Poonthran

Poonthran is a prominent traditional Muslim family from the erstwhile Travancore - a princely state of the present day Kerala, India. It's members have played a significant role in the history of Travancore since 19th century. Their genealogy starts with a prominent landlord Thoppil Thampi, who came from the south-western part of Travancore and settled in Vettoor, Varkala.

The origin of the name "Poonthran" was probably derived from Poonthura, a coastal village in Travancore. The family's ascent to prominence began in the late 19th century, with the birth of Vakkom Moulavi. They have contributed renaissance leaders, social reformers, freedom fighters, politicians, judges, writers, scholars, journalists and philosophers to the history of Travancore, Kerala and modern India.

History

The family traces its origins from the south of Travancore back to the time 18th century. The earliest known ancestor is Thoppil Thampi, who was born in Colachel and migrated to Poonthura. He then moved and settled in Vettoor, Varkala. Thampi was a wealthy Muslim landlord who showed keen interest in acquiring lands and coconut farms in Travancore region. In the early 19th century, Thampi expanded a strong trading sector in the southern Travancore. He then married Aamina Umma of Kayalpuram family. Poonthran family originated from Colachel, an ancient port town in South Travancore, while Kayalpuram family from Ayiroor, Varkala.

Notable members

  • Thoppil Thampi (circa. 1813–1879), a prominent landlord and trader who came from the Colachel.
  • Mohamed Kunju Sr. (circa. 1841–1890), son of Thoppil Thampi, and a wealthy landlord, prominent trader and influential leader.
  • Vakkom Moulavi (1873–1932), an Islamic renaissance leader, social reformer, Muslim scholar, Educationist and the proprietor of Swadeshabhimani newspaper.
  • P. Habeeb Mohamed (1898–1963), the first Muslim judge of the Travancore High Court of Kerala.
  • P. Mohamed Mytheen (1899-1967), a Muslim scholar, writer and the first Malayalam translator of Holy Quaran.
  • Vakkom Majeed (1909-2000), an Indian freedom fighter, politician and a former member of the Travancore-Cochin State Assembly.
  • Abdul Khadar Jr (1912-1976), an Indian writer, critic and journalist.
  • Mohamed Abda (1914-1992), a writer, Educationist and thinker.
  • Abdul Shakoor, an Indian born Pakistani journalist who worked as the senior most Assistant Editor of Dawn and the London Correspondent of the Pakistan Times.
  • Mohammed Eeza (1929-1999), a south Indian scholar, writer and thinker of Islamic studies