Maravar (caste) - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Maravar are one of the oldest social groups to be mentioned by the Sangam Tamil literature. This indicates an association with the Tamil land which is at least 2,000 years old. The writers of the Sangam Age place them in rural settlements withdrawn from cities. Maravars are the courageous breed and were involved in the major wars that Tamilnadu witnessed. The Kingdom of Ramnad was a Maravar kingdom and was ruled by the Setupati Kings. Some of the Pandyan kings are said to have belonged to the Maravar tribe. Ramanathapuram, Sivagangai and Thirunelveli are Maravar homeland although the entire Southern Districts of Tamilnadu are Maravar Stronghold since ancient times.

History

some pandiya kings are from this community .Military genrals of Pandiya Kings are Maravars.Pandiya Kings constituted Personal security force (Thennavan Aabatthuthavikal )from this community.Pandiya Kings belived this community so they kept them as their bodygaurds.
Maravar were inhabitants of Palai during the Sangam period.A Social History of Early India, page 33 The literature during sangam period divided the regions based upon the climate and topography. Palai was mainly a desert like region with little to no rain.

Vijayanagar Empire

The downfall of the Mukkulathors occurred in 1345 with the fall of Vira Pandyan IV and the subsequent conquest of Madurai by the Delhi Sultanate. However, the southern territories of the Sultanate soon asserted their independence and the Mukkulathors recovered under the Vijayanagar Empire and later under the Nayyak dynasty during whose period they served as Polygars or chieftains.

Singampatti Zamin

Ambalakarar is the most important people, they are feudal chiefs of the villages and towns they ruled during 18th century. They are found in Madurai and Sivaganga districts. In these districts, each village is headed by an Ambalam (president of an assembly) and the Ambalam took upon themselves the power to adjudicate disputes that arose among the inhabitants in the "NADU", belonging to different castes. They used to hear complaints, hold inquiries and punish the offenders. They wielded considerable powers to intervene in any kind of transaction or transfer of property among the people. No land could be alienated from one man to another without the permission of the Ambalams.

Customs

Maravar take the titular surname of Devar or Thevan, meaning divine. Historically they were somewhat a matriarchal society where the children inherit the kothu and kilai from the maternal side. Until recently they always buried their dead like the kallar and other ancient Tamil castes. But most sections have now slowly changed due to the influence of Vedic hinduism.

Notable Reformers

Although there are Many Kings, Polygors,Zamindars and Land lords the main occupation of Maravar is Warrior, hence many Maravar Families struggled for income During British rule and after independence.. There were many reformers served for their Community.

Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar (முத்து ராமலிங்க தேவர்)

- Freedom fighter and social reformer.

Current status