The only military caste of
Kerala. They are Vratya Kshatriyas with descent from Nagavansh (The lineage of NÄgas 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.