Sejarah Asal-Usul dan Kegiatan Ekonomi Chettiar di Tanah Melayu (Origins and The Economic Activities of Chettiars In Malaya)

This article studies the origin and role of the Chettiar community in Malaya from the eighteenth century to Malayan independence in the 1950s, with a particular focus on Chettiar society and culture and their trade relations with Southeast Asia since the ”classical” period of South Indian history. The Chettiars have played a significant role as money lenders in Southeast Asia since the classical period and their role became even more prominent during British rule in India. However, pressures imposed on them by the British forced them to seek greener pastures in Southeast Asia. Their dominance in money lending and business activities has been attributed to a socio-cultural support system centred on the institutions of both the temple and the family, as well as to their culturally specific value systems and ethnic solidarity. This complete support system contributed to the accumulation of property which provided the main financial springboard for the Chettiar community to embark on their money lending activities in South India and Southeast Asia.