While Islam fundamentally advocates for equality among all believers, the Muslim community in South Asia, including Tamil Nadu, exhibits social stratification that functions in ways similar to caste, often rooted in history, occupation, and ancestry.
The major Tamil-speaking Muslim social groups (sometimes referred to as communities, sects, or clans, rather than strict castes) are:
Primary Tamil Muslim Groups
These groups are often listed as social classes in official records and reflect distinct origins:
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Rowther (or Rawther/Ravuttar):
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Origin/Traditional Role: Historically a land-owning community, often associated with cavalry and horse trade. They are a large population in the deltaic and Southern districts of Tamil Nadu. Some accounts link their origins to former Hindu communities (like Maravars) who converted to Islam and became horse warriors.
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Marakkayar (or Maraikkayar):
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Origin/Traditional Role: A prominent maritime trading and seafaring community, mainly found in coastal areas. Their lineage is often linked to Arab merchants who settled and intermarried locally. They are traditionally considered an elite group among Tamil Muslims.
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Labbay (or Lebbai):
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Origin/Traditional Role: Historically associated with religious scholarship and avoiding entrepreneurial activities, though this has evolved. Some sources link their ancestry to Arab merchants and their assistants. They are often associated with religious and intellectual roles.
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Kayalar:
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Origin/Traditional Role: Another major group, particularly in the southern coastal parts, whose ancestry is often traced back to Arab descent.
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Other Groups and Social Stratification
Tamil Muslim society is not homogeneous, and other groups exist, especially those who may have converted from different Hindu social strata:
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Local Converts (Pasmanda Muslims): These communities are often at the bottom of the social structure, descending from local populations who converted to Islam, sometimes from underprivileged sections of the pre-existing Hindu society.
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Dakani Muslims: A smaller, distinct group who migrated from other parts of India (like the Deccan region) and are often Urdu/Telugu/Hindi speakers. Notable subgroups include Syeds, Shaikhs, Pathans, and Mughals, who often claim Arab, Persian, or Central Asian lineage and are sometimes seen as the elite (Ashraf) in the broader Indian Muslim context.
Key Context
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Terminology: While the terms Rowther, Marakkayar, and Labbay are used for classification and social identity, many scholars and community members argue that these are social strata or biradari (brotherhood/clan-based groups) rather than the rigid, religiously sanctioned “caste” system found in Hinduism.
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Social Reality: Despite the egalitarian principles of Islam, endogamy (marriage within the same group) is widely practiced within these subgroups, and social hierarchy based on perceived ancestry and occupation does exist in practice.