Nadan (Nadar subcaste)
Encyclopedia
Nadans are a small endogamanous group of aristocratic Nadars
from the regions south of the Thamirabarani River
. They were used to be invested as tax gatherers by the Nayaks
and by the Pandyans before them. They also served as petty lords under the poligars
. The Nadans possessed vast tracts of land and were one of the few subcastes among the Nadars to have practiced aristocracy
. The term Nadan literally means lords of the soil. The Nadans claim that they are the descendants of ancient pandyan kings.
s were totally dependent on these powerful land lords and treated them with great respect. In the regions dominated by the Nadans, even the Vellalar
accountant or the Brahmin
priest would alike show deference to the position of the Nadan lords. The Nadans claim that they are the descendants of the ancient Pandyan kings. They rode horses and would buy slaves to work in their houses, inorder to retain their proud customs. The Nadan women followed strict gosha,revealing themselves only to the men of their own house hold, and rode in covered palanquins. The oldest and highest Nadans were the Adityans of Kayamozhi. The Adityans claimed they were the descendants of Surya, the sun god. The Adityans also had special rights at the Siva temple in Thiruchendur
. The Adityan family also constructed one of the pavilions of the Siva temple. They usually donated the huge wooden car to the temple and in return were given the privelge to be the first touch the rope which would pull the car through the streets during festival times.
Despite their great wealth and power the Nadans, however, were considered as a portion of the greater class of Nadars and were denied entrance into temples built by higher castes. The Nadans shared the pollution of the lowest climbers. However, the Nadans themselves owned many Hindu temples in Southeastern Tirunelveli. The Nadans would not enter Hindu temples built by higher castes until the issue was solved through movements and legislations. They claim that they were stripped of their rights and privileges due to the Nayak
invasion. The Nadar community was then divided into different opposing groups, with each Nadar climber owing allegiance to a Nadan family. The control of the lands may pass from one Nadan to another, but the climbers, however, remained always with the trees assigned to them.
.
served as palmrya climbers on the lands of aristocratic Nadans in the eastern portion of Kanniyakumari. In the tradition of these Nadan families the lands were bestowed by the kings of Travancore in return for the Nadans' services.
Nadar (caste)
Nadar is one of the prominent castes of Tamil Nadu, South India. The term, Nadar, in Tamil literally means one who rules the land. The Nadars are also commonly called as Annachi . Nadars are an entrepreneurial south Indian caste and constitute 12% of Tamil Nadu's population...
from the regions south of the Thamirabarani River
Thamirabarani River
The Thamirabarani River originates from the famous Agastyarkoodam peak in the hills of the Western Ghats above Papanasam in the Ambasamudram taluk and flows through Tirunelveli & Tuticorin districts of the Tamil Nadu state of southern India...
. They were used to be invested as tax gatherers by the Nayaks
Madurai Nayak Dynasty
The Madurai Nayaks or Nayak Dynasty of Madurai were rulers of a region comprising most of modern-day Tamil Nadu, India, with Madurai as their capital...
and by the Pandyans before them. They also served as petty lords under the poligars
Palaiyakkarar
Palaiyakkarar, Poligar, Polygar or Palegar or Polegar was the feudal title for a class of territorial administrative and military chiefs appointed by the Naicker rulers of South India during 16th - 18th centuries...
. The Nadans possessed vast tracts of land and were one of the few subcastes among the Nadars to have practiced aristocracy
Aristocracy
Aristocracy , is a form of government in which a few elite citizens rule. The term derives from the Greek aristokratia, meaning "rule of the best". In origin in Ancient Greece, it was conceived of as rule by the best qualified citizens, and contrasted with monarchy...
. The term Nadan literally means lords of the soil. The Nadans claim that they are the descendants of ancient pandyan kings.
Nadans of the 19thcentury
As hereditary tax collectors, the Nadans held civil authority over the lands in their control. The Nadar climberNadar climber
Nadar climbers constituted the major bulk of today’s Nadar community. They were considered as the largest sub sect of today's Nadar community. They were historically humble cultivators of palmyra trees and jaggery and a few also involved in toddy trade...
s were totally dependent on these powerful land lords and treated them with great respect. In the regions dominated by the Nadans, even the Vellalar
Vellalar
Vellalars were, originally, an elite caste of Tamil agricultural landlords in Tamil Nadu, Kerala states in India and in neighbouring Sri Lanka; they were the nobility, aristocracy of the ancient Tamil order and had close relations with the different royal dynasties...
accountant or the Brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
priest would alike show deference to the position of the Nadan lords. The Nadans claim that they are the descendants of the ancient Pandyan kings. They rode horses and would buy slaves to work in their houses, inorder to retain their proud customs. The Nadan women followed strict gosha,revealing themselves only to the men of their own house hold, and rode in covered palanquins. The oldest and highest Nadans were the Adityans of Kayamozhi. The Adityans claimed they were the descendants of Surya, the sun god. The Adityans also had special rights at the Siva temple in Thiruchendur
Thiruchendur
Thiruchendur Murugan Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Muruga and one of the Arupadaiveedu of Lord Muruga. It is located in the small town of Thiruchendur in the district of Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, India. It is 55 km south-east of Tirunelveli, 40 km from Tuticorin and 75 km...
. The Adityan family also constructed one of the pavilions of the Siva temple. They usually donated the huge wooden car to the temple and in return were given the privelge to be the first touch the rope which would pull the car through the streets during festival times.
Despite their great wealth and power the Nadans, however, were considered as a portion of the greater class of Nadars and were denied entrance into temples built by higher castes. The Nadans shared the pollution of the lowest climbers. However, the Nadans themselves owned many Hindu temples in Southeastern Tirunelveli. The Nadans would not enter Hindu temples built by higher castes until the issue was solved through movements and legislations. They claim that they were stripped of their rights and privileges due to the Nayak
Madurai Nayak Dynasty
The Madurai Nayaks or Nayak Dynasty of Madurai were rulers of a region comprising most of modern-day Tamil Nadu, India, with Madurai as their capital...
invasion. The Nadar community was then divided into different opposing groups, with each Nadar climber owing allegiance to a Nadan family. The control of the lands may pass from one Nadan to another, but the climbers, however, remained always with the trees assigned to them.
Opposing Christianity
In 1680, the first congregation of Nadars was started at Vadakkankulam with the conversion of a Nadar woman. The Nadar converts came neither from the lowest sections(Kalla Shanar) of the castes nor from the highest(Nadans), but from the middle subgroups and particularly the climbers. The converts were provided protection by the missionaries from the oppressions of Nadan landlords. With their traditional dominance threatened, the Nadans became the missionaries' greatest adversaries. Many Nadans supported anti-Christian societies such as the Vibuthi Sangam(the Sacred Ashes Society). However by the 1860s the opposition of the Nadans began to wane. Eventually a few Nadans actually converted to ChristianityChristianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
.
Nadans of Travancore
The Nadar climbers of Southern TravancoreSouthern Travancore
The Southern Travancore, Kerala, consists of a part of Kollam district, Thiruvananthapuram district, and Kanyakumari district that is now in the state of Tamil Nadu...
served as palmrya climbers on the lands of aristocratic Nadans in the eastern portion of Kanniyakumari. In the tradition of these Nadan families the lands were bestowed by the kings of Travancore in return for the Nadans' services.
Distinctions within the Nadar community today
The Nadan families today still retain some aura of aristocracy and authority. However, the distinctions which separated them from the rest of the Nadar community are largely gone as their once dependent climbers have gained education and improved their status greatly. The once Nadar climbers are today widely into education, business and other important fields.Further reading
- M. Immanuel (2002) The Dravidian Lineages: The Nadars Through the Ages. A Socio-Historical Study. From Indus Valley Civilization to present time. Published by: Historical Research & Publications Trust, 137/H-4 Bethel Nagar, Nagercoil-629004, Tamil Nadu, India.
- Robert L. Hardgrave, Jr.(1969) The Nadars of Tamilnad; the political culture of a community in change. From year 1800 British records to 1968.