Achan(Nair Subcaste)
Encyclopedia
Achan is a title used by a Nair
clan, found mostly in Kerala
, India. The title was used by Nair feudal lords and were awarded to those Nairs who excelled in martial arts by the maharajahs of Travancore
and Malabar. Achans included the Mangatt Achan of Calicut
and the Paliath Achan
of Cochin, Palakkat Achan of Palgaght.
The Paliath Achans (the Paliam family) were hereditary prime ministers to the Rajah of Kochi from 1632 to 1809, and second only to the Rajah in power and wealth in the central Cochin area during that period. They were also some of the largest landowners in the state. Historical records show that the Paliath Achans became major players in Kerala history with the arrival of the Portuguese
. In recognition of a Paliath Achan's services, the Kochi Rajah granted him Vypin Island. Some of the rulers of small kingdoms (Palakkadu Kombi Achhan, Rajas of Palakad, Randuthara Achanmar, rulers near Kannur etc) belonged to this division.
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...
clan, found mostly in 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....
, India. The title was used by Nair feudal lords and were awarded to those Nairs who excelled in martial arts 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 Malabar. Achans included the Mangatt Achan of Calicut
History of Kozhikode
Kozhikode , also known as Calicut, is a city in the southern Indian state of Kerala. It is the third largest city in Kerala and the headquarters of Kozhikode district....
and the Paliath Achan
Paliath Achan
Paliath Achan or Paliyath Achan : is the name given to the oldest male member of the Paliam family , a Nair family from the Indian state of Kerala that figured prominently in the history of the region.-Overview:...
of Cochin, Palakkat Achan of Palgaght.
The Paliath Achans (the Paliam family) were hereditary prime ministers to the Rajah of Kochi from 1632 to 1809, and second only to the Rajah in power and wealth in the central Cochin area during that period. They were also some of the largest landowners in the state. Historical records show that the Paliath Achans became major players in Kerala history with the arrival of the Portuguese
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
. In recognition of a Paliath Achan's services, the Kochi Rajah granted him Vypin Island. Some of the rulers of small kingdoms (Palakkadu Kombi Achhan, Rajas of Palakad, Randuthara Achanmar, rulers near Kannur etc) belonged to this division.