Moopil Nair
Encyclopedia
Moopil Nair is the term used to denote Nair
Naduvazhis (rulers of nads or city states) and Desavazhis (rulers of desams) of tiny feudal kingdoms on the Malabar Coast
, present day Kerala state, South India
. Moopil Nairs belonged to the Samanthan Nair subcaste of the Nair caste in the Hindu Caste system. After the fall of the Mahodayapuram Cheras in 12th century, Malabar Coast was fragmented into numerous feudal city states called nads (swaroopams), ruled by Naduvazhis. These Nads were again divided in to desams ruled by the Desavazhis or Moopil Nairs.
The most famous royal dynasty of the Moopil Nairs were Valluvakkonathiris, who ruled Valluvanad, based on present day Angadippuram. Other important royal dynasties were that of Kavalappara Moopil Nair (of Kavalappara Swaroopam
), Kuthiravattathu Moopil Nair (near Kozhikode
, commanded Samoothiri of Calicut
's cavalry forces), Mannarkad Moopil Nayar (ruled the area in and around Attappady) and Kuppathode Moopil Nair (ruled Pulpally
).
Nair
Nair , also known as Nayar , refers to "not a unitary group but a named category of castes", which historically embody several castes and many subdivisions, not all of whom bore the Nair title. These people historically live in the present-day Indian state of Kerala...
Naduvazhis (rulers of nads or city states) and Desavazhis (rulers of desams) of tiny feudal kingdoms on the Malabar Coast
Malabar Coast
The Malabar Coast is a long and narrow coastline on the south-western shore line of the mainland Indian subcontinent. Geographically, it comprises the wettest regions of southern India, as the Western Ghats intercept the moisture-laden monsoon rains, especially on their westward-facing mountain...
, present day Kerala state, South India
South India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
. Moopil Nairs belonged to the Samanthan Nair subcaste of the Nair caste in the Hindu Caste system. After the fall of the Mahodayapuram Cheras in 12th century, Malabar Coast was fragmented into numerous feudal city states called nads (swaroopams), ruled by Naduvazhis. These Nads were again divided in to desams ruled by the Desavazhis or Moopil Nairs.
The most famous royal dynasty of the Moopil Nairs were Valluvakkonathiris, who ruled Valluvanad, based on present day Angadippuram. Other important royal dynasties were that of Kavalappara Moopil Nair (of Kavalappara Swaroopam
Kavalappara Swaroopam
Kavalappara Swaroopam or Kavalappara is a former Hindu Nair feudal city-state in Malabar, South India. Kavalappara Nairs were the vassals of the Zamorins of Calicut, and ruled some parts of Ottappalam, Chittur and Palakkad. At the peak of his glory, king of Kavalappara ruled some 96 village from...
), Kuthiravattathu Moopil Nair (near Kozhikode
Kozhikode
Kozhikode During Classical antiquity and the Middle Ages, Kozhikkode was dubbed the "City of Spices" for its role as the major trading point of eastern spices. Kozhikode was once the capital of an independent kingdom of the same name and later of the erstwhile Malabar District...
, commanded Samoothiri of Calicut
History of Kozhikode
Kozhikode , also known as Calicut, is a city in the southern Indian state of Kerala. It is the third largest city in Kerala and the headquarters of Kozhikode district....
's cavalry forces), Mannarkad Moopil Nayar (ruled the area in and around Attappady) and Kuppathode Moopil Nair (ruled Pulpally
Pulpally
Pulpally is a mid-sized town in Wayanad District of Kerala, India. Geographically a "Village" under Sultan Battery Taluk and a "Grama Panchayath" under local self governance system. It is about 24 km from Sultan Battery, and is almost surrounded by forest. This place is famous for its Sita Devi...
).