Menoky

Menoky (or Menoki) is a Kshatriya Nair subcaste in the Indian state of Kerala.[1][2][3] The Menoky are one of 14 "high caste" Nayar (there are 4 "low caste" Nair sub-castes), and historically served as administrators of baronies[4] and supervising accounts in temples.[5]

Etymology

According to Edgar Thurston, the term Menoky means "one who looks after", and is derived from mēl (above) and nōkki, from nōkkunu (look after).[6]

History

They have been extensively involved in marital relationships with Eradis, from whom Saamoothiris, 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.[7][8] 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 Kerala as well.

References

  1. ↑ Fawcett (1990) Nairs of Malabar. Asian Educational Services. NewDelhi.
  2. ↑ Hermann Gundert. Keralā pazhama: antiquity of Kerala. International School of Dravidian Linguistics
  3. ↑ Edgar Thurston; K. Rangachari (15 November 2001). Castes and tribes of Southern India. Asian Educational Services. pp. 61–. ISBN 978-81-206-0288-5. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
  4. ↑ Bluxbaum (1968), Family law and customary law in Asia: a contemporary legal perspective
  5. ↑ India. Census Commissioner (1903). Census of India, 1901. pp. 156–. Retrieved 22 July 2011.
  6. ↑ Edgar Thurston; K. Rangachari (15 November 2001). Castes and tribes of Southern India. Asian Educational Services. pp. 61–. ISBN 978-81-206-0288-5. Retrieved 25 July 2011.
  7. ↑ Sewell, Robert (1884). Lists of inscriptions, and sketch of the dynasties of southern India. p. 197. The Zamorin made Menokki ruler of Porallatiri and came to terms with the troops and people. After this follows an account of the founding of the town of Calicut, close to the Zamorin's palace at Tali
  8. ↑ K. V. Krishna Ayyar; University of Calicut. Publication Division (1938). The zamorins of Calicut: from the earliest times down to A.D. 1806. Publication Division, University of Calicut. p. 82. ISBN 978-81-7748-000-9. Retrieved 25 July 2011.

See also

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