113992242-Dravidian-Settlements-in-Ceylon-and-the-Beginnings-of-the-Kingdom-of-Jaffna-By-Karthigesu-Indrapala-Complete-Phd-Thesis-University-of-London-1965

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The Naavaryar (variant: Mauvaryar) or Maava chieftains
are mentioned among the more important colonists. It is very
probable that certain Naava chieftains were among those who
led the mercenary forces of }gha. The Naavar (variants: M4apar,
Majepar) were chiefs of certain hill-tribes in the Kara and
Taini]. areas of South India. Their warlike habits led to their
employment as mercenaries in the armies of the South Indian
rulers. In fact, their recruitment for such employment is
specially recommended in the Sanskrit work E.mandak!ya In the
latter part of the twelfth century and in the thirteenth century
the Maavars of the Tamil country became prominent as feudatories
of the P4ya rulers and played a leading role in their wars.
Many Maavaryars find mention in the Pya records of the
thirteenth century It is, therefore, probable that some of
these warlike chiefs provided mercenaries for ?igha and
accompanied him to Ceylon. After the conquest of Rjarattha
they may have been given certain villages in Jaffna and in other
parts of northern Ceylon. But it is also possible that they
went to the island with the Pya armies that invaded Ceylon
1. Cf., J.D.LDerrett, The Hoysalas, Madras, 1957, pp.7-9.
2. LE.R. for 1926, Nos.k3, 50, 178, 180, 181, 536, 557,
and 573 of 1926.