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{{Infobox ethnic group
{{Infobox ethnic group
|group = Sri Lankan Chetties |native_name = |native_name_lang = |flag = |flag_caption = |population = 6,075 (2012 census) |genealogy = |regions = Province |tablehdr = |region1 = Western |pop1 = 5,427 |ref1 = |region2 = Northern |pop2 = 348 |ref2 = |region3 = Central |pop3 = 193 |ref3 = |region4 = North Western
|group = Sri Lankan Chetties |native_name = |native_name_lang = |flag = |flag_caption = |population = 6,075 (2012 census) |genealogy = |regions = Province |tablehdr = |region1 = Western |pop1 = 5,427 |ref1 = |region2 = Northern |pop2 = 348 |ref2 = |region3 = Central |pop3 = 193 |ref3 = |region4 = North Western

|languages =
|languages =
Sinhala
Sinhala
English
English
Tamil
Tamil

|religions = Christianity (mostly Roman Catholic and Anglican), Hinduism
|religions = Christianity (mostly Roman Catholic and Anglican), Hinduism
⚫
'''Types'''

⚫
'''Types
'''

Sinhala Chetties (Sri Lankan)
Sinhala Chetties (Sri Lankan)

English Chetties
English Chetties
Tamil Chetties (Indian)
Tamil Chetties (Indian)
}}
}}


⚫
'''Sri Lankan Chetties''' ({{Langx|si|ශ්‍රී ලංකා චෙට්ටි|translit=Śrī laṁkā Ceṭṭi}}, {{Langx|ta|இலங்கை செட்டி|translit=Ilaṅkai Ceṭṭi}}) also known as '''Colombo Chetties''', are an ethnicity in the island of [[Sri Lanka]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.statistics.gov.lk/PopHouSat/CPH2011/index.php?fileName=pop42&gp=Activities&tpl=3|title=Census of Population and Housing 2011|website=www.statistics.gov.lk|access-date=2018-01-24}}</ref> Before 2001, they were known as the Sri Lankan Tamil ( ශ්‍රී ලංකා දෙමළ) caste, but then after 2001, they were classified as a separate ethnic group in the 2001 census.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4N5UAgAAQBAJ|title=The Encyclopedia of the Sri Lankan Diaspora|last=Reeves|first=Peter|date=2014-03-07|publisher=Editions Didier Millet|isbn=9789814260831|location=Institute of South Asian Studies, [[National University of Singapore]]|pages=27|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Kj_aWm4DeFEC|title=The Sri Lanka Reader: History, Cultured , Politics|last=Holt|first=John|date=2011-04-13|publisher=Duke University Press|isbn=978-0822349822|pages=70|language=en}}</ref> They are now collectively referred to as the '''Colombo Chetties.''' They were said to have migrated from India under [[Portuguese Ceylon|Portuguese rule]] and were given special rights and representation during colonial rule.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1sCHCwAAQBAJ|title=Sri Lanka in the Modern Age: A History|last=Wickramasinghe|first=Nira|date=2015|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=9780190225797|pages=165, 174, 274|language=en}}</ref>


In modern times, the Chetties have been assimilated either into Sinhala or Tamil resp. [[Sri Lankan Vellalar|Vellalar]] society.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book |last=Wilson |first=A. Jeyaratnam |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5AQcVvbHzdcC |title=Sri Lankan Tamil Nationalism: Its Origins and Development in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries |date=2000 |publisher=University of British Columbia Press |isbn=9781850655190 |pages=17, 18, 20 |language=en}}</ref> Most Chetties grow in [[Sinhala language|Sinhala]] backgrounds. ''Hetti'' is another term used in this context, referring to the present generation of Chetties who do not have any relation to India but are solely from Sri Lanka.
⚫
'''Sri Lankan Chetties''' ({{Lang-si|ශ්‍රී ලංකා චෙට්ටි|translit=Śī laṁkā Ceṭṭi}}, {{Lang-ta|இலங்கை செட்டி|translit=Ilaṅkai Ceṭṭi}}) also known as '''Colombo Chetties''', ethnicity in the island of [[Sri Lanka]].'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.statistics.gov.lk/PopHouSat/CPH2011/index.php?fileName=pop42&gp=Activities&tpl=3|title=Census of Population and Housing 2011|website=www.statistics.gov.lk|access-date=2018-01-24}}</ref> Formerly and before 2001, they were known as the [[Sri Lankan Tamils|Sri Lankan Tamil]] caste, but then after 2001, they were classified as a separate ethnic group in the 2001 census.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4N5UAgAAQBAJ|title=The Encyclopedia of the Sri Lankan Diaspora|last=Reeves|first=Peter|date=2014-03-07|publisher=Editions Didier Millet|isbn=9789814260831|location=Institute of South Asian Studies, [[National University of Singapore]]|pages=27|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Kj_aWm4DeFEC|title=The Sri Lanka Reader: History, Cultured , Politics|last=Holt|first=John|date=2011-04-13|publisher=Duke University Press|isbn=978-0822349822|pages=70|language=en}}</ref> Whereas, now they are known as the '''Colombo Chetties''' as a whole. They are group of people who are said to have migrated from India under [[Portuguese Ceylon|Portuguese rule]] Apart from their titled race, these people showcase no difference from the Sinhala people in Sri Lanka and in the present, most chetties grow in Sinhala backgrounds.


== Etymology ==
== Etymology ==
The word is thought to have been derived from the [[Tamil language|Tamil]] word ''Etti'', an [[honorific]] title bestowed on the leading and noble people.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=West Rudner|first=David|date=1987|title=Religious Gifting and Inland Commerce in Seventeenth-Century South India|journal=The Journal of Asian Studies|volume=46|issue=2|pages=361–379|jstor=2056019|doi=10.2307/2056019}}</ref>
The word is thought to have been derived from the [[Tamil language|Tamil]] word ''Etti'', an [[honorific]] title bestowed on the leading and noble people.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=West Rudner|first=David|date=1987|title=Religious Gifting and Inland Commerce in Seventeenth-Century South India|journal=The Journal of Asian Studies|volume=46|issue=2|pages=361–379|jstor=2056019|doi=10.2307/2056019|s2cid=162764761 }}</ref>


==History==
==History==
{{See also|Chettiar}}
{{See also|Chettiar}}
[[File:Chetty in Ceylon (c. 1870).jpg|left|thumb|A Sri Lankan Chetty of 19th century|293x293px]]They settled mostly in western [[Sri Lanka]], especially in the ports of [[Colombo]] from the 16th century to mid 17th century, during the rule of the Portuguese and Dutch.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H7xWAAAAMAAJ|title=An outline of the cultural history and principles of Hinduism|last=Sivaratnam|first=C.|date=1964|publisher=Stangard Printers|pages=276|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_dByI_qil26YC|title=A History of Sri Lanka|last=Silva|first=K. M. De|date=1981|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=9780520043206|pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_dByI_qil26YC/page/n197 175]|language=en}}</ref> The Chetties of Western Sri Lanka converted to various forms of Christianity during the colonial era: [[Roman Catholic church|Roman Catholicism]] under [[Portuguese Ceylon|Portuguese rule]], as well as to [[Anglicanism]] and [[Reformed Christianity]] under [[British Ceylon|British rule]] and [[Dutch Ceylon|Dutch rule]], respectively.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DntuAAAAMAAJ|title=Cultural minorities of Sri Lanka: their growth, achievements, and relevance today|last1=Vijayalakshmi|first1=E.|last2=Studies|first2=International Centre for Ethnic|date=2005-01-01|publisher=International Centre for Ethnic Studies|isbn=9789555800969|pages=8|language=en}}</ref> Intermarriage and alliances between [[Sinhalese people|Sinhalese]] and Chetties were not uncommon thus many also got [[Sinhalisation|Sinhalised]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DntuAAAAMAAJ|title=Cultural minorities of Sri Lanka: their growth, achievements, and relevance today|last1=Vijayalakshmi|first1=E.|last2=Studies|first2=International Centre for Ethnic|date=2005-01-01|publisher=International Centre for Ethnic Studies|isbn=9789555800969|pages=10|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=50igCgAAQBAJ|title=Historical Dictionary of Sri Lanka|last=Peebles|first=Patrick|date=2015-10-22|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=9781442255852|pages=78|language=en}}</ref> However, the Colombo Chetties showcases no differences from the Sinhalese people in Sri lanka apart from their origins. {{Historical populations
[[File:Chetty in Ceylon (c. 1870).jpg|left|thumb|A Sri Lankan Chetty of 19th century|293x293px]]They settled mostly in western [[Sri Lanka]], especially in the ports of [[Colombo]] from the 16th century to mid 17th century, during the rule of the Portuguese and Dutch.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H7xWAAAAMAAJ|title=An outline of the cultural history and principles of Hinduism|last=Sivaratnam|first=C.|date=1964|publisher=Stangard Printers|pages=276|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_dByI_qil26YC|title=A History of Sri Lanka|last=Silva|first=K. M. De|date=1981|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=9780520043206|pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_dByI_qil26YC/page/n197 175]|language=en}}</ref> The Chetties of Western Sri Lanka converted to various forms of Christianity during the colonial era: [[Roman Catholic church|Roman Catholicism]] under [[Portuguese Ceylon|Portuguese rule]], as well as to [[Anglicanism]] and [[Reformed Christianity]] under [[British Ceylon|British rule]] and [[Dutch Ceylon|Dutch rule]], respectively.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DntuAAAAMAAJ|title=Cultural minorities of Sri Lanka: their growth, achievements, and relevance today|last1=Vijayalakshmi|first1=E.|last2=Studies|first2=International Centre for Ethnic|date=2005-01-01|publisher=International Centre for Ethnic Studies|isbn=9789555800969|pages=8|language=en}}</ref> Marriages between [[Sinhalese people|Sinhalese]] (Sinhala people) and Chetties are very common and therefore many were [[Sinhalisation|Sinhalised]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DntuAAAAMAAJ|title=Cultural minorities of Sri Lanka: their growth, achievements, and relevance today|last1=Vijayalakshmi|first1=E.|last2=Studies|first2=International Centre for Ethnic|date=2005-01-01|publisher=International Centre for Ethnic Studies|isbn=9789555800969|pages=10|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=50igCgAAQBAJ|title=Historical Dictionary of Sri Lanka|last=Peebles|first=Patrick|date=2015-10-22|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=9781442255852|pages=78|language=en}}</ref> The Chetties of Northern Sri Lanka especially in Jaffna were mainly absorbed by the Vellalar caste, although, some still remain separate.<ref name=":4" /> A high number of Chetties still live in [[Nallur, Jaffna|Nallur]], which is known for the inhabitation of high castes, whereas even a road is commemorated for them.<ref>The Exile Returned: A Self-Portrait of the Tamil Vellahlahs of Jaffna, Sri Lanka by S. Ratnajeevan H Hoole</ref> {{Historical populations
|type =
|type =
|footnote = Source:[[Department of Census & Statistics, Sri Lanka|Department of Census<br>& Statistics]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Population by ethnic group, census years|url=http://www.statistics.gov.lk/abstract2010/chapters/Chap2/AB2-10.pdf|publisher=Department of Census & Statistics, Sri Lanka|access-date=23 October 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111113175023/http://www.statistics.gov.lk/abstract2010/chapters/Chap2/AB2-10.pdf|archive-date=13 November 2011}}</ref><br>Data is based on <br>[[Sri Lankan Government]] Census.
|footnote = Source:[[Department of Census & Statistics, Sri Lanka|Department of Census<br>& Statistics]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Population by ethnic group, census years|url=http://www.statistics.gov.lk/abstract2010/chapters/Chap2/AB2-10.pdf|publisher=Department of Census & Statistics, Sri Lanka|access-date=23 October 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111113175023/http://www.statistics.gov.lk/abstract2010/chapters/Chap2/AB2-10.pdf|archive-date=13 November 2011}}</ref><br>Data is based on <br>[[Sri Lankan Government]] Census.
Line 37: Line 31:
Representatives of the ''Colombo Chetty Association'' stressed out their distinctiveness, appealing for forming a separate ethnic group. The Chetties were notably also from 1814 to 1817 listed as a separate ethnic group.<ref name=":0" />
Representatives of the ''Colombo Chetty Association'' stressed out their distinctiveness, appealing for forming a separate ethnic group. The Chetties were notably also from 1814 to 1817 listed as a separate ethnic group.<ref name=":0" />


As an elite, prosperous and a noble group, they no longer strictly marry amongst themselves. In addition, migration to [[Australia]], [[England]], [[United States of America]] and [[Canada]] has tended to dilute their numbers.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}}
Historically an elite and generally wealthy ethnicity, they no longer strictly marry amongst themselves. In addition, migration to [[Australia]], [[England]], [[United States of America]] and [[Canada]] has tended to dilute their numbers.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}}


==See also==
==Notable people==
*Major General [[Anton Muttukumaru]], the first native Ceylonese to serve as the [[Commander of the Army (Sri Lanka)|Commander of the Ceylon Army]]
*[[Tyron D. S. Silvapulle]] PWV, RWP. RWP
*[[Tyron D. S. Silvapulle]] PWV, RWP. RWP
*[[Simon Casie Chetty]]
*[[Simon Casie Chetty]]
⚫
*[[Jeyaraj Fernandopulle]]

==See also==
*[[Bharatakula]]
*[[Bharatakula]]
*[[Nagarathar]]
*[[Nagarathar]]
*[[Chitty|Malacca Chitty]]
*[[Chitty|Malacca Chitty]]
⚫
*[[Jeyaraj Fernandopulle]]


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 20:17, 8 November 2024

Sri Lankan Chetties
Total population
6,075 (2012 census)
Regions with significant populations
Province
Western5,427
Northern348
Central193
Languages
Sinhala

English

Tamil
Religion
Christianity (mostly Roman Catholic and Anglican), Hinduism

Types Sinhala Chetties (Sri Lankan) English Chetties

Tamil Chetties (Indian)

Sri Lankan Chetties (Sinhala: ශ්‍රී ලංකා චෙට්ටි, romanized: Śrī laṁkā Ceṭṭi, Tamil: இலங்கை செட்டி, romanized: Ilaṅkai Ceṭṭi) also known as Colombo Chetties, are an ethnicity in the island of Sri Lanka.[1] Before 2001, they were known as the Sri Lankan Tamil ( ශ්‍රී ලංකා දෙමළ) caste, but then after 2001, they were classified as a separate ethnic group in the 2001 census.[2][3] They are now collectively referred to as the Colombo Chetties. They were said to have migrated from India under Portuguese rule and were given special rights and representation during colonial rule.[4]

In modern times, the Chetties have been assimilated either into Sinhala or Tamil resp. Vellalar society.[5] Most Chetties grow in Sinhala backgrounds. Hetti is another term used in this context, referring to the present generation of Chetties who do not have any relation to India but are solely from Sri Lanka.

Etymology

[edit]

The word is thought to have been derived from the Tamil word Etti, an honorific title bestowed on the leading and noble people.[6]

History

[edit]
See also: Chettiar
A Sri Lankan Chetty of 19th century

They settled mostly in western Sri Lanka, especially in the ports of Colombo from the 16th century to mid 17th century, during the rule of the Portuguese and Dutch.[7][8] The Chetties of Western Sri Lanka converted to various forms of Christianity during the colonial era: Roman Catholicism under Portuguese rule, as well as to Anglicanism and Reformed Christianity under British rule and Dutch rule, respectively.[9] Marriages between Sinhalese (Sinhala people) and Chetties are very common and therefore many were Sinhalised.[10][11] The Chetties of Northern Sri Lanka especially in Jaffna were mainly absorbed by the Vellalar caste, although, some still remain separate.[5] A high number of Chetties still live in Nallur, which is known for the inhabitation of high castes, whereas even a road is commemorated for them.[12]

Historical population
YearPop.±%
2001 10,800—    
2011 6,075−43.8%
Source:Department of Census
& Statistics[13]
Data is based on
Sri Lankan Government Census.

Representatives of the Colombo Chetty Association stressed out their distinctiveness, appealing for forming a separate ethnic group. The Chetties were notably also from 1814 to 1817 listed as a separate ethnic group.[4]

Historically an elite and generally wealthy ethnicity, they no longer strictly marry amongst themselves. In addition, migration to Australia, England, United States of America and Canada has tended to dilute their numbers.[citation needed]

Notable people

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Sources
  • Casiechitty S, The Castes, Customs, Manners and Literature of the Tamils. Colombo: Ceylon Printers, 1934.
  • Pulle Tissera Shirley - History of The Colombo Chetties - 2000
  • Thurston E, Castes and Tribes of Southern India
Notes
  1. ^ "Census of Population and Housing 2011". www.statistics.gov.lk. Retrieved 2018-01-24.
  2. ^ Reeves, Peter (2014-03-07). The Encyclopedia of the Sri Lankan Diaspora. Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore: Editions Didier Millet. p. 27. ISBN 9789814260831.
  3. ^ Holt, John (2011-04-13). The Sri Lanka Reader: History, Cultured , Politics. Duke University Press. p. 70. ISBN 978-0822349822.
  4. ^ a b Wickramasinghe, Nira (2015). Sri Lanka in the Modern Age: A History. Oxford University Press. pp. 165, 174, 274. ISBN 9780190225797.
  5. ^ a b Wilson, A. Jeyaratnam (2000). Sri Lankan Tamil Nationalism: Its Origins and Development in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries. University of British Columbia Press. pp. 17, 18, 20. ISBN 9781850655190.
  6. ^ West Rudner, David (1987). "Religious Gifting and Inland Commerce in Seventeenth-Century South India". The Journal of Asian Studies. 46 (2): 361–379. doi:10.2307/2056019. JSTOR 2056019. S2CID 162764761.
  7. ^ Sivaratnam, C. (1964). An outline of the cultural history and principles of Hinduism. Stangard Printers. p. 276.
  8. ^ Silva, K. M. De (1981). A History of Sri Lanka. University of California Press. pp. 175. ISBN 9780520043206.
  9. ^ Vijayalakshmi, E.; Studies, International Centre for Ethnic (2005-01-01). Cultural minorities of Sri Lanka: their growth, achievements, and relevance today. International Centre for Ethnic Studies. p. 8. ISBN 9789555800969.
  10. ^ Vijayalakshmi, E.; Studies, International Centre for Ethnic (2005-01-01). Cultural minorities of Sri Lanka: their growth, achievements, and relevance today. International Centre for Ethnic Studies. p. 10. ISBN 9789555800969.
  11. ^ Peebles, Patrick (2015-10-22). Historical Dictionary of Sri Lanka. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 78. ISBN 9781442255852.
  12. ^ The Exile Returned: A Self-Portrait of the Tamil Vellahlahs of Jaffna, Sri Lanka by S. Ratnajeevan H Hoole
  13. ^ "Population by ethnic group, census years" (PDF). Department of Census & Statistics, Sri Lanka. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 November 2011. Retrieved 23 October 2012.
[edit]
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