(c) Palaiyakkarar (Tamil) or Polygar (English) was a special feudal title for a class of rulers, specifically selected and appointed by the Nayak rulers of South India (notably Vijayanagara Empire formed in 1336; Madurai Nayakas and the Kakatiya dynasty) during centuries. In reality, they were territorial, administrative and military governors vested with limited powers over large areas and they owed their allegiance to Madurai Nayak rulers.