Velir
Also called: Velir chieftains · Topic: Sangam Age and Early South India · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The Velir were chieftains of the Sangam age (c. 300 BCE – 300 CE). They mostly ruled hill and forest areas of Tamilakam. They ruled alongside the three crowned kings, the Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas. Sometimes they fought for these kings and sometimes against them. Sangam poets praised them as generous patrons, meaning people who supported poets with gifts.
Example
Seven Velir and other chieftains were called the kadai ezhu vallal, the "last seven great givers". One of them was Pari of the Parambu hills. The poet Kapilar was his close friend and praised his generosity in his poems.
Don't confuse with
- Vendar: the three crowned kings (Chola, Chera, Pandya). They ruled rich rice-growing lands and ranked above the Velir.
- Vellalar: large landowners in Sangam society. They were not ruling chieftains.