Rawther

Rowther (anglicised as ''Irauttar'', ''Rawther, Ravuttar'' ''Ravutta'', ''Rahtore'', ''Ravuthar'') is a Tamil Speaking Muslim community from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Rowthers are Tamil tribes converted to islam by Preacher Natharshah. Even after converstion they retained their caste name. the Madurai district Gazeratteer mentions that Rowthers Cavalry under the Tamil Rulers and they were a martial class They were elite cavalrymen of Chola and Pandya kingdoms. They were traditionally a martial clan like the Maravars, and constitute large part of the multi-ethnic Tamil Muslim community. They follow the Hanafi school of ''fiqh''. Ravuttars have also been found as Tamil polygars, zamindars and chieftains from the 16th to 18th centuries. In the modern era, they are successful entrepreneurs, businesspeople, professionals and landlords.

Etymology

The name ''Ravuttar'' meaning King, Horseman Cavalry Warrior in tamil language (or ''Ravutta,'' ''Ravuthar'', ''Rahtore'', ''Rathaur'', ''Rowther'', ''Rawther'') is derived ('' Rājaputra''), in the sense of 'prince', 'nobleman', or 'horseman'. D.C. Sircar points out that ''Ravutta'' or ''Rahutta'', as a title, means a 'subordinate ruler'. Some scholars claim that the name comes from Rathore, a name common among the Muslim Rajputs of North India. Historically, they are parts of clans traditionally holding positions as rulers and military folk. Ravuta means a high-ranking title King, lord, feudatory ruling chief.

Rahut or Rowt means ''Warrior'', Raya means ''Captain'' ''Rāvuttarayan'' or ''Rāvuttakartan'' means high military chief of cavalry.

Demography

Rawther are found all over Tamil Nadu and in southern districts of Kerala. Their mother tongue is Tamil in Tamil Nadu and Malayalam in Kerala. Many of them are familiar with the Perso-Arabic script. They follow the tenets of Islam and read the Quran and other religious texts in Arabic.

Culture

Rowthers generally speak Tamil follow Tamil cultural practices and They celebrate tamil festivals. They have their own ''Ravuthar Cuisine'' and '' Rawther Biryani''. The elderly men wear white Vēṭṭi or White '' kayili'' while elderly women wear a white ''thupatti'' draped over a sari.

Titles/surname

Ravuttar/Rawther/Rowther are common surnames among the group, but other titles often used are below:

* Sahib
* Khan
* Shah
* Pillai/Pillay (Travancore and Tamilnadu)
* ''Ambalam''
* ''Servai'' Servaikkarar (In 1730s, ''Ravuttan Servaikkarar'' (''Rauten Cheerwegaren'') was a high military ranked man in Ramnad kingdom.)

Identity and origins

Ravuttars are Soldiers, officials and literati attached to Muslim Court in the Deccan. In described as a Rāuta, Rāutta or Rāvutta derived from Sanskrit ''Rajaputra'' and was often assumed by subordinate rulers.

Sundara Pandyan sought help, in a civil war, from Sultan Ala-ud-din Khilji who ruled much of northern India from Delhi. Khilji agreed to help Sundara Pandyan and ordered General Malik Kafur's army to march into the peninsula in 1311. Thus the first invasion of Tamil Nadu from Delhi was a direct result of the internal quarrel in the Pandyan royal family.

Later, Chola kings too invited artisans of the Seljuk Empire who belonged to the Hanafi school. During 8th-10th centuries, an armada of Turkish traders settled in Tharangambadi, Nagapattinam, Karaikal, Muthupet, Koothanallur and Podakkudi.

These new settlements were now added to the Rowther community. Hanafi factions have a mix of fair and pale complexions. There are some Anatolian and Safavid inscriptions found in a wide area from Tanjore to Thiruvarur and in many villages. These inscriptions are seized by Madras museum. Some Turkish inscriptions were also stolen from the Big Mosque of Koothanallur in 1850.

There are two factions of Rowthers in Tamil Nadu, Tamils cavalry warriors covers majority of Tamil Nadu while Seljuk Turkic clans remains in Tharangambadi, Nagapattinam, Karaikal, Muthupet, Koothanallur and Podakkudi. Both now tamil and turkish Hanafi expanded with Population and some circumstantial evidence in historical sources that the Rowthers are part related to Maravar converts. Ravuttars worked in the administration of the Vijayanagar Nayaks.

Social system: kinship

The Rowthers are an endogamous group. "The concern is for matching spouses who share the same economic backgrounds and the same cultural and particularly religious tradition. Specific religious and social practices vary widely among the different Muslim Tamil sub-divisions and attitudes about what is not vary too. Nevertheless, in cities, inter-marriages do occur, although they are rare" (Mines, 1973).

Ata/Aththa - A Rowther's kinship term

The Rowthers of Tamil Nadu and Kerala to this day address father as ''Aththa(அத்தா)'' meaning father or ancestor in Tamil languages.

Family

Extended families are more frequent among the Rawther than nuclear families. Both sons and daughters inherit property. A daughter gets half of what a son gets.

Rites and rituals

Marriage

Nevertheless, in cities, inter-marriages do occur, although they are rare" (Vines, 1973). Parallel and cross-cousins are potential spouses. Earlier, marriages were performed soon after a girl attained puberty, but now girls get married between 18 and 20 and boys between 22 and 25. Most marriages are negotiated by the elders. Monogamy is the norm. They remember their historic valour during their marriage ceremonies, where the bridegroom is conducted in a horseback procession.

Occupational activities

Traditionally the Rowthers were landlords and land owning community (historically mentioned as Rowthers are brave cavaliers and early Muslim horse-traders in Tamil literature) but now they are engaged in various occupations, mostly their own businesses. They deal in gemstones, gold, textiles, and real estate and participate in the restaurant industry, construction work, and general merchandising. Some are professionals, such as doctors, engineers, advocates and teachers.

Administration and justice

There is no traditional caste council or panchayat as such among the Rawthers. Learned and elderly persons act as advisers. The Rawther have an association which preaches against dowry, and collects funds for charity.

Religion and culture

The Rawther belong to the Sunni sect of Islam and the Hanafi school. They follow the five basic tenets of Islam, which are, reciting the Kalima, offering prayer (''thozhugai'') five times a day, observe fasting (''nonbu'') during the month of Ramzan, giving charity ( zakah) to the poor, and going on the Haj pilgrimage. The two major festivals celebrated are Ramzan and Bakr-id.

Intercommunity relations

The Rawther share a ritual and social linkage with other sects of Muslims. They mix freely with their neighbors and friends belonging to other communities, and exchange food and sweets during festivals. They share mosques and burial grounds with others belonging to the Sunni sect.

Closeness in Tamil inscriptions and literature

The well-known legend of the Shiva saint Manikkavacakar of the 9th century is connected with the purchase of horses for the Pandya king. In that the god Shiva who appeared in disguise as a horse trader to protect the saint and he is called as Rowther. Also, the Tamil god Murugan is praised by saint Arunagirinathar as ''soor kondra ravuttane'' (Oh Ravuttan, who vanquised the Demon) and ''maamayilerum ravuttane'' (Oh Ravuttan, who rides on the great peacock) in his Kanthar Alangaram
கந்தர் அலங்காரம்
and in Kanthar Venba (கந்தர் வெண்பா).

This shows religious harmony of Rowthers and Saivites in early Tamilakam till now.

Initially, most horses and warriors were drawn from Persia and Central Asia. For the Indian population the most prominent feature of these warriors was their distinctive religion or ethnic identity but their military and equine expertise, which was always for hire. Apart from being loosely labelled Muslims or Turks (Turushka), these mounted men were known as ''Ashvapatis'' or ''Irauttars (lords of horses)''.

There were Tamil Ravuttars working in the administration of the Vijayanagara Empire in the Khurram Kunda. The inscription details the dedication of the land by the Rowther to a Murugan temple in Cheyyur.

Muththaal Ravuttar

Muththaal Ravuttar (meaning Muslim Rowther is a Prakrit derivation from ''raja-putra'') figures as Tamil male deities who protect Tamil land.

Modernisation

The Rowthers give importance to education. Fathima Beevi, India's first female Supreme Court judge, hails from a prominent Rowther family in Pathanamthitta.

Notable persons

See also

* Indo-Turkic people
*Maravars
* Quaid-e-Millath
* Tamil Muslim

References

Bibliography

*J. P. Mulliner. ''Rise of Islam in India''. University of Leeds chpt. 9. Page 215
*
*
*
* Mines, Mattison. ''Social Stratification among the Muslim Tamils in Tamil Nadu, South India'', Imtiaz Ahmad, ed, Caste and Social Stratification among the Muslims, Manohar book service, New Delhi, 1973.
* Nanjundayya, H.V. and lyer, LK.A, 1931, ''The Mysore Tribes and Castes, IV'', The Mysore University. Mysore.
* Thurston, E., ''Castes and Tribes of Southern India'', Government Press, Madras, 1909.

{{Indian Muslim

History of Tamil Nadu
Muslim communities of India
Social groups of Tamil Nadu