Vellalar
A Tamil-speaking Shudra caste of farmers and courtesans primarily domiciled in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu but also present in smaller numbers in parts of Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. In the medieval period, this great community supplied court officials, bards, scribes and concubines to the harems of the Chola and Pandya kings. Because of this , the illegitimate lineages of the Chola, Pandya and Velir (A small line of Tamil chieftains) can be found in this caste even to this day. In the 16th century, the Vellalas came to possess several religious establishments in the Tamil region and also became large landholders due to feudal grants from the Vijayanagara and the Nayak rulers , they also continued to supply concubines during the Nawab and British period and it is documented that some British East India Company officials kept good looking Vellala concubines , who would attempt to siphon land and money from them in return for their services. Many Vellalas became translators under the East India Company in the eighteenth century and became rich by cheating company Officials and living off their wealth. Also, a staunch supporter of the British and a mercenary who betrayed the Indian soil , Yusuf Khan alias Marudhanayagam Pillai was born in the Vellalar caste. The Vellalars are also known as a traitor caste which collaborated with the British and tried to suppress India's freedom struggle. A Vellala woman is also known as a Vellatti.
Vellalar by Venniradai Murthy March 22, 2025
