Kerala from Sangam to Dutch Period
Introduction.
Kerala has a unique Geographical position.
Kerala has a rich culture and is the meeting point of many types of ideologies, Ideas and religious views.
Travelers, merchants and rulers visited kerala and influenced its History.
Story Behind the birth Of Kerala.
Parasurama the 6th Incarnation of Lord Vishnuthrew an axe far into the sea and commanded the sea to retreat.
The land that emerged from the waters became Kerala.
From where does the term kerala come from ?
Sanskrit scholars derive the name from “Kera or coconut”,which is a staple product of kerala.
Others say it is derived from the Tamil word “Charal” meaning Mountain slope.
Arab and Persian writers and early Malayalam and medieval Tamil Literature say that the word kerala means the land of hills and mountains.
Traditional sources.
Early history of kerala is based on traditions. The two major sources are :
Archaeological Sources.
Archaeological survey and excavations were started in Kerala by Ward and Conor in 1819.
there are 3 relics of the Historical period found in the various parts of Kerala. They are :
1. monuments
2. coins
3. inscription.
Monuments.
1. Stone images of Buddha, reflect the culture of kerala during the Buddhist era.
2. Religious monuments : Temples , Churches, Mosques and Synagogues.
3. Palaces – famous Padmanabhapuram palace in Kanyakumari district and Dutch palace in Fort Cochin.
4. Forts and historical sites.
Coins.
Many foreign and indigenous coins have been found in kerala.
• Rast is the oldest of them.
• Roman coins are the oldest Foreign coins.
• Rulers of Travancore and Cochin Had their own independent coinage.
• Dutch copper coins and British Indian Coins give valuable information to historians.
Inscriptions
1. Throw light on the political,Cultural, and social life of the People of Kerala.
2. Give insight into working conditions of local
Kerala has a unique Geographical position.
Kerala has a rich culture and is the meeting point of many types of ideologies, Ideas and religious views.
Travelers, merchants and rulers visited kerala and influenced its History.
Story Behind the birth Of Kerala.
Parasurama the 6th Incarnation of Lord Vishnuthrew an axe far into the sea and commanded the sea to retreat.
The land that emerged from the waters became Kerala.
From where does the term kerala come from ?
Sanskrit scholars derive the name from “Kera or coconut”,which is a staple product of kerala.
Others say it is derived from the Tamil word “Charal” meaning Mountain slope.
Arab and Persian writers and early Malayalam and medieval Tamil Literature say that the word kerala means the land of hills and mountains.
Traditional sources.
Early history of kerala is based on traditions. The two major sources are :
Archaeological Sources.
Archaeological survey and excavations were started in Kerala by Ward and Conor in 1819.
there are 3 relics of the Historical period found in the various parts of Kerala. They are :
1. monuments
2. coins
3. inscription.
Monuments.
1. Stone images of Buddha, reflect the culture of kerala during the Buddhist era.
2. Religious monuments : Temples , Churches, Mosques and Synagogues.
3. Palaces – famous Padmanabhapuram palace in Kanyakumari district and Dutch palace in Fort Cochin.
4. Forts and historical sites.
Coins.
Many foreign and indigenous coins have been found in kerala.
• Rast is the oldest of them.
• Roman coins are the oldest Foreign coins.
• Rulers of Travancore and Cochin Had their own independent coinage.
• Dutch copper coins and British Indian Coins give valuable information to historians.
Inscriptions
1. Throw light on the political,Cultural, and social life of the People of Kerala.
2. Give insight into working conditions of local