Kshatryas
Society in ancient India consisted of four castes: the Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras in that order.
The Kshatriyas were the warrior and princely caste and second in order of importance.The word means‘the protector of land’. The kings, rulers and soldiers belonged to this caste.
In ancient times they were placed higher than the Brahmans, or priestly class. According to legend they were degraded by an incarnation of Vishnu as a punishment for their tyranny. This might also be a reference to a historical struggle for supremacy between priests and rulers.
Kshatriyas in Kerala can be identified by the surname Varma. They are all descendants of royal families
