Gounder

Gounder is a title used by various communities in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.^[1] It may refer to various communities such as KonguVettuva gounder,Vellala Gounder, Vanniyar, Kurumba, Thuluva Vellalar,^[2] Urali Gounders,^[3] Tamil Vokkaligas.^[4][5]

Etymology

There are a number of derivations for the title. One theory derives it from the Tamil word Kaamindan, meaning "noble protector of the country", later modified as Kavundan or Gounder.^[6]

According to S. N. Sadasivan, some of these Vellalars branched off from the Vokkaligas and both might have a common origin from the Kurumba.^[7]

History

During the British Raj era, some Gounders migrated to Malayan rubber plantations as Kanganis to manage the coolies.^[8]