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>> About Kerala >> History of Kerala
History
- Kerala
The
name Kerala is now widely explained today as the "the land of
coconuts", derived from Malayalam word "kera" which
means coconut. But history shows that Ashokan edits dating back to
273-236 BC had mentioned Keralaputra (the land of the sons of Cheras)
and it is from this that the name has originated.
Not much is known about the history of this region of the period
after the Ashokan edicts, except the fact that there was extensive
trading with the Romans from this region. Chera was the first large
empire that took roots in this state, and continued to use Tamil
till 7th century as their administrative language. This shows the
influence and power that Tamils exerted over this region. Cheras
established a wide network of trade links not only with Indian
businessmen, but also with countries outside ranging from Sumatra to
Cordoba. The Chera power declined in the 10th century AD, after
Cholas, the rulers of Tamil Nadu, were successful in overthrowing
the dynasty.
After the decline of Cholas in the 11th century, gradually political
power in the state went into the hands of the Zamorin of Calicut. In
1496, Vasco da Gama became the first European to find a route to
India through sea and started a long-time fight for the power in
this region between the Portuguese, British, and Dutch. This fight
marginalized the local powers, though the Zamorin made a fight back
in the early 17th century when they gained the external support from
the Dutch and British in return for trading rights from Kerala.
In 1723, the
East India Company signed a strategic treaty with King Marthanda
Varma. For a few decades, Hyder Ali and his son -Tipu sultan proved
to be a thorn in the flesh of the British, sweeping down several
times into Kerala.Though Hyder Ali and Tippu Sultan invaded the
country, Malabar finally passed into the hands the British in 1792.
In 1947, it was the turn of the British to pack their bags.
For a brief period in the middle of 18th century AD, Travancore,
with the help of petty kingdoms, tried to control the political
power of Kerala. Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan also tried to annexe the
areas south of Travancore, but could not fulfil their dream as they
were attacked by the British from the east and had to withdraw. The
local chieftains in Kerala looked up to the British to save them
from the wrath of Tipu and consequently the British took control of
the forts previously held by Tipu. After Tipu's first defeat by the
British, the Seringpatnam Treaty brought all the captured parts of
Kerala directly under the British and Travancore and Kochi became
princely states under the British.
In November, 1965,
i.e. 9 years after Indian Independence, Travancore, Cochin and
Malabar were merged into one state and thus Kerala State came into
existence. Trivandrum is the capital of Kerala State and it is a
sea-side city.
Kerala
Cities
THRISSUR
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