Caste-wise Population of Tamil Nadu: An Insight

Tamil Nadu, a state in southern India, is known for its rich cultural and societal fabric, which is deeply influenced by the caste system. The caste-wise population of Tamil Nadu underwent significant changes since the 2001 census as reported in the 2011 census. This article delves into the details of the caste-wise population of Tamil Nadu, highlighting key findings and providing context for the evolution of the caste system in the state.

2011 Census Overview

According to the 2011 census, the caste-wise population of Tamil Nadu is as follows:

OBCs (Other Backward Classes): 68% SCs (Scheduled Castes): 20% STs (Scheduled Tribes): 1% Upper castes: The remaining percentage (about 1%)

The caste-wise breakdown was subject to further detailed analysis by the Ambasankar Commission based on data from 1985.

Ambasankar Commission Data

In 1985, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MGR appointed Mr. [surname] for a caste census, leading to the detailed analysis provided by the Ambasankar Commission. Below is an excerpt from the commission's findings:

CastePercentagePopulation Vanniyar1465 lac SC/ST (More than 50 castes including Parayar, Valluvar, Irular, Adiyan, Arunthathiyar, etc.)191 crore Kongu Velalar4.524 lac Nadar4.523 lac Agamudayar, Kallar, Maravar6.7530.80 lac Yadhavar318.50 lac Viswakarma2.712.26 lac Nayudu2.59.19 lac Kai Kolar28.76 lac Brahmins28.50 lac

Language-wise Caste Distribution

The caste-wise population also varies based on language spoken. Here's a breakdown:

LanguagesCastes Telugu speaking33 Kannada speaking8 Malayalam speaking8 Hindi speaking4 Tamil speaking40 Other language speaking7

Key Castes of Tamil Nadu

Some of the key castes in Tamil Nadu based on population are:

Vanniyar Paraiyar Kongu Velalar Nadar Konar Yadava Pallar Kallar Mutharaiyar Agamudayar (including Thuluva Vellala) Maravar

An Analysis of Caste Population in Tamil Nadu

According to the details from the 2011 census, Tamil Nadu had a population of 72.1 million, an increase from 62.4 million in the 2001 census. Among the dominant castes, the Vellalar caste is the most populated. It is often disputed whether the term "Vellalar" refers to a caste or a title given by the British. The Vellalar caste is believed to have originated around the 15th century, with its name derived from their traditional role as flood controllers in the water management system.

However, it is essential to note that many titles like Pillai, Mudaliyar, and Gounder are given to different communities and may not always denote a caste. For example:

Chettiar (Including all types): 16% Mukkulathoor DEVAR: Kallar, Maravar, Agamudaiyar: 15% Vanniyar: 16% Gounder: 3% Kongu Velalar: 8% Muthaliyar (Including Agamudaiyar): 6% Pallar: 6% Parayar: 8% Arunthathiyar: 6% Nadar: 9% Muthuraiyar: 4% Pillai Margal: 3% Iyer and Iyengar: 2% Koonaryadav: 4% Maruthuvar: 2%

The Vellalar caste is particularly dominant, with various sub-castes having their own unique titles. Some castes, like Thulo Vellalar and Kongu Vellalar, have distinct historical backgrounds and titles. The Thulo Vellalar came from Karnataka and settled in Thondai Naadu, while the Kongu Vellalar were originally from Chera country.

It is worth noting that the role of the British in renaming certain titles and the diversification of caste names based on occupational roles are still subjects of debate. The study of caste in Tamil Nadu is complex and requires a nuanced understanding of historical, social, and political contexts.