Dear all
I never say something false; I wait to edit things ; I release
what all the best data I can present; so that already
enriched knowledgeable people may analyse in the cross currents , the pros
and the cons of the subject woven ; for a few it may make them think what
they lost so far. An the subjects a handful were jeering at me daily
calling me a bluffer etc, who were not ready to learn the Kerala temple and
Geo history authentically written in sanskrit verses , by eminent people of
Kerala; and they did not know that Keralaa has the best temples of Shiva,
Vishnu < Brahma and sakthi, and authentic rare Bhagavathi temples raised by
the AY to chera to so many kingdoms rules this place. The worship practice
was maintained by the namboothiris ; and also changed to Tantric style by
Namboodiris only staying away from the AGAMA -Vedic. In that process
private owned Namboodiri temples mentioned along with the Kavi titles etc ,
were transformed into Powerful temples of today. As many Temples of TN lack
the original history built by the Kings , so also here, temples of
Bhadrakali @ Bhagavathi were annexed in all cases only by Parasurama tales
plus some versions of parallel seen in the Indian nation, as stala Puranam.
>From Nagercoil to Borders of Karnataka, almost every temple of Kerala will
start with the Parasurama tales which is next to impossible. As many Mutts
of Karnataka (nearly 350 mutts I have counted so far) will start with Adi
Shankara as Mutt head; and will have a few real heads later. So also it is
a simple customary practice to have Parasurama as the Kartha. However it is
not to underestimate or down trod the temples or Mutts; it is for us to
know why what and How? So the history given is the work of Great historians
of Kerala written as Keralodayam, Kerala Patti etc etc titled colated by
many eminent writers, being presented to you in order. This would clearly
show that only main temples mentioned there as you read later , were the
royaal works while many famous temples of Kerala in the tantric worship,
were the assets of the Namboodiris. Some intelligent people wrote that ,
because the name of a person or temple is not written in the History
written by SOMEONE (?) will not mean it is not, because, the writers are
also human; NO SIR. Persons are respected as historians only for their real
and rich workmanship in adding every iota of data they saw. So when dealt
by such , that too as sanskrit verses, speaking about the dynasties, such
details -not-mentioned, can never be a slip at all. The era mentioned for
such ruling or building or artifacts , may err , as there were so many
calendars before the British made it as Julian. Even some well read had
tried to refix such data also though in some dates debates are ensuing. But
what they saw and knew as perfect data alone could have existed at that
time. For example, the Chinese accounts and the accounts of Sikkim
Monastery and Nepal, of Fa Hien , Yuan tswang, Nagarjuna, and Dharma
keerthi describe what exactly they saw ; their language specification of
the places may sound strange to us today. But they did the work so well, we
are able to write our history properly. Some historians think the data of
astronomy or karapaadiyaa or names mentioned etc may not be relied upon, as
they expressed certain factors; however, in the long run, the historians
had placed the facts for us to deduce. It is a wonder that adisankara a
great scholar of repute who was said to wandering only in the North, said
to be in 720 to 780 AD, were not even mentioned by Fahien Yuantswang and
Nagarjuna, who were contemporaries; The chinese travellers went across the
nation in north who speaks about a lot of cities, and Kings but not even
once about any sankara; and Dharma Keerthi writes (records with Sikkim
monastery) as having defeated 8 sankaras who all jumped into Gangs and
committed suicide; but a few quoted dharmakeerthi as a debator against Adi
Shankara, to fix the Adi shankaraa period as 720 AD?; Which Sankara out of
8? So the kerala History will be spoken and temples seen there alone are
originally built and existed time beyond; temples are famous but need not
be so older also; once when we were young in office, MANGADU TEMPLE WAS SO
FAMOUS (NOT NOW AS IT USED TO BE ONCE) and it is a place of worship; but
Tanjore and Mangadu Kamakshi does not carry a deepHistory as Kanchi
Kamakshi. So history will tell us about all. Now into........K RAJARAM IRS
27724
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Sanskrit sources of Kerala history
India history
------------------------------------------------------------------
Preface
The absence of real historical records this work altogether cease to be
help in acquiring a historical sense. We can distinguish among the vast
number of texts of Sanskrit
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/sanskrit#history> literary works that
contribute to Kerala <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/kerala#history>
History.
Though the present work is aimed at the “Sanskrit sources of Kerala
history”. It consists of six chapters with an introduction. The first
chapter discusses the historical details from the inscriptions. In the
second chapter deals with the historical points from the Mahatmyam
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/mahatmya#history>, works written in
puranic style and prashastis
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/prashasti#history>. The third chapter
estimate the Historical contents from the mahakavyas. Fourth chapter
evaluates the historical evidence from the Sandesakavyas and Short poems
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/poem#history>. The work concludes
with the sixth chapter which summarises the miscellaneous works bearing on
Kerala history.
Suma <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/cuma#history> Parappattoli
Preface: A Brief Survey of Sources of Kerala History
It is pertinent to deal, before we take up discussion of the subject
proper, with the question as to what is meant by the term history. Various
western scholars have defined history in various ways. From the study
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/study#history> of their definitions
we arrive at the conclusion that history is a narrative of events connected
with men. Its purpose is not to give statements of facts or chronological
lists of events. It is a a narrative devoted to the exposition
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/exposition#history> of the natural
unfolding and interdependence of the events treated. More clearly it is a
systematic written account
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/account#history> of events
particularly those which effect a nation, an institution, science
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/science#history> or art. Its purpose
is to explain past events as steps in human progress, the study of
characters and significance of events.
Now applying this definition or the general consensus with regard to the
sense of history to Sanskrit
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/sanskrit#history> literature, we find
that we don’t have history here at all. What we have here are the
historical Kavyas, Natakas, Champus
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/campu#history> etc., not histories.
The ancient and the only available complete definition of history is:-
“*dharmārthakāmamokṣāṇāmupadeśasamanvitam*
*pūrvavṛttakathāyuktamitihāsaṃ pracakṣate || *”
This was the sense of history of ancient Indians
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/indian#history>.
The modern state of Kerala
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/kerala#history> was formed in the
year 1956. Prior to its formation, Kerala as a seperate geographical unit
was divided into three political units known as Malabar, Cochin and
Travancore. The reconstruction of the history of the integrated state of
Kerala also was started in the recent years only. However, studies in the
history of Malabar, Cochin, and Travancore with occasional overlappings,
were undertaken by a few scholars by the end of the 19th C. itself.
The area between the western Ghats
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/ghat#history> and the Arabian sea in
Penisular India <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/india#history> was
known as Kerala in ancient Sanskrit literature. Some scholars argued that
the term ‘Kerala’ is derived from the word ‘Kera’ which is the name of a
common palm tree <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/tree#history> in
Kerala. There is also a view that the word Keralam (Cheralam) is made of
the two words *cher* (sand) and *alam*
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/alam#history> (region) and that it
literally means slushy land. The word Cheralam might have, in course of
time, got itself Sanskrtised as Keralam. The land of Kerala is also
alternatively known as Malabar which means ‘the hilly country’.
The quasi historical works of the medieval and the historical works of the
modern periods of Kerala were written mainly on the basis of legends and
traditional sources. Till recently the historian of Kerala never made any
serious effort to come out of the hard grip of the traditional and
legendary sources for writing
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/writing#history> the ancient history
of Kerala.
The early history of Kerala is completely shrouded in obscurity. The
history prior to about the 9th C. AD is practically nonexistent to us. The
reason for this is the absence of any records. Musakavamsa Mahakavya
written by Atula <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/atula#history>, the
court poet of Srikantha
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/shrikantha#history> the ruler of
Kolattunadu in North Kerala in the 11th C. AD, is generally considered as
the first historical chronicle of Kerala.
Though Atula had to mix-up historical facts with legends, he has given the
chronology of the kings <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/king#history> of
the Musaka <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/mushaka#history> dynasty
from its founder Ramaghata to Srikantha. Being a court poet Atula has tried
to relate the genealogical origin of his king
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/king#history> to Parasurama and the
Yadavakula. There are a vide range of Sanskrit works produced in Kerala,
which are valuable sources of historical facts. So there is a full scope
for investigation into the valuable historical facts abounding in such
literary works of Kerala. This study may shed some light on the dark
periods of Kerala History. First of all an attempt is made here to
enumerate briefly all sources of Kerala History.
The history of ancient Kerala is almost a closed book in the absence of
authentic data. In the reconstruction of history we have to examine many
sources. Sources help to reconstruct the history of any country and any
society. For a historian, the reconstruction of the ancient period of
Kerala is a difficult task, as there developed no separate faculty of
history in ancient Kerala. But the sources available in Kerala like,
material remains, inscriptions, coins, monuments, arts and crafts, the
accounts <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/account#history> of foreign
travellers, literary works ect. help to a historian for the reconstruction
of the ancient history of this specific geographical unit.
Sources of Kerala History can mainly be divided into two broad divisions
-Traditional sources and Non-traditional sources. The traditional sources
include all types of oral and written legends and fables relating to the
origin of Kerala and the development of the society. The non-traditional
sources include Archaeological evidence, Monuments, Epigraphy, Numismatics,
Foreign notices and Literary works. The non traditional sources are divided
into primary and secondary sources. The evidence that directly signifies a
historical event or a situation are called primary sources, which include
archaeological materials, coins, monuments, copper plates, inscriptions,
seals etc. The evidence that indirectly relates with a specific historical
event or a situation are known as the secondary sources, comprising written
records, literary evidence, travellers accounts etc. The information given
in the secondary sources has to be compared and verified with other sources
to make sure of its authenticity The works written on the basis of the
information collected from the primary and secondary sources are called the
traditional sources. Textbooks of authority are considered as the
traditional sources. The traces of vast history of Kerala are scattered in
the above sources. If we go through these sources with a keen insight, we
can get many valuable points for reconstructing the past history of Kerala.
*Archaeological Survey*
Archaeology is generally understood to be a subject which deals with the
study of antiquities. This not only includes the collection of old subjects
made by man, but the various methods to search for old objects and the
attempts to reconstruct the history of past events by the study of objects
or things so collected. Archaeology, in brief, is the pursuit of the
history of man. Archaeology which is called the handmaid of history is
often a reliable guide to the historian.
Archaeological sources constitute the main source materials for the
reconstruction of the ancient period in Kerala History. The relics of
tools, weapons <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/weapon#history>,
burial sites, monuments, buildings, arts and crafts, coins etc. are studied
by the archeologists for the reconstruction of ancient history.
Archaeological excavations have brought out the relics of both prehistoric
and historic periods.
The reconstruction of the history of man, from the time man first appeared
on this earth. In such a study everything associated with man is included.
Thus we study not only man and things or objects made by man, but the
history of past or ancient climate, astronomy, geography -Such as the rise
and fall of sea beaches, land bridges, between continents the formation or
disappearances of deserts, changes in river beds -as well as agriculture,
metallurgy the art of making pottery
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/pottery#history>, weaving, spinning,
clothes and clothing materials (Such as cotton
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/cotton#history>, silk
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/silk#history>, flax
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/flax#history>) houses
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/house#history> and materials for house
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/house#history> making the nature
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/nature#history> of habitation,
density of population and communications.
In all these, the traditional sources, the record of dynasties and kings
and their wars are reconstructed. Such a study which goes to the root or
foundation of things connected with man. In its construction archaeology
forms a leading and important part.
Extensive excavations have been conducted at various places in Malabar like
Feroke, Chevayur, and Chathanparamaba. However, the most important
excavation site related to the ancient period of Kerala history in Malabar
is the Edakkal Caves in Wayanad. Archaeological excavation have also been
conducted at Punnol near Mahe, Sendurini near Quilon, Tenmala, Anchanad
Valley in Idukki, Naduvil near Taliparamba, the river beds of Palakkad
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/palakkad#history> etc. resulting in
the production of new informations.
*Monuments*
The monuments are not so important for political history as for cultural
history. Historical relics and monuments provide ample information for the
study of the life <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/life#history> style,
cultural aspects and the architectural style of the ancient period. There
are so many monuments and historical relics spread throughout Kerala of the
past which help for the reconstruction of the past society. They illustrate
the development of art and religion and indirectly reflect the economic
conditions of the time. The monuments may include the megalitis, stone
images, temples <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/temple#history>,churches,
mosques, palaces, forts and historical sites. Temples of different styles,
idols <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/idol#history>, churches,
mosques, forts, palaces etc are the main historical relics and monuments
available in Kerala.
The megalithic monuments such as dolmens, menhirs, port-hole cists, hat
stones, umbrella stones and rock cut caves discovered from places likes
Anjunad Valley, Trichur Portkalam Eyyal, Cheramanangad, Kattakambal,
Taliparamba, Edakkal etc. help to throw light on the pre historic culture
of Kerala. The stone images discovered from the places like Karumadi
Mavelikkara, Bharanikavu, Maruthurkulangara and Pallikkal are considered to
be fine examples of sculpture of the 7, 8, 9th centuries of Kerala History.
The temples in Kerala built at different periods represent different
styles. Rock-cut temples were the earliest temples built in Kerala. It was
Mahendra <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/mahendra#history>, the
Pallava <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/pallava#history> king of 6th
century started the construction of the rock-cut temples in South India.
The influence of the Pallava style is visible in some of the rock-cut
temples in Kerala.
The origin of the sculptural temples in Kerala may be traced to the
beginning of the 9th A.D. A study of the stylistic evidences revealed by
them helps to throw considerable light on the evolutions of Kerala art,
architecture and sculptural. The vast majority of the Kerala temples have
been built in the Kerala style with its characteristic Sri Kovil
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/kovil#history> and predominance of
wood architecture, but there are also a few which represent the Dravidian
style.
The Bhagavati <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/bhagavati#history>
temple <https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/temple#history> at Vizhinjam
is the earliest specimen of the Dravidian style of temple architecture
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/temple-architecture#history>. It is
built in the style of the early chola
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/chola#history> temples and has been
assigned to the 9th C AD. Padmanabha Swami temple at Trivandram is a worthy
modal of Dravidan style. The temples of Kerala are also famous for their
wood carvings and mural paintings
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/painting#history>. Wood carvings of
exquisite charm representing puranic themes and personages may be seen at
Thuravoor, Pazhur, Guruvayour etc. Mural paintings can be seen in the
temple like Vaikkam, Guruvayoor, Ettumanoor etc.
>From temples we get a collection of inscriptions mostly belonging to the
Brahmana settlements. The records imply the nature of the temple society
the economic life of the settlement and refer to the structural details of
brahmana cast -temple managing committee, the sub committees etc. Temples
bear some common features and they throw some light into a particular
period. This will be helpful to us in determining some chronology in Kerala
history. The temples throw some light on the historical importance of the
country. The temples represented the artistic creation of that age. So they
have a great influence in making history.
The Jewish and Christian churches and Muslim mosques are also of historical
and architectural importance. The churches built in Kerala show indigenous
and foreign styles of architecture. Huge pillars, spacious rooms and high
towers are the common characteristics of the churches in Kerala. This style
has close resemblances to the temples styles of construction. The presence
of the cross at the entrance of some of the churches is considered as the
result of its contact with the style of temple construction.
The architectural style of the Muslim mosques in Kerala are more or less of
indigenous style. The Kodungallur mosque, considered as the first in
Kerala, is built purely in the Hindu style. A peculiar feature of Kerala is
the existence of the temples, mosques and churches together at one place.
This shows the friendliness existed between different religions in ancient
and medieval Kerala.
The surviving palaces and forts in Kerala though of a later origin have
much historical importance. The Padmanabhapuram palace was built in the
indigenous style of architecture. The original structure of this palace was
built in the 16th century and later it was modified during the 18th C. A.D.
The palaces built by the Zamorins at Calicut, Pazhassi Raja
<https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/raja#history>, Kadathanad Raja etc.
are also historically important.
Some forts like Tellicherry, Cannanore, Bekal etc. which are found in
Kerala also have historical importance to a great extent.
End of Part 1 27724 28724 KR IRS
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