Driven by an unwavering commitment to military excellence, glorious bloodshed and honorable combat, they prioritized martial pursuits over familial or economic endeavors.
Indeed, this emphasis on martial prowess and a warrior's code of honor is often cited as the foundation of the matrilineal succession system, which is later influenced others.
By the beginning of the 20th century, marumakkathayam was increasingly seen as an undesirable remnant of a feudal past, and discontented groups including Nair and Ambalavasi men sought to bring reform.
The reforms were pushed through in spite of opposition from conservative factions led by Kesava Pillai of Kandamath in the Travancore Court, Sree Mulam State Council and by leading members of society such as C. V. Raman Pillai[5][6] in the states of Cochin and Travancore, and the British Indian province of Malabar, which later joined together to form Kerala in 1957.
Matrilineal system or marumakkathayam is traditionally followed by Nairs, Thiyyas, Mukkuvars, Nambyars and some Nambudiri Brahmin families.