On the origins and history of the Rowther Muslims
Ravuttar, Rowther, Ravuther
Most people from Palghat would recognize this community
name, for a number of them are settled in various parts of the district. As a
child, I would hear stories of them being remnants of Hyder’s and Tipu’s
cavalry forces. If you recall these forces were camped around Coimbatore,
Pollachi, Dindigul and thereabouts during their many forays into Malabar.
Growing up in Koduvayur, I came across many Rowthers, mainly traders in and
around Palghat. The Palghat community spoke a kind of Tamil signifying that
they once belonged to Tamil regions and were not connected with the Malayali
Moplah communities. OV Vijayan frequently mentioned them in his books, and even
had a few characters in his famous Khasakinte Ithihasam (legends of Khasak).
That reminds me, it is time for a reread of that great book, I have forgotten
most of it.