Pillai (Kerala title)

Pillai, (Malayalam: [piɭːai̯]) meaning "Prince", is a title of nobility which can either refer to a ruling chief, members of the nobility, or junior princes of the royal family, and was mostly used by Nairs who were the Jenmimar (feudal chieftains). They were historically ranked as or immediately below the king. The title was also sometimes used by Nambudiris. The oldest lineages of Pillais include not only Kshatriyas but also Brahmins who took up the sword. From the early modern period, the title also came to be bestowed upon Savarna subjects by the kings of Kerala for military services and politics, and most of them were of Nair origin.