The Kingdoms of South India do not get wide coverage in the Ancient Indian History, possibly because the Kings or potentates have not left any record of their reign or inscriptions. Even though Tamil was one of the oldest classical languages of India from the unknown date in history,the historical sagas carried by the authors of famous texts are not considered authentic. However, Kerala is as old as History. The Ramayana and Mahabharata, there are references to places in Kerala. Kerala princes and warriors are said to have partaken in the ‘Kurushekhtra War’. Vamana, one of the incarnations of Vishnu is said to have exiled the then emperor Maha Bali to pathala (Bhagavatham). Parasurama, the subsequent Avatara of Vishnu is said to have reclaimed Kerala from the Sea throwing his axe from the Oom Gokarna sea coast. All these testify that there has been Cheranad, along with Cholas and Pndyan Kingdoms in South India.
Perumchoth Udayan Cheralatan was the first of the Chera Kings about whom there is a scanty sketch in the Tamil literature. He is said to be a great warrior who partook in the kurukshetra War. He was succeded by Palyanai Selkeh Kuttavan who ruled from ‘Thiruvanchikulam on the broad Periyar, near the sounding ocean’. Kalankaikkanni Narmudic Cheral succeded Selkh Kuttavan. Cholas had by that time annexed some of the parts of the Chera Kingdom. Karikola Chola defeated the combined forces of Pandya and Chera forces in the famous battle of Venni. His successors were weak, and they were subdued by Cheran Senkuttavan. The great poets of the Sangam literature have ascribed many victories and he was credited with subjugating many victories. He won a great naval war (Pathittipattu 45, 46, 48 Agam 212), and got the title ‘Kadal Pirakottiya’. Muziris, which suffered from the depredations of buccaneers, was made a safe Port of Call.
Muziris (Kodungalloor or CRAGANORE) was reputed to be the ancient world's greatest trading centre in the East for such highly prized possessions as Pepper, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Ginger and other Spices. Pliny the elder describes Muziris as primum emporium Indiae. The Port was popular to the author of the Periplus of the Erythrean Sea who described it as being situated on River Pseudostomus (Greek for false mouth- a precise Malayalam translation of Periyar alimukom) A second century Papyrus from Egypt concerning the transshipment of goods originating in Muziris from the Red Sea to Alexandria attests the continued importance of the Port in the Indian Ocean after Pilany and Periplus. Pliny, the younger is said to have lamented the fact that trade with Muziris was draining the treasury of Rome. The trade flourished by ships riding on the monsoon winds from Africa and back to Arabia, from where the overland caravan took the prized items to the markets along the Mediterranean Ports. Kerala was known as fabled land of Spices and black Gold. It was during this time Europe was busy in exploration and Voyages to unknown lands. Route to India was a dream of most of the voyager. Many attempts were made, but most could reach only up to "Cape of Good hope" in Africa.
Historians like Dr Tomber of the British Museum attest that the flow of trade between Rome and Kerala lasted between the 1st century BC and 1st Century AD. However, there was growing evidence, according to her, that this trade continued much longer into the 6th and early 7th century AD, although not continually.
So well known was this Port town, a placed loved by the navigators, that the direct disciple of Jesus Christ, St Thomas came to Muziris, and the Christian religion took their roots here. The testimony to this is the St Marthoma Church (built in 52 AD). There has been a congregation of Buddhists to this place as well. Huan Tsang, Chinese traveler who has recounted the history of his travel in India, describes Muziris as a place where there were many Buddhists. The 24th Perumal Raja Varman (294-314 AD), the thirteeth Perumal Chandra Varman II (515-540 AD) became staunch Buddhists. In Kerala upto 550 AD Buddhism was highly prevalent here. Well known geographer Ptolemy (AD 95) had a map where Muziris was marked. Sri Kurumba Bhagavati temple of Kodungallur is said to have been built by Cheran Senkuttavan. Kodungalluramma and the fable relating to her have been depicted in Silapathikaram by Elangovan, who is said to be the brother of Cheran Senkuttavan (2 nd centuries AD Tamil classic). The Kannaki of Chilapathikaram is said to have burned the city of Madurai when the Pandyan King unknowingly killed her husband Kovalan, accusing him of having robbed the precious pearl studded bracelet. According to lore, Kannaki is Kodungalluramma. However, under Senkuttavan, there was peaceful co-existence between the conglomerations of all religious faiths in the remote period of History.
I would like to pause for a second, and look at the record achievements of South Indian rulers. However, when the entire Indian History was re-constrcuted by Western Scholars, they gave scant respect for Chola, Chera and Pandya Kingdoms. Pulakasi II stopped the exploits of Harsha Vardhan. Raja Raja Chola and Rajemdra were great monarchs. In the annals of the early centuries of Christian era, South Indian Ports excelled. Priceless treasures were brought by Phoenicians, Arabs, and Romans. The exploits of south Indian Kings lay concealed under the dust of centuries until comparatively recent times (!) Historians have often failed to appreciate the work and recognize the greatness of warriors and Kings of the South (Dravidians). The subjugation of the south by the invaders from the north is with them a normal occurrence, a fascinating theme, and a forgone conclusion. It was possible for people of South India to spread throughout India, colonize islands like Java, Bali and push commercial enterprise in the countries of the West, the story of their conquest of North India need not be branded as a figment of poetic fancy or a mere manifestation of parochial patriotism. If the expedition of Samudra Gupta could give the historic background to Kalidasa in describing the military triumphs of Raghu, the exploits by Chera Kings recorded in Pathithupattu and other Sangam Works of contemporary poets may also be legitimately regarded as reliable and true(Travancore Manual, Chap XIII,p 21). It may, perhaps, be contended that the desire for recognition and regard, might have induced the composers to burn their incense at the feet of the Kings and potentates and persuaded them to improvise fictions to make their panegyrics acceptable to their patrons. That is the fragility of poets of all ages and all Countries. But no historian has refused on that ground to indent for his facts on Bana’s Harscharita, Bilhana’s ‘Vikramankaradevacharitra’ or Kalhana’s Rajatharangani. V A Smith has frankly acknowledged that for the period of Indian History from 600 to 326 BC, dependence must be placed almost wholly upon tradition communicated through literary works. The remarks are no doubt applicable to the History of Sangam period in South Indian History.
Ancient Tamil works are invaluable pieces of information for reconstruction of history of those times. Silapathikaram is a notable work which gives inkling of the times. The Pathittipattu describes the exploits and valours of individual Chera Kings. The reputation of the Sangam works depended upon the stamp of approval placed on them by the great Madurai Academy composed by the most learned men of that time. The ‘Akkappural’ and ‘Pura Nanuru’ are also compositions of great value. But the accounts furnished by the Sangam works are often taken at a discount. So great is the inferiority that even Shri P T Srinivasa Iyer, who has done a lot of study in the South Indian History, would fain dismiss the expedition of Sen Kuttavan into the Gangetic Valley as a fable invented by ‘a Tamil poet ignorant of the geography of India’. In the light of the same arguments, it is feasible for a fantastic historian to state the great pilgrimage of Sri Sankara (Adi Sankara) from the remote Kaladi to the North as a fable invented by a fanciful poet of the South! If the Indo-Aryans from their Artic home and the Greeks under Alexander the Great knew geography enough to invade India through the difficult passes in the north-west, it may be reasonably presumed that a South Indian King should also be able to discover the route which led to the northern Regions.
Sangam Works quote the beautiful ships of Yevanas brought gold in great quantity to the Court of Muziris and went back laden with pepper. Spinning and weaving were common, carpentry, working in hides and skins were common. The land grew spices, especially pepper which was much sought out in the Western World. It abounded in Coconuts, sandlewood, akil and sugar cane. Elephants gave ivory, its mines yielded precious stones, and its seas produced pearls.
It was the consecration of a Bhagavati Temple at Kodungallur paved the way for Bhagavati workship in Kerala.
The Cheraman Jamal masjid was constructed in 629 AD and is the first Muslim mosque constructed in India. It had unique and queer architecture and a century year old lamp which show the close amenity between the various religions at Kodungallur. Kodungallur still enjoys religious amenity.
Today, Muziris stands in isolation, with big gated houses, with their occupants away in America, Emirates and other far countries. Kodungallur is a native place of the famous P Bhaskar who gave many songs including “Nallikerathindanattil annikku nadi edigandi mannundu” (In the land of Coconut, I have a small land), Prof M N Vijayan, Kamal, Cinema Director, Kodungallur Kunju Kuttan thampuran, an erudite Sanskrit Scholar, Bahadhur, late cine artist, etc.
Bibliography:
# Pliny’s Natural History
# Travancore Manual
# History of the Tamils from the earliest times to 600 AD- P T
Srinivasa Iyengar
# History of Kerala – A Sridhara Menon
# Trade in early India (Oxford University Press)
# Cochin Saga- Sir Robert Bristow
# History of Kerala- Wikipedia
# Vestige of the Grand Past & Saga of Cochin (A V Ramanathan)
# Viswa Vijnana Kosh (Ed: P T Bhaskara Panikker)
# Annual Reports of Coir Board
#Coir Export Statistical Output (Coir Board)(2007)
#Coconut Export Manual (CDB, Govt of India, 2010]
Perumchoth Udayan Cheralatan was the first of the Chera Kings about whom there is a scanty sketch in the Tamil literature. He is said to be a great warrior who partook in the kurukshetra War. He was succeded by Palyanai Selkeh Kuttavan who ruled from ‘Thiruvanchikulam on the broad Periyar, near the sounding ocean’. Kalankaikkanni Narmudic Cheral succeded Selkh Kuttavan. Cholas had by that time annexed some of the parts of the Chera Kingdom. Karikola Chola defeated the combined forces of Pandya and Chera forces in the famous battle of Venni. His successors were weak, and they were subdued by Cheran Senkuttavan. The great poets of the Sangam literature have ascribed many victories and he was credited with subjugating many victories. He won a great naval war (Pathittipattu 45, 46, 48 Agam 212), and got the title ‘Kadal Pirakottiya’. Muziris, which suffered from the depredations of buccaneers, was made a safe Port of Call.
Muziris (Kodungalloor or CRAGANORE) was reputed to be the ancient world's greatest trading centre in the East for such highly prized possessions as Pepper, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Ginger and other Spices. Pliny the elder describes Muziris as primum emporium Indiae. The Port was popular to the author of the Periplus of the Erythrean Sea who described it as being situated on River Pseudostomus (Greek for false mouth- a precise Malayalam translation of Periyar alimukom) A second century Papyrus from Egypt concerning the transshipment of goods originating in Muziris from the Red Sea to Alexandria attests the continued importance of the Port in the Indian Ocean after Pilany and Periplus. Pliny, the younger is said to have lamented the fact that trade with Muziris was draining the treasury of Rome. The trade flourished by ships riding on the monsoon winds from Africa and back to Arabia, from where the overland caravan took the prized items to the markets along the Mediterranean Ports. Kerala was known as fabled land of Spices and black Gold. It was during this time Europe was busy in exploration and Voyages to unknown lands. Route to India was a dream of most of the voyager. Many attempts were made, but most could reach only up to "Cape of Good hope" in Africa.
Historians like Dr Tomber of the British Museum attest that the flow of trade between Rome and Kerala lasted between the 1st century BC and 1st Century AD. However, there was growing evidence, according to her, that this trade continued much longer into the 6th and early 7th century AD, although not continually.
So well known was this Port town, a placed loved by the navigators, that the direct disciple of Jesus Christ, St Thomas came to Muziris, and the Christian religion took their roots here. The testimony to this is the St Marthoma Church (built in 52 AD). There has been a congregation of Buddhists to this place as well. Huan Tsang, Chinese traveler who has recounted the history of his travel in India, describes Muziris as a place where there were many Buddhists. The 24th Perumal Raja Varman (294-314 AD), the thirteeth Perumal Chandra Varman II (515-540 AD) became staunch Buddhists. In Kerala upto 550 AD Buddhism was highly prevalent here. Well known geographer Ptolemy (AD 95) had a map where Muziris was marked. Sri Kurumba Bhagavati temple of Kodungallur is said to have been built by Cheran Senkuttavan. Kodungalluramma and the fable relating to her have been depicted in Silapathikaram by Elangovan, who is said to be the brother of Cheran Senkuttavan (2 nd centuries AD Tamil classic). The Kannaki of Chilapathikaram is said to have burned the city of Madurai when the Pandyan King unknowingly killed her husband Kovalan, accusing him of having robbed the precious pearl studded bracelet. According to lore, Kannaki is Kodungalluramma. However, under Senkuttavan, there was peaceful co-existence between the conglomerations of all religious faiths in the remote period of History.
I would like to pause for a second, and look at the record achievements of South Indian rulers. However, when the entire Indian History was re-constrcuted by Western Scholars, they gave scant respect for Chola, Chera and Pandya Kingdoms. Pulakasi II stopped the exploits of Harsha Vardhan. Raja Raja Chola and Rajemdra were great monarchs. In the annals of the early centuries of Christian era, South Indian Ports excelled. Priceless treasures were brought by Phoenicians, Arabs, and Romans. The exploits of south Indian Kings lay concealed under the dust of centuries until comparatively recent times (!) Historians have often failed to appreciate the work and recognize the greatness of warriors and Kings of the South (Dravidians). The subjugation of the south by the invaders from the north is with them a normal occurrence, a fascinating theme, and a forgone conclusion. It was possible for people of South India to spread throughout India, colonize islands like Java, Bali and push commercial enterprise in the countries of the West, the story of their conquest of North India need not be branded as a figment of poetic fancy or a mere manifestation of parochial patriotism. If the expedition of Samudra Gupta could give the historic background to Kalidasa in describing the military triumphs of Raghu, the exploits by Chera Kings recorded in Pathithupattu and other Sangam Works of contemporary poets may also be legitimately regarded as reliable and true(Travancore Manual, Chap XIII,p 21). It may, perhaps, be contended that the desire for recognition and regard, might have induced the composers to burn their incense at the feet of the Kings and potentates and persuaded them to improvise fictions to make their panegyrics acceptable to their patrons. That is the fragility of poets of all ages and all Countries. But no historian has refused on that ground to indent for his facts on Bana’s Harscharita, Bilhana’s ‘Vikramankaradevacharitra’ or Kalhana’s Rajatharangani. V A Smith has frankly acknowledged that for the period of Indian History from 600 to 326 BC, dependence must be placed almost wholly upon tradition communicated through literary works. The remarks are no doubt applicable to the History of Sangam period in South Indian History.
Ancient Tamil works are invaluable pieces of information for reconstruction of history of those times. Silapathikaram is a notable work which gives inkling of the times. The Pathittipattu describes the exploits and valours of individual Chera Kings. The reputation of the Sangam works depended upon the stamp of approval placed on them by the great Madurai Academy composed by the most learned men of that time. The ‘Akkappural’ and ‘Pura Nanuru’ are also compositions of great value. But the accounts furnished by the Sangam works are often taken at a discount. So great is the inferiority that even Shri P T Srinivasa Iyer, who has done a lot of study in the South Indian History, would fain dismiss the expedition of Sen Kuttavan into the Gangetic Valley as a fable invented by ‘a Tamil poet ignorant of the geography of India’. In the light of the same arguments, it is feasible for a fantastic historian to state the great pilgrimage of Sri Sankara (Adi Sankara) from the remote Kaladi to the North as a fable invented by a fanciful poet of the South! If the Indo-Aryans from their Artic home and the Greeks under Alexander the Great knew geography enough to invade India through the difficult passes in the north-west, it may be reasonably presumed that a South Indian King should also be able to discover the route which led to the northern Regions.
Sangam Works quote the beautiful ships of Yevanas brought gold in great quantity to the Court of Muziris and went back laden with pepper. Spinning and weaving were common, carpentry, working in hides and skins were common. The land grew spices, especially pepper which was much sought out in the Western World. It abounded in Coconuts, sandlewood, akil and sugar cane. Elephants gave ivory, its mines yielded precious stones, and its seas produced pearls.
It was the consecration of a Bhagavati Temple at Kodungallur paved the way for Bhagavati workship in Kerala.
The Cheraman Jamal masjid was constructed in 629 AD and is the first Muslim mosque constructed in India. It had unique and queer architecture and a century year old lamp which show the close amenity between the various religions at Kodungallur. Kodungallur still enjoys religious amenity.
Today, Muziris stands in isolation, with big gated houses, with their occupants away in America, Emirates and other far countries. Kodungallur is a native place of the famous P Bhaskar who gave many songs including “Nallikerathindanattil annikku nadi edigandi mannundu” (In the land of Coconut, I have a small land), Prof M N Vijayan, Kamal, Cinema Director, Kodungallur Kunju Kuttan thampuran, an erudite Sanskrit Scholar, Bahadhur, late cine artist, etc.
Bibliography:
# Pliny’s Natural History
# Travancore Manual
# History of the Tamils from the earliest times to 600 AD- P T
Srinivasa Iyengar
# History of Kerala – A Sridhara Menon
# Trade in early India (Oxford University Press)
# Cochin Saga- Sir Robert Bristow
# History of Kerala- Wikipedia
# Vestige of the Grand Past & Saga of Cochin (A V Ramanathan)
# Viswa Vijnana Kosh (Ed: P T Bhaskara Panikker)
# Annual Reports of Coir Board
#Coir Export Statistical Output (Coir Board)(2007)
#Coconut Export Manual (CDB, Govt of India, 2010]
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