Talk:Nair subcastes

Apparently my original piece got removed or something ? Or it got flagged ? Whatever maybe th

Anyway here's the original piece I had written :

Ok so they again removed my original piece and they're sabotaging this time and again calling it wrong and misleading. May i know how it's wrong and misleading ? Come debate rather than throwing around your own sentiments here.

Come debate with me if you have the guts — Preceding unsigned comment added by 183.87.78.65 (talk) 13:42, 19 October 2019 (UTC)

Unfortunately I can't see my original piece here I wish I had saved it

Why can't you guys just engage in a healthy discussion rather than removing content which might not go down well with your fantasies ?

I'm sure we are all mature adults — Preceding unsigned comment added by 103.212.142.16 (talk) 14:34, 8 April 2020 (UTC)

Wrong & misleading Classification

I want to say that the classification of serikkum Nairs into Royal, Kshatriya and non-Kshatriya (i.e. Malayala Shudra) is absolutely ridiculous. When NSS was formed, one of their moto was to eradicate this divisiveness among the Nair community. Nambuthiris have termed Nairs as 'Shudra' only, but Savarnas. The Chaturvarnya classication in Kerala is significantly different from other States. I do not understand why the royal sub-divisions are brought under Nairs. They may be of Nair origins if you go by Anthropological study. Although there were ruling Nairs (For e.g. Kavalappara Moopil Nair), they were not part of official ruling Kshatriya dynasty. Hence, please avoid classifying Nairs as mentioned above. Also, I want to know how certain Nairs are classified below the other which was not present in one region. For e.g. Itasseri nairs are not seen in Malabar, and on what basis are they kept the level above others. Certainly, there are servant class of Nairs, and they are Veluthedan, Vilakkithala, Chakkala, Chempukotti. Are they part of NSS now? They have seperate samajams. They benefit from OBC reservation. Then, why do you classify them under Nairs. These are servant castes only to discharge certain duties to Nairs and Nambuthiris. Further, Padamangalam and Tamil Padam are never part of NairsAlso, I do not understand why Vellodis, Eradis, Thirumulpads are brought under Nairs. They are Samantha Kshatriyas i.e. equal to Kshatriya. Samoothiri is also a Samantha Kshatriya. One has to bear in mind that, Thampi, Unnithan, Valiyathan, Kaimal, Kartha, Menoki, Panickar, Kurup, Nambiar (Nair sect), Pillai, Menon are only honorific surname bestowed upon any subsect of Nairs only. I know shudra nairs and Vattakadan nairs bearing Menon surname. I know Pallichan nairs bearing Kurup surname. Hence, please classify Nairs as under: 1.Pillai 1. Kiriyathil 2. Illathu 3. Swaroopathil 4. Itasseri / Pallichhan 5. Vattekadan 6. Athikuruichi

All other subsects are no more part of Nairs. Please check up with NSS.

As I assume, one can observe that, Kerala had a ruling sect (the so called official Kshatriyas)

—Preceding unsigned comment added by 122.184.59.99 (talk) 13:02, 1 March 2010 (UTC) 

Shudra and Pallichhan

I have been visiting this article for long and I have a few suggestions and queries. In my area (Valluvanad), there are a majority sect called 'Sudra Nair' and they fall right below the Kiriyathil Nair. They are mostly employed in Illams for household work (like 'Irikkanamma') and as Karyasthan etc. In the heirarchy, where is their place falling to? Also, the Pallichhan sub-sect is enjoying a higher position (unlike what is shown there) below the 'Sudra' Nair. They were palanquin bearers for Namboothiris and Naduvazhis, hence they enjoyed a good status in the society. Sub-sects like Chembukotti, Vilakkithala, Chakala, Veluthedan are OBCs, and they were given the titile 'Nair' only to distinguish them from others. They were sub-sects only to perform some duties (barber, washing, oil mongoering etc) for the higher sects, and Nairs belonging to higher sects do not marry with them also even now-a-days. So, you may please delete them from the sub-sects of Nairs. Expect your views. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Sajeev Nair (talk • contribs) 10:47, 13 February 2010 (UTC)

The caste hierarchy shown here is that given by V Nagam Aiya in Travancore Manual. Since Valluvanad is in Malabar, the caste hierarchy might be different. If you can find some other scholarly reference for the caste hierarchy amongst various Nair subcastes, it will be possible to change the article. 122.177.206.14 (talk) 11:51, 13 February 2010 (UTC)

Agreed with the statement above. The caste hierarchy is given in "The internal structure of the Nāyar caste" by CJ Fuller. The original source is jāti-nirnayam, which was reproduced in Travancore State Manual by Nagam Aiya. Agreed that the Pallichan ranked above Chakkala, Asthikurachi.etc. But their rank was below that of Nāyar proper, Marar, Itasseri Nair.etc. Off course, Nagam Aiya considers the situation in South Kerala only. But as more than 60% of the Nairs live in Travancore (1931 Census), I don't think it needs to be changed. Suresh.Varma.123 (talk) 19:20, 29 July 2010 (UTC)

Added Nambiar

I just added Nambiar to Nair subcaste........I dont know in which section it belongs...........Pls help.... ARUNKUMAR P.R (talk · contribs) 12:47, 17 October 2009 (UTC)

Nambiar is not a caste. It is a title. Just like Menon and Pillai. People holding the title Nambiar can belong to two castes: Kiryathil Nair (99%) and Samanthan Nair. So they will be either No.2 or No.3 in the caste hierarchy, not No.10. Also some of the Nambiars were considered to be Ambalavasi, and thus Brahmin. They are very few in number. Yusuf.Abdullah (talk) 18:29, 17 October 2009 (UTC)

k..k..thnks.... ARUNKUMAR P.R (talk · contribs) 04:52, 18 October 2009 (UTC)

Nambiars of North Malabar in olden days do not intermarry with the southern Kiryathil Nairs, and considered themselves superior. Many were Samanthans, although traditionlly vegetarians today many of them eat meat like a good number of the Nairs doing pooja with meat and toddy. Just like the modern day Nambuthiris, except those employed in Temple do not adhere to strict vegetarianism. Taking bread, cake or ice cream that contain egg unknowingly. The famous M.N. Nambiar was a strict vegetarian.

They enjoyed a reduced pollution observation of 14 days, which is that of a Samanthan. For Nairs it was 15 days. In the 1901 Census, many of them registered as a Samanthan caste.

Taken from the book "Caste and tribes of South India" :

The Samantans are summed up as follows in the Gazetteer of Malabar. " Samantan is the generic name of the group of castes forming the aristocracy of Malabar, and it includes the following divisions : Nambiyar, Unnitiri, Adiyodi, all belonging to North Malabar ; and Nedungadi, Vallodi, Eradi, and Tirumulpad, all belonging to South Malabar.--161.139.147.17 (talk) 09:21, 14 January 2010 (UTC)

Just because they considered themselves superior, they don't become superior. Nambiars are not Samantan. Axxn (talk) 09:23, 14 January 2010 (UTC)

Its the same as the Nothern Europeans who considered themselves superior to the Southern Europeans, which is just nonsense. However, the Nambiars were Samanthans according to the census. Please do not give your personal opinion.--161.139.147.17 (talk) 09:30, 14 January 2010 (UTC)

Pallicchan - status

I have been surprisingly observing one thing about the classification among Nairs into Khshatriya and Shudra. It is needless to mention here, there are no such classifications as Namboothiri brahmins have classified Nairs into 'Shudra' but with Savarna status. This was mainly to create a community which can protect Namboothiris in following their highly conservative customs. And of course, divisions formed within Nair sect with the objective to support either Brahmins or the ruling dynasty, the Kshatriya. Based on the highest proximity to either Namboothiris or Kshatriya, the divisions among nairs enjoyed higher status.

It is in this reference, I would like to reiterate about the position of Pallicchan which is found only in Malabar (from Trichur to Kannur region mainly). This subcaste is not at all seen in Travancore or Cochin areas. They were mainly discharging duties as Palanquin bearers for the naduvazhis, and no way connected with the household work in Illams. They were not performing any kind of subordinate work to other nair sects. They enjoyed the status right below the so called 'Shudra' nairs in Malabar region (especially in Valluvanad) which is equivalent to the Illathur Nairs in Travancore or Cochin. In this context, please see the Swaroopathil Nairs who were performing duties under various functions to ruling families,and Pallicchan are really a part of this. Nagam Aiyya would not have learned much about this sect and hence no mention of this sect anywhere in his books.

Also, it is imperative to note that, why a sect which is seen at particular region be classified under some other sects present in other areas only. Or please explain what way the profession of Pallicchan is inferior to Chembukotti, Ottattu or Itasseri or so. I request the author to travel to Valluvanadu and find out more details. Hence, I have placed them right below Swaroopathil Nairs, or if possible, we should include under them. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Sajeev Nair (talk • contribs) 12:07, 6 August 2010 (UTC)

If you think Pallichan is above other castes like Itasseri Nair and Padamangalam Nair, then give evidence. Don't engage in edit war and removal of sourced content. I have confirmed the original content from here, and therefore I am reverting it. Chandrakantha.Mannadiar (talk) 16:17, 6 August 2010 (UTC)

I am not into any edit war. But understand, and explain to me why a subcaste which is seen at Malabar be kept below any other subcastes which is not at all seen in Malabar, but seen either in Travancore or Cochin. Even if it is done so, one has to go by the profession at least. I have gone through the artciles attached by you. Have you noticed that there are quite a few details about Pallicchan mentioned in any of these artciles? Why one cannot go by 'Gough's school of thought wherein Pallicchan is placed even above Illam. Now someone has placed 'Itasseri' right below Swaroopam. I did not edit so that Pallicchan is placed even about Kiriyam, but only at a position which this subcaste obviously deserve. If you have ever travelled to Malabar, especially in Valluvanadu area, no one talk about Illam, Swaroopam, Itasseri etc. whereas they are equally referred to as 'Shudra', 'Pallicchan' according to which they are attached to Namboothiri illams or Kshatriya Kovilakams respectively. Palanquin or Pallichumudu were not allowed to all, but only to Rajas or Naduvazhis, and hence, Pallicchans were attached to Kovilakams only. You know, there are Pallicchan families honoured by 'Kurup' surname. So long as you believe Nairs are classified into 'Kshatriya' and 'Shudra' (though it is not) in Kerala history, I want to continue with this editing as I definitely believe they deserve a place among them (i mean 'malayala kshatriya). I am of the opinion that the Nair community definitely deserved to be classired as Kshatriya as they are the only official warrior community of Kerala. There may not be many books written about Pallicchan, but that is not the benchmark to place them below any other category which performed low esteem duties. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Sajeev Nair (talk • contribs) 11:30, 10 August 2010 (UTC)

I have made it clear that I am not personally against any caste. And I am not disputing Kshatriya status of Pallichan either. Nairs can be broadly classified in to two groups, Nair Proper (those descendants of Nagavanshis who immigrated from Ahikshetra) and Nair Inferior (those servant subcastes like Vilakkithalavan and Veluthedan who were promoted to the rank of Nairs by the Nambuthiris, since any caste below Nair would be untouchable). Usually the servant subcastes were not allowed to take part in Royal armies (at least in Travancore and Cochin) and there is no basis to call them Kshatriya. Since Pallichan is a part of Nair proper and used to take part in army, there is no doubt about their status.

Now the second part. Pallichan is not a Malabari caste. It is a caste found mostly in Cochin, but also in South Malabar. 15% of all Nairs in Cochin are Pallichan, while only 4% of those in Malabar are Pallichan. And according to Cochin Census report of 1891, Pallichan is below Vellayma, Kiryathil, Illathu and Charnathu, but above Vattakkadan and Athikurichi. You can claim that Pallichan of Cochin is different from that of South Malabar. But it will be like some Ambalavasi idiot arguing that Maarar of Travancore is inferior to Maarar of Malabar. (Both are the same caste, but Maarar of Travancore is treated as a middle ranking caste and proper Nairs - Illakkar, Swaroopakkar and Itasseri, don't even allow them to enter their homes). It is ironic that Maarar are a thread wearing Ambalavasi Brahmin caste and Travancore Nairs (who are non-thread wearing) treat them like some Ezhavar.

I will give another example. Since you are from Palghat, you will be familiar with the high status Iyer Brahmins enjoy there. (There are even mythical stories about the one or two sambadham marriages which they had with Nair women). At the same time, in South Travancore (untill recently) they were treated even below Maarar. (The ill treatment they suffered at the hands of Nairs was definitely a reason behind the usage of the term "Malayala Sudra" which was widely used in the Travancore Censuses which were manned by the Iyers). If you ask any Nair in South Travancore, they will say that the real Sudras of Travancore were the Iyers. Does that mean that they are not Brahmin? 80% of the Iyers live in Palghat and the caste system which is followed in Palghat must be used to determine the status of the Iyer community.

Also, I'd like to bring another thing to notice. Out of the 20 or so subdivisions among the Nairs, only one (Kiryam) had the right to take food in the company of a Namboothiri. This right was only enjoyed by a very few other castes (for example the Potty Brahmins, Varmas of Kottayam, Varmas of Cochin, Varmas of Kurumbranadu as well as the Moosad-Elayad sections of Ambalavasis). Every other caste, even those of Brahmin origin (Iyer, Konkani GSB, Embraanthiri in some localities.etc) would pollute a Namboothiri with his touch. As per your conclusion, Pallichan were a martial caste and therefore they should rank above servant castes like Otattu. But if it was the case, then why the Nambiars are treated even above other Brahmins by the Nambuthiris? As far as I know, unlike the Kshatriya Thirumulpads of Cochin, Nambiar of North Malabar is pure-Kshtatriya and never performs any priestly function. In that case they should rank below the so called Brahmins. There is an ironic twist to this. Usually higher ranking castes are having shorter pollution periods (pula). Nambuthiris are having a pula of 10 days, Varmas of Cochin 11 days, Nambiars of Kalliat 12 days, Illakkar 15 days, South Malabar Samanthan 14 days.etc. Then what will you say about the Maharajah of Travancore? Maharajah of Travancore is a Samanthan Nair (Unnithiri division) who should observe 14 days of Pula. However after doing hiranyagarbha yagna every 6 years, he will be promoted to a Samanta Kshatriya and his pollution period will be reduced to 11 days. (But during the conduct of the yagna, he remains as a Samanthan and can't eat with Nambuthiris). But in 1855, Lord Harris forcefully terminated this yagna function, which reduced the Maharajah's caste status to Samanthan. However (as far as I know), the Nambuthiris acknowledged that the Maharajah is a rightful Kshatriya after this targedy and never questioned his Kshatriyahood. Does this means the Travancore Maharajah is inferior in status to some Nair-Nambiar from Kalliat?

And why you are emphasizing that the Pallichans used the title Kurup? I have myself uploaded the Cochin Census Data of 1891 here and you can see that Pallichan Kurup was even enumerated as a separate subcaste. I would like to point out a few errors in your statement. (1) Pallichan served both the Nambuthiris as well as the high ranking Kshatriyas. (2) Castes like Illakkar are not inferior since they served Brahmins. For example, Illakkar are considered superior because of their vegetarian diet and due to the fact that 99% of the aristocratic families of Travancore are descended from them. Even intermarriages with Itasseri Nairs were counted as "Inter Caste Marriage" during census enumerations. (2) Swaroopakkar is a very high ranking caste, just below the Illakkar. Many of the royal armies like those in North & Central Travancore principalities were manned and commanded by them. Their equivalents, the Charna Nairs were considered to be the most high ranking of the Zamorin's soldiers (Paricha Menons, Charna Menons.etc). (3) Maarar is inferior to Illakkar, Swaroopakkar and Itasseri in Travancore. But Maarar is superior to Pallichan in both Malabar and Cochin. (Only Kiryam is above Maarar in South Malabar). Then how can you say that Pallichan is superior to the above said castes? (Don't repeat the Ambalavasi BS that both are separate castes..... everyone knows the truth). (4) Both Kiryathil and Illathil are regarded as "Nair superior" and they usually don't marry from ordinary Nair castes. (A) However I have noticed that Otattu and Chempukotti is ranked above Pallichan in the Jatinirnayam, which seems wrong. I need some time to study these two cases and I hope I will be able to find some references and close this damn issue permanently within one month's time. Be patient till then, and contribute by posting references here.

And finally, just a small reminder. There is no "low" Nair subcaste. Even the lowest of the Nair subdivisions enjoy a relatively higher status compared to other castes (take for example the case of middle ranking castes like the Ezhavas, Moplahs, Nadars, Kammalars.etc) Go through the Travancore Census report of 1901 and you can see that the lowest Nair(??) subcaste (Vilakkithalavan) is placed above Kammalars, Kammalars above Nadars, Nadars above Ezhavas.etc...... When a subdivision ranks above 80% of the total population, then you don't call it a "low" caste. Suresh.Varma.123 (talk) 16:14, 10 August 2010 (UTC)

Dear Varma, I agree with most of your views which I was unware of as I am from the south malabar area (valluvanad), but I may disagree with you on certain other points. The conflict arises when we try to compare between or among subcastes which are seen at particular region only. Let me explain you that, in south malabar, the nairs are ranked in the order of Kiriyathil, Shudra (is it equivalent to 'Illthau' of travancore?, pls tell me), Pallichan, Ashitikurichi and Vattakadan. Castes like Chakkala (rather known as chakkaan), Veluthedan and Vilakkathala are only with the 'Nair' titles only to distinguish from backward castes (as you said, by Namboothiris) and with whom the original Nairs do not indulge in any marital relationship even now-a-days. You know they are clssified under OBC. There are no subcastes like Itasseri, Ottatu, Chembukkotti etc. in south malabar, and also even the so-called superior Swaroopathil, tamil padam and padamangalam. Maraan or Marar are not part of Nair community here, but they form part of Amabavalassi group (like Warrier, Pisharody, Poduval etc). In travancore, they might be under the Nair category,but are u sure is there any member from Marar or Maran is a member in NSS? I do not think so.

As regard to Iyer community, though they were held almost equal with Namboothiris, marriage with them was not cosidered of any high esteem. Also regarding Nambiar, I know there are two different Nambiar sect, one is seen mainly in North Malabar, who are strict vegetarian, and I do agree with you that they are pure Kshatriyas. They normally married from Ambalavassis or Samanthan Nairs because of their vegeterian life style. Another Nambiar sect is seen in south malabr, who are normally referred to Nair Nambiar and they do not follow a vegetarian food style. But they married mainly from Kiriyathil as they were regarded equal to Kriyam. Namboothiris would have considered only the north malabr Nambiar only, above any other brahmins.

—Preceding unsigned comment added by Sajeev Nair (talk • contribs) 11:22, 12 August 2010 (UTC)

Mr Sajeeve Nair there are Marans is NSS these Marans usually carry Surname 'Nair'because they prefer to be recognised as Nair not Maran even though here in travencore region they are part NSS pure Nairs didn't consider them as Nair.What you said about Veluthedan is true. ßàŕæþh (talk) 06:11, 22 November 2020 (UTC)

Hierarchy

Since it is getting heavy here, let us decide which of the following hierarchies should be used (Details):

• Jatinirnayam
• V Nagam Aiya
• Iyer
• Innes
• Gough

Please vote below and add your opinions. Shannon1488 (talk) 02:34, 7 August 2010 (UTC)

• Jati Nirnayam: Since it is covering entire Kerala and dates back to 16th century. All other works are either biased or inaccurate. Shannon1488 (talk) 02:35, 7 August 2010 (UTC)

• Jati Nirnayam: Only reliable source. Chandrakantha.Mannadiar (talk) 16:48, 7 August 2010 (UTC)

• Jati Nirnayam: As per the arguments above. Suresh.Varma.123 (talk) 02:54, 10 August 2010 (UTC)

Classification

The classification of nairs found in Wikipedia is wrong by atleast 50%. people have added / removed information as they supposed. one main thing to note is that there were several differences in classification both in Malabar, Kochi and Travancore. Talking about Travancore Swaroopathil nairs in Travancore, they were inferior to Itasseri nairs and untouchability existed between them. I am 80 years old and have witnessed the same in my life. Intermarriage between Itasseri nairs & Swaroopathil nairs was also absent before the 50 years, whereas Illathu nairs and Itasseri nairs had intermarriage relationships and according to the cast hierarchy Itasseri Nairs fall just under Illathu Nairs. Wikipedia has to take this information into consideration and make appropriate changes.

There are many smaller groups shown in the sub castes, which were also a part of Nair community. For eg: Chaliyan Nair (and it is actually a group of several castes termed as saliya, chaliya, or chali were mainly weaver and merchant communities who thought to have come down from Karnataka, Tamil and Telugu people) is part of Nair community and still is having marriages from the other known groups of Nairs. They wont marry Ezhavas or lower castes and many are having a Pillai title for those belonging to its higher sub castes like Pattarya Pillai (They are said to be Pattu-Aryan, a special silk weaving merchant community). They are small in number, but mentioned as one of the 18 major classifications of Nairs. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 78.101.240.186 (talk) 06:12, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

You are right. Untouchability existed between Swaroopathil Nairs and Itasseri Nairs. Swaroopathil Nairs considered Itasseri as untouchable. Chandrakantha.Mannadiar (talk) 07:48, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

Edit request from 78.101.240.186, 24 August 2010

{{editsemiprotected}} Regardig Classification - Wikipedia has to take this information into consideration and make appropriate changes.

The classification of nairs found in Wikipedia is wrong by atleast 50%. people have added / removed information as they supposed. one main thing to note is that there were several differences in classification both in Malabar, Kochi and Travancore. Talking about Travancore Swaroopathil nairs in Travancore, they were inferior to Itasseri nairs and untouchability existed between them. I am 80 years old and have witnessed the same in my life. Intermarriage between Itasseri nairs & Swaroopathil nairs was also absent before the 50 years, whereas Illathu nairs and Itasseri nairs had intermarriage relationships and according to the caste hierarchy those days Itasseri Nairs fall just under Illathu Nairs. These can be clearly seen in some books of those days. espcially to mention books on Tiruvalla sreevallabha temple - 18 Karayum Vallabhanum.

Secondly, there are many groups shown in the subcastes, which were not a part of Nair community at all. The british just grouped up several castes under the category Nair. That was not which we Nairs were following. For eg: Chaliyan Nair is not a nair and it is termed as saliya, chaliya, or chali were just weaver communities who have come down from karnataka

78.101.240.186 (talk) 06:20, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

Reject: This guy has been vandalizing this article for sometime now, pushing POV without any proper references. No one is adding the information as they like. The data in the article is taken from the works of CJ Fuller and is supported by at least a dozen other reliable sources such as Travancore State Manual, Malabar Manual by William Logan, Malabar Gazateer by Innes, Changing Kinship Usages by Gough.etc. It is clear from these works that itasseri Nair is below all other Nair subcastes. Furthermore, this details the classification done by several sociologists, and none of them considers Itasseri Nair as a high ranking Nair subcaste. Therefore I request the admins to reject the request. Chandrakantha.Mannadiar (talk) 07:45, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

Not done: please provide reliable sources that support the change you want to be made. Also per above as POV issues. --Stickee (talk) 08:11, 24 August 2010 (UTC)

Edit request from 202.83.38.161, 17 September 2010

{{edit semi-protected}} Please change "According to the British reports, the process is perhaps most apparent in the cases of the Veluthedathu Nair and Vilakkithala Nair." to include Chakkala Nair also, since Wilipedia-Chakkala Nair itself says that Chakkala Nair is of the same status as these two.

202.83.38.161 (talk) 16:24, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

User:Wolfnix/toolbox/reflink2

Done I agree, I have made the changes you have requested. --Wolfnix • Talk • 17:20, 17 September 2010 (UTC)

Marar - status

Marars are not considered as Nairs but Ambalavasis in Malabar (Valluvanaadu and north). They may intermarry with Poduvals in South Malabar, but usually do not marry a Nair. In South they may be called as Maaran and in the past has come under the fold of NSS. But this is specifically in South Kerala probably because they are ethnically Tamil origin Maaran. The caste hierarchy listing needs to clear this and needs to mention Marars south of Malabar under Nair, since it gives the false impression that Marars fall under the Nair community. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.131.224.239 (talk) 03:40, 21 January 2011 (UTC)

Marar of Travancore-Cochin is a part of Marar Samajam, not the NSS. Untill late 19th century, they were considered a part of the enlarged Nair community, like some other Ambalavasi groups like Vaatti, Daivampati, Payyampati, Adikal.etc. Then onwards the Iyer census takers counted them as a separate category. They are not Tamil, they are Keralite. Tamil Marars are known as Muttal Marar, they number only a few hundred. Most of the Nair connection now is finished in Travancore. Earlier Nairs had power so everyone wanted to join the Nair fold. Now there is no power, so no incentive for Marars to remain as Nair. There is no distinction between Marar of Malabar and that of Travancore now, both intermarry. Even the subcastes are same. Also, it must be noted that only the highest subcaste of Marar, Asupani is higher to some Nair subcastes in Malabar. Other ones like Sheethikan Marar and Asthikkuruchchi Marar are lower to all major Nair castes, even in Malabar. All Marar subcastes, including Asupani is inferior to Swaroopathil Nair in Travancore. Anyway till 1890 they were considered a part of Nair, and therefore needs to be mentioned. It is already mentioned that they are Ambalavasi. Chandrakantha.Mannadiar (talk) 04:09, 21 January 2011 (UTC)

I stand corrected in that the Maraans of Travancore-Cochin is a part of Marar Samajam, not the NSS. I can understand how Marars of South Kerala would have come under the fold of Nairs and their position in changed, partly owing to the general strengthening of the Southern Nair's status during the times of Tippo and ensuing British rule of Malabar. But Marars of Malabar are synonymous with Asupani and the term Maraan is not used there. In fact in Valluvanaadu and north of it, they were never considered as Nairs forget inferior to a Nambiar or Nair. This tilted view seems to stem from the fact that all reference material for Marars have been borrowed from the following documents which obviously pertain to Travancore-Cochin:

• Travancore State Manual by V.Nagam Aiya
• Cochin State Manual by Achutan Menon
• Castes and Tribes of Southern India by Edgar Thurston

The other sub groups such as Adikal, Daivampati, Payyampati are not found in Malabar and are not considered to be temple (not kaavu but ambalam - there is a very important distinction here) servants. My point is that, when you include Marars under a heirarchy classification for Nairs without specifying that you are talking about Maraans South of Malabar, it paints a wrong picture. This is even more erronious since there are other classes of Nairs included in this same heirarchy who are not found in Malabar. Status of a community or a subcaste, in society, changes from time to time and from place to place (especially when the social dynamics of the place is different, like when you have a place ruled by a different kingdom for hundreds of years). These are not necessarily equatable. And when a topic like position of Caste within society (which in itself is a very touchy and subjective topic) is written under an encyclopedic format without sufficiently footnoting the nature of the documents referenced, these topics are very easy prey for edit wars.

In fact I tend to question this whole section on Heirarchy within Nair subcastes when you see Nairs being classified as Kshatriyas and Ambalavasis being called Ambalavasi Brahmin. This is just factually incorrect. There were Brahmins, Antarala jati (i.e. intermediate between Brahmins and Shudra), Shudra, Patita jati, Neecha jati etc... in the 72 castes mentioned in Jati Nirnayam. And all Nairs were classified under Shudra including Marars. There is a story regarding why Marars were classed as Shudra rather than Antarala jati (like the rest of the temple servants); this had to do with helping Shankaracharya's mother's cremation. But the treatment of Marar as Shudra was in practiced only in the South of Kerala (probably because Shankara was from Kaladi). But these are just that, stories without supporting evidence. The fact that needs to be mentioned to keep the section legitimate is, that there a clear distinction between various castes (and their heirarchy) in Malabar and south of Malabar. This is probably caused due to the years of being under different kingdoms and which was further accentuated by Malabar getting clubbed under general British rule and south of Malabar being able to enjoy King's rule. The lack of discerning this fact is getting more and more obvious from all the posts that has been happening in the discussion section. Infact there was a very clear demarcation between North Malabar and South Malabar itself, but years of British rule made that pointless. My suggestion is to 1. remove this "ranking" system altogether and just list the subcastes and/or 2. quote the exact time period from the mentioned source and the region where these heirarchy was in practice. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.131.224.239 (talk) 02:37, 22 January 2011 (UTC)

I have edited the article, so to exclude Malabar Marar from the classification. I am not removing Marar as whole, since according to the 1901 Census, 75% of all the Marars were resident in Travancore. And the Shudra / Kshatriya thing. As per the earlier discussions in the Nair talk page, the Nambuthiri caste hierarchy, which calls everyone except a Nambuthiri as a Sudra is unacceptable. The so called "Kshatriyas" shown in various censuses of Travancore.etc are also fake ones, as Travancore Raja was a Samantan of Unnithiri caste. As noted by CJ Fuller, William Logan and many other ethnologists, the ruling classes of Kerala were either Nairs or clans originated from the Nairs. And for you, who try to score points by saying that Nairs are Sudra, I humbly request you to go through the 1881 Census of India, which says all Ambalavasis are Sudra. Also go through the 1916 court case against Sri Mannathu. The whole "Antarala" thing is a joke. For all Marars the death pollution is 16 days (same for all Sudras), while some Nair clans are having 12 days of DP. Well... if you are so insistent, then you can say Nairs are Sudra. But you won't be able to prove that Marar is above Nair. My point is in Malabar most of the Nair subcastes were below Marar, while the reverse was true in Travancore. Taking in to account only the Asupanis of Malabar who constitute just 5-10% of the total Marar population and saying that they are above Nairs is like saying that all of Nairs were Samantans or Nambiars or Menons. And for your information, Nambiars of North Malabar is considered superior to even middle ranking Ambalavasis like Pisharodis, which can be seen from Malbar Manual. 203.180.31.94 (talk) 03:39, 22 January 2011 (UTC)

How come Asupanis become higher than Nairs? Most of the Maarar in Travancore are Asupani. And they are inferior to Nair proper (Subcaste-wise population can be seen from Vol2 of Travancore Census, Imperial Tables). Chandrakantha.Mannadiar (talk) 04:45, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

Arbitrary heading

I was raised completely in Northern India and was raised as Nair and as forward caste. Now, after 25 years I've been told by parents that we belong to Velluthedathu Nair. However, I do not want to associate myself with Velluthedathu Nair as nor my parents or my siblings have used/misused any OBC benefits. Is there a way to come out of Velluthedathu Nair caste? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 165.225.104.79 (talk) 15:39, 18 January 2017 (UTC)

This is not a matter that Wikipedia can resolve, sorry. This talk page is for discussing improvements to the article which, in any case, is actually redirected to the Nair article. - Sitush (talk) 18:15, 19 August 2017 (UTC)

Why were there less Samanthan Nairs in Travancore region?

Karthas ,kaimals were land ruling castes in northern Travancore region in olden days.Famous Meenachil karthas ruled pala region,kaimals did the Ernakulam region .It is amusing to know ,the antarala castes like adiyodi (union of kshatriya father and nair woman in malabar region) was considered Samanthan but not Thampi in Travancore. Malker162 (talk) 12:00, 29 July 2021 (UTC)