Kavalappara Swaroopam
Kavalappara Swaroopam or Kavalappara is a former Hindu Nair feudal city-state in Malabar, South India. Kavalappara Swaroopam owed a sort of nominal allegiance to both the Cochin and to the Zamorin. Kavalappara Nairs were the vassals of the Zamorins of Calicut, and ruled some parts of Ottappalam, Chittur and Palakkad. According to local tradition, Kavalappara dates back to the legendary Cheraman Perumal, who gave his Nair a block of 12 square miles in Nedunganad that no other Nair wanted, as it was supposed to be all rock. The Nair accepted the land and, finding that it was not all rock, called it Kavalappara or false rock. At the peak of his glory, king of Kavalappara ruled some 96 village from Muttangal to Thottungal and from Bharathappuzha River to Mandakkottukurasi near Shoranur. The ruler of Kavalappara Swaroopam was known as Kavalappara Moopil Nair with headquarters was at Kavalappara Palace. Along with the other chiefs of South Malabar, Kavalappara ruler also became subject to the Zamorin and took part in the Zamorin’s campaign against Cochin kingdom.
The junior members in the royal family were known as Unni Elaya Nair and the female members were known as Nethiyar. One of the biggest "pooram festival" in Malabar used to take place at the Arayankavu Temple of Shoranur owned by the Kavalappara Swaroopam and housing the deity which is their family goddess.
The Joint Commission eventually decided in favor of the independence of Kavalappara. The Nair continued to manage his estate until 1802 when collection of revenue was resumed by the English East India Company.
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