Polygars (also known as Palaiyakkarars) were regional chieftains whose origins trace back to the 14th century. They rose during the early Vijayanagara Empire, founded in 1336 CE by brothers Harihara I and Bukka Raya I, who established their rule from Vijayanagara (modern-day Hampi) across large parts of South India. Under its greatest ruler, Sri Krishnadeva Raya (r. 1509–29), a distinctive three-tier administrative system was created, which institutionalised the Polygars.

The emperor ruled from Vijayanagara; Nayakas governed major regions such as Madurai, Thanjavur, and Jinji; and Polygars served as local chiefs. This structure ensured efficient revenue collection, military organisation, and governance. The territories were divided into 72 Palayams—meaning ‘army camps’—each Polygar reported to the Madurai Nayaka. The system lasted until the death of Sri Ranga Raya III (r. 1642–81), after which the Polygars came under stronger Nayaka control.

Under the Madurai Nayakas, Polygars ruled semi-independent principalities. They maintained armies, forts, courts, and estates; collected taxes; administered justice; supported irrigation, agriculture, temples, and charity; and held durbars. Acting as local rulers, they retained one-fourth of the revenue and sent the remainder to Madurai. By the 18th century, northern Polygars came under Mysore, while southern Tamil Nadu Polygars faced British tax demands through the Nawab of Arcot, who had borrowed money from the East India Company and allowed the company to collect taxes. Most Polygars submitted, except Veerapandiya Kattabomman of Panchalankurichi, whose clash with the British officials triggered the First Polygar War. After guerrilla resistance, he was captured and executed in 1799. Defiance continued with the Second Polygar War (1800–01), led by the Marudhu brothers of Sivagangai with regional allies. They were also defeated and executed, after which the British dismantled the Polygar power and reduced them to zamindars.