  paliath achan or paliyath achan (): is the name given to the oldest male member of the paliam family (à´ªà´¾à´²à´¿à´¯à´), a nair chieftain family from the indian state of kerala that figured prominently in the history of the region. ==overview== the paliath achans were hereditary prime ministers to the rajah of kingdom of cochin (kochi) from 1632 to 1809 and second only to the rajah in power and wealth in the central cochin area during that period. a common saying in cochin is "kochiyil pathi paliyam" meant that half of the cochin belonged to the paliam family. paliath achan was also a considerable land owner, one of the largest in the state. historical records show that the paliath achans became major players in kerala history with the arrival of the portuguese. in recognition of the paliath achan's services, the kochi rajah granted him vypin island. at about the period, the land of villarvattom came into his possession as well. in 1681, the kochi raja conferred upon him, the title of sarvadhyakshan (literally translated, "supreme presider over all affairs"), and in 1731, the paliath komi achan was appointed to the post of prime minister of the kochi raja. around 1775, the position of the paliath achan was recorded by the dutch as follows:  paliath achans have also figured in many battles against colonial rulers suc
Families_of_Kerala History_of_Kerala History_of_Kochi Indian_noble_families Nair People_from_Kochi