Illathu Nair
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Mostly in Travancore, also in Malabar and Cochin. | |
| Languages | |
| Malayalam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Nairs |
Illathu Nair is a subcaste of the Nair community, who have traditionally lived in the regions of Travancore in present-day Kerala, India.
Caste system
The Illathu Nairs are the highest ranking Nairs in the Travancore region. In the caste hierarchy, they were considered superior to Swaroopathil Nairs, but inferior to Samanthan Nairs and more or less on the same level as that of Kiryathil Nairs.The caste boundary between Illathu Nair and Kriyathil Nair is very vague and therefore some families among the Illathukar in the course of time may be recognized as Kiriyathils and vice versa.[1] Illathukar enjoyed special privileges in Kerala during the pre-British and British controlled era.[2]
Illakar were feudal lords, known as Naduvazhi,and controlled a limited number of militiamen under their command.these soldiers usually belonged to the Purattu Charna Nair subcaste.[3] The Illathu Nairs have been classified as Kshatriyas of the Nagavanshi lineage [4] there were few royal familys among them until the 18th centuary.The Ettuveetil Pillamar and Meenachil Karthas were the prominent Illathu nair Royalty of travancore . Most of the Illakar were landlords and aristocrasts but a considerable number served as soldiers or ministers notable Illathukar includes Iravikkutti Pillai,Velu Thampi Dalawa,Mannathu Padmanabha Pillai etc Illakar are pure vegetarians this distinguishes them from other divisions. The population of illakar has been rising since the last two centuary, at the expense of other divisions through inter marriage with other high class nairs and low death rate. Right now they consistute about 50% of nairs. Illakar mainlly used the surname Pillai (Nair title) until the mid 20th centuary ,but they currently use the surname Nair. they also used Kartha,Thampias surnames but less oftenly.
See also
References
- ^ Fuller, C. J. (Winter 1975). "The Internal Structure of the Nayar Caste". Journal of Anthropological Research 31 (4): 283–312. JSTOR 3629883.(Subscription required)
- ^ Travancore State Manual Volume I by V.Nagam Aiya, page 215
- ^ Gough, E. Kathleen (1961). "Nayars: Central Kerala". In Schneider, David Murray; Gough, E. Kathleen. Matrilineal Kinship. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-02529-5. Retrieved 2011-06-09.
- ^ Hinduism. PediaPress.