Kudirai chettis
Topic: Vijayanagara and the Deccan · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 3 "An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara"
Meaning
Kudirai chettis were local horse merchants in south India. "Kudirai" means horse, and "chetti" means merchant. In the 15th and 16th centuries they worked alongside Arab traders to bring war horses from Arabia and Central Asia. Cavalry won wars, so these merchants mattered to Vijayanagara and to its rivals.
Example
At Vijayanagara, kudirai chettis took part in the horse trade, which was at first controlled by Arab traders. From 1498 the Portuguese also joined this trade. The rayas tried to keep all such merchants loyal, so that horses would not go to the Deccan Sultans.
Don't confuse with
- Nayakas: they were military chiefs who held forts and land. Kudirai chettis were traders, not commanders.