|
The earliest inhabitants
of Kerala were the Cherans. It is at a much later time that migratory Aryan populations from the north landed and subjugated
them through caste system.
By the beginning of the Christian
era, the Cheran Dynasty was spread up to Western Ghats. The armies of Mauryan Dynasty could not enter the lands of the Cheras.
With time the rule of Cheran Dynasty declined, it coincided with the rise of the Brahmins in Kerala. By the 10th century,
they were powerful entity from Gokurnum (North Kerala) to the Cape Comorin. These land owning class of Brahmins were well
on their way to great wealth and power. To consolidate their power, they developed Caste System (segregation between classes
of people). Lands were leased out to next higher castes for share-cropping, and these in turn would further be leased out
to those lower on the caste hierarchy and to non-Hindus. The lowest castes of course were only laborers and were traded along
with the land. In such a rigid hierarchy, the all-powerful Namboothiries were the unquestioned rulers.
The
dynasty of Travancore is one of the most ancient in India. The original name of Travancore was Chera. Chera is the first of
the three Southern Mandala Kingdoms according to the Tamil Dictionary. Subsequent to the dismemberment of the main part of
the Chera Kingdom, the first name was 'Tiruvarumcode' - abode of prosperity - which was modified into Trivancode, from which
Travancore, the name used by the English was derived.
The ancient Sanskrit and Tamil historical writings
connected with the Puranas, describe the origin, in the Kritha Yugam (the first age), of three contemporary kings in Southern
India called Cheran, Cholan and Pandyan. They ruled over three countries called after their names Chera Mandalam, Chola Mandalam
and Pandya Mandalam. These three kings were brothers.
The
Kingdom of Chera was the most Southern and the largest among the three states already mentioned. The boundaries of the Kingdom
of Chera, ancient Tamil authors described as the Pulney Hills in the north, the town of Peroor in the east, the sea about
Cape Comorin in the South, and the range of the great mountains on the west, extending about 800 miles. Another Tamil author
extends the northern boundary to the Coorg Hills and the Western to Calicut.
In Thretha Yugam (second age), Parasu
Rama reached Chera Elam through the sea, since it was impossible at that time to cross the Sahya mountains. Parasu Rama then invited
the Brahmans and established sixty four gramas.
Parasu
Rama then began to start revolt against Cherans. He started to build a Brahmin empire. He ordained several grades of Brahaminical
heads, consecrated numerous shrines between Gokarnam and Cape Comorin. The superintendence of each shrine was entrusted to
Brahminical heads. After consecrating of Temple at Padmanabhapuram, Parasu Rama invited Bhanu Vikrama and three of his brothers.
He assembled the Brahmans of the sixtyfour gramams and declared to them that the capital of his newly found country,
between Cape Comorin and Gokarnam shall be Padmanabhapuram. He also declared that Bhanu Vikrama shall be the king over the
land of Keralam. He was placed on a throne of gold set with gems and had holy water and pearls poured over his head. Parasu
Rama then gave his own sword together with many royal privileges, to Bhanu Vikrama, the new king of the land between Cape
Comorin and Gokarnam. Gold coins were minted and circulated as the currency throughout among Brahmins. One of the three brothers
of this king was stationed at Gokarnam. This was the king of Kolathnad who ruled South Canara under the designation of Kola.
It is also said that a long time afterwards, Parasu Rama personally crowned Bhanu Vikrama's nephew, Adithya Vikrama, at Padmanabhapuram,
presenting him with a sword and nominated eight ministers under him.
Parasu
Rama then challenged the Cherans to a war which was later called as 'Mamangam' at Thirunavaye on the banks of river Bharathapuzha.
The Brahmans of the sixty four gramams and the Cherans were assembled there.
The
Cherans defeated the Brahmins at the Mamangam and established their supremacy. Not only the Cherans defeated the Brahmins
in Kerala, the Cherans began to conquer the Brahmin lands in North India.
In the third age, Dwapara Yugam,
the King of Kerala is often mentioned in the renowed work "Maha Bharatha" .The king of Kerala was one of the supporters
of the Emperor,Yudhishtira, and during the great war, the Kerala chiefs fought on the side of Pandavas (Dravidians) against
Kauravas (Aryans). And in the war, the Dravidians defeated Aryans under the leadership of the Dravidian King 'Krishna'.
Now we enter into
the present age (Kali Yugam). In the early part of Kali Yugam, Dravidians were in control of India. But later, under the leadership
of Rama of Ayodhya, the Aryans took control of India after defeating the Dravidian King Ravana in a bitter battle which involved
almost all Kingdoms in India. Backstabbing and cheating was used as a main weapon by the Aryans. The mighty Vanavar King 'Bali'
was killed by Sugriva and Hanuman who switched sides to align with Aryans. The death of Bali was a turning point in the war
which ended in the final defeat of Ravana.
The only remaining Dravidian power was the
Cheran Empire. It was literally impossible to conquer Kerala because it was protected by the Sahya mountains from the rest
of India.
The last Emperor of Kerala, Cheraman Perumal,
was growing in power and popularity. He was heralded as the messiah of the Dravidians in the other parts of India who are
now under the Brahminical leadership. He was so powerful that the only way to defeat him was to cheat him. And that happened.
That story is told in next page.
|
