Nair facts for kids

Nair soldiers with the King of Cochin on an elephant

The Nair people, also called Nayar, are a special group of Hindu people from the Indian state of Kerala. This area is on the Malabar Coast, which is a long coastline in southwestern India.

Who Are the Nair People?

The Nair are an important part of Kerala's history and culture. They have a long and interesting past. For many years, Nair families were known for being leaders, soldiers, and managing land.

A Look at Nair History

Some ideas suggest that the Nair people might have come from a group called the Indo-Scythians. These were ancient people who lived in parts of Asia.

In the past, many of Kerala's royal families and armies had members from the Nair community. They were skilled fighters and played a big role in protecting their lands. The Nair also managed large areas of land.

Later, when the British ruled India, the Nair people continued to be very important. They were known as Nayarkutti. Many Nair individuals became leaders in politics, worked in the government, or became doctors, teachers, and lawyers. They helped shape society in many ways.

Nair Culture and Traditions

The Nair people have rich traditions. Their culture includes unique clothing, art, and ways of life. For example, some old paintings show Nair women wearing traditional clothes called mundum neryathum.

Many Nair men were trained as soldiers. Their main job was to fight in the many wars that happened in Kerala's history. They were known for their bravery and fighting skills.

Images for kids

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  Nair soldiers attending the King of Cochin: A 16th century European painting. Many Nair men were trained to fight.

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  Members of the Travancore Nair Brigade, drawn in 1855. This group was part of the Travancore Nair army after the British took over.

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  There Comes Papa (1893) by Raja Ravi Varma shows a Nair woman in traditional clothing.

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  A 17th century wooden statue of Kali from Kerala. Kali is a powerful goddess and was important to the Nair people.

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  Reclining Nayar Woman (1902) by Raja Ravi Varma. This painting shows a Nair lady.