Is Nair low caste?

Nair, who belongs to the upper caste Nair community in Kerala's Kottayam district, is part of a household that is filled with people who support either the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist), or CPM, or the main opposition Congress, in line with the two-party politics of the state.

Is Nair a high caste?

They are a low caste who became powerful by being loyal to brahmins.

Which caste is Nair in Kerala?

Nāyar, also spelled Nair, Hindu caste of the Indian state of Kerala. Before the British conquest in 1792, the region contained small, feudal kingdoms, in each of which the royal and noble lineages, the militia, and most land managers were drawn from the Nāyars and related castes.

Which caste is low in Kerala?

The Nambudhri Brahmins were top of the caste hierarchy and the Pulayar were at the lowest. According to most travelers, the Nairs were placed below the kings and the Brahmins in Caste hierarchy.

What is the category of Nair?

The Nair /ˈnaɪər/, also known as Nayar, are a group of Indian Hindu castes, described by anthropologist Kathleen Gough as "not a unitary group but a named category of castes".

Ranji Panikkar talks about abusing of nair caste by brahmins

Is Menon and Nair same?

Menon is a surname of the Nair community of Kerala, India, and was an honorific hereditary title, often used as an affix to one's name, bestowed by the various kings of Kerala (including the Zamorin) to the members Kiryathil subcaste of Nairs.

Is Pillai and Nair same?

Pillai can be considered as an honorific surname conferred to some subsects among Nairs, a forward caste. In Kerala, Pillais are a subset of Nairs just like Unnithan, Valiyathan, Kaimal, Thampi, Kartha, Menoki, Menon, Panickar, Kurup, Nambiar etc.

Which is the lowest caste in India?

At the bottom of the heap were the Shudras, who came from Brahma's feet and did all the menial jobs. The main castes were further divided into about 3,000 castes and 25,000 sub-castes, each based on their specific occupation. Outside of this Hindu caste system were the achhoots - the Dalits or the untouchables.

Is Nadar a low caste?

Due to their association with toddy, the Nadars were considered lower than other middle castes, but relatively higher than the low castes, and were also prohibited to enter temples built by higher ranked castes.

Do Nairs marry Brahmins?

Among Nambudhiri Brahmins

The Brahmins considered this as concubinage because of their paternal lineage and the Nairs however considered this as legitimate marriages because their lineage passed in a maternal line.

Is Nair safe?

Nair is a chemical hair depilatory. It's an effective and economical hair removal option. It's generally safe and easy to use. Some people may get skin irritation or an allergic reaction from Nair.

Are Nairs vegetarian?

Sure, all Brahmins, Kshatriyas, temple- retainers (ambalavasi) and some Nairs are traditionally vegetarians, and vegetarians abhor non-vegetarian food, but all non-vegetarians eat everything. In fact, when we buy beef it could be cow's meat or buffalo's or a bull's.

Which caste is more in Kerala?

The vast majority of residents of Kerala are Malayalis, but there are many smaller ethnic groups including Tuluvas, Tamils, Kannadigas and Konkanis.

Are Nairs Kshatriyas?

Though Nairs in Kerala are typically associated and described as the 'warriors' of yore, alias the king's henchmen, they were never considered as Kshatriyas.

Who are Nayyars?

Nayar or Nayyar is a surname that is found among Khatri community which are majorly Hindus with a minority of Sikhs and Muslims. The belong to the "Sareen" division among the Khatris.

Which is the greatest caste?

The highest of all the castes, and traditionally priests or teachers, Brahmins make up a small part of the Indian population. The British colonial authorities gave Brahmins influential clerical jobs. They now dominate the key positions in science, business and government.

What are the 5 castes in India?

Can a Dalit become a Brahmin?

Because a dalit Hindu can convert to Islam, Christianity or to Buddhism, but she can never turn into a Brahmin.

Are Nairs from Nepal?

Nairs are Naga Scythians with roots in the Central asia and Nepal (Newar) , Kshatriyas are of Ay Chera origins and Namboothiris are from Ahichatra in Uttar Pradesh.

Is Nair a Tamil name?

Indian (Kerala): Hindu (Nayar) name denoting membership of the Nayar community, which is from Malayalam nayar 'leader', 'lord', 'soldier' (from Sanskrit naya(ka) 'leader' + the honorific plural ending -r).

What Nair means?

noun, plural Nair, Nairs. a group of Hindu castes in the Kerala region of India. a member of any one of these castes. adjective. of or relating to this group of castes or their members.

Which caste is powerful in Tamilnadu?

The top three castes by numbers in Tamil Nadu are Thevar (also known as Mukkulaththor), Vanniar and Kongu Vellalar (also known as Gounder). As is natural, they wield most of the political power in the state.

Is Nambiar in Nair caste?

Nambiār, also known as Nambiyār, is a sub-group of the Indian Nair caste, some of whom consider themselves both a landlord and a priestly caste. Many were Naduvazhi landlords in the Malabar region.

Which caste is Pillai in Kerala?

Hi, PILLAI/PILLAY is an upper caste name used in both Kerala & Tamil Nadu. In Tamil Nadu, PILLAI/PILLAY is a caste name used by the upper caste Vellalar land lords and agriculture workers. In Kerala PILLAI/PILLAY is also a title carried by some upper caste Nair/Nayar families.