Summary
Swaroopathil Nairs were one of the high ranking subcastes belonging to the Nair community in Kerala. This subcaste is found only in Travancore, where they are mostly warriors, major military castes of kerala, also involved in administrative duties in the Travancore Kingdom. They are mostly warriors of the Illam Nair landlords of Travancore.[1]
In Malabar, two related subcastes, Akathu Charna Nairs and Purathu Charna Nairs are treated as equivalent to Swaroopathil Nairs in caste hierarchy, they are popularly known as Charna Nairs. Many of them have surnames like Nair and Menon.[1]
Demographics edit
According to the 1891 Census, Swaroopathil Nairs composed around 9.2% of the total Nair population, while Akathu Charna and Purathu Charna Nairs accounted for 3.3% and 11.1% respectively.[1][page needed]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b c The Internal Structure of the Nair Caste C. J. Fuller