Kadaiyar

Kadaiyar (Tamil: கடையர், translit. Kaṭaiyar) is a Tamil caste found in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.[1][2] They are traditionally involved in lime burning and pearl hunting.[3] They are considered a subcaste of the agriculturalist Pallars and are also known as Kadaisiyar[2][4]

Etymology

Kadaiyar is derived from the Tamil word kaṭai meaning "low" or "least" and the honorific suffix -yar denoting people.[5] The name might also be derived from kaṭai meaning "to mash" or "to grind" in reference to their traditional occupation as lime burners.[6] In colonial records are they known as Kaddeas, a corruption of Kadaiyars.[7]

History

The Kadaiyars belong traditionally to the Marutham Sangam landscape.[4] They are mentioned in Puram as involved in agriculture and were the landless labours.[8][9]

They were one of the earliest Tamils to convert to Roman Catholicism along with the Paravars under Francis Xavier.[10] They were according to Yalpana Vaipava Malai massacred by king Cankili I of Jaffna Kingdom for converting to catholicism.[11]

References

  1. ↑ Nyrop, Richard F.; Studies, American University (Washington, D. C. ) Foreign Area; Army, United States Dept of the (1986). Sri Lanka, a country study. Headquarters, Dept. of the Army. p. 108.
  2. 1 2 State), Madras (India : (1960). Madras District Gazetteers. Superintendent, Government Press. p. 125.
  3. ↑ Dept, Madras (India : Presidency) Fisheries; Dept, Madras (Presidency) Fisheries (1922). Bulletin. Superintendent, Government Press. p. 60.
  4. 1 2 Ramaswamy, Vijaya (2017-08-25). Historical Dictionary of the Tamils. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 371. ISBN 9781538106860.
  5. ↑ "கடையர் | அகராதி | Tamil Dictionary". agarathi.com. University of Madras Lexicon. Retrieved 2018-06-03.
  6. ↑ McGilvray, Dennis B. (2008-05-07). Crucible of Conflict: Tamil and Muslim Society on the East Coast of Sri Lanka. Duke University Press. p. 371. ISBN 0822341611.
  7. ↑ Indian Antiquary. Swati Publications. 1971. p. 229.
  8. ↑ Sen, Sailendra Nath (1999). Ancient Indian History and Civilization. New Age International. p. 207. ISBN 9788122411980.
  9. ↑ Study, Indian Institute of Advanced (1997-01-01). From tribe to caste. Indian Institute of Advanced Study. p. 241.
  10. ↑ Sivasubramaniam, K. (2009). Fisheries in Sri Lanka: anthropological and biological aspects. Kumaran Book House. p. 171. ISBN 9789556591460.
  11. ↑ Pulavar, Mātakal Mayilvākan̲ap (1999). The Yalpana-vaipava-malai, Or, The History of the Kingdom of Jaffna. Asian Educational Services. p. 36. ISBN 9788120613621.
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