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Kartha

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Kartha is a Nair title name derived from Karthavu which means Lord and it was conferred by the king to some powerful Nair families who enjoyed Raja or Naduvazhi status. Most important of the Kartha clans are Anakkottil Kartha, Meenachil Kartha, Cheraneloor Kartha, Thazhassary or Puthankotta Kartha (till recent past controlled the Cholamala near Thattekkad where the summer retreata of Chera dynasty existed), Karimattathu Kartha, Kalathil Kartha, Chiral Kartha, Ambazhathumkal(Nattukariathil) Kartha (controlled Vennimala near pampady the capital of Thekkumkur), Anikkad Kartha, Ranni Kartha, Pattathil Kartha, Manayath Kartha, Vattakkattu Akathootu Kottayil Kartha, Kodassery Kartha, Vembanattu Kartha,Mannamparambath Kartha and madathethu puthenmadom kartha. They belong to the Samanta Kshatriya group.[1]

Important People

K.G.R.KARTHA (former minister 82-83), K.RAMAN KARTHA (important character of "verukal" of malayattoor ramakrishnan), Chiral Raghavan Kartha, ARAVIND.S.KUMAR, K.KRISHNAN KUNJI

Legend

Kartha, as a Kshatriya community, ruled smaller principalities or worked mainly in the Army, Police or as tax collectors. They were the leaders of the troops to the king. The Kartha surname is still used,although it is not very prominent.[2]

The title Kartha, or doer, appears also to have been used as a titular name by some of the rulers of Madura. During the Madras census of 1901, the title Kartha was returned by Balijas claiming to be descendants of the Nayak kings of Madura and Tanjore. The Tekkumkur and Vadakkumkur Rajas are said to have first conferred the title Kartha on certain influential Nayar families blood related to the Rajas. In social matters the authority of the Karta was supreme, and it was only on important points that higher authorities were called on to intercede. All the Karthas belong to the Illam sub-division of the Nayar caste.[3]

Society

Till the 19th century, the Karthas strictly followed marumakkathayam or matriachical tradition where the female was the head of the family. Her children would carry her name and inherit her property. Now Karthas follows Makkathayam

Samantans

The Samanthans of Chuntampattai and Cherupulasseri were known as Kartha or Karthavu. They were related to the Thirumulpads of Manchery and Amarampalam.[4]

Caste System

All the Karthas belong to the Illathu Nair caste. Some of these clans were later elevated to Samanthan Nair.[5]

References

  1. ^ http://books.google.co.in/books?id=4bfmnmsBfQ4C&pg=PA1520&lpg=PA1520&dq=kartha+nair+site:books.google.com&source=bl&ots=HFshr6CeOE&sig=gJfal9aNaH3qVSGufKbiMhEZJvw&hl=en&ei=Hmm3Sq24IZL26gOvsbDLCQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1#v=onepage&q=kartha%20nair%20site%3Abooks.google.com&f=false
  2. ^ http://books.google.co.in/books?id=4bfmnmsBfQ4C
  3. ^ http://www.archive.org/stream/castestribesofso05thuriala/castestribesofso05thuriala_djvu.txt
  4. ^ Castes and Tribes of Southern India By Edgar Thurston p.284-289
  5. ^ Census of India, 1901, Volume 1 By India. Census Commissioner, p.131

See also

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