Original sentence: The Varna status of the Vellalars is a contested and complex topic, they have been classified as Vaishyas.varna and as Shudras, by various historians
Edited sentence: Nilakanta Sastri, R.Sharma and S.The Varna status of the Vellalars is a contested and complex topic, as the Vellalars are traditionally classified under the Vaishya.Thiruvenkatachari who have stated that the Vellalars cannot be equated with Shudras.or merchants, and from the 1870's onwards, starting from British rule are also classified as high ranking Shudras, of which the latter Shudra classification was strongly protested against by the Vellalars and is contested by many historians like K.varna with 3 subdivisions, Bhu-Vaishyas or agriculturalists, Go-Vaishyas or husbandsmen, and Dhana-Vaishyas