• Sasilekha .s.s
• Dr.T.Wins Joel

The caste structure in Kerala stood in sharp contrast to the North Indian scenario. In India there existed the fourfold divisions like Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Sudra , while in Kerala there was no significant Vaisya caste . In the absence of Vaisya caste trading and commercial functions were largely in the hands of the intermediate caste of the Ezhavas and the Christians and Muslims. Besides the Namboodiri Brahmins, the Kshatriya chieftains , the Nairs and the Ezhavas , there were the different craftsmen group of Mannan, Thathan, Kosavan , Kollan , AsariKshuakanets as well as the agristic castes of Parayan, Pulayas,Cherumans etc. the untouchables who together constituted the caste hierarchy . Each caste maintained a stipulated distance from the Namboodiri’s and were differentiated by their dress, food and housing as well as rituals and practices.

Nairs ,Namboothiri,Ambalavasi,Kshethriya.

"NAMBOOTHIRI – NAIR ALLIANCE IS IT HOLY OR NOT", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 5, page no.249-255, May-2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1905V94.pdf

"NAMBOOTHIRI – NAIR ALLIANCE IS IT HOLY OR NOT", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 5, page no. pp249-255, May-2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1905V94.pdf