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Sunday, November 18, 2018

History of Kerala - Ettuveetil Pillamaar / എട്ടു വീട്ടിൽ പിള്ളമാർ (lord of eight houses)

//Googling a lot on the subject is recommended. History is just an insight into the past and is not recommended to be believed, based on one article or WhatsApp forwards. ;) Intention is to just provide basics about the subject and a simple guide to a topic in history //


In the 16th century or even before, the Padmanabhaswamy temple was managed by a board of members called Yogakkar under the control of King. The yogakkar divided the temple land into 8 districts. A Nair nobleman was assigned to each of these eight districts. These Nair noblemen were called as Ettuveetil pillamaar


Ettara Yogam

The Ettara Yogam was a meeting set up conducted, to decide on the temple activities. The members included 8 trustees under the direct control of King. The trustees included:
The yogam/meeting was named Ettara (eight and a half) since the King also had Half vote. So total 8 +0.5.

Even though all the management decisions were taken by the trustees, no decisions were approved without the final sanction from the King.

Yogakkar vs the King

The difference of opinion between the King and the Yogakkars were common and eventually led to conflicts. The combined power of Pillamar and Yogakkar posed a serious threat to the King.

Ettuveetil Pillamar

The ettuveetil pillamaar enjoyed the supreme power and eventually planned to get rid of the royal family itself. They successfully executed assassination of the King and even plotted and executed assassination of others from the Royal family who could become the next King. The crookedness of Pillamar continued until Marthanda Varma came into power. 

End of ettuveetil Pillamaar era

The power of pillamaar was dethroned by Marthanda Varma. As per historical studies, pillamaars were either killed or exiled. There are even conclusions that members of pillamaar family sought asylum in neighboring states and some even converted to Christianity.

Some interesting comments (related to pillamaar family's conversion to Christianity and also on asylum in neighboring states) from a blog related to Kerala history :



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