The only
military caste of Kerala. They are Vratya Kshatriyas with
descent from Nagavansh (The lineage of Nāgas mentioned in Puranas).
They were matrilineal by descent but patriarchal in nature.
They are the rare carriers of U1 mtDNA haplogroup in
India.
Most kingdoms in Kerala which popped up after Cheras, were created by Nairs.