Vanniyar
 |
| Vanniyar | |
|---|---|
| Languages | Tamil |
| Region | Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry |
| Subdivisions | Padayatchi, Kandar |
| Related groups | Tamil people |
Vanniyar (Template:Lang-ta), also known as Palli refers to a very large social group of people spread all across South India.
Etymology
The name Vanniyar is derived from the Sanskrit word Vahni which means fire.[citation needed]
Historical status
In the 19th century the Vanniyar held a low position in both Lower Burma and in South India.[1][2] For example, Dharma Kumar refers to several early 19th century authors who describe the Palli in South India as being higher than untouchables but still essentially slaves,[1] while Michael Adas says that in Burma the Palli were "socially better off" than the untouchable castes but were "economically equally exploited and deprived".[2]
Malayalam
Many castes today claim descent from Malayaman but Dennis B. McGilvray in his book "Crucible of conflict" states "Malayaman is a section of the udaiyar caste in south arcot today, but Burton Stein also finds the title in a thirteenth-century inscription identifying Vanniyar subcastes of south arcot in the left-right caste classification typical of the chola empire"[3]
Moreover, the malaymans were related to kadavas through marriages.[4][5]
Sri Lanka
Vanniar or Vannia is a title of a feudal chief in medieval Sri Lanka who ruled as a tribute payer to any number of local kingdoms. It was also recorded as that of a name of a caste amongst Sri Lankan Tamils iin the Vanni District of northern Sri Lanka during the early 1900s. It is no longer used as a name of a caste or as chiefs in Sri Lanka. There are number of origin theories for the feudal chiefs as well as the caste as coming from modern Tamil Nadu state or as an indigenous formation.
Titles, names, and subcastes
Depending upon the location and status, the members of the Vanniyar caste use titles such as Padayatchi, Gounder, Palli,Naicker and many other titles in Tamil Nadu.
Notable Vanniyars
- Kaduvetti Guru, Vanniar Sangam Leader, MLA Jayamkondam
- S. Ramadoss, Founder, Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK)
- S. S. Ramasamy Padayachi, Founder of the Workers Toilers Party
References
- ^ a b Kumar, Dharma (1965). Land and Caste in South India: Agricultural Labour in the Madras Presidency During the Nineteenth Century. Cambridge Studies in Economic History. Cambridge University Press.
- ^ a b Adas, Michael. The Burma Delta : economic development and social change on an Asian rice frontier, 1852-1941. New Perspectives in SE Asian Studies. Madison, Wis.: University of Wisconsin Press. ISBN 0299283542.
- ^ McGilvray, Dennis B. (2008). Crucible of conflict: Tamil and Muslim society on the east coast of Sri Lanka. Duke University Press.
- ^ Archealogical Survey, of India. "A.R. No 481 of 1921". Archealogical Survey of India. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
- ^ Archealogical Survey, of India. "A.R. No 480 of 1921". Archealogical Survey of India.