The Rowther (anglicised as ''Irauttar'', ''Rawther, Ravuttar,'' ''Ravutta'', ''Ravuthar, Ravuthamar'') are a distinct Muslim community living largely in the south Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. While some of them are partially descended from Turkic people who settled in the Chola kingdom for horse trading and cavalry roles, the majority descend from local populations who converted to Islam under the influence of saints like Nathar Shah (Nathar Wali), believed to have lived during the 10th–11th centuries. Even after conversion they retained their ''Ravuttar'' caste name. ‘Rowthu/Ravuthu’ means rider/horseman in Telugu. They were one of the earliest Muslim communities in India. They were elite cavalrymen of the Chola and Pandya kingdoms. They were traditionally a martial clan like the Maravars, and constitute large part of the multi-ethnic Tamil Muslim community. Rowthers have also been found as Tamil polygars, zamindars and chieftains from the 16th to 18th centuries. The traditional homelands of the Rowthers were in the interior of Southern Tamilakam.
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The Rowther (anglicised as ''Irauttar'', ''Rawther, Ravuttar,'' ''Ravutta'', ''Ravuthar, Ravuthamar'') are a distinct Muslim community living largely in the south Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. While some of them are partially descended from Turkic people who settled in the Chola kingdom for horse trading and cavalry roles, the majority descend from local populations who converted to Islam under the influence of saints like Nathar Shah (Nathar Wali), believed to have lived during the 10th–11th centuries. Even after conversion they retained their ''Ravuttar'' caste name. ‘Rowthu/Ravuthu’ means rider/horseman in Telugu. They were one of the earliest Muslim communities in India. They were elite cavalrymen of the Chola and Pandya kingdoms. They were traditionally a martial clan like the Maravars, and constitute large part of the multi-ethnic Tamil Muslim community. Rowthers have also been found as Tamil polygars, zamindars and chieftains from the 16th to 18th centuries. The traditional homelands of the Rowthers were in the interior of Southern Tamilakam.
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