History of Kerala

The name Kerala is now widely explained today as the "the land of coconuts", derived from Malayalam word "kera" which means coconut.

But history shows that Ashokan edits dating back to 273-236 BC had mentioned Keralaputra (the land of the sons of Cheras) and it is from this that the name has originated.

Not much is known about the history of this region of the period after the Ashokan edicts, except the fact that there was extensive trading with the Romans from this region.

Chera was the first large empire that took roots in this state, and continued to use Tamil till 7th century as their administrative language.

This shows the influence and power that Tamils exerted over this region. Cheras established a wide network of trade links not only with Indian businessmen, but also with countries outside ranging from Sumatra to Cordoba.

The Chera power declined in the 10th century AD, after Cholas, the rulers of Tamil Nadu, were successful in overthrowing the dynasty.

After the decline of Cholas in the 11th century, gradually political power in the state went into the hands of the Zamorin of Calicut. In 1496, Vasco da Gama became the first European to find a route to India through sea and started a long-time fight for the power in this region between the Portuguese, British, and Dutch.

This fight marginalized the local powers, though the Zamorin made a fight back in the early 17th century when they gained the external support from the Dutch and British in return for trading rights from Kerala.

For a brief period in the middle of 18th century AD, Travancore, with the help of petty kingdoms, tried to control the political power of Kerala. Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan also tried to annexe the areas south of Travancore, but could not fulfil their dream as they were attacked by the British from the east and had to withdraw.

The local chieftains in Kerala looked up to the British to save them from the wrath of Tipu and consequently the British took control of the forts previously held by Tipu.

After Tipu's first defeat by the British, the Seringpatnam Treaty brought all the captured parts of Kerala directly under the British and Travancore and Kochi became princely states under the British.
 

Mythological Background Of Kerala Parasurama, the short-tempered warrior-sage regarded as the incarnation of Vishnu. After defeating the Kshathriya Kings, the sage approached the wise men for penance. » read more Scientific Theology Of Kerala Geologists have pointed out that the elevation of Kerala from the sea was the result of some seismic activity, either suddenly or gradually. » read more Early Civilisation In Kerala The earliest inhabitants of Kerala were the Pulayas, Kuravas and Vetas. It is at a much later time that migratory Aryan populations from the north landed and subjugated them through caste system. » read more European Conquest In Kerala Ancient Kerala occupied a unique place in the commercial world. There are traces of teak found in the ruins of Ur, which must certainly have come from the Malabar Coast. » read more Arrival Of Dutch In Kerala The Portuguese finally met their match in the Dutch. The Dutch known locally as Lanthakar, was in the race for evicting the Portuguese from the lucrative Eastern spices trade. Strategic alliance with the Samuthiri helped the Dutch to drive out the Portugu » read more British Rule In Kerala It was after Marthanda Varma, the Britisher's conquest reached Kerala. With the defeat of Tipu Sultan of Mysore in 1799, the British became the de facto rulers of North Kerala. The rise of the British was bitterly opposed by the local warlords or naduvazh » read more Freedom Struggle In Kerala The first signs of freedom struggle surfaced after First World War. In 1922 the students protested against the fee hike in educational institutions. This soon became a rallying point for pro-home rule agitation. » read more Post Independence History Of Kerala Kerala's post independence history is a saga of Leftist movement and Indian National Congress. The deep social, communal and economic division in Kerala was on the boil. » read more