People of Saurashtra in Tamil Nadu

                                   After invasions on Somnath by Mahmud Gazni in 1026 & Alauddin Khilji in 1300 large groups of south Saurashtra Brahmin migrated to Tamil Nadu.In early 14 century Saurashtra Brahmins reached Tamil Nadu via Maharashtra,Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh. Some went by sea route & Konkan coast.

In early 14th century Saurashtra Brahmins settled in Madurai & surrounding area.They are known as Saurashtri.Their dialect is Saurashtri.Tamil Nadu Saurashtri people speak Tamil with others but among themselves speak in Saurashtri which is written in Nagari script.Tamil Nadu Saurashtri people's language Saurashtri is mixture of Kannad,Telugu,Tamil & 14th century old Gujarati as they came in 14 century.In old time Tamil Nadu Saurashtra people were in profession of cloth weaving & dyeing.They bear surnames of Aiyar and Aiyangar.In Tamil Nadu Saurashtri people marriage ritual fathers of both bride & bridegroom declare that they belong to Saurashtra.

( From my twitter handle @GujaratHistory tweets of 16 May 2016 )