Pariah is the name of a caste in Tamilnadu, India. The people of this caste were treated as Untouchables from 13th Century A.D. until mid 20th Century A.D. in India. In English the word was first recorded in 1613 and means an Outcaste, Untouchable, social outcast and was derived from the caste name Pariah because the people of the caste were treated very low when British came and ruled India.
The Tamil word Paraiyan means a drummer.
The
following article discusses the roots of Paraiyan caste and how they became
Untouchables and the shocking truth about the origins of Untouchability in
India.
Paraiyas
were Buddhists. They may be the descendants of Paradas or Mauryas who were Buddhists and
came to South India after the collapse of Buddhism and raise of Brahmanism in
North India. Owing to their Buddhist allegiance and refusal to adopt Brahmanism
they were separately distinguished and later ex-communicated with the raise of
Brahmanism.
In ancient
India Dravidians did not have caste or Varna but there were many tribes and the
people were identified by the individual tribal names. Tamil was the major
language throughout India and most civilized Indian (at that time Dravidians)
spoke Tamil (Damita). The old Tamil Scripture was completely different than the
current Tamil Scripts. (Note: Costanzo Giuseppe Beschi (1680-1746), later called as Veera-ma-munivar,
an Italian Jesuit missionary learned Tamil and formed the current Tamil letters to make it easier
to write).
( Note: The original Vedas might
have been writen in Tamil or similar Dravidian language. The original Vedas did
not specify about caste. They are collection of songs praising their King –
Indra and sang the then state of affairs. The Upanishads, Sastras and Smrithis
including the Manu Smrithi were written in Classical Sanskrit after the Mauryan
Era. The German historian Max Muller and English historian James Mill saw the
similarity in syntax and vocabulary between Classical Sanskrit and Greek and Latin
and tied that to the language of the Vedas and called it Vedic Sanskrit to give
a superiority link to the Greek and Europeans and a so called Aryan civilization.
The so-called Vedic Sanskrit is completely different from Classical Sanskrit
and has no connection. Max Muller called the language of the Vedas as Vedic
Sanskrit and gave an artificial connection between the original Vedas and Classical
Sanskrit that was developed after the Maurian Era.)
In Ancient
Tamil Literature Aryans were called as Mlecchas – meaning uncivilized and the
ones that did not learn the Tamil Language well.
The arrival
of Greeks and other Central Asian settlers to India brought the concept of
slaves and class division to India. Thus the Aryans brought /made the 3 class system
in line with Plato’s ideas of an egalitarian society. Thus before Ashoka
converted to Buddhism there were only 3 classes (Varnas – Kings, Priests and Merchants)
among the Aryans. After Ashoka converted to Buddhism, Buddhism was dominant in
most / major parts of India for about 300 years under the Mauryan Empire. Hence
the followers of the 3-class system lost their relevance and were becoming out
of place in dominantly Buddhist society. This prompted them to plan an attack
on Buddhism and took extreme measures. One of the Commanders of the Buddhist
Mauryan Emperor Brihadratha murdered him and took
measures to prevent Buddhism from coming back. As it is common to form a new
constitution, adopt a new language with the formation of a new nation
(especially when the new nation is formed out of hatred for an existing nation),
a new language was formed which was classical Sanskrit. A new constituition evolved
in the form of Smrithis. The new language called as Sanskrit was used to write the Upanishads, Sastras and Smrithis
and to rewrite MahaBaratha and Ramayana to suite the needs of the new
formed order that was called Brahamanism. The Guptas were the pioneers to adopt
and propage Brahamanism, Sanskrit
and the new Constitution – that was later called the Manu Smrithi. The people that
did not adopt Brahamanism were termed as Vrathyas (Meaning Ignoble) and were
made gradually as UNTOUCHABLES over a span of several centuries as and when opportunities
arouse to subdue the so-called Vrathyas. The Kings, Priest and Merchants that adopted Brahamanism were
absorbed as Ksatryas, Brahamins and Vaysyas. The commoners that lived in those
Kingdoms that adopted Brahamanism were termed as Sudras and were used as
workers of various types. The Kings that opposed Brahamanism and refused to
accept the class system and refused to accept Brahamins as their advisors were
ex-communicated and when these kingdoms fell from power the people inthose
Kingdoms that adopted Brahamanism were absorbed as Sudras and the people that
still opposed Brahamanism were made as UNTOUCHABLES.
In order to
create a new order (Like a new Constitution for a new Country) many Brahmins
(followers of Lord Brahma and were the principal revolutionary) wrote several
rules and regulations and tried to use the ancient Vedas as a ground for their
base work. But this resulted in so many contradicting theories about the Vedas,
origin of Vedas, Origin of Gods, and lead to numerous new stories in the name
of Smritis, Puranas, Upanishads, and Bhagawat Gita.
They also
re-wrote Baratha (added / modified Baratha) to make it Mahabharata,
added/modified Ramayana to support their new-formed religion. (Now-a-days we
see movies dubbed from other languages or countries edited / modified according
to the local culture and philosophy. This happened with Baratha and Ramayana.
In order to get support for Brahmanism, the Brahmin writers added new stories
to the epics to suite their Brahmanism Philosophy). As so many new laws (aiding
and contradictory) were written by numbers authors in the name of Smritis,
there was confusion on what to adopt and what not to. The set of rules written by Sumati
Bharagava after 185 B.C. in the name of ‘Manu Smriti’ was adopted as the
constitution for Brahmanism as this gave lot of advantage and upper hand to the
Brahmins and Kings that adopted Brahmanism. (According to Manu’s law: When
there was conflict and contradiction between the rules of different Smriti then
only the Manu Smriti must be used.)
The out
come of these extreme measures were the creation of two more new classes – the
Sudras and Untouchables. As the Gutpa dynasty adopted Brahmanism and expanded
in the North, the Pallava Empire adopted Brahmanism and expanded in the South,
the new phenomenon – the 4 + 1 Varna system spread through out India. North
India and northern part of South India was directly under Mauryan Buddhist
Empire for about 300 years. Hence the Kingdom that sprang with the collapse of
the Mauryan Empire awaiting vengeance on the Buddhists, adopted Brahmanism.
NOTE: The
Pallavas were descendants of Cholas. Illantirayan the grandson of Karikallan
the great (ancient Cholas) was the originator of Pallavas. When Chola capital Kaveripukumpattinam was
destroyed by Sea, the Cholas made Kanchipuram as the temporary Capital. In
order to accommodate the Cholas (their forefathers and relatives), the Pallavas
moved towards the North. The collapse of the Mauryan Empire and the revolution
gave Kalabras and Satavaganas in Andra an upper hand. So the Pallavas became
satraps under the Satavaganas and adopted Brahmanism. Then they moved south and
expanded and fought with their original ancestors, the Cholas, who did not
adopt Brahmanism at that time.
Though the
Aryans had only 3 Varnas, one may wonder, how it became a 4 Varna + 1
Untouchable system. As the new system spread, obviously one has to find place
to fit the new comers. The Brahmins did not want to give up there position.
Obviously the Kings will not take a lower position. So Kings and his warrior
class were absorbed as Kshatryas at the same time they were not treated low in
status to the Brahmins as long as the King was powerful (In those circumstances
the Brahmins were servile to the Kings). But when a King was weak they took
full advantage of it and tried to enforce supremacy of the Brahmins over
Kshatryas (Like in a Parliamentary Democracy if the Prime minister did not have
majority then he has to dance to the tunes of all MPs and supporting parties;
but the MPs act servile when the Prime minister has more than absolute
majority). The rich Merchants were absorbed as Vysas but then all other working
classes were made Sudras.
The Kings
that did not support Brahmanism were branded as degraded Kings (Vratya
Kshatriyas meaning degraded Kshatriyas). These so called Vratya Kshatriyas were
great devotees and followers of Lord Shiva (Shivism), Lord Vishnu (Vishnavism),
Lord Buddha (Buddhism), Lord Mahavira (Jainism) but they did not adopt
Brahmanism. (The criteria for
a noble Kshatriya is to
take the sacred Brahmanical
rituals/codes and to heed to the Brahmanans, to perform sacrifices from time to
time and giving rich gifts to the Brahamin priests at these sacrifices and to
follow the laws of Manu – It does not matter whether a King is a great devotee
of God Shiva, God Vishnu or any of the other Gods but should basically heed to
the Brahmanans. This is also emphasised by the Manu law – Do not follow even God in
their good deeds, if they are contrary to the rules of Shurti, Smriti and
Sadachar! ).
As long as
the Kings that did not support Brahmanism were in power the supporters of
Brahmanism could not do any thing about them. Once these Kings were defeated by
a King that supported Brahmanism, the King and his clan that lost power that
did not support Brahmanism, were ex-communicated according to Manu’s law (Rationalism as a canon
of interpreting the Vedas and Smritis is absolutely condemned. It is regarded
to be as wicked as atheism and the punishment provided for it is
ex-communication). So
where did Untouchables come from? These ex-communicated communities, as they
were deprived of any opportunity within cities and were prevented from bearing
arms, gradually became poor and then were made Untouchables.
They were
from 2 different groups.
It should
be noted that this change did not happen over night but it happened over a
period of 300 to 500 years, gradually with the Brahmins tightening the noose at
every available opportunity.
Initially
robbed them of their wealth and status,
Then sent
them out of towns and cities and excommunicated them,
Then
prevented them from getting jobs other than as menial labourers,
Then
prevented them from having education,
Then
prevented them from accessing public places and
Then made
them as untouchables.
But the
Brahmins did not do it by themselves. They did it with the help of the Kings
that won the battle (as this helped the winning King also, as his opponents
were completely robbed of all their possessions and hence no change of comeback
and be a threat) and with the help of others who embraced Brahmanism (Though
others from the lost Kingdom that started to support Brahmanism after their previous
King lost in battle, were included as Sudras, they did not have to go through
the difficulties of the ex-communicated people and had a place in the Brahmin
society and were able to earn a living and had the newly forming Untouchables
to look down upon)
It should
be noted that the ex-communicated communities, the descendants of the so called
Vratya Kshatriyas were great devotees and followers of Lord Shiva (Shivism),
Lord Vishnu (Vishnavism), Lord Buddha (Buddhism), Lord Mahavira (Jainism) but
they did not adopt Brahmanism (Lord Brahma, laws of Manu, the four class
system, Brahmin as the priest and advisor). There wasn’t any religion by name
Hinduism at that time. It was the British government by passing a law in 1784
stated that all inhabitants of India except Christians, Muslims, Buddhists,
Jains and Tribes as Hindus and stated that Manu’s law will be applicable to all
the so called Hindus. There by giving a great boost to Brahmanism. By this
Brahmanism became Hinduism and all those that opposed Brahmanism were also
included as Hindus to the advantage of Brahmanism.
The British
government also helped in other ways to aggravate the problems of the
ex-communicated communities and to the advantage of the Brahmins by educating
only the Brahmins, preventing ex-communicated community members from taking any
position in the British government, passing law declaring all Indians except
Muslims, Christians, and Buddhists of that time as Hindus, passing law
declaring all Indians as Sudras except Muslims, Christians, Brahmins and
Buddhists of that time, implementing Manu’s rules in the name of Hindu laws
there by suppressing other until the Brahmins revolted against British asking
for freedom.
In
Tamilnadu a casteless, Sangam period came to an end at about the 2nd
or 3rd Century A.D. with the attack or upraisal of Kalavars. Kalavaram means upraisal,
revolution, chaos in Tamil; The Kalavars were later on called as Kalabras. The
raise of the Kalabras made sweeping changes in the South Indian Society. (Though
there is no details on who the Kalavars / Kalabras were, Thiru.Devasirvatham
thinks the Kalavars / Kalabras were internal revolters that revolted against
the Tamil Kings to establish a new order). So the Kalabras may be part of a
Brahamin campaign to destroy Tamil Kingdoms that did not support Brahamanism or
can be Jain revolters or Robbery tribes that simply looted the well established
and civilized non-Brahamin Tamil society and established a different order from
3rd Century A.D. to 5th Century A.D. After the 5th
Century A.D. the Pallavas and Later Cholas who were Mallas, destroyed the
Kalabras and rose to power but gradually and partially adopted Brahamanism
because by the time Brahamanism became an unavoidable phenomenon.
Note: According
to the Tamil Epic called ‘Sillapathigaram’ written by Elango-adigal (a Cheran
Prince to Jain Monk convert), the Pandian Empire ruled by King Nedunchelian was
destroyed by the wrath of Kannagi because the Pandian King wrongly put to death
the husband of Kannagi – Kovalan, who was falsely accused or robbing the Queen’s
ancklet. This incident happened about the 2nd or 3rd Century
A.D. The Pandian King Nedunchelian was also called as Arya-Padai-Kathiratha
Pandian (Meaning destroyer of the Aryan Army). This Pandian King also had Roman
Body Guards. Connecting these together might suggest that Kannagi’s case might
have been used as a trigger to revolt against a King that did not support
Brahamanism and this may be part of the Kalavar attack.
There is no
mention of the name Paraiyan in Sangam literature except at one occasion
(crudely translated from Puram 335 below). (This one occasion may be a later
insertion to support Brahmanism).
Without the following four - Varagu, Thinai,
Koll, Avaarai the Food Categorization is not complete,
Without the following four - Thudian, Panan,
Parayan, Kadamban the citizens’ Categorization is not complete.
These 4
types of workers are considered as Music workers, Thudian – player of the instrument by name Thudi, Panan – Singer, Parayan – player of drum,
Kadamban - player
of the instrument by name Kadambu.
It should
be noted that none of these classified workers are categorized under the list
of people that lived in the 4 types of lands (Kurinchi, Mullai, Marutham,
Neydal).
According
to PERUMPANATTUPPADAI – a Tamil work of the 3rd or 4th
century A.D, in the description of the city of Kanchipuram the Paracheri was
isolated and was far removed from the city.
The Tamil
Dictionary of 9th Century A.D, Divagaram, does not have a classification
as Paraiyar (Parayar). The stone inscription of the later part of later Cholas
have mention two categories of workers in the name of Parayar namely Oolu
Parayar (Farming Parayar) and Nesavu Parayar (Cloth making Parayar).
At that
time they had separate settlements by the name of Parai Cheyri, they had
separate cremation centers, separate weaving centers. Paryars at that time
helped to perform (Nanda veelaku) lighting in certain Temples. They paid taxes.
They were in the army of Cholas and worked in the Chola Government
administrative offices. Also it should be noted that several of them converted
to Saivism following Nandanar and several of them converted to Vishnavism
following Thirupaanallwaar.
At this
time Pariars were citizens of Chola Empire, they owned lands, signed documents,
they had right to property. The Pariahs at that time WERE NOT CONSIDERED AS
UNTOUCHABLES. (It should also be noted that in ancient Tamil Kingdoms and
until 14 century AD, only Pullayar who burnt dead bodies were avoided by public
and were treated as Untouchables owing to the nature of their job and not due
to any other means. The Untouchability of the Pullayar was much different than
the Untouchability practiced by Brahmanism. Pullayar went to public places but
blew a horn before they came to public places so that public can avoid contact
with them. Also women were prevented from giving food to Pullayars – These were
procedures for Biohazard prevention rather than suppression unlike the
Untouchability practiced with Brahmanism.)
By the end
of later Cholas period some Paraiyan’s were treated low but still were not
untouchables. At this time the later Cholas supported Brahmins and partially
adopted Brahmanism. There was no mention of Clash between the Parayars and any
others until the downfall of Tamil Kings. By the end of 14th century
with the downfall of the Pandyas – last of the Tamil Kings to loose power, the
descendants of Tamil Kings – the Mallas were renamed as Pallas by Nayak Kings
and were ex-communicated. (It should be noted that the Nayaks were great
supporters of Brahmins and Brahmanism). As the Mallas were killed, driven out
of their Kingdom and were robbed of their possessions, many left for Kerala,
Ceylon, Malaysia and their links in the North were cut-off. The remaining
Mallas humiliated as Pallas were forced as agricultural labourers in their
ancestors land under the new landlords. The Nayaks at this time instigated all
others to claim the title and ownership of the Mallas. With this there were
numerous fights over claim of title between the Malla turned Pallas and
Parayars. Though the Parayars lived in harmony with the Mallas during Chola and
Pandya rule and occupied government jobs, owned lands, served the army, they
rebelled against the Malla turned Pallas with the motivation from the Nayaks
which lead the Mallas / Pallas to distrust the Parayas until today.
As the
Nayaks were great supporters of Brahmanism, the Pallas and Parayas were
ex-communicated and gradually made Untouchables.
As
indicated earlier, anyone that did not support Brahmanism were ex-communicated
and later made untouchables. The Mallas did not adopt Brahmanism and were
branded by Manu as degraded Kshatriyas.
So once they lost power they were ex-communicated.
But then why the Paraiyars were
ex-communicated?
The answer to this is the
Paraiyars were Buddhists.
What are
the evidences that support Paraiyars
were Buddhists.
As mentioned earlier, in Tamil Sangam
literature there was no mention of Parayars except at one song as cited
earlier. The
PERUMPANATTUPPADAI – a Tamil work of the 3rd or 4th
century A.D, mentions that the Paracheri was isolated and was far removed from
the city of Kanchipuram. The Tamil Dictionary of 9th Century A.D,
Divagaram, does not have a classification of people as Paraiyar (Parayar). The
stone inscription of the later part of later Cholas mention two categories of
workers in the name of Parayar namely Oolu Parayar (Farming Parayar) and Nesavu
Parayar (Cloth making Parayar). During the period the Paraiyars had
separate settlements by the name of Parai Cheyri, they had separate cremation
centers, separate weaving centers. Pariahs at that time helped to perform
(Nanda veelaku) lighting in certain Temples. They paid taxes. They were in the
army of Cholas and worked in the Chola Government administrative offices. Many
Paryars also converted to Shivism and Vishanavism at that time. They were
citizens of Chola Empire, they owned lands, signed documents, and they had
right to property. The Pariars at that time WERE NOT CONSIDERED AS
UNTOUCHABLES.
But according to the census of 1891 there were
348 different divisions
of Paraiyars and were treated as UNTOUCHABLES.
So how
there was no Paraiyan in Sungam Period to several types of Paraiyans during
Chola Period, without the stigma of lower class or untouchable, to numerous
types of Paraiyans with the stigma as untouchables after 16 century AD?
Now let us
check what is the relation between the Paraiyah caste and other castes in
Tamilnadu (For details please review: Who are Vellalar? and Tamil Moovendar
Marabinarana Devendrar Thaal Nilai Eythal. In Tamil (Translates to: Three Tamil
King’s kinsmen - Devendrar become low in society and status) - By Thiru. R. Deva Asirvatham)
From Abbe J.A.
Dubois: ‘In very early days how ever the separation between the Parayas and
others do not appear to have been so marked as at present. Though relegated to
the lower grade in the social scale Parayas were not then placed absolutely
outside and beyond the line of demarcation between them and the Sudras being
almost imperceptible and they are even today considered to be direct
descendants of the better class of agricultural labourers. The Tamil Vellalas
and the Vockalikas (Vockaliyar) do not disdain to call them their children’.
Pann Chery
–> Pannar->later called themselves as Pandaya Vellalas in cities, in
villages they were called themselves as Pannar or Pann Mestri. They do
stritching as their Job. They have marriage with Pariyars.
Seynai
Kudaiaar mostly do Weaving job. In Middle ages Pull Porriki Parayar had their
living by collecting grass for Horses. They were dependent on Horse solders
(cavalry).
Later they
called themselves as Kuddirai Sevakar (Care taker of Horse), then to Seynai Kudaiaar,
and then to Seynai Talaaivar.
The Pariyar
who were in Chola army also called themselves as Seynai Talaaivar. Later the
Seynai Talaaivar called themselves as Chettiyar, Muddaliyar, Pillai, Muppan –
(From Castes and Tribes of South India Vol VI Page 360 – E. Thurston)
Saaliyar
came from Paraiyars.
KaaiKollar
and Sengunthar were from Paraiyars during Vijayanagar rule.
Nessavu
Paraiyar in Middle ages. Kolliya Paraiyar do weaving job.
Some of the
Nessavu Paraiyar were used for Temple related work during Vijayanagar reign.
They later called themselves as KaaiKollar.
Kolliya
Paraiyar, Sengunthar and KaaiKollar call themselves as the descendants of
Veerabaku – one of the Commanders of Lord Muruga (Karthkeya / Subramaniyan)
Semman,
Seyniyar, Sengaar, Ponnaari Vellalar converted themselves from Pariayar during
Vijayanagar reign.
Kammalar
came from Kolliya Paraiyar. As Otanguthar, a Tamil poet, was a Kolliya Paraiyar
and had influence with Cholan Kulothungan. So through the influence of
Otanguthar, they got rights to wear sacred thread of Brahmanism and later
called themselves as Kammalar.
Weavers
from Northern districts of Tamilnadu were called as Sengunthar and from
Southern, districts were called as Kaikollar.
The
so-called Thevaradiyar that were employed in Temples were from these weaver
classes. Later they called themselves as Pillai and Muddai.
So Semman,
Seniyar, Kaikollar, Sengundar, Senai Kudaiyan, Senai Talaivar, Present day
Vellalar, Pillai, Muddali and many other castes branched off from Pariyars
during and after the Vijayanagar rule.
By the census of 1891 there were 348 different
divisions of Paraiyars.
Some of the
important / majority divisions of the Paraiyars out of the 348 divisions are:
(For
details on the work done by each of the Paraiyar given above, please review ‘Tamil Moovendar Marabinarana
Devendrar Thaal Nilai Eythal’ - In Tamil - Translates to: Three Tamil King’s
kinsmen - Devendrar become low in society and status - By Thiru. R. Deva Asirvatham)
NOTE: The
Tamil Kings had 18 classifications of workers to support them:
So
why there were several classifications of workers in the name of Paraya after 9th
Century AD in Chola Empire apart from the 18 worker categories that already
supported the Cholas at that time?
From
M.Srinivasan Ayyangar: “The Parayas who constitute nearly one seventh of the
Tamil population will here after be shown as Eiynar, dislike to call themselves
as Tamils thus suggesting that they belong to a
different race altogether”.
From
M.Srinivasan Ayyangar:”But by way of introduction, it is highly desirable to
present before the readers a description of an ancient town or village in which
the regional classification of the tribes explained above is clearly discernible.
We shall first take the city of Kanchipuram described in the PERUMPANATTUPPADAI
– a Tamil work of the 3rd or 4th century A.D. …Then far
removed from these were situated at one extreme of the city the Pallis of
Idayars and beyond them lay the isolated Paracheri of the Eyinars and their
chiefs. Next to the Mallar street were the temples of Tiruvekka and the palace
of king Illanthirayan”
NOTE:
Eyinars are Palli class. They are neither Idayars nor Parayas
(PERUMPANATTUPPADAI songs 83 to 94. So if Eyinars were not Parayas then why did
the Eyinars live with the Parayas and regarded the Parayas as chiefs and
respected them? )
So from the
above it can be seen that there were no Paraiah in Sangam period. Then during 3rd
or 4th Century they were in the outskirts in the city of Kanchipuram
then they lived as citizens in the Chola Empire and were in the army and
government position. Many of them converted to Shivism and Vishanavism. Then
they were treated low by the end of the Chola reign when Cholas adopted
Brahmanism. Then they were ex-communicated during Vijayanagar rule (that
supported Brahmanism to the core) but the ones that left their names as
Paraiyah and adopted the names as Vellala, Pillai, Muddali etc were absorbed as
SUDRAS by Brahmins. But the ones that stayed, as Paraiah became UNTOUCHABLES.
Did
the Paraiayas become Untouchables because they ate beef?
No. There
were so many tribes and ancestors of the many current upper castes that ate Beef.
But they did not become Untouchables. Arya Brahmins also ate Beef.
Originally
Mallars (Mallas, Mala, Mallicos) did not eat Beef because agriculture was their
profession during piece time and were warriors during wartime. As most of the
ancient and South Indian Kingdoms until 14th Century A.D. were that
of Mallas, Beef eating was not a practice among the citizens of those Kingdom.
The Mallas used Ox for ploughing fields and Cow to get Milk and considered the
OX and Cow as extension of their family. Hence did not eat it. But they ate
meat like Goat and Chicken.
Buddhism
prohibited killing any animal. But at the same time did not prevent eating
animal that was dead. Hence Buddhists that wanted to eat meat, ate meat after
an animal died. So Paraiyas originally being Buddhists did not mind eating dead
cow hence ate Beef. But with the raise of Brahmanism, when the non-supporters
of Brahmanism were excommunicated, the Paraiyas were also ex-communicated. As
their opportunity for work was gone with ex-communication, they had to depend
more on dead animals rather than other agricultural products. So when a cow
died the Paraiyas were willing to take it to eat it. The dead cow was of no use
to the Hindu (coined by British to support Brahmanism) and disposing it became
very easy for the Hindus when the Paraiyas took it away. So even though when
the Pariayas were ex-communicated and barred from other social interaction with
the Hindus, the Hindus let the Parayas know about dead cows in villages to
dispose them and the Parayas were happy to take it to eat it. Over a period of
several generations the truth was forgotten and the stigma of eating and
carring a dead cow was considered as a cause for Untouchability. (Note the
Mallas who were branded as Pallas and were made Untouchables do not eat beef
but still they were ex-communicated and treated as untouchables. Also there are
several other castes that eat beef but are not treated as Untouchables). So with raise in Brahmanism, the criteria
for becoming an Untouchable was influential class / Khastriyas that did not
support Brahmanism. This may rise the question then why there are many castes,
whose ancestors that did not support or adopt Brahmanism did not become
untouchables. Though the members of such castes nowadays live in towns and
cities at the time of the raise in Brahmanism, the ancestors of these castes
were tribes that lived outside ancient cites – especially mountains and forests
and hence the supporters of Brahmanism did not bother about these tribes at
that time. The British law in 1784 that defined Hindus and Sudras excluded
these tribes from the Hindu Corridor. But as the members of these tribes were
absorbed into towns and cities, they were gradually merged as Hindus and
Sudras.
What
other evidence support that the Paraiyas were Buddhists?
Tamil
Sangam Literature do not mention about the Paraiyas, as they did not come to
Tamilnadu by that time. The Tamil Poem PERUMPANATTUPPADAI, written about
the 2nd Century AD describes
is the oldest (first) known Tamil work that describes about the Paraiyas
settlement (Cheri) in the outskirts of the city of Kanchipuram. This is the
period when Buddhism collapsed in North India and Buddhists spread out from
North India.
According
to PERUMPANATTUPPADAI, the Pariyas lived in the outskirts of the city of
Kanchipuram with the Eyinars and Eyinars treated the Pariyas as thier chiefs.
Why would
the Eyinars respect the Pariyas? The only possible explanation was Pariyas
should have been helpful, useful to the Eyinars. As Buddhists the Pariyas
should have been good and helpful people (though the Brahmins did not like
them) with many skills as they came from a well-established state but as driven
outs.
Paraiyas
for a long time did not want to identify themselves as Dravidians or Tamils.
They wanted
to separate themselves from others, probably because they were once Buddhists
but gradually left their Buddhist habits over a period of time. About 12 Km
from Thanjavure, on the way to Mannaarkuddi, in a small place called
Prandakottai, the Pariyars of the village worship a 11th Century
A.D. Buddha Statue in the name of Sambu Temple. The Paraiyas are also called as Sambavas.
Where
the Paraiyas tribes or Eiyners or AdiDravidas?
Had they
lived before the Dravidians came to Tamilnadu then the Tamil Sangum Songs would
have mentioned about them. They did not. So they could not have come before
Dravidians. So they are not Adi Dravadas (Before Dravidians).
Had they
been tribes or Eiyners then they could not have been skilled in so many different
work divisions in a short period of time. When they came to Tamilnadu, they
should have come form a well-established society with skilled workers. This is
the reason the Eiyners respected them and lived with harmony. This should have
been the reason the Cholas took them in their army, as citizens as Farmers and
Weavers etc. Note in ancient Tamil Kingdoms and during later Chola and Pandya
Empire, Farmers were the first citizens and the well to do as mentioned in
Kural and many ancient Tamil work. The Mallas were the Farmers and Warriors and
their leader was the King. The Paraiyahs were also given the privilege of
working as Farmers, which means they were well respected. This was possible
only if the Paraiyas already had the skills of farming at that time. They could
have got these skills only if they had come from an already established
society. Also note the numerous Vellala castes came from Paraiyas indicating
the diversified work skills they had.
Note:
Farmers became poor and were treated as bonded labourers only with the fall of
Chola and Pandian Empire, during Naiyak and Marata rule.
Do
the Paraiya belong to a single tribe?
They should
have come from a single country or dynasty. For example when Burmese left Burma
due to war we considered all of them as Burmese refugees, all SriLankan Tamil
refugees as SriLankan Tamils etc though they were from different background.
As
mentioned earlier the many divisions indicate the wide range of worker division
within Parayas indicate they were from different working groups of a nation
with a common name as Paraiyas.
How
did they get the name Paraiya / Paraiah?
They should
have come from a dynasty named or sounds similar to Paraiya
or they could have played the drums on a daily basis as a certain Buddhists
ritual and got the name Paraiyan.
CONCLUSION
As
mentioned earlier, to destroy Buddhism the Mauryan Empire was over throne and
Buddhism collapsed and Buddhists were persecuted. There was chaos, and a
revolution through out India. Millions of Buddhist were killed, many fled to
China and outside India. Many went into hiding in forests and Mountains and
many kept a low profile.
In
Tamilnadu, when Buddhism was prevailing in the Mauryan Empire, before the chaos
started, the Tamil Kings adored Lord Indran, Lord Shivan, Goddess Amman
(Goddess Meenakshi), Lord Perumal (Lord Vishnu), Lord Murugan and had
secularism, with Buddhist and Jain citizens also. They also had friendly
relations with Ashoka and the Mauryan Empire. But the revolution to topple
Buddhism collapsed the Mauryan Empire and the Chaos spreading throughout India.
In Tamilnadu the supporters of this revolution were called the Kalavars (later
called as Kalabras). As the Tamil Kings were secular and had friendly relations
with Mauryans and were not against Buddhists, the Kalavars attacked and toppled
the ancient Tamil Kings (Cholas, Pandyas and Cheras), destroyed the Buddhist
Temples and destroyed the existing civilization to ruins. With this the Tamil
Sangam (Champaign to spread Tamil) also came to a halt.
When the
Cholas and Pandyas came back to power after driving the Kalabras, their
original secularist / democratic society that prevailed in ancient period was
not restored.
They
adopted a modified King based rule. The Cholas followed Shivaisim but let their
citizens to be Secular to a limited extent and gradually adopted Brahmanism
toward 12 and 13th Century A.D. The Pandyas adopted Jainism then
Shivaism, Vishanvism but let their citizens to be Secular. They did not adopt
Brahmanism. Until this time the Pariayas did not have fights with the Mallas
(Cholas, Cheras Pandyas).
With the
downfall of the Pandyan Empire, the Vijayanagar /Nayak Kings that took control
of Tamilnadu adopted Brahmanism to the greatest extent. With this the Mallas
and Paraiyas were ex-communicated and gradually became untouchables, as
Brahmanism grew stronger with the help of Nayaks, Marathas and British. The
Paraiyas that adopted Brahmanism were absorbed as Sudras in the name of
Vellalas, Muddali, and Pillai and later became Upper and Backward castes
depending on their Economic progress. The Nayak Kings also motivated other
communities to take the title, land of the Mallas that lead to several clashes
between the Mallas (then Pallas) and Parayas. As a result the misunderstanding
and hostility between the Mallas (then Pallas) and Parayas exist to this day.
Based
on
1. REVOLUTION
AND COUNTER-REVOLUTION IN ANCIENT INDIA– By Dr.B.R.Ambedkar
2. RIDDLE
IN HINDUISM – By
Dr.B.R.Ambedkar
3. PHILOSOPHY
OF HINDUISAM – By
Dr.B.R.Ambedkar
4. THE UNTOUCHABLES WHO WERE THEY AND
WHY THEY BECAME UNTOUCHABLES? – By
Dr.B.R.Ambedkar,
5. Moovendar Yaar? In Tamil (Translates to: Who are the three Kings
(Tamil Kings – Chera, Chola and Pandya)? – By Thiru. R. Deva Asirvatham
6. Pallar alla Mallar aam mannar)? – By Thiru. R. Deva Asirvatham
7. Tamil Moovendar Marabinarana Devendrar Thaal Nilai Eythal. In Tamil
(Translates to: Three Tamil King’s kinsmen - Devendrar become low in society
and status) - By
Thiru. R. Deva Asirvatham
8. Who are Vellalar? - By Thiru. R.Dev Asirvatham