Madampi (Nair title)
Encyclopedia
Madampi is an aristocratic title given to the uppermost subdivisions of Nair
s in Kerala, by the Maharajahs of Travancore
and Cochin. Usually, it was given in addition to the Pillai title. Madampis served as Jenmi
s or landlords during the pre-independence era. Their power was severely reduced after the Communist government passed the Land Reforms Ordinance
. The title Madampi was also used in Cochin, to denote the 71 Nayar chiefs who ruled under the Maharajah of Cochin. A few Nambuthiri landlord families, most notable of whom being those in Vanjipuzha and Makilanjeri, were also given the Madampi title. 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. Madampis supplied chieftains along with soldiers in times
of war to the King.
This title is equivalent to titles such as Eshmanan
, Eman and Mannadiar
which were used in Cochin and Malabar areas. The Malayalam film Madampi, released in 2008 portrays the changing lifestyle of Madampis during the post-independence era.
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...
s in Kerala, by the Maharajahs of Travancore
Travancore
Kingdom of Travancore was a former Hindu feudal kingdom and Indian Princely State with its capital at Padmanabhapuram or Trivandrum ruled by the Travancore Royal Family. The Kingdom of Travancore comprised most of modern day southern Kerala, Kanyakumari district, and the southernmost parts of...
and Cochin. Usually, it was given in addition to the Pillai title. Madampis served as Jenmi
Jenmi
Jenmi is the term used to refer to the landlords of the Nair and Namboothiris castes from Kerala. In the past the majority, if not all the land was owned by these Jenmimar , and it was not unusual for an aristocratic family to own up to of land...
s or landlords during the pre-independence era. Their power was severely reduced after the Communist government passed the Land Reforms Ordinance
Land Reforms Ordinance
Due to the ancient land relations and taxation and regulation under the British Raj, at the time of independence, India inherited a semi-feudal agrarian system, with ownership of land concentrated in the hands of a few individual landlords. Since independence, there has been voluntary and state...
. The title Madampi was also used in Cochin, to denote the 71 Nayar chiefs who ruled under the Maharajah of Cochin. A few Nambuthiri landlord families, most notable of whom being those in Vanjipuzha and Makilanjeri, were also given the Madampi title. 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. Madampis supplied chieftains along with soldiers in times
of war to the King.
This title is equivalent to titles such as Eshmanan
Eshmanan
Eshmanan corruption of Yajamaana is a term used in Kerala to refer to an individual of high social standing. The term means "lord" in Old Malayalam and referred to Chemb azhi nambi or Nambiars, Unnithans and other Samanthan Nair caste members who occupied the position of rulers and chieftains...
, Eman and Mannadiar
Mannadiar
Mannadiar is one of the subclan of the Nair community among Keralites. The title "Mannadiar" was awarded by the Maharajah of Cochin to those Nairs who excelled in warrior skills. They are mostly found in the Central Kerala region...
which were used in Cochin and Malabar areas. The Malayalam film Madampi, released in 2008 portrays the changing lifestyle of Madampis during the post-independence era.
See also
- NairNairNair , 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...
- EshmananEshmananEshmanan corruption of Yajamaana is a term used in Kerala to refer to an individual of high social standing. The term means "lord" in Old Malayalam and referred to Chemb azhi nambi or Nambiars, Unnithans and other Samanthan Nair caste members who occupied the position of rulers and chieftains...
- Pillai
- TravancoreTravancoreKingdom of Travancore was a former Hindu feudal kingdom and Indian Princely State with its capital at Padmanabhapuram or Trivandrum ruled by the Travancore Royal Family. The Kingdom of Travancore comprised most of modern day southern Kerala, Kanyakumari district, and the southernmost parts of...
- MannadiarMannadiarMannadiar is one of the subclan of the Nair community among Keralites. The title "Mannadiar" was awarded by the Maharajah of Cochin to those Nairs who excelled in warrior skills. They are mostly found in the Central Kerala region...
- ThakurThakur (Indian title)Thakur is an Indian feudal title in several Indian languages, literally meaning "lord". A Thikana is the state or estate of a Thakur. A Thakurani is the wife of a Thakur...
- NayanarNayanar (Nair subcaste)Nayanar is an honorific title used among certain clans of Nairs in the North Malabar region of Kerala. Men of these clans were mainly chiefs of fiefdoms, and formed the aristocracy and landed gentry of the area.-Etymology:...