Sulthan Arakkal Adiraja Mariyumma, alias Cheriya Bikkunhu Beevi, the 39th head of Arakkal royal family, died at her residence in Kerala’s Kannur district due to age-related ailments on Monday.
She was 87.
Mariyumma assumed the title of Arakkal Beevi in May 2019 after the death of Sulthan Arakkal Adiraja Fathima Muthu Beevi.
Wife of the late A.P. Aluppi Elaya, retired administrative officer, Chennai Ports Trust (CPT), Mariyumma was residing at Almar Mahal here ever since she returned from Chennai 21 years ago.
Being the head of the Kannur-headquartered Arakkal dynasty-the lone Muslim dynasty in Kerala that had once ruled the Kannur town and the southern part of Lakshadweep and Minicoy- Mariyumma was the official head of the establishments under the dynasty, including the Kannur city Juma Masjid and the Arakkal museum.
As the family follows the matrilineal system of succession common among Mappila Muslims in the region, the eldest member of the family becomes the head of the royal family which once ruled the lone Muslim principality in the State.
Female heads of the Arakkal house are known as Arakkal Beevis, while male heads are called Ali Rajas.
