Ancient and Medieval Indian Rulers

Many kudis constituted the Ur. The chief of Ur was called Uralar.

The Kudis were the families of occupational groups engaged in agriculture. The chief of Kudi was Kudipathi.

There were three broad types of land based on the ownership right during the Medieval period in Kerala. They were Cherikkal, Brahmaswam and Devaswam. The land under the control of the Brahmins was called Brahmaswam.

Kerala was a part of the ancient Tamilakam, ruled by the Moovendars. A kingdom based at Mahodayapuram was established by the 9th century CE. The rulers of the kingdom were known as Perumals.  The present Kodungallur and the surrounding areas in Kerala were known as Mahodayapuram in those days. The Perumals were also known as Cheras and Cheramans. Some of these rulers adopted the title Kulasekara. Most regions in present Kerala were under the rule of the Perumals.

Kerala was a part of the ancient Tamilakam, ruled by the Moovendars. A kingdom based at Mahodayapuram was established by the 9th century CE. The rulers of the kingdom were known as Perumals.  The present Kodungallur and the surrounding areas in Kerala were known as Mahodayapuram in those days. The Perumals were also known as Cheras and Cheramans. Some of these rulers adopted the title Kulasekara. Most regions in present Kerala were under the rule of the Perumals.

The copper plates with inscriptions were used as a document in ancient times. The official documents given by the chieftains to temples and tradesmen were mainly on such copper plates. Therisappalli and Jewish copper plates are examples. In some of the plates, the chieftain's reigning period is also recorded.

The Jewish copper plate is a record of the rights sanctioned to Anchuvannam, a group of traders, by Bhaskararavi, a medieval ruler of Kerala based at Mahodayapuram.

The reign of the Perumals came to an end by the 12th century. Consequently, the chieftains, who were the local rulers under the Perumals, began to rule their respective Nadus independently.

The region under the control of a chieftain was known as Swaroopam. The joint family of the chieftain was also known as Swaroopam. The eldest member of the family became the ruler. There were disparities in wealth and military power among the Nadus and the chieftains fought among themselves for power.

The present Kodungallur and the surrounding areas were known as Mahodayapuram in those days. The Perumals were also known as Cheras and Cheramans. Some of these rulers adopted the title Kulasekara. Most regions in present Kerala were under the rule of the Perumals.
The socio-economic features of the region during the reign of the Perumals were as follows:

• Agriculture flourished in areas close to water resources.
• Brahmins established their power in agricultural villages.
• Temples developed as centres of power.
• The ownership of farmlands was vested with the Brahmins.
• Aaladiyars were the people who toiled in the soil.

Internal and external trade made great progress in Kerala during the medieval period. Earlier, trade was carried out through the exchange of goods for goods. Later, goods began to be exchanged for money. Maritime trade attained tremendous progress during the medieval period. The demand for exported goods increased. 

Ma Huan, a Chinese traveller, who visited Kerala during the period said this:

"As a ship carrying goods from China arrives at the port, Shabendar Koya (the King's representative) and a broker board the ship and list the goods. A suitable day is opted to fix the prices of goods. Priority was given to silk clothes. Once the prices are fixed they take a vow that the prices of goods will not be changed under any circumstances."

The Perumals ruled Kerala during 800-1122 CE with their capital at Mahodayapuram. The Perumals had royal representatives called Koyiladhikarikal.

The Perumals had a centralised nature of administration. In the matters of administration the Perumals were assisted by Naluthali, the council of Brahmins.

Domingos Paes came to India in the time of Krishnadevaraya, the most powerful king Vijayanagara Empire ever had. Domingo Paes was a Portuguese traveller who visited Vijayanagara Empire around the year 1520. He witnessed not just the wealth of Vijayanagara but also the most gallantly fought battles in the history of Vijayanagara --The Battle of Raichur between the grand army of Krishna Deva Raya and Adil Shah of Bijapur.

Krishnadevaraya was the most famous emperor of the Tuluva dynasty of the Vijayanagara Empire.

The Vijayanagar empire emerged in fourteenth century India. Two brothers, Hakka (Harihara I )and Bukka Raya, laid the foundations of the Vijaynagar capital and of the empire.  Also known as the Sangama brothers, these two brothers consolidated their power and then expanded it.