The person who governed the "nad" was known as the "naduvazhi". It was an inherited role, originally bestowed by a king, and of a lower ritual rank than the royal lineages. Although Nair families, they generally used the title of "Samantan" and were treated as vassals. However, some "naduvazhi" were feudatory chiefs, former kings whose territory had been taken over by, for example, the Zamorins of Calicut. In these instances, although they were obeisant to the "rajah" they held a higher ritual rank than the Zamorin as a consequence of their longer history of government; they also had more power than the vassal chiefs. The "naduvazhi" families each saw themselves as a distinct caste in the same manner as did the rajahs; they did not recognise other "naduvazhi" families as being equal to them. The "naduvazhi" maintained criminal and civil order and could demand military service from all Nairs below him. There was usually a permanent force of between 500 and 1000 men available and these were called upon by the "rajah" when required. All fighting was usually suspended during the monsoon period of May to September, when movement around the country was almost impossible. Roads did not exist, nor wheeled vehicles or pack animals, until after 1766.