Kartha
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. Their independent principality was annexed by Marthandavarma along with thekkumkur and vadakkumkur (Meenachil near palai), Cheraneloor Kartha/Kattu kaimal(Cheranallore near Ernakulam), Thazhassary or Puthankotta Kartha, enjoyed four titular names as evident from land and revenue records Udayakumaran,Eravi,Kuruvikkat kaimal and Kartha(till recent past controlled the Cholamala near Thattekkad where the summer retreat of Chera dynasty existed)(Kottappady near Thrikkariyour), Karimattathu Kartha(Pulluvazhy near Perumbavoor), Kalathil Kartha (Alwaye), Chiral Kartha(Kadayiruppu, Kolenchery), Ambazhathumkal(Nattukariathil) Kartha (controlled Vennimala near pampady the capital of Thekkumkur), Anikkad Kartha, Ranni Kartha, Pattathil Kartha, Manayath Kartha, Vattakkattu Akathootu Kottayil Kartha,sankarankotha kartha, Kodassery Kartha, Vembanattu Kartha,Mannamparambath Kartha ,kallarackal kartha(Alwaye),Tholali kartha (Okkal)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(Renowned teacher & Thachu-Shastra expert), 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]
See also
References
- ^ 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
- ^ http://books.google.co.in/books?id=4bfmnmsBfQ4C
- ^ http://www.archive.org/stream/castestribesofso05thuriala/castestribesofso05thuriala_djvu.txt
- ^ Castes and Tribes of Southern India By Edgar Thurston p.284-289
- ^ Census of India, 1901, Volume 1 By India. Census Commissioner, p.131