Source: TW
When a temple in Kollam (Venad/Travancore) was plundered by the Portuguese in the 16th century, the Nairs charged at them to defend the temple, without ever giving a thought about their own lives. They gladly embraced their deaths in front of far numerous enemy forces.
As the troops began to march, a Nair wearing golden armlets and earrings came out to engage them, carrying his sword and leather shield (adarga), accompanied by twelve or fifteen other well-dressed men, also with swords and shields. The leader charged our men with such courage and boldness as someone seeking death, and all the rest did the same. However, in a short space of time, they were all killed, fighting with great effort throughout without ever backing down.This Nair, who voluntarily surrendered himself to death, was one of the jangadas [sworn guardians/captains] of that temple. For it is customary for kings and great lords who have temples in their lands to have them guarded by two captains—honorable and brave men—along with troops assigned to them, whom they call jangadas. These men serve as advisors and ministers of the temple’s affairs, funded out of its revenues, and the king or lord of the land replaces them at will.
Of these jangadas of the Nairs, Sabellicus [Marcantonio Sabellico] also makes mention, and says that the Nairs of Malabar maintained the order of chivalry, walking along the roads to defend noblewomen and maidens and redressing their grievances.
These appear to be the AI-assisted English translations of 16th-century Portuguese accounts referenced in the thread.
malbar flight
They have their dark side too rt ? What happened to nairs of Malabar ? Most of them either converted to M or migrated to South kerala when Tippus Army came. For ex Arackkal rulers. Malabars most land holding Muslim families will agree this in private
Yes, but he failed to do so in Travancore because Marthanda Varma had already fortified the kingdom and brought centralized rule by crushing the feudal system and expanding his power. Malabar was scattered into several different fedual states, and Palakkad Raja actually aided the Mysoreans against Samuthiris. Nonetheless, Nairs of Malabar fought valiantly against them.
Many important Nair families and also ancient temples are still there in Malabar.
Very few n They are in tiny pockets. Nambiars are what you see mainly. Maybe you should do a reserch on the scale of conversion that took place. Let’s leave Travancore out of this.
Curse
Some say the grim fate faced by Samuthiri was consequence of a horrific curse his lineage incurred.
Well The curse was not just on his lineage but for the whole hindu community. We ended up paying the price for His follies.
Yes. Settling and empowering radical Islamists was one of their grave mistakes, but at the same time Samuthiris patronized various scholars and temples. Guruvayur became prominent under them.
History is not always wholly black or white, but mix of both.