Sengunthar

Sengunthar ([sɛŋkʊnʈɻ]), also known as the Kaikolar and Senguntha Mudaliar, is a caste commonly found in the Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh and the country of Sri Lanka. In Andhra Pradesh, they are known as Kaikala or Karikala Bhaktulu, who consider the early Chola emperor Karikala Chola as their hero. They were warriors of Cholas and traditionally textile merchants or silk weavers by occupation. Ottakoothar, a 12th century court poet and rajaguru of Cholas under the reigns of Vikrama Chola, Kulothunga Chola II, and Rajaraja Chola II is also a part of this caste. They were a part of the Ayyavolu 500 merchant guild during the Chola period which played a significant role in the Chola invasion of Srivijaya empire. In the olden days in India, Sengunthars were warriors and were given the title Mudaliar for their bravery. In the early thirteenth century, after the fall of Chola Empire, a large number of Kaikolars migrated to Kongu Nadu from Tondaimandalam and started doing weaving and textile businesses as their full time profession due to their oath to only serve Chola emperors. In the present day, most of the textile businesses in Tamil Nadu are owned by Senguntha Mudaliars. The majority of Sengunthars are sub-divided into numerous clans based on a patrilineal lineage known as Koottam or Gotra.