History

In the Malayalam mannan means king and 'ar' pluralises the name for adding respectability to it. Mannanar dynasty had thrived for several centuries in Eruvessi, north east of Taliparamba in North Malabar.^[17] He was called ruler of the five places and he had five palaces Moothedath Aramana, Elayidath Aramana, Puthan Araman, Puthiyidath Aramana and Mundaya Aramana. He also had royal establishments, such as fortress, palace, assembly hall, performance theatre and living mansion.^[17] Armed with swords and shields, 200 Nairs Soldiers had to escort him. His assumption to the throne was by the performance of the ritual Aryittuvazhcha (offer of rice to gods as an auspicious item indicating prosperity) as in the case of the Zamorin.^[17] His personal residence (living mansion) had adorned the name mannanar kotta or the king's fort.^[17]

C.A. innes was the Special Settlement Officer in Malabar. According to the Survey Settlement Register of Eruveshi Land No. 81, Chirakal Taluk, Malabar District, published from Kozhikode on 30-03-1905, Moothedath Aramanaikkal Kunjikelappan Mannanar has several acres of land in Eruveshi Land. Of these, 23 mountains are listed separately – Areekal mala, Karinkanyamala, Cherambathan mala, Mottumala, Mundan Vilangamala, Vanchiaramala, Adapatamala, Vellatam, Paramala, Karumpath Paramala, Kallangacheri mala, Elampanam mala, Palliyambamala, Ariidum kalamala, Kiliyatuparamala, Kunayanpuzumamala, Ottapunam mala, Vaali Elambamalamala, Kodakan Korandimala Kallu Mala, Vilangamala, Tarannenmavumala, two Kshetrakad Paithalmala in Pullalam, Kotan Pilavumala in the East and the Western Ghats to the eastern border of Karnataka. Apart from this, there are Aramanaparam, Kottamullaparambu, Munya Aramanaparam, Munya Tundi, Munya Paramba, Kitchenkunn Mala, Punakandiparambu, Valliyambamala Parambu, Puzhayaruvath Parambu, Padikkutazhekari, Ara Manakandi Parambu, Kitchinkunnu Parambu, Phuyadath Parambu, Malayan's Parambu, Karuvellari Eastekarambu, Velayampamala.The extent of the hilly areas alone, extending from the Western Ghats to the eastern Karnataka border, is 2230 acres.^[4] Apart from this, a large amount of agricultural land in several survey numbers is also recorded in the name of Aramanakkal Kelappan Mannanar at Muthetadath.^[4]

In 1905, after the introduction of Janmi-tenant system, the British Government published the Settlement Register including these places. In 1822, the Mannanar dynasty declined when the British imposed a large land tax. It was Karakkattidam Nayanars who were vassals of Mannanars who were allowed to collect taxes in Chuzhali Swarupam which included Eruveshi.^[4] The rule at that time was that the person in whose name the land was taxed would automatically become entitled. To make matters worse, Chirakal Kovilaka was against Mannanar and in favor of Karakkattidam.^[4] With the support of Kovilakam, the Nayanamars literally started crushing the Mannanars to death. In connection with that, litigation was held in Thalassery Sub Court and Payyannur Tukhipidi (Thukitti) Magistrate Court. No. 307 registered in Payyannur Court in 1859 is a living one. The case occurred when the last Mannanar in the history of the Mannanar clan, Muthetattarmanakal Kunhikelapan Mannanar, was killed. Kunjikelappan Mannanar, who was returning after checking the accounts at Nuchiat Temple, was accompanied by five escorts. The assailants brought from Malappuram surrounded and stabbed Mannanare to death with a dagger. Police records show that Mannanar was killed by unknown persons on 27 March 1902.^[4]

The last of the Mannanars, Kunjikelappan died in 1901-1902 AD. His wife respectably called Ammachiyàr (revered mother) and two of his children were alive in the thirties.^[17] The Mannanar who followed matriarchal system as a means of his survival, used to dine at the palace of the Chirakkal raja on important occasions when for him food had to be served on tender plantain leaf named pattila (silken leaf) and for other princes on plantain leaf softened over the fire.^[17] When the palaces of other rajas in Kerala are called Kovilakams or Kottarams, only Mannanar's is called Aramana, the mansion of the king (aracha (king) + mana (king's court). For these reasons and for many other, Kampil Ananthan believes that he was the oldest ruler of Kerala.^[17]

After the overlordship of the Nampootiri was established, it was the social responsibility of the Mannanar to give protection to either as his wife or as his sister to the Nampootiri woman ex-communicated from her family for offences like infidelity, loss of chastity and violation of the rules of pollution.^[17] His palaces and mansions have broken down due to neglect in the absence of successors.

Smarthavicharam

Mannanar provide a comfortable home for Nambudiri women who were thrown out of caste, and thus in the ordinary course of events doomed to every misery and degradation to be found in life. On being outcast, the funeral ceremonies of Nambutiri women were performed by her own people, and she became dead to them.^[9] She went to the Mannanar. And her birth ceremonies were performed, so that she might being life anew in a state of purity. If, on arrival, she entered by left door, she was his wife. If, by the front door, his sister. It is said that. When their chief, Mannanar of the Aramana. Is destitute of heirs, the Thiyyas of Kolathunadu go in processing to the kurumattur Nambutiri (chief of the peringallur Brahmins) and demand a Brahman virgin to be adopted as sister of Mannanar, who follow Marumakkathayam rule of succession. This demand, it is said, used to be granted by the Nambutiries assembling at a meeting. And selecting a maiden to be given to the Thiyyas.^[9]