Achan is a title that was mainly in use by the male members of
royal families
A royal family is the immediate family of monarchs and sometimes their extended family.
The term imperial family appropriately describes the family of an emperor or empress, and the term papal family describes the family of a pope, while the ...
in
Kerala
Kerala ( , ) is a States and union territories of India, state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile ...
, India. They mainly belong to the
Samantan Nair community (except the Cheruvalli Achans who were a subsect of the
Nambidis who follow matrilineal traditions).
There were many Achan families who were historically significant in Kerala.
● The
Paliath Achans, who were the Rajas of areas in
Thrissur
Thrissur (, ), Renaming of cities in India, formerly Trichur, also known by its historical name Thrissivaperur, is a city and the headquarters of the Thrissur district in Kerala, India. It is the List of most populous urban agglomerations in Ke ...
and
North Paravur
North Paravur (; formerly known as Paravur or Parur), is a municipality in the Ernakulam district of Kerala, India. It is located north of the district collectorate in Thrikkakara and about north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. N ...
, were given rights as the hereditary prime ministers of the
Maharajah of Cochin in the year 1632.
● The Mangat Achans of
Calicut
Kozhikode (), also known as Calicut, is a city along the Malabar Coast in the state of Kerala in India. Known as the City of Spices, Kozhikode is listed among the City of Literature, UNESCO's Cities of Literature.
It is the nineteenth large ...
who were by tradition, prominent landlords and hereditary prime ministers under the Zamorin.
● The male members of the ruling family of
Palakkad
Palakkad (), Renaming of cities in India, also known as Palghat, historically known as Palakkattussery, is a city and a municipality in the States and union territories of India, Indian state of Kerala. It is the administrative headquarters of P ...
(Kombi Achan) also bore the title Achan.
●
Meenachil Karthas who were members of a royal family, which ruled the kingdom of
Meenachil
Meenachil is the north-eastern region of Kottayam district in Kerala, south India. The name originates from Meenakshi, the Hindu Goddess. Pala is the main city in Meenachil. The arterial river of the district is also named Meenachil.
Geogra ...
from the 15th century AD until 1754 were given the title Njanachan by the
cheraman perumals).
Other Achans of Malabar included:
• Eranholi Achan of
Thalassery
Thalassery () (also called Tellicherry) is a city and municipality on the Malabar Coast in Kannur district in the state of Kerala, India, bordered by the districts of Mahe and Kozhikode. Thalassery municipality has a population of just under ...
• Cheruvalli Achan who were also known as the
Venganad Nampidi of
Kollengode bore the title.
• Kalathil achan of
Malabar.
References
Nair
{{Kerala-stub