Koliyar
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Tamil Nadu, India | |
| Languages | |
| Tamil | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Tamil people |
Koliyar is one of the artisan castes of the ancient Tamil society.[1] They are a community of weavers who were regularly mentioned in medieval Tamil inscriptions.[2] They were classified together with the Taccar (carpenters, stonemasons etc.), Kollar, and Tattar as constituting the Kilkalanai group. According to historian K.V Subrahmanya Iyer, this term referred to the Sanskrit Anuloma.[3]
History
They seem to have been a powerful and influential group during the period of the Cholas as we find many sovereigns assuming titles such as Koliyar-Ko (King of Koliyar), Koliyar-Kula-pati (head of Koliyar), etc. so much so that historians sometimes use the term Koliyar as a synonym for the Cholas.[4][5]
It is of interest to note that Uraiyur, the early Chola capital was also known as Koliyur.[6] Though it is generally presumed to be named after the City of fowl or cock, it perhaps takes its name after this once popular community.[7]
See also
References
- ^ Naṭana Kācinātan. "Ancient Industries of Tamilnadu". Special Commissioner and Commissioner of Museums, Government Museum, 2007. p. 18.
- ^ Raju Kalidos. History and Culture of the Tamils: From Prehistoric Times to the President's Rule. Vijay Publications, 1976. p. 18.
- ^ Auvai Naṭarācan. Art Panorama of Tamils. State Department of Archaeology, 1992. p. 17.
- ^ S. R. Balasubrahmanyam, Balasubrahmanyam Venkataraman, Balasubrahmanyan Ramachandran. Later Chola Temples: Kulottunga I to Rajendra III (A.D. 1070-1280). Mudgala Trust, 1979. p. 164.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ N. Sethuraman. Early Cholas: Mathematics Reconstructs the Chronology. Sethuraman, 1980. p. 43.
- ^ Kalaiñar Mu Karuṇāniti. Gleanings from Sangam Verses: English Version of Sangat Thamizh. Tamil University, 1997. p. 54.
- ^ C. P. Venkatarama Ayyar. Town Planning in Ancient Dekkan. Asian Educational Services, 1994. p. 11.
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