Irunkōvēl, also known as Irungkōvēl, Irukkuvēl, and Ilangōvēlir, was a title of the Irunkōvēl line of Velir kings. The Irunkovel line of kings ruled over Konadu identified with the Kodumbalur and surrounding areas in ancient Tamilakkam. They trace their lineage to the clan of Krishna; one of the inscriptions at Kodumbalur belonging to one of the kings in the Irunkovel line, namely Tennavan Irunkōvēl alias Maravan Bhutiyar.
The most famous among them was a contemporary of Karikala Chola as well as poet Kapilar and lived during the Sangam era.[1] Sangam literature mentions a chieftain called Irunkovel who could trace his lineage back over 49 generations to residence in Dvārakā.[2] He is later defeated by Karikala and becomes a subordinate to the Chola sovereign.[3]
The Irungovel chieftains were not merely feudatories but were related to the Cholas through matrimony.[4][5] The Cholas considered the offspring of these unions as one of their own and referred to them as Irungolar meaning child or son in their epigraphs.[citation needed] These princes assumed both the Chola and Irungovel titles like for example there was one Adavallan Gangaikonda Cholan alias Irungolan during the time of Kulottunga I and then there was a certain Sendamangalam Udaiyan Araiyan Edirili Cholan alias Irungolan during the reign of Kulottunga III.[6]
Nankudi Vellalar (Nangudi Vellalar or Sivakalai Pillaimar), is a Tamil sub caste of Vellalar found in Tamil Nadu, India. They claim descent from the Velir clan of Irungovels.[7] The hereditary headman of the caste was always invested with the title Irungovel.[8]
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