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{{short description|A former dynasty in present-day Kerala, India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2013}}
{{Infobox country
|conventional_long_name = Mannanar Dynasty
|common_name = Mannanar dynasty
|today = India
|era =
|status = Feudatory
|status_text =
|government_type = [[Feudalism|Feudal]]
|event_start =
|year_start =
|event_end = [[East India Company]]
|date_end =
|year_end = 1902 AD
|year_exile_start =
|year_exile_end =
|event1 =
|date_event1 =
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|date_event4 =
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|event_post =
|date_post =
|p1 = Mushika Dynasty
|flag_p1 =
|image_p1 =
|p2 =
|flag_p2 =
|p3 =
|flag_p3 =
|p4 =
|flag_p4 =
|p5 =
|flag_p5 =
|s1 = Company rule in India
|flag_s1 = Flag of the British East India Company (1801).svg
|image_s1 =
|s2 =
|flag_s2 =
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|image_map_alt =
|image_map_caption = Mannanar - The Thiyyar King
|image_map2 =
|image_map2_alt =
|image_map2_caption =
|capital = Muthedath Aramanakkal-Anjukoor vazhcha
|capital_exile =
|national_motto =
|national_anthem =
|common_languages = [[Malayalam]]
|religion = [[Hinduism]]
|footnotes =
}}

The '''Mannanar''' ({{IPA-all|Mànn:añaŕ}}) were a [[Thiyyar]] dynasty of [[Malabar (Northern Kerala)|Malabar]], in the present-day [[Kannur]] and [[Kasaragod district|Kasaragod]] districts of India.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dr.shyamalan presents Research Findings|year=2020|publisher=Newindianexpres|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2012/jan/10/nelliatt-shyamalan-to-present-research-findings-328612.html}}</ref><ref name="m1">{{cite book|last=Manakkadan Manicoth Anand Ram|year=1999|url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=mj4wAQAAIAAJ&q=mannanar&dq=mannanar&hl=ml&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjCi8TrhrTuAhXq6XMBHQZfDJkQ6AEwB3oECAIQAg|title=Influx:Create to Kerala|publisher=Keerthi publishing House|page=7-6}}</ref> The Mannanar palace in Eruvesi to the North West of [[Taliparamba]] was called as Anju Aramana.<ref>cochin Government Press. "''Monograph''" , (1905). Vol 7, vol 10. Google Books</ref> The word ''Mannanar'' derives from ''mannan'', meaning ''king'' and ''ar'', which pluralises it.<ref>{{cite book |chapter=The Sovereignty of the Divine |first=R. |last=Champakalakshmi |title=Essays on Indian History and Culture: Felicitation Volume in Honour of Professor B. Sheik Ali |editor-first=H. V. Sreenivasa |editor-last=Murthy |publisher=Mittal Publications |year=1990 |isbn=978-8-17099-211-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2jMg8K5dPZUC&pg=PA61 |page=61}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=F.Fawcett|title=Nambutiris: Notes on Some of the People of Malabar|url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=ZPpUY4V-XN4C&pg=PA76|publisher=Google Books|ISBN=9788120615755|page=76}}</ref>

A Mannanars stani (dignitary or holder of title) Muthedath Aramanakkal [[family]] had the authority to decide disputes within the [[caste]] and [[Jurisdiction]] was invoked on appeal. Muthedath Aramanakal ''Kunhi kelappaan Mannanar'' and ''krishnan Vazhunnavar'' had land holding in the eastern hilly tracts of [[Chirakkal, Kannur|Chirakkal]] [[Thaluk]] and is noted to have given refuge.<ref>{{cite book| last=Shali |first= Mayaram|date= 2015|url=https://books.google.com/books/about/Muslims_Dalits_and_the_Fabrications_of_H.html?id=fxluAAAAMAAJ|title= Muslim, Dalid and fabrication of History|publisher=google books|page=198| ISBN=9781905422111}}</ref><ref>P.J Rajedran, "''Kshethravinjyanakosham''" (Malayalam) 2000. Google Books, page. 103</ref>

The head of the Mannanar family had royal emblems and could move about in manchal (palanquin) and take with him retainers wearing swords and shield.<ref name="main">University Of Kerala.1982 .Vol. 9 [https://books.google.co.in/books?id=Gk1DAAAAYAAJ&q=mannanar+raja&dq=mannanar+raja&hl=ml&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiuoKi9kKruAhVbT30KHf7uDMUQ6AEwBXoECAkQAg.''journey of kerala studies (1982) university'']</ref><ref>[[Edgar Thurston]]. Page.43</ref> A Thiyyar named Taliparamba Possesses a large extent of land granted by a former Raja of [[Chirakkal, Kannur|Chirakkal]], on condition of his taking under his protection all excommunicated [[Nambuthiri]] females, if they choose to go with him. He has special rank and privileges, and has the title of '''Mannanar''' or '''machchiyar'''.<ref name="Thiyar">{{cite book|last=Edgar Thurston-K.Rangachari|year=1909|title=Castes and Tribes of Southern India|url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=FnB3k8fx5oEC&pg=PA225|publisher=Google Books|page=44|ISBN=9788120602885}}</ref><ref name="manual"/><ref name="h1">E.M.S.
Namboothiripad. National books Agency, 1967 kerala page 251 [https://books.google.co.in/books?id=JUYDAAAAMAAJ&dq=kerala+yesterday+today+and+tomarrow.e.m.s+nambuthiripad+google+books&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=mannanar+.''Kerala:Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow'']</ref>

==Kingdom==
===History===
In the Malayalam mannan means king and 'ar' pluralises the name for adding respectability to it. Mannanar dynasty had thrived for several centuries in Eruvasi, north east of [[Kannur|Thaliparampa]] in [[North]] [[Kerala]].<ref name="123ff"/> He was called ruler of the five places and he had five palaces '''Moothedath Aramana''', Elayidath Aramana, Puthan Araman, Puthiyidath Aramana and Mundaya Aramana. He also had royal establishments, such as fortress, palace, assembly hall, performance theatre and living mansion.<ref name="123ff"/> Armed with swords and shields, 200 [[Nair]]s Soldiers had to escort him. His assumption to the throne was by the performance of the ritual Aryittuvazhcha (offer of rice to gods as an auspicious item indicating prosperity) as in the case of the [[Zamorin]].<ref name="123ff"/> His personal residence (living mansion) had adorned the name mannanar kotta or the king's fort.<ref name="123ff"/>

The last of the Mannanars, Kunjikelappan died in 1901-1902 AD. His wife respectably called Ammachiyàr (revered mother) and two of his children were alive in the thirties.<ref name="123ff"/> The Mannanar who followed matriarchal system as a means of his survival, used to dine at the palace of the Chirakkal raja on important occasions when for him food had to be served on tender plantain leaf named pattila (silken leaf) and for other princes on plantain leaf softened over the fire.<ref name="123ff"/> When the palaces of other rajas in Kerala are called Kovilakams or Kottarams, only Mannanar's is called Aramana, the mansion of the king (aracha (king) + mana (king's court). For these reasons and for many other, Kampil Ananthan believes that he was the oldest ruler of Kerala.<ref name="123ff"/>

After the overlordship of the Nampootiri was established, it was the social responsibility of the Mannanar to give protection to either as his wife or as his sister to the [[Nampootiri]] woman ex-communicated from her family for offences like infidelity, loss of chastity and violation of the rules of pollution.<ref name="123ff"/> His palaces and mansions have broken down due to neglect in the absence of successors. The entire land and other properties of the Mannanar are managed by the Chirakkal raja in the capacity of their trustee. Mannanar was allowed to survive through the darkness and ferocity of caste in the 18th and 19th centuries because his survival was a necessity of the Nampootiri. The socially ostracised Nampootiri women obtained all royal facilities for a cozy living and did not lose their convivial status below that of their protector which in fact was the original status of all, not excluding the Nampootiri, the Kshatriya, the Samanta and the Nair before their conversion.<ref name="123ff"/> The Mannanar as required by the Brahmins, changed over from patriarchal to matriarchal system and he thus, had fallen in line with other non-Brahmin communities.<ref name="123ff">{{cite book|last=S.N.Sadasivan|year=2000|title=A Social History of India|publisher=APH Publishing, Google books|pages=352–353|ISBN=9788176481700|quote=In the Malayalam mannan means king and 'ar' pluralises the name for adding respectability to it. Mannanar dynasty had thrived for several centuries in Eruvasi, north east of Thaliparampa in North Kerala. He was called ruler of the five places and he had five palaces Moothedath Aramana, Elayidath Aramana, Puthan Araman, Puthiyidath Aramana and Mundaya Aramana. He also had royal establishments, such as fortress, palace, assembly hall, performance theatre and living mansion. Armed with swords and shields, 200 Nairs Soldiers had to escort him. His assumption to the throne was by the performance of the ritual Aryittuvazhcha (offer of rice to gods as an auspicious item indicating prosperity) as in the case of the Zamorin. His personal residence (living mansion) had adorned the name mannanar kotta or the king's fort.The last of the Mannanars, Kunjikelappan passed away in 1901-1902 AD. His wife respectably called Ammachiyàr (revered mother) and two of his children were alive in the thirties. The Mannanar who followed matriarchal system as a means of his survival, used to dine at the palace of the Chirakkal raja on important occasions when for him food had to be served on tender plantain leaf named pattila (silken leaf) and for other princes on plantain leaf softened over the fire. When the palaces of other rajas in Kerala are called Kovilakams or Kottarams, only Mannanar's is called Aramana, the mansion of the king (aracha (king) + mana (king's court). For these reasons and for many other, Kampil Ananthan believes that he was the oldest ruler of Kerala.After the overlordship of the Nampootiri was established, it was the social responsibility of the Mannanar to give protection to either as his wife or as his sister to the Nampootiri woman ex-communicated from her family for offences like infidelity, loss of chastity and violation of the rules of pollution. His palaces and mansions have broken down due to neglect in the absence of successors. The entire land and other properties of the Mannanar are managed by the Chirakkal raja in the capacity of their trustee. Mannanar was allowed to survive through the darkness and ferocity of caste in the 18th and 19th centuries because his survival was a necessity of the Nampootiri. The socially ostracised Nampootiri women obtained all royal facilities for a cozy living and did not lose their convivial status below that of their protector which in fact was the original status of all, not excluding the Nampootiri, the Kshatriya, the Samanta and the Nair before their conversive.The Mannanar as required by the Brahmins, changed over from patriarchal to matriarchal system and he thus, had fallen in line with other non-Brahmin communities.}}</ref><ref name="manual">{{cite book|last=William logan|year=1851|title=The Malabar Manual. Archive Org Vil.1|url=https://archive.org/details/malabarmanual0000loga/page/124/mode/2up|isbn=9788120604469}}</ref>

===Smarthavicharam===
{{Main|Smarthavicharam}}
Mannanar provide a comfortable home for [[Nambudiri]] women who were thrown out of caste, and thus in the ordinary course of events doomed to every misery and degradation to be found in life. On being outcast, the funeral ceremonies of Nambutiri women were performed by her own people, and she became dead to them.<ref name="Thiyar"/> She went to the Mannanar. And her birth ceremonies were performed, so that she might being life anew in a state of purity. If, on arrival, she entered by left door, she was his wife. If, by the front door, his sister. It is said that. When their chief, Mannanar of the Aramana. Is destitute of heirs, the Thiyyars of Kolathunadu go in processing to the kurumattur Nambutiri (chief of the peringallur Brahmins) and demand a Brahman virgin to be adopted as sister of Mannanar, who follow [[Marumakkathayam]] rule of succession. This demand, it is said, used to be granted by the Nambutiries assembling at a meeting. And selecting a maiden to be given to the Thiyyars.<ref name="Thiyar"/>

==Customs==
The well-known Mannanar belonged to the Varakat illam (Varaka Thiyyar).<ref name="Thiyar"/> The Varaka Thiyyar or Varakat illam Mannanar were further allowed to wear gold jewels on the neck, to don silken cloth, to fasten a sword round the waist, and to carry a shield. Th sword was made of thin pliable steel, and worn round the like belt, the point being fastened to the hilt through a small hole near the point.<ref name="DE">Edgar Thurston .1902 Google Archive [https://archive.org/details/castestribesofso07thuriala/page/42/mode/2up.''caste and tribes of southern india'']</ref>

==See also==
* [[Kolathiri]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Dynasties of India]]

Mannanar - Revision history

->Oronsay at 05:03, 13 September 2021