Gatti Mudalis - Genealogy of Gatti Mudaliars

Genealogy of Gatti Mudaliars

A renowned dynasty of local rulers of Taramangalam. The title, gatti meant 'solidity' and' firmness' and 'mudhali', 'primary'. They were known for their firmness in word, Veracity, and reliability. Their insignia - a combination containing representations of green mat, unwitting garland of flowers and tiger - is seen in all of the temples built and renovated by them. some authorities believe that the descendants of Gatti are the Kongu Vellala Clans of Athiyar, Kanavalar, Marhavar, Narmudiyar, Vadakaraiyar.

The earliest mention of Gatti is found in the Sangam Literature of Agananooru (first century) in a list of tribes, Konganar, Kalingar, Karunadar, gangar and Gattiyar.

A nadukal of the seventh century mentions Kunra Gatti. A stone inscription of 1289 AD by a Madhurai King, Sadaiyavarman Sundhara Pandiyan, mentions nine Gatti Mudhali's of Tharamangalam.

According to a manuscript in the Mackenzie collection, the founder of the then Gatti dynasty was a valet in the Service of Thirumalai Nayakan the ruler of Madhurai Kingdom. Having Committed some indiscretion, he left royal service, came to Amarakundhi where he was trained as a barber-medicine man. When he cured the carbuncle on the back of the local vettuva Chief, Kunni Vettuvan, he was rewarded with a palayam. The Mackenzie manuscript mentions thirteen Gatti Mudhali's but lists only the following six in order of succession. Siyazhi, Ragunatha, Immudi, Punkkan, Vanangamudi and Kumara. Francis Buchaman also mentions, 'Guttimodalies'. Their rule extended east-west from Thalaivaasal to Dharapuram and north-south from Omalur to Karur.
Their Chief Capital was Tarmangalam while Amarakundhi served as a second capital. The town of Kaveripuram was another centre of strategic importance of the Border of Mysore.
After the fall of the Vijayanagar empire, the Gatti became the Palayakarar of Omalur are under Thriumalai Nayakan of Madhurai in 1623 AD.

• Gutti Mudhali, Valve (2nd c): 'Gatti of the Strong spear' mentioned in the Sangam literature. He is believed to be the ancestor of the dynasty. He, with six other chieftains, fought a Chera King, Perumboot Chennai and loot.
• Gutti Mudhali, Haman (16thC): He built the Hamisvaram Udaiya Nayanar Temple in Tharamangalam.
• Gatti Mudhali, Vanna Immudi Hama Nayana (16thC): He made an endowment in 1564 AD for the un keep of the temples of Kailasanathar and Hamisvaram Udaiya Nayanar in Taramangalam.
• Gatti Mudhali, Vanangamudi (17thC): 'Gatti of Unbending head' a pious Gatti who built a Pillaiyar temple and a matam in Chidhabaram. He granted the village of Ilavampatti to the Kailasanathar Kovil in Tharamangalam.