairman-The Shipping Corporation of India; FOUNDER Chairman & Managing Director of ICICI (1955) -Industrial Credits & Investment Corporation of India.
*]: First Indian principal of the Madras Medical College, Served as Chairman-UNESCO; Vice Chancellor, University of Madras for the Longest Tenure of 27 Yrs; Chairman-W.H.O, Younger Twin Brother of Sir. A.Ramaswami Mudaliar.
*]: Retired Director, Institute of Pathology, MMC, Past Master of Masonic Lodge. Saiva Vellalar.
*]: Principal, Pachaiyappa's College, Chennai; Chairman-Teacher's Selection Committee, Kendriya Vidhyalaya Central Schools-IIT, Madras; Member-Advisor in the Student's Reforms Committee set-up by TN Chief Minister C.N.Anna; Very Popular Student Leader of Tamil Nadu during 1965-70; Served as Chairman/Gen Secretary of Pachaiyappa's College Student's Union and Leader of Anti-Hindi Agitation which led the DMK Capturing Power in the state of TamilNadu in 1967; Mentor & Leader of various forums in Tamil Nadu; Nominated as Leader in various Forums on Human Rights and Human Values & Ethics by the D.K leader Veeramani; Close ally of leaders K.Veeramani, Vaiko, M.Natrajan.
*Dr. ]: Principal, BMS College of Engineering, Bangalore.
*]: Formerly, Vice Principal, University College of Engineering, Osmania University. Presently (2005 onwards), Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Osmania University, 1st Phd holder in Electrical Engineering from Osmania University.
*]: Tholkapiya Semmal, Former Principal Mailam Tamil College.
*]: Kilpauk Medical College. A block is named after this great man and a statue stands greatly in the college premises.
*]: Chancellore, Founder of VIT university, Ex MP., All India Mudaliar Association.
*Prof. Dr.], Reader and Head of the Department of Computer Science,S.T.Hindu college,Nagercoil; Chairman-Board of Studies of M.S.University, Fellow of IETE, Member of Socio Economic service society, Senior member of Computer Society of India.
Doctors:
Dr.S.Thiagarajamurthy, Heart Surgeon from Mudaliar community, practising in chennai, in Billroth Hospitals.
*], Tamil Writer. Has written Thelivurai for Thirukural.
*], Principal Ramaiah Medical College, Deputy Director of Medical Education, Professor & Head of the Department Preventive & Social medicine, Consultant UNICEF & WHO,Director Research Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Founder Chairperson HCWM Cell

===Freedom Fighter===
*]: ] Freedom Fighter.
*] freedom fighter from vellore.
*] freedom fighter from Pondicherry.
*] freedom fighter from Bangalore.
*] freedom fighter from Hyderabad.

===Sports===
*] India's Women's Cricket Team Captain

===Government===
*Politics
**]: Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu & Founder DMK.
**]: Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu & Congress Leader.
**]: Writer and trade union Leader (Thiru. Vi. Ka).
**]: Former Chief Minister of Pondicherry State and present State Congress Chief.
**]: Former Minister of Tamilnadu.
**]: Former Union Minister of India.
**]: Former Finance Minister of Tamil Nadu and Former Intermin Chief minister of Tamilnadu.
**]: Minister of Tamil Nadu and DMK Leader.
**Sir ]: Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Leader Justice Party.
**]: Former Speaker of Tamil Nadu Assembly.
**]: Formerly Speaker of Tamil Nadu Assembly, Endowment Minister.
**]: Current Minister of Tamil Nadu, India.
**]: Current Minister of Tamil Nadu, India.
**]: Former Union Minister of India.
**] Former Minister of SriLanka.
**]: Founder of NEW Justice Party and MGR UNIVERSITY and many other educational institutions, India.

*Civil Service/Judiciary
**]: ]:Currently Governor in Uttar Pradesh who hails from Tamilnadu, served as Governor in at least three states .
**]: ], Former Chairman A.P.S.E.B, Former Principal ]
**]: I.A.S. Officer.
**]
**]: ]Founder, Socio Economic Service-sengunthar organisation.
**]: ]
**]: ]
**]: ]
**]: ]
**]: ]
**]: Former Collector of Tanjore
**]: IAS-Retd.
**]: Former India's Supreme Court Justice
**]: Former TNEB Chairman

*Social Service
**]: Founder,Philanthropist, Pachaiappan Institutions, Chennai.
**]: Founder of ] - Chennai.
**]: Founder of RBANMS Institutions,Bangalore.
] : Founder of International Socio-Economic Research Bureau

*Forces
**Commander ]: Vice-President of the Indian Ex-Service League.

===Religion===
*] (Wrote periapuranam): Minister in chola dynasty
*] (Wrote Thakayagaparani): Minister in chola dynasty
*] (poet)
*](poet who wrote ramayana in Tamil)There is a saying that Kamban veetu kattu thariyum kavi paadum, loosesly meaning, Even Kamban's loom can pen a poem.
*] (Variyar Swamigal): Saint
*]: Founder of the , an organisation striving for ] from 1911 and propagator of the famous blessing phrase of "''Vaazgha Vaiyagam Vaazgha Valamudan''" (வாழ்க வையகம் வாழ்க வளமுடன்).

===UnderWorld===
*]: Known as Vardha Bhai; former prominent underworld kingpin of 70s. Tamil movie Nayagan was based on his life story. He is also related to the great phillepino hero Gregorio Hilario. Who died in a battle aginst spanish.

===Matrimony===
*

==References==
<references/>


] ]
]
]

Latest revision as of 09:50, 3 January 2025

Title and surname used in Tamil Nadu, India

Mudaliar (alternatively spelled: Muthaliar, Mudali, Muthali) is a Tamil title and surname. As title, it was historically given to high-ranking officers, administrators and their descendants during the rule of Imperial Cholas. The surname is most prevalent among Tamils from Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. Descendants of Tamil migrants also bears variants of the name in countries such as South Africa, and elsewhere in the Tamil diaspora.

The title is usually borne by the communities like the Kondaikatti Vellalar, Thuluva Vellalar, Sri Lankan Vellalar, Karaiyar and Senguntha Kaikolar.

Etymology

The title is derived from the Tamil word muthal or "muthar" meaning first with the suffix yaar denoting people. The title is used in the same sense as simply meaning headman.

History

The term "Mudali" (or "Mudaliar") is an honorific historically associated with the Vellalars, a group of agrarian communities, particularly in the Tondaimandalam region. Among the Vellalars, subgroups like the Kondaikatti and Thuluva Vellalars used this title to emphasize their deep-rooted connection to agriculture and land. The name "Vellalar" itself is commonly believed to stem from "vel-anmai," meaning "command over agriculture," highlighting the community's role as primary cultivators and signify their longstanding role in land ownership in Tamil Nadu.

Over time, this title was also adopted by other groups, notably the Sengunthar community. Sengunthars, traditionally held a prominent place as skilled weavers in the Tamil region and served as soldiers and commanders in Chola Empire .During the rule of Imperial Cholas, the Sengunthars were warriors and were given the title "Sengunda-Mudali", indicating an evolution in their social status within Tondaimandalam society. Sengundhars are a relatively high ranking caste who rival in status the main agriculturist caste, the Vellalars.

The adoption of the "Mudali" honorific by both agricultural and artisan communities reflects the social dynamics and intermingling of caste and occupational identities within Tamil Nadu’s historical caste structure.

India

Kondaikatti Vellalar

Kondaikatti Vellalar or Thondaimandala Mudaliar is a Tamil caste in south India. Historically, they were a caste of non-cultivating land-holders and some of them were administrators under various south Indian dynasties especially the Chola Empire. Their original homeland was Thondaimandalam and from there they spread to other areas in south India and northeastern parts of Sri Lanka. Since they historically used the Mudaliar title, they are sometimes referred to as Thondaimandala Mudaliar.

Thuluva Vellalar

Thuluva Vellalar (Thondaimandala Tuluva Vellalar), also known as Agamudaya Mudaliars  and Arcot Mudaliars, is a caste found in northern Tamil Nadu, southern Andhra Pradesh. They were originally significant landowners. An early Tamil tradition states that a king known as Ādonda Chakravarthi, a feudatory of Karikala Chola 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 during late 2nd century CE. Tuluva Vellalars are progressive and prosperous in the society. They are considerably advanced in the matter of education and the community was eagerly involved in business, Government and Non- governmental institutions.

Senguntha Kaikola Mudaliar

Senguntha Kaikola Mudaliar is a caste commonly found in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and the neighboring country Sri Lanka. In Andhra Pradesh, they are called as Kaikala or Karikala Bhaktulu, who consider the Chola emperor Karikala Chola as their hero. They were warriors by ancient heritage and traditional, Textile Merchants and Slik Weavers by occupation. They were part of the Chola army as Kaikola regiment and were dominant during the rule of Imperial Cholas, holding commander and minister positions in the court. Ottakoothar, 12th century court poet and rajaguru of Cholas under Vikrama Chola, Kulothunga Chola II, Raja Raja Chola II reign belong to this community.In the olden days in India, the Sengunthars were warriors and were given the title Mudaliar for their bravery. In early thirteenth century, after the fall of Chola empire large number of Kaikolars migrated to Kongu Nadu from Tondaimandalam and started doing weaving and textile businesses as their full time profession as they sworn to be soldiers only for Chola emperors. At present, most of the textile businesses in Tamil Nadu are owned by Senguntha Mudaliyars.

Sri Lanka

Karaiyar and Sri Lankan Vellalar

After the expulsion of the Portuguese, was the growing Dutch rule revolted in 1658 in the Jaffna region by the Christian Karaiyars and Madapallis. A Dutch minister of the 17th century, Philippus Baldaeus, described the Karaiyars, Madapallis and Vellalars among the influential classes of the Christians. Elite Karaiyars were appointed to the rank of Mudaliyars. The Karaiyar dominance got weakened through the political rise of the Vellalars under Dutch rule.

Karaiyar

For centuries have the Karaiyars had sea-trade relations with India but also Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam Malaysia and Indonesia, which has been heavily restricted since British rule.

At the hand of the powerful maritime trading clans of the Karaiyars, the emergence of urban centers known as pattanam were seen.Mudaliar (meaning "capitalist") were conferred on the maritime elite trading clans of the Karaiyars as titles of nobility.

See also

Notes

  1. Some of the important endogamous sub-divisions among the Vellalas are: Aranbukatti, Arunattu, Cholapuram Chetti, Choliya, Dakshinattan, Kaniyalan, Karaikatta or Pandya, Kodikkal, Kongu, Kottai, Malaikanda, Nainan, Mangudi, Pandaram or Gurukal, Panjukara Chetti, Ponneri Mudali, Pundamalli Mudali, Sittak kattu Chetti, Tondamandalam Mudali or Kondaikatti, Tuluva, Uttunattu, and Yelur. The Tondaimandalam, Ponneri and Pundamalli Vellalas use the title Mudaliar;
  2. Most of the Dubashes in the late eighteenth-century Madras were Telugu brahmans or Telugu perikavārs, Tamil kannakapillais, Tamil yādhavas, or Tamil Kondaikatti vellalas.
  3. Among Tamil castes, both Karkattar Vellalas (Arunachalam, 1975) and Kondaikatti Vellalas (Barnett, 1970) have much the same profile as the KP: both are non-cultivating land-holders, with a history of service to ruling dynasties. Both are of high status, laying great stress on ritual purity.
  4. Like the Kondaikatti Velalar described by Barnett(1970), they have allied themselves with south Indian dynasties as administrators, and have built up a position in the religious sphere in being employers of Brahmans and builders of temples for "high" gods like Siva, Ganesh and Vishnu.
  5. The original stronghold of the Kondaikatti Vellalas was Tondaimandalam. Later they spread from there throughout Tamil Nadu. Some of them were employed in the king's court and others as military leaders during expansionist times.
  6. The original home of the Kondaikatti Vellalar is Tondaimandalam and subsequently they are found throughout Tamil nadu.

References

  1. Barnett, Marguerite Ross (2015). The Politics of Cultural Nationalism in South India. Princeton University Press. p. 236. ISBN 9781400867189.
  2. Silva, Chandra Richard De (2009). Portuguese Encounters with Sri Lanka and the Maldives: Translated Texts from the Age of Discoveries. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. p. 225. ISBN 9780754601869.
  3. Vidyodaya Journal of Arts, Science, and Letters: Vidyodaya Vidyā Kalā Bhāsāśāstrīya Sangrahaya. Vidyodaya Campus, University of Sri Lanka. 1970. p. 117.
  4. Younger, Paul (2010). New Homelands: Hindu Communities in Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad, South Africa, Fiji, and East Africa. Oxford University Press, USA. p. 135. ISBN 978-0-19-539164-0.
  5. ^ Manogaran, Chelvadurai; Pfaffenberger, Bryan (1994). The Sri Lankan Tamils: ethnicity and identity. Westview Press. pp. 34, 36. ISBN 9780813388458.
  6. Ramaswamy, Vijaya (2017). Historical Dictionary of the Tamils. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 229. ISBN 978-1-53810-686-0.
  7. Pandian, Jacob (1987). Caste, Nationalism and Ethnicity: An Interpretation of Tamil Cultural History and Social Order. Popular Prakashan. pp. 109, 114. ISBN 978-0-86132-136-0.
  8. "Mudaliar title usage" (PDF).
  9. M, S, A, Vijaya, Kanthimathi, Ramesh (2 August 2008). "Genetic study of scheduled caste populations of Tamil Nadu". Journal of Genetics. 87 (2): 171–4. doi:10.1007/s12041-008-0026-2. PMID 18776647. S2CID 32841661 – via Indian Academy of Sciences.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. Barnett, Marguerite Ross (2015). The Politics of Cultural Nationalism in South India. Princeton University Press. p. 236. ISBN 9781400867189.
  11. Katz, Nathan (2000). Who Are the Jews of India?. University of California Press. pp. 47–48. ISBN 978-0-52021-323-4.
  12. Robb, Peter (1996). Meanings of Agriculture: Essays in South Asian History and Economics. Oxford University Press. p. 348.
  13. ^ Rajadurai, S. V.; Geetha, V. (2004). Wyatt, Andrew; Zavos, John (eds.). Response to John Harriss. Routledge. p. 115. ISBN 978-1-13576-169-1. Retrieved 2024-11-23.
  14. Balakrishnan, Raja Gopal (1965). The Rashtrakutas of Malkhed: Studies in the History and Culture (1994 ed.). Mythic Society, Bangalore by Geetha Book House. p. 178.
  15. ^ Mines 1984, p. 11.
  16. Robb, Peter (1996). Meanings of Agriculture: Essays in South Asian History and Economics. Oxford University Press. p. 349.
  17. David, Kenneth (1977). The New Wind: Changing Identities in South Asia (World Anthropology). De Gruyter Mouton; Reprint 2011 edition (1 December 1977). p. 188. ISBN 9027979596.
  18. Mines 1984, p. 13.
  19. ^ Indian Council of Agricultural Research, p. 120.
  20. Irschick (1994), p. 34.
  21. Chanana & Krishna Raj (1989), p. 92.
  22. Mariola Offredi (1992), p. 284.
  23. ^ Pillay & Pillay (1977), pp. 23–24.
  24. Venkatasubramanian (1993), p. 105.
  25. Krishnaswamy Ranaganathan Hanumanthan. Untouchability: A Historical Study Upto 1500 A.D. : with Special Reference to Tamil Nadu. Koodal Publishers. p. 101.
  26. Tañcai Tamil̲p Palkalaik Kal̲akam, Tañcai Tamiḻp Palkalaik Kaḻakam (1994). Glimpses of Tamil Civilization. Articles from the University Quarterly, Tamil Civilization. Tamil University. p. 142. Tuluva Vellala is a prosperous and progressive caste in Tamil Nadu and they migrated from Tulu Nadu to Tamil Nadu in ancient times.
  27. "3". Census Book of India 1961 (in Tamil). Vol. 9 North Arcot District. Madras: The Director of stationery and Printing, Madras. 1961. p. 31.
  28. "National Commission for Backward Classes". www.ncbc.nic.in. Retrieved 2023-06-26.
  29. ^ Martial races of undivided India by Vidya Prakash Tyagi 2009 Page 278 https://www.google.com/books?id=vRwS6FmS2g0C
  30. David, Kenneth (1977). The New Wind: Changing Identities in South Asia (World Anthropology). De Gruyter Mouton; Reprint 2011 edition (1 December 1977). p. 188. ISBN 9027979596.
  31. Ramaswamy, Vijaya (2017). Migrations in Medieval and Early Colonial India. Routledge. pp. 172–174. ISBN 9781351558259.
  32. Veen, Ernst van; Blussé, Leonard (2005). Rivalry and Conflict: European Traders and Asian Trading Networks in the 16th and 17th Centuries. Amsterdam University Press. p. 116. ISBN 9789057891045.
  33. Arasaratnam, Sinnappah (1996-01-01). Ceylon and the Dutch, 1600-1800: External Influences and Internal Change in Early Modern Sri Lanka. n Variorum. p. 390. ISBN 9780860785798.
  34. Soundra Pandian, Mathias Samuel (1997). South Indian Studies. Madras Institute of Development Studies: Chithira Publishers. p. 168.
  35. Eva Gerharz (2014). The Politics of Reconstruction and Development in Sri Lanka. Routledge. p. 41. ISBN 978-1-317-69280-5.
  36. Kenneth Andrew, David (1972). The Bound and the NonBound: Variations in Social and Cultural Structure in Rural Jaffna, Ceylon. The University of Chicago. p. 142.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  37. K, Arunthavarajah (March 2014). "The Administration of Jaffna Kingdom- A Historical View" (PDF). International Journal of Business and Administration Research Review. 2 (3). University of Jaffna: 32.
  38. Cambridge South Asian Studies. University of Cambridge: Cambridge South Asian Studies. 1965. p. 27. ISBN 9780521232104.
  39. Pandian, Jacob (1987). Caste, Nationalism and Ethnicity: An Interpretation of Tamil Cultural History and Social Order. Popular Prakashan. p. 109. ISBN 9780861321360.

Sources

  • Chanana, Karuna; Krishna Raj, Maithreyi, eds. (1989). Gender and the Household Domain Social and Cultural Dimensions. Sage Publications.
  • Indian Council of Agricultural Research. Farmers of India, Band 2. Indian Council of Agricultural Research, 1961.
  • Irschick, Eugene F. (1994). Dialogue and History: Constructing South India, 1795-1895. University of California Press.
  • Mariola Offredi, ed. (1992). Literature, Language, and the Media in India: Proceedings of the 11th European Conference on South Asian Studies, Amsterdam, 1990, Panel 13. Manohar Publications, 1992.
  • Mines, Mattison (1984). The Warrior Merchants: Textiles, Trade and Territory in South India. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521267144.
  • Pillay, Kolappa; Pillay, Kanakasabhapathi (1977). The Caste System in Tamil Nadu. University of Madras.
  • Venkatasubramanian, T. K. (1993). Societas to Civitas Evolution of Political Society in South India : Pre-Pallavan Tamilakam. Kalinga Publications.
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