| Sengunthar | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Kuladevta (male) | Kartikeya[1][2][3] |
| Kuladevi (female) | Kamakshi Amman,[3]Angalamman Parameswari |
| Religions | Hinduism |
| Languages | Tamil |
| Populated states | Tamil Nadu,Andhra Pradesh,Pondicherry,Sri Lanka |
| Feudal title | Mudaliar, Cholagangan, Brahmmarayan, Vijayarayan |
| Notable members | List of Sengunthars |
| Related groups | Kaikalas of Andhra |
Sengunthar ([sɛŋkʊnʈɻ]), also known as theKaikolar andSengunthaMudaliar, is a caste commonly found in the Indian states ofTamil Nadu andAndhra Pradesh and the country ofSri Lanka. InAndhra Pradesh, they are known asKaikala or Karikala Bhaktulu, who consider the early Chola emperorKarikala Chola as their hero.[4] They werewarriors ofCholas and traditionallytextilemerchants orsilkweavers by occupation.[5]Ottakoothar, a 12th century court poet and rajaguru ofCholas under the reigns ofVikrama Chola,Kulothunga Chola II, andRajaraja Chola II is also a part of this caste. They were a part of theAyyavolu 500 merchant guild during the Chola period which played a significant role in theChola invasion of Srivijaya empire.[5] In the olden days in India, Sengunthars were warriors and were given the titleMudaliar for their bravery.[6] In the early thirteenth century, after the fall ofChola Empire, a large number of Kaikolars migrated toKongu Nadu fromTondaimandalam and started doing weaving and textile businesses as their full time profession due to their oath to only serve Chola emperors. In the present day, most of the textile businesses in Tamil Nadu are owned by Senguntha Mudaliars. The majority of Sengunthars are sub-divided into numerous clans based on apatrilineal lineage known as Koottam or Gotra.
The nameKaikkolar comes from the wordskai (hand) andkol (a shuttle used in looms). The appended-ar meanspeople.[7]Kaikkolar can also mean men with stronger arms.[8][9]
Sengunthar meansred spear people, which is a reference to LordMurugan, who is also known as the red god. According to legends, there were nine commanders calledNavaveerargal in Murugan's army, and Sengunthars descended from them.[7]
In ancient times they were also known asKaarugar (weaver), Thanthuvayar (weaver),Senguntha padaiyar (soldiers),Senaithalaivar (army commander) andKaikolar (weaver).[10]
Sengunthars were given the title Mudaliar for their bravery.[11] The 12th century Chola emperor's court poet and ministerOttakoothar's Itti Elupatu, a panegyric on the bravery and prowess of arms of Kaikkola warriors, says they were known asMudaliars during theImperial Chola period.[12]
Mudali meansfirst, suggesting that the title bearer is of the first-ranked among people.[13][14] They also used the titleNayanar after their names.[15]
In mythology,Shiva was enraged against the giants who harassed the people of the earth and sent forth six sparks of fire from his eyes. His wife,Parvati, was frightened, and retired to her chamber and dropped nine beads from her anklets while doing so. Shiva converted the beads into nine females, who each birthed one hero. These nine heroes (Navaveerargal), namelyVirabahu,[16] Virakesari, Viramahendrar, Viramaheshwar, Virapurandharar, Viraraakkathar, Viramaarthandar, Viraraanthakar and Veerathirar, with the god of warKartikeya at their head, marched in command of a large force and destroyed the demons. The Sengunthar claim to be the descendants of these warriors. After killing the demon, the warriors were told by Shiva that they must adopt a profession which would not involve the destruction or injury of any living creature. They were trained in weaving. Chithira Valli, the daughter of Virabahu, one of the nine heroes, married King Musukuntha Chola. The descendants of the nine heroes and King Musukuntha are claimed to be the first generation of Sengunthars.[7][17]
The earliest literary evidence about Sengunthars occurs inAdhi Diwakaram, a Tamil lexicon written by Sendan Diwakarar. This dictionary, probably from the 8th century CE, refers to them as weavers and army commanders, which may be indicative of their dual role in society at that time.[18]
Cholan Poorva Pattayam, a copper-plate inscription, reveals information aboutKarikala Chola, the conquest of theKongu region, and the settling of the colonies with various occupational castes like Sengunthars. During this period, Sengunthars received the title of Samaya Senapati, meaning commander or head.[19]
Inscriptions from the 11th century suggest that by the time of theChola dynasty, the Sengunthar had already developed its involvement in weaving and trading, together with a role in military matters that was probably necessary to protect those interests. They were a part of theAyyavole 500 trading group during the Chola period. There are also references in the 12th century suggesting they had armies and that some specific people were assigned to act as bodyguards for the Chola emperors. Such historical records emphasise their military function, with the poet Ottakoothar glorifying them and suggesting that their origins lay with the armies of the gods.[20]
They were militarized during theImperial Chola period, when some of them held the titleBrahmadaraya orBrahmmarayan, which was usually reserved for high-ranking Brahmin officials in the Chola government. They had also used the title 'Chola Gangan' from the evidence "Kaikolaril Kali Avinasi Yaana Ellam Valla Chola Gangan", which was only used by the royal families of the chola dynasty.[21]
Some were chieftains and commanders-in-chief of the later Cholas. Kaikkolar commanders-in-chief were known asSamanta Senapathigal[22] orSenaithalaivar.[23][22]
In the early thirteenth century a large number of Kaikolars migrated toKongu Nadu fromTondaimandalam[24] after the fall of theChola Empire.
After the 13th century, Sengunthars became associated with weaving completely.[25][26][27]During the reign ofSadasiva Raya in theVijayanagara Empire, the priests of the Brahmapuriswara temple made an agreement that they would cultivate certain lands of the Kaikkolar regiment.[28][29]
In 14th century, Kottaiyannan Mudaliar, a chieftain who was rulingNamakkal and surrounding regions fought against Muslim invaders when they invaded south India.Chandramathi Mudaliar was a 17th-centuryTamil chieftain and ruler of southKongu Nadu (Erode region) who fought many battles against theMadurai Nayak.
Sengunthars attained positions of responsibility at the two majorVaishnavite temples ofSrirangam andTirupati. In Tirupati, they were in charge of distributing the consecrated food offerings to the worshippers. Many Sengunthar families were rich enough to contribute both land and gold to temples.
In the 16th century, some of the Sengunthar migrated to Kerala from Tamil Nadu.[24]
Multiple clans of Sengunthars were appointed as poets for 24 provinces ofKongu Mandalam for their proficiency in the Tamil language. These poets were granted rights over land, tax, and ritual privilege during festive occasions for their service.[30]
Among Sengunthars, abstaining from alcohol and sex is valued. Meat eating, blood sacrifice, spirit possession, and the worship of small gods are all prominent.[31] Sengunthars practice both vegetarian and non-vegetarian traditions.[32]
Each family (kulam) of the Sengunthar had their ownKula Deivam (deity). Sengunthars shareMurugan as a common deity and additionally have any one of several other deities, such asAngalamman or Ambayamman.[1]
TheSura Samharam festival is a traditional ritual where Sengunthars dress as the lieutenants ofKarthikeya and re-enact the killing of the demon Suran.[33]
Sengunthars have rights to hold festivals atDhandayuthapani Swamy Temple atPalani, the third of the six abodes of Lord Murugan because they are descendants of the nine original heroes who helped Lord Murugan at the battle ofSura Samharam. During the festival, according to a traditional ritual, Sengunthars dress as the nine lieutenants ofMurugan and re-enact the killing of the demon Suran in the temple.
In Andhra Pradesh, Sengunthars are also known asKaikalas or Karikala Bhakthulu. They consider the early Chola emperorKarikala Chola as their hero. Karikala Chola is said to have conquered the Andhra region around the 3rd century CE and converted forest lands in the state into agricultural lands. There is a bronze statue of Karikala Chola and aSatram in his name atSrisailam. The Kaikalas form a part of theThathayagunta Gangamma Jatara, the annual folk festival held atTirupati.
In the flag hoisting ceremony at theNallur Kandaswamy temple, the Sengunthar families who were military heroes in the oldJaffna Kingdom have rights to bring out the temple flag and carry it at the Sura Samharam festival. During the flag ceremony, the houses of Sengunthars are decorated with curtains which have pictures of the rooster, the vehicle of Lord Murugan.[34][35]
There are subgroups of the caste based on their traditions.
Siru Thaali Kaikolar, also known as Saami Katti Kaikolars, are characterized by a lingam tied to their arm, a custom that is now defunct.[36] Women of this subclass wear small size of theMangala Sutra. Due to this, the Mangala Sutra is also called a Thali, from the name of the subclass.[37] They are mainly found in theErode,Salem andNamakkal districts.[38]
Perun Thaali Kaikolars are also known as Kongu Kaikolars and Vellai Seelai Kaikkolars. Women of this section wear a big size of the Mangala Sutra or Thali. Widows belonging to this sub-class wear whitesaris. They are mainly found inCoimbatore and the Bhavani River Belt inErode.
Rattukaarar, also known as Rendukaarar, are traditionalcarpet makers. They are mainly found in the western region of Tamil Nadu in theChola Nadu.[37]
Thalaikooda Mudaliyar are originally from Koorainaadu in theTanjore district of Chola Nadu.[39] Today, they can be found inPondicherry.[40]
Maiduraiyars are fromPandya Nadu. They wear theMeenakshi Sundareswararthali.
Sengundhars are a relatively high ranking caste who are close in the status to theVellalars.[41] They are currently listed as aBackward Class (BC) in bothTamil Nadu andAndhra Pradesh, where they are provided certain reservations in education and public employment.[42][43]
The Government ofKerala has not listed the Sengunthar community in the state's Backward Class list. According to the Kerala government's official stance, Sengunthars are not considered socially or economically backward. However, the Kaikolan community is mentioned in the Other Backward Castes list for both state and central-level reservations in Kerala.[44][45]
சூலமும் மழுவும் கொண்ட சிவபெருமானவர். அதனால் அவருடைய பெயர் முதலியார் என்பது. அவர் வழியில் தோன்றினமையால் செங்குந்தர்களுக்கு முதலியார் என்ற பெயரைக் கொடுத்து அப்பெயராலேயே வழங்கப்படுகின்றது
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