Gounder is a title used by various communities in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. [1] It may refer to various unrelated communities such as Vettuva Gounder, [2] [3] Kongu Vellalar, Thuluva Vellalar, [3] Urali Gounders, [4] Kurumba, Vanniyars, Vokkaligas. [5] [2]
There are a number of derivations for the title. One theory derives it from the Tamil word Kaamindan, meaning "noble protector of the country", later modified as Kavundan or Gounder. [6]
According to S. N. Sadasivan, the Tamil Vellalars branched off from the Vokkaligas and both might have a common origin from the Kurumba. [7]
During the British Raj era, some Gounders migrated to Malayan rubber plantations as Kanganis to manage the coolies. [8]
In all probability the Tamil Kavandans or Goundans might have branched of from them and both might be descendants of Kurumbas of yore.
Gounder is a title used by various communities in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. [1] It may refer to various unrelated communities such as Vettuva Gounder, [2] [3] Kongu Vellalar, Thuluva Vellalar, [3] Urali Gounders, [4] Kurumba, Vanniyars, Vokkaligas. [5] [2]
There are a number of derivations for the title. One theory derives it from the Tamil word Kaamindan, meaning "noble protector of the country", later modified as Kavundan or Gounder. [6]
According to S. N. Sadasivan, the Tamil Vellalars branched off from the Vokkaligas and both might have a common origin from the Kurumba. [7]
During the British Raj era, some Gounders migrated to Malayan rubber plantations as Kanganis to manage the coolies. [8]
In all probability the Tamil Kavandans or Goundans might have branched of from them and both might be descendants of Kurumbas of yore.