Kosar people

2020-01-01T13:09:47Z

2402:8100:3908:DD19:A827:3A5D:9104:954:

{{no footnotes|date=November 2014}}

The '''Kosar people''' are a group of individuals mentioned in the ancient [[Tamil language|Tamil]] literature.

== In Tamil literature==
*In Tamil literature, Kosars were mentioned as ''west Vadukas'' with their origin as [[Kolhapur]] near [[Goa]]. ''Erattar'' were a branch of Kosars who became ''Maha Rattirar'' (Prakrit) or [[Maratha|Maharashtrans]] (Sanskrit). Historian Burnell confirms this.
*Kosars were called ''Nar Kosar'' or ''Nanmozhi Kosar'' in the third [[Sangam literature]]. Nannul or Tholkappiam notes them as ''Kannadam'' ([[Kannadigas]]), ''Vaduku'' ([[Tulu language|Tulu]]), ''Kalingam'' ([[Oriya people|Oriya]]) and [[Telugu people]]. Kamba-ramayanam Payiram says Kosars were ''Vadakalai'' ([[Prakrit]]), ''Thenkalai'' (Tamil), ''Vaduku'' and [[Kannada people]]. Kosars were truthful to their kings and were called ‘Vai-mozhi Kosar’ (truthful in keeping their words).
*The Mathurai Kanchi 508-09 & 771-74 records them as:
<blockquote>
"Poyya Nallisai Niruththa punaithar, Perum peyar Maaran Thalaivan Aka, Kadanthadu vai val Elampal Kosar, Eyaneri Marabin Vai mozhi ketpa" and "Pazhayan Mokoor Avayakam vilanka Nanmozhi Kosar Thontri yanna".
</blockquote>
*The [[Pandyan dynasty]]'s Nedunchezhian's army head was ''Mohoor Pazhayan Maaran''. Kosars were present in his army. They followed Maran's words in battle and were honored for their job in his court.
*''Elampal Kosar'' (young Kosars) were present in the armies of the Cheras.
*[[Silappatikaram]] says ''Kon kilam Kosar'' were present in the Kongu Army ([[Kongu Nadu]]).
*The Prakrit form of Vai-mozhi Kosar is ''Saththiya Putthirar'' and Asokan inscriptions call the Vadukus by this name. This might refer to the children born out of the [[Marumakkathayam]] system.
*The Akananooru 15, 2-7 records:
<blockquote>
"Thokai Kavin Thulu nattu anna Varunkai Vampalaith Thankum panpin Cherintha Seri Chemmal Moothur". (Then captured Kudaku Nadu and Erumai Nadu and settled in Tulu Nadu with Moothur as their capital).
</blockquote>

== Identification ==
Krishnasami Aiyangar explores the ''Nalur Kosar'', (i.e. Kosars who settled in 4 places: ''naal''=4, ''ur''=place) as foreigners to Tamil country. He suggests that they may be the Kosakara tribe mentioned in the [[Ramayana]]. The Kosars have also been identified with the ancient [[Khasas]].

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Sources==
* Aiyangar, S. Krishnaswami. (1995). Some Contributions of South India to Indian Culture.
* Akananooru 386.
* Nannul Noortpa, Page 272.
* Akananooru 205
* buntsmathrsangha.net
* Kosar by R. Raghava Iyengar
* https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzPRs9pD01zeWEVHQTd5M0pzZ1E/view?pref=2&pli=1

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Kosar people