Connecting the Dots: Understanding the Relationship Between the Noble Sanrors and the Nadar Community.

Introduction

According to the Tolkappiyam, ancient Tamil Nadu was divided into four varnas: the Andhanar (priests), the Arasar (rulers, nobles and warriors), the Vanigar (merchants), and the fourth varna, which consisted of peasants. Various ancient historical documents affirm that the Sanrors (pronounced as Cāṉṟōr) are the forebears of today's Nadar community. This article, based on the research contributions of Mr. S. D. Nellai Nedumaran, Dr. A. Thasarathan, and Mr. S. Ramachandran, aims to explore the connection between the Tamil term Sanror, along with its variants Sanrar and Sanravar, and their association with ancient royal clans [note 1].

Meaning of the term Sanror according to ancient Tamil literary works

The Sangam-era poem Kalithokai includes the line "Takaimiku tokaivakai aṟiyum Cāṉṟavar iṉamāka...veṟpaṉum vantaṉaṉ," which uses the term Sanror to refer to a distinct race or clan. Similarly, the 12th-century Tamil scholar Kaalingar, renowned for his commentary on the Tirukkural, references the Sanror clan in his commentary on the 446th Kural, stating, "Cāṉṟōr iṉattavaṉāy." These references highlight the historical existence and recognition of a clan known as Sanror.

Kalithokai uses the term Sanrar to refer to a high-born girl in the line "Aṉṉaiyē maṉṟattuk kaṇṭāyaṅkē Cāṉṟār makaḷirai," which can be loosely translated as, "Are thou looking at a Sanrar girl?" Similarly, the Sangam-era poem Paripadal uses the term Sanrar to describe a noble woman, stating, "Takavuṭai maṅkaiyar cāṉṟāṇmai Cāṉṟār," emphasising their elevated status. Additionally, the Sangam text Patiṟṟuppattu refers to such women as "Uyartiṇai Makaḷir," which can be interpreted as upper-class women, further highlighting the distinguished position of Sanrar women in ancient society.

The late Sangam-era poetic work Naladiyar refers to rulers as Sanror in a chapter titled Mēṉmakkaḷ, which can be loosely translated as Noble People. Naladiyar further identifies the Mēṉmakkaḷ as an ancient race known as Sanravar through the line, "Cāṉṟavar tolvaḻik kēṇmai," emphasising their longstanding legacy and noble lineage.

Naladiyar extols the virtues of the upper class, referring to a group of Mēṉmakkaḷs (noble people) in the line, "Cāṉṟāṇmai, cāyal, oḻukkam ivai mūṉṟum vāṉtōy kuṭippiṟan tārkku," which emphasises their nobility, character, and discipline. Similarly, the later Sangam-era poetic work Paḻamoḻi Nāṉūṟu mentions the principles a king must follow under the section titled Cāṉṟōr iyalpu, which means The Nature of the Sanrors in Tamil. Sangam literature also uses the term Sanror to refer to the Muvendars and Velirs [note 2].

The later Sangam-era poetic work Paḻamoḻi Nāṉūṟu mentions the principles a king must follow under the section titled Cāṉṟōr iyalpu, which means The Nature of the Sanrors in Tamil. Sangam literature also uses the term Sanror to refer to the Muvendars and Velirs.

The ancient Tamil poem Madurai Kanchi recounts an episode in which the Sri Lankan king Ravana, described as belonging to the Antaṇar (priestly) clan, attempted to unlawfully seize the Pandya kingdom. However, the Pandya clan, with the guidance and assistance of the sage Agastya, successfully defeated Ravana. This account illustrates Agastya's role in preserving the royal clan's sovereignty and reinstating the Pandya clan's rightful authority to rule.

This implies that, since the time of Agastya, the right to rule was viewed as the exclusive privilege of the royal lineage. It suggests that the Pandya kingdom was inherently the sovereign realm of the ruling clan. When Ravana, a king from the Antaṇar clan, sought to usurp this sovereignty, Agastya intervened to protect the royal lineage and ensure their dominion, as documented in Madurai Kanchi.

The 14th-century scholar Nachinarkiniyar, renowned for his extensive commentaries on Sangam literature, uses the term Sanror to refer to the Pandyan clan. He implies that the Pandyan clan, which stands before Agastya, their guru, belongs to a royal lineage and refers to them as Sanrors.

The 13th-century poet Kambar uses the term "Cāṉṟōr mātai," which can be interpreted as Sanror mother, to describe a woman of royal descent. In Yuttakāṇṭam, a section of the Tamil epic Kamba Ramayanam, Kambar further refers to Rama, who was of royal lineage, as a Sanravar among poets.

The 14th-century scholar Nachinarkiniyar, renowned for his extensive commentaries on Sangam literature, uses the term Sanror to refer to the Pandyan clan.

Parama Māmuṉi Ezhunutruvars

It is notable that Malaiyattuvacaṉ, a character from the Mahabharata, is identified as a descendant of the Pandya dynasty. Historical records, such as copper plates, refer to some royal descendants with titles like Pārvati Puttirar (Son of Goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva) and Īcuvara Maintar (Son of Lord Shiva).

The Vētāraṇyak inscription of Rajendra Chola III, dated 1258 AD, states, "Parama Māmuṉi Ezhunutruvars emerged from the lap of the Parama Māmuṉi." The Ezhunutruvars (pronounced as Eḻunūṟṟuvar) were an ancient Sanror subsect integral to Tamil royalty. These records reflect the cultural practice of associating royal lineages with divine figures and further reveal the connection between the Sanrors and nobility.

14th-century Tiruppullani inscription

The 1374 A.D. inscription at the Jeganathaswami Temple in Tiruppullani, dating to the 14th-century, references the term Sanror as a caste name. It is mentioned alongside other caste names from that period.

Ancient Sanror subsects

The 10th-century Allur inscription from the Tiruchirappalli district mentions a prominent administrative group called Talaivai Sanrar (pronounced as Talaivāy Cāṉṟār). This group was responsible for managing the headgates of the Cauvery River and overseeing irrigation systems. Epigraphic scholars have identified them as members of the Sanror caste.

Similarly, other groups such as the Vizhi Sanrar (or Mizhi Sanar), the Eela Sanrar, the Idai Sanrar, and the Parppara Sanrar (pronounced as Pārppāra Cāṉṟār) are also referenced in inscriptions as part of the Sanror caste. Notably, the 10th-century inscription from Kallumadai, near Aruppukottai, describes the Parppara Sanrar as a high and noble community.

Message from the Avalpoondurai copper plate document

The 17th-century Avalpoondurai Sanror copper plate records that the Sanrors were recognised as a royal clan with the privilege of wearing the sacred thread, symbolising their elevated social and ceremonial status.

Sanrors are the ancestors of the Nadars

Ancient Sanror palm leaf manuscripts and copper plate documents prove that the Sanrors are the ancestors of the Nadar community. For instance, the 17th-century Karumapuram copper plate refers to the Sanrors as Saana Kulam, meaning Saana clan in Tamil, and describes a member of the clan as Saana Kula Dheeran, which loosely translates to valiant hero of the Saana clan. The term Saana is the adjectival form of Sanar in Tamil and thus corroborates that the Sanrors are, in fact, the Sanars (Nadars)—as Saana serves as an epithet specifically referring to the Sanrors.

Conclusion

Through ancient literary works and historical records, it is evident that the Sanrors were an ancient clan of nobility. Recently discovered Sanror historical documents further confirm their lineage as the ancestors of today's Nadar community. These findings are vital for understanding the historical complexities surrounding the identity of the original Tamil nobility.

Notes

1. The terms Sanrar, Sanravar and Sanar are variants of the term Sanror. This is because of a common linguistic feature in Tamil. For instance, the word Kaṉṟu (meaning "calf") and its variant Kaṇṇu are essentially the same word with different pronunciations. The Nadars today were previously known as Sanars or Shanars.
2. The Cheras, Cholas, and Pandyas were collectively referred to as the Muvendars. The Velirs were an ancient noble clan with familial ties to the Muvendars.

See Also

• From oblivion to light: Reconstructing Nadar community's history through recently discovered ancient documents.
• Avalpoondurai Copperplate: A 400-year-old historical document that offers significant insights into Nadar history.
• Valangai Uyyakondar: A Forgotten Chola Clan Whose Heritage and History Connect to the Nadars of Today.
• Ezhunutruvars: Descendants of the Muvendar Lineage, Renowned for Their Role in Governance and Military Service.
• The Velirs and the Sanrors: Comprehending Their Shared Customs, Heritage, and Royal Legacy as Historically Related Clans.