 |
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (September 2008) |
 |
| Ayilyam Thirunal• Dharma Raja • H.H.Gowri Parvati Bayi Balarama Varma• H.H.Gowri Lakshmi Bayi•Ashwati Thirunal Raja Ravi Varma•Swathi Thirunal•Visakham Thirunal |
| Total population |
|---|
| 25,000 |
| Regions with significant populations |
| Kerala |
| Languages |
| Religion |
| Related ethnic groups |
The Samanta Kshatriyas or Malayala Kshatriyas make up the erstwhile royal families of Kerala kingdoms. Their residences were called Kovilakams or Kottaram or Swaroopams (palace). In traditional texts such as the Keralolpathi they are referred to as "Samantha Kshatriyas". Members of this community hold the surname Varma and/or Raja. One view is that Malayala Kshatriya dynasties such as the Kolathiri and Travancore belongs to the Kulasekhara Dynasty. Unlike other Kshatriyas found in India, Samanta Kshatriyas did not actively take part in warfare (apart from rare instances), relying instead on their cousins Nairs to command armies. The Malayala Kshatriyas also followed a matrilineal system of inheritance known as marumakkathayam law of the Nairs and Bunts(known as "aliyasanthana" in Tulu) caste unlike other Kshatriya castes.
Contents |
History
Origin of Swaroopams
During the post-sangham period (middle of 7th century to the early part of the 9th century) the main rulers of this period were Cheraman Perumal and Kulasekara Alwar. Both these kings later abdicated their thrones. Kulasekara Alwar later became a Vaishnavite poet.Keralolpathy claims that a Cheraman Perumal, who was a Banapperumal from Karnataka send by Krishnarayar the Aryan king(the Rashtrkuta) accepted Islam and went to Mecca which lacks historical evidence as Cheraman Perumals are Tamils and were not Banas of Karnataka. The next period in Kerala history is the period of rule of the Kulasekara Kings. Kulasekara empire lasted for about 3 centuries beginning from 800 AD. This period is also known as the Period of 'Second Chera' empire. These kings were known after their family name as Kulasekaras. Kolla Varsha or the Quilon Calendar (Malayalam Calendar system) was introduced during this period. It came into existence on the25th of July , 825 A.D. Between 1000 and 1019, Raja Raja Chola and Rajendra Chola attacked Kerala and seized vizhinjam. In 1070 Kerala was liberated from Chola control and the Suicide squad known as “ chavers “integrated with the warrior clans such as “ayirathil,pathinayirathil etc and later stage they known as Nairs . These wars made lot of changes in society as frequent wars with the Chola and Pandya kingdoms weakened the Chera empire and finally lead to their breakdown, and around these time the new cast system started.
At a stage of intestacy in Kulasekhara dynastry the Emperor Perumal divided and gave his empire-Kerala-to his relatives and feudal lords.Between 1102 when the Second Chera empire Broke up and 1300 AD Kerala was still ruled by Tamil dynasties (Dravidians). With the breakdown of Chera empire the next phase of Kerala history began.The northern most part of Kerala was called Ezhimala or Mooshika in Sanskrit, earlier stage they were practising patriarchy However the Mooshika dynasty around 1200 AD started practising Matriarchy indicating the influence of the Naga tribes of Tulunad who might have occupied the Mooshika kingdom during the Rashtrakuta invasions as Ezhimalai is hardly mentioned in the records of later Chera Kingdom.Keralolpathi,which is written in the Aryan and Naga view point extolls the virtues of Kolathiris the kings of Kolathunad who pratised Matriarchy. This was the period of the provincial rulers.Nairs who first appeared in the Kerala history around 8-10th century AD during the rule of the last Chera king Ramavarma Kulasekhara(1025 AD to 1102 AD). Provincial rulers were Nairs those who took control of a small province rather than a large empire. These provinces were once part of the Chera empire. The Nairs were confined to small areas but they frequently fought each other for domination.The northernmost portion was dominated by the Matriarchal Naga dynasties while still Central and Southern Kerala were ruled by the descendents of Tamil Chera Ay,Venad kings,Vellala lords (later they assimilated to Nairs) of earlier era till 1309. Consequent to the intestacy in Kulasekhara dynasty, stated above, Kerala was split into a number of small kingdoms and principalities known as Swaroopams. Four major kingdoms were Kolathunad, Kozhikode, Perumpadappu (Kochi) and Venad. Kolathunad comprising the northern parts of Kerala, was ruled by Kolathirikal. Kolathiris became the most powerful kings after the Muslim invasion and Matrirchy and Naga dynasties soon replaced the Dravidian dynasties. Venad king Udayamarthanda varma, Son of Kulasekhara Ravivarma Sangramadheeran was perhaps forced to accept two princesses from Kolathiri family as the heirs and Venad became matriarchal in 1314 AD. Kozhikode was almost in the northern part of Kerala and the ruler was known as Erady or Kunnalakonathiri in the earlier period. The Eradis rulers perhaps mixed with or replaced by some Naga dynasty and took the title Samudiri (Zamorin)around 1340 and started practising Matriarchy. Perumpadappu (Kochi) was comparatively a small state, ruled by the king of Kochi. Venad, comprising the southern parts of Kerala, was ruled by Venattadikal. Apart from the four kingdoms stated above, there were many principalities known as Swaroopams. Some of them were also known as Madampies, almost equivalent to the Baronets of England. This period could be better known as Naga (Nair) or Samantha Era in Kerala history (1300 to 2000 AD)in which most of the indigenous tribes of Kerala who had kingdoms earlier were enslaved and were ruled by ethnically different Aryans and Nagas who practised Matriarchy.Elayidathu Swaroopam, Odanad, Purakad, Karapuram Kaimal, Kuthiravattam, Kavalappara Swaroopam, Venganadu, Thekkumkur (Kottayam), Vadakkumkur, Alengad, Parur, Kodungalloor, Thalappilly, Valluvanad, Kadathanad, Kurumbranad - Kurumbiathiri swaroopam, Poonjar, Kumbala, Neeleswaram etc. were some of the principalities (Mal. Encyclop.4 p. 630)
Ascension to Kshatriya status
In traditional texts and treatises on Kerala such as the Kerala Mahatmayam and Keralolpathi they are referred to as "Samantha Kshatriyas" (Kshatriyas only in name). This was because swaroopams/royal families had political and social power but were Kshatriya only in profession and were not recognized as Kshatriya within the Vedic tradition per se. The first ascension of these Nairs to Kshatriya status was begun by the Kolathiri Raja, Udayavarman, who wished to wear the Yajnopaveetham (Poonool or sacred thread) and become an officially recognized Kshatriya. Since the Nambudiris were not prepared, Udayavarman brought 237 families (Saagara Brahmins) of Illams from Gokarnam in 1617 AD (792 ME) and settled them in five Desams, Cheruthazham, Kunniriyam, Arathil, Kulappuram and Vararuchimangalam of Perinchelloor Graamam. It is said that King Mahendravarman of Gokarnam requested to construct a "Chira" (embankment) at Chirakkal within 24 hours for the Snanam (bathing) of these 237 Brahmins, and King Udayavarman did it. For the 237 Illams to worship, Sree Raghavapuram temple (Hanuman Kavu) at Pilathara was assigned and they considered it as their Graamam temple. The Mooshika vamsham of Kolathiri was thus the first to became Kshatriyas in the Vedic sense.
Later, the then Travancore Raja brought 185 of these Saagara families to Thiruvalla (Thiruvalladesi Embraanthiris) for the same purpose and attained the Kshatriya status in the Vedic sense. Many other swaroopams also followerd suite, but some of the swaroopams still use Nair titles such as the Kavalappara swaroopam and the Kuthiravatthu swaroopam.
Customs and practices
The Malayala Kshatriyas practiced matrilinial inheritance (marumakkathayam) that was uxorilocal. The women performed ceremonies Kettu Kalyanam and Tirandu Kalyanam like the Nairs where as the men performed Upanayanam indicative of being a Dwija / twice born. The women of the household were known as Thampuratis meaning princesses while males used the title of Thampuran prefixed by Varma, indicative of Kshatriya rank. The form of marriage practiced was known as Sambandham and most alliances with Namboodiri Brahmin husbands were sought for womenfolk. An exception is the Travancore Royal Family who choose spouses for their womenfolk from Kshatriya(Koyi thampurans of chiraykal descendents) families only and males marrying from four Ammavedu of Nair Thampi clan. In the Kingdom of Cochin, Namboodiri husbands were permitted to enter into Sambandham with the princesses. Males married either from other Malayala Kshatriya houses, known as Kovilakams or Kottarams meaning palace, or else ladies of the Nair nobility. In the case of the Travancore family, the children of the Thampurans from Nair wives, known as Panapillai Ammas were bestowed the title of Thampi.
Subdivisions
Swaroopams
The Malayala Kshatriyas are subdivided into four main groups:
- Mooshoka Vamsham (Royal family of Chirakkal Rajahs/Kolathiri)
- Perumpadapu Swaroopam /Kuru Swaroopam (Cochin Royal family)
- Venad swaroopam (Travancore Royal Family)
- Nediyirippu Swaroopam (Zamorin Rajahs of Kozhikode) were Nair Eradi rulers, Several smaller swaroopams like Elayidathu, Nilamboor, Neeleshwaram, Kurumbranad also existed.
Epithets based on status in Travancore
- Koil Thampurans- The Koil Thamburans originally immigrated from Malabar to Travancore at the request of the Maharajah of Travancore. They originally belonged to the Royal house of Neeleswaram and held the status of Koil Thampuran (Superior Samanta Kshatriya). They are all related to each other by blood and are found only in Travancore. They secured a separate place among the Malayala Kshatriyas since the migrated at different times into Travancore from their original homes. Ceremonies such as Jata Karma, Namakarana, Annaprasana, Vidyarambha etc. are practised by them. In matter of dress and ornaments males resembled Namboodiri Brahmins while females resembled the Nair ladies. Among the Koil Thampurans, the eldest born was always named Rajaraja Varma Koil Thampuran while among females the names Amba, Ambalika and Ambika were common. The males have to repeat the Gayatri mantra ten times thrice a day. Their males had Sambandham with ladies of the Venadu Swaroopam (However Rani Setu Parvathibai ignored their supremacy and married her daughter with an ordinary Kshatriya), while the ladies married Namboothiris. Only the Koil Thampurans were recognized as Samantha Kshatriya by the Namboothiris in Travancore. In Travancore, there were ten clans of Koil Thampurans. The most ancient were the ones settled at Kilimanoor (in Attingal). The Kilimanoor Koil Thampurans were awarded freehold during 1728 AD. During Tippu's invasion, some more Koil Thampurans immigrated to Travancore and settled in Kirtipuram (near Kandiyoor in Mavelikkara), Pallam (in Kottayam), Paliyakkara (in Thiruvalla) and Nirazhi palace (in Changanasseri). The original clans split among themselves and new clans were established at Anantapuran (in Karthikapalli) and Chemprol (in Thiruvalla). FInally, three more clans arrived from Malabar and established themselves at Cherukol, Karamma and Vatakkematham.[1]
- Thampurans also known as Rajahs- They belongs to the Venadu Swaroopam or the Travancore Royal Family. They follow almost all the manners of the Koil Thampurans. The Kettu Kalyanam ceremony of their females is performed by Koil Thampurans who may later enter into Sambandham with them. If their husband dies his brother unites himself to the Thampurati through a ceremony known as Kootu Irikuka which means to keep company. Pollution after deaths in the family is for ten days as with the Koil Thampurans. They belong to the Samanthan subcaste and have to perform Hiranyagarbha in order to attain the Samanta Kshatriya status.
- Thampans and Thirumulpads- These were once ruling families of Thampurans who became later, owing to loss of sovereignty, inferior among the Malayala Kshatriyas and served the Kshatriyas above them. The surname Thampan is used by both Samanthan Nairs and Samanta Kshatriyas. In Cochin, they are mostly Samanta Kshatriya, while in Travancore, they are generally Samanthan Nair. Thirumulpad is a surname used by Samanthan Nairs, Samanta Kshatriyas and Kiryathil Nairs.
Change in Caste Status
During historic times, the entire coastal region from Gokarnam (near Goa) to Cape Comorin were divided in to 17 Naads, the rulers of which were mostly Samanta Kshatriyas and Samanthan Nairs. But over the course of time, independent Nair chiefs declared their own kingdoms, so that during the invasion of Malabar by Tippu Sultan, there were 35 Naads in Malabar alone. 12 of these were ruled were Samanta Kshatriyas.[2]
The 35 Principalities (Naads) in Malabar were[3]: Kottayam, Kadathanad, Kurumbranad, Tamarasseri-Wynad, North Parappanad, South Parappanad, Valluvanad, Vadamalapuram, Tenmalapuram, Kolathunad (All ruled by Samanta Kshatriyas); Polanad, Payyanad, Ramanad, Cheranad, Nedunganad, Naduvattam, Kuttanad, Chavakkad, Chetwai, Eranad, Neeleswaram, Konad, Kodikkunninad, Vettat, Kakkad, Beypore, Talapilli, Chirakkal, Kumbala, Kollamkode, Punnathur (All ruled by Samanthan Nairs); Kavalapara, Kurangott, Payyurmala, Pulavai (All ruled by
The royal families of Travanocre-Cochin area were[4]: Thiruvithamkod-Trippapur (Venad Swaroopam), Attingal, Kottarakkara (Elayadathu Swaroopam ), Quilon (Desinganad), Karunagapalli, Karthikapalli, Kayamkulam, Panthalam, Thekkumkur, Vadakkumkur, Punjar, Airur, Paravur, Alangad, Edapalli, Karappuram & Cranganore.
Various royal clans in Kerala fought bitterly for supremacy against each other. The Raja of Cochin, who was elevated to the Suryavanshi clan of the Samantha Kshatriya caste by the Namboothiris openly insulted the Zamorin, who belonged to the Eradi subdivision of Samanthan Nair caste, calling him a cowherd. The fuming Zamorin invaded Cochin with all his forces and the Raja of Cochin was forced to run for his life and bequeath his power to the British. Zamorin tried to elevate himself to the Samanta Kshatriya status by performing the Hiranyagarbha Yagna, but fierce opposition by his opponents (Most notable of whom were the Rajas of Cochin) forced the Namboothiris of Malabar to abandon the plan. Instead the Zamorin, who was an ordinary Nair was elevated to the Samanthan Nair caste by performing the Padmagarbha Yagna.[5]
During the 17th and 18th centuries, the rulers of Venad, Onad, Konad, Kodikkunninad, Kolathunad, Polanad, Thekkumkur and Vadakkumkur elevated their status from ordinary Nair to Samanthan by performing the Padmagarbha Yagna. Some of them further elevated their status to Samanta Kshatriya later, while some others were elevated to the status of Mahasamanthan (above Samanthan, but still below Samanta Kshatriya in Caste hierarchy) by performing the Tulabhara Yagna. The ruling clan of Mavelikkara, the Bhandarams, first upgraded their status from Buddhist oucaste to Hindu Nair, then from Nair to Samanthan and finally from Samanthan to Samantha Kshatriya.[6]
Nambidis
The Nambidis are a special group of people who are considered half Brahmin and half Kshatriya. Legend has it that their ancestors had degraded themselves by murdering a ruler of Kerala. On their return the other Namboodiris welcomed them but they refused to seat themselves with the other Brahmins owing to the sin they committed and instead sat on the steps of the hall. They came to be known as Nom Padimels or those on the steps and this term was later corrupted into Nambidi. They are of two subdivisions; the ones who wear the sacred thread and perform the Upanayanam and the ones who do not. The latter are practically Nairs who were given the Nambidi title. According to Gautham Padmanabhan of Mazhavanchery Vadakkedom; " The Rajas of Kollengode in Palghat district are the classic examples of the descendants of Nambidi Clan"
Samanthans
Samanthan, meaning "allies", is used to refer to feudatory allies of Samanta Kshatriyas. Many of the Samanthans have their origin from the Malabar region.
Famous Malayala Kshatriyas
- Maharani Gowri Lakshmi Bayi
- Maharani Gowri Parvati Bayi
- Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bayi
- Raja Ravi Varma[Kilimanoor Palace]
- Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma
- Moolam Thirunal Maharajah
- Balarama Varma Avittam Thirunal
- Ayilyam Thirunal Maharajah
- Rama Varma a.k.a Shaktan Thampuran (1790-1805)- Perumpadapu Swaroopam
- Sir Sri Rama Varma a.k.a Rajarshi, Abdicated Highness (1895-1914)- Perumpadapu Swaroopam
- Rama Varma (1932-1941) a.k.a Dhaarmika Chakravarthi (King of Dharma), Chowara-yil Theepetta Thampuran - Perumpadapu Swaroopam
- Kerala Varma (1941-1943) a.k.a Midukkan (syn: Smart, expert, great.) Thampuran - Perumpadapu Swaroopam
- Kerala Varma (1946-1948) a.k.a Ikya-Keralam (Unified Kerala) Thampuran - Perumpadapu Swaroopam
- Rama Varma (1948-1964) - Pareekshit Thampuran, title: Darsanakalanidhi, was a Sanskrit scholar of supreme rank - Perumpadapu Swaroopam
- Kodungallur Kunjikuttan Thampuran (1866-1903)
See also
- Kshatriyas
- Nair
- Brahmins
- Bunts
- Thevar
- Upanayanam
- Kerala
- Travancore
- Thampan
- Malabar
- Cochin
- Samanthans
References
- ^ http://www.archive.org/stream/castestribesofso04thuruoft#page/82/mode/2up
- ^ http://www.archive.org/stream/acommentaryonma00wigrgoog#page/n25/mode/1up
- ^ Political and administrative integration of princely states By S. N. Sadasivan, Page No.42
- ^ Political and administrative integration of princely states By S. N. Sadasivan, Page No.42
- ^ A social history of India By S. N. Sadasivan Page 324
- ^ A social history of India By S. N. Sadasivan Page 324
- Travancore State Manual Vol. II page 319-326 by V.Nagam Aiya
- History of Travancore by Shungoony Menon
- Hindu Kingship and the Origin of Community: Religion, State and Society in Kerala, 1750-1850 Susan Bayly Modern Asian Studies, Vol. 18, No. 2 (1984), pp. 177-213
- William Logan, Herman Guntert
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
