. This concerned the marriage practices of upper caste Hindus in Kerala, especially the Nambuthiri Brahmins and the Nayars. . Nambuthiris were also major landlords in Kerala at that time, and a large section of the Nayars were their tenants. . In late 19th century Kerala, a younger generation of English educated Nayar men who had acquired property and wealth on their own, began arguing strongly against Nambuthiri alliances with Nayar women. . They wanted new laws regarding marriage and property.