இராவுத்தர்/ராவுத்தர்/റാവുത്തർ | |
|---|---|
 Tamil Muslims ofMadras presidency in 1830 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Tamilnadu,Kerala,Karnataka,Maritime Southeast Asia,Arabian Peninsula,Western Europe,North America | |
| Languages | |
| Tamil (Mother Tongue) •Malayalam | |
| Religion | |
| Islam (Sect –Sunni, Madhab – MajorityHanafi) | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Tamil People •Tamil Muslims •Dravidian |
TheRowther (IPA:[(i)raːʋut̪ːɐr], also known asIrauttar, Rawther, Ravuttar, Ravutta, Ravuthar, Ravuthamar) are a distinctMuslim community living largely in thesouth Indian states ofTamil Nadu andKerala.[1] They are a native warrior clan population who converted to Islam under the influence of saints likeNathar Shah (Nathar Wali) in 10th–11th centuries.[2][3][4] Even after conversion they retained theirRavuttar caste name. they were one of the earliest Muslim communities in India.[5] They were elite cavalrymen of theChola andPandya kingdoms.[6] They were traditionally a martial clan like theMaravars,[7] and constitute large part of the multi-ethnicTamil Muslim community.[8] Rowthers have also been found as Tamilpolygars,zamindars and chieftains from the 16th to 18th centuries.[9] The traditional homelands of the Rowthers were in the interior of SouthernTamilakam.[10][11][12][13][14][15]
The nameRavuttar (orRavutta,Ravuthar,Rowther,Rawther) means king, horseman, or cavalry warrior in theTamil language and is derived from the wordRājaputra, in the sense of 'prince', 'nobleman', or 'horseman'. D.C. Sircar points out thatRavutta orRahutta, as a title, means a 'subordinate ruler'.[16] Some scholars claim that the name comes fromRathore, a name common among theMuslim Rajputs of North India.[14] Historically, they are parts of clans traditionally holding positions as rulers and military folk. 'Ravuta' means a high-ranking title King, lord, or feudatory ruling chief.[17]
'Rahut' or 'rowt' means Warrior and 'raya' means captain.[18] 'Rāvuttarayan' or 'Rāvuttakartan' means high military chief of cavalry.
Rowthers are largest Muslim community in Tamil Nadu. they found all overTamil Nadu and in Central and SouthernKerala. Their mother tongue isTamil.[19] Many of them are familiar with thePerso-Arabic script. They adhere to the principles ofIslam, engaging in the study of theQuran and other religious texts in Arabic. Simultaneously, despite their commitment to their Islamic faith, they share a common pride with allTamils in their rich Tamil language and vibrant cultural heritage.[20]
Rowthers generally speakTamil.[21]
They have their own distinct culinary traditions which notably include RowtherBiryani.,[22][23][24] which is made of Jeera Samba rice, and desserts likeDumroot, a cake-like dish made out ofsemolina.Mutton is the preferred meat for special occasions like wedding events, house warming ceremonies, etc.[citation needed]
Much like other Muslim communities,Drinking Culture is non-existent due to Islam's stance regarding consumption ofalcohol. As is the consumption ofpork and usage of products derived from pigs. Due to following Hanafi rulings, they also might abstain from consumingshellfish like prawns, shrimps, crabs, lobsters, etc.due to them being deemedMakruh in the Hanafi madhab.
The Elderly Men wear solid whiteVēṭṭis (unstitched) or solid whiteKayili (stitched) for formal occasions. For more informal settings, a colored and patterned (checkered or striped)kayili is worn, usually asloungewear, regardless of age group and social standings. Religious Clerics or men who might be devout in their beliefs wear ajubbah, often paired with akayili. For special occasions, men might wear awaistcoat. Men usually get married wearing either aWestern Suit or aSherwani. They wear a whiteskullcap as headgear, especially if they are devout. Other headgear include theTurban and theFez, which aren't worn as frequently as everyday headgear as how the white skullcap might be, usually reserved for special occasions.
Women's traditional attire is thesari,[20][15] serving as abridal wear and for other formal occasions. Elderly women usually wear thesari as an everyday attire, regardless of the occasion. Over the decades, both as formal and informal wear, as is the case with the rest of the Indian subcontinent, theSalwar Kameez has become more prevalent, especially among working women and among the younger generations.[25] The older generations used to wrap around an unstitched and white over-sheet by the name of'Thupathi' over their garments, as a marker of modesty andPurdah.[26] However, due to evolving trends and cultural exchange, nowadays, as Purdah, women wear theAbaya, usually black in colour, paired with aheadscarf.
Both men and women might dye their hair (and beard, in the case of men) withHenna, in compliance with aProphetic tradition. Women also apply Henna asbridal makeup and for other special occasions.[27] ApplyingSurma as an eyeliner is another Prophetic tradition, as it is also a local cultural practice, especially more prevalent among women. Men might refrain from wearing silk garments and gold accessories due to a religious dictate of gold and silk beingdiscouraged for men.
The community also celebrates a festival called Chandanakudam every year.[citation needed]
'Ravuttar', 'Rawther', and 'Rowther' are common surnames among the group,[28] but other titles often used are below:
Rowthers are Soldiers, officials, and literati attached to Muslim Court in the Deccan.[35] In described as a Rāuta, Rāutta or Rāvutta derived from SanskritRajaputra and was often assumed by subordinate rulers.[36][37]
Later, Chola kings too invited Horse traders from theSeljuk Empire who belonged to theHanafi school.[38] During 8th-10th centuries, an armada of Turkish traders settled inMadurai,Tanjore,Tiruchirapalli,Tharangambadi,Nagapattinam,Muthupet,Koothanallur andPodakkudi.[39]
These new settlements were now added to the Rowther community. There are someAnatolian andSafavid inscriptions found in a wide area fromTanjore toThiruvarur and in many villages. These inscriptions are seized by theMadras Museum. Some Turkish inscriptions were also stolen from the Big Mosque ofKoothanallur in 1850.[40]
There are two factions of Rowthers in Tamil Nadu, Tamils cavalry warriors covers majority of Tamil Nadu while Seljuk Turkic clan remains inDelta districts and somesouth tamilnadu districts andKerala.[38] Both now Tamil and Turkish Hanafi expanded with population and some circumstantial evidence in historical sources that the Rowthers are related toVellalar converts.[41] Rowthers worked in the administration of the Vijayanagar Nayaks.[42]
The Rowthers were anendogamous group. But like all modern societies, they have adapted to modern norms and rituals.[43]
| English | Rowther's Tamil/Malayalam |
| Father | Aththaa or Atthaa/ Vappichi |
| Mother | Amma/Buva |
| Elder Brother | Annan |
| Younger Brother | Thambi |
| Elder Sister | Akka |
| Younger Sister | Thangai/Thangachi |
| Paternal Grandfather | Atthatha/Ayya/Appa/Radha |
| Paternal Grandmother | Aththamma/Radhima orThathima |
| Maternal Grandfather | Ayya/Appa or Ammatha/Nanna |
| Maternal Grandmother | Mooma/Ammama/Nannimma |
| Father's Elder Brother/ Husband of Mother's Elder Sister | Periyatha orPeriyavaapa |
| Mother's Elder Sister / Wife of Father's Elder Brother | Periyamma orPeriyabuva |
| Father's Younger Brother | Chaacha/Chinnaththa |
| Mother's Younger Sister | Khalamma/Chinnamma/Chiththi |
| Maternal Uncle | Mama |
| Maternal Aunt | Maami |
| Cousins | Machan & Machi |
| Elder Brother's Wife | Madhini/Machi |
Nevertheless, in cities, inter-marriages do occur, although they are rare" (Vines, 1973). cross-cousins are potential spouses. Remembering the community's historic valor, during marriage ceremonies, the bridegroom is conducted in a horseback procession.[11]
Traditionally the Rowthers werelandlords and landowning community (historically mentioned as Rowthers were brave cavaliers and early Muslim horse-traders in Tamil literature[44]), but today, they deal with various trade and occupations, mostly beingself-employed. They deal in gemstones, gold, textiles, and real estate and participate in thefood, beverage, and hospitality industry, construction work, and general merchandising. Some profess traditionallywhite-collar professions like doctors, engineers, advocates, civil servants, accountants, and teachers.[45]
There is traditional caste council or panchayat among the Rowthers. In Kerala Rawther Welfare Society (Rawther federation of India) and also Learned and Elderly individuals, and Religious Clerics act as advisors.[45]
Rowthers belong to theSunni sect of Islam and subscribe to theHanafi school of jurisprudence. They follow the five basic tenets of Islam, which are:
Their adherence to theHanafi madhab
Being Hanafi adherents, Rowthers tend to subscribe to theDeobandi movement, which is a reformist movement that arose during the 19th century in North India. The aim of this movement is to eradicatereligious innovations and other practices that the movement might deem 'heretical' or 'deviant', all of which might have crept within the subcontinent's Muslims and their practices over the centuries.
In contrast, they can also be part of theBarelvi movement (Sunnat Jamaath), which also began in North India during the late 19th century. The Barelvi movement emphasise more on retaining the centuries of religious traditions and practices, and encourages visiting the resting place (Dargahs) of Awliyas and seekingintercession.
The major festivals celebrated arePuthandu,Pongal,Eid-Ul-Fitr, Chandanakudam, andBakr-id.[45]
The well-known legend of theShiva saintManikkavacakar of the 9th century is connected with the purchase of horses for the Pandya king. In that, the god Shiva who appeared in disguise as a horse trader to protect the saint and he is called as Rowther. Also, the Tamil godMurugan is praised by saintArunagirinathar asசூர் கொன்ற ராவுத்தனே (Oh Ravuttan, who vanquished Sooran) andமாமயிலேரும் ராவுத்தனே (Oh Ravuttan, who rides on the great peacock) in his Kanthar Alangaram (கந்தர் அலங்காரம்) and in Kanthar Venba (கந்தர் வெண்பா).[46][47][48]
This shows the religious harmony of Rowthers andSaivites in earlyTamilakam till now.[49][50][51]
There were Tamil Rowthers working in the administration of theVijayanagara Empire in the Khurram Kunda. The inscription details the dedication of the land by the Rowther to aMurugan temple in Cheyyur.
Muththaal Ravuttar (meaning Muslim Rowther is a Prakrit derivation fromraja-putra) figures as Tamil male deities who protect Tamil land.[9]
Rowthers are one of the most prominent Muslim groups in South India, making their mark in various fields, from jurisprudence to Entertainment.[45]
The community gives importance to education. Due to Globalization andthe 1991 Economic Reforms, a lot of societal and cultural shifts have taken place. The aftermath has resulted in women being more active participants of the workforce and an increase in their participation in higher education and academia.[52] Grants and scholarships have been established by numerous Muslim minority institutions to make education easier for women to seek and access. Thus, women today, are encouraged and emphasised to pursue and excel in secular education as much as it might be encouraged for them to excel in religious education.
Due to easier and better access to religious resources and more religious awareness, the community has also gradually begun to allow women to pray inmasjids, particularly during the occasions ofJummah andEid, and make them more active participants in masjid activities (hosting seminars, workshops, and classes). Historically, in the Indian subcontinent, due to societal and cultural reasons, more so than any religious mandate, women were discouraged to attend, pray, and participate in masjids.[53][54][55]
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