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Chettiars are basically members of Hindu religion belonging to Southern Districts of Indian Sub-Continent. They originated from a place called Naganadu but later on moved to a place known as Kaveri Poompattinam situated on the eastern coast of Tamil Nadu which was then ruled by the Cholas. Chettiars are also known as the Nagarathars which means " People living in Towns. "
Chettiars are considered as the Pioneers of Modern Banking. They introduced a new concept of " " commonly termed as " Pattru Varavu " in Tamil, known to all of us as Debit & Credit respectively in English.
During the Chola reign Chettiars were asked to carry on the Ceremony of Coronation of the Chola Kings. They were given lot of respect and privileges in the kingdom.
But this did not last longer as the Chettiars decided to leave this land and move on further south to Pandia Kingdom. This was because one of the Chola Kings fell in love with one of the Chettiar girl. But refused to marry her. Thus the Chettiar Ladies in the region, to protest this, burned themselves alive. This got the Chettiars to move out of this Kingdom.
The Pandia Kings invited the Nagarathar Community to their Kingdom with honor and respect. The Nagarathar Community accepted the invitation and settled in the Pandia Kingdom. But as there existed no woman now in their community they decided to marry a Saiva Pillai woman from Tirunelveli district for further growth of the community.
But they put up a condition that they will not have any alliance with the Saiva Pillai community in future.
They selected the place in the South-Eastern districts of this kingdom, presently in " Sivagangai District " of TamilNadu and settled there, which later went on to be known as " Chettinad. "