Alummoottil

Alummoottil is an Indian aristocratic Ezhava family (Tharavad) in Karthikapally Thaluk of Alappuzha district in Kerala.

During the 1700s, Alummoottil family was the supplier of cavalry regiments - mounted soldiers, lances, and war horses - to the Odanad Maharaja.

At its peak, the family used to administer 64 Kalaris (Kalaripayattu training centers), annually supplying 1000 infantrymen and 250 mounted-soldiers to the kingdom.

Alummoottil Karanavars (chieftains) served as the Gurukkals (instructors) of these training centres.Alummoottil soldiers commanded infantry regiments and intelligence platoons within the Maharaja's army.

AP Udayabhanu's novel "Ente Kadha Illaymakal" suggests that by the early 1800s, the family was wealthier than the King of Travancore.

The Alummoottil mansion in Alappuzha.
This is the ornamental lock that inspired the movie Manichitrathazhu.