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Simplified helpful important overview (Compiled from already existing and reliable sources) of the article to add to the "History" section but above the "In Sangam literature" on the main article.
Historians consider the Vellalars originated from the Velir clans who claim descent from the Yadu king or Yadu dynasty. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] Historically, the Vellalars were the class of landed aristocrats [6] [7] and held various hereditary occupations such as petty kings and nobles, provincial governors, army commanders, court officials, warriors, landlords, and agriculturists. [8] [9] [10] Vino678777 ( talk) 03:56, 26 January 2023 (UTC)
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Lizthegrey (
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03:30, 16 March 2023 (UTC)References
Historian M. Arokiaswamy "Origin of the Vellalas, 1955, p 25" stresses that Vellalar originated as Velir chieftains of the sangam age.
An Ay chief described as vennir vellala, not as Yadhava. Although Vellalas themselves trace their descent from yadu. Thus Ay velirs are vellalas.
The Nankudi vellalars directly trace their ancestors to the Irunkovel line of Velir kings.
To conclude that, then: the Velir families who, as states in the preceding pages, emigrated from velpulam and settled as rulers in several parts of the south, and the great community of Velalas who were their followers and kinsmen have...
Velirs or Vellalas were landed agricultural aristrocrats.
The dominant social group as depicted by Tolkapiyam was the class of landed aristocrats. These landed aristocrats or Vellalas constituted the most important section of the society.
Vellalas were landed agricultural aristocrats and associated with kings and nobles in blood...
Vellalar of these, the former, i.e, Uluvithunbor were employed by the reigning monarchs as governors of provinces and districts, and commanders of their armies and they were entitled to high privileges... being born of the families of the petty kings and nobles, bride givers to royals ...
{{
cite journal}}
: line feed character in |quote=
at position 286 (
help)
Vellalas held eight kind of positions, they were: Being a King, a Prince, Kosar...
The Vellalar were dominant secular aristocratic caste under the Chola kings, providing the courtiers, most of the army officers.... , Thondamandala Vellalar subjects there to have been traditionally "landlords, warriors, and officials of the state class".
-- Astroz anime ( talk) 13:12, 5 September 2023 (UTC)-- Astroz anime ( talk) 13:12, 5 September 2023 (UTC)-- Astroz anime ( talk) 13:12, 5 September 2023 (UTC)
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Astroz anime ( talk) 13:12, 5 September 2023 (UTC)
Add Kodikaal Vellalar To The Subcastes of Vellalar
Source:
https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.56743/page/n423/mode/2up
https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.47747/page/n329/mode/2up Astroz anime ( talk) 07:54, 27 September 2023 (UTC)
Add Kodikaal Vellalar to subcastes.
Source:
https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.56743/page/n423/mode/2up
https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.47747/page/n329/mode/2up Astroz anime ( talk) 06:09, 2 October 2023 (UTC)
The Varna status of the Vellalars is a contested and complex topic, as the Vellalars are traditionally classified under the Vaishya [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [3] [12] [13] varna, and additionally from British rule onwards are also classified as high ranking Shudras, [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] by various sources. The traditional records, views of historians and Government records have been elaborated below in chronological order.
J. V. Chelliah a popular Tamil scholar who translated the Ten Idylls into English states that Paṭṭiṉappālai (Commonly dated between 1st to 2nd Century CE) has mentions that Vellalars belonged to the Vysya caste, They followed the 4 Vedas, they were commonly involved in agriculture, taking care of cattle, trade and other business pursuits. [22] — Preceding unsigned comment added by Sastri676 ( talk • contribs) 09:40, 6 October 2023 (UTC)
Appar, a Saiva Vellala saint who lived during the 6th-7th Century CE, was a Vaishya by birth [23] [24]. The Saiva saint from 8th century CE, Eyarkon Kalikamar, 29th among the 63 Saiva Nayanmars mentioned in Sekkizhar's Periya Puranam, dated 12th century CE, is described as a Vellala of the Vaishya caste [25].
The Vaishnavite Vellala Saint Nammazhwar, who lived ca. 798 CE, was classified as Vysya, among the Four great Vysya saints of Hinduism, by the All India Vaishya Samaj in 1988. [26] This is corroborated by Dr.Panchapakesa Jayaraman, Vedic priest & scholar, ex-director of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, in his book "A Brief History of Vaishnava Saint Poets: The Alwars" where he mentions that Nammalwar, a Vellala, belongs to the Vaishya caste. [27] Nammazhwar's grandfather, Tiruvazhmarban Pillai, also a Vellala, is mentioned as a Vysya. [28]
Rangappa Thiruvengadam Pillai, who recorded a Diary of events in the Tamil region from 1761-1768, belonged to the Vaishya caste. [29]
The Karmandala Satakam by Ãrai Kiḻãr, dated 1292-1342 C.E, during the reign of Hoysala King Veera Ballala III, states in verse 52:
"The Vellalas of Karmandalam belonged to the Mānava Gotra & practiced the rite of upanayana or wearing the sacred thread." [30]
As per the Apastambha Shrauta Sutra, The Mānava Gotra is a Rājarși-derived Dvija Gotra used by the 3-upper castes. [31]
The Vaidika Upanayana ceremony performed by the Vellalas, for wearing the Yajñopavita or the sacred thread, traditionally done for the 3 upper castes, namely Brahmin, Kshatriya and Vaishya respectively, [32] is also well documented in the British era and modern records. [33] [34] [35] [36] [37] In his letters from 1947, Ananda Kentish Coomaraswamy, a Sri Lankan Vellalar, records his Vellala ancestry from Thanjavur, and states that the Vellalars are traditionally given the Vaidika Upanayana ceremony and wear the sacred thread or Yajñopavita. [38] He also mentions his Upanayana ceremony conducted by a Brahmin from Punjab and his son Rama's Upanayana ceremony in Bengal. [39] [40] Edgar Thurston quotes H.A Stuart's commentary on the Vellalas, where he mentions the Vaishya subdivisions of the Vellalas as shepherds, cultivators and merchants and a few who therefore constantly wear the sacred thread, with most putting it on only during marriages or funerals as a mark of the sacred nature of the ceremony." [41]
The various Puranas mentioning the Vaishya status accorded to the Vellalars during the reign of the Chola emperors, is elaborated in the Abhidana Chintamani. [42]
According to Anthropologist Irawati Karve, there is a tradition among the Vellalans that there were 3 divisions of the Vaishyas : (1) Bhu- Vaishyas or farmers ,(2) Go- Vaishyas or husbandmen & (3) Dhana- Vaishyas or merchants, with the last division giving rise to the Chettis who originally belonged to the Vellala tribe. [1]
Historian Usha R. Vijailakshmi observes that Verse 34 of the Karmandala Satakam, composed ca.1292 CE, connects the origin of the Gangas to the origin of the Karakatha Vellalas of Southern Karnataka, as follows: "Gangeya Murthaka pala was born to Lord Shiva and he had two wives; the first wife had 54 sons & the second wife had 52 sons. Out of these Bhupalar, (one who practiced Agriculture) gave birth to 35 Vellala leaders, Dhanapalar, who was into trade, gave birth to 35 Vellala leaders Gopalar, (one who herded cattle) and one Agamurthi gave birth to 1 Vellala leader". [43]
The terms Bhupālar, Dhanapālar, & Gopālar refer to the 3 subdivisions of Vaishyas: Bhu- vaishya, Dhana- vaishya & Go- vaishya [44] [6] [1] respectively. Their professions correspond to the duties laid out for Vaishyas in the Manusmriti, which states, "trade, animal husbandry, and agriculture has been prescribed as the livelihood for the Vaishya. Their Law, however, is giving gifts, studying the Vedas, and offering sacrifices." [45]. This is corroborated by Muttusvami Srinivasa Iyengar, who classifies the Vellalas as Vaishyas with Bhu- Vaishya and Kula Vanikar or Vellan Chetti sub-divisions, and cites the duties of the Bhu-Vaishya sect of Vellalars as mentioned in a verse of the 9th century CE text, the Purapporul Venba Maalai: "
(1) tilling,
(2) cow-breeding,
(3) trade,
(4) studying the Vedas,
(5) worship of sacrificial' fire, and
(6) giving aims. [46]
Usha R. Vijailakshmi notes that the same legend from the Karmandala Satakam [47] is dealt with in certain detail by Edgar Thurston in his seminal work - Castes and Tribes of Southern India, in which he discusses the Vellala community of Tamil Nadu. [48] The 1961 Census quotes Edgar Thurston who classifies the Vellalas as Vaisyas, [11] [3] [4] and mentions their traditional subdivision into Bhūmi Pālakulu or Bhu- Vaishyas, Vellal Shetti or Dhana- Vaishyas, and Govu-Shetlu or Go- Vaishyas as mentioned in the Baramahal records [5] [12] which state that in Murdaka Palakulu, the son of Bhumi Devi born on the banks of the Ganges, after winning a battle with Vishwakarma, attained the titles
1) Bhūmi Pālakudu or saviour of the earth,
2) Ganga kulam or descendant of the river Ganga, and
3)Murdaka Pālakudu or protector of the plough, alluding to his being born with a ploughshare in his hand,
and it was ordained that a person of the caste should put the crown on the king's head at the coronation. They next invested him with the yegnōpavitam or string, and, in order that he might propagate his caste, they gave him in marriage the daughters of the gods Indra and Kubēra. [49] Murdaka Pālakulu had fifty-four sons by the daughter of the god Indra, and fifty-two by the daughter of the god Kubēra, whom he married to the one hundred and six daughters of Nala Kubarudu, the son of Kubēra, and it was ordained that;
Edgar Thurston also cites H.A. Stuart's commentary which corroborates the Baramahal records, where he mentions the Vellalas sub-divisions of Vaishyas as Bhu- Vaishyas, Go- Vaishyas and Dhana- Vaishyas or shepherds, cultivators and merchants. [41]
Busnagi Rajannan states that the Kongu Vellalars are also referred to as Bhu- Vaishyas, Bhu-Pālan or Gangavamsam. [51] The "Yalpana Vaipava Malai" or "The History of the Kingdom of Jaffna", composed by Mayil Vakanan in 1739, states that the Vellalars are synonymous with Vaishyas. [7]
Simon Casie Chitty notes in the British Government Ceylon District Gazetteer of 1834 that the Sri Lankan Vellalars also follow this 3 fold classification of Vaishyas; The Chettiar Vellalar are Dhana- Vaishyas, the Karkathar Vellalar, Tuluva Vellalar and Chozhia Vellalar are Bhu- Vaishyas, and the Idayers are Go- Vaishyas. [6] Alongside classifying the Vellalas as Vaishyas, Chetty also documents that the Jaffna Vellalas belong to the Bhu-Vaishya caste caste, [52] and the Colombo Chetties belong to the Dhana- Vaishya [53] caste. [6]
The 1871 [54] and 1901 British Government Censuses which put the Vellalas in the Sudra category was met with protests by the Vellala community [55] [56] who petitioned against the move by citing the Manusmriti, as they are traditionally classified as Vaishyas [57] [58] [7], with the traditional records dating as far back as 1292 [59] [60]. The evidences of the Dvija Gotras being held by the Vellalas [61] [31], along with the long documented tradition of them wearing the sacred thread [33] [34] [35] [36] [37] or Yajñopavita & the Vaidika Upanayana ceremonies having been performed by the Vellalar community [62] [38] [39] [63], which are traditionally restricted to the 3 upper varnas, namely Brahmin, Kshatriya and Vaishya respectively [32], reaffirms their traditional Dvija Vaishya status [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] & contradicts these additional Shudra classifications of the Vellalars from the colonial period onwards [16], as Shudras do not have Dvija Gotras & are not given the Vaidika upanayana ceremonies.
Post the 1871 and 1901 Census, The Travancore Government Gazette of 1911 documents the Nanjinad Vellalas as Bhu- Vaishyas. [9] [64] The 1961 Census of India, quoting Edgar Thurson, classifies the Vellalas as Vaishyas. [3] [4] The 1981 Census of India mentions the Chettiar Vellalar, Mudaliar, & Kongu Vellalars or Gounders alongside the other Vysya communities of Karnataka for their involvement in substantial businesses. [65]
Modern historians like K.A.Nilakanta Sastri, R.S.Sharma and S.Thiruvenkatachari have stated that the Vellalars cannot be equated with Shudras. [66] [67] [68] [69] A.R. Desai notes in that the Vellalas follow a more ritualistic , " Sanskritic ” style of life and proclaim themselves as Vaishyas. [70]
References
"These people are considered as high caste Hindus and Mr. Thurston classifies them as a sub-sect of Vaisyas. According to Mr. Thurston these people belong to the sub-sect known as Buvaisyas as distinguished from Thanavaisyas. The former are cultivators by tradition and the latter are traders by profession. The word Vellala is believed to be derived from the word Velanmai meaning cultivation and thereby indicating their traditional occupation."
considered as high caste Hindus and Mr . Thurston classifies them as a sub - sect of Vaisyas . According to Mr . Thurston these people belong to the sub - sect known as Buvaisyas as distinguished from Thanavaisyas . The former are cultivators by tradition and the latter are traders by profession . The word Vellala is believed to be
google514
was invoked but never defined (see the
help page)."These people are considered as high caste Hindus and Mr. Thurston classifies them as a sub-sect of Vaisyas. According to Mr. Thurston these people belong to the sub-sect known as Buvaisyas as distinguished from Thanavaisyas. The former are cultivators by tradition and the latter are traders by profession. The word Vellala is believed to be derived from the word Velanmai meaning cultivation and thereby indicating their traditional occupation."
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was invoked but never defined (see the
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was invoked but never defined (see the
help page).Nammalwar belonging to the Vellala, Vaishya community
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was invoked but never defined (see the
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was invoked but never defined (see the
help page).There is a tradition among the Vellalans that there were 3 divisions of the Vaisyas : ( 1 ) Bhuvaisyas or farmers , ( 2 ) Govaisyas or husbandmen and ( 3 ) Dhanavaisyas or merchants . The last division is claimed to have given rise to the Chettis who originally belonged to the Vellala tribe.
The work connects the origin of the Gangas to the origin of the Karkatha Vellalas of Karnataka. Gangeya Murthaka pala was born to Lord Shiva and he had two wives; the first wife had 54 sons & the second wife had 52 sons. Out of these Bhupalar, (one who practiced Agriculture) gave birth to 35 Vellala leaders, Dhanapalar, who was into trade, gave birth to 35 Vellala leaders Gopalar, (one who herded cattle) and one Agamurthi gave birth to 1 Vellala leader.
Verse 52: The Vellalas of Karmandalam belonged to the Mānava Gotra & practiced the rite of upanayana or wearing the sacred thread.
Verse 52: The Vellalas of Karmandalam belonged to the Mānava Gotra & practiced the rite of upanayana or wearing the sacred thread.
Verse 52: The Vellalas of Karmandalam belonged to the Mānava Gotra & practiced the rite of upanayana or wearing the sacred thread.
{{
cite book}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (
link):"Other locals belonging to Chettiar , Goundar , Mudaliar and Vysya communities are also doing a substantial business ."
the vellalars have no connection to velir and also vellalars are not connected to Ay velirs. there is no source which states that ayvelirs are vellalars. discuss
Social Scientist - Google Books Publisher:Indian School of Social Sciences https://www.google.com/books/edition/Social_Scientist/_Hw5AAAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=vellalars+agricultural+shudra&dq=vellalars+agricultural+shudra&printsec=frontcover
Publisher:University of California, Berkeley https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Power_of_Murugan/6utIAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=vellalars+agricultural+shudra&dq=vellalars+agricultural+shudra&printsec=frontcover The Power of Murugan A Study of the Tamil Celebration of Thaipusam in Penang, Malaysia 160.69.1.132 ( talk) 23:44, 14 November 2023 (UTC)
Opening this section to discuss why the Varna section is not required in this article. Even though I have deleted this section for now, it is bound to be re-added to the article by some editor citing some reason or the other in the near future. Request editors to answer some of the queries listed below so wiki readership can better understand why some editors think varna section is required in this article.
For the reasons/queries cited above, I think Varna section is not needed in this article. If some editors think otherwise then please explain the reasons and answer the above queries so everyone can undertand why Varna section is required in this article. Nittawinoda ( talk) 15:15, 30 October 2023 (UTC)
This is an archive of past discussions. Do not edit the contents of this page. If you wish to start a new discussion or revive an old one, please do so on the current talk page. |
Archive 1 | Archive 2 | Archive 3 | Archive 4 |
This
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Vellalar has been answered. Set the |answered= or |ans= parameter to no to reactivate your request. |
Simplified helpful important overview (Compiled from already existing and reliable sources) of the article to add to the "History" section but above the "In Sangam literature" on the main article.
Historians consider the Vellalars originated from the Velir clans who claim descent from the Yadu king or Yadu dynasty. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] Historically, the Vellalars were the class of landed aristocrats [6] [7] and held various hereditary occupations such as petty kings and nobles, provincial governors, army commanders, court officials, warriors, landlords, and agriculturists. [8] [9] [10] Vino678777 ( talk) 03:56, 26 January 2023 (UTC)
{{
Edit extended-protected}}
template.
Lizthegrey (
talk)
03:30, 16 March 2023 (UTC)References
Historian M. Arokiaswamy "Origin of the Vellalas, 1955, p 25" stresses that Vellalar originated as Velir chieftains of the sangam age.
An Ay chief described as vennir vellala, not as Yadhava. Although Vellalas themselves trace their descent from yadu. Thus Ay velirs are vellalas.
The Nankudi vellalars directly trace their ancestors to the Irunkovel line of Velir kings.
To conclude that, then: the Velir families who, as states in the preceding pages, emigrated from velpulam and settled as rulers in several parts of the south, and the great community of Velalas who were their followers and kinsmen have...
Velirs or Vellalas were landed agricultural aristrocrats.
The dominant social group as depicted by Tolkapiyam was the class of landed aristocrats. These landed aristocrats or Vellalas constituted the most important section of the society.
Vellalas were landed agricultural aristocrats and associated with kings and nobles in blood...
Vellalar of these, the former, i.e, Uluvithunbor were employed by the reigning monarchs as governors of provinces and districts, and commanders of their armies and they were entitled to high privileges... being born of the families of the petty kings and nobles, bride givers to royals ...
{{
cite journal}}
: line feed character in |quote=
at position 286 (
help)
Vellalas held eight kind of positions, they were: Being a King, a Prince, Kosar...
The Vellalar were dominant secular aristocratic caste under the Chola kings, providing the courtiers, most of the army officers.... , Thondamandala Vellalar subjects there to have been traditionally "landlords, warriors, and officials of the state class".
-- Astroz anime ( talk) 13:12, 5 September 2023 (UTC)-- Astroz anime ( talk) 13:12, 5 September 2023 (UTC)-- Astroz anime ( talk) 13:12, 5 September 2023 (UTC)
This
edit request to
Vellalar has been answered. Set the |answered= or |ans= parameter to no to reactivate your request. |
Astroz anime ( talk) 13:12, 5 September 2023 (UTC)
Add Kodikaal Vellalar To The Subcastes of Vellalar
Source:
https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.56743/page/n423/mode/2up
https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.47747/page/n329/mode/2up Astroz anime ( talk) 07:54, 27 September 2023 (UTC)
Add Kodikaal Vellalar to subcastes.
Source:
https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.56743/page/n423/mode/2up
https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.47747/page/n329/mode/2up Astroz anime ( talk) 06:09, 2 October 2023 (UTC)
The Varna status of the Vellalars is a contested and complex topic, as the Vellalars are traditionally classified under the Vaishya [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [3] [12] [13] varna, and additionally from British rule onwards are also classified as high ranking Shudras, [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] by various sources. The traditional records, views of historians and Government records have been elaborated below in chronological order.
J. V. Chelliah a popular Tamil scholar who translated the Ten Idylls into English states that Paṭṭiṉappālai (Commonly dated between 1st to 2nd Century CE) has mentions that Vellalars belonged to the Vysya caste, They followed the 4 Vedas, they were commonly involved in agriculture, taking care of cattle, trade and other business pursuits. [22] — Preceding unsigned comment added by Sastri676 ( talk • contribs) 09:40, 6 October 2023 (UTC)
Appar, a Saiva Vellala saint who lived during the 6th-7th Century CE, was a Vaishya by birth [23] [24]. The Saiva saint from 8th century CE, Eyarkon Kalikamar, 29th among the 63 Saiva Nayanmars mentioned in Sekkizhar's Periya Puranam, dated 12th century CE, is described as a Vellala of the Vaishya caste [25].
The Vaishnavite Vellala Saint Nammazhwar, who lived ca. 798 CE, was classified as Vysya, among the Four great Vysya saints of Hinduism, by the All India Vaishya Samaj in 1988. [26] This is corroborated by Dr.Panchapakesa Jayaraman, Vedic priest & scholar, ex-director of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, in his book "A Brief History of Vaishnava Saint Poets: The Alwars" where he mentions that Nammalwar, a Vellala, belongs to the Vaishya caste. [27] Nammazhwar's grandfather, Tiruvazhmarban Pillai, also a Vellala, is mentioned as a Vysya. [28]
Rangappa Thiruvengadam Pillai, who recorded a Diary of events in the Tamil region from 1761-1768, belonged to the Vaishya caste. [29]
The Karmandala Satakam by Ãrai Kiḻãr, dated 1292-1342 C.E, during the reign of Hoysala King Veera Ballala III, states in verse 52:
"The Vellalas of Karmandalam belonged to the Mānava Gotra & practiced the rite of upanayana or wearing the sacred thread." [30]
As per the Apastambha Shrauta Sutra, The Mānava Gotra is a Rājarși-derived Dvija Gotra used by the 3-upper castes. [31]
The Vaidika Upanayana ceremony performed by the Vellalas, for wearing the Yajñopavita or the sacred thread, traditionally done for the 3 upper castes, namely Brahmin, Kshatriya and Vaishya respectively, [32] is also well documented in the British era and modern records. [33] [34] [35] [36] [37] In his letters from 1947, Ananda Kentish Coomaraswamy, a Sri Lankan Vellalar, records his Vellala ancestry from Thanjavur, and states that the Vellalars are traditionally given the Vaidika Upanayana ceremony and wear the sacred thread or Yajñopavita. [38] He also mentions his Upanayana ceremony conducted by a Brahmin from Punjab and his son Rama's Upanayana ceremony in Bengal. [39] [40] Edgar Thurston quotes H.A Stuart's commentary on the Vellalas, where he mentions the Vaishya subdivisions of the Vellalas as shepherds, cultivators and merchants and a few who therefore constantly wear the sacred thread, with most putting it on only during marriages or funerals as a mark of the sacred nature of the ceremony." [41]
The various Puranas mentioning the Vaishya status accorded to the Vellalars during the reign of the Chola emperors, is elaborated in the Abhidana Chintamani. [42]
According to Anthropologist Irawati Karve, there is a tradition among the Vellalans that there were 3 divisions of the Vaishyas : (1) Bhu- Vaishyas or farmers ,(2) Go- Vaishyas or husbandmen & (3) Dhana- Vaishyas or merchants, with the last division giving rise to the Chettis who originally belonged to the Vellala tribe. [1]
Historian Usha R. Vijailakshmi observes that Verse 34 of the Karmandala Satakam, composed ca.1292 CE, connects the origin of the Gangas to the origin of the Karakatha Vellalas of Southern Karnataka, as follows: "Gangeya Murthaka pala was born to Lord Shiva and he had two wives; the first wife had 54 sons & the second wife had 52 sons. Out of these Bhupalar, (one who practiced Agriculture) gave birth to 35 Vellala leaders, Dhanapalar, who was into trade, gave birth to 35 Vellala leaders Gopalar, (one who herded cattle) and one Agamurthi gave birth to 1 Vellala leader". [43]
The terms Bhupālar, Dhanapālar, & Gopālar refer to the 3 subdivisions of Vaishyas: Bhu- vaishya, Dhana- vaishya & Go- vaishya [44] [6] [1] respectively. Their professions correspond to the duties laid out for Vaishyas in the Manusmriti, which states, "trade, animal husbandry, and agriculture has been prescribed as the livelihood for the Vaishya. Their Law, however, is giving gifts, studying the Vedas, and offering sacrifices." [45]. This is corroborated by Muttusvami Srinivasa Iyengar, who classifies the Vellalas as Vaishyas with Bhu- Vaishya and Kula Vanikar or Vellan Chetti sub-divisions, and cites the duties of the Bhu-Vaishya sect of Vellalars as mentioned in a verse of the 9th century CE text, the Purapporul Venba Maalai: "
(1) tilling,
(2) cow-breeding,
(3) trade,
(4) studying the Vedas,
(5) worship of sacrificial' fire, and
(6) giving aims. [46]
Usha R. Vijailakshmi notes that the same legend from the Karmandala Satakam [47] is dealt with in certain detail by Edgar Thurston in his seminal work - Castes and Tribes of Southern India, in which he discusses the Vellala community of Tamil Nadu. [48] The 1961 Census quotes Edgar Thurston who classifies the Vellalas as Vaisyas, [11] [3] [4] and mentions their traditional subdivision into Bhūmi Pālakulu or Bhu- Vaishyas, Vellal Shetti or Dhana- Vaishyas, and Govu-Shetlu or Go- Vaishyas as mentioned in the Baramahal records [5] [12] which state that in Murdaka Palakulu, the son of Bhumi Devi born on the banks of the Ganges, after winning a battle with Vishwakarma, attained the titles
1) Bhūmi Pālakudu or saviour of the earth,
2) Ganga kulam or descendant of the river Ganga, and
3)Murdaka Pālakudu or protector of the plough, alluding to his being born with a ploughshare in his hand,
and it was ordained that a person of the caste should put the crown on the king's head at the coronation. They next invested him with the yegnōpavitam or string, and, in order that he might propagate his caste, they gave him in marriage the daughters of the gods Indra and Kubēra. [49] Murdaka Pālakulu had fifty-four sons by the daughter of the god Indra, and fifty-two by the daughter of the god Kubēra, whom he married to the one hundred and six daughters of Nala Kubarudu, the son of Kubēra, and it was ordained that;
Edgar Thurston also cites H.A. Stuart's commentary which corroborates the Baramahal records, where he mentions the Vellalas sub-divisions of Vaishyas as Bhu- Vaishyas, Go- Vaishyas and Dhana- Vaishyas or shepherds, cultivators and merchants. [41]
Busnagi Rajannan states that the Kongu Vellalars are also referred to as Bhu- Vaishyas, Bhu-Pālan or Gangavamsam. [51] The "Yalpana Vaipava Malai" or "The History of the Kingdom of Jaffna", composed by Mayil Vakanan in 1739, states that the Vellalars are synonymous with Vaishyas. [7]
Simon Casie Chitty notes in the British Government Ceylon District Gazetteer of 1834 that the Sri Lankan Vellalars also follow this 3 fold classification of Vaishyas; The Chettiar Vellalar are Dhana- Vaishyas, the Karkathar Vellalar, Tuluva Vellalar and Chozhia Vellalar are Bhu- Vaishyas, and the Idayers are Go- Vaishyas. [6] Alongside classifying the Vellalas as Vaishyas, Chetty also documents that the Jaffna Vellalas belong to the Bhu-Vaishya caste caste, [52] and the Colombo Chetties belong to the Dhana- Vaishya [53] caste. [6]
The 1871 [54] and 1901 British Government Censuses which put the Vellalas in the Sudra category was met with protests by the Vellala community [55] [56] who petitioned against the move by citing the Manusmriti, as they are traditionally classified as Vaishyas [57] [58] [7], with the traditional records dating as far back as 1292 [59] [60]. The evidences of the Dvija Gotras being held by the Vellalas [61] [31], along with the long documented tradition of them wearing the sacred thread [33] [34] [35] [36] [37] or Yajñopavita & the Vaidika Upanayana ceremonies having been performed by the Vellalar community [62] [38] [39] [63], which are traditionally restricted to the 3 upper varnas, namely Brahmin, Kshatriya and Vaishya respectively [32], reaffirms their traditional Dvija Vaishya status [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] & contradicts these additional Shudra classifications of the Vellalars from the colonial period onwards [16], as Shudras do not have Dvija Gotras & are not given the Vaidika upanayana ceremonies.
Post the 1871 and 1901 Census, The Travancore Government Gazette of 1911 documents the Nanjinad Vellalas as Bhu- Vaishyas. [9] [64] The 1961 Census of India, quoting Edgar Thurson, classifies the Vellalas as Vaishyas. [3] [4] The 1981 Census of India mentions the Chettiar Vellalar, Mudaliar, & Kongu Vellalars or Gounders alongside the other Vysya communities of Karnataka for their involvement in substantial businesses. [65]
Modern historians like K.A.Nilakanta Sastri, R.S.Sharma and S.Thiruvenkatachari have stated that the Vellalars cannot be equated with Shudras. [66] [67] [68] [69] A.R. Desai notes in that the Vellalas follow a more ritualistic , " Sanskritic ” style of life and proclaim themselves as Vaishyas. [70]
References
"These people are considered as high caste Hindus and Mr. Thurston classifies them as a sub-sect of Vaisyas. According to Mr. Thurston these people belong to the sub-sect known as Buvaisyas as distinguished from Thanavaisyas. The former are cultivators by tradition and the latter are traders by profession. The word Vellala is believed to be derived from the word Velanmai meaning cultivation and thereby indicating their traditional occupation."
considered as high caste Hindus and Mr . Thurston classifies them as a sub - sect of Vaisyas . According to Mr . Thurston these people belong to the sub - sect known as Buvaisyas as distinguished from Thanavaisyas . The former are cultivators by tradition and the latter are traders by profession . The word Vellala is believed to be
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was invoked but never defined (see the
help page)."These people are considered as high caste Hindus and Mr. Thurston classifies them as a sub-sect of Vaisyas. According to Mr. Thurston these people belong to the sub-sect known as Buvaisyas as distinguished from Thanavaisyas. The former are cultivators by tradition and the latter are traders by profession. The word Vellala is believed to be derived from the word Velanmai meaning cultivation and thereby indicating their traditional occupation."
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was invoked but never defined (see the
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was invoked but never defined (see the
help page).Nammalwar belonging to the Vellala, Vaishya community
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was invoked but never defined (see the
help page).There is a tradition among the Vellalans that there were 3 divisions of the Vaisyas : ( 1 ) Bhuvaisyas or farmers , ( 2 ) Govaisyas or husbandmen and ( 3 ) Dhanavaisyas or merchants . The last division is claimed to have given rise to the Chettis who originally belonged to the Vellala tribe.
The work connects the origin of the Gangas to the origin of the Karkatha Vellalas of Karnataka. Gangeya Murthaka pala was born to Lord Shiva and he had two wives; the first wife had 54 sons & the second wife had 52 sons. Out of these Bhupalar, (one who practiced Agriculture) gave birth to 35 Vellala leaders, Dhanapalar, who was into trade, gave birth to 35 Vellala leaders Gopalar, (one who herded cattle) and one Agamurthi gave birth to 1 Vellala leader.
Verse 52: The Vellalas of Karmandalam belonged to the Mānava Gotra & practiced the rite of upanayana or wearing the sacred thread.
Verse 52: The Vellalas of Karmandalam belonged to the Mānava Gotra & practiced the rite of upanayana or wearing the sacred thread.
Verse 52: The Vellalas of Karmandalam belonged to the Mānava Gotra & practiced the rite of upanayana or wearing the sacred thread.
{{
cite book}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (
link):"Other locals belonging to Chettiar , Goundar , Mudaliar and Vysya communities are also doing a substantial business ."
the vellalars have no connection to velir and also vellalars are not connected to Ay velirs. there is no source which states that ayvelirs are vellalars. discuss
Social Scientist - Google Books Publisher:Indian School of Social Sciences https://www.google.com/books/edition/Social_Scientist/_Hw5AAAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=vellalars+agricultural+shudra&dq=vellalars+agricultural+shudra&printsec=frontcover
Publisher:University of California, Berkeley https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Power_of_Murugan/6utIAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=vellalars+agricultural+shudra&dq=vellalars+agricultural+shudra&printsec=frontcover The Power of Murugan A Study of the Tamil Celebration of Thaipusam in Penang, Malaysia 160.69.1.132 ( talk) 23:44, 14 November 2023 (UTC)
Opening this section to discuss why the Varna section is not required in this article. Even though I have deleted this section for now, it is bound to be re-added to the article by some editor citing some reason or the other in the near future. Request editors to answer some of the queries listed below so wiki readership can better understand why some editors think varna section is required in this article.
For the reasons/queries cited above, I think Varna section is not needed in this article. If some editors think otherwise then please explain the reasons and answer the above queries so everyone can undertand why Varna section is required in this article. Nittawinoda ( talk) 15:15, 30 October 2023 (UTC)