page_title: Nobility
section_title: Asia
hierarchical_section_title: Nobility / Asia
caption_attribution_description: English: An Illustration of Ettuveettil Pillas File is a scan copy of the source page and edited with Adobe Photoshop 7.0
context_page_description: Nobility is a social class normally ranked immediately below royalty and found in some societies that have a formal aristocracy. Nobility possesses more acknowledged privileges and higher social status than most other classes in society. The privileges associated with nobility may constitute substantial advantages over or relative to non-nobles, or may be largely honorary, and vary by country and era. As referred to in the Medieval chivalric motto noblesse oblige, nobles can also carry a lifelong duty to uphold various social responsibilities, such as honourable behaviour, customary service, or leadership positions. Membership in the nobility, including rights and responsibilities, is typically hereditary.
  Membership in the nobility has historically been granted by a monarch or government, unlike other social classes where membership is determined solely by wealth, lifestyle, or affiliation. Nonetheless, acquisition of sufficient power, wealth, military prowess, or royal favour has occasionally enabled commoners to ascend into the nobility.
  There are often a variety of ranks within the noble class.
caption: Illustration of Nair nobles in 18th century Kerala, India. The Nair caste was a martial nobility, similar to the Samurai of Japan.
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