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{{About|the Indian caste called Muthuraja||Muttaraiyar (disambiguation){{!}}Muttaraiyar}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2016}}
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{{About|the Indian caste called Muthuraja||Muttaraiyar (disambiguation){{!}}Muttaraiyar}}


{{Infobox ethnic group
{{Infobox ethnic group
| image =
| image =
| caption =
| caption =
| group = Muthuraja
| group = Muthuraja
| popplace = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| popplace = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| languages = [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
| languages = [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]]
| religions = [[Hinduism]]
| religions = [[Hinduism]]
| related-c = [[Mutharaiyar dynasty]]
| related-c =
| native_name =
| related_groups =
| classification = [[Backward Class]]
| native_name_lang =
| related_groups =
}}
}}
'''Muthuraja''' or '''Mutharaiyar''' also known as '''Kudiyaanavar''' and '''Ambalakarar''' is a [[Tamil language|Tamil]] speaking community prevalent in southern India.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xEZuAAAAMAAJ|title=Caste Today|last=Fuller|first=Christopher John|date=1996|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=9780195637953|location=|pages=72|quote=They all agree that the very name Valaiyar is demeaning, and they tend to reject it accordingly; they have started using the name Mooppanar but this is not yet very widespread. Many people call themselves Ambalakkarars.}}</ref> They were historically [[zamindar]]s and [[landlord]]s.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}} Their primary occupation is [[agriculture]] and [[trade]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/?id=ButtAAAAMAAJ|title=The Valayar of South India: Society and religion|last=Setty|first=E. Desingu|date=1990|publisher=Inter-India Publications|isbn=9788121002387|location=|pages=293|language=en}}</ref> The Muthuraja people are the descendants of the [[Mutharaiyar dynasty|Muttaraiyar line of kings]] who ruled the districts of [[Trichy]], [[Thanjavur]] and [[Pudukottai]] between the sixth and the ninth century.<ref name=royaldescent>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/?id=gmdDAAAAYAAJ&q=muthuraja+descendants&dq=muthuraja+descendants|title=Madras District Gazetteers: Tiruchirappalli pt. 1-2)|author=Madras (India : State), B. S. Baliga|page=278|year=1998}}</ref> The Muthuraja people are spread throughout rural area around [[Trichy]] region. The community is mostly distributed in the [[Tiruchirappalli district|Tiruchirappalli]], [[Pudukkottai district|Pudukkottai]], [[Tanjore district|Tanjore]], [[Karur district|Karur]], [[Namakkal district|Namakkal]] and [[Perambalur district|Perambalur]] districts of [[Tamil Nadu]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1lZuAAAAMAAJ|title=India's Communities|last=Singh|first=Kumar Suresh|date=1998|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=9780195633542|location=|pages=2426–2429|language=en}}</ref>
'''Muthuraja''' or '''Mutharaiyar''' is a [[Tamils|Tamil]] caste found in the state of [[Tamil Nadu]] in [[India]]. They are variously known as ''Valaiyar'', ''Moopanar'', ''Servai'' and ''Ambalakkarar''.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xEZuAAAAMAAJ|title=Caste Today|last=Fuller|first=Christopher John|date=1996|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=|isbn=9780195637953|location=|pages=72|language=en}}</ref> They primarily work in agriculture, with some instead being petty [[Merchant|traders]] and [[Fisherman|fishermen]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&id=ButtAAAAMAAJ|title=The Valayar of South India: Society and religion|last=Setty|first=E. Desingu|date=1990|publisher=Inter-India Publications|year=|isbn=9788121002387|location=|pages=293|language=en}}</ref>

The community are mostly distributed in the [[Tiruchirappalli district|Tiruchirappalli]], [[Pudukkottai district|Pudukkottai]], [[Madurai district|Madurai]], [[Coimbatore district|Coimbatore]] and [[Chennai district|Chennai]] districts of [[Tamil Nadu]] but were originally from what is now the state of [[Andhra Pradesh]].


== Etymology ==
== Etymology ==
The etymology of the community name, Mutharaiyar, is unclear. In [[Tamil language|Tamil]], they were called as Muthuraja, Muthurayar etc. while in [[Kannada]] they were called Muttarasa.<ref>{{cite book|title=Epigraphia Indica, Volume 27, Volumes 13-14 of [Reports]: New imperial series, India Archaeological Survey|author=Archaeological Survey of India, India. Dept. of Archaeology|publisher=Manager of Publications, 1985|page=223}}</ref> One theory is that it may be derived from ''Mu'' or ''Mundru'' meaning "three" and ''tharai'' meaning "earth", that is roughly translated as ''People of three territories''. It may also mean ''Lord of three territories'' as ''araiyar'' also meant king.<ref>{{cite book|title=Journal of Ancient Indian History, Volume 5|publisher=D.C. Sircar, 1972 - India|author=University of Calcutta. Dept. of Ancient Indian History and Culture|page=78}}</ref><ref>Journal of Indian history, Volume 19, page 40</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tamilvu.org/library/ldpam/ldpam07/ldpam072/html/ldpam072ind.htm|title=A Comprehensive Etymological Dictionary of the Tamil Language|last=|first=|date=|website=www.tamilvu.org|publisher=Government of Tamil Nadu|page=200|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2018-12-03}}</ref> The word ''Muthi'' also means ''old'' so according to some scholars, their name could also mean ''Princes of 3 territories''.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Kalabhras in the Pandiya country and their impact on the life and letters there|author=M. Arunachalam|publisher=University of Madras, 1979 - Kalabhras - 168 pages|page=38}}</ref> One of their titles was ''Lord of Tanjore''.<ref>{{cite book |title=The History and Culture of the Indian People: The Classical Age |editor-first=Ramesh Chandra |editor-last=Majumdar |publisher=G. Allen & Unwin |year=1954 |page=266 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.532401}}</ref> Some of the chiefs of the Muttaraiyar family used the title ''Maaran'' like Kuvavan Maaran, Suvaran Maaran, Maaran Parameswaran etc.<ref>{{cite book|title=History of Kongu, Volume 1|author=V. Ramamurthy|publisher=International Society for the Investigation of Ancient Civilization, 1986 - Kongu Region (India)|page=232}}</ref>
The etymology of the community name is unclear. The names Muthuraja and Muthuraiyar may be derived from two words, the [[Tamil language|Tamil]] name ''muthu'' meaning "pearl" and ''raja'' or ''raiyar'' both meaning "king".<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kkppAgAAQBAJ|title=Sacred Groves and Local Gods: Religion and Environmentalism in South India|last=Kent|first=Eliza F.|date=2013-03-26|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=|isbn=9780199895472|location=|pages=33–34|language=en}}</ref> ''Muttaraiyar'' may also be derived from ''mundru'' meaning "three" and ''tharai'' meaning "earth", which was also a title of [[Velir]] chiefs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tamilvu.org/library/ldpam/ldpam07/ldpam072/html/ldpam072ind.htm|title=A Comprehensive Etymological Dictionary of the Tamil Language|last=|first=|date=|website=www.tamilvu.org|publisher=Government of Tamil Nadu|page=200|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2018-12-03}}</ref>{{qn|date=July 2020}}


They are commonly known as ''KaavalKarar'', derived from [[Tamil language|Tamil]] word ''Kaaval'' meaning "protect" in reference to their earlier occupations as village guards and soldiers.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kkppAgAAQBAJ|title=Sacred Groves and Local Gods: Religion and Environmentalism in South India|last=Kent|first=Eliza F.|date=2013-03-26|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=9780199895472|location=|pages=33–34|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9uHkAAAAMAAJ|title=Annual Convocation ... Handbook of Research Activities|last=Delhi|first=University of|date=1991|publisher=University of Delhi|isbn=|location=|pages=293|language=en}}</ref> Their title ''Ambalakkarar'' is derived from the Tamil word ''ambalam'' meaning [[Gram panchayat|panchayat]] or "village council", as they served as the heads of these councils.<ref name=":0" />
They are commonly known as ''Valaiyar'', derived from [[Tamil language|Tamil]] word ''valai'' meaning "net" in reference to their earlier occupations as hunters and fishermen. Their title ''Ambalakkarar'' is derived from the Tamil word ''ambalam'' meaning [[Gram panchayat|panchayat]] or "village council", as they served as the heads of these councils.<ref name=":0" />


==Origin==
==Origin==
According to Tamil historians, the Muttarayar are said to have invaded kingdoms in [[Ancient Tamil country|Tamilakkam]] around the 2nd century CE from '''Erumainadu''', which is identified with the area in and around modern [[Mysore]] in Karnataka.<ref name=erumainad>{{cite book|title=Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 2|author=Anthropological Survey of India|publisher=India. Dept. of Anthropology|page=8}}</ref> They seem to have established themselves as Lords of the Tanjore district in Tamilakkam around this time. The most famous of the dynasty were [[Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar]], also called Kuvavan Maaran, his son Maaran Parameswaran, alias Ilangovadiaraiyan, and [[Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II]], alias Suvaran Maaran.<ref>{{cite book|title=Feudatories of South India, 800-1070 A.D.|author=Ve Pālāmpāḷ|publisher=Chugh Publications |year=1978|page=135}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Hero-stones in Tamilnadu|author=Naṭan̲a Kācinātan̲|publisher=Arun Publications |year=1978|page=20}}</ref>
According to Tamil historians, the Muttarayar are said to have invaded kingdoms in [[Ancient Tamil country|Tamilakkam]] (now part of [[Tamil Nadu]]) around the 2nd century CE from [[Erumainadu]], which is identified with the area in and around modern [[Mysore]] in Karnataka.<ref name=erumainad>{{cite book|title=Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 2|author=Anthropological Survey of India|publisher=India. Dept. of Anthropology|page=8}}</ref>{{full|date=July 2020}} Their ancestors were soldiers in what is now the state of [[Andhra Pradesh]], where they served the [[polygar]]s. Thus, many still speak the Telugu language at home and the Tamil language outside.<ref>{{cite book|editor1-first=Venkatesh B. |editor1-last=Athreya |editor2-first=Göran |editor2-last=Djurfeldt |editor3-first=Staffan |editor3-last= Lindberg |title=Barriers broken: production relations and agrarian change in Tamil Nadu |publisher= Sage Publications|year=1990 |page=25 |quote=The Muthurajas are descendants of the soldiers which the poligars recruited in their homeland, the Telugu-speaking areas of contemporary Andhra Pradesh, north of Tamil Nadu. Like other castes originating from Andhra, they are bilingual, often speaking Telugu in family circles and Tamil outside the house |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=VwbtAAAAMAAJ}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|editor1-last=Eveline Masilamani-Meyer |author2=|title=Kattavarayan Katai
|volume= |publisher=Otto Harrassowitz Verlag|year=2004|page=19:|quote=Among the Telugu castes that came to Tamilnadu were the Mutturajas or Mutrāchas. | url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=iw7SL2QrgcQC&pg=PA19}}</ref>


They seem to have established themselves as Lords of the Tanjore district in Tamilakkam around this time. The most famous of this [[Mutharaiyar dynasty]] were [[Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar]], also called Kuvavan Maaran, his son Maaran Parameswaran, alias Ilangovadiaraiyan, and [[Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II]], alias Suvaran Maaran.<ref>{{cite book|title=Feudatories of South India, 800-1070 A.D.|author=Ve Pālāmpāḷ|publisher=Chugh Publications |year=1978|page=135}}</ref>{{qn|date=July 2020}}<ref>{{cite book|title=Hero-stones in Tamilnadu|author=Naṭan̲a Kācinātan̲|publisher=Arun Publications |year=1978|page=20}}</ref>{{qn|date=July 2020}}
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During the 7th to 8th centuries, they served as feudatories of the [[Pallava]]s and controlled the fertile plains of the Kaveri region. An inscription in the [[Tiru_Parameswara_Vinnagaram|Vaikuntha Perumal temple]] in Kanchipuram mentions a Muttaraiyar chief receiving [[Nandivarman II]] Pallavamalla at the latter's coronation.<ref>{{cite book|title=Geographical Names in Ancient Indian Inscriptions|author=Parmanand Gupta|publisher=Concept Publishing Company, 1977 - India - 176 pages|page=55}}</ref> According to historian T. A. Gopinatha Rao, this chief was Perumbidigu Muthurayar II,<ref>{{cite book|title=Social and cultural history of Tamilnad, Volume 1|author=N. Subrahmanian|publisher=Ennes |year=1993|page=66}}</ref> who is styled as Kalvara Kalvan in this epigraph.<ref>{{cite book|title=Geographical Names in Ancient Indian Inscriptions|author=Parmanand Gupta|publisher=Concept Publishing Company |year=1977|page=55}}</ref> According to historian Mahalingam, he fought along with Udayachandra, the Pallava general of Nandivarman II, in at least twelve battles against the [[Chera]]s and [[Pandya]]s.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Body of God: An Emperor's Palace for Krishna in Eighth-Century Kanchipuram|author=D Dennis Hudson|publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2008|page=541}}</ref>


⚫
During the 7th to 8th centuries, they served as feudatories of the [[Pallava]]s and controlled the fertile plains of the Kaveri region. An inscription in the [[Tiru Parameswara Vinnagaram|Vaikuntha Perumal temple]] in Kanchipuram mentions a Muttaraiyar chief receiving [[Nandivarman II]] Pallavamalla at the latter's coronation.<ref>{{cite book|title=Geographical Names in Ancient Indian Inscriptions|first=Parmanand |last=Gupta|publisher=Concept Publishing Company |year=1977|page=55}}</ref> According to historian T. A. Gopinatha Rao, this chief was Perumbidigu Muthurayar II,<ref>{{cite book|title=Social and cultural history of Tamilnad, Volume 1|author=N. Subrahmanian|publisher=Ennes |year=1993|page=66}}</ref> who is styled as Kalvara Kalvan in this epigraph.<ref>{{cite book|title=Geographical Names in Ancient Indian Inscriptions|author=Parmanand Gupta|publisher=Concept Publishing Company |year=1977|page=55}}</ref> According to historian Mahalingam, he fought along with Udayachandra, the Pallava general of Nandivarman II, in at least twelve battles against the [[Chera]]s and [[Pandya]]s.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Body of God: An Emperor's Palace for Krishna in Eighth-Century Kanchipuram|author=D Dennis Hudson|publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2008|page=541}}</ref> When the Cholas came to power in 850, [[Vijayalaya Chola]] wrested control of Tanjore from the Muthuraja chieftains and turned them into vassals.<ref>{{cite book|title=The political structure of early medieval South India|author=Kesavan Veluthat|publisher=Orient Longman, 1993|page=112}}</ref>
The [[Jeyankondanilai|Sendalai]] inscription of Perumbidigu Muthurayar II states that Tanjore and Vallam were under his control.<ref>{{cite book|title=Sources of the history of India, Volume 3|author=Siba Pada Sen|publisher=Institute of Historical Studies |year=1980|page=342}}</ref> When the medieval Cholas came to power in 850, [[Vijayalaya Chola]] wrested control of Tanjore from the Muthuraja chieftains and turned them into vassals.<ref>{{cite book|title=The political structure of early medieval South India|author=Kesavan Veluthat|publisher=Orient Longman, 1993|page=112}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Journal of Indian History, Volumes 19-20|author1=University of Allahabad. Department of Modern Indian History |author2=University of Kerala. Dept. of History, University of Kerala|page=40}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Indian History|publisher=Tata McGraw-Hill Education|page=B55}}</ref>{{full|date=January 2019}}


The early rulers of the dynasty seem to have encouraged [[Jainism]]. The Jain acharya Vimalachandra from [[Sravanabelagola]] is said to have visited Suvaran Maaran's court and challenged the [[Saivas]], [[Kapalika]]s, [[Pasupata]]s and [[Buddhist]]s.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Political, Legal And War Philosophy In Ancient India|author=H.S. Bhatia|publisher=Deep and Deep Publications, 2001|page=180}}</ref>
The early rulers of the dynasty seem to have encouraged [[Jainism]]. The Jain acharya Vimalachandra from [[Sravanabelagola]] is said to have visited Suvaran Maaran's court and challenged the [[Saivas]], [[Kapalika]]s, [[Pasupata]]s and [[Buddhist]]s.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Political, Legal And War Philosophy In Ancient India|author=H.S. Bhatia|publisher=Deep and Deep Publications, 2001|page=180}}</ref>


==Demographics==
During the post [[Vijayanagara empire|Vijayanagar]] era many of the soldiers and [[poligar]]s were drawn from the ranks of the Muthuraja community.<ref>{{cite book|title=Barriers broken: production relations and agrarian change in Tamil Nadu|author1=Venkatesh B. Athreya |author2=Göran Djurfeldt |author3=Staffan Lindberg|publisher=Sage Publications, 1990|page=25}}</ref>


The Muthuraja are mostly distributed in the [[Tiruchirappalli district|Tiruchirappalli]], [[Pudukkottai district|Pudukkottai]], [[Madurai district|Madurai]], [[Coimbatore district|Coimbatore]] and [[Chennai district|Chennai]] districts of [[Tamil Nadu]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1lZuAAAAMAAJ|title=India's Communities|last=Singh|first=Kumar Suresh|date=1998|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=9780195633542|location=|pages=2426–2429|language=en}}</ref>
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== Literature ==
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One of the most notable Muthuraja people was Peru Mutharaiyar, who was known for his great wealth and grand feasts. Two stanzas (200, 296) of ''[[Nālaṭiyār]]'', a [[Jainism|Jain]] work of ancient [[Tamil literature]], is dedicated to him.<ref>{{cite book|title=Studies in South Indian Jainism: South Indian Jainism|author=M. S. Ramaswami Ayyangar, B. Seshagiri Rao|publisher=Sri Satguru Publications |year=1982|page=56}}</ref> Another work called ''Muttolaayiram'' which is part of the [[Tamil language|Tamil]] anthology lauds the exploits of the Mutturaja chieftains.<ref name=erumainad/>


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== Literature ==
==[[Paluvettaraiyar]] regiment==
⚫
One of the most notable Muthuraja people was Peru Mutharaiyar, who was known for his great wealth and grand feasts. Two stanzas (200, 296) of ''[[Nālaṭiyār]]'', a [[Jainism|Jain]] work of ancient [[Tamil literature]], is dedicated to him.<ref>{{cite book|title=Studies in South Indian Jainism: South Indian Jainism|author=M. S. Ramaswami Ayyangar, B. Seshagiri Rao|publisher=Sri Satguru Publications |year=1982|page=56}}</ref> Another work called ''Muttolaayiram'' which is part of the Tamil anthology lauds the exploits of the Mutturaja chieftains.<ref name=erumainad/>
[[File:Paluvettaraiyar.JPG|thumb|right|Paluvettaraiyar temple in Melapalur, Ariyalur dt]]

The Paluvettaraiyar regiment was a military regiment maintained by the Mutharaja chief [[Paluvettaraiyar]]. It comprised both Muthuraja and Sengunthar soldiers<ref>{{cite book|title=Textiles and weavers in medieval South India|author=Ramaswamy, V.|date=1985|publisher=Oxford University Press|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wYjtAAAAMAAJ|accessdate=2015-04-05}}</ref>{{Page needed|date=May 2016}} in the regiment of Paluvettaraiyar and were involved in the invasion of [[Ceylon|Lanka]] by Cholas in the 10th century.<ref>Studies in Indian epigraphy, Volumes 26–27</ref>{{Page needed|date=May 2016}}<ref>Historical perspectives of warfare in India: some morale and matérial determinants By Sri Nandan Prasad, Centre for Studies in Civilizations (Delhi, India)</ref>{{Page needed|date=May 2016}}


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Sripurusha|Sripurusha Muttarasa]]
*[[Sripurusha|Sripurusha Muttarasa]]
*[[Mutharaiyar dynasty]]
*[[Mudiraju]]
*[[Mudiraju]]
*[[Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II]]


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 07:41, 17 July 2020

This article is about the Indian caste called Muthuraja. For other uses, see Muttaraiyar.

Muthuraja
Regions with significant populations
Tamil Nadu
Languages
Tamil, Telugu
Religion
Hinduism

Muthuraja or Mutharaiyar is a Tamil caste found in the state of Tamil Nadu in India. They are variously known as Valaiyar, Moopanar, Servai and Ambalakkarar.[1] They primarily work in agriculture, with some instead being petty traders and fishermen.[2]

The community are mostly distributed in the Tiruchirappalli, Pudukkottai, Madurai, Coimbatore and Chennai districts of Tamil Nadu but were originally from what is now the state of Andhra Pradesh.

Etymology

The etymology of the community name is unclear. The names Muthuraja and Muthuraiyar may be derived from two words, the Tamil name muthu meaning "pearl" and raja or raiyar both meaning "king".[3] Muttaraiyar may also be derived from mundru meaning "three" and tharai meaning "earth", which was also a title of Velir chiefs.[4][need quotation to verify]

They are commonly known as Valaiyar, derived from Tamil word valai meaning "net" in reference to their earlier occupations as hunters and fishermen. Their title Ambalakkarar is derived from the Tamil word ambalam meaning panchayat or "village council", as they served as the heads of these councils.[3]

Origin

According to Tamil historians, the Muttarayar are said to have invaded kingdoms in Tamilakkam (now part of Tamil Nadu) around the 2nd century CE from Erumainadu, which is identified with the area in and around modern Mysore in Karnataka.[5][full citation needed] Their ancestors were soldiers in what is now the state of Andhra Pradesh, where they served the polygars. Thus, many still speak the Telugu language at home and the Tamil language outside.[6][7]

They seem to have established themselves as Lords of the Tanjore district in Tamilakkam around this time. The most famous of this Mutharaiyar dynasty were Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar, also called Kuvavan Maaran, his son Maaran Parameswaran, alias Ilangovadiaraiyan, and Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II, alias Suvaran Maaran.[8][need quotation to verify][9][need quotation to verify]

During the 7th to 8th centuries, they served as feudatories of the Pallavas and controlled the fertile plains of the Kaveri region. An inscription in the Vaikuntha Perumal temple in Kanchipuram mentions a Muttaraiyar chief receiving Nandivarman II Pallavamalla at the latter's coronation.[10] According to historian T. A. Gopinatha Rao, this chief was Perumbidigu Muthurayar II,[11] who is styled as Kalvara Kalvan in this epigraph.[12] According to historian Mahalingam, he fought along with Udayachandra, the Pallava general of Nandivarman II, in at least twelve battles against the Cheras and Pandyas.[13] When the Cholas came to power in 850, Vijayalaya Chola wrested control of Tanjore from the Muthuraja chieftains and turned them into vassals.[14]

The early rulers of the dynasty seem to have encouraged Jainism. The Jain acharya Vimalachandra from Sravanabelagola is said to have visited Suvaran Maaran's court and challenged the Saivas, Kapalikas, Pasupatas and Buddhists.[15]

Demographics

The Muthuraja are mostly distributed in the Tiruchirappalli, Pudukkottai, Madurai, Coimbatore and Chennai districts of Tamil Nadu.[16]

Literature

One of the most notable Muthuraja people was Peru Mutharaiyar, who was known for his great wealth and grand feasts. Two stanzas (200, 296) of Nālaṭiyār, a Jain work of ancient Tamil literature, is dedicated to him.[17] Another work called Muttolaayiram which is part of the Tamil anthology lauds the exploits of the Mutturaja chieftains.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ Fuller, Christopher John (1996). Caste Today. Oxford University Press. p. 72. ISBN 9780195637953.
  2. ^ Setty, E. Desingu (1990). The Valayar of South India: Society and religion. Inter-India Publications. p. 293. ISBN 9788121002387.
  3. ^ a b Kent, Eliza F. (26 March 2013). Sacred Groves and Local Gods: Religion and Environmentalism in South India. Oxford University Press. pp. 33–34. ISBN 9780199895472.
  4. ^ "A Comprehensive Etymological Dictionary of the Tamil Language". www.tamilvu.org. Government of Tamil Nadu. p. 200. Retrieved 3 December 2018. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  5. ^ a b Anthropological Survey of India. Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 2. India. Dept. of Anthropology. p. 8.
  6. ^ Athreya, Venkatesh B.; Djurfeldt, Göran; Lindberg, Staffan, eds. (1990). Barriers broken: production relations and agrarian change in Tamil Nadu. Sage Publications. p. 25. The Muthurajas are descendants of the soldiers which the poligars recruited in their homeland, the Telugu-speaking areas of contemporary Andhra Pradesh, north of Tamil Nadu. Like other castes originating from Andhra, they are bilingual, often speaking Telugu in family circles and Tamil outside the house
  7. ^ Eveline Masilamani-Meyer, ed. (2004). Kattavarayan Katai. Otto Harrassowitz Verlag. p. 19:. Among the Telugu castes that came to Tamilnadu were the Mutturajas or Mutrāchas.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  8. ^ Ve Pālāmpāḷ (1978). Feudatories of South India, 800-1070 A.D. Chugh Publications. p. 135.
  9. ^ Naṭan̲a Kācinātan̲ (1978). Hero-stones in Tamilnadu. Arun Publications. p. 20.
  10. ^ Gupta, Parmanand (1977). Geographical Names in Ancient Indian Inscriptions. Concept Publishing Company. p. 55.
  11. ^ N. Subrahmanian (1993). Social and cultural history of Tamilnad, Volume 1. Ennes. p. 66.
  12. ^ Parmanand Gupta (1977). Geographical Names in Ancient Indian Inscriptions. Concept Publishing Company. p. 55.
  13. ^ D Dennis Hudson (2008). The Body of God: An Emperor's Palace for Krishna in Eighth-Century Kanchipuram. Oxford University Press. p. 541.
  14. ^ Kesavan Veluthat. The political structure of early medieval South India. Orient Longman, 1993. p. 112.
  15. ^ H.S. Bhatia. Political, Legal And War Philosophy In Ancient India. Deep and Deep Publications, 2001. p. 180.
  16. ^ Singh, Kumar Suresh (1998). India's Communities. Oxford University Press. pp. 2426–2429. ISBN 9780195633542.
  17. ^ M. S. Ramaswami Ayyangar, B. Seshagiri Rao (1982). Studies in South Indian Jainism: South Indian Jainism. Sri Satguru Publications. p. 56.
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