Reddiar
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| (700,000) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 India
|
|
| Languages | |
| Tamil, Telugu | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Reddy, Kapu |
Reddiar also Reddiyar is the caste title of farming and mercantile social group of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Sri Lanka and abroad. Reddiars, Reddy, Reddappa are considered and believed to come from the same origins and they spread across the lands of Southern and Central India. Political scientist Christophe Jaffrelot notes that, Reddiyars are the landlord caste originated from Telugu Origin and said they are patrons/Financial supporters of local temples in Tamil Region and initially and The origin of the Reddys (Reddiars) has been linked to the Rashtrakutas and till date the Reddys in India are spread across the same area of Rasthrakuta dynasty, although opinions vary. The names have been believed to be derived according to their regions they spread. Reddy ayyagaru(iygaru-Head) in AndhraPradesh and Telangana, Reddiar (Reddy+iygaru)in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Reddie, Reddappa (Reddy + appa- signifying respect) in Karnataka and Rayalaseema.
The Panta Reddiars, The Kanjam Reddiars, The Muduguveraya Reddiars moved from Andhra region in the search of rich black soil regions for cultivation and settled near Pondicherry. (In People of India/Indian Communities, Oxford University Press).
The Migration of the Reddys/Reddiars to areas of chennai, Kanchipuram, Vellore and northern Tamil Nadu is assumed to occur during the Reddy dynasty expansion till Kanchipuram areas.
Anavota Reddy (1335-1364 CE) of Reddy dynasty extended the dominion of the kingdom to Rajahmundry on the north, Kanchi on the south and Srisailam on the west. In a battle at Vallioor, Reddiapuram army defeated Travancore army in the 14th century. In an information Board at the entrance of the Vallioor Murugan Temple it is stated that 14th century vallioor War - Reddiapuram army defeated Travancore Army at vallioor Battle. After this war Reddiyars settled at Samugarengapuram, Seelathikulam and all over Tirunelveli Region in the 14th century.
A mural at the Tiruppudaimaruthur temple in Tirunelveli district in Tamil Nadu, shows the emissaries of the Vijayanagara king Achyutadeva Raya serving an ultimatum to the Travancore ruler Bhoothala Veera Udaya Marthanda Varma to pay tributes to him and return the Pandya territory to Sri Vallabhan. It also depicts the "Tamiraparani battle" between the armies of Achyutadeva Raya and Bhoothala Varma. They are believed moved into Tamil Nadu with the expansion of Vijayanagar empire along with other Telugu and Kannada origin social groups. They have their origin in Vannipuranam.
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Wikipedia