Chapter PLASSEY to POLIGAR of P by The Hobson Jobson Dictionary

placed in charge of a particular chief, who was bound for himself and his heirs to keep his post at all times, and under all circumstances. He was also bound to pay a fixed annual tribute; to supply and keep in readiness a quota of troops for the Governor’s armies; to keep the Governor’s peace over a particular tract of country. … A grant was made to him of a tract of a country … together with the title of Páleiya Kâran (Poligar). …”—Nelson’s Madura, Pt. iii. p. 99.

„ “Some of the Poligars were placed in authority over others, and in time of war were answerable for the good conduct of their subordinates. Thus the Sethupati was chief of them all; and the Poligar of Dindigul is constantly spoken of as being the chief of eighteen Poligars … when the levying of troops was required the Delavay (see DALAWAY) sent requisitions to such and such Poligars to furnish so many armed men within a certain time. …”—Nelson’s Madura, Pt. iii. p. 157.

The word got transferred in English parlance to the people under such Chiefs (see quotations above, 1780–1809); and especially, it would seem, to those whose habits were predatory:

1869.—“There is a third well-defined race mixed with the general population, to which a common origin may probably be assigned. I mean the predatory classes. In the south they are called Poligars, and consist of the tribes of Marawars, Kallars (see COLLERY), Bedars (see BYDE), Ramuses (see RAMOOSY): and in the North are represented by the Kolis (see COOLY) of Guzerat, and the Gujars (see GOOJUR) of the N.W. Provinces.”—Sir Walter Elliot, in J. Ethn. Soc. L., N.S. i. 112.