Pallar

Pallar is a Tamil caste in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, traditionally associated with agriculture. The term is used for communities whose historical occupation centered on farming, tenancy, and landholding. Pallars are found primarily in Tamil Nadu, where they have formed sizeable rural communities in several districts.

Social organization and regional variation among Pallars have included subgroups and village-level kin networks. They have interacted with neighboring agrarian groups within the Tamil social landscape and have typically practiced endogamy within their communities. Subcaste and lineage distinctions have historically shaped marriage alliances, social ties, and local leadership structures in different regions.

History and modernization have seen Pallars primarily linked to farming activities, land management, and related rural livelihoods. With changes in land reforms, irrigation, and agricultural practices, many Pallars diversified into other occupations. Across Tamil Nadu, Pallars have contributed to local governance, education, and public service as part of broader social and economic transitions in rural India.

Contemporary status and context: In postcolonial India, caste-based classifications and affirmative-action policies have affected Pallars as part of broader debates about social equity and access to education and government programs. The specifics of classification and policy relief have varied over time and by state, reflecting the evolving social and political landscape in Tamil Nadu and beyond.