| Group: | Sozhiya Vellalar |
| Popplace: | Chola Nadu, Tamil Nadu |
| Languages: | Tamil |
| Religions: | Hinduism, Christianity |
| Related: | Vellalar |
Chozhia Vellalar (also spelt as Sozhia Vellalar) is a caste from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
The Sozhiya Vellalars were present predominantly in the Cauvery delta districts of Tamil Nadu - Trichy, Thanjavur, Karur, Namakkal, Mannargudi, Nagappattinam. Their name, Sozhiya or Chozhia, reflects this geographical particularity, as a population concentrated in the heart of the ancient Chola kingdom or Chola Nadu, which corresponds to the Tanjore region.[1] They are one of three communities to hold this title, along with the Chozhia Chettiars and Chozhia Iyers. Nowadays they are present in almost all the districts of Tamil Nadu.
Though the distribution of the community is found in most of the districts, they migrated to the other parts of Tamil Nadu from Trichy and Thanjavur areas towards the middle and second half of the 19th century. As they moved in, they always followed the river bed areas for settlement. Thus, the said community when came to Salem District they initially settled at Palamedu. When their life at Palamedu became difficult due to Theechati Kolliyars (Dacoits with fire) they moved out. Of these the persons who moved to Pandamangalam area were farmers and the traders moved into Proper Salem. They settled as trader dealing in betel leaves and thus earning the name Vatrilaikarar.
In the state of Tamil Nadu they are classified as Other Backward Class under India's Reservation system.[2]