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Abstract
From time immemorial onwards the course and destiny of human history was regulated and decided by the might of the martial forces. A sound military force constituted an important factor in the rise of all great kingdoms in the world. There could not be land empire without a sufficient armed force. The neglect of defence would ultimately result in the sudden collapse and disintegration of that respective kingdom. Thus the existence of a state is largely depended upon its military force.1 A well organized, well disciplined and well trained regular militia formed an integral part of every state. In Travancore, before the origin of the police force and the formation of state military force, the defence of the kingdom was looked after by the Nayar Bridge2. They maintained law and order within the kingdom. The Nayars constituted the bulk of the militia. Unlike any other community the Nayar community dedicated itself to the cause of the king and the kingdom from its very beginning.3