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{{Short description|Microstate princes in Kerala, India}} | |||
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{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}} | ||
[[File:India Kerala locator map.svg|thumb|Location of Kerala in India]] | [[File:India Kerala locator map.svg|thumb|Location of Kerala in India]] | ||
'''Naduvazhi''' ( [[IAST]]:''nātuvāḻi''; {{literally| | '''Naduvazhi''', also known as '''Deshavazhi'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44145910|title=Reality in Imagination:The Role of Perumals in the Narratives on Kerala History|first1=C. |last1=Adarsh|publisher=Indian History Congress|year=2005|pages=958-967}}</ref> ([[IAST]]:''nātuvāḻi''; {{literally|The ruler of the land}}), is a [[Malayalam]]<ref>{{cite web | title=Malayalam English Dictionary | website=malayalam english dictionary | url=https://malayalamenglishdictionary.com/index.php?option=com_glossary&id=3188 | access-date=2025-10-22}}</ref> term used for the feudatory [[Nair]] and [[Samantan]] princes who ruled over microstates that are now administrative parts of [[Kerala]], [[India]].<ref>{{cite journal | url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/2843423 | jstor=2843423 | title=Some Aspects of Nayar Life | last1=Panikkar | first1=Kavalam M. | journal=The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland | year=1918 | volume=48 | pages=254–293 | doi=10.2307/2843423 | url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gAiBAAAAMAAJ&q=kinship+systems+in+South+and+Southeast+Asia:+A+Study | title=Kinship Systems in South and Southeast Asia: A Study | isbn=9780706976687 | last1=Unny | first1=Govindan | publisher=Vikas Publishing House | year=1994 }}</ref> They constituted the [[aristocratic]] class of Nairs within the Hindu [[Caste system in India|caste system]] and were either kings themselves or [[nobility]] in the service of the kings of Kerala. | ||
==Function== | ==Function== | ||
Prior to the British reorganisation of the area now known as Kerala, it was divided into around ten feudal states. Each of these was governed by a ''rajah'' (king) and was subdivided into organisational units known as ''nads''. In turn, the ''nads'' were divided into ''dēsams'', which anthropologist [[Kathleen Gough]] considers to be villages.<ref name=Gough1961pp307-308>{{cite book |title=Matrilineal Kinship |editor1-first=David Murray |editor1-last=Schneider |editor2-first=E. Kathleen |editor2-last=Gough |chapter=Nayars: Central Kerala |first=E. Kathleen |last=Gough |year=1961 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0-520-02529-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lfdvTbfilYAC |authorlink=Kathleen Gough |accessdate=2011-11-07 |pages=307–308}}</ref> However, the early 20th-century historian [[K. M. Panikkar|Kavalam Panikkar]] states that the ''dēsams'' were themselves divided into ''amsas'', and that | Prior to the British reorganisation of the area now known as Kerala, it was divided into around ten feudal states. Each of these was governed by a ''rajah'' (king) and was subdivided into organisational units known as ''nads''. In turn, the ''nads'' were divided into ''dēsams'', which anthropologist [[Kathleen Gough]] considers to be villages.<ref name=Gough1961pp307-308>{{cite book |title=Matrilineal Kinship |editor1-first=David Murray |editor1-last=Schneider |editor2-first=E. Kathleen |editor2-last=Gough |chapter=Nayars: Central Kerala |first=E. Kathleen |last=Gough |year=1961 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0-520-02529-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lfdvTbfilYAC |authorlink=Kathleen Gough |accessdate=2011-11-07 |pages=307–308}}</ref> However, the early 20th-century historian [[K. M. Panikkar|Kavalam Panikkar]] states that the ''dēsams'' were themselves divided into ''amsas'', and that it was the latter unit that were the villages. He believes that generally only the ''amsas'' survived the reorganisation.<ref name=Panikkar1918pp257-258>{{cite journal | title=Some Aspects of Nayar Life| first=Kavalam Madhava |last=Panikkar| journal=Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute| date=July–December 1918| volume=48| pages=257–258| url=https://archive.org/stream/SomeAspectsOfNayarLife/SomeAspectsOfNayarLifeCopy#page/n0/mode/2up |authorlink=Kavalam Madhava Panikkar |accessdate=2011-11-07}}</ref> | ||
The person who governed the ''nad'' was known as the ''naduvazhi''. It was an inherited role, originally bestowed by a king, and of a lower ritual rank than the royal lineages. | The person who governed the ''nad'' was known as the ''naduvazhi''. It was an inherited role, originally bestowed by a king, and of a lower ritual rank than the royal lineages. They generally belonged to the [[Samantan]] or the [[Nair]] caste. However, some ''naduvazhi'' were feudatory chiefs, former kings whose territory had been taken over by, for example, the [[Zamorin]]s of [[Kozhikode|Calicut]], who was from [[Eradi]] caste of [[South Malabar|Malabar]]. In these instances, although they were obeisant to the ''rajah'' they held a higher ritual rank than the Zamorin as a consequence of their longer history of government; they also had more power than the vassal chiefs. The ''naduvazhi'' families each saw themselves as a distinct caste in the same manner as did the rajahs; they did not recognise other ''naduvazhi'' families as being equal to them.<ref name="Gough1961pp307-308" /> The ''naduvazhi'' maintained criminal and civil order and could demand military service from all Nairs below him. There was usually a permanent force of between 500 and 1000 men available and these were called upon by the ''rajah'' when required. All fighting was usually suspended during the monsoon period of May to September, when movement around the country was almost impossible. Beaten roads and wheeled vehicle transport were rare until mid 18th century.<ref name=Panikkar1918pp257-258/><ref>{{cite book |title=Matrilineal Kinship |editor1-first=David Murray |editor1-last=Schneider |editor2-first=E. Kathleen |editor2-last=Gough |chapter=Nayars: Central Kerala |first=E. Kathleen |last=Gough |year=1961 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0-520-02529-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lfdvTbfilYAC |authorlink=Kathleen Gough|pages=302–303}}</ref> | ||
==Titles== | ==Titles== | ||
Naduvazhis of Kerala used different titles | '''Naduvazhis''' of [[Kerala]] used different titles. Common among them are [[Raja]], [[Adiyodi|Kidāvu]], [[Adiyodi|Unnithiri]], [[Adiyodi]], [[Pillai (Kerala title)|Pillai]], [[Prabhu]], [[Thirumulpad|Thirumalpad]], [[Kaimal|Samantan Kaimal]], [[Kartha|Karthav]], Thampan, etc. The Deshavazhis, who were ranked beneath them, used the title [[Kaimal]], [[Kartha|Karthav]], kurup, [[Nayanar (Nair subcaste)|Nayanar]], [[Madampi (Nair title)|Madambi Pillai]], Vāzhunnor, [[Nambiar (caste surname)|Samantan Nambiar]], [[Moopil Nair]], etc. They were wealthy and independent noble barons who ranked under the Deshavazhis and used the title [[Nambiar (Nair subcaste)]], Naluveettil Pillai, [[Unnithan]], [[Eshmanan|Eshmanan/Emān]], Mannādiar, [[Moopil Nair|Mooppil Nair]], etc. | ||
Historians, including Robin Jeffry, Faucett and Samuel Mateer, are of the opinion that as with all other Kings of Malabar (Kerala), the Cochin Raja ( | Historians, including Robin Jeffry, Faucett and Samuel Mateer, are of the opinion that as with all other [[Malabar Coast|Kings of Malabar Coast]] (Kerala), the [[Kingdom of Cochin|Cochin Raja]] and [[Venad (kingdom)|Venadu Swarupam]] was also of [[Samantan]] or [[Nair]] origin. Mateer states: ''"There seems reason to believe that the whole of the kings of Malabar also, notwithstanding the pretensions set up for them of late by their dependents, belong to the same great body, and are homogeneous with the mass of the people called Nairs.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=7aoJAQAAIAAJ Culture and society: a festschrift to Dr. A. Aiyappan]</ref> Sometimes the naduvazhi was given the additional title of Prabhu by the Raja, if he had a higher than average number of Nairs under his command. He was called Ayyayira Prabhu, if he had 5,000 Nairs, and if he had 10,000 or more, then he was called a Pathinayira Prabhu."''<ref name="Panikkar2008">{{cite book|author=T. K. Gopal Panikkar|title=Malabar and Its Folk|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bHaTAsY9_OcC&pg=PA111%3C%2Fref%3E|accessdate=10 June 2011|publisher=Hamlin Press|isbn=978-1-4437-1802-8|page=111}}</ref> | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
*[[ | *[[Jenmi]] | ||
*[[Madampi (Nair title)|Madampi]] | |||
* | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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[[Category:History of the Nair]] | [[Category:History of the Nair]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Kingdoms of Kerala]] | ||
Latest revision as of 22:36, 11 March 2026
Naduvazhi, also known as Deshavazhi[1] (IAST:nātuvāḻi; lit. 'The ruler of the land'), is a Malayalam[2] term used for the feudatory Nair and Samantan princes who ruled over microstates that are now administrative parts of Kerala, India.[3][4] They constituted the aristocratic class of Nairs within the Hindu caste system and were either kings themselves or nobility in the service of the kings of Kerala.
Function[edit | edit source]
Prior to the British reorganisation of the area now known as Kerala, it was divided into around ten feudal states. Each of these was governed by a rajah (king) and was subdivided into organisational units known as nads. In turn, the nads were divided into dēsams, which anthropologist Kathleen Gough considers to be villages.[5] However, the early 20th-century historian Kavalam Panikkar states that the dēsams were themselves divided into amsas, and that it was the latter unit that were the villages. He believes that generally only the amsas survived the reorganisation.[6]
The person who governed the nad was known as the naduvazhi. It was an inherited role, originally bestowed by a king, and of a lower ritual rank than the royal lineages. They generally belonged to the Samantan or the Nair caste. However, some naduvazhi were feudatory chiefs, former kings whose territory had been taken over by, for example, the Zamorins of Calicut, who was from Eradi caste of Malabar. In these instances, although they were obeisant to the rajah they held a higher ritual rank than the Zamorin as a consequence of their longer history of government; they also had more power than the vassal chiefs. The naduvazhi families each saw themselves as a distinct caste in the same manner as did the rajahs; they did not recognise other naduvazhi families as being equal to them.[5] The naduvazhi maintained criminal and civil order and could demand military service from all Nairs below him. There was usually a permanent force of between 500 and 1000 men available and these were called upon by the rajah when required. All fighting was usually suspended during the monsoon period of May to September, when movement around the country was almost impossible. Beaten roads and wheeled vehicle transport were rare until mid 18th century.[6][7]
Titles[edit | edit source]
Naduvazhis of Kerala used different titles. Common among them are Raja, Kidāvu, Unnithiri, Adiyodi, Pillai, Prabhu, Thirumalpad, Samantan Kaimal, Karthav, Thampan, etc. The Deshavazhis, who were ranked beneath them, used the title Kaimal, Karthav, kurup, Nayanar, Madambi Pillai, Vāzhunnor, Samantan Nambiar, Moopil Nair, etc. They were wealthy and independent noble barons who ranked under the Deshavazhis and used the title Nambiar (Nair subcaste), Naluveettil Pillai, Unnithan, Eshmanan/Emān, Mannādiar, Mooppil Nair, etc.
Historians, including Robin Jeffry, Faucett and Samuel Mateer, are of the opinion that as with all other Kings of Malabar Coast (Kerala), the Cochin Raja and Venadu Swarupam was also of Samantan or Nair origin. Mateer states: "There seems reason to believe that the whole of the kings of Malabar also, notwithstanding the pretensions set up for them of late by their dependents, belong to the same great body, and are homogeneous with the mass of the people called Nairs.[8] Sometimes the naduvazhi was given the additional title of Prabhu by the Raja, if he had a higher than average number of Nairs under his command. He was called Ayyayira Prabhu, if he had 5,000 Nairs, and if he had 10,000 or more, then he was called a Pathinayira Prabhu."[9]
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Adarsh, C. (2005). "Reality in Imagination:The Role of Perumals in the Narratives on Kerala History". Indian History Congress. pp. 958–967.
- ↑ "Malayalam English Dictionary". malayalam english dictionary. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
- ↑ Panikkar, Kavalam M. (1918). "Some Aspects of Nayar Life". The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland. 48: 254–293. doi:10.2307/2843423. JSTOR 2843423.
- ↑ Unny, Govindan (1994). Kinship Systems in South and Southeast Asia: A Study. Vikas Publishing House. ISBN 9780706976687.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Gough, E. Kathleen (1961). "Nayars: Central Kerala". In Schneider, David Murray; Gough, E. Kathleen (eds.). Matrilineal Kinship. University of California Press. pp. 307–308. ISBN 978-0-520-02529-5. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Panikkar, Kavalam Madhava (July–December 1918). "Some Aspects of Nayar Life". Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute. 48: 257–258. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
- ↑ Gough, E. Kathleen (1961). "Nayars: Central Kerala". In Schneider, David Murray; Gough, E. Kathleen (eds.). Matrilineal Kinship. University of California Press. pp. 302–303. ISBN 978-0-520-02529-5.
- ↑ Culture and society: a festschrift to Dr. A. Aiyappan
- ↑ T. K. Gopal Panikkar. Malabar and Its Folk. Hamlin Press. p. 111. ISBN 978-1-4437-1802-8. Retrieved 10 June 2011.