Historical Dates and Events

Danish India was the name given to the colonies of Denmark in India, forming part of the Danish colonial empire. Denmark-Norway held colonial possessions in India for more than 200 years, including the town of Tharangambadi in present-day Tamil Nadu state and Serampore in present-day West Bengal. The Danish presence in India was of little significance to the major European powers as they presented neither a military nor a mercantile threat.
However, they never concentrated in India and sold their ports to the British and left India.

The Danish empire established their trading port in Tranquebar in 1620 and then in Serampore in 1676.
The Danish East India Company refers to two separate Danish chartered companies. The first company operated between 1620 and 1650. The second company existed between 1670 and 1729.

The East India Company arrived first at Surat in 1608. There they established a first British company in 1613 with the help of the Mughal emperor Jahangir.

The Danish East India Company established their first factory at Tranquebar in Tamil Nadu in 1620 and Serampur in Bengal in 1676. They were not successful in establishing themselves strongly and therefore, in 19th century they sold all their settlements to the British and went back to their country.

The Medieval period of Kerala begins with the later Chera rulers who established their rule with Mahodayapuram as their capital. The Medieval period continued till the year 1792 AD when Kerala was brought under the British rule after the defeat in the Anglo-Mysore war. 

 The Nadus were under the Perumals who ruled Kerala with their capital at Mahodayapuram. All the 14 nadus from Kolathunadu in the north to the Venad in the south accepted the rule of the Perumals, thus creating a centralised rule in Kerala for the first time. Rajasekharan, Sthanu Ravi, Kotakota Kerala Kesari, Adhithyan Kota, Ramakulasekharan were some Perumal rulers who ruled during 800-1122 CE with Mahodayapuram as their capital.

The history of ancient Kerala was an integral part of Tamilakam till the 8th century CE. The period between the 8th and the 18th century is considered as the Medieval period of Kerala. Many political, social and economic changes took place during this period.

Of the available Malayalam scripts, Vattezhuthu is the most ancient script. Devoid of consonants, this script is transformed from Brahmi Script, the most ancient script of India. The Vattezhuthu script system was also known as 'Naanam Monam'.

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 Vijayanagara Empire was founded by Harihara and Bukka in 1336 A.D.

Rakkasa Thangadi or Thalikote war which ruined the glory of Vijayanagara dynasty was held in 1565. The battle took place at Talikota, today a town in northern Karnataka, about 80 kilometres to the southeast from the city of Bijapur. The treacherous defeat of Vijayanagara Empire, followed subsequent destruction and looting which became short lived before the mighty successors of Rama Raya.

The Vijayanagar kingdom was one of the important kingdoms in the medieval Indian history. Vijaynagar Dynasty rules over India for 3 centuries. The Vijayanagara kingdom was founded by Harihara and Bukka of the Sangama dynasty in 1336.

Krishnadevaraya, the most famous ruler of the Tuluva dynasty, reigned from 1509 to 1529. This period is considered the golden age of the Vijayanagara Empire.

Sangama dynasty ruled from 1336 to 1485 A.D. Harihara I was the first ruler of Vijayanagara kingdom. He ruled from 1336 to 1357 A.D. He annexed Hoysala territories. The rivalry between Vijayanagara kingdom and Bahmani kingdom was started during his period in annexing the Krishna-Tungabhadra Doab. Bukka I ascended the throne after the death of his brother Harihara.

Thalikote war which ruined the glory of Vijayanagara dynasty was held in 1565. The battle took place at Talikota, today a town in northern Karnataka, about 80 kilometres to the southeast from the city of Bijapur. The treacherous defeat of Vijayanagara Empire, followed subsequent destruction and looting which became short lived before the mighty successors of Rama Raya.