Cochin royal family
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The Cochin royal family were rulers of Cochin, or Kochi, India. They were also known as Perumpadapu Swaroopam or Kuru Swaroopam.
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[edit] Tradition of Perumpadapu Swaroopam
There is no extant written evidence about the emergence of the Kingdom of Cochin or of the Cochin Royal Family, also known as Perumpadapu Swaroopam.[1] All that is recorded are folk tales and stories, and 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 conventional historical sources. There is an oft-recited legend that the last Perumal (king from the Chera dynasty) who ruled the Chera dynasty divided his kingdom between his nephews and his sons, converted to Islam and traveled to Mecca on a hajj. The Keralolpathi recounts the above narrative in the following fashion:
The last and the famous "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 "amsa" north of Neelaeswaram and 17 amsa south, totaling 34 amsa, and gave his powers to his nephews and sons. Thirty-four kingdoms between Kanyakumari 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 345 AD, Perumpadapu Grandavari in 385 AD, William Logan in 825 AD. There are no written records on these earlier divisions of Kerala, but according to some historians the division might have occurred during the Second Chera Kingdom at the beginning of 12th century.[2]
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[edit] Matrilineal Inheritance
Cochin Royal Family followed the system of Matrilineal succession known as Marumakkatayam Traditionally the female members of the family have hypergamous unions (Sambandham) with Namboodiri Brahmins while male members marry ladies of the Samanthan Nair class. These wives of the male members are not Ranis as per the matrilineal system but instead get the title of Nethyar Amma.Currently the family marries only within the Malayala Kshatriya class [3]
[edit] Traditional Rituals
The term "Shodasakriyakal" refers to sixteen rites to be performed by all members, as structured through "Smruthi".
- Sekom (Garbhaadhaanam) : A rite to be performed just before the first sexual intercourse after marriage.
- Pumsavanom : To be performed just after conception.
- Seemantham : Performed after Pumsavanom.
- Jathakarmam : Performed just after birth.
- Naamakaranam : Naming Ceremony of the child.
- (Upa)nishkramanam (Vaathilpurappadu) : Involves taking the child out of the house for the first time.
- Choroonu : The first ceremonial intake of rice by the child.
- Choulam : The first hair-cut ceremony of the boy/ girl.
- Upanayanam : (Only for boys).
- Mahaanamneevrutham (Aanduvrutham) :
- Mahaavrutham :
- Upanishadvrutham :
- Godaanam : Rites as part of thanks-giving to the Aacharyan (priest or teacher).
- Samaavarthanam : A long ritual for the completion of the above said Vedic education.
- Marriage
- Agniadhaanam : A rite performed as an extension of Oupaasanam and introduction to Sroutha rites.
[edit] Deities
- Paradevatha (goddess): Vannery Chitrakoodam, Pazhayannur Bhagavathy, Chazhur Pazhayannur Bhagavathy
- Paradevan (god): Vishnu (Sree Poornathrayeesa), Tiruvanchikulathappan (Lord Shiva of Thiruvanchikulam between North Paravur and Kodungallore)
- Other Deities: Chottanikkara Bhagavathy, Pulpalli Thevar and many
[edit] Naming practice of male Thampuran
In Cochin royal family all the male Thampurans were named according to the following methodology.
- Eldest son to a mother Goda Varma (no longer used)
- Second Son Rama Varma
- Third Son Kerala Varma
- Fourth Son Ravi Varma.
From then on to till date the last three naming convention is followed. But the name Goda varma is followed in the other root family (moola thavazhi) of cochin royal family namely chazur kovilakam. Reference – Genealogy of Cochin Royal Family
[edit] Naming practice of female Thampuran
In Cochin Royal Family the female Thampurans were named according to the following methodology.
- Eldest daughter To A Mother – Amba
- Second daughter – Ambika
- Third Daughter – Subhadra
This naming convention is followed again to third daughter and fourth etc.
Both the female and male members are called by the name "Thampuran" and have same last name(Thampuran). (in all other royal families in Kerala, males are called Thampuran and females – Thampuratti. For more details, please visit [1])[citation needed]
[edit] See also
[edit] Further reading
- Genealogy of Cochin Royal Family – By Rameshan Thampuran
[edit] References
- ^ Kerala.com (2007). "Kerala History". http://www.kerala.com/ke_historyancient.htm. Retrieved 7 January 2008.
- ^ Pillai, Elamkulam Kunjan (1970). Studies in Kerala History.
- ^ Staff Correspondent (3 March 2003). "Seeking royal roots". The Hindu. http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/03/03/stories/2003030300550200.htm. Retrieved 5 January 2012.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Cochin Royal Family |
- Emergence Of Kingdom Of Cochin And Cochin Royal Family
- Cochin Royal Family Historical Society
- Namboothiri Websites Trust Calicut
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