Samanta Kshatriya
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Samanta Kshatriyas, commonly known as Samantas, are a class of Kshatriyas in Kerala. They were the Royal Lineages of the Perumals of Kerala and were given a status immediately after royalty. They were generally considered as an intermediate class between Kshariyas and lower class Nairs.
Samanthans occupied high power positions as governors and chieftains commanding their authority over a large area under the local Rajahs. They were powerful magnates who supplied their military forces to the Royal Families in times of need.
With the fall of Nair and Namboodiri aristocracy in 1812, at the hands of the British, the Samanthans became large landlords and lost their political power, like the Nairs themselves. All customs and ceremonies are same as the Nairs, as also in the case of Royal Families which followed most Nair customs. Samanthan surnames include:
With the coming of the NSS (Nair Service Society) the Samanthan castes were all merged with the Nair community and today they are all incorrectly considered Nairs.
