Konar (caste)

Konar
ReligionsHinduism
LanguagesTamil
Related groupsTamil people

Konar is a Hindu caste found in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. They are traditionally a pastoral community[1][2] involved in cattle herding and cultivation.[3][full citation needed] They are a part of the Yadav community,[4] and are also known as Ayar and Idaiyar,[5] and appear in the ancient Sangam literature as occupants of the Mullai (forest region).[6][a]

Etymology

According to Alf Hiltebeitel, Konar is a Tamil caste who can trace their origin to Yadava, the caste to which Krishna belongs.[8] Several Vaishnavite texts associate Krishna with the Aayar caste, or Konar, most notably the Thiruppavai, composed by goddess Andal herself, most notably referring Krishna as the “Aayar kulathu mani vilakke”. The caste name is interchangeable with the names Konar and Kovalar being derived from Tamil word Kōn, which can mean "king" and "herdsmen".[7][9] The word might be derived from the from Tamil word kōl, a herdsman's staff.[7] The Tamil word kōl also means a king's sceptre.[10][11]

The word Ayar might be derived from the Tamil word Aa, meaning cow.[7] The term idai (middle) might refer to the Mullai region, being an intermediate zone between two other Sangam landscapes called Kurinji (hilly region) and Marutham (cultivation region), but probably reflected their intermediate socio-economic status.[12] Idaiyar remains the most commonly used word in Tamil for a cow-herder, and another name for Ayars was pothuvar, meaning common.[13]

History

According to medieval inscriptions the Konars are mentioned as Nandaputras of Yadava lineage.[14] Historically some of them have held positions such as kings and chieftains.[15]

Gingee Fort Hill view from road

The Gingee Fort was originally built by Ananta kon of the Konar Dynasty, around 1190 A.D. and was later fortified by Krishna Konar.[16] It was later modified in the 13th century to elevate it to the status of an unbreachable citadel to protect the small town of saenji. It was also the headquarters [17][18] domination in northern Tamil Nadu. The fort was built as a strategic place of fending off any invading armies.

The Gingee Fort complex is on three hillocks: Krishnagiri named after Krishna Kon to the north, Rajagiri or Anandagiri named after Ananda kon to the west[16] and Chandrayandurg to the southeast. The three hills together constitute a fort complex, each having a separate and self-contained citadel.

See also

References

Notes

  1. ^ The five regions that comprised the Sangam landscapes are literary devices, not geographical areas.[7]

Citations

  1. ^ Ethonbotany of India. Apple academic press. 2016. p. 15. ISBN 9781771883399.
  2. ^ The Stone age in India. Asian Educational Services. 2016. p. 26. ISBN 9788120601482.
  3. ^ Journal of Indian History. Department of Modern Indian History. 2003.
  4. ^ People of India: India's communities. Oxford University Press. 1998. ISBN 978-0-19-563354-2.
  5. ^ Richard, Guy (1982). Religious Festivals in South India and Sri Lanka. Manohar. p. 128. ISBN 9780836409000.
  6. ^ Bloomer, Kristin C. (2018). Possessed by the Virgin: Hinduism, Roman Catholicism, and Marian Possession in South India. Oxford University Press. p. 258. ISBN 9780190615093.
  7. ^ a b c d Allchin, Frank Raymond (1963). Neolithic Cattle-keepers of South India. Cambridge University. p. 101.
  8. ^ Alf Hiltebeitel. The cult of Draupadī: Mythologies : from Gingee to Kurukserta, Volume 1. Motilal Banarsidass Publishe, 1991 - 487 pages. p. 91.
  9. ^ Hiltebeitel, Alf (1988). The Cult of Draupadi. University of Chicago Press. p. 35. ISBN 9780226340463.
  10. ^ Katir Makātēvan̲. Cultural heritage of ancient Tamils. Lakshmi Publications, 1981. p. 65.
  11. ^ N. Subrahmanian. Śaṅgam polity: the administration and social life of the Śaṅgam Tamils. Asia Pub. House, 1966. p. 71.
  12. ^ Ramaswamy, Vijaya (2017). Historical Dictionary of the Tamils. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 153. ISBN 9781538106860.
  13. ^ Padmaja, T. (2002). Temples of Kr̥ṣṇa in South India: history, art, and traditions in Tamilnāḍu. Abhinav publications. p. 35. ISBN 9788170173984.
  14. ^ Conclusion pages 103: "We also get several instances of the patronage extended to Krsna temples by the shepherd class (manradi or Konars ) In one inscription they are significantly called Nandaputras and Tiruvaypadi Nattar of Tondaimandalam"Padmaja, T. (2002). Temples of Kr̥ṣṇa in South India: History, Art, and Traditions in Tamilnāḍu. Abhinav Publications. ISBN 9788170173984. Retrieved 1 January 2002.
  15. ^ Hiltebeitel, Alf (1988). The cult of Draupadī: Mythologies : from Gingee to Kurukserta, Volume 1. Motilal. p. 99. ISBN 81-208-1000-7.
  16. ^ a b Hiltebeitel, Alf (1991). The cult of Draupadī: Mythologies : from Gingee to Kurukserta, Volume 1. University of Chicago. p. 450. ISBN 81-208-1000-7.
  17. ^ Sridharan, Divya (27 November 2009). "Ancient Futures". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
  18. ^ Sivadas, Sanjay (15 April 2013). "Where eagles dare". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.