Mathilunkal Family History

MATHILUNKAL FAMILY
(A BRIEF HISTORICAL SKETCH)

Thiruvalla MATHILINKAL Kudumbam is one of the main branches of Kuravilangad Pakalomattom- Vadakkedem Tharavadu. Pakalomattam is one of the four ancient royal Brahmin families who accepted Baptism from St. Thomas, the apostle of Jesus Christ, at Palayur in A.D.52.

It is believed that a major portion of the four Brahmin Converted families migrated to Kuruvilangad in the 4th Century A.D (337. A.D). The Pakalomattam family stayed on the northern side of the Kuravilangad Forane Church, which was founded in 345 A.D; Hence it was called Palli Vadakkedam Family. As Chief Priest hood among the four families in those days was the Prerogative of the Pakalomattam Family, they stayed closest to the church. Only Vadakkedam Family got this epithet.

From 13th Century onwards large scale migrations happened in the Pakalomattam Family. By the 13th Century there prevailed a Superstition in some parts of Kerala which made people believe that if a thing (Jaggery/Sugar, Salt, Coconut oil etc.) become impure by Theendal Thodeel (the custom with which an untouchable touch made a thing impure ) it could be purifi ed by a touch of Royal Nazrani Christians. Hence all royal families and Brahmin families took a Christian family from Pakalomattam root and accommodated them near their houses.

As per the historical records Charithra Charcha - a discussion of history- the famous book written by father C.K. Mattam in 1949, (Pages 28, 29) one of the famous royal pathillathil potties at Thiruvalla (Pazhayidathu Madathil Potti) brought one christian ( Nazrani) Family who belonged to Pakalomattam- Vadakkedam branch and they were given land and house close to Kavil Bhagavathi Temple at Kavumbhagam Thiruvalla. As the ancestor who came from Vadakkedam family stayed by the Southern side of the Temple wall (mathil) they came to be known as Mathilinkal.

The famous poet and historian Sri. Villwattathu Raghavan Nambiar in his article Sreevallabha Sankethe gramam - about the history of ancient Thiruvalla gramam, which was seriealised in the Malayala Manorama has stated that the Mathilinkal Family was one of the ancient Christian families of Thiruvalla (Manorama dated September 19, 1928). It is believed that Mathilinkal is the fi rst migrated Nazrani Family in Thiruvalla Thaluk in the beginning of 15th century A.D. Thiruvalla- Kavileveedu, Kattappuram, Chittettu, Edathua- Kavileveedu, Alappuzha- Thiruvalla veedu, Thumpamon- Vadakkedeth Veedu, Omalloor Vadakkedethu Veedu, Pala- Kattakkayam are some of the main branches of mathilinkal kudumbam.

In A.D. 1913 around hundred years back, the residents of the Mathilinkal Tharavadu sold the property to Brahmins and moved to different parts of Thiruvalla like SCS Junction, Near Railway Station and Kuttapuzha. The Brahmins retained the name Mathilinkal and their Tharavadu is known as Mathilinkal Madom ever since and till date.