Maravar (also known asMaravan andMarava) are aTamil community in thestate ofTamil Nadu. These people are one of the three branches of theMukkulathor confederacy.[1] Members of the Maravar community often use the honorific titleThevar.[2][3][4] They are classified as anOther Backward Class or aDenotified Tribe in Tamil Nadu, depending on the district.[5]
TheSethupathi rulers of the erstwhileRamnad kingdom were from this community.[6] The Maravar community, along with the Kallars, had a reputation for thieving androbbery from as early as the medieval period.[7][8][9][10][11]
Etymology
The termMaravar has diverse proposed etymologies;[12] it may come simply from aTamil wordmaram, meaning such things asvice andmurder.[13] or a term meaning "bravery".[14]
Social status
The Maravars were considered as Shudras and were free to worship in Hindu temples.[15] According to Pamela G, Price, the Maravar were warriors who were in some caseszamindars. The zamins of Singampatti, Urkadu, Nerkattanseval, Thalavankottai, all ruled by members of Maravar caste.[16] Occasionally the Setupathis had to respond to the charge they were not ritually pure.[17]
During the formation of Tamilaham, the Maravars were brought in as socially outcast tribes or traditionally as lowest entrants into the shudra category.[18][citation needed] The Maravas to this day are feared as a thieving tribe and are an ostracised group in Tirunelveli region.[18][19]
