OTTUR FAMILY GENEAOLOGY: COURT DOCUMENTS I

WELCOME TO THIS BLOG

This blog has been possible due to the contributions made by several members of the OTTUR family and other family members. While it is not possible to acknowledge the contributions made by everyone, I would like to sincerely record my appreciation for the efforts made by the following :

1. (Late) Shri Ottur Madhavan Kutty

2. (Late)Smt. K. Kamaladevi

3. (Late)Shri. Ottur Govindanunni Menon

4. (Late) Shri. Kunnath Balakrishnan Nair

5. Shri. K.M. Pradeep Raj

While all efforts and care have been taken to factually present the details, there is every likelihood of typographical errors and mistakes. Visitors who would like to share old photographs or other details are welcome to send the same. The oldest photograph/image available is of MUTTATHIL MADHAVA MENON AND OTTUR SREEDEVI AMMA

Monday, 8 September 2014

COURT DOCUMENTS I

The set of documents (31 pages) placed below consists of legal documents pertaining to court cases among the family members of Ottur family. The main dispute related to the ownership of vast stretches of land which were in the possession of Ottur Vasava Menon (alias Rao Bahadur Ottur Vasava Menon). The original of the first document is dated 30-10-1881.

The documents have some interesting features. Some of the terms and anglicized Malayalam words are no longer in use. The term 'Karar' used in page 2 refers to contract. Similarly 'pattam' (should be paatam), 'michavaram' and 'Jenmi'. Jenmi is the legal owner of the land and michavaram is the annual payment made to the Jenmi by the paatta karan or the contractor (who can also be the actual tiller of the land) who acquires the land from the jenmi for paattam.

'Kariasthan' refers to Manager.

(This document was contributed by Shri M. Balakrishnan {Balaettan} of Kavilpad)

Palghat (present Palakkad) was a sub district under Calicut District in those days. Please note the extent of land holding in those days and because of this the measurement scale 'Kole' was used which is a malayalam term. One Kole was approximately 6 feet. About 17 different pieces of land/house sites/open grounds etc are mentioned in this documents. Each land/house site/open ground is furthur described in measurements of Kole. The mention of a she elephant 'paru' may also be seen on page 11. In the subsequent documents mention is made of innumerable 'malas' (hills or mountains), dams, 'Eries' (large water tanks), streams etc.