Chozhia Vellalar
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Chola Nadu, Tamil Nadu | |
| Languages | |
| Tamil | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism, Christianity | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Vellalar, Isai Vellalar |
Chozhia Vellalar (also spelt as Sozhia Vellalar) is a caste from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
Distribution and migration
[edit]The Sozhiya Vellalars were present predominantly in the Cauvery delta districts of Tamil Nadu — Thanjavur, Mayuram, Nagappattinam and Thiruvarur — as well in the neighbouring Trichy, Karur and Namakkal regions. Their name, Sozhiya or Chozhia, reflects this geographical particularity, as a population concentrated in the heart of the ancient Chola kingdom or Chola Nadu, which corresponds to the Tanjore region.[1] They are one of three communities to hold this title, along with the Chozhia Chettiars and Chozhia Iyers.[1] Nowadays they are present in almost all the districts of Tamil Nadu.[citation needed]
Though the distribution of the community is found in most of the districts, they migrated to the other parts of Tamil Nadu from Trichy and Thanjavur areas towards the middle and second half of the 19th century. As they moved in, they always followed the river bed areas for settlement.
Present status
[edit]In the state of Tamil Nadu they are classified as Other Backward Class under India's Reservation system.[2] In the state of Tamil Nadu they are classified as Other Backward Class under India's Reservation system.[3]
They were primarily a Devadasi and temple servant caste in the Chola period and had a low social rank, they are also related to another Vellalar community called the Isai Vellalar.In later times , they served as bonded labourers and agricultural labourers under the Kondaikatti Vellalars.Historically they were considered a low caste , though they put forth claims of Vaishya status in 1871. Today they are classified as an Backward community and many of the Chozhia Vellalars work as masons , coolies and textile workers in parts of Thanjavur district and Chennai.They are non-vegetarians and claim to be vegetarians, though especially in some parts of Salem district they partake in pork and spurious liquor. Since they had low social status just like the Kongu Vellalars they are also classfied as a Backward Caste by the Government of Tamil Nadu [4]
Notable People
[edit]Ambi Venkatesan - Vellalar Sangam leader and Tiruchirapalli constituency 2024 lok sabha election independent candidate.
References
[edit]- ^ a b Singh, K. S.; Thirumalai, R.; Manoharan, S., eds. (1997). People of India: Tamil Nadu. People of India / Anthropological Survey India. K. S. Singh. Vol. XL (1. publ ed.). Madras: Affiliated East-West Press. ISBN 978-81-85938-88-2.
- ^ "List of Backward Classes approved by Government of Tamil Nadu".
- ^ "List of Backward Classes approved by Government of Tamil Nadu".
- ^ "Chozhia Vellala".
See also
[edit]
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