Menoky
Encyclopedia
Menoky is a Nair
subcaste in the Indian state of Kerala
. The Menoky are one of 14 "high caste" Nayar (there are 4 "low caste" Nair sub-castes), and historically served as administrators of baronies and supervising accounts in temples.
, the term Menoky means "overseer", and is derived from mēl (above) and nōkkunu (to look after).
s, from whom Saamoothiri
s, the ruling class of erstwile Kozhikode
later took shape. Menokkis were made the rulers of Porallatiri by the Zamorin and came to terms with the troops and people. After this follows an account of the founding of the town of Kozhikode around the Tali temple.
as well.
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...
subcaste in the Indian state of Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
. The Menoky are one of 14 "high caste" Nayar (there are 4 "low caste" Nair sub-castes), and historically served as administrators of baronies and supervising accounts in temples.
Etymology
According to Edgar ThurstonEdgar Thurston
Edgar Thurston CIE was a British museologist and ethnographer working in colonial Southern India. In 1885 he was appointed to the Madras Government Museum, where he held the role of Superintendent...
, the term Menoky means "overseer", and is derived from mēl (above) and nōkkunu (to look after).
History
They have been extensively involved in marital relationships with EradiEradi
Eradi is a Samanthan Nair clan of Kshatriya origin, coming from the Indian state of Kerala. The word is derived from the place name Eranad in Kerala. The "Samoothiri" comes from this Eradi subcaste, now assimilated to Nair, the major upper caste of state of Kerala. Historically the Eradis numbered...
s, from whom Saamoothiri
Saamoothiri
Zamorin is the title used by the Hindu Eradi Samanthan kshatriya rulers of the erstwhile late medieval feudal kingdom of Kozhikode located in the present day state of Kerala, India....
s, the ruling class of erstwile 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...
later took shape. Menokkis were made the rulers of Porallatiri by the Zamorin and came to terms with the troops and people. After this follows an account of the founding of the town of Kozhikode around the Tali temple.
Present state
Menokys are very few in number and most of them lives at Kozhikode. Even though their history revolves around Kozhikode, a few live in Central and Southern KeralaKerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
as well.