Tharakan (title)
Tharakan (Malayalam: തരകന്) is an honorific hereditary title which was bestowed upon a handful prominent Saint Thomas Christian families in the erst-while Kingdoms of Travancore and Cochin,[1] currently being the State of Kerala in India. This title of "Tharakan" was given by the Maharaja of Travancore, the Maharaja of Cochin and by the Rajas of the smaller Kingdoms to Nasrani Christian families for their services and contributions. The families which held the title had certain specific monetary obligation to their ruler, i.e. they paid taxes, or Tariff.
Etymology
The word Tharakan literally means the holder of document of Raja. They are so called because they were the recipients of Tharaku or writ of social privilege.[2]
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