Chirakkal Kovilakam Genealogy and Chirakkal Kovilakam Family History Information

Chirakkal Raja (king of Chirakkal) is the title of the senior most king of the Chirakkal branch (Chirakkal dynasty) of the Palli division of the Kolathiri dynasty of the erstwhile feudal state (nadu) of Kolathunadu in North Malabar, Kerala state, South India. Chirakkal Rajas and Kolathiris traces their ancestry back to the Mushika dynasty of the Tamil Sangam age. They were alternatively also known as the Kulyas, Kolis, Kolwas, Velirs, and Nannans.

Herbert Wigram states that Chirakkal Raja and the king of Travancore belongs to branches of the same Hindu-Nair family. Etymological background

The invasion of the domains of Kolathiri (called Kolathunadu) by the king of Bednore (Ikkeri) and subsequent settlements between Kolathiri and Bednore in 1736-37 led to considerable changes in the structure of the family of Kolathiris and to the virtual supersession of the title of Kolathiri Raja (king of Kolathunad) to Chirakkal Raja (king of Chirakkal). The Chirakkal Raja is entitled to one half of Malikhan of the Kolathiris after the cessation of his territory to East India Company in 1792. Capitals

The initial base of the members of Chirakkal dynasty was at Karippat in Kurumattur amsom. Their initial capital was at Perinchelloor (Taliparamba) and in circa 850 AD they shifted capital to Chirakkal

From Wikipedia