Gounder (title)

Gounder (Tamil: கவுண்டர்) is a title used by different communities originating in the Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. In Tamil Nadu, the title mostly refers to Kongu Vellalars and Kongu Vellalars are often generally referred as Gounder community.[1][2][3] Some sections of Vettuvars, Vanniars, Vokkaligas, Uralis and Gollas also use the title.[4][5][6][7]

Contents

Etymology

There are number of derivations for the title. One theory derives the name Gounder from Tamil word Kaamindan, meaning protector of the country. It was later modified as Kavundan or Gounder.[8] Another meaning is derived from Ka Meendar or destroyer of the forest who makes it available for cultivation.

References

  1. ^ "கொங்கு நாடு யாருக்கு: வரிசை கட்டும் பிரச்னைகள் - கவுண்டர் சமுதாயத்தை ...கடந்த கோபமாக கொங்கு வேளாளக் கவுண்டர்கள் , Kongu Vellala Gounders are angry that Gounder community is being targeted by registering cases against them" (in Tamil). Dinamalar. http://www.dinamalar.com/News_Detail.asp?id=209220&Print=1. Retrieved December 15, 2011. 
  2. ^ Gounder consolidation could pose headache to major parties - Times Of India
  3. ^ Newly elected ministers to be sworn in today | Deccan Chronicle
  4. ^ Singh, Suresh Kumar; Thirumalai, R; Manoharan, S (1997). People of India: Tamil Nadu. 40, Part 2. Anthropological Survey of India. pp. 1514, 1575, 1700, 1728. ISBN 8185938881. http://books.google.com/books?id=9XLiAAAAMAAJ. Retrieved 2011-12-14. 
  5. ^ "வேட்டுவக்கவுண்டர் இன சாதிகளை ஒரே பிரிவாக அறிவிக்க வலியுறுத்தல், Classify all subcastes as Vettuva Gounders" (in Tamil). Dinakaran. http://www.epaper.dinakaran.com/District_detail_2011.asp?Nid=2397. Retrieved December 15, 2011. 
  6. ^ Burkhart, Geoffrey (1974). "Equal in the Eyes of God: a South Indian Devotional Group in its Hierarchical Setting". Contributions to Asian studies. 5. Leiden: Brill Academic Publishers. p. 8. ISBN 9789004039674. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=OREVAAAAIAAJ. Retrieved 2011-12-14. 
  7. ^ "காங்கிரஸில் ... வன்னியர் தலைவரான மாணிக்கவேல் நாயக்கர், Vanniyar leader Manikavel Naicker" (in Tamil). Dinamani. http://www.dinamani.com/edition/story.aspx?&SectionName=%E0%AE%85%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D%20%E0%AE%85%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%99%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D&artid=262554&SectionID=205&MainSectionID=199&SEO=&Title=. Retrieved December 15, 2011. 
  8. ^ Madhvan, Karthik (2 August 2008). "Steeped in history". Front line (The Hindu Group). http://www.hindu.com/fline/fl2516/stories/20080815251611400.htm. Retrieved 22 January 2011.