# Velir

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Royal house of Yadu dynasty

Velir A statue of the Sangam period Velir king Current region South India and Sri Lanka Titles Satyaputra Connected families Ay Athiyamān Irunkōvēl Ilanji Vel Malayamān Nannan Vēl Pāri Vel Avi Pekan

The **Velir** [1][2][3][4][5] were [aristocratic](/source/Aristocracy) [nobility](/source/Nobility) in [Tamilakam](/source/Tamilakam) in the early historic period of [South India](/source/South_India) and [Sri Lanka](/source/Sri_Lanka).[6] They had close relations with [Chera](/source/Chera_dynasty), [Chola](/source/Chola_dynasty) and [Pandya](/source/Pandya_dynasty) rulers through ruling and coronation rights.[7][8][9] Medieval inscriptions and Sangam literature claim that they belong to the [Yadu dynasty](/source/Yadu_dynasty).[10][11][12] Velir may refer to master of land.[13]

## Origin

A 12th-century statue of Agastya

The [Purananuru](/source/Purananuru), one of the [Eight Anthologies](/source/Eight_Anthologies) of [Sangam literature](/source/Sangam_literature), praises King [Irunkōvēl](/source/Irunk%C5%8Dv%C4%93l), a 49th generation descendant of the Vēlir clan whose ancestors appeared from the pitcher (தடவு) of a Northern sage ([Agastya](/source/Agastya)), and said to have ruled Thuvarai ([Dvārakā](/source/Dv%C4%81rak%C4%81)) with a fort containing tall huge walls made of bronze.[14] According to a commentary on *[Tholkappiyam](/source/Tholkappiyam)*, the earliest long work of [Tamil literature](/source/Tamil_literature), eighteen clans of the Velirs came from the city of *[Tuvarapati](/source/Dv%C4%81rak%C4%81)* under the leadership of the sage [Agastya](/source/Agastya).[6][15][16] The legend goes that all the gods and sages went to the Himalayas to attend the marriage of [Siva](/source/Shiva) with [Parvati](/source/Parvati) due to which the earth started tilting to one side. Agastya was then requested to proceed south to restore the balance. On his way south, Agastya married Lopamudra and is said to have brought with him sage Jamadagni's son Trnadhumagni or Tholkappiyar, the author of [Tamil](/source/Tamil_language) grammar, and eighteen members of the [Vrishni](/source/Vrishni) family along with eighteen crore Velir and Aruvalar.[17] It has been suggested by some like Thapar and Champakalakshmi, that the ancestors of the Velir may have been related to the Yadava of Dvaraka and the inhabitants of the post [Harappan](/source/Harappa) Chacolithic Black and Red ware sites. According to Thapar, the Yadava may have belonged to a non Indo-Aryan language group.[15] They eventually reached [Tamraparni](/source/Tamraparni), and as the Velir-Perumakan group, cultivated its ancient society as a political, sociocultural and economic structure in South India and Sri Lanka.[18]

Historian [R. Nagaswamy](/source/R._Nagaswamy) writes that quite a number of these velirs were indigenous and natives of Tamil country but some of the velirs seem to have migrated from dvaraka.[13]

The [Irunkōvēl](/source/Irunk%C5%8Dv%C4%93l) kings trace their lineage to the clan of [Krishna](/source/Krishna); one of the inscriptions at Kodumbalur belonging to one of the kings in the Irunkovel line, namely Tennavan Irunkōvēl.[12][19] The [Moovar Koil](/source/Moovar_Koil) record of Irukkuvel chief [Boothi Vikramakesari](/source/Boothi_Vikramakesari) lauds his father, Samarabirama, as *Yadu-vamsa-ketu* (Banner of the Yadu race).[12][20] Historians consider the [Ay](/source/Ay_dynasty) velirs originated from the pastoralists of [Ayars](/source/Abhira_tribe) and they gained preeminence at an early stage in Tamil history.[21][22][23]

## History

The Velir were prominent in the [Sangam period](/source/Sangam_period) of Tamil polity, economy, and society. They are traced to the [Yadavas](/source/Yadava) (Yadu descent) of [Dvaraka](/source/Dv%C4%81rak%C4%81) and linked up with all important dynasties of [South India](/source/South_India) including the [Chalukyas](/source/Chalukya_dynasty), [Hoysalas](/source/Hoysala_Empire), and [Andhras](/source/Satavahana_dynasty).[24] In Sangam literature, they are portrayed as independent chieftains who ruled in bordering areas of three major ruling dynasties, had considerable collective power and marriage alliances with [Three Crowned Kings](/source/Three_Crowned_Kings).[25] "

- [Haihayas](/source/Heheya_kingdom)

- [Kadambas](/source/Kadamba_dynasty)

- [Nulambas](/source/Nolamba_dynasty)

- Vaidhumbas

- [Dhandakas](/source/Danda_kingdom)

- [Satavahanas](/source/Satavahana_dynasty)

- [Kalachuris](/source/Kalachuris_of_Mahishmati)

- [Pallavas](/source/Pallava_dynasty)

- [Andhras](/source/Andhra_in_Indian_epic_literature)[26]

- [Kunthalas](/source/Kuntala_country)

- Dhayanas

- [Yadhavas](/source/Yadava)[27]

- [Hoysalas](/source/Hoysala_Empire)[28]

- [Rashtrakutas](/source/Rashtrakuta_dynasty)

- [Chalukyas](/source/Chalukya_dynasty)[29]

- [Banas](/source/Bana_kingdom)

- [Moryas](/source/Maurya_Empire)

- [Thondayars](/source/Tondaiman)

While most of the rulers are substantiated by epigraphs and literatures, some of their history of ruling some dynasties is not recorded.

Also, some of the medieval dynasties of the western half of the peninsula claim to be descended from [Yadhavas](/source/Yadava) lineage and the Ay chiefs of [Ay dynasty](/source/Ay_dynasty) of the ninth century A.D. claim to be the [Vrishni-kula](/source/Vrishni) as also the [Mushika](/source/Mushika_dynasty) kings who link themselves with [Haihaya](/source/Heheya_kingdom) origins.[30] The [Periya Puranam](/source/Periya_Puranam) describes about a Haiheya clan king [Eyarkon Kalikama Nayanar](/source/Eyarkon_Kalikama_Nayanar), he was a Vellalar saint and Commander-in-chief of the Chola army.[31][32] The Ay velir chieftains, who settled down in Ay county (near Kanyakumari), were quite prominent in Tamil Nadu during the sangam age.[33]

The [Chalukyas](/source/Chalukya_dynasty) and [Kadambas](/source/Kadamba_dynasty) belonging to Manavya gotra as being the descendants of the original ancestress Hariti.[34] The Karmandala Satakam states that the Velirs of karmandalam belong to the same "Manavya" Gotra.[35] The Chalukya kings were called *Velpularasar* and *Velkulattarasar* by some communities, that is kings over *Vel* country (*pula* means region or country).[36][37] Later day references to them in Choļa inscriptions puts the Chalukyas under the Velir community ruling in Deccan.[29]

[Tamilakam](/source/Tamilakam) in the [Sangam Period](/source/Sangam_Period)

The [Ay Vels](/source/Ay_dynasty) were one such Velir group that ruled the territory in and around [Venad](/source/Venad) during the Sangam period. The word Venad is derived from *Vel* -nadu, that is the country ruled by *Vel* chieftains.[38] We know of a queen of Vikramaditya Varaguna, an Ay king of 9th century who is referred to as Murugan Chenthi and as Aykula Mahadevi from inscriptions. Her father, an Ay chief called Chathan Murugan is described as a Vennir Vellala that is a [Vellala](/source/Vellalar) by birth,[39] in the Huzur plates of king Karunandakkan, the predecessor of Vikramaditya Varaguna.[40]

The [Irunkōvēl](/source/Irunk%C5%8Dv%C4%93l) lines of Velir kings are considered to be of the same stock as the [Hoysalas](/source/Hoysala) as in one of the Sangam poems, the ancestor of the Irungovel chieftain is said to have ruled the fortified city of Tuvarai. This city is identified with the Hoysala capital [Dwarasamudra](/source/Dwarasamudra) by some historians.[41] Also, the legend of the chief killing a tiger (*Pulikadimal*) has a striking resemblance to the origin legend of the Hoysalas where "sala" kills the tiger to save a sage.[42] As per historian Arokiaswami, the Hoysala title "Ballala" is only a variant of the Tamil word "Vellala".[43] The Hoysala king [Veera Ballala III](/source/Veera_Ballala_III) is even now locally known as the "Vellala Maharaja" in [Thiruvannamalai](/source/Thiruvannamalai), the town that served as their capital in 14th century.[44]

The Irungovel chieftains were related to the [Cholas](/source/Chola) through matrimony.[45][46] These princes assumed both the Chola and Irungovel titles like for example there was one Adavallan Gangaikonda Cholan alias Irungolan during the time of [Kulottunga I](/source/Kulottunga_I) and then there was a certain Sendamangalam Udaiyan Araiyan Edirili Cholan alias Irungolan during the reign of [Kulottunga III](/source/Kulothunga_Chola_III).[47]

Kaluvul was a velir chieftain of Kamur who fought against the chera supremacy.[48][49] Perum chera irumporai along with fourteen chieftains attacked kamur but perum chera irumporai was impressed with Kaluvuls resistance in battle field and let him rule kamur and accepted friendship from him.[50] Some of the velirs under Kaluvul joined the chera after the defeat.[51]

### Sangam literature

The [Purananuru](/source/Purananuru), one of the [Eight Anthologies](/source/Eight_Anthologies) of [Sangam literature](/source/Sangam_literature), praises King [Irunkōvēl](/source/Irunk%C5%8Dv%C4%93l), a 49th generation descendant of the Vēlir clan whose ancestors appeared from the pitcher (தடவு) of a Northern sage ([Agastya](/source/Agastya)), and said to have ruled Thuvarai ([Dvārakā](/source/Dv%C4%81rak%C4%81)) with a fort containing tall huge walls made of bronze.[14]

### Velir chiefs

[Moovar Koil](/source/Moovar_Koil) Temple Complex built by Irunkovel chieftain Boothi Vikramakesari

[Athiyamān Nedumān Añci](/source/Athiyam%C4%81n_Nedum%C4%81n_A%C3%B1ci) and his son Ezhini, were [Athiyamān](/source/Athiyam%C4%81n) chieftains, based in Tagadur (present day village located in [Dharmapuri district](/source/Dharmapuri_district)). They were contemporaries of [Auvaiyar](/source/Avvaiyar_(Sangam_poet)). The Sangam poem "*Thagadur yathirai*", now lost, was written about his battle with the Chera king. Another Velir was [Irunkōvēl](/source/Irunk%C5%8Dv%C4%93l) who ruled over Konaadu, the area in and around [Pudukottai](/source/Pudukottai), with their capital in [Kodumbalur](/source/Kodumbalur).[52] Nannan was another Velir chieftain who hailed from [Tulu Nadu](/source/Tulu_Nadu).[53] Yet another Velir chief was Pekan of the Vel Avi family who ruled over Pothini, the modern [Palani](/source/Palani) near [Madurai](/source/Madurai).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] Other ancient Velir chiefs of repute include Alumbil Vel, Alandur Vel, [Ilanji Vel](/source/Ilanji_Vel) and Nangur Vel.[54]

## See also

- [History of Tamil Nadu](/source/History_of_Tamil_Nadu)

- [Ay dynasty](/source/Ay_dynasty)

- [Agastya](/source/Agastya)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Pruthi_Sharma_1995_p.99_1-0)** Pruthi, R.; Sharma, B.R. (1995). [*Buddhism, Jainism and Women*](https://books.google.com/books?id=BvoQAQAAIAAJ&q=velirs+or+vellalas). Encyclopaedia of women society and culture series. Anmol Publications. p. 99. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-81-7488-085-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-81-7488-085-7).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Sivaratnam_1964_p.36_2-0)** Sivaratnam, C. (1964). [*An Outline of the Cultural History and Principles of Hinduism*](https://books.google.com/books?id=H7xWAAAAMAAJ&q=velirs+or+vellalas). Stangard Printers. p. 36. Retrieved 12 December 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Chakravarti_1953_p.25_3-0)** Chakravarti, A. (1953). [*Tirukkural*](https://books.google.com/books?id=nBx4AAAAIAAJ&q=velirs+or+vellalas) (in Lithuanian). Diocesan Press. p. 25.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Orr_2000_p._209_4-0)** Orr, L.C. (2000). [*Donors, Devotees, and Daughters of God: Temple Women in Medieval Tamilnadu*](https://books.google.com/books?id=F___xKcP8lMC&dq=term%20velir&pg=PA209). South Asia Research. Oxford University Press. p. 209. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-19-535672-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-19-535672-4). Retrieved 12 December 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Iyer_1968_p.4_5-0)** Iyer, L.A.K. (1968). [*Social History of Kerala: The Dravidians*](https://books.google.com/books?id=UU5DAAAAYAAJ&q=velirs+or+vellalas). Monographs on man in India. Book Centre Publications. p. 4. Retrieved 12 December 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Meluhha_and_Agastya_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Meluhha_and_Agastya_6-1) Mahadevan, Iravatham (2009). ["Meluhha and Agastya : Alpha and Omega of the Indus Script"](http://www.harappa.com/arrow/meluhha_and_agastya_2009.pdf) (PDF). Chennai, India. p. 16. The story of the southern migration of the Vēḷir from Dvārakā under the leadership of Agastya is narrated by Naccinarkkiniyar in his commentary on Tolkāppiyam (pāyiram; Poruḷ. 34). According to this legend, the gods congregated on Mount Meru as a result of which the earth tilted, lowering Meru and raising the southern quarter. The gods thereupon decided that Agastya was the best person to remedy this situation and requested him to proceed to the South. Agastya agreed and, on his way, visited Tuvarāpati' (Dvārakā) and led the descendants of neṭu-muṭi-an|n|al (Viṣṇu or Krṣṇa) including eighteen kings, eighteen families of the Vēḷir and the Aruvāḷar' to the south, where they settled down clearing the forests and cultivating the land.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-de_Laet_Herrmann_1996_p._382_7-0)** de Laet, S.J.; Herrmann, J. (1996). [*History of Humanity: From the seventh century B.C. to the seventh century A.D.*](https://books.google.com/books?id=WGUz01yBumEC&pg=PA382) Routledge. p. 382. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-92-3-102812-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-92-3-102812-0). Retrieved 12 December 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Singh_Thirumalai_Manoharan_Anthropological_Survey_of_India_1997_p.1647_8-0)** Singh, K.S.; Thirumalai, R.; Manoharan, S.; Anthropological Survey of India (1997). [*Tamil Nadu*](https://books.google.com/books?id=9XLiAAAAMAAJ&q=velir+coronation). People of India. Affiliated East-West Press [for] Anthropological Survey of India. p. 1647. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-81-85938-88-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-81-85938-88-2). Retrieved 12 December 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Cuppiramaṇiyan̲_Tirunāvukkaracu_International_Institute_of_Tamil_Studies_1983_p.269_9-0)** Cuppiramaṇiyan̲, C.V.; Tirunāvukkaracu, K.T.; International Institute of Tamil Studies (1983). [*Historical Heritage of the Tamils*](https://books.google.com/books?id=FXIeAAAAMAAJ&q=velir++relation). Publication (International Institute of Tamil Studies). International Institute of Tamil Studies. p. 269. Retrieved 12 December 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Padmaja, T. (2001). [*Temples of Kr̥ṣṇa in South India: History, Art, and Traditions in Tamilnāḍu*](https://books.google.com/books?id=pzgaS1wRnl8C&q=yadu-kula&pg=RA1-PA34). Institute of Asian Studies. pp. 33–35. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9788170173984](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9788170173984).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-van_Bakel_Hagesteijn_van_de_Velde_1994_p._175_11-0)** van Bakel, M.; Hagesteijn, R.; van de Velde, P. (1994). [*Pivot politics: changing cultural identities in early state formation processes*](https://books.google.com/books?id=TXOc1WJVpoQC&pg=PA175). Het Spinhuis. p. 175. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-90-5589-007-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-90-5589-007-1). Retrieved 22 December 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Ayyar_Government_Museum_(Chennai_2002_p.15_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Ayyar_Government_Museum_(Chennai_2002_p.15_12-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Ayyar_Government_Museum_(Chennai_2002_p.15_12-2) Ayyar, K.R.S.; Government Museum (Chennai, India) (2002). [*Inscriptions in the Pudukkóttai State*](https://books.google.com/books?id=jk5mAAAAMAAJ&q=Vikramakesari+yadhu). Commissioner of Museums, Government of Tamilnadu. p. 15. Retrieved 20 December 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Art_And_Culture_Of_Tamilnadu_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Art_And_Culture_Of_Tamilnadu_13-1) R, Naga Swami (1980). [*Art And Culture Of Tamilnadu*](https://archive.org/details/bUeW_art-and-culture-of-tamilnadu-by-r.-naga-swami-1980-delhi-sundeep-prakashan-delhi/page/11/mode/2up?q=velir). Delhi Sundeep Prakashan. p. 12.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Hart_Heifetz_2002_p._127_14-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Hart_Heifetz_2002_p._127_14-1) Hart, G.L.; Heifetz, H. (2002). [*The Four Hundred Songs of War and Wisdom: An Anthology of Poems from Classical Tamil, the Purananuru*](https://books.google.com/books?id=mVdBeeiYxh4C&pg=PA127). Translations from the Asian Classics. Columbia University Press. p. 127. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-231-51252-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-231-51252-7). Retrieved 16 May 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-pivotpolitics_15-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-pivotpolitics_15-1) Pivot politics: changing cultural identities in early state formation processes By M. van Bakel page 165: "The Velir were an instrusive group in South India... It is now suggested that (...) may have been associated with the [Yadava](/source/Yadava) of Dvaraka..."[\[1\]](https://books.google.com/books?id=TXOc1WJVpoQC&pg=PA165)

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-India._Archæological_Dept_1913_p.122_19-0)** India. Archæological Dept (1913). [*Epigraphia Indica*](https://books.google.com/books?id=4LBCAAAAYAAJ&q=The+Ko%E1%B8%8Dumb%C4%81%C4%BC%C5%ABr+inscription+of+Vikramak%C4%93sari+,+also+called+Tennavan+Ilang%C5%8Dv%C4%93l,+declares+that+he+belonged+to+the+Yadava+race). [Reports].: New imperial series (in Italian). p. 122. Retrieved 20 December 2022.

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Padmaja, T. (2001). [*Temples of Kr̥ṣṇa in South India: History, Art, and Traditions in Tamilnāḍu*](https://books.google.com/books?id=pzgaS1wRnl8C&pg=RA1-PA33). Institute of Asian Studies. pp. 33–34. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9788170173984](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9788170173984).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Environment,_Development_and_Society_in_Contemporary_India:An_Introduction_2008_p._23_22-0)** [*Environment, Development and Society in Contemporary India:An Introduction*](https://books.google.com/books?id=Xt9KHerkrkAC&pg=PA23). Macmillan India. 2008. p. 23. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-230-63530-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-230-63530-2). Retrieved 12 December 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Matlock_2000_p._100_23-0)** Matlock, G. (2000). [*India Once Ruled the Americas!*](https://books.google.com/books?id=nlnQmHpVSh8C&pg=PA100). iUniverse. p. 100. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-595-13468-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-595-13468-7). Retrieved 12 December 2022.

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-Ganesh_1993_p.49_25-0)** Ganesh, K. (1993). [*Boundary Walls: Caste and Women in a Tamil Community*](https://books.google.com/books?id=EShuAAAAMAAJ&q=velir). Studies in sociology and social anthropology. Hindustan Publishing Corporation. p. 49. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-81-7075-023-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-81-7075-023-9). Retrieved 20 December 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Biodiversity_Heritage_Library_1909_p.21_26-0)** Biodiversity Heritage Library (1909). [*Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society*](https://books.google.com/books?id=jN0lAAAAMAAJ). Colombo Apothecaries Company. p. 21. Retrieved 22 December 2022.

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1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ReferenceA_29-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ReferenceA_29-1) Prācī-jyoti Digest of Indological Studies volumes 16-17 (1984), p. 115

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Thapar_1978_p._224_30-0)** Thapar, R. (1978). [*Ancient Indian Social History: Some Interpretations*](https://books.google.com/books?id=fK3VTUrWsD0C&pg=PA224). Orient Longman. p. 224. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-81-250-0808-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-81-250-0808-8). Retrieved 21 December 2022.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Velir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velir) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velir?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.