The Nambudiri Brahmins were at the top of the ritual caste hierarchy, outranking even the kings. Anyone who was not a Nambudiri was treated by them as an untouchable.

What is Nair caste in Kerala?

Nāyar, also spelled Nair, Hindu caste of the Indian state of Kerala. Before the British conquest in 1792, the region contained small, feudal kingdoms, in each of which the royal and noble lineages, the militia, and most land managers were drawn from the Nāyars and related castes.

How many castes are there in Kerala?

Among the Hindus, there are appro- ximately 420 castes (jati) in Kerala, and the average village contains 17 caste groups.

Is Nair high caste?

They are a low caste who became powerful by being loyal to brahmins.

Is Menon and Nair same?

Menon is a surname of the Nair community of Kerala, India, and is an honorific hereditary title, often used as an affix to one's name, bestowed by the various kings of Kerala (including the Zamorin) to the members of Nair subcastes.

Caste system in Kerala and various caste groups || കേരളത്തിൽ നിലനിന്നിരുന്ന ജാതിവ്യവസ്ഥ

Do Nairs marry Brahmins?

a form of hypergamy, whereby high-ranked Nairs married Samantans, Kshatriyas and Brahmins.

Is ezhava a low caste?

The Ezhavas are classified as an Other Backward Class by the Government of India under its system of positive discrimination.

Is Nadar a high caste?

Due to their association with toddy, the Nadars were considered lower than other middle castes, but relatively higher than the low castes, and were also prohibited to enter temples built by higher ranked castes.

Which religion is highest in Kerala?

According to 2011 Census of India figures, 54.73% of Kerala's population are Hindus, 26.56% are Muslims, 18.38% are Christians, and the remaining 0.33% follow other religions or have no religion. Various tribal people in Kerala have retained the religious beliefs of their ancestors.

Who are Nayyars?

Nayar or Nayyar is a surname that is found among Khatri community which are majorly Hindus with a minority of Sikhs and Muslims. The belong to the "Sareen" division among the Khatris.

Which is the lowest caste in Kerala?

The Nambudhri Brahmins were top of the caste hierarchy and the Pulayar were at the lowest. According to most travelers, the Nairs were placed below the kings and the Brahmins in Caste hierarchy.

What is the highest caste?

Brahmins: The highest and most esteemed caste. These people often hold the job of priest or teacher. Kshatriyas: The second caste. These people are often known traditionally as 'warriors.

Which caste is richest in India?

50.3 percent of Brahmins are in the wealthy class, 13 percent are in the lower category, and the rest are in the middle class, as per the National Health survey. One significant observation about Brahmins is that the Brahmin community can practice any occupation or source of livehood.

Which caste is highest in Tamil Nadu?

The top three castes by numbers in Tamil Nadu are Thevar (also known as Mukkulaththor), Vanniar and Kongu Vellalar (also known as Gounder). As is natural, they wield most of the political power in the state.

Is vanniyar a low caste?

Vanniyars, historically considered a lower caste, have been trying to gain upward mobility since 19th century to move away from lower status using these Agnikula myths.

What is pallar caste?

The Pallar, who prefer to be called Mallar, are an agricultural community from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The Pallars traditionally inhabited the fertile wetland area referred to as Marutham in the literary devices of the Sangam landscape.

Are Ezhavas Tamils?

The Ezhavas are a caste/community of Kerela. Other than being genetic related to the Sri Lankan Tamils like the other communities in Tamil Nadu and Kerela, they may have had some historical relations. Their name Ezhava, also pronounced Eelava, is derived from the word, Eelam.

Who is the God of Ezhava?

Ezhava is a caste in Kerala. Shiva is a Hindu god.

Is Ezhava and Thiyya same?

Ezhava of Malabar is known as Thiyya. Pinarayi Vijayan was born in Malabar. The only difference is Ezhavas were economically and socially backward while Thiyyas were a forward caste until the 1950s.

Who are Kshatriyas in Kerala?

The Hindu Upper Caste Nairs are the Kshatriyas of Kerala.

Are Nairs from Nepal?

Nairs are Naga Scythians with roots in the Central asia and Nepal (Newar) , Kshatriyas are of Ay Chera origins and Namboothiris are from Ahichatra in Uttar Pradesh. They may have similarities in their genentics because of the recent mixture in the past 1000 yrs.

What means Nair?

noun, plural Nair, Nairs. a group of Hindu castes in the Kerala region of India. a member of any one of these castes. adjective. of or relating to this group of castes or their members.