Tag: in the land of kerala

The purpose of history is to throw light on the past. This is done through discovery and study of historical sources. There are different sources from which history is drawn. They are divided into two parts.

• Literary Sources

1. Religious Literature
2. Secular Literature

• Non-Literary Sources

1. Inscriptions (Epigraphy)
   
2. Coins (Numismatics)
3. Archaeology
4. Account of Foreign Travelers

Inscriptions on copper plates (Epigraphy) are the most important source of history of Medieval Kerala because copper plates with inscriptions were used as official documents. The official documents given by chieftains to temples and tradesmen were mainly on copper plates. 

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.

Inscriptions on copper plates (Epigraphy) are the most important source of history of Medieval Kerala because copper plates with inscriptions were used as official documents. The official documents given by chieftains to temples and tradesmen were mainly on copper plates. The script used in these inscriptions Vattezhuthu or Kolezhuthu which were the scripts used to write old Malayalam.

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 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.

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 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 major Swaroopams during the period were Trippappooru Swaroopam in Venad, Perumpadappu Swaroopam in Kochi, Nediyiruppu Swaroopam in Kozhikode, and Kolaswaroopam in Chirakkal.

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.

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.