Kuthiravattam Swaroopam was a late medivial era kingdom in Kerala formed as a chain reaction of the Zamorin's invasion of Palakkad or Tarur Swaroopam. Once upon a time the word Kuthiravattam used to conjure up images of reverence and nobility. Going by etymology Kuthiravattam is a combination of two words: Kuthira (Horse) and Vattam (Circle or Sphere). The term came about since the Kuthiravattam area of Kozhikode was the cavalry headquarters of Zamorin's Nediyiruppu Swaroopam. It was also the home of Kuthiravattam-Nair (a cavalry commander appointed by the governing Zamorin's son). The Kuthiravattam Nairs were of Nagavanshi lineage claiming origin from Takshaka and his descendants . Note that branches of Nāgavansh were sub-lineage of Suryavansh.
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In 14th century CE Kuthiravattath Nair had defeated Kochi army at a battleground in Naduvattom under the command of Zamorin. This won him a lot of fame. In the second half of 15th century, Kuthiravattath Nair(of that period) was sent to rescue the Venganad Nampidi from the Palakkad Raja who had taken over control of Venganad. Venganad Nampidi was an important supplier of materials required for Poojas and Yagnas thus they were much valued. The Zamorin sent the Kuthiravattath Nair, his captain of the cavalry forces, to expel the Palakkad Raja from Venganad. He not only succeeded in clearing Venganad but occupied a large part of the Palghat Raja’s dominions, known as Naduvattam because it ran like a sharp wedge through the centre, dividing Palghat into two halves In conformity with the policy of entrusting the newly conquered territory to the general who had conquered it, the Kuthiravattam Nair was installed as the governer of Naduvattam
Years later, the Kuthiravattath Nair of Naduvattam had many disagreements with Zamorin. Around this time, the he declared himself to be independent and renamed Naduvattom as Kuthiravattom Swaroopam. Their original royal palace was situated at Koyalmannam. But years later, they relocated to the present smaller palace at Pulapatta near Kadampazhipuram. The fort renovated by Kuthiravattam Swaroopam came to be known as Koduvayur fort. Their men also started using titles like Thamban/Tampan and the women used the corresponding title of Thambatti.
They fended off Hyder Ali, but couldn't face his son Tipu Sultan. Post the 3rd Mysorean Invasion they lost sovereignty and during British rule they got reduced to landed gentry on paper. The last nominal king of Kuthiravattam Swaroopam before State reorganisation was the late Shaktan Thamban. So that's all for today, stay tuned for next article. Have a good day reader!
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