Kallar (கள்ளர்)
The Imperial clan is one of the three castes which constitute the Mukkulathor confederacy. "a fearless community show many signs of independence and non-submission to any form of subjugation".There are Abundant records pertaining to this clan, where the Peoples ruled from unknown antiquity (Chola, Thondaiman) till the independence of india, The Kallar King Raja Rajagopala Thondaiman (1928 -1948) was the only king of Tamilnadu Rulling Pudhukkotai even after independence. Kallars are found largely in Thanjavur (30 to 40 % of Tanjavur Population), Trichy, Pudukkottai, Theni, Madurai, Dindigul, Sivagangai, Karur, kanchipuram, and Ramanathapuram districts of Tamil Nadu.
Mukkulathor (Thevar/Devar)
Mukkulathor Means Three clans (Kallar, Maravar and Agamudayar) Combinedly called as Thevar (Estimated population 90,00,000 to 1,10,00,000).
Kallar, Maravar and Agamudayar are siblings and the Descendent of the Three clans chera, chola and Pandian. Thevar (Derived from Sanskrit Devar) means God early days Kings were portrayed as god and called as Thevar. Later the descendent of Muvenders were called as Thevars.
Mukkulathor (Thevar/Devar)
Mukkulathor Means Three clans (Kallar, Maravar and Agamudayar) Combinedly called as Thevar (Estimated population 90,00,000 to 1,10,00,000).
Kallar, Maravar and Agamudayar are siblings and the Descendent of the Three clans chera, chola and Pandian. Thevar (Derived from Sanskrit Devar) means God early days Kings were portrayed as god and called as Thevar. Later the descendent of Muvenders were called as Thevars.
Kallar Meaning
Kallar (கள்ளர்) Means "Brave People", Historians postulate the word Kallar Derived from Kalla means Black in Sanscrit and Tamil (கள்வனென் கிளவி கரியோனென்ப' - திவாகரம்} Historians postulate Dravidians were called by Aryans as Kalla.
Kalavar Means People who fight in Kalam(Battlefield), Kalavali Narpathu (களவழி நாற்பது), Tamil literature of the post-Sangam age Praises Kalavar and Kalam.
A king Named Pulli was Mentioned as Kallar Kooman Pulli in Purananuru.
A pandian King was mentioned as Kallar Perumagan Thennavan
A muthiraiyar King was Mentioned as Kallar Kalvan Perumbidugu Muthirayan.
Indiran or devendiaran (Devar) also Mentioned as Kalla
Thirumal is also stated Mal to meant he is Black In olden days Black Dravidians were stated as Kalla to state their Bravery.
Many Historians postulate Kallar Means Black, to state their Bravery and to relate their the lineage from Chola and Pallava few of them are.
M.Srinivasa Iyengar (ம. சீனிவாசையங்கார்)
N.M Venkataswmy Nattar (நாவலர் பண்டித ந மு வேங்கடசாமி நாட்டார் )
Vengaswamy Rao (வெங்காசாமி ராவ்)
Dr.Barnal
Vinsan A.Smith (வின்சன் ஏ. ஸ்மித்)
Surnames
In Tamilnadu Kallars are called by various Surnames, these names comes to them during various times by the place they have ruled, the place they won in battle or to state their bravery.
Most Kallar surnames are pure Tamil names, which proves its longevity and most of the surnames ends with Araayar (Meaning King) and still many of the villages in Tanjure, Pudhukkottai, Madurai, Sivagangai, Ramanad and Trichy, holds Kallar surname or name of Kallar king who ruled that village.
Though surnames are not officially used in Tamilnadu due to Periyar movement, Still today Kallars give lot of importance to thier surname, since Kallar with same surname is considered as Parallel Cousins and cant get married with someone with the same surname (Few Kallars with Surname Devar and Nattars are excluded since it is a occupational surname).
Kallars have different sub groups like Esanattu Kallars, Thanjavur Kallars, Koothappar Kallars, Periyasuriyur Kallars, Gandarvakoatai Kallars found largely dominated in Thanjavur, Pudukkottai &Trichy Districts.
There are over 1000 surnames in use. There are no other Castes in Tamilnadu have this many Surnames. Some of the commonly used Surnames are.
Paluvettaraiyar, Malayaman, Adigaman, Thevar, Mannaiyar, Rajaliyar, Vallavaraiyar, Thanjaraayar, Pallavaraayar, Vandaiyar, Thondaiman, Ettraandaar, Vaanavaraayar, Servai, Amballakkarar, Sethurayar, Soma Naicker, Muniyarayar(Munaiyatriyar), Thondamar, Mayrkondar, Kallathil Venrar, , Nattar (not Nadar), Cholagar, kumarandar, Anjathevar, Olivarayar, Sendapiriyar, Alathondamar, Ambalam, Aarsuthiyar, Kaadavaraayar, Kalingarayar, Vandaiyaar, Veeramundar, Sepillaiyar, Vallundar, Chozhangaraayar, Kandiyar, Mazhavaraayar, Kommatti Mootar, Kannakkarar, Irungular, Singilaar, Ponnapoondar, Pullavaraayar, Araimeendar, Vairayar, Ponpethiar, Gopalar, Kandapillai, Vayaadiyar, Vanniar, Vallambar, Alankara Priyar, mavaliyar, Keerudayar, Saaluvar, Manraayar, Onthiriyar, Serumadar, Vambaliar, Thenkondaar, Mankondaar, etc.
Another important Kallar subcaste is the Piramalai Kallar. They are highly conservative and have preserved their customs and traditions to the present day. They are also believed to be the oldest inhabitants of the Tamil country with reports of their presence going back to Tamil literary works of the 4th century B.C. They are found mainly in the districts of Madurai, Dindigul and Theni. Their popular deity is Amman, the Mother Goddess.
It is a general practice in Tamil Nadu to address a Thevar woman as "Nachchiyaar"
During sangam
Thondaiman
Ruler Tondaiman Ilandirayan was mentioned in Purananuru (புறநானூறு) (in one of the poems written by Avvaiyar) as a king confronting Adhiaman.
Pathupaattu (பத்துப்பாட்டு) a sangam literature work mentioned that Tondaiman Ilandriyan ruled th Kanchipuram town before 2500 years.
Famous hindu temple, Tirupati was build by Thondaiman, based on puranas he built the temple after visualizing Lord Vishnu in his dream. He built the Gopuram and the Prakhara, and arranged for regular prayers to be conducted in the temple.
The ancestors of the Pudukkottai ruling line of Thondaimans were migrants from Tondaimandalam and they were a tribe of Kallars living in the hills near Tirupati.
The Thondaimans of Pudukkottai came to rule with full sovereignty over the Pudukkottai area from the middle of the 17th century till its amalgamation with the rest of India after Indian Independence in 1947.
Pudukkottai was declared a native state from August 1801 and the Raja was a quasi-independent ruler with full powers of administration, and it was the only Native state and Thondaiman’s were the only Kings after 1801 till independence. After Indian independence in 1947, the Pudukkottai Princely State was amalgamated with the Indian Union on 04-03-1948.
Malayaman
The kings (Araiyars) ruled Tirukkoyilur during Chola kingdom with the title Malayaman (which is one of the family name of Kallar community). They were in close relation with Cholas. Sangam literature mentions of Tirumudikari, a Malayaman chief who fought alongside Perunarkilli Chola to defeat Cheral Irumporai (Irumporai Cheras). Vastly, Cholas, Cheras and even Satavahanas controlled the destiny in times.
Adiyaman
The kings were ruling Tagadur, present villupuram district, One of The Four kingdoms Mentioned in rock-edict of Ashoka. Adigaman Naduman Anji King of Tagadur is Mentioned in rock-edict of Ashoka as Satyaputra Inscriptions found from Villuppuram Proves that stating Adigaman(which is one of the family name of Kallar community). as Satyaputra Adhiyan Neduman.
Chola (சோழர்)
The Chola Dynasty (Tamil:சோழர் குலம்) was a Tamil dynasty that ruled primarily in southern India until the 13th century the other two royal dynasty were Pandian and Chera. The meaning of chola Is unknown. Chera, chola and pandian are considered as Siblings.
The dynasty originated in the fertile valley of the Kaveri River. Karikala Chola was the most famous among the early Chola kings, while Aditya I, Parantaka I, Rajaraja Chola I, Rajendra Chola I, Rajadhiraja Chola, Virarajendra Chola, Kulothunga Chola and Kulothunga Chola III were notable emperors of the medieval Cholas.
Chera, chola and pandian are commonly called as Thevar to mean they are desendents of Lord Indra. But specially cholas were called by many Surnames all these surnames (Mel kondar, Chozangar, Thevar etc.) are now used by Kallars only shows that Cholas are from the Royal Kallar community. The Bramanda puranas Puvindra puranam and Kalla Kesari Purannam also Mentions the same.
Many Archaeologists and Historians Also proves that Cholas are Kallar.
Lots of mariages takes place between cholas with Malavarayar, Malayaman, Paluvettaraiyar, Melkondar and Vallavaraiyar. they also belongs to Kallar community.
Pallavas (பல்லவர்)
Unlike Cholas, Kallars association with Pallava kingdom is perplex.
Pallava kingdom (Tamil: பல்லவர்) was an ancient South Indian tamil kingdom. Later they extend,ed their rule to further south and established their capital at Kanchipuram around the 4th century CE. They rose in power during the reign of Mahendravarman I (571 – 630 CE) and Narasimhavarman I (630 – 668 CE) and dominated the Telugu and northern parts of Tamil region for about six hundred years until the end of the 9th century.
The word Pallava means branch in Sanskrit. The word is rendered as Tondaiyar in Tamil language. The Pallava kings at several places are called Thondamans or Thondaiyarkon. The territory of the Pallavas was known as Tundaka Visaya or Tundaka Rashtra. The sancrit meaning of pallava is Kilay, The tamil Thondai means the same, pallavas could be descendent or offshoot (Kilay or Pirivu) of Thondaimans.
Pathupattu, one of the sangam literatures, reads that the king Thondaiman Ilandirayan ruled this town around 2500 years ago. The pallavas are told as the descendents of Thondaiman Ilandirayan.
Descendents of Pallavas are called by surnames like sethurayar, pallavarayar, vandarayar, kadurayar, Vallavarayar, vanathirayar, kaliyarayar etc. all these surnames are still used by Kallars which evince the relation of Kallar with Pallavas.
It is studied, Kallars were in close association with Pallavas either shared landscape (Bound Kingdom) through political alliance with Pallavas or in close alliance with pallavas as part of thier armies.
Petty Kings
The Great empires which ruled Tamilnadu were Chera, Chola, Pandian and Pallava, but there were many petty kings and chieftains ruled tamilnadu under chera, chola, pandiya and pallava.
There are lot of records pertaining to this Petty dynasty or Bound Kingdoms under the rule of Chera, Chola, Pandiyar and Pallavas. Some of the names are seen in Tamil copper-plate inscriptions also.
Most of the Kallar surnames also derived from the place they ruled for example Thanjaiarayar (Means King Who ruled Thanjavur),
Definition: Thanjai –Thanjavur and Arayar – Raja –King.
Malavarayar(மழவராயர்), Pallavarayar(பல்லவராயர்), Ettraandar(ஏற்றாண்டார்), Arasandar(அரசாண்டார்), Thanjairayar(தஞ்சைராயர்), Muniarayar, Vallavarayar (வல்லவரையர்), Muthurayar, Irunkolar, Brahmarayar, Kodumbalur Rayar, Chiratchiyar, Nattar, Devarayar, Vanathirayar.
Many of this surnames are found in Copper plate inscriptions during chola dynasty.
Warriors
The main occupation of Kallar before independence was Warrior/Soldiers, they were part of Army of Tamil kings and fought in battlefield against foreign invaders for many Centuries, it is also believed that the word Kallar (கள்ளர்) derived from word Kalavar (களவர்).
These warrior groups were held in high social status. They were frequently invited by the royals to render their service in honor. One legend says that the Pandiya king appreciating the valor and the shrewd intelligence of the Thondaimandalam Kallars brought them to Madurai in the 4th century. Evidences point out that these warrior lords were feudatories who ruled and influenced the political arena of the Chera, Cholas, Pallavas and the Pandiyas. They had matrimonial alliances not only with these dynasties but also among dynasties in Sri Lanka.
Most of the Kallar surnames derived from their victory and bravery shown in Battlefield.
Some Surnames are,
Poril Koluthiyar(போரிற்கொளுத்தி), Kottai Meetar(கோட்டை மீட்டார்), Soma Naicker(சோமநாயக்கர்), Kalathil Vendrar (களத்தில் வென்றார்), Jeyam Kondar(ஜெயம் கொண்டார்), Kodi Kondar, Thanai Thalaivar(தானைத் தலைவர்), Valukkuveliyar, Vijayathevar, Veerakkotaiyar, Valkondar, Ulukkondar, Veerapuliyar, Senathipathi, Viruthurajabayangarar.
Tamil copper-plate inscriptions
The discovery of Indian copper plate inscriptions provided a relative abundance of new evidence for use in evolving a chronicle of India's elusive history.
During chola rule there were many small kings(Araiyar) were Ruling there Respective area under Chola.Some of the names are seen in Tamil copper-plate inscriptions was also mentioned in Ponniyin Selvan (Tamil historical novel written by Kalki Krishnamurthy.
Paluvettaraiyar (பழுவேட்டரையன்)
Malayaman (மலையமான்)
Vallavaraiyar (வல்லவரையன்)
Muniaraiyar
Nilakkilar
Kaliyaraiyar
Puvaraiyar
Velar (வேளார்)
Vanataraiyar
Thondaiman (தொண்டைமான்)
Kallar Nadu
The downfall of the Mukkulathors occurred in 1345 with the fall of Vira Pandyan IV and the subsequent conquest of Madurai by the Delhi Sultanate. However, the southern territories of the Sultanate soon asserted their independence and the Mukkulathors recovered under the Vijayanagar Empire and later under the Nayak dynasty during whose period they served as Polygars or chieftains.
The northern parts of Tamilnadu Behind Kongu nadu was called as Kallar Nadu (Thanjavur, Trichy, Pudukkottai and part of Madurai.) and was governed by kallar Polygors,
Ambalakarar is the most important Peoples. They were a warlike people who strongly resisted every British attempt to subjugate them.
They are found in Madurai, Pudhukottai and Sivaganga districts. In these districts, each village is headed by an Ambalam (president of an assembly) and the Ambalam took upon themselves the power to adjudicate disputes that arose among the inhabitants in the "NADU", belonging to different castes. They used to hear complaints, hold inquiries and punish the offenders. They wielded considerable powers to intervene in any kind of transaction or transfer of property among the people. No land could be alienated from one man to another without the permission of the Ambalams. The sur-name "Ambalam"is given to them, because of their Administration in their Villages. So they are mostly called as "Ambalam".
Thenpandi Singam by M. Karunanidhi is a book about Ambalakarars and he was also Awarded "Raja Rajan Award" by Tamil University, Thanjavur for that book and it was also been taken as a serial in Sun TV, and music composed by Ilayaraja
The story revolves around Valukku Veli Thevar, a very strong Ambalakkarar (Kallar Nadu King) his valour and bravery against British Subjugation.
Thenpandi singam also lists several Kallar Nadus, few mentioned are:
Mela Nadu, Sirugudi Nadu, Mallakkotai Nadu, Pattamangala Nadu, Paganeri Nadu, Kandar Manicham Nadu, Kunnankkottai Nadu, Thennilai Nadu, Iravuseri Nadu, Unjanai Nadu, Semponmari Nadu, Kappalur Nadu, Silamba Nadu, Irumba Nadu, Therpogi Nadu, Vadapogi Nadu, Gopala Nadu, Arrangarai Nadu, Ellu Kottai Nadu, Muthu Nadu, Etc..
Princely State of Pudukkottai (Last Tamil Kingdom)
The Thondaimans of Pudhukkottai rose to power over the Pudukkottai region by the end of 16th Century.
The Pudukkottai kingdom has the distinction of being the only Princely state in Tamilnadu and only become part of indian union in 1948 after independence.
The last Tamil king and ninth in the line of Thondaiman rulers Raja Rajagopala Thondaiman has amalgamated Princely state of Pudhukkottai with India on 04-03-1948. With this the long history of Thondaiman came to an end and for the History of Tamil kings as well.
Kaval System
Since the time of Sangam age until the end of Imperial Cholas and the Later Pandiyas, the internal administration and Kaval was under the control of the royal authorities. The Chitrameli Periyanadu, Brahmadeyams, and the merchant guilds had their own kaval systems which were under the control of the central authorities. From the 13th century AD, fueled by the new invasions, the dynasties disappeared and a new existing system appeared. The old Kaval system took a new dimension.
Thus the lack of a powerful and dominating central authority, made the imperial warrior lords as Palayakarars, as the middle and lower grades of the old military officials were forced to become the local Kavalkarars of a much smaller area.
This Kaval system was done away on power by the British commander.
Colonel Martin understood that the root of the rebellion was only among the Mukkulathors who hold the Kaval, which provided them with weapons and small independent battalions of their own, Therefore, to control the administration and to establish the company’s authority, Colonel Martin removed the Kaval System in 1802 and employed Munceifs and brought the judiciary and police under the Munceifs
Criminal Tribes Act.
The invading British and other westerners portrayed those who resisted them in colorful terms – as ‘the rapacious Poligar’ and the ‘wild Collerie’.
Kallars always had their own Judiciary and policing and never acceded to british empire and thier rule.
The Kallar characteristics follow with the same resistance to the encroachments upon the nadus in the nineteenth century. In particular the revenue reports of the Madura districts indicate that the strongly Kallar area was a continual source of trouble to the British throughout the century.
Along with Nawabs troop Colonel Heron of East India Company marched towards south, to collect the rent from the southern Tamilnadu. Knowing this, Kallars gathered at Anaiyur fort, near Usilampatti , north Pottulampatti, an ancient Kallar Fort and centre of Revenue collection from the time of Pandiya dynasty, on 16th October 1754 raised the flag of honor, announcing non- payment of tax to the foreigners.
This was informed to Pooli Thevar of Nerkattumseval of Thirunelveli, who was gathering troops and alliance against the Nawab and the East India Company.
This first mark of Independence was recorded in the Thirunelveli Gazette. The war between the Kallars and Colonel Heron marked the Kallars guerilla warfare and their use of Vullari thudi ( boomerang) in the British Gazette.
East India Company under Colonel Heron and later Yusuf Khan (Maruthanayagam) made military subjugation and massacred several thousand Kallar rebellions.
A brief history of the Polygar war and the revolt against the East India company will reveal the impact and image that created in the minds of the British, which was the major reason to enforce the Criminal Tribes Act on Kallars.
Culture and Heritage
Kallars are the true sons of the soil, True Tamizhars, etymologically related to Tamil and Tamil culture.
Yeruthazhuval (Jallikattu) was traditionally a sport of Kallars, organized to keep them always fit and ready for war, still today one of the prominent sports in tamil culture heavily patronised by Kallar community.
Tamil martial arts like Adimurai (Kalari) and Silambattam were primarily practiced by Mukkulathor community and later also by other community people of tamilnadu.
Valari throwing it an art and it was performed only by Mukkulathor Warriors, both returning and non returning varieties have been used. in Edgar Thurston’s work, Castes and Tribes of South India, he quotes from Turnbull(1817), which mentions the Cullaries (anglicized version of Kallars) to be in general a brave people, expert in the use of lance and in throwing the curved stick (a modification of the aboriginal boomerang) called Vullaree tadee
The valour and sacrifice of the great Kallar warriors are remembered and the warriors themselves are worshipped in the form of ‘Nadukkal’. They served as the executive military personnel of the Fort, the navy and the military.
Another remarkable custom found with Nattu Kallars (Kallar Nattu chiefs) to expand their earlobes down to their shoulders, this is also practised during chola era where you can notice Raja Raja Chola in his depict with his expanded earlobes down to his shoulder.
Religion
Majority of Kallars are Hindus, other religions accounts only few thousands.
Notable Reformers
Though Kallars had an extensive history of being Kings, Polygors, Zamindars and Land lords, the proportion is less, the main occupation of kallar was Warrior/Soldiers.
After the end of Chera, Chola and Pandian empire many Kallars lost their jobs, later during British empire due to removal of Kaval system and enforcement of criminal tribes act, kallars faced social stigma and poverty.
There were many reformers served for their Community prior and post independence
Notable Kallars
Kallar (கள்ளர்) Means "Brave People", Historians postulate the word Kallar Derived from Kalla means Black in Sanscrit and Tamil (கள்வனென் கிளவி கரியோனென்ப' - திவாகரம்} Historians postulate Dravidians were called by Aryans as Kalla.
Kalavar Means People who fight in Kalam(Battlefield), Kalavali Narpathu (களவழி நாற்பது), Tamil literature of the post-Sangam age Praises Kalavar and Kalam.
A king Named Pulli was Mentioned as Kallar Kooman Pulli in Purananuru.
A pandian King was mentioned as Kallar Perumagan Thennavan
A muthiraiyar King was Mentioned as Kallar Kalvan Perumbidugu Muthirayan.
Indiran or devendiaran (Devar) also Mentioned as Kalla
Thirumal is also stated Mal to meant he is Black In olden days Black Dravidians were stated as Kalla to state their Bravery.
Many Historians postulate Kallar Means Black, to state their Bravery and to relate their the lineage from Chola and Pallava few of them are.
M.Srinivasa Iyengar (ம. சீனிவாசையங்கார்)
N.M Venkataswmy Nattar (நாவலர் பண்டித ந மு வேங்கடசாமி நாட்டார் )
Vengaswamy Rao (வெங்காசாமி ராவ்)
Dr.Barnal
Vinsan A.Smith (வின்சன் ஏ. ஸ்மித்)
Surnames
In Tamilnadu Kallars are called by various Surnames, these names comes to them during various times by the place they have ruled, the place they won in battle or to state their bravery.
Most Kallar surnames are pure Tamil names, which proves its longevity and most of the surnames ends with Araayar (Meaning King) and still many of the villages in Tanjure, Pudhukkottai, Madurai, Sivagangai, Ramanad and Trichy, holds Kallar surname or name of Kallar king who ruled that village.
Though surnames are not officially used in Tamilnadu due to Periyar movement, Still today Kallars give lot of importance to thier surname, since Kallar with same surname is considered as Parallel Cousins and cant get married with someone with the same surname (Few Kallars with Surname Devar and Nattars are excluded since it is a occupational surname).
Kallars have different sub groups like Esanattu Kallars, Thanjavur Kallars, Koothappar Kallars, Periyasuriyur Kallars, Gandarvakoatai Kallars found largely dominated in Thanjavur, Pudukkottai &Trichy Districts.
There are over 1000 surnames in use. There are no other Castes in Tamilnadu have this many Surnames. Some of the commonly used Surnames are.
Paluvettaraiyar, Malayaman, Adigaman, Thevar, Mannaiyar, Rajaliyar, Vallavaraiyar, Thanjaraayar, Pallavaraayar, Vandaiyar, Thondaiman, Ettraandaar, Vaanavaraayar, Servai, Amballakkarar, Sethurayar, Soma Naicker, Muniyarayar(Munaiyatriyar), Thondamar, Mayrkondar, Kallathil Venrar, , Nattar (not Nadar), Cholagar, kumarandar, Anjathevar, Olivarayar, Sendapiriyar, Alathondamar, Ambalam, Aarsuthiyar, Kaadavaraayar, Kalingarayar, Vandaiyaar, Veeramundar, Sepillaiyar, Vallundar, Chozhangaraayar, Kandiyar, Mazhavaraayar, Kommatti Mootar, Kannakkarar, Irungular, Singilaar, Ponnapoondar, Pullavaraayar, Araimeendar, Vairayar, Ponpethiar, Gopalar, Kandapillai, Vayaadiyar, Vanniar, Vallambar, Alankara Priyar, mavaliyar, Keerudayar, Saaluvar, Manraayar, Onthiriyar, Serumadar, Vambaliar, Thenkondaar, Mankondaar, etc.
Another important Kallar subcaste is the Piramalai Kallar. They are highly conservative and have preserved their customs and traditions to the present day. They are also believed to be the oldest inhabitants of the Tamil country with reports of their presence going back to Tamil literary works of the 4th century B.C. They are found mainly in the districts of Madurai, Dindigul and Theni. Their popular deity is Amman, the Mother Goddess.
It is a general practice in Tamil Nadu to address a Thevar woman as "Nachchiyaar"
During sangam
Thondaiman
Ruler Tondaiman Ilandirayan was mentioned in Purananuru (புறநானூறு) (in one of the poems written by Avvaiyar) as a king confronting Adhiaman.
Pathupaattu (பத்துப்பாட்டு) a sangam literature work mentioned that Tondaiman Ilandriyan ruled th Kanchipuram town before 2500 years.
Famous hindu temple, Tirupati was build by Thondaiman, based on puranas he built the temple after visualizing Lord Vishnu in his dream. He built the Gopuram and the Prakhara, and arranged for regular prayers to be conducted in the temple.
The ancestors of the Pudukkottai ruling line of Thondaimans were migrants from Tondaimandalam and they were a tribe of Kallars living in the hills near Tirupati.
The Thondaimans of Pudukkottai came to rule with full sovereignty over the Pudukkottai area from the middle of the 17th century till its amalgamation with the rest of India after Indian Independence in 1947.
Pudukkottai was declared a native state from August 1801 and the Raja was a quasi-independent ruler with full powers of administration, and it was the only Native state and Thondaiman’s were the only Kings after 1801 till independence. After Indian independence in 1947, the Pudukkottai Princely State was amalgamated with the Indian Union on 04-03-1948.
Malayaman
The kings (Araiyars) ruled Tirukkoyilur during Chola kingdom with the title Malayaman (which is one of the family name of Kallar community). They were in close relation with Cholas. Sangam literature mentions of Tirumudikari, a Malayaman chief who fought alongside Perunarkilli Chola to defeat Cheral Irumporai (Irumporai Cheras). Vastly, Cholas, Cheras and even Satavahanas controlled the destiny in times.
Adiyaman
The kings were ruling Tagadur, present villupuram district, One of The Four kingdoms Mentioned in rock-edict of Ashoka. Adigaman Naduman Anji King of Tagadur is Mentioned in rock-edict of Ashoka as Satyaputra Inscriptions found from Villuppuram Proves that stating Adigaman(which is one of the family name of Kallar community). as Satyaputra Adhiyan Neduman.
Chola (சோழர்)
The Chola Dynasty (Tamil:சோழர் குலம்) was a Tamil dynasty that ruled primarily in southern India until the 13th century the other two royal dynasty were Pandian and Chera. The meaning of chola Is unknown. Chera, chola and pandian are considered as Siblings.
The dynasty originated in the fertile valley of the Kaveri River. Karikala Chola was the most famous among the early Chola kings, while Aditya I, Parantaka I, Rajaraja Chola I, Rajendra Chola I, Rajadhiraja Chola, Virarajendra Chola, Kulothunga Chola and Kulothunga Chola III were notable emperors of the medieval Cholas.
Chera, chola and pandian are commonly called as Thevar to mean they are desendents of Lord Indra. But specially cholas were called by many Surnames all these surnames (Mel kondar, Chozangar, Thevar etc.) are now used by Kallars only shows that Cholas are from the Royal Kallar community. The Bramanda puranas Puvindra puranam and Kalla Kesari Purannam also Mentions the same.
Many Archaeologists and Historians Also proves that Cholas are Kallar.
Lots of mariages takes place between cholas with Malavarayar, Malayaman, Paluvettaraiyar, Melkondar and Vallavaraiyar. they also belongs to Kallar community.
Pallavas (பல்லவர்)
Unlike Cholas, Kallars association with Pallava kingdom is perplex.
Pallava kingdom (Tamil: பல்லவர்) was an ancient South Indian tamil kingdom. Later they extend,ed their rule to further south and established their capital at Kanchipuram around the 4th century CE. They rose in power during the reign of Mahendravarman I (571 – 630 CE) and Narasimhavarman I (630 – 668 CE) and dominated the Telugu and northern parts of Tamil region for about six hundred years until the end of the 9th century.
The word Pallava means branch in Sanskrit. The word is rendered as Tondaiyar in Tamil language. The Pallava kings at several places are called Thondamans or Thondaiyarkon. The territory of the Pallavas was known as Tundaka Visaya or Tundaka Rashtra. The sancrit meaning of pallava is Kilay, The tamil Thondai means the same, pallavas could be descendent or offshoot (Kilay or Pirivu) of Thondaimans.
Pathupattu, one of the sangam literatures, reads that the king Thondaiman Ilandirayan ruled this town around 2500 years ago. The pallavas are told as the descendents of Thondaiman Ilandirayan.
Descendents of Pallavas are called by surnames like sethurayar, pallavarayar, vandarayar, kadurayar, Vallavarayar, vanathirayar, kaliyarayar etc. all these surnames are still used by Kallars which evince the relation of Kallar with Pallavas.
It is studied, Kallars were in close association with Pallavas either shared landscape (Bound Kingdom) through political alliance with Pallavas or in close alliance with pallavas as part of thier armies.
Petty Kings
The Great empires which ruled Tamilnadu were Chera, Chola, Pandian and Pallava, but there were many petty kings and chieftains ruled tamilnadu under chera, chola, pandiya and pallava.
There are lot of records pertaining to this Petty dynasty or Bound Kingdoms under the rule of Chera, Chola, Pandiyar and Pallavas. Some of the names are seen in Tamil copper-plate inscriptions also.
Most of the Kallar surnames also derived from the place they ruled for example Thanjaiarayar (Means King Who ruled Thanjavur),
Definition: Thanjai –Thanjavur and Arayar – Raja –King.
Malavarayar(மழவராயர்), Pallavarayar(பல்லவராயர்), Ettraandar(ஏற்றாண்டார்), Arasandar(அரசாண்டார்), Thanjairayar(தஞ்சைராயர்), Muniarayar, Vallavarayar (வல்லவரையர்), Muthurayar, Irunkolar, Brahmarayar, Kodumbalur Rayar, Chiratchiyar, Nattar, Devarayar, Vanathirayar.
Many of this surnames are found in Copper plate inscriptions during chola dynasty.
Warriors
The main occupation of Kallar before independence was Warrior/Soldiers, they were part of Army of Tamil kings and fought in battlefield against foreign invaders for many Centuries, it is also believed that the word Kallar (கள்ளர்) derived from word Kalavar (களவர்).
These warrior groups were held in high social status. They were frequently invited by the royals to render their service in honor. One legend says that the Pandiya king appreciating the valor and the shrewd intelligence of the Thondaimandalam Kallars brought them to Madurai in the 4th century. Evidences point out that these warrior lords were feudatories who ruled and influenced the political arena of the Chera, Cholas, Pallavas and the Pandiyas. They had matrimonial alliances not only with these dynasties but also among dynasties in Sri Lanka.
Most of the Kallar surnames derived from their victory and bravery shown in Battlefield.
Some Surnames are,
Poril Koluthiyar(போரிற்கொளுத்தி), Kottai Meetar(கோட்டை மீட்டார்), Soma Naicker(சோமநாயக்கர்), Kalathil Vendrar (களத்தில் வென்றார்), Jeyam Kondar(ஜெயம் கொண்டார்), Kodi Kondar, Thanai Thalaivar(தானைத் தலைவர்), Valukkuveliyar, Vijayathevar, Veerakkotaiyar, Valkondar, Ulukkondar, Veerapuliyar, Senathipathi, Viruthurajabayangarar.
Tamil copper-plate inscriptions
The discovery of Indian copper plate inscriptions provided a relative abundance of new evidence for use in evolving a chronicle of India's elusive history.
During chola rule there were many small kings(Araiyar) were Ruling there Respective area under Chola.Some of the names are seen in Tamil copper-plate inscriptions was also mentioned in Ponniyin Selvan (Tamil historical novel written by Kalki Krishnamurthy.
Paluvettaraiyar (பழுவேட்டரையன்)
Malayaman (மலையமான்)
Vallavaraiyar (வல்லவரையன்)
Muniaraiyar
Nilakkilar
Kaliyaraiyar
Puvaraiyar
Velar (வேளார்)
Vanataraiyar
Thondaiman (தொண்டைமான்)
Kallar Nadu
The downfall of the Mukkulathors occurred in 1345 with the fall of Vira Pandyan IV and the subsequent conquest of Madurai by the Delhi Sultanate. However, the southern territories of the Sultanate soon asserted their independence and the Mukkulathors recovered under the Vijayanagar Empire and later under the Nayak dynasty during whose period they served as Polygars or chieftains.
The northern parts of Tamilnadu Behind Kongu nadu was called as Kallar Nadu (Thanjavur, Trichy, Pudukkottai and part of Madurai.) and was governed by kallar Polygors,
Ambalakarar is the most important Peoples. They were a warlike people who strongly resisted every British attempt to subjugate them.
They are found in Madurai, Pudhukottai and Sivaganga districts. In these districts, each village is headed by an Ambalam (president of an assembly) and the Ambalam took upon themselves the power to adjudicate disputes that arose among the inhabitants in the "NADU", belonging to different castes. They used to hear complaints, hold inquiries and punish the offenders. They wielded considerable powers to intervene in any kind of transaction or transfer of property among the people. No land could be alienated from one man to another without the permission of the Ambalams. The sur-name "Ambalam"is given to them, because of their Administration in their Villages. So they are mostly called as "Ambalam".
Thenpandi Singam by M. Karunanidhi is a book about Ambalakarars and he was also Awarded "Raja Rajan Award" by Tamil University, Thanjavur for that book and it was also been taken as a serial in Sun TV, and music composed by Ilayaraja
The story revolves around Valukku Veli Thevar, a very strong Ambalakkarar (Kallar Nadu King) his valour and bravery against British Subjugation.
Thenpandi singam also lists several Kallar Nadus, few mentioned are:
Mela Nadu, Sirugudi Nadu, Mallakkotai Nadu, Pattamangala Nadu, Paganeri Nadu, Kandar Manicham Nadu, Kunnankkottai Nadu, Thennilai Nadu, Iravuseri Nadu, Unjanai Nadu, Semponmari Nadu, Kappalur Nadu, Silamba Nadu, Irumba Nadu, Therpogi Nadu, Vadapogi Nadu, Gopala Nadu, Arrangarai Nadu, Ellu Kottai Nadu, Muthu Nadu, Etc..
Princely State of Pudukkottai (Last Tamil Kingdom)
The Thondaimans of Pudhukkottai rose to power over the Pudukkottai region by the end of 16th Century.
The Pudukkottai kingdom has the distinction of being the only Princely state in Tamilnadu and only become part of indian union in 1948 after independence.
The last Tamil king and ninth in the line of Thondaiman rulers Raja Rajagopala Thondaiman has amalgamated Princely state of Pudhukkottai with India on 04-03-1948. With this the long history of Thondaiman came to an end and for the History of Tamil kings as well.
Kaval System
Since the time of Sangam age until the end of Imperial Cholas and the Later Pandiyas, the internal administration and Kaval was under the control of the royal authorities. The Chitrameli Periyanadu, Brahmadeyams, and the merchant guilds had their own kaval systems which were under the control of the central authorities. From the 13th century AD, fueled by the new invasions, the dynasties disappeared and a new existing system appeared. The old Kaval system took a new dimension.
Thus the lack of a powerful and dominating central authority, made the imperial warrior lords as Palayakarars, as the middle and lower grades of the old military officials were forced to become the local Kavalkarars of a much smaller area.
This Kaval system was done away on power by the British commander.
Colonel Martin understood that the root of the rebellion was only among the Mukkulathors who hold the Kaval, which provided them with weapons and small independent battalions of their own, Therefore, to control the administration and to establish the company’s authority, Colonel Martin removed the Kaval System in 1802 and employed Munceifs and brought the judiciary and police under the Munceifs
Criminal Tribes Act.
The invading British and other westerners portrayed those who resisted them in colorful terms – as ‘the rapacious Poligar’ and the ‘wild Collerie’.
Kallars always had their own Judiciary and policing and never acceded to british empire and thier rule.
The Kallar characteristics follow with the same resistance to the encroachments upon the nadus in the nineteenth century. In particular the revenue reports of the Madura districts indicate that the strongly Kallar area was a continual source of trouble to the British throughout the century.
Along with Nawabs troop Colonel Heron of East India Company marched towards south, to collect the rent from the southern Tamilnadu. Knowing this, Kallars gathered at Anaiyur fort, near Usilampatti , north Pottulampatti, an ancient Kallar Fort and centre of Revenue collection from the time of Pandiya dynasty, on 16th October 1754 raised the flag of honor, announcing non- payment of tax to the foreigners.
This was informed to Pooli Thevar of Nerkattumseval of Thirunelveli, who was gathering troops and alliance against the Nawab and the East India Company.
This first mark of Independence was recorded in the Thirunelveli Gazette. The war between the Kallars and Colonel Heron marked the Kallars guerilla warfare and their use of Vullari thudi ( boomerang) in the British Gazette.
East India Company under Colonel Heron and later Yusuf Khan (Maruthanayagam) made military subjugation and massacred several thousand Kallar rebellions.
A brief history of the Polygar war and the revolt against the East India company will reveal the impact and image that created in the minds of the British, which was the major reason to enforce the Criminal Tribes Act on Kallars.
Culture and Heritage
Kallars are the true sons of the soil, True Tamizhars, etymologically related to Tamil and Tamil culture.
Yeruthazhuval (Jallikattu) was traditionally a sport of Kallars, organized to keep them always fit and ready for war, still today one of the prominent sports in tamil culture heavily patronised by Kallar community.
Tamil martial arts like Adimurai (Kalari) and Silambattam were primarily practiced by Mukkulathor community and later also by other community people of tamilnadu.
Valari throwing it an art and it was performed only by Mukkulathor Warriors, both returning and non returning varieties have been used. in Edgar Thurston’s work, Castes and Tribes of South India, he quotes from Turnbull(1817), which mentions the Cullaries (anglicized version of Kallars) to be in general a brave people, expert in the use of lance and in throwing the curved stick (a modification of the aboriginal boomerang) called Vullaree tadee
The valour and sacrifice of the great Kallar warriors are remembered and the warriors themselves are worshipped in the form of ‘Nadukkal’. They served as the executive military personnel of the Fort, the navy and the military.
Another remarkable custom found with Nattu Kallars (Kallar Nattu chiefs) to expand their earlobes down to their shoulders, this is also practised during chola era where you can notice Raja Raja Chola in his depict with his expanded earlobes down to his shoulder.
Religion
Majority of Kallars are Hindus, other religions accounts only few thousands.
Notable Reformers
Though Kallars had an extensive history of being Kings, Polygors, Zamindars and Land lords, the proportion is less, the main occupation of kallar was Warrior/Soldiers.
After the end of Chera, Chola and Pandian empire many Kallars lost their jobs, later during British empire due to removal of Kaval system and enforcement of criminal tribes act, kallars faced social stigma and poverty.
There were many reformers served for their Community prior and post independence
- Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar (முத்து ராமலிங்க தேவர்)
- P. K. Mookayya Thevar (1923 – 1979) (மூக்கையா தேவர் )
- H. R. H. Rajagopala Tondaiman, Maharajah of Pudukottai (Thondaiman dynasty of Pudukkottai)
- Zamindar Gopalsamy Rajaliar ( ஜமீன், வா. கோபாலசாமி ரகுநாத இராசாளியார்)---Philanthropist, President indra kuladibar sangam.
- N.P. Manicham Errthaandaar.(மக்கள் தொண்டர் ந.பா.மாணிக்கம் ஏற்றாண்டார்)
- N.M Venkatasamy Nattar (ந.மு.வேங்கடசாமி நாட்டார்)
- G.M. Sridhar Vandayar,(ஸ்ரீதர் வாண்டையார்) - Leader - Moovendar Munnetra Kazhagam.
Notable Kallars
- Chevalier Nadikar Thilagam Sivaji Ganesan Manrayar.
- R. Muthuraman (Tamil Film Actor)
- Manorama, also called as Aachi (Tamil Film Actress)
- Kaviperarasu Vairamuthu (Indian Film Lyricist)
- Iyakkunar Imayam Bharathiraja (Indian Film Director)
- V.K Sasikala Natarajan (Indian Politician)
- T.T.V Dinakaran (Indian Politician)
- Late Rao Bahadur Sri. A.Veeriya Vandayar (Poondi. Vandayar)
- G.M.Premkumar Vandayar (Indian Politician)
- Ukkadai Devar.
Kallars in Other Countries
Kallars settled in Srilanka and Southeastern Asia who went to war and for studies and work, made a significant kallar population outside India.
Some of the prominent kallars outside India are,
S. Thondaman (Savumiamoorthy Thondaman), Uncrowned King of Srilankan Tamils, had served continuously for 21 years in the Sri Lankan Cabinet from 1978.
Samy Vellu, Ex-Works Minister, Leader of Malaysian Indian Congress, and the longest serving minister in the Cabinet of Malaysia.
Current Status
Most of the population are agriculturalists, many have also progressed up the social ladder as doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs, Police, Lawyers, politicians and civil servants, also large number of people from the community are serving the nation as military men.