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 Vettuva, Kongu Vellalar, Vanniyar, and Kurumba,^[2] Uralis.^[3]

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.^[4]

According to S. N. Sadasivan, some of these Vellalars branched off from the Vokkaligas and both might have a common origin from the Kurumba.^[5]

History

During the British Raj era, some Gounders migrated to Malayan rubber plantations as Kanganis to manage the coolies.^[6]