Arunthathiyar

Origin

Due to their speaking Telugu and lack of mention in early Tamil texts, most scholarly authorities believe the community originated in Andhra Pradesh and migrated to Tamil Nadu in the 17th century. However, the community's own history is that they are originally Tamil kings who ruled the area around Tagadur (Dharmapuri), who were taken as captives in war to Andhra and Karnataka in ancient days and only returned in the 16th century as the Kannada-speaking Madiyars and Tamil-speaking Chakkiliyars. Therefore, they called themselves Adi Tamizhar.

Occupation

The Arunthathiyars, although they never touched dead cattle, still worked leather as leatherworkers and cobblers, and were thus given a low social status in Hinduism Caste system. Many are also landless agricultural labourers and are engaged in bonded labour.

Current status

The vast majority of the community, almost 18.27 lakhs, live in Tamil Nadu, with small minorities in neighbouring states. Small populations live in the Palakkad district of Kerala (40,507), and southern parts of Andhra Pradesh (30,190) and Karnataka (2,959). 62% of the community lived in rural areas, and the literacy rate is 60%.

Many Arunthathiyars in northern Tamil Nadu work as landless agricultural labourers for Naidu landlords, and their women work as domestic help in their houses. Some girls from the community are dedicated to the Mathamma cult, a local village deity tradition.

Notable people

• Madurai Veeran - King and commander-in-chief (Thirumalai Nayakkar Period)
• Ondiveeran - King and commander of an army who fought against the British East India Company in Tamil Nadu
• Veeramangai Kuyili - Kuyili was an army commander of queen Velu Nachiyar. She is considered the first suicide bomber in Indian history
• Rao Sahib L.C. Gurusamy - Member of the round table conference team led by B. R. Ambedkar; founder of Arunthathiyar Mahajana Saba. Member of the Justice Party, social activist and politician.

References

References

1. (5 June 2015). "Caste in Tamil Nadu - III". Economic and Political Weekly.
2. S. Gunasekaran. "Documenting a Caste: The Chakkiliyars in Colonial and Missionary Documents in India".
3. "India - A-10 Appendix: District wise scheduled caste population (Appendix), Tamil Nadu - 2011".
4. (12 March 2009). "Tamil Nadu Government Gazette". Government of Tamil Nadu.
5. (2015-06-05). "Caste in Tamil Nadu - III". Economic and Political Weekly.
6. "Tamil Nadu Date Highlights: The Scheduled Castes Census of India 2001". Office of the Registrar-General.
7. Geetha, K. A.. (2014-12-04). "Unified Tamil Dalit Identity: Problematics and Anomalies". Prose Studies.
8. (2010). "Chakkliyas of Mannarkkad: A History from Below". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress.
9. S, ANANDHI. (2013). "The Mathammas: Gender, Caste and the Politics of Intersectionality in Rural Tamil Nadu". Economic and Political Weekly.
10. Vannar, Gokul. (18 July 2010). "The story of Madurai Veeran". New Indian Express.