Thachil
Thachil is the name of an ancient and aristocratic family from Ernakulam (district), Kerala State. The family originated from North Kuthiathode. Thachil Matthoo Tharakan was a significant figure in the history of the family and Travancore
History
The belief is that St Thomas, the disciple of Jesus Christ who came to India in 52 AD, landed in the port town of Kadungalloor and established a Christian community there. Later a group of Syrian Christians led by Thomas of Cana landed in Kodungalloor between 4th and 9th century. Emperor Cheraman Perumal welcomed them and gave all help to the expatriates for settlement. They opened and operated the famous Mahadevar Pattanam a market town. The expatriates were rich people and by the business became more rich. Thomas of Cana led a group of 72 families, as well as clergymen, to the Malabar Coast. There they met and supplemented the Saint Thomas Christians, who had been evangelized by Thomas the Apostle in the 1st century. Copper plates referring to this story exist, but are of a substantially later date. During the war, Mahadevar Pattanam was destroyed and many expatriates family moved down to Travancore.
Thachil Illam was one of the famous Brahmin Tharavad in Kerala. Thachil Brahmins were chief priests in the Thirumoozhikkulam Temple. They were converted to Christianity and migrated to Kuthiathode. Some believe that they were converted to Christianity by Thomas of Cana (Knai Thomman). Thachil Variyath is the Grand father of Thachil family who migrated to Kuthiathode.
Branches
Thachil family branched into over 20 sub families, quite a few of them have migrated to different places like the Alangad Thachils found in Angamaly. Some of the sub Thachil families who have roots in North Kuthiathode are as follows:
- Chavedyil
- Kolenchery
- Kalapurakal
- Kambolam Kandathil
- Kovattu
- Kizhakke Veetil
- Kizhakke Ambattu
- Manakkalakatuttu
- Padinjare Ambattu
- Puthenveettil
- Vadakkeveetil
Some of the other sub Thachil families are Kannai from Puthenchira, Kanjirakattu from N Paravur and Poochoodan from Angamali.
See also
References
- M.O. Joseph Nedumkunnam, Thachil Mathu Tharakan, (Malayalam) Kottayam, NBS, 1962
- M.O. Joseph Nedumkunnam, Thachil Kudumbam, (Malayalam)
- Thachil Mathu Tharakan by C C Lonappan Ookken (1966)