Kingdom of Cochin

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കൊച്ചി, പെരുമ്പടപ്പ്‌ സ്വരൂപം
Kingdom of Cochin
←
Unknown–1949
Flag Coat of arms
Motto
"HONOUR IS OUR FAMILY TREASURE" Malayalam Translation: "അന്തസ്സ് നമ്മുടെ കുടുംബ നിധി"
Anthem
"Om Namo Narayana"
Capital Mahodayapuram (Thiruvanchikulam)
Vanneri
Cochin
Thripunithura
Thrissur
Language(s) Malayalam, English
Government Absolute monarchy
Princely state (1814-1947)
Indian state (1947-1949)
History
 - Established Unknown
 - Disestablished 1949
Currency Rupee and Other Local Currencies


The Kingdom of Cochin (also known as Perumpadappu Swaroopam, Madarajyam, Gosree Rajyam, or Kuru Swaroopam; Malayalam: കൊച്ചി Kocci or പെരുമ്പടപ്പ്‌ Perumpaṭapp) was a princely state that included much of modern day Thrissur district, Chittoor Taluk of Palakkad district and Kanayannur and Fort Kochi Taluks of Ernakulam district which are now the part of the Indian state of Kerala. Kochi was the first princely state to willingly join the Indian Union, when India gained independence in 1947. Cochin merged with Travancore to create Travancore-Cochin, which was in turn merged with the Malabar district of Madras State on November 1, 1956 to form the new state of Kerala.[1]

Contents

[edit] Origin traditions

Parashurama

There is no extant written evidence about the emergence of Kingdom of Cochin or of the Cochin Royal Family, also known as Perumpadapu Swaroopam.[2] All that is recorded are folk tales and stories, and there is a somewhat blurred historical picture about the origins of the ruling dynasty. The surviving manuscripts, such as Keralolpathi, Keralamahatmyam, and Perumpadapu Grandavari, are collections of myths and legends that are less than reliable as historical sources.


According to the Keralamahatmyam (44th adhyaya), King Vishravanan's daughter Bala told Parashurama that she needed a land with her own name for her home. Parashurama, fulfilling her wish, created a land from sea and called it Kochi (which later became Cochin) [3]. Legendary accounts indicate that Lord Parashurama promoted the land and invited people of all religions, castes, and creeds to settle there. This story can be considered a continuation of the old folk tradition in which Parashurama created Kerala out of the sea and built temples.

There is an oft-recited legend that the last Perumal who ruled Kerala divided his kingdom between his nephews and his sons, converting to Islam and traveling to Mecca on a hajj. The Keralolpathi recounts the above narrative in the following fashion:

The last and the famous Perumal king Cheraman Perumal ruled Kerala for 36 years. He left for Mecca by ship with some Muslims who arrived at Kodungallur (Cranganore) port and converted to Islam. Before leaving for Mecca, he divided his kingdom between his nephews and sons.

The Perumpadapu Grandavari contains an additional account of the dynastic origins:

The last Thavazhi of Perumpadapu Swaroopam came into existence on the Kaliyuga day shodashangamsurajyam. Cheraman Perumal divided the land in half, 17 amsha north of Neelaeswaram and 17 amsha south, totaling 34 amsha, and gave his powers to nephews and sons. Thirty-four rajyas between Kanyakumari [now in Tamil Nadu] and Gokarna [now in Karnataka] were given to the Thampuran who was the daughter of the last niece of Cheraman Perumal.

Keralolpathi recorded the division of his kingdom in A.D. 345, Perumpadapu Grandavari in 385, Loghan (a historian) in 825. There are no written records on these earlier divisions of Kerala, but according to historian Elamkulam Kunjan Pillai, a division might have occurred during the Second Chera Kingdom, at the beginning of 12th century.[4]

[edit] Tulunadu history presented as Kerala History in Keralolpathi

Keralolpathi and Keralamahatmyam are actually the history books of Tulu naduand not that of Kerala.Most of the seventeen Cheraman Perumals mentioned in Keralolpathi are not Tamil rulers of the Chera Kingdom but the Bana and other rulers of Karnataka-Tulunadu.Keyapperumal,Cholapperumal,Pandipperumal(Alupas(450 - 1400 C.E),Banapperumal Bana Kingdom Kolar (900-1300),Thulubanperumal King of Tulu Nadu, Indranperumal( Rashtrakuta dynasty Indra III (914 - 929),Aryanperumal, Kundhranperumal Kottipperuaml(Rashtrakuta dynasty Khottiga Amoghavarsha (967 - 972) Madapperumal (Aichatra (Ahichatra) Madastana at Uttranchal),Ezhipperumal,Kombanperumal, Vijayan Chalukya Vijayaditya (696 – 733 CE) Valabhanperumal, Harischandran Perumal(ruler of Southern Panchala the homeland of Nagas at Uttaranchal) Mallapperuamla Malladeva, Son of Vijayaditya I Bana Kingdom 1000 AD Kolar, Vanipperumal or Banapperumal ([Bana kingdom]])Kulasekharapperumal are the Cheraman perumals mentioned in Keralolpathi. Kulasekharapperumal(Chera) and Ezhipperumal are original Tamil rulers of Kerala while all the other Perumals mentioned in Keralolpathi are rulers of Tulu nadu. The Matriarchal Banapperumal who was send as viceroy by Rashtrakuta ruler Krishna III, might have claimed the title Cheraman Perumal after invading Kerala.The Banapperumal according to Keralolpathiwas the brother of Tulunadu brother Kavirasa Singhan,a Buddhist,King of Mannanadu Manyakheta,Aryakshatriya from Aryapura who was send by Krishnarayar Krishna III as viceroy of Kerala.This Banapperumal could be the Cheraman Perumal of Keralolpathi who divided Kerala among his relatives the Naga chieftains thus leading to the fall of the Second Chera dynasty of Tamils.Nowhere in Keralolpathi any Tamil rulers of Chera Dynasty is mentioned.

[edit] Karnataka origins of Samantha Kshatriyas

Nagas and Namboothiris who formed states at Kerala after the fall of the Second Chera kingdom are not related to the Tamil Chera kings but the tribes of Tulunadu.Samantha, Nayara and Menava are sir names of the Bunt (community) of Tulu nadu.The Bunts might have had Bana rulers might be of Kadamba Dynasty origin who brought Nagas from Ahichatra along with Brahmins.Banas had their kingdom at Banavasi.The Bunts practised Matriarchy Aliyasanthana similar to Marumakkathayam practised by Samanthas and Nairs.

[edit] Rashtrakuta invasion and the establishment of Naga dynasties in Kerala

The Northernmost portions of Kerala were periodically under the rule of Rashtrakuta invaders during the rule of later Chera dynasty between 800 to 1100 AD.Mushikavamsam wriiten by poet Athula says that the Mooshika Vamsham adopted Matriarchy in the 12th century first in Kerala.This could be a Thulu Naga dynasty which practised Matriarchy as Tamil rulers of Ezhimalai kingdom never prsctised Matriarchy. The Keralolpathi says that on the request of the Namboothiris of Perinchellu(Thalipparamaba) the last Cheraman Perumal was a Banapperumal or Vanipperumal was sent by Aryan king of Aryapura Krishnarayar (Krishna III) (939 – 967 C.E.) with a large Nair army 3 lakh 50 thousand strong led by General Pada Mala Nair. Keralolpathi also says that the Banapperumal was the brother of Kavirasasingha the king of Tulunad. Keralolpathis Cheraman Perumal was not a Tamil Chera king belonging to Chera Dynasty but a Rashtrakuta invader who established his authority over the northernmost parts of Kerala at the Ezhimalakingdom or Mooshaka kingdom. The Banapperumal was a Buddhist but he converted to Islam by a preacher called Veda Aliar and went to mecca according to Keralolpathi. The establishment of Nair and Namboothiri power in Kerala may correspond to this invasion of Banapperumal from Karnataka. This Banapperumal revolted against Krishnarayar and declared himself Cheraman Vadakkan Perumal. Keralolpathi also says that the Kolathiri kings or Northern Kerala were the descendents of this Banapperumal. Keralolpathi says that Cochin kings were the offsprings of a Kshatriya lady brought by the Banapperumal from north and a Brahmin. This Banapperumal alias Cheraman Perumal is credited as founder of Matriarchy in Kerala indicating his Naga origins. Though Keralolpathi and other Namboothiri created documents call this Banapperumal as Cheraman Perumal in reality the Cheraman Perumals are ethnic Tamils belonging to Chera dynasty who belonged to Villavar clan among Tamils who had Bow and arrow as insignia on their flag. Keralolpathis Cheraman was not a Tamil but a Rashtrakuta invader pretending to be Chera. The laterday rulers of Kerala including the Kolathiris adopted Matriarchy and Polyandry which were never practised by any ethnic Tamil dynasties of Kerala including Chera dynasty, Pandyan Dynasty or Ais. The Matriarchal dynasties which followed the Chera kingdom may actually descend from the Rashtrakuta invaders who around 960 A.D. perhaps occupied the northernmost parts of Kerala and founded the Mooshaka kingdom who were the first to adopt Matriarchy in Kerala.

Another view is that the last Perumal, Ramavarma Kulasekhara Perumal, of the Second Chera Kingdom (Kulasekhara Samrajyam, 800–1102), with its capital at Mahodayapuram, divided his kingdom. There is also a baseless statement in Mangalamala (written by Appan Thampuran) that Bhaskara Ravi Varma performed the division. But there is evidence that the division was made by Ramavarma Kulasekhara Perumal.

The Keralolpathi claims that a Banapperumal from Karnataka who became the Cheraman Perumal divided the Chera kingdom. There is no concrete historical proof exists that Ramavarma Kulasekhara divided the kingdom or Baskara Ravi Varma divided it even before the end of Chera kingdom at 10th century. Even a Tamil Chera king divided his country among his relatives the ethnically different Matriarchal Nagavanshis (Nairs) or Aryan Namboothiris could not be the descendents. The Banapperumal alias Cherman Perumal stated in Keralolpathi could be a Rashtrakuta invader who invaded Kerala around 960 AD during the rule of Rashtrakuta Krishna III who assumed the title Cheraman Perumal after the defeat of the original Tamil Chera king. This Banapperumal alias Cheraman Perumal could have had a short reign after which he might have divided his possession to his relatives ie Kolathiris and Cochin kings, the Perumpadappu Swaroopam.

Ramavarma Kulasekhara Perumal's sister who was married to a Namboothiri of Perumpadapu Illom near Ponnani had five daughters, of whom only the last daughter had a son. During the last days of his reign, Ramavarma Kulasekhara Perumal divided his kingdom among his sons, relatives, and nobles. The kingdom that was later ruled by his sons was called Venad Swaroopam and that of his nephew was called Perumpadapu Swaroopam. Although a matrilineal system was prevalent, the majority of his kingdom was divided among his sons and the rest only to his nephew with all the religious rights. Venad Swaroopam was bestowed the honor Kulasekharaperumal and Perumpadapu Swaroopam as Koviladhikari, which is a proof of their political and religious practice. Thus, in the beginning of the 12th century the Kingdom of Cochin and the Cochin Royal Family (Perumpadapu Swaroopam) came into existence. Until the 16th century the Perumpadapu Swaroopam did not have any political supremacy; their political supremacy began only in the 16th century.

Cheras married among other Dravida Kshatriyas not any ethnically different Aryan Brahmin.Brahmins often married among Nagas but not Tamils. If Ramavarma Kulasekhara had divided his kingdom among relatives, the laterday rulers should have been Patriarchal Tamils not the Matriarchal Nagas, the arch enemies of Villavar people as mentioned in the ancient Tamil classic Kalithokai.


[edit] Differences between Cheras and Naga rulers

Cheras were Tamil rulers who used Tamil Scriptto write till their end at the 12th century. Silappatikaram was written by Chera prince Ilangovadikal at the 3rd century and Perumal Thirumozhi written at the 9th century were two classical Tamil works.

The claims made by the laterday rulers of Kerala including Cochin kings in the second millennium that they descend from the Cheraman perumal completely ignore the fact that the later rulers were not Tamils. Most of the Naga rulers who appeared after the invasion of Malik Kafurat 1310 AD used Tulu Script to write Malayalam.

Chera kings followed Patriarchy like any other pure Dravidian kings.After father son ascended throne.Matriarchy was not practiced by Tamil Cheras while the Karnatakas Nagas including the Bunt/Nairs and Samantas practised it in the first millennium.[5] During the Chera period Chastity and sexual fidelity were revered as recounted by Chera prince Ilangovadikal who wrote Silappatikaram. Polyandry was practised by the Naga dynasties between 12th to 20th centuries unlike the Tamil Chera dynasty.

Naga worship appeared in Kerala after the fall of Chera kingdom. The Sangam literature never mentions Naga worship. Baisaki or Vishu a Naga festival of Nepalese origin was celebrated by laterday Naga rulers not the Chera.

The Cochin rulers were so primitive with hardly any dress on the arrival of Portuguese.[STATE MANUAL].

The imperial Cheras could not have suddenly adopted Tulu Script, or Matriarchy or Polyandryall of sudden.

Karnataka accounts indicate that the Naga (Samantas, Nair)s and Aryan Namputhiris migrated from Ahichatram, the presentday Rampur in Uttarpradesh brought by Kadamba king Mayuravarma in 345 AD. Chera dynasty exists much earlier to the Naga and Aryan migration as stated in the Tulunadu records and Barkur inscription. Sangam literature such as Kaliththokai and Puṟanāṉūṟu says that Chera kingdom was repeated by attacked by Kadambas and Nagas its enemies.[6]

For the ancient Villavar-Meenavar people who founded the Chera Dynasty and Pandyan kingdom the enemies were Nagas who attacked them from north ie from Kadambas of Banavasi and Tulu Nadu. Cheran Neduncheralathan succeeeded in repulsing theKadamba-Naga army in the fourth century according to poet Paranar in his Tamil work Patiṟṟuppattu.

The Tamil Chera Dynasty and its rule ended by the Rashtrakuta and Chola pressure around 1100 AD. The last king Ramavarma Kulasekhara might have migrated to Venad where his descendents might have mixed with the Ais and Venad kings lending them the Kulasekhara title. There are some accounts that the Ramavarma Kulasekhara was crowned at Eraniel in the old Travancore. The story that the last Chera Ramavarma Kulasekhara divided the Chera kingdom among his relatives is baseless as the Venad kings and Ai kings were Vels and Ais ethnically different from Villavar though all were Tamils.Villavars and other Chera subclans such as Malayaman, Pazhuvettaraiyar are still found among the Tamils in Southern Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

After the fall of Tamil Dynasty northern Kerala was occupied by ethnically different dynasties which might be more related to the Bunt community of Karnataka and might be Nagas who origally migrated from Ahichatram. Kolathiri and Cochin kingdom could be more related to Karnatakas Nagas than Tamils. The Nair army who accompanied the Banapperumal from Karnataka at the end of first millennium might have served the Cochin kingdom. The Cochin kings followed Matriarchy which were not practised by Chera kings. Tamil was the official language during the rule of Kings of Chera dynasty. The Cochin dynasties were not known to have patronised Tamil but Sanskrit and northern language of Nagas and Nagari.Samanthas wrote in Tulu Script which later was accepted as Malayalam script. Unlike the dark Dravidian Tamils of the Chera period the Matriarchal kings of Kerala including Cochin displayed yellowish tinge and fair colur with sharp features with slightly mongoloid features indicating their origins at the Indo-Nepalese border ie Ahichatram. The invasion of Malik Kafur in 1311 AD might have empowered the Naga dynasties of Kerala while Dravidian Patriarchal Tamils dynasties including Venad were replaced by Matriarchal Naga dynasties. Immediately after the Malik Kafurs southern Indian invasion at 1311 Matriarchal dynasties of Nagas appeared in Kerala.Madurai Sultanate otherwise called Mabar(Malabar)kingdom was the most powerful kingdom of south India between between 1335 to 1378. The Name Malabar kingdom suggests that the Madurai Sultanate had suzernity over Kerala.Cochin Kingdom,Calicut and Venad became Matriarchal in the same period while all the Tamil dynasties of Kerala came to an end.All these suggest that there had been a massive migration of Thulu people with Matriarchy to Kerala. Kolathiri kingdom which had been under the rule of Hoysala kingdom between 1000 to 1343 AD became independent after the fall of Hoysala Veera Ballala III.Kolathiri otherwise called Chirakkal Raja became the most powerful Naga ruler in the same period possibly as a vassal of Madurai Sultanate.The Vijayanagara Empire Naickers who ruled between 1491 till 1570 were of Tuluva Dynasty but Patriarchal.

Cochin Kingdom according to Keralolpathi founded by the offsprings of a Kshatriya lady brought from the North (Karnataka-Tulunadu)by the Banapperumal.This lady had a Brahmin husband. The Chera kings or any other Tamil kings never married a Brahmin.

The Nagas or Aryan Namboothiris who dominated after the fall of the later Chera kingdom at 1100 AD may be ethnically different people from the earlier Tamil rulers of the Later Chera dynasty.Cheras were not Nagas but Villavar people and their subgroups such as Malayar(Malayaman), Vanavar and Pazhuvettaiyar now merged with Tamil tribes of Tamil Nadu and southern Kerala after the fall of Chera dynasty.


[edit] Malik Kafurs invasion 1310

Only after the Malik Kafurs invasion Matriarchy, hitherto existed only in territories which were under Karnatakas rule between 900-1343 AD under the Hoysala Empire (ie Kannur and northern areas), suddenly spread southwards to Cochin Kingdom and Venad.Venad-Attingal and Cochin Kingdoms were related to and were under the overlordship of the Kolathiris thereafter.Kolathiri became independent from the Hoysala Empires overlordship in the same period.The Nagas were perhaps allied with the invaders. During the Mabar Kingdom or Madurai Sultanate (1329 to 1378)all new found Naga kingdoms of Kerala became powerful.The name Mabar(Malabar) for Madurai Kingdom again suggests that Kerala was under the suzernity of Madurai Sultanate.In this period Nagas hitherto residing at Ezhimala area which was under Karnataka then perhaps colluded with the invading army of Malik Kafur and thus gained the control of Kerala. The origin of Malayalam with Tulu Script also indicated Tulu dominance over Tamil.The Tamil Script was no longer used in Kerala as the new rulers had no knowledge of Tamil.All the remnants Dravidian kingdoms such as Chola Kingdom,Pandyan kingdom,Chera Dynasty,Yadava Kakatiya dynasty of Warangal, Hoysala Empire disappeared in the same period.

[edit] Cochin as Portuguese protectorate

The real Cochin dynasty started under the Portuguese as a Vassal of Portuguese king Ferdinand.So only the kings after 1503 are known.The Portuguese had a free hand in trade,were allowed to assemble a powerful army which will even challenge the Vijayanagar empire.Portuguese promptly converted the recruits to army to Roman Catholicism greatly increasing the Chrisitian population in Kerala. Cochin kingdom were protected by the Portuguese army till 1663. The other Europeans such as Dutch British also had the same kind of alliance with the Cochin Kingdom thus prolonging the minority Naga rule to 1947 for almost 450 years.


[edit] Invasion of Hyder Ali

In 1773 Hyder Ali demanded one lakh ikkeri Pagoda from Cochin Raja. When the Cochin king though agreed could not pay the amount, Hyder Ali captured Trichur and occupied it for 3 years.


[edit] Capitals

The capital of Perumpadapu Swaroopamrom was located from the beginning of 12th century CE to the end of 13th century CE at Chitrakooda, in the Perumpadapu village of Vanneri. Even though the capital of Perumpadapu Swaroopam was in Vanneri, the Perumpadapu king had a palace in Mahodayapuram. When the Zamorins attacked Vanneri in the later part of the 13th century, Perumpadapu Swaroopam shifted their capital from Vanneri to Mahodayapuram. This tradition continued until the beginning of 15th century.

In 1405 Perumpadapu Swaroopam changed their capital from Mahodayapuram to Cochin. From there on Perumpadapu Swaroopam used the name Cochin Royal Family. By the end of the 14th century the Zamorin conquered Thrikkanamathilakam and it became a threat for Mahodayapuram (Thiruvanchikulam), and this may be the reason that Perumpadapu Swaroopam changed their capital to Cochin. Moreover, in the year 1341 a flood created an island Puthuvippu (Vypin) and Cochin became a noted natural harbor for the Indian Ocean trade.[7] The old Kodungallore (Cranganore) port lost its importance, which may also be a cause for the shift of the capital. Finally, the arrival of the Portuguese to the subcontinent in the sixteenth century likely influenced Cochin politics. The Kingdom of Cochin was among the first Indian nations to sign a formal treaty with a European power, negotiating trade terms with Pedro Álvares Cabral in 1500.

The palace at Kalvathhi was originally the residence of the kings. In 1555, though, the royal palace moved to Mattancherry,[8] and later relocated to Trichur (Thrissur). At that time Penvazithampuran (Female Thampuran) and the other Kochuthampurans (other Thampurans except the Valliathampuran (King)) stayed at a palace in Vellarapilly.

In the beginning of 18th century Thripunithura started gaining prominence. The kingdom was ruled from Trichur, Cochin and Thripunithura.[9] Around 1755 Penvazithampuran (Female Thampuran) and the other Kochuthampurans (other Thampurans) left Vellarapalli and started to live in Thripunithura. Thus Thripunithura became the capital of Cochin Royal Family.

[edit] Alternate names of the kingdom

Perumpadapu Swaroopam, Madarajyam, Goshree Rajyam, and Kuru Swaroopam are among the different names ascribed to the Cochin Kingdom. Perumpadapu Velliya Thampuran, Madamaheeshan, Goshree Bhoopan, Kuru Bhoomi Bhrith are the different ways to call the Kings.

According to the wishes of Vishravanan's daughter, Lord Parashurama purportedly created a small realm for her called Balapuri, and which translates as "small land" (Kochu Desham) in Malayalam. This region was later called Kochi (Cochin). According to Nichola County (15th century) and Fr. Paulino da San Bartolomeo (17th Century), Kochi was renounced after a stream flowing through the place. This may be correct, since the capital of the kingdom was Kochi, and the entire kingdom was known by the name Kochi.

It is widely accepted that the genealogy of the kings of Kochi commenced from the sister of the last Prumal (Ramavarma Kulasekhara), and also that she was married to Perumpadapu Namboothiri. After the death of the Namboothiri, there was no predecessor to the wealth and his Illom was merged with the dynasty, and hence the name Perumpadapu Swaroopam came into existence. But this reason for the name cannot be unconditionally accepted, as it is also possible that the first rulers ruled from Perumpadapu.

The Thruvanjikulam Temple structure is built in keeping with the Chidambaram architectural form. The temple's founder might then be a Chola Perumal from Chidambaram; there is a tiger inscribed on the flag which is called Puliyan and his realm became known as Pulyannur. This was detailed in the notes of noted historian Putheyadath Raman Menon. Since Puliyannur Namboothiri (Tantri Poornathrayeesa Temple and Cochin Royal Family) originated from this place that Illom got this name. Some scholars suggest that the name Perumpadapu came from Perumbathura Periyavar (an elder of Perumbathura, a village near Chidambaram), but this theory lacks evidentiary support.

There was an adoption of Madathinkizu (Madathum Koor) Swoorupam from the Perumpadapu Swaroopam, and there was no predecessor in Madathinkizu; these properties were attached to Perumpadapu Swaroopam. Thus the name Madarajyam came into existence.The Sanskrit version of Madavamsham is Goshree Vamsham (Madu (Malayalam)= Pashu (Malayalam)= Go (Sanskrit)). The Kochi is the Synonym of Goshree. There was also an adoption from Cochin Royal Family to Kuru Swaroopam and finally Kuru Swaroopam was merged with Kochi, hence the name Kuru Swaroopam.

[edit] Kings of Cochin

Maharaja Kerala Varma

Veerakerala Varma, nephew of Cheraman Perumal, is the person traditionally believed to be the first king of Cochin (approximately 7th century BCE). The written records of the dynasty, however, date from 1503 CE. The Kings of Cochin were also called as Gangadhara Kovil Adhikaarikal, meaning Head of all Temples[10]..

  1. Unniraman Koyikal I (---- to 1503)
  2. Unniraman Koyikal II (1503 to 1537)
  3. Veera Kerala Varma (1537-1565)
  4. Keshava Rama Varma (1565-1601)
  5. Veera Kerala Varma (1601-1615)
  6. Ravi Varma (1615-1624)
  7. Veera Kerala Varma (1624-1637)
  8. Godavarma (1637-1645)
  9. Veerarayira Varma (1645-1646)
  10. Veera Kerala Varma (1646-1650)
  11. Rama Varma (1650-1656).
  12. Rani Gangadharalakshmi (1656-1658).
  13. Rama Varma (1658-1662).
  14. Goda Varma (1662-1663)
  15. Veera Kerala Varma(1663-1687)
  16. Rama Varma (1687-1693)
  17. Ravi Varma (1693-1697)
  18. Rama Varma (1697-1701)
  19. Rama Varma (1701-1721)
  20. Ravi Varma (1721-1731)
  21. Rama Varma (1731-1746)
  22. Veera Kerala Varma (1746-1749)
  23. Rama Varma (1749-1760)
  24. Veera Kerala Varma (1760-1775)
  25. Rama Varma (1775-1790)
  26. Rama Varma (1790-1805)- Shakthan Thapuran
  27. Rama Varma (1805-1809)- Vellarapalli-yil Theepetta Thampuran (King who died in "Vellarapali")
  28. Veera Kerala Varma (1809-1828) - Karkidaka Maasathil Theepetta Thampuran (King who died in "karkidaka" month(ME))
  29. Rama Varma (1828-1837) - Thulam-Maasathil Theepett1a Thampuran (King who died in "Thulam" month (ME))
  30. Rama Varma (1837-1844) - Edava-Maasathil Theepett1a Thampuran (King who died in "Edavam" month (ME))
  31. Rama Varma (1844-1851) - Thrishur-il Theepetta Thampuran (King who died in "Thrishivaperoor" or Thrishur)
  32. Veera Kerala Varma (1851-1853) - Kashi-yil Theepetta Thampuran (King who died in "Kashi" or Varanasi)
  33. Ravi Varma(1853-1864) - Makara Maasathil Theepetta Thampuran (King who died in "Makaram" month (ME))
  34. Rama Varma(1864-1888) - Mithuna Maasathil Theepetta Thampuran (King who died in "Mithunam" month (ME))
  35. Kerala Varma(1888-1895) - Chingam Maasathil Theepetta Thampuran (King who died in "Chingam" month (ME))
  36. Rama Varma(1895-1914) - aka Rajarshi, Abdicated Highness (died in 1932)
  37. Rama Varma(1914-1932) - Madrasil Theepetta Thampuran (King who died in Madras or Chennai)
  38. Rama Varma(1932-1941) - Dhaarmika Chakravarthi (King of Dharma), Chowara-yil Theepetta Thampuran (King who died in "Chowara")
  39. Kerala Varma (1941-1943) - Midukkan Thampuran
  40. Ravi Varma(1943-1946) - Kunjappan Thampuran (Brother of Midukkan Thampuran)
  41. Kerala Varma(1946-1948) - Ikya-Keralam (Unified Kerala) Thampuran
  42. Rama Varma (1948-1964) - Pareekshit Thampuran, title: Darsanakalanidhi, was a Sanskrit scholar of supreme rank

ME - Malayalam Era

[edit] Paliath Achan

Paliath Govindan Achan (ruled 1779-1825)

The Paliath Achan, or head of the Paliam family of Chendamangalam, played an important part in the politics of Cochin state since the early seventeenth century, and held hereditary rights to the ministership of Cochin. The Paliath Achan was the most powerful person after the King, and he sometimes exerted more power than the king.

In addition, there were many Desaavzhis around the Cochin area, among them Paliyam swaroopam, who was second to the Perumpadappu swaroopam. Other powerful lords around these areas were "Cheraneloore Karthavu", "Mappranam Prabhu", "Vellose Nair", "Edappali Nampiyathiri," and "Anchi Kaimal." "Shakthan Thampuran" destroyed their powers and confisicated the properties of most of these lords. However, following the rebellion of the Paliath Achan along with Velu Thampi Dalawa in 1810, the powers of this chief were curbed.

[edit] Parukutty Nethyar Amma

Maharaja Rama Varma (popularly known as Madrassil Theepetta Thampuran), who reigned from 1914 to 1932, was assisted by a particularly able consort named Parukutty Nethyar Amma.[11] The Nethyar was the daughter of Kurur Namboodiripad, who was a member of the family that had the traditional honour of anointing the kings of Palakkad. Her mother belonged to the Padinjare Shrambhi house of the aristocratic Vadakke Kuruppath house of Trichur. She married the Maharaja, then heir fourth in line to succession, when she was fourteen years old in 1888. It is said that she was especially blessed by the Devi at the Chottanikkara Temple. By a quirk of fate her husband ascended the throne as a result of the abdication of his predecessor. As the Maharaja was a scholar and had other interests (including knowledge of curing snake bites and comprehension of the language of lizards known as Gawli Shashtra), she took over the finances of the state. Under her guidance salaries were quadrupled and the revenue earned a 17-gun salute. Parukutty Nethyar Amma was awarded the Kaiser-i-Hind medal by King George V in 1919 for public work and came to be known as Lady Rama Varma of Cochin [12].

Royal palace at Kochi

The Nethyar Amma was not only an able administrator but also a Nationalist moving from being seen as an exemplery public figure in the eyes of the British to earning the ire of the colonial state for her relationship with Mahatma Gandhi and Indian nationalists. As one British Intelligence report stated "The hill palace is the centre of nationalist activity and charkhas have been introduced to assist the weaving of khadi." (see Fortnightly Intelligence Reports availabale at the National Archives of India) In addition, a little known fact about the Cochin state is the attempt made by the British government and the Viceroy to force the Maharajah to abdicate under the ploy of trying to prove him insane. A doctor was brought from London to bolster the case, and the physician opined that the "Maharaja was merely an old man who tired easily". This attempt was directly linked to the fear that the Nethyar Amma - or the "Consort" as she was referred to by the British - was becoming increasingly powerful in nationalist circles.[11]

The head of the Congress party in Cochin was Kurur Nilakantan Namboodiripad who was a cousin of the Nethyar Amma. The Collected Works containing Gandhi's letters include correspondence between the Maharajah's daughter V.K Vilasini Amma and the himself, and a second daughter V.K Ratnamma was married to R. M. Palat, himself a politician and the son of Sir C. Sankaran Nair, the former president of the Congress Party and well known nationalist.[11] The Maharaja's son V.K Aravindaksha Menon was married to Malathy , the daughter of V. K Narayana Menon a prominent contractor in Trichur in whose house "Pandyala", Jawaharlal Nehru, Kamala and Indira Nehru rested on their way to Sri Lanka. When Gandhi visited Cochin, he was treated as a State Guest and Aravindaksha Menon, the Nethyar Amma's son personally was deputed to accompany him. Soon Parukutty Nethyar Amma appeared opposed, which proved to be a significant hurdle for British interests in India.[11]

On the death of the Maharaja, the Nethyar Amma retired initially to the palace she had constructed for herself in her home town Trichur, near to her ancestral house, Padinjare Shrambhi. The house Ratna Vilas was named after her elder daughter Ratnam. The Nethyar Amma then went on an extended tour abroad, taking along her grandson Sankaran Palat, who was admitted to Le Rosey in Switzerland and later in Charterhouse, England. She returned to India and divided her time between Trichur and Coonoor, where she purchased two tea estates and a tea factory.

[edit] The dynasty today

Members of the dynasty are spread all over the world (In five continents). The family is the one of the world's largest royal families, numbering more than 1000 people, and many members of the family still live in and around Tripunithura and other parts of Kochi.[13]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ PBS (2007). "Hidden India:The Kerala Spicelands". http://www.pbs.org/hiddenindia/history/index.htm. Retrieved 2008-01-07. 
  2. ^ Kerala.com (2007). "Kerala History". http://www.kerala.com/ke_historyancient.htm. Retrieved 2008-01-07. 
  3. ^ Thampuran, Rameshan (2007). "Emergence Of Kingdom of Cochin and Cochin Royal Family". http://www.gosree.org/history.html. Retrieved 2008-01-06. 
  4. ^ Pillai, Elamkulam Kunjan (1970). Studies in Kerala History. 
  5. ^ http://tulu-research.blogspot.com/2008/01/67-bunts-and-nairs.html
  6. ^ [1]
  7. ^ "History of Cochin - Ernakulam". 2007. http://knowindia.net/kerala/kochi/kochi.html. Retrieved 2008-01-06. 
  8. ^ "Kochi - Queen of the Arabian Sea". KnowIndia.netdate=2007. http://www.cochin-ernakulam.com/history.htm. Retrieved 2008-01-06. 
  9. ^ "Cochin Royal Family History - Post-1715". 2007. http://www.crfhs.org/familytree/familyhistory1.php?caption_id=3&flg=0. Retrieved 2008-01-06. 
  10. ^ Thampuran, Rameshan (2007). "Emergence Of Kingdom of Cochin and Cochin Royal Family". http://www.gosree.org/history.html. Retrieved 2008-01-06. 
  11. ^ a b c d "Cochin Royal Family History - Post-1715". 2007. http://www.crfhs.org/familytree/familyhistory1.php?caption_id=4&flg=0. Retrieved 2008-01-06. 
  12. ^ The National Archives | A2A | Results
  13. ^ "Seeking royal roots". The Hindu. 2003. http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2003/03/03/stories/2003030300550200.htm. Retrieved 2008-01-06. 

[edit] External links

[edit] Bibliography

  • Katz, Nathan and Goldberg, Helen S. Kashrut, Caste and Kabbalah: The Religious Life of the Jews of Cochin. Mahonar Books, 2005.
  • Kulke, Herman. A History of India. New York: Routledge, 2004.
  • Menon, P. Shungoonny. History of Travancore from the Earliest Times. 1878.
  • Pillai, Elamkulam Kunjan. Studies in Kerala History. Kottayam, 1970.
  • Ramachandran, Rathi. History of Medieval Kerala. Pragati Publications, 2005.
  • Thampuran, Rameshan. Genealogy of Cochin Royal Family.
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