History of Kerala

Kerala is also known as God’s own country is one of the most sought after tourist destination of India that comes into existence on 1st November 1956. It is a famous south Indian state that is located on the Malabar Coast of South West India which is bordered by Karnataka to the North and Northeast, Tamil Nadu to the South and South East and Arabian Sea to the West. The history of Kerala is interesting and striking as its geography that adds an awe inspiring charm to the beauty of the state. According to the mythology there is an interesting legend associated to the origin of Kerala. According to which the warrior sage the sixth incarnation of Vishnu, Parshuram once stood on the lofty cliff and ordered the violent sea to recede by throwing his axe in the sea. The sea obeyed his commands and then the land that egresses of the sea waters came to be known as Kerala, the land of abundance and prosperity.

Nothing can be said about the origin or early inhabitants of Kerala. But according to the archeologists the early inhabitants of Kerala are hunters who belong to Negrito Tribe. After them came the Austric people who are the snake worshippers and resembled the present day Aborigines of Australia. Followed by them came the Dravidians who are the migrants from the Mediterranean region. They are drifted away southwards but left their imprints which are their substantial contribution to the state which later on brought various religions like Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism along with them. According to the inscriptions that are found it is evident that the Kerala also had Maurayan contact. Ashoka the great Maurayan emperor cited four independent territories in south and Kerala is one of them and is known as Keralaputras. Jainism was introduced in Kerala during the regime of Chandragupta Maurya. After this came the Sangam Age (1-1500 AD) which is said to be the first enlightened age with the emergence of various poets and writers. After this Kerala is ruled by several dynasties like Chera, Rajasekhara, Vinad etc which have contributed greatly for the social ,economical, cultural and political growth of the state.

The landing of European sailor Vasco da Gama who set his foot ashore in 1498 added a novel episode in the history of Kerala. The discovery of new route paved the way for the arrival of other foreign powers such as Dutch and French.

Following the Portuguese, the British landed in South Indian Peninsula and lured by the abundance of vast natural resources and trade possibilities in the areas of spices and precious gems. The British Supremacy witnessed many social, political and cultural changes in Kerala. Emergence of English Missionaries had raised the bars of standard of living of the common people, education reforms, and development in infrastructure facilities. There were innumerous revolts against the British Supremacy and finally Communist Party of India came into being in Kerala in 1939. Finally on 1st November a modern state of Kerala emerged from the Malabar which was a part of the Madras Presidency, Kochi and Travancore.