Gounder

Gounder is a title used by various communities originating in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.[1] It may refer to communities such as the Kongu Vellalar, Vanniyars, Vettuvars, Gollas and Uralis.[2][3]

Etymology

There are 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.[4]

History

During the British Raj era, some Gounders migrated to Malayan rubber plantations to work in the kangani system.[5]

History

Gounders were rulers of many dynasties such as Velir, Durvinita of the Ganga dynasty. Gounders were originally ancient brave warriors (Kshatriya) and later farmed and raised cattle in the Kongu region. Gounders were most of Zamindars and other Chieftains. Gounders were included as forward caste during independence and later changed to Below caste as requested. Gounders also developed in Singapore(Singa Pura) and Cambodia. Gounders had a identity of being great landlords. There are also agricultural labourers among the Gounder community. Since the arrival of textile mills many have found work as labourers in these industries. During the late 1800s many gounders went to work in South African Sugarcane farms as indentured labourers. Their descendents can still be found living in South Africa today.

References
  1. "Gounder consolidation could pose headache to major parties". The Times Of India. 21 May 2009.
  2. "காங்கிரஸில் ... வன்னியர் தலைவரான மாணிக்கவேல் நாயக்கர், Vanniyar leader Manikavel Naicker". Dinamani (in Tamil). Retrieved 15 December 2011.
  3. Burkhart, Geoffrey (1974). "Equal in the Eyes of God: A South Indian Devotional Group in its Hierarchical Setting". Contributions to Asian Studies. Brill Academic. 5: 8. ISBN 9789004039674. For example, the term 'Gounder' may denote a person of Vellalar, Vanniyar, or Gollar caste.
  4. Madhvan, Karthik (2 August 2008). "Steeped in history". Frontline. Chennai, India: The Hindu Group. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
  5. Basu, Raj Sekhar (2011). Nandanar's Children: The Paraiyans' Tryst with Destiny, Tamil Nadu 1850 - 1956. SAGE. p. 137. ISBN 978-81-321-0679-1.
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