The Thondaimandala Saiva Mudaliar, also known as the Kondaikatti Vellalar, are a Tamil caste in south India who were historically non-cultivating landholders and administrators under various dynasties. They are a subcaste of the Vellalar caste in Tamil Nadu, India, and trace their lineage to Sekkizhar[1] the author of the Periyapuranam [2].
The Thondaimandala Saiva Mudaliar's original homeland was Thondaimandalam, [3] which includes the present-day areas of Chennai, Chengalpet, Kanchipuram, and Vellore. They spread to other areas in south India and northeastern parts of Sri Lanka. A significant population of Thondaimandala Saiva Vellala Mudaliars have also migrated to other areas such as Madurai and Tirunelveli.
The Thondaimandala Saiva Mudaliar are a closely knit community who follow a vegetarian diet. They are progressive and prosperous in society and are remarkably advanced in the matter of education.
The title Mudaliar is derived from the honorary title Mudali, which means a person of first rank in the Tamil language. In medieval south India, it was bestowed upon top-ranking bureaucratic officials, philanthropists, educationists, physicians, politicians, and army officers.
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