Sengunthar

Sengunthar ([sɛŋkʊnʈɻ]), also known as the Kaikolar and Senguntha Mudaliar is a caste commonly found in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and the neighboring country Sri Lanka. In Andhra Pradesh, they are known as Kaikala or Karikala Bhaktulu, who consider the early Chola emperor Karikala Chola as their hero. They were warriors of Cholas and traditionally textile merchants and silk weavers by occupation They were part of the Chola army as Kaikola regiment and were dominant during the rule of Imperial Cholas, holding commander and minister positions in the court. Ottakoothar, 12th century court poet and rajaguru of Cholas under Vikrama Chola, Kulothunga Chola II, Raja Raja Chola II reign belong to this community. They were a part of the Ayyavolu 500 merchant guild during the Chola period which played a significant role in the Chola invasion of Srivijaya empire. In the olden days in India, the Sengunthars were warriors and were given the title Mudaliar for their bravery. In early thirteenth century, after the fall of Chola empire large number of Kaikolars migrated to Kongu Nadu from Tondaimandalam and started doing weaving and textile businesses as their full time profession as they sworn to be soldiers only for Chola emperors. At present, most of the textile businesses in Tamil Nadu are owned by Senguntha Mudaliars. Majority of Sengunthars are sub-divided into numerous clans based on a patrilineal lineage known as Koottam or Gotra.
The ancient occupational name of Kaikkolar comes from the words kai (hand) and kol (a shuttle used in looms). The appended -ar means people. Kaikkolar also means men with stronger arms.
Sengunthar means red spear people, which has the community's connection to the Lord Murugan, who is known as a red god. Legend has it that there were nine commanders called Navaveerargal in Murugan's army and Sengunthars descended from them.
In ancient times they were also called as Kaarugar (weaver), Thanthuvayar (weaver), Senguntha padaiyar (soldiers), Senaithalaivar (army commander) and Kaikolar (Weaver).
Sengunthars were given the title Mudaliar for their bravery. The twelfth century Chola emperor's court poet and minister Ottakoothar’s Itti Elupatu, a panegyric on the bravery and prowess of arms of Kaikkola warriors, says they were known as Mudaliars during the Imperial Chola period.
Mudali means first, suggesting that the title bearer is of the first-ranked among people. They had also used the title Nayanar after their names.
Shiva was enraged against the giants who harassed the people of the earth and sent forth six sparks of fire from his eyes. His wife, Parvati, was frightened, and retired to her chamber and in so doing, dropped nine beads from her anklets. Siva converted the beads into as many females, to each of whom was born a hero. These nine heroes (Navaveerargal), namely Virabahu, Virakesari, Viramahendrar, Viramaheshwar, Virapurandharar, Viraraakkathar, Viramaarthandar, Viraraanthakar and Veerathirar with Subrahmanya at their head, marched in command of a large force, and destroyed the demons. Sengunthar claim to be the descendants of these warriors. After killing the demon, the warriors were told by Siva that they adopt a profession, which would not involve the destruction or injury of any living creature and weaving being such a profession, they were trained in it. Chithira valli, daughter of Virabahu, one of the above commanders was married to King Musukuntha Chola . The descendants of Navaveerargal and Musukunthan were claimed as first generation of Sengunthars.
The earliest literary evidence about Sengunthar occurs in Adhi Diwakaram, a Tamil lexicon written by Sendan Diwakarar. This dictionary, probably from the 8th century CE, is thought to refer to them as weavers and army commanders, which may be indicative of their dual role in society at that time.
Cholan Poorva Pattayam, a copper plate inscription, says about the Karikala Chola, the conquest of the Kongu region, and the settling of the colonies with various occupational castes like Sengunthars. During this period, Sengunthars got the title called Samaya Senapati (meaning commander or head).
Inscriptions from the 11th century suggest that by the time of the Chola dynasty, the Sengunthar had already developed its involvement in weaving and trading, together with a role in military matters that was probably necessary to protect those interests. They were a part of the Ayyavole 500 trading group during the Chola period and there are also references in the 12th century that suggest they had armies and that some specific people were assigned to act as bodyguards for the Chola emperors. Such historical records emphasise their military function, with the poet Ottakoothar glorifying them and suggesting that their origins lay with the armies of the gods.
They were militarized during the Imperial Chola period, when some of them held the title Brahmadaraya or Brahmmarayan, which was usually reserved for high-ranking Brahmin officials in the Chola government. They had also used the title 'Chola Gangan' from the evidence "Kaikolaril Kali Avinasi Yaana Ellam Valla Chola Gangan", which was only used by the royal families of the chola dynasty. Some of the well known Kaikola Battalions in Chola army were:
Singalantaka-terinda-Kaikkolar
Virachozha-terinja-Kaikkolar
Kodandarama-terinja-Kaikkolar
Danatonga-terinja-Kaikkolar
Parantaka-terinia-Kaikkolar
Muthuvalpetra-Kaikkolar
Samarakesarit-terinja-Kaikkolar
Vikramasingat-terinja-Kaikkolar
Adityapanma-terinda-Kaikkolar
Karikala-chozha-terinja-Kaikkolar
Arulmozhideva-terinja-Kaikkolar
Parttivasekarat-terinja-Kaikkolar
Gandaraditta-terinja-Kaikkolar
Madurantaka-terinja-Kaikkolar
Kodandarama-terinja-Kaikkolar is named after Aditya Chola I who had another name Kodandarama. Smarakesarit-terinja-Kaikkolar and Vikramasingat-terinja-Kaikkolar derived their names from possible titles of Parantaka Chola I. Gandaraditta-terinja-Kaikkolar must have been the name of a regiment called after king Gandaraditya Chola, the father of Uttama Chola. Singalantaka-terinda-Kaikkolar, a regiment named after Singalantaka i.e. Parantaka Chola I. Danatunga-terinja-Kaikkolar (regiment or group). The early writing of the record and the surname Danatunga of Parantaka I suggests its assignment to his reign. Muthuvalpetra, meaning the “recipient of the pearl ornamented sword” in Tamil seems to indicate some special honour or rank conferred on the regiment by the king. Arulmozhideva-terinja-Kaikkolar is named after Raja Raja Chola I.
Some were chieftains and commanders-in-chief of the later Cholas. Kaikkolar commanders-in-chief were known as Samanta Senapathigal or Senaithalaivar. Following is the list of Sengunthar chieftains under Imperial Cholas which is taken from the poem Eetiezhubathu written by Chola emperor's court poet and minister Ottakoothar.
According to Vijaya Ramaswamy, in early thirteenth century large number of Kaikolars were migrated to Kongu Nadu from Tondaimandalam after the fall of Chola empire.
After the 13th century, Sengunthars became associated with weaving completely. According to Deepak Kumar, the Sengunthar weavers very often figure in the capacity of kudi, i.e. tenant-cultivators and also holders of kaniyachi, that is hereditary possession over the land. During the period of Sadasiva Raya of Vijayanagara empire, the sthanathar of the Brahmapuriswara temple made an agreement that they would cultivate certain lands of the Kaikkolar regiment.
In 14th century, Kottaiyannan Mudaliar, a chieftain who was ruling Namakkal and surrounding regions fought against Muslim invaders when they invaded south India. Chandramathi Mudaliar was a 17th-century Tamil chieftain and ruler of south Kongu Nadu (Erode region) who fought many battles against the Madurai Nayak.
According to India Before Europe by Catherine Ella Blanshard Asher, Cynthia Talbot, Sengunthars attained positions of responsibility at the two major Vaishnavite temples of Srirangam and Tirupati. In Tirupati, they were in charge of distributing the consecrated food offerings to the worshippers.
In the book The Political Economy of Commerce: Southern India, 1500–1650, author Sanjay Subrahmanyam states that many Sengunthar families were rich enough to contribute both land and gold to temples.
According to Himanshu Prabha Ray, in 1418 in Tiruvannamalai Arunachalesvara temple, Sengunthars were given the right to blow the conch, ride palanquins and elephants and wave the temple fly whisk. In 16th century some of the Kaikolars were migrated to Kerala region from Tamil region.
During Vijayanagara period, Sengunthars built Kodumbu Subramanya Swamy Temple at Palakkad. When issue aroused between Nambudiris and Sengunthars on which style the worship will take place in the temple, the King of Palakkad ordered that the worship will take place according to Sengunthars' culture.
Bogan, Poonduraiyan, Kanchaan, Pachayan, Kanjivelan, Senji, Paramakali, Aaran, Manikatti Sadayan and Mannayan clan of Sengunthars were appointed as Pulavars(Poet) for 24 nadus of Kongu Mandalam for their Proficiency in Tamil language. The Pulavars were granted rights over land, tax and ritual privilege during festive occasions for their service.
Among Sengunthars, Both alcoholic and sexual abstinence are valued, as is control of the passions. But when they are concerned with the sacred locus of the interior, meat eating, blood sacrifice, spirit possession, and the worship of small gods are all prominent. Senaithalaivar thus follow both a priestly model and a Tamil tradition. The Kaikola Teesikar or Desigar were non-Brahmin priests at temples of Murugan. Sengunthar community practices both the vegetarian and non-vegetarian traditions.
Each family (kulam) of the Sengunthar had their own Kula Deivam (deity). Sengunthars share Murugan as a common deity and additionally have any one of several other deities, such as Angalamman or Ambayamman.
The Sura Samharam festival is a traditional ritual where the Sengunthars dress as the lieutenants of Karthikeya and re-enact the killing of the demon Suran.
Historically there were four thisai nadus, which in turn was divided into 17 kilai nadus, exclusive of thisai nadus, totally making 72 nadus in the Sengunthar. The thisai nadus were Sivapuram (Walajabad) to the east, Thonthipuram to the south, Virinjipuram to the west, Chozhasingapuram (Sholinghur) to the north.
The head of 72 nadu was Kancheepuram nadu which was called as Mahanadu by the Sengunthars. The head officer of Mahanadu were called as Aandavar and Aandavar is highest authority leader for Sengunthars. The head officer of the each nadu council were called as Naattaanmaikarar or Periyadhanakarar or Pattakarar.
Sengunthar Kaikola Mudaliyar have rights to give festival flag for Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple at Palani, the third of the six abodes of Lord Murugan. Because these people are descendamts of Navaveerargal who helped lord Murugan in Sura Samharam battle. During Vijayanagara period, Sengunthars built Kodumbu Subramanya Swamy Temple at Palakkad. During Sura Samharam festival, according to traditional ritual Senguntha Kaikolars dress as Navaveerargal lieutenants of Murugan and re-enact the killing of the demon Suran in the temple.
In Andhra pradesh, Sengunthars are also known as Kaikala or Karikala Bhakthulu. They consider the early Chola emperor Karikala Chola as their hero who is said to have conquered the Andhra region around 3rd century CE and converted forest lands there into agricultural lands. They built a bronze statue of Karikala Chola and a Satram in his name at Srisailam in Nandyal district. The Kaikalas form a very important part of the Thathayagunta Gangamma Jatara, the annual folk festival held at Tirupati.
The presiding deity of the Srikalahasteeswara temple at Srikalahasti Gnana Prasunambika Devi was born in Vellathurar Gotra of Senguntha Kaikola Mudaliar caste. It is customary for the bride to bring home the dowry and submit it by Sengunthars at the Shiva-Parvati wedding held here.
In the flag hoisting ceremony at Sri Lanka Nallur Kandaswamy temple, the Sengunthar families who were military heroes in old Jaffna Kingdom have rights to bring out the temple flag and carry the flag at the ceremony of Sura Samharam battle. During the flag ceremony day, the houses of Sengunthars are beautifully decorated with curtains with the picture of rooster, the legendary vehicle of Lord Muruga.
There are some divisions among a section of the caste based on their traditions.
Siru thaali Kaikolar, also known as Saami katti Kaikolars, are characterized by a lingam tied to their arm, a custom now defunct. Women of this section worn small size of the Thali or Mangala sutra, due to which they are called so. This section allow widows to wear colored saris as other women. They are mainly found in the Eeruurunaadu( Erode, Salem and Namakkal districts ).
Perun thaali Kaikolar (பெருதாலிகட்டி கைகோளர் முதலியார்கள்), also known as Kongu Kaikolar and 'Vellai seelai kaikkolar'. Women of this section wore big size of the Thali. Widows belonging this section wore white or saris like other Kongu castes hence the name 'Vellai seelai Kaikolar'. They are mainly found vastly in Coimbatore District and the Bhavani River Belt of Erode district. Being the aboriginal weavers of the Kongu region unlike later immigrants, they are properly called 'Kongu Kaikkolvar'
Rattukaarar, also known as Rendukaarar because they weave with warps composed of double threads and they are traditional carpet makers. Other reason is said to be their sacrifice of first born's heads for weaving a skirt for their caste poet Ottakoothar. They are mainly found in West region of Tamil Nadu also from Koorai Nadu in Tanjore district of the Chola country.
They are called Thalaikooda Mudaliyar( meaning "head refusers"), because it is said that in 12th century they refused to sacrifice the heads of their first sons to the caste poet, Ottakoothar to compose poem so they were outcast in that time. Talaikooda Mudaliar are originally from Koorainaadu, in Tanjore district of Chola country. Now they are found in Pondicherry region. Also called 'Thattaya Nattar' from their sub-region of the Kongu region.
Kaikolars of the Pandya country who wear the Meenakshi Sundareswarar thali like other Pandya country native castes.
Kaikolar originally of the Pandya country who wear the thali (marriage badge) of Meenakshi Sundareshwarar like other Pandya country native castes.
The Kongu section has Adi Saiva kulagurus in common with other Kongu castes while the last three sub castes have the Irayamangalam Math, the descendant of Paranjothi Nayanar as their guru, army general of the Pallava Narasimhavarman I. His seat is at Irayamangalam by the Kaveri in the Namakkal District.
Sengundhars are a relatively high ranking caste who rival in status the main agriculturist caste, the Vellalars.They are currently listed as a Backward Class (BC) in both Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, where they are provided certain reservations in education and public employment.
In contrast, the Government of Kerala has not listed the Sengunthar community in the state's Backward Class list. According to the Kerala government's official stance, Sengunthars are not considered socially or economically backward. However, the Kaikolan community is mentioned in the OBC list for both state and central-level reservations in Kerala.