Achan (title)

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Achan is a title that was mainly in use by the eldest male members of a family in Kerala, India. They mainly belong to wealthy families from different communities, which is also used by Christian priest [1] in Kerala. [2]

There were many Achan families who were historically significant in Kerala.

● The Paliath Achans, who were cheftians of areas in Thrissur and North Paravur, were given rights as the hereditary prime ministers of the Maharajah of Cochin in the year 1632. [3] [4]

● The Mangat Achans of Calicut who were by tradition, prominent landlords and hereditary prime ministers under the Zamorin.

● The male members of the ruling family of Palakkad (Kombi Achan) also bore the title Achan. [5]

● Meenachil Karthas who were members of a royal family, which ruled the kingdom of Meenachil from the 15th century AD until 1754 were given the title Njanachan by the cheraman perumals). [6]

Other Achans of Malabar included:

• Eranholi Achan of Thalassery

• Cheruvalli Achan who were also known as the Venganad Nampidi of Kollengode bore the title.

• Kalathil achan of Malabar. [7]

References

  1. ↑ John, Haritha (1 February 2020). "Hate speech by Kerala Catholic priest is just one part of the system's hypocrisy". The News Minute. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  2. ↑ Choondal, Chummar (1988). Christian Folklore. Kerala Folklore Academy.
  3. ↑ "Weaving Chendamangalam | Craft Documentation & Research Kerala Handloom". 18 October 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  4. ↑ Vinai, Maya (2021). "Health and Healing: Retention of the Popularity of Ashtavaidya Tradition during the Colonial Regime". Rupkatha Journal on Interdisciplinary Studies in Humanities. 13 (2). doi: 10.21659/rupkatha.v13n2.06 . S2CID   237251956.
  5. ↑ Kāṇippayyūr Śaṅkaran Nampūtirippāṭ in Aryanmarude Kudiyettam Vol III, Panchangam Press, Kunnamkulam, Kerala; See Chap. 4 Reprinted 2011
  6. ↑ "Meenachil Kartha's Palace | ആയിരം വർഷം ഭരിച്ച മീനച്ചിൽ കർത്താക്കന്മാരുടെ മഠം | Navy George | MV 1". YouTube . 19 March 2021.
  7. ↑ "Mangat Achan – The Zamorin's Commander in Chief". 27 February 2022. Retrieved 4 December 2024.


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