From highest literacy rates to being the most developed state
From being the state to have best disaster management systems to recent Covid vaccination victory
the lists and titles that this one state owns are still counting. This Kerala Piravi ,Let us cherish the Mighty Keralam.
Welcome to my blog! Today we are glancing to the history and origin of Keralam in the shortest way.
Origin of the name:
The word Kerala is first recorded as KERALAPUTRA in 257BCE 3rd century in the rock inscription by Ashoka, The Mauryan emperor as one of four independent kingdoms in southern India. During this period although majority of northern part of India was captivated by Mauryan empire southern India stood immune to any kind of alien power.
The origin of the name of the state is a debatable topic . But here are some assumptions commonly accepted by historians.
- The name Kerala was named after 1st ruler Keralaian Thampooran, the of province in South India.
- The name was recorded in Rigveda as Aitreya argale. Also known as 'Cheranadu'- Land of Cheras.
- The name also known as Charal which means Declivity of mountain in classic Tamil.
The land was ruled by Chera dynasty. Most kings were named as Cheralathan .
CHERALATHAN - CHERAI - CHERALAM - KERALAM - KERALA.
the eventual verbal use of name by different regions changed the way it was pronounced.
Cheralam - Keralam was usually pronounced by people living in north.
Contradictorily , KERALAM which is a combination of Kera[coconut] + Alam [Land]= The land of coconuts is also widely accepted.
During British captivation, Keralam was shortened to Kerala.
the recent allegations to rename Kerala as Keralam is also to be kept in mind.
Kerala is also called THE LAND OF PARASURAMA. followed by a famous myth.
Language: MALAYALAM.
The language Malayalam is said to be derived from classic Tamil a south Dravidian language during Sangam period since many of the word in language are similar to words used in sangam literature records.
The old Tamil was the language of this region. it is said that the language Malayalam was developed due to geographic isolation, cultural difference, and the mild trade influence between Arabs, Sumerians, Romans and Portuguese.
The language is as in its present form was traced to 9th century A.D 1st appearing in Vazhappalli Inscription dating back to 830 A.D.
AREA:
The land area of Kerala measures to 38,863 km.[15,005 sq.miles.].Geologists believe that Kerala was formed by seismic activity. And people are proven to belong to Proto Australoid, Negrito Race, and as Indian history says- dravidians.
- Alappuzha
- Ernakulam
- Idukki
- Kannur
- Kasargod
- Kollam
- Kottayam
- Kozhikode
- Malappuram
- Palakkad
- Pathanamthitta
- Thiruvananthapuram
- Thrissur
- Wayanad.
The coastal length is 569.7 km
The geographical area of kerala includes Western Ghats, Backwaters and wildlife.
Therefore Tourism has remained as one major source of Kerala's economy.
History:
As mentioned earlier , Chera dynasty ruled Kerala. And their capital was Vanchi[Vanchimutur] near ancient port of Muziris which was a major center for trade with Rome.
Arabs had trade with kerala before 4th century B.C.E Mappilla was the title given to visitors from other nations .
Earliest church , Mosque, Synagogue was built in Kerala.
1st ever ballot elected communist government in the world.
Kerala's trade with west are Sandalwood, Ivory, Teakwood. It is said that peacocks ,monkeys, Ivory, Spices.
It is also believed that King Solomon imported certain goods from Kerala during the temple building in Jerusalem.
Adi Sankara who lived in 8th century establishing university all around India this made kerala quite famous.
SANGAM PERIOD
During the timespan, Heppalus , a Roman -Greek sailor reached Kodungallor in A.D 45. enabling direct trade with Rome .And by this time Cheras captured the territory.
Another notable incident during this rule was the visit of St. Thomas,one among 12 disciple of Jesus Christ.[A.D.52]. It was also during this period the Jerusalem temple was destructed which lead to mass migration of Jews from Israel. The settlement of Jews in Kerala was in present day Kochi .
Cheran Chengattuvan was the ruler who took up the initiative of their settlements.
POST SANGAM PERIOD[200-600c.e]
During this particular period, Buddhism gained its popularity. Similarly other religions started rooting its existence in Kerala.
Cheraman Perumal's conversion to Islam and Kulashekhara Alwar becoming a vaishnavite is a proof to the above statement.
In this span each king was enthroned for 12 years and everytime a new king was elected by grand ceremony called'mamankam' .
KULASHEKARA PERIOD.
Also known as the 2nd Chera Empire was the beginning to a new calendar system called kolla varsha or Quilon Calendar[Malayalam Calendar].
Rajaraja chola, Rajendra chola attacked Kerala . Rajendra chola seized VIZHINJAM. By 1070 ,Kerala was liberated from Chola dynasty.
PERIOD OF PROVINCIAL RULERS.
Chola,Pandya kingdom grew weak. The provincial areas of chera empire started to grow stronger. King of venad and kochi, Zamorin of kozhikode became the important rulers.
EUROPEAN INVASION
1498 , Vasco da Gama set foot in Kappad, Kozhikode. It is important to note that the main reason for the establishment of foreign power in india was the rivalry between provincial rulers.
Gradually by 1524 Vasco da Gama appointed Portuguese Viceroy of Kerala.
Kochi and Kozhikode become regions of great importance. whereas Kozhikode had to fight n number of wars with portuguese.
After the arrival of portuguese , it was dutch who came to kerala. They reached Malabar coast. Taking this mutual rivalry between kochi and kozhikode as an oppurtunity they sneaked into kerala politics.
But they could never sustain as British entered kerala by this time.The empire of never setting sun as well couldn't stay in kerala for a long time. There was many wars and a lot of conflicts within& towards British.
Marthanda Varma was one among them. Pazhashi Raja another great ruler as well.
BRITISH.
They started their rule by mid of 17th century and continued till independence to 200 years. By this time the provinces shrinked into Cochin and Travancore.
Before completely crucifying britishers it would be irresponsible of any citizens to not remember their contribution towards india's mordenisation.
The educational institutions, hospitals, railway systems, roads, bridges, church and goes the list.
FREEDOM.
By 1900s intensity of opposition towards british rule strengthened. Pazhashi and Mappilla revolt broke out.
WW2 also weakened british empire which in contrary gave india its courage to fight back. And a new kerala division of INC formed during the freedom movement.
Khilafat movement under leadership of INC influenced Malabar Muslims. After Khilafat movement , Malabar mutiny[1921]took place.
Vaikom Satyagraha[1924] but later ended due to intervention of Mahatma Gandhi in 1925.
Note:during opposition against salt tax, K.Kelappan opposed the law and produced salt.
On July 1 , 1949 , Princely states of Travancore -Cochin to form THIRU- COCHI State.
But by November 1, 1956, Kerala came into existence by consolidating Malabar province which was part of Madras Presidency and now we see a united Kerala.
A state in which communism still exist in its best form.
A state which was never shaken by the mighty powers of okhi.
A state that became the role model of medical faculty when the world was failing out of a pandemic .
A state which personally reassures that there is still hope to humanity.
That is Kerala. GOD'S OWN COUNTRY.
Thats Edna Anna Vilot for you.Wish you happy read...
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