https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Meenachil_KarthaMeenachil Kartha - Revision history2026-07-31T04:54:39ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=Meenachil_Kartha&diff=149667&oldid=previmported>Utcursch at 19:08, 30 March 20212021-03-30T19:08:18Z<p></p>
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'''Meenachil Karthas''' (''also known as '''Njavakkatt Karthas and medackal karthas''''') were members of an [[Illathu Nair]] aristocratic clan, which ruled the small kingdom of [[Meenachil]] from 15th century AD until 1754. Unlike the other aristocratic Nair factions of North and Central [[Travancore]] who are descended from the [[Nāga]]s, the Meenachil Karthas were of [[Rajput]] origin.<ref>History of Kerala, R. Leela Devi p.150</ref><br />
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==Origin==<br />
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The Meenachil Karthas were originally [[Rajputs]]{{fact|date=September 2012}} belonging to royal lineage who migrated to [[Madurai]] in the 14th century (the reason for their exodus or their roots in [[Rajasthan]] is given{{where|date=September 2012}} as some family disputes & inter family quarrels). They settled in [[Madurai]] (which was a great cultural center and capital city during that time).<ref>http://mevadathampans.com/index.html</ref> Later they migrated to [[Kerala]] (the reason for which is stated{{where|date=September 2012}} as outbreak of an epidemic in Madurai) and settled in this place "Meenachil" which was named after "Meenakshi"{{fact|date=September 2012}} of [[Madurai]]. Their capital was named Mevada (after ''[[Mewar]]'').<ref>Kerala District Gazetteers: Kottayam, Kerala (India) p.34-35</ref><br />
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==Culture and assimilation==<br />
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In Kerala, they were gradually assimilated into the Illathu Nair caste, which was the major aristocratic caste in Travancore region. As they amassed power, [[Samanthan]] status as well as the aristocratic title of "''[[Kartha]]''" (meaning Lord in [[Malayalam]]) were bestowed upon them. But they retained their original surname "''Simhar''" (variant of [[Singh]]) and their culture remained markedly different from other local ruling clans. Most famous of the rulers were Veera Kerala Damodara Simhar, under whose reign, the principality achieved maximum glory.<ref>Kerala District Gazetteers: Kottayam, Kerala (India) p.34-35</ref><br />
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==Defeat and destruction==<br />
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The rise of [[Marthanda Varma]] of [[Venad]], the nephew of [[Rama Varma of Venad|Raja Rama Varma]] spelled trouble for the Nair ruling clans all over Travancore. Marthanda Varma was able to seize power after killing Raman Thampi and Padmanabhan Thampi, who were the sons of Raja Rama Varma (with Princess Abhirami, a [[Rajput]] from [[Kosala]]). Marthanda Varma and his trusted [[Kerala Iyers|Iyer]] ''Dalawa'' [[Ramayyan Dalawa|Ramayyan]] started conquering the Nair kingdoms of Central and Northern Travancore one by one during the 18th century and the members of the Meenachil ruling clan were not able to avert the impending disaster. After breaking the backbone of the Southern Travancore Nair aristocracy by exterminating the most powerful clans such as the [[Ettuveetil Pillamar|Ettuveedan]]s and the members of Venad royal family who identified most strongly with the Illathu Nair nobility (the ''[[Thampi]]s''), Marthanda Varma under the influence of his Iyer mentor wreaked havoc on smaller Nair principalities such as [[Thekkumkur]], [[Vadakkumkur]], [[Odanad|Kayamkulam]]etc., ably supported by his [[Tamil people|Tamil]] allies. Many of the ruling Nair dynasties were exterminated within a few days without any trace.<br />
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Marthanda Varma's forces invaded Meenachil in 1754, and the ruler of the principality committed suicide. Almost all the members of the royal family were either killed in the battle or executed, while a handful (almost all of them women) were able to escape and take refuge under the [[Zamorin]]. At the time of [[Hyder Ali]]'s invasion of [[Malabar Coast|Malabar]] during 1766, only two young females were alive within the clan. [[Dharma Raja]] granted them asylum from the Islamic forces of Hyder Ali and resettled them in Mevada.<ref>Kerala District Gazetteers: Kottayam, Kerala (India) p.34-35</ref><br />
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==References==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
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[[Category:Nair]]<br />
[[Category:Social groups of Kerala]]</div>imported>Utcursch