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Chola Warlords: Who Were the Paluvettaraiyars?

Ponniyin Selvan I movie poster showing actor Sarathkumar as Periya Paluvettaraiyar and actor Parthiban as Chinna Paluvettaraiyar. In 2024, Oxford University Press published  Minor Majesties: The Paluvēṭṭaraiyars and Their South Indian Kingdom of Paluvūr, 9th–11th Centuries A.D ., a groundbreaking study by historian Valerie Gillet. In the book’s opening chapter, A Tentative Biography of the Paluvettaraiyars , Gillet delves into the lineage and origins of this influential fami ly.  These Chola warlords traced their lineage to the formidable Maravars, an ancient warrior tribe renowned for their valor. However, I believe that while the Paluvettaraiyars were indeed of Maravar descent, they likely forged alliances through intermarriage with those of the Kallar and Agambadiyar clans, further solidifying their power and influence. Prominent figures in the medieval Chola era, the Paluvettaraiyars played a pivotal role in shaping the empire’s political and military landscape. Through st...
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Thirumayam Fort & Sethu Nadu


This is something very brief on the Thirumayam Fort and the Sethu Nadu. You can get more information on the fort if you Google for it.


Built in 1687 by Vijaya Ragunatha Thevar, the Sethupathi of Ramanathapuram. He later gave the 40 acres fort to his brother-in-law, Ragunatha Raya Thondaiman, the Raja of Pudukottai.

The present Tamil Nadu districts of Pudukottai (4651 sq km), Sivagangai (4143 sq km) and Ramanathapuram (4175 sq km) was once a single state known to many as Sethu Nadu. It was approximately 12,969 sq km or even bigger 400 years ago.
The State of Tamil Nadu in Southeast India
The Raja of Sethu Nadu is known as Sethupathi. He is responsible to protect the Hindu pilgrims at Rameswaram. They are also the lords of the Sethu Sea which separates India from Sri Lanka. The Ramayana bridge connecting India to Sri Lanka is known as the Sethu Bridge.


After the partition of Sethu Nadu, Sivagangai and Pudukottai became separate kingdoms while Ramanathapuram remained under the Sethupathi Rajas.


 Pudukottai was ruled by Kallar kings of the Thondaiman lineage. It is part of a larger region known as Kallar Nadu.
The Present Districts of Ramanathapuram, Sivagangai and Pudukottai.

Ramanathapuram is known as Periya Maravar Seemai (Land of The Big Maravar) and Sivagangai as Chinna Maravar Seemai (Land of The Younger Maravar). Both these kingdoms were ruled by the Maravars of the Sembinattu Maravar division.

 The royal families of these 3 kingdoms are still around. Although no longer in power after the formation of India ( a republic), they are still treated with respect by the people.

The Maravars and Kallars were tribes which have been living in Tamilakam (Realm of The Tamils) since ancient times.  An introduction on ancient Tamilakam, the kingdoms which existed, the regions and the tribes which spoke Tamil will be included in my future post.

Comments

  1. Meenatchisundaram ThevarWednesday, 09 January, 2013

    A great super start with the promise of a interesting story on Sethunaadu.The narration with attention to small details is compelling.Great beginning..It's time for the sembiyans to roar bro..
    All the best..hope to read ur Bali & Bulgaria experiences as well..God Bless u and ur family..

    ReplyDelete

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