Gounder (also transliterated as Gavundar, Kaamindan, kavundan) is an administrative caste who were protectors and rulers. It means “Noble protector of the country”. Originally, they belong to the “Kshatriya” varna and the dynastic lineage (Surya Vamsa and Chandra Vamsa).

They were chieftains and warriors from the Chola empire who later migrated to the Kongu Nadu, due to a conflict with the Imperial Cholas.

Every village, therefore, as a rule, had its militia in the Deccan of our period and the imperial army must have been largely recruited from that force. The village headman was at the head of the militia and was himself a good fighter. Sorab No. 445, dated c. 975 A.D.. refers to a robber’s attack, on Kollana, a son of Gavunda Kevase Kula, when he fought, established his fame, and went to heaven. (Ref: Rastrakutas and their times, Altekar, A. S. (1934), p 190 - 200)

From the nature of his duties it is clear that the village headman must normally have been a Kshatriya ; the same is the case to-day in the Deccan and Kamatak. His influence with the government was as great as that with the people. Kings never forget to include him among the officers requested n( interfere with the enjoyment of the royal grants ; (Ref: Rastrakuta Dynasty, Altekar 1934)

Etymology:

Gounder (pronounced as Kavundar or Gavunda) is a traditional administrative title as well as common title popular among Kongu Vellala Gounders, Goundars, and Vokkaligas. It is the corrupted form of the word 'Kaamindan or Gaamunda' evident from inscriptions. Historians generally derive the meaning of it as denoting a 'Protecting Leader'. Kaa - protecting; Mindan - Leader/Strong. Some speculate that it is associated to the belief of Kshatriyas originating from the shoulders of Brahma. Kaa - shoulders and Mindan - One who appeared out of. Whatever be the derivation both point them to be the ruling class of the region. Gaminda and Gavunda was also title widely used in Ganga, Hoysala and Chalukya regions.

Feudal hierarchy of Gounders:

Gounders (Ur gavundas and Nad gavundas) were superior to present-day Kshatriyas like Thakurs and Nayakas by their feudality in the rashtrakuta dynasty. (Ref: The Economic history of India, 1964)

Gounders governance in Rashtrakua Dynasty:

Rashtrakuta (IAST: rāṣṭrakūṭa) (r. 753-982 CE) was a royal Indian dynasty ruling large parts of the Indian subcontinent between the sixth and 10th centuries.

There were ruled districts and villages as vishayapathi (Governor of a province) and gramapathi (Headman). The position was heredity and can’t be positioned by any officials.

Western Ganga Administration (350 - 1000 CE) :

As landlords and local elite (socially superior), the state utilized their services to collect taxes, maintain records of landownership, bear witness to grants and transactions and even raise militia when required. Owing strong personal allegiance to the king, they were vested with certain rights over villages. It appears the gavundas operated as corporations in the Kaveri valley but as individuals in the northern and eastern domains of the Gangas. They had rights to make grants that may have been occasionally exempt of local taxes.

Administration in Western Chaklukya Empire:

They served the dual purpose of representing the people before the rulers as well as functioning as state appointees for tax collection and the raising of militias. They are mentioned in inscriptions related to land transactions, irrigation maintenance, village tax collection and village council duties.

Chieftain and Polygar system:

A Tamil inscription from dating 1043AD exists in Kadugodi, [1] from the period of Rajendra Chola I, which describes the construction of the Pattanduru Lake, and Ganesh, Durga and Kshetrapaala temples by Chola chieftain Raja Raja Velan son of Permadi Gavunda.

Kalingaraya Gounder (Chieftain):

Kalingaraya Gounder is a 13th-century chieftain (Governor) of Kongu region and ruler of the Northern Kongu Region.

Dheeran chinnamalai Gounder (Polygar):

Dheeran Chinnamalai (17 April 1756 – 31 July 1805) was a Polygar and Pattakarar who fought against the British East India Company.

Chinnamalai is one of the commanders in the Polygar Wars, notably during the Second Polygar War that took place in 1801–1802.

After Kattabomman and Tipu Sultan's deaths in 1799, Chinnamalai sought the help of Dhondia Wagh and Maruthu Pandiyar and lead the local Pattakarars, notably Varanavasi Gounder and Vella Gounder of Erode, Chinnamalai's sister's husband Kumara Vellai of Perundurai and Somandurai Muchadayandi Vanaraya Gounder of Pollachi; Gounder Pattakarars Appachi Gounder of Paramathi-Velur and Aravakurichi Periya Thambi; the Naicker Polygars of Dhali, Virupakshi and Ramagiri among others, to attack the British at Coimbatore in 1800.

Present Life:

Gounders are land owning feudal caste like modern day rajputs of North India, with vast majority of people belonging to the community owning large tracts of lands in present days. After that it got fragmented due to sharing among family members. Until 1990, Gounders did not make any impact in industrialisation.

After 1990, many Gounders sold their surplus land and opened industries and educational institutions. This led to massive industrialisation in kongu districts such as Coimbatore, Tirupur, Erode , Salem, Karur, Dharmapuri, Nammakal, parts of Dindigul. Many kammas and naidus before independence worked under British in the position of clerk and other jobs, so when british left India they gave huge tracts of land and their establishments to Kamma naidus so that kammas got benefited and they dominated industries in Kongu region till 1990, but after 1990s the emergence of Gounders led to massive growth among Gounder community which ultimately led Gounders overtaking Naidus in various sectors and consolidation of Gounders in later part of 90s led to Opening of various industries in the region.

Gounders dominance started in various sectors especially Textile, Transport, poultry, Engineering, foundry, Retailing, construction, education, health, hospitality etc, Many industrialist emerged during 90s with capital and business acumen. After Gounders got consolidated politically, it led to greater bargain. Younger generation of Gounder community got modern and quality education and went on to begin their own ventures. Entire textile industry in Tamilnadu is dominated by Gounders, with Major chunk of TIRUPUR exporters belonging to Gounder community.

Now let’s see few Industries belonging to Gounders in sector wise:

Textiles:

The chairman of Confederation of Indian textile industry Mr. P. Raj kumar is from Gounder community.

The president of Apparel export promotion council Mr. Shakthivel is from Gounder community

1. SSM spinning mills, Dindigul

2. KPR mills, Coimbatore

3. Bannariamman spinning mill, Erode

4. Bhagavathi textiles limited, palakkad

5. Pallava group, Nammakal

6. Cheran spinners, Erode

7. Best corporation, Tirupur

8. Mothi textiles, Namakkal

9. PKPN textiles, Namakkal

10. Shiva tex yarn, Coimbatore

11. Classic polo, Tiruppur

12. Ramraj cotton, Tiruppur

13. Poppys group, Tiruppur

14. Eastman exports, Tiruppur

15. NCC, Tiruppur

16. Atlas exports, Karur

17. Asian fabrics, karur

18. Shobikaa impex, karur

19. Eveready spinning mills

Sugar Industry:

1. Sakthi sugars, Coimbatore

2. Bannariamman sugars, Erode

3. Dharani sugars, nammakal

4. Gem sugars, Karnataka

5. KPR sugars, karnataka

6. chamundeswari sugars, Karnataka

Health care:

1. KMCH hospital, Coimbatore

2. GEM hospital, Coimbatore, Chennai, Thrissur(Kerala)

3. Royal care hospital, Coimbatore

4. Hindusthan hospital, Coimbatore

5. Sks hospital, Salem

6. Kongunadu hospital, Coimbatore

7. KKR ENT hospital, chennai

8. Saveetha hospital, Chennai

Media:

1. Polimer network

Automobile retailing:

1. ABT Autos, Maruti Suzuki, Tata motors, Force, MAN truck motors across tamilandu

2. Anamalis motors, Toyota, Renault, Nissan, Eicher

3. Ambal auto, Coimbatore

4. Ramani cars, Volkswagen 16 showroom across Tamilnadu

5. Manchester Honda, Coimbatore

6. Jhanvi motors AUDI, Coimbatore and madurai

7. Harley Davison, Coimbatore

8. SR transcar SKODA, Erode

9. JEEP, Coimbatore and Tiruppur

10. Beneli Coimbatore

Electric vehicle manufacturers:

1. CK motors

2. SVM motors

Mining and steel & chemical:

1. Thriveni Earth movers, Odisha (No.1 mining contractor in India)

2. Agni steels

3. Ran India TMT

4. GEM granites, Top exporter of granite in India

5. Bannariamman granites

6. Ponpure chemicals, Chennai

Distillery:

1. Shiva distillery

2. Imperial distillery

3. Kerala alcoholic products

Enigineering:

1. Sakthi automotives, Coimbatore, USA, Portugal, China

2. Texmo Industries(Taro pumps), Coimbatore

3. Deccan pumps, Coimbatore

4. Aqua sub pumps, Coimbatore

5. Ekki pumps, Coimbatore

6. Roots industries, Coimbatore

7. Mak controls, Coimbatore

8. Samudra pumps, Coimbatore

9. Hindustan heavy electricals

10. Aerospace materials pvt ltd

Agri based & Renewable energy Industries:

1. Milky mist dairy,Erode

2. Rasi seeds, Coimbatore and Haryana

3. Aroma dairy, Coimbatore

4. Sakthi masala, erode

5. Apex coco products, Tirupur

6. Skm Agro feed, Erode

7. swelect energy, Chennai

Construction & builders:

1. URC constructions, Chennai

2. RPP constructions, Erode

3. RR Thulasi, Erode

4. PnC projects, Erode

5. Ramalingam construction company, Salem and Bengaluru

6. Venkatachalapathy constructions, Salem

7. Foundation one infrastructure, Coimbatore

8. Globus realtor

9. Viswanathan constructions

Transports:

1. KPN transports

2. ABT transports

3. RKG transports

4. PNK SRT transports

5. Ponpure logistics

6. Arc parcel services

7. Namakkal cargo movers

8. thenpandian transports

9. Hindusthan travels

50% of transport and poultry farms in Tamilnadu are owned by Gounders.

Hospitality sector:

1. Le Royal meridian, Coimbatore and Chennai franchise

2. Poppy’s hotel, Tiruppur and Coimbatore

3. Appu hotels

Famous Educational institutions:

1. KCT, Coimbatore

2. KMCH institute of medical sciences, Coimbatore

3. Saveetha University, Chennai and Amaravati(AP)

4. PGP group, Nammakal

5. Hindusthan, Coimbatore

6. Nanda institutions, Erode

7. Kongu engineering college, erode

8. BIT, erode

9. NGP group, Coimbatore

10. BVB schools, Coimbatore and erode

11. CS academy schools, Coimbatore and erode

12. The Indian public school, erode and coimbatore