Ezhava

rdf:langString Ezhava

rdf:langString Ezhava

rdf:langString Ezhava

rdf:langString An ancient Ezhava temple in 19th Century near Trivandrum.

rdf:langString ഈഴവ

rdf:langString Malayalam

rdf:langString Long term and persistent disruptive editing. See protection log. This has been going on for years.; requested at WP:RfPP

rdf:langString yes

rdf:langString Approx. 8,000,000

rdf:langString The Ezhavas (Malayalam pronunciation: ​[iːɻɐʋɐ]) are a community with origins in the region of India presently known as Kerala, where in the 2010s they constituted about 23% of the population and were reported to be the largest Hindu community. They are also known as Ilhava, Irava, Izhava and Erava in the south of the region; as Chovas, Chokons and Chogons in Central Travancore; and as Thiyyar, Tiyyas and Theeyas in the Malabar region. Some are also known as Thandan, which has caused administrative difficulties due to the presence of a distinct caste of Thandan in the same region. The Malabar Ezhava group have claimed a higher ranking in the Hindu caste system than do the others, although from the perspective of the colonial and subsequent administrations they were treated as being of similar rank. Ezhava dynasties such as the Mannanar existed in Kerala. The Chekavar, a warrior section within the Ezhava community, served the army of the Chera dynasty; there were also renowned Kalaripayattu experts among Chekavars. Britishers also formed the Thiyyar Regiment in Malabar during the colonial rule. There were lesser known Thiyya regiments and Thiyyar Pattalam formed by the French and British governments in Mahe and Thalassery. The British deployed the unit in various military operations.