The "Imperial Cholas" and "Sambuvarayas" are "Kshatriyas". The following chola's period inscription says very clearly without any doubt :-
The war held between Pandya Kulasekhara and the Sri Lankan King, in which Chola helped Pandiya by sending their army. Edirili Chola Sambuvaraya, the Commander-in-Chief for Chola army victorious over Ceylon army.
Edirili Chola Sambuvaraya, says in the inscription of Rajathiraja Chola-II, 1171 A.D :-
"சோழராஜ்யத்துக்கு ராஜாவாநார் அவர்கள் பரிபாலிப்பது எங்கள் வம்சத்து தர்ம்மம் பரிபாலிப்பது" (Chola king doing the duties of our Dharma).
(S.I.I. Vol-VI, No.456), (Line-47&48, page-98), (Kanchipuram, Tiruvalisvara temple inscription).
(Select Inscriptions of Tamil Nadu, Serial No : 117 : 7), (Department of Archaeology, Govt of Tamil Nadu).
The term "Engal Vamsathu" (எங்கள் வம்சத்து) refers to "Kshatriya Vamsam". Therefore, Vanniyas are "Kshatriyas". Their clans "Surutiman" and "Nattaman", who also came from "Agni Kundam" (Yaga Kundam) belongs to "Kshatriyas".
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The war held between Pandya Kulasekhara and the Sri Lankan King, in which Chola helped Pandiya by sending their army. Edirili Chola Sambuvaraya, the Commander-in-Chief for Chola army victorious over Ceylon army.
Edirili Chola Sambuvaraya, says in the inscription of Rajathiraja Chola-II, 1171 A.D :-
"சோழராஜ்யத்துக்கு ராஜாவாநார் அவர்கள் பரிபாலிப்பது எங்கள் வம்சத்து தர்ம்மம் பரிபாலிப்பது" (Chola king doing the duties of our Dharma).
(S.I.I. Vol-VI, No.456), (Line-47&48, page-98), (Kanchipuram, Tiruvalisvara temple inscription).
(Select Inscriptions of Tamil Nadu, Serial No : 117 : 7), (Department of Archaeology, Govt of Tamil Nadu).
The term "Engal Vamsathu" (எங்கள் வம்சத்து) refers to "Kshatriya Vamsam". Therefore, Vanniyas are "Kshatriyas". Their clans "Surutiman" and "Nattaman", who also came from "Agni Kundam" (Yaga Kundam) belongs to "Kshatriyas".
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thanks:N.Murali Naicker