The great Significance of Kodungallur of Kerala in the history of Kerala & Tamil Nadu : Part - 1
A Prelude to the Research Article on Kodungallur
Kodungallur is a region in the southern tip of the present Thrissur district of Kerala State, South India - adjoining the Arabian sea. Today it remains a city of less commercial and industrial activities and modern buildings. However it has centres of religious worship, namely the Temples, Churches and Mosques.
Kodungallur was also known as Cranganore during the English occupation of the region. It could be placed as the first region of Kerala "of much historical importance", while Thiruvananthapuram the present capital of Kerala could only take the third place, while Kollam takes the second place.
However due to less developments in this region, it has not attracted the attention of many Keralites who are still not aware of "the great historical significance of this region in Kerala history". This could be the possible reason why the Kerala Map Printers too show the name of Kodungallur in tiny letters in their Kerala Maps, and in some Maps it is not shown at all.
The objective of this Article is do give a deep insight into the actual history of Kodungallur hitherto not known to many, and to highlight the great significance of this region supported by evidences.
(1) The two eras of Kerala History
The history of the present Kerala State - South India could be divided into two eras, one ranging from ancient times to the end of the twelth century (A.D.1200) and classified as the Tamil Period of it's History, and the other ranging from the beginning of the thirteenth century (A.D.1201) to this date and classified as the Malayalam Period of it's History.
(2) The traditional geographical boundries of Kerala
Kerala is the Sanskritised version of the Tamil "Chera", and the region of the Chera country had as it's boundries the "Kolikkodu" in the west, "Palani" in the north, "South Kaasi"(Ten Kasi) in the east, and the seafront in the south covering eighty Kavatham of land (Kavatham - a land measure).
Note:The above is better understood, if taken as the Chera country encompassed within the outer boundries Kolikkodu, Palani, Ten Kasi and Sea (south beyond Kovalam).
The above are confirmed by the following reference:
".....Vadakku thisai Palani vaan Keel Then Kaasi Kudakku thisai Kolikkodaam - Kadatkaraiyil oramo Thetkkahum ulla En Pathi Kavatham Sera Naatu ellai ena seppu....."
eastern part of the South India was ruled by Tamil Hindu kings, and many Tamil Literary works of the early and medieval periods of both Kerala and Tamil Nadu refer to them as the Chera kings.
The region of the former Chera country was encompassed within the present Kerala state, while the regions of the former Chola and Pandiya Countries were encompassed within the present Tamil Nadu State, and were known in the early days as the "Muth Thamil Nadu" (three Tamil Countries).
These three Tamil countries from their early days had as their royal emblems the Bow (Chera), Fish (Pandiya), and Tiger (Chola) respectively in their flags.
The above are confirmed by the following references:
(4) Earliest references to Kerala in early Indian Literature
The earliest known references to the Kerala (Chera Nadu) in the Indian Literature are found in the original Sanskrit epics - namely the Ramaayana of poet Vaalmihi, and the Mahaabhaaratha.of poet Viyaasar.
In Ramaayana it is noted Sukkrivan requesting Anuman to go in search of Sita in the countries in the southern regions of India among the Kerala, Pundhara, Chola and Pandiya countries.
In Mahaabhaaratha we find Sanjayan while mentioning the countries in the south of India to king Thirutharastra, refers to Kerala along with Andhra, Karnataka and Chola. Mahabharatha further states the Keralas along with the Pandiyas and Cholas fought on the side of the Pandavas in the Mahabharatha war.
There are `many' other references to Keralas in the Viyasa's Mahabharatha. (Refer to my thread titled "The references to Tamil dynasties and countries in the Mahabharatha" in this same Website)
The above are confirmed by the following references:
"...sarvam eve anupashyata tathaiva Aandhraan ca Pundran ca Colaan, Paandyaan, Keralaan....."
" Sanjaya said, listen to me O king (Thiratharastra).......to the names of the provinces as I mention them. They are.......the Keralas......the Andhras......"
".....There are other kingdoms O bull of Bharatha's race, in the south. They are the Dravidas, the Keralas......the Karanatakas......the Cholas......"
Mahabharatha by Viyasa, Bhisma Parva, Page 21& 22
"........When that host was being thus struck and slain by heroic warriors, the Parthas headed by Vrikodara advance against us. They consisted of Dhrishtayumna and Sikhandin, and the five sons of Draupadi, and the Prabhadrakes, and Satyaki, and Chekitana with the Dravida forces, and the Pandyas, the Cholas, and the Keralas, surrounded by a mighty array,......".
Mahabharatha by Viyasa, Karna Parva, Page 25.
(5) The Confederacy of the Kerala (Chera), Chola and Pandiya
In South India there has been a confederacy of the Tamil kingdoms (Tamira Countries) of Chera, Chola, and Pandiya (Muth Tamil Nadu) to jointly prevent the kings of the north and central India from invading their countries. This confederacy that existed for 113 years from B.C.283 was broken by king Karavela of Kalinga in the year B.C.170, which was a potential threat to his own kingdom.
The Tamil kingdoms of Chera, Chola and Pandiya of that period, ensured the unity of the southern Tamil Nadu of that period, even at the times of their individual invasions of the northern Ariyan kings. The Ariyan kings too recognised the unity, and the strength of the Tamil kings and
The relevent section of the Hathigumpha Inscription under reference is as follows:
(L. 10) ..................(He) causes to be built . . . . a royal residence (called) the Palace of Great Victory (Mahavijaya) at the cost of thirty-eight hundred thousands. And in the tenth year (he), following (the three-fold policy) of chastisement, alliance and conciliation sends out an expedition against Bharatavasa (and) brings about the conquest of the land (or, country) ........ and obtains jewels and precious things of the (kings) attacked.
(L.11) .................. And the market-town (?) Pithumda founded by the Ava King he ploughs down with a plough of asses; and (he) thoroughly breaks up the confederacy of the T[r]amira (Dramira) countries of one hundred and thirteen years, which has been a source of danger to (his) Country (Janapada). And in the twelfth year he terrifies the kings of the Utarapatha with .................. thousands of......."
Could you very kindly let me know the Website URL you have referred, is it from my Thread ?? or is has been left out when I re-posted second time ??? Please advice
Virarajendra: No, that URL or website was not part of your references and has nothing to do with your essay. I used it to double checking your citations. For example I could verify the 2 references in Mahabharatam, but did not see the Ramayanam one. It is possible that I missed or there were different translations of the material.
And sorry to say it so late, I enjoyed your essays.