Madampi (Nair title)

Madampi or Madambi (equivalent to Lord in English), plural Madampimār, is the Malayalam term used to refer to the landed aristocracy of Kerala, used by the uppermost subdivisions of Nairs in Kerala.[1] Pillai is the main title used by a Madampi. They were mostly found in the kingdoms of Jaisimhanadu and Venad (Travancore Kingdom). Madampis served as Jenmis or landlords and had their own Nair armies during the pre-independence era.[2] The Madambis held authority within their respective regions and had the right to adjudicate provincial disputes, often exercising greater judicial power than the kings themselves. Their power was severely reduced after the Communist government passed the Land Reforms Ordinance.[3]

The title Madampi was also used in Cochin, to denote the Nair and Nambudiri chiefs who ruled under the Maharajah of Cochin.[4] A few Nambuthiri landlord families, most notable of whom being those in Vanjipuzha and Makilanjeri, were also given the Madampi title.[5] In Cochin, the Madampis had their own armies, but seldom numbered more than 100. Their power was only a little bit higher than that of the Desavazhis.[6] Madampis supplied chieftains along with soldiers in times of war to the King.[7]Madampimars the members of the family hold a unique position of healthy influence amongst the Nair Madampis.[8]

Other titles used by the Nairs include Kurup, Pillai, Valiathan, Kaimal, Thampi, Chempakaraman, Unnithan, Nambiar, Panicker, Nayanar, Kartha and Menon.

See also

References

  1. ^ Menon, T. Madhava; Linguistics, International School of Dravidian (2000). A handbook of Kerala. International School of Dravidian Linguistics. pp. 139, 170. ISBN 978-81-85692-27-2.
  2. ^ Lannoy, Mark de (1997). The Kulasekhara Perumals of Travancore: History and State Formation in Travancore from 1671 to 1758. Leiden University. ISBN 978-90-73782-92-1.
  3. ^ The Spirituality of Basic Ecclesial Communities in the Socio-Religious Context of Trivandrum/Kerala, India By Selvister Ponnumuthan p.146
  4. ^ A handbook of Kerala, Volume 1 By T. Madhava Menon, International School of Dravidian Linguistics p.139
  5. ^ The Indian economic and social history review, Volume 28 By Delhi School of Economics p.312
  6. ^ Marriage and the family in Kerala: with special reference to matrilineal castes By Joseph Puthenkalam p.10
  7. ^ Kerala district gazetteers, Volume 10 By A. Sreedhara Menon p.108
  8. ^ The madres states and mysore directory p.321
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