Mazhavaraayas

Mazhavaraayas or Mazhavars is a Tamil language name.

Sangam literature

In the Sangam age this region was ruled by Mazhavar King Kolli Mazhavan. Sangam poet Avvaiyar had cordial relations with the Mazhavar chieftains, including Athiyamān Nedumān Añci of Thagadoor and Valvil Ori of Kollimalai. Mazhanadu was divided into two major parts, Mel-Mazhanadu (Western Mazhanadu) and Keezh-Mazhanadu (Eastern-Mazhanadu).

Polygars of Ariyalur

Oppilla Mazhavaraayas were the Polygars of Ariyalur. They were different from the Mazhavaraya clan who were kin of Chozhas. Their original title was Nayanar. Their leader was awarded the title of Ranavijaya Oppilla Mazhavaraya by a ruler of Vijayanagara Kingdom, under whom they served, for defeating certain Prathaparudran. Ramanayanar is recorded to be the first of these polygars. A village 15 miles south-east of Valikandapuram. The Zeminddrs of Ariyalur, however, were Kallars by caste. Present zamindar refer to themselves as Palli caste. and, till they received their present sanads, held their estates as arasukavalkarar. In 1871 twenty-seven villages in the Ariyalur zemindari were sold by orders of the Civil Court in satisfaction of debts incurred by the Zemindar, and in 1873 the remaining thirty villages were sold for the same reason. The estate is now held by a number of petty proprietors, whose names are registered in the collectors office, but who have no sanads.

Polygars of Punavasal

Punavasal Zamin is located in Peravurani taluk in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. It was a zamin ruled by a Kallar caste with the title of Malavaraya Pandarathar. In 1879, the zamin, which had an area of 2527 acres, was paid to the Government at 350 rupees 15 annas 7 paise.

See also

• Palaiyakkarar