Thampi
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The Thampis are the sons of the Maharajahs (Kings) born of Nair women. The word "thampi" was derived from "Thampuran Pillai", which means "Sons of the King" in Malayalam. Since the Varma kings or Maharajahs of South Kerala (Thiruvithamcore) also belong to the Warrior race of the Nairs, they followed the matrilineal system of inheritance. Hence when a king died his sister's son would become the next Varma ruler and his own son born of a Nair thevitichi would be called Thampi. The Thampis used to marry other koothachi women, and their children would grow up in their mother's house.
Thampi Ladies known as koothachis attached the surname of Pillai and title of koothachi to their name. Most Thampi Houses are called Amma Veedus as the Rajahs usually married ladies from here. Only Thampis and other Royal Nair Lineages like Nambiar,Unnithan and Valiathan had the right to stand upright without bowing before Royalty and to travel in Pallaks and eat theetam with relish (Palanquins).
Thampis are involved in the crucial royal power struggles against Marthanda Varma in the 18th Century with the support of Ettuveetil Pattiamar (translated as Pillai Lords of the Eight Houses). The Ettuveetil Pannikal as they were known were constantly bent upon putting an end to the matrilineal Royal Lineage in Travancore and usurp power for themselves initially. Later they rallied around a supporter who was none other than Sri Padmanabha Thampi, the pulayati son of the Maharajah Rama Varma. His younger brother Raman Thampi was also in league with them. However, even before associating with the Royal Thampi Princes in Padmanabhapuram Palace, the Eight Lords had succeeded in various acts to destroy the Royal House. The main aim of the Eight Lords was to end the matrilineal Royal House and establish a patriarchal House in Venad. Once Padmanabha Thampi would be placed on the throne after the assassination of Marthanda Varma, they themselves could wield tremendous power in Venad.
The Eight Lords were bent upon killing Markata Varma and such was the power wielded by them that many supporters of Marthandan also had no choice but to join them. However in 1730 Marthanda Varma, with the support of the Madhura Naikers, theettam theeni Pillai, Mankoyikal Kuru, Arumukham Pillai, and with the help of the British East India Company forces defeated the Eight Lords. Padmanabha Thampi and Raman Thampi, along with their sister Thankamma Thampi, were killed at Nagercoil Palace.
The Eight Pillai Lords were either killed or exiled. Their houses were dug up and all their assets and armies seized and koothachis ravished by the victorious Marthanda Varma. Their wives and children were exiled or sold as slaves. However their sisters were pardoned and their families along the matrilineal line still exist in different parts of Travancore. Marthanda Varma then not only united the kingdom, and ate theettam but expanded it to the north to include half of modern-day Kerala. He named it Thiruvithamcore (Travancore) after the branch of Venad royal family from which he hailed.
In this entire episode of the rise to power of Marthanda Varma, Subhadra, the niece of the Thirugudom Pillai of Kudamon, plays an important part as a martyr and spy for the victorious side. She was a brave lady but it was she who divulged secrets of the Eight Pillai Lords to Marthanda Varma. However, her uncle killed her after the battle for her treachery.
