Edapally Rajas

Edappalli Rajas ("Kings of Edappalli", known to the Portuguese as Repolim and to the Dutch as Repleim) were the rulers of the late medieval feudal kingdom of Edappally (Elangallur Swarupam), which also included parts of Kallooppara, Karthikapally, Haripad, Cherthala, Vazhakulam,(muvattupuzha) in the present day state of Kerala, India. Edapalli Rajas had no civil or criminal authority within the principality. He is entitled to all the revenue from his lands, and holds them free of tax or tribute to Travancore.

Elangallur Swarupam is one of only two Brahmin royalties in Kerala. Edappally Rajas were great patrons of temples and also known as Edappally Thampurans (Lords of Edappally). They built temples like the famous Ganapathy temple at Edappally, Sastha Temple at Thrikkunnapuzha (near Cherthala in Alleppey district) and Perandoor Bhagavathy Temple.

According to local legends and myths, the last king of the Later Chera dynasty divided his kingdom among his various chieftains and governors. At the last minute he realized that he had not given any land to his royal priests- the Elangallur Namboothiris. He then took back some land from the other lords and gave it to the royal priest family. A new dynasty was created - the Elangalllur swaroopam or the Kingdom of the Elangallur family in Edappally.

The old Vempolinad was separated into 'Vadakumkoor' and 'Thekkumkoor' in AD 1100. Kottayam, Chenganacherry, Thiruvalla, Kanjirapally and some places of high range where included in Thekkumkoor kingdom.Kallooppara was under the control of the Thekkumkoor dynasty. It had Kalari (training center for material arts) at Kallooppara. The famous Kalari was known as Thekkumkoor fort which existed till recently. The Thekkumkoor army camped here and it was risky for the enemy to attack them. It is said that the King had many close friends in Kallooppara and its surroundings. The Old Nair lord Family at Koipuram in Eraviperoor was in close touch with the Kings. It was this Nair Lord family who had great influence on the king and inspired him to donate Kallooppara sub-division to Edappally dynasty. As the withdrawal of Thekkumkoor kings, Kallooppara came under the Edappally dynasty, which is also known as Elangalloor Swaroopam. The Edappally dynasty has the history of elevation of a temple priest to the royal position of a King. The founder of the Edappally dynasty was a priest of Thrikkakara temple according to the historical evidence and proverbs.

...
Wikipedia