Rowther

Rowther
The Rowther (anglicised as Irauttar, Rawther, Ravuttar, Ravutta, Ravuthar, Ravuthamar) are originally a Tamil community from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. they were converted to Islam by the preacher Nathar Shah. Even after conversion they retained their caste name. they were elite cavalrymen of the Chola and Pandya kingdoms. They were traditionally a martial clan like the Maravars, and constitute large part of the multi-ethnic Tamil Muslim community. Ravuttars have also been found as Tamil polygars, zamindars and chieftains from the 16th to 18th centuries. The traditional homelands of the Ravuttars were in the interior of Southern Tamilakam.
Another theory suggest they are descendants of Turkic people who came in Chola Empire.
Etymology
The name Ravuttar (or Ravutta, Ravuthar, Rowther, Rawther) means king, horseman, or cavalry warrior in the Tamil language and is derived from the word Rājaputra, in the sense of 'prince', 'nobleman', or 'horseman'. D.C. Sircar points out that Ravutta or Rahutta, as a title, means a 'subordinate ruler'. Some scholars claim that the name comes from Rathore, a name common among the Muslim Rajputs of North India. Historically, they are parts of clans traditionally holding positions as rulers and military folk. Ravuta means a high-ranking title King, lord, or feudatory ruling chief.
Rahut or rowt means Warrior and raya means captain. Rāvuttarayan or Rāvuttakartan means high military chief of cavalry.
Demography
Rowthers are largest Muslim community in Tamil Nadu. they found all over Tamil Nadu and in Central and Southern Kerala. Their mother tongue is Tamil in Tamil Nadu and Malayalam in Kerala. Many of them are familiar with the Perso-Arabic script. They follow the tenets of Islam and read the Quran and other religious texts in Arabic.
Culture
Rowthers generally speak Tamil. They have their own distinct culinary traditions which notably include Rowther Biryani. The elderly men wear white Vēṭṭis or white kayili while elderly women wear a white thupatti draped over a sari.
Traditional costumes also include the Fez and a traditional turban called a Thalappakattu. The community also celebrates a festival called Chandanakudam every year.
Titles/surname
Ravuttar, Rawther, and Rowther are common surnames among the group, but other titles often used are below:
Sahib
Khan
Shah
Pillai/Pillay (Travancore and Tamil Nadu)
Ambalam and Vijayan (Ramnad Zamindhari estate)
Servai Servaikkarar (In 1730s, Ravuttan Servaikkarar (Rauten Cheerwegaren) was a high military ranked man in Ramnad kingdom.)
Identity and origins
Ravuttars are Soldiers, officials, and literati attached to Muslim Court in the Deccan. In described as a Rāuta, Rāutta or Rāvutta derived from Sanskrit Rajaputra and was often assumed by subordinate rulers.
Later, Chola kings too invited artisans of the Seljuk Empire who belonged to the Hanafi school. During 8th-10th centuries, an armada of Turkish traders settled in Tharangambadi, Nagapattinam, Karaikal, Muthupet, Koothanallur and Podakkudi.
These new settlements were now added to the Rowther community. There are some Anatolian and Safavid inscriptions found in a wide area from Tanjore to Thiruvarur and in many villages. These inscriptions are seized by the Madras museum. Some Turkish inscriptions were also stolen from the Big Mosque of Koothanallur in 1850.
There are two factions of Rowthers in Tamil Nadu, Tamils cavalry warriors covers majority of Tamil Nadu while Seljuk Turkic clans remains in Tharangambadi, Nagapattinam, Karaikal, Muthupet, Koothanallur and Podakkudi. Both now Tamil and Turkish Hanafi expanded with Population and some circumstantial evidence in historical sources that the Rowthers are part related to Maravar converts. Ravuttars worked in the administration of the Vijayanagar Nayaks.
Social system: kinship
The Rowthers were an endogamous group. But like all modern societies, they have adapted to modern norms and rituals.
Kinship terms
Rites and rituals
Marriage
Nevertheless, in cities, inter-marriages do occur, although they are rare" (Vines, 1973). Parallel and cross-cousins are potential spouses. they remember their historic valor during their marriage ceremonies, where the bridegroom is conducted in a horseback procession.
Occupational activities
Traditionally the Rowthers were landlords and landowning community (historically mentioned as Rowthers are brave cavaliers and early Muslim horse-traders in Tamil literature) but now they are engaged in various occupations, mostly their own businesses. They deal in gemstones, gold, textiles, and real estate and participate in the restaurant industry, construction work, and general merchandising. Some are professionals, such as doctors, engineers, advocates, and teachers.
Administration and justice
There is no traditional caste council or panchayat as such among the Rowthers. Learned and elderly persons act as advisers. The Rowther have an association that preaches against dowry and collects funds for charity.
Religion and culture
The Rowther belong to the Sunni sect of Islam and the Hanafi school. They follow the five basic tenets of Islam, which are, reciting the Kalima, offering prayer five times a day, observing fast during the month of Ramadan, giving charity (zakah) to the poor, and going on the Haj pilgrimage. The major festivals celebrated are Eid-Ul-Fitr, Chandanakudam and Bakr-id.
Closeness in Tamil inscriptions and literature
The well-known legend of the Shiva saint Manikkavacakar of the 9th century is connected with the purchase of horses for the Pandya king. In that, the god Shiva who appeared in disguise as a horse trader to protect the saint and he is called as Rowther. Also, the Tamil god Murugan is praised by saint Arunagirinathar as சூர் கொன்ற ராவுத்தனே (Oh Ravuttan, who vanquished Sooran) and மாமயிலேரும் ராவுத்தனே (Oh Ravuttan, who rides on the great peacock) in his Kanthar Alangaram (கந்தர் அலங்காரம்) and in Kanthar Venba (கந்தர் வெண்பா).
This shows the religious harmony of Rowthers and Saivites in early Tamilakam till now.
Initially, most horses and warriors were drawn from Persia and Central Asia. For the Indian population, the most prominent feature of these warriors was their distinctive religion or ethnic identity but their military and equine expertise, which was always for hire. Apart from being loosely labeled Muslims or Turks (Turushka), these mounted men were known as Ashvapatis or Irauttars (Lords of Horses).
There were Tamil Ravuttars working in the administration of the Vijayanagara Empire in the Khurram Kunda. The inscription details the dedication of the land by the Rowther to a Murugan temple in Cheyyur.
Muththaal Ravuttar (meaning Muslim Rowther is a Prakrit derivation from raja-putra) figures as Tamil male deities who protect Tamil land.
Modernisation
The Rowthers give importance to education. They are one of the most prominent Muslim groups in South India, making their mark in various fields, from jurisprudence to Entertainment.
Notable peoples
See also
Tamil people
Maravars
Quaid-e-Millath
Tamil Muslim
References
Bibliography
J. P. Mulliner. Rise of Islam in India. University of Leeds chpt. 9. Page 215
Mines, Mattison. Social Stratification among the Muslim Tamils in Tamil Nadu, South India, Imtiaz Ahmad, ed, Caste, and Social Stratification among the Muslims, Manohar book service, New Delhi, 1973.
Nanjundayya, H.V. and lyer, LK.A, 1931, The Mysore Tribes and Castes, IV, The Mysore University. Mysore.
Thurston, E., Castes and Tribes of Southern India, Government Press, Madras, 1909.
Muslim communities lists
History of Tamil Nadu
Muslim communities of India
Social groups of Tamil Nadu
South Indian communities