Kurup of Travancore (alternatively Guyrip, Kuruppu or Kuruppanmar) was a title used by Nairs in the Kingdom of Travancore,[1] many among them were experts in Kalaripayattu, serving as warriors and army generals. Additionally, a segment of the Nair Kurup belonged to the landlord class in South Kerala until the 18th century and they belongs to the Kiriyathil, Illathil and Swaroopathil subcastes of the Nair caste. The Nair Kurup caste is unrelated to other Kurups. It is important not to confuse them with the Kurup Caste, Kalari Kurup, etc., as they have distinct identities.[1]
 Padmanabhaswamy Temple, centre of the power for the Nairs of Travancore | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Travancore, Kerala | |
| Languages | |
| Malayalam, Sanskrit | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Nambiar, Nair Pillai, Madampi, Kiryathil Nair, Malayali Brahmin |
Etymology
"Kurup" is a title of nobility among Nair subcastes, other higher titles of nairs such as Pillai, Nambiar, Unnithan, Thampi, Panicker, etc.[1]
Well-known Kurups of Travancore include Azhakath Kurup, a Nair noble man who represented Nairs in the Ettara Yogam or the King and Council of Eight, the longstanding administrative setup of the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple for centuries.[1][2]
Notable people
References
- 1 2 3 4 Lannoy, Mark de (1997). The Kulasekhara Perumals of Travancore: History and State Formation in Travancore from 1671 to 1758. Leiden University. p. 201. ISBN 978-90-73782-92-1.
- ↑ "Introduction: Pilgrimage, Landscape, Heritage", Christian Pilgrimage, Landscape and Heritage, Routledge, pp. 17–37, 5 December 2014, retrieved 28 December 2023
