The past: from bandits to kings

The Kallars, like the Maravars, settled in mixed economy zones such as Pudukkottai on the borders of the central political and economic regions of the south. They quickly attained dominance in these areas by exercising rights of protection over local communities and institutions. The Kallars were chosen for this role because their strongly kin and territory based social structure and cultural valuation of heroism and honor were highly conducive to the corporate control of the means of violence and coercion. It was no accident that Kallars, like Maravars, were often, when not granted rights of protection, the very groups from which others sought protection.

The martial and predatory traditions of Kallars and Maravars were commented on very early in Tamil history. The Caṅkam classic Akanānūru refers to the Kallars as a fearless and uncultured people who lived originally in the mountains about Tirupati, capturing elephants and exchanging their tusks indirectly through other mountain people for grain. Their leader is said to have been one Pulli, highly skilled in taming violent and uncontrollable elephants. The correspondence of these traditions with those recorded in the vamcavalis of Maravar and Kallar kingly families suggests the integrity and venerability of the tradition concerning the early martial and heroic character of these groups, as well as their position on the periphery of Tamil culture and kingly civilization.