91-573: Mushika dynasty, also spelled Mushaka , was a minor dynastic power that held sway over the region in and around Mount Ezhi ( Ezhimala ) in present-day North Malabar, Kerala , India. The country of the Mushikas, ruled by an ancient lineage of the Hehaya clan of the same name, appears in early historic (pre-Pallava) south India and it is believed that Mushika dynasty has their descents from Heheya Kingdom . Early Tamil poems contain several references to
182-587: A creeper or branch in Sanskrit. Pallava also means arrow or spruce in Tamil. The origins of the Pallavas have been debated by scholars. The available historical materials include three copper-plate grants of Sivaskandavarman in the first quarter of the 4th century CE, all issued from Kanchipuram but found in various parts of Andhra Pradesh , and another inscription of Simhavarman I half century earlier in
273-614: A powerful and warlike clan of the Bunt community of Tulu Nadu was called Kola Bari and the Kolathiri Raja of Kolathunadu may have been related to this clan. The Arabic inscription on a copper slab within the Madayi Mosque , which lies about 3 km away from Ezhimala, records its foundation year as 1124 CE. The Kolathunadu ( Kannur ) Kingdom at the peak of its power, reportedly extended from Netravati River ( Mangalore ) in
364-461: A regional power by the end of the 6th century, defeating kings of Ceylon and mainland Tamilakkam. Narasimhavarman I and Paramesvaravarman I stand out for their achievements in both military and architectural spheres. Narasimhavarman II built the Shore Temple . The kings that came after Paramesvaravarman II belonged to the collateral line of Pallavas and were descendants of Bhimavarman,
455-458: Is Payyanur on Mangalore - Palakkad line. There are airports at Mangalore , Kannur and Calicut . Pallava dynasty The Pallava dynasty existed from 275 CE to 897 CE, ruling a significant portion of the Deccan , also known as Tondaimandalam . The Pallavas played a crucial role in shaping in particular southern Indian history and heritage. The dynasty rose to prominence after
546-643: Is Asia's largest, and the world's third-largest, naval academy. As the former capital of the ancient Kolathunadu Kingdom of the Mushikas , Ezhimala is considered to be an important historical site. A flourishing seaport and center of trade around the beginning of the Common Era , it was also one of the major battlefields of the Chola - Chera Wars, in the 11th century. It is believed by some that Buddha had visited Ezhimala. The Kolathunadu ( Kannur ) Kingdom at
637-528: Is a rare surviving document recording patronage by a Hindu king (Bhaskara Ravi) to the Muslims of Kerala. The Indian anthropologist Ayinapalli Aiyappan states that a powerful and warlike clan of the Nair caste was called Kola Swaroopam and had a parallel in the Bunt community of Tulu Nadu which was called Kola Bari and the Kolathiri Raja of Kolathunadu was a descendant of this clan. The Kolla-desam (or
728-422: Is a rare surviving document recording patronage by a Hindu king (Bhaskara Ravi) to the Muslims of Kerala. The Arabic inscription on a copper slab within the Madayi Mosque in records its foundation year as 1124 CE. The 16th century Tuhfat Ul Mujahideen also states about Madayi. Madayi is located just 5 km (3.1 mi) away from Ezhimala. Extant Tamil Sangam texts describe the glory and wealth of
819-505: Is depicted as the son of Chola king Killi and the Naga princess Pilivalai, the daughter of king Valaivanan of Manipallavam . When the boy grew up the princess wanted to send her son to the Chola kingdom. So she entrusted the prince to a merchant who dealt in woolen blankets called Kambala Chetty when his ship stopped in the island of Manipallavam. During the voyage to the Chola kingdom, the ship
910-831: Is described as the overlord of the Fort Valapattanam, the Chera/Perumal king's Palace, the Taliparamba Temple, and the Perinchellur Brahmin village. Ezhimala (hill, Kannur) Ezhimala , a hill reaching a height of 286 metres (938 ft), is located near Payyanur , in Kannur district of Kerala , South India . It is a part of a conspicuous and isolated cluster of hills, forming a promontory , 38 km (24 mi) north of Kannur (Cannanore). The Indian Naval Academy at Ezhimala
1001-545: Is from the Kottayam Town (in Kannur District) and Kannur Town regions of old Ezhimalainad that innumerable Roman (gold) coins have been excavated. On one (single) occasion (gold) coins that could be carried by six porters were obtained. These coins were found to belong to the period down to 491 AD". Ezhimala was also a flourishing seaport and center of trade at least by the start of the Common Era ; and later
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#17327725971961092-641: Is known as a great enemy of the early (pre- Pallava ) Chera chieftains (western Tamil Nadu and central Kerala). He appeas in Akananuru and Purananuru poems, and also in Natrinai , in Pathitruppathu and in Kurunthokai . He is described as the hunter chieftain of the vetar descent group ("vetar-ko-man"). Early Tamil poems contain several references to the exploits of Ezhimalai Nannan (who
1183-628: Is often better rendered as "zh", thus "Elimala" and "Ezhimala" are just alternative English transliterations of the same Malayalam word. The ancient port of Naura , which is mentioned in the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea as a port somewhere north of Muziris is somewhere near Ezhimala. Pliny the Elder (1st century CE) states that the port of Tyndis was located at the northwestern border of Keprobotos ( Chera dynasty ). The part of
1274-618: Is the largest in Asia, on 8 January 2009. This institution trains officer candidates of the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard. The national highway passes through Perumba junction. Mangalore , Goa and Mumbai can be accessed on the northern side and Cochin and Thiruvananthapuram can be accessed on the southern side. The road to the east of Iritty connects to Mysore and Bangalore . The nearest railway station
1365-690: The British Museum plates (Durga Prasad, 1988) belonging to Skandavarman I and written in Prakrit . Skandavarman appears to have been the first great ruler of the early Pallavas, though there are references to other early Pallavas who were probably predecessors of Skandavarman. Skandavarman extended his dominions from the Krishna in the north to the Pennar in the south and to the Bellary district in
1456-522: The Chalukyas of Vatapi to the north, and the Tamil kingdoms of Chola and Pandyas to their south. The Pallavas were finally defeated by the Chola ruler Aditya I in the 9th century CE. The Pallavas are most noted for their patronage of Hindu Vaishnava temple architecture, the finest example being the Shore Temple , a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Mamallapuram . Kancheepuram served as
1547-605: The Kalabhra invasion of the Tamil country. Towards the close of the 6th century, the Pallava Simhavishnu stuck a blow against the Kalabhras. The Pandyas followed suit. Thereafter the Tamil country was divided between the Pallavas in the north with Kanchipuram as their capital, and Pandyas in the south with Madurai as their capital. The royal custom of using a series of descriptive honorific titles, Birudas ,
1638-719: The Kalabhras and the confusion in the Tamil country was broken by the Pandya Kadungon and the Pallava Simhavishnu . Mahendravarman I extended the Pallava Kingdom and was one of the greatest sovereigns. Some of the most ornate monuments and temples in southern India, carved out of solid rock, were introduced under his rule. He also wrote the play Mattavilasa Prahasana . The Pallava kingdom began to gain both in territory and influence and were
1729-522: The Kolathunadu / Kolathiri rulers, before the Carnatic conquests of Vijayanagara Empire . The Kumbla dynasty had a mixed lineage of Malayali Nairs and Tuluva Brahmins . They also claimed their origin from Cheraman Perumals of Kerala. Francis Buchanan-Hamilton states that the customs of Kumbla dynasty were similar to those of the contemporary Malayali kings, though Kumbla was considered as
1820-570: The Malabar Coast which lies north of the port at Tyndis was ruled by the kingdom of Ezhimala during Sangam period . According to the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea , a region known as Limyrike began at Naura and Tyndis . However the Ptolemy mentions only Tyndis as the Limyrike' s starting point. The region probably ended at Kanyakumari ; it thus roughly corresponds to
1911-639: The Mushika or Kolathiri Royal Family. Though the Dynasty of Nannan s was a cousin or sister dynasty of the Cheras and Pandyas and Cholas, warfare among them was nearly consistent, and the period of Nannan was no exception. There are texts that speak of Nannan fighting heroic battles at Pazhi against the Chera Kings who invaded his kingdom ( Kolathunadu ). Eventually, Nannan was killed in battle by
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#17327725971962002-711: The Māmallapuram Praśasti is as follows: According to historian S. Krishnaswami Aiyengar , the Pallavas were natives of Tondaimandalam and the name Pallava is identical with the word Tondaiyar. Chola Prince Ilandiraiyan is traditionally regarded as the founder of the Pallava dynasty. Ilandiraiyan is referred to in the literature of the Sangam period such as the Pathupattu . In the Sangam epic Manimekalai , he
2093-583: The Palnadu (Pallava Nadu) area of the western Guntur district . All the early documents are in Prakrit , and scholars find similarities in paleography and language with the Satavahanas and the Mauryas . Their early coins are said to be similar to those of Satavahanas. Two main theories regarding the origins of the Pallavas have emerged based on available historical data. The first theory suggests that
2184-459: The Pathupattu . In the Sangam epic Manimekalai , he is depicted as the son of Chola king Killi and the Naga princess Pilivalai, the daughter of king Valaivanan of Manipallavam . Another theory is propounded by historians R. Sathianathaier and D. C. Sircar , with endorsements by Hermann Kulke , Dietmar Rothermund and Burton Stein . Sircar points out that the family legends of the Pallavas speak of an ancestor descending from Ashwatthama ,
2275-413: The Sangam works . Ezhimala kingdom was succeeded by Mushika dynasty in the early medieval period, most possibly due to the migration of Tuluva Brahmins from Tulu Nadu . An Old Malayalam inscription ( Ramanthali inscriptions ), dated to 1075 CE, mentions king Kunda Alupa, the ruler of Alupa dynasty of Mangalore , can be found at Ezhimala. The Indian anthropologist Ayinapalli Aiyappan states that
2366-712: The anjuvannam , the manigramam , the valanchiyar and the nanadeshikal show their presence in the kingdom. The kings are also described as great champions of Hindu religion and temples. Some Mushika rulers are known for their patronage to a famous Buddhist vihara in central Kerala. Presence of Jewish merchants is also speculated in the ports of Mushika kingdom. A location in Madayi is still known as "the Jew's pond" (the Jutakkulam). Tamil name "Ezhimalai" (the Ezhil Kunram) for
2457-583: The kshatriyas ; but apart from the Pallava, Chola and Vijayanagar line of warriors which claimed chakravartin status, only few locality warrior families achieved the prestigious kin-linked organisation of northern warrior groups. The earliest documentation on the Pallavas is the three copper-plate grants, now referred to as the Mayidavolu (from Maidavolu village in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh ), Hirehadagali (from Hire Hadagali of Karnataka ) and
2548-528: The monsoon winds usually first sighted the south Indian coast around Ezhimala, and oriented themselves from there. The hills is also known as Elimala, Mooshika Sailam and Sapta Sailam. The hill was known as Ras Haili or Hili to Arab sailors. The hill had been named Monte d'Eli by the Portuguese. and was known as Mount Delly, Mount Dilly, Delyn, or Mount Eli to the British. Hobson-Jobson suggests
2639-470: The shastras . Burton distinguishes between the chakravatin model and the kshatriya model, and likens kshatriyas to locally based warriors with ritual status sufficiently high enough to share with Brahmins; and states that in south India the kshatriya model did not emerge. As per Burton, south India was aware of the Indo-Aryan varna organised society in which decisive secular authority was vested in
2730-435: The 2nd-7th century CE period contain the Pallava emblem, the maned lion, together with Kannada or Sanskrit inscription which showed that the Pallavas used Kannada too in their administration along with Prakrit, Sanskrit and Tamil. Overlaid on these theories is another hypothesis of Sathianathaier which claims that "Pallava" is a derivative of Pahlava (the Sanskrit term for Parthians). According to him, partial support for
2821-455: The Chera king, Narmudi Cheral . Like the other kings of the then Tamilakam cultural polity, Narmudi Cheral was a great patron of scholars and poets, and he once gifted his court-poet, Kappiyattu Kappiyanar with 40 lakhs gold coins, as a token of his poetic genius. The entire South India coast was a hub of Indian Ocean trade during the era. According to Kerala Muslim tradition, Kolathunadu
Mushika dynasty - Misplaced Pages Continue
2912-673: The Chera, Pandya and Chola chieftains. Mahabharata , the Sanskrit epic poem of ancient India, also mention the Mushika as one of the kingdoms of the deep South of India, and is grouped with the Cheras, Pandyas and Cholas. It is identified both as the Ay/Venad/Thiruvithamkur dynasty as well as the Nannan/Mushika/Kolathiri dynasty. Nannan was a chieftain of Ezhimalai ("the Ezhil Kunram"). Nannan
3003-474: The Ezhimala Hills with the epic, in particular with Hanuman . Ezhimala, Pazhayangadi, and several villages and towns in this region find plenty of mention in the extant Tamil Sangam Period 's literature (500 BC to 300 AD). Pazhayangadi is the present corrupted form of its ancient name of Pazhi. Pazhi is mentioned as the ancient capital of King Udayan Venmon Nannan (known as Nannan or Nandan ) of
3094-722: The Krishna River. Another theory posits that the Pallavas were descendants of Chola Prince Ilandiraiyan and had their roots in Tondaimandalam , the region around Kanchi. These theories provide different perspectives on the Pallavas' early history and territorial expansion, but the exact origins of the Pallava dynasty continue to be a subject of debate among historians. The proponents of the Andhra origin theory include S. Krishnaswami Aiyangar and K. A. Nilakanta Sastri . They believe that Pallavas were originally feudatories of
3185-519: The Mushika-rajya) came under the influence of the Chera /Perumals kingdom during eleventh century AD. The Chola references to several kings in medieval Kerala confirms that the power of the Chera /Perumal was restricted to the country around capital Kodungallur . The Perumal kingship remained nominal compared with the power that local rulers (such as that of the Mushika in the north and Venatu in
3276-608: The Pallava dynasty, a unique form of Grantha script , a descendant of Pallava script which is a type of Brahmic script , was used. Around the 6th century, it was exported eastwards and influenced the genesis of almost all Southeast Asian scripts. Pallavas were followers of Hinduism and made gifts of land to gods and Brahmins. In line with the prevalent customs, some of the rulers performed the Aswamedha and other Vedic sacrifices . They were, however, tolerant of other faiths. The Chinese monk Xuanzang who visited Kanchipuram during
3367-551: The Pallava style temples. The temple of Nalanda Gedige in Kandy , Sri Lanka is another. The famous Tondeswaram temple of Tenavarai and the ancient Koneswaram temple of Trincomalee were patronised and structurally developed by the Pallavas in the 7th century. The Pallava period beginning with Simhavishnu (575 CE – 900 CE) was a transitional stage in southern Indian society with monument building, foundation of devotional (bhakti) sects of Alvars and Nayanars ,
3458-468: The Pallavas away from Kanchi in the mid-4th century, in the reign of Vishnugopa , the tenth king of the Pallava line. The Pallavas re-captured Kanchi from the Kalabhras in the mid-6th century, possibly in the reign of Simhavishnu , the fourteenth king of the Pallava line, whom the Kasakudi plates state as "the lion of the earth". Thereafter the Pallavas held on to Kanchi until the 9th century, until
3549-463: The Pallavas could be divided into four separate families or dynasties; some of whose connections are known and some unknown. Aiyangar states We have a certain number of charters in Prakrit of which three are important ones. Then follows a dynasty which issued their charters in Sanskrit; following this came the family of the great Pallavas beginning with Simha Vishnu; this was followed by a dynasty of
3640-477: The Pallavas were Kurumbas and Kurubas their modern representatives. This is supported by Marathi historian R. C. Dhere who stated that Pallavas were originally pastoralists that belonged to Kuruba lineages. The territory of Pallavas was bordered by the Coromandel Coast along present Tamil Nadu and southern Andhra Pradesh. Out of the coins found here, the class of gold and silver coins belonging to
3731-734: The Pallavas were initially subordinate to the Satavahanas, a ruling dynasty in the Andhradesa region (north of the Penna River in modern-day Andhra Pradesh ). According to this theory, the Pallavas later expanded their influence southward, eventually establishing their power in Kanchi (modern-day Kanchipuram ). The second theory proposes that the Pallavas originated in Kanchi itself, where they initially rose to prominence. From there, they expanded their dominion northward, reaching as far as
Mushika dynasty - Misplaced Pages Continue
3822-808: The Pallis were one of the communities who served often in Pallava armies. The similarity of the name ending "- varman " of Pallava rulers with that of Hindu kings during the Hindu/Buddhist era of Indonesia such as king Mulavarman of the Kutai Martadipura Kingdom , king Purnawarman of the Tarumanagara kingdom, king Adityawarman of the Malayapura kingdom, etc. has been commented upon by historians since discovery. There have been possible high relations and connections of
3913-535: The Prakrit charters beginning with "Bappa-deva" were the historical founders of the Pallava dominion in southern India. The Hirahadagalli Plates were found in Hirehadagali, Bellary district and is one of the earliest copper plates in Karnataka and belongs to the reign of early Pallava ruler Shivaskanda Varma. Pallava King Sivaskandavarman of Kanchi of the early Pallavas ruled from 275 to 300 CE, and issued
4004-409: The Satavahanas in the south-eastern part of their empire who became independent when the Satavahana power declined. They are seen to be "strangers to the Tamil country", unrelated to the ancient lines of Cheras, Pandyas and Cholas. Since Simhavarman's grant bears no regal titles, they believe that he might have been a subsidiary to the Andhra Ikshvakus who were in power in Andhradesa at that time. In
4095-410: The West. He performed the Aswamedha and other Vedic sacrifices and bore the title of "Supreme King of Kings devoted to dharma". The Hirahadagali copper plate (Bellary District) record in Prakrit is dated in the eighth year of Sivaskanda Varman to 283 CE and confirms the gift made by his father who is described merely as "Bappa-deva" (revered father) or Boppa. It will thus be clear that this dynasty of
4186-419: The ancient Pazhi in the highest terms. Sangam Era poets, as well as Classical Tamil poets of later centuries, like Paranar, speak of the wealth of Pazhi in the greatest degree. One of the Sangam pieces, Akam 173 speaks of " Nannan' s great mountain slopes where goldfields abound, and long bamboos dried in the Sun burst and released the unfinished pearls." Noted scholar, Elamkulam Kunjan Pillai states that "It
4277-405: The banks of Kavvai, Koppam and Valappattanam rivers. (Huzur Treasury Plates) (beginning of the 12th century) Corrections by M. G. S. Narayanan on K. A. Nilakanta Sastri and Elamkulam P. N. Kunjan Pillai are employed. (c. 1040 AD) (c. 1089 AD) (c. 11th century) (c. 11th century) An inscription discovered from Kannappuram Temple, found fixed on a platform outside the prakara of
4368-409: The brother of Simhavishnu. They called themselves as Kadavas , Kadavesa and Kaduvetti. Hiranyavarman, the father of Nandivarman Pallavamalla is said to have belonged to the Kadavakula in epigraphs. Nandivarman II himself is described as "one who was born to raise the prestige of the Kadava family". According to the available inscriptions of the Pallavas, historian S. Krishnaswami Aiyangar proposes
4459-570: The capital of the Pallava kingdom. The dynasty left behind magnificent sculptures and temples, and are recognized to have established the foundations of medieval southern Indian architecture, which some scholars believe the ancient Hindu treatise Manasara inspired. They developed the Pallava script , from which Grantha ultimately took form. This script eventually gave rise to several other Southeast Asian scripts such Khmer . The Chinese traveller Xuanzang visited Kanchipuram during Pallava rule and extolled their benign rule. The word Pallava means
4550-407: The charter in 283 CE in the eighth year of his reign. As per the Hirahadagalli Plates of 283 CE, Pallava King Sivaskandavarman granted an immunity viz the garden of Chillarekakodumka, which was formerly given by Lord Bappa to the Brahmins, freeholders of Chillarekakodumka and inhabitants of Apitti. Chillarekakodumka has been identified by some as ancient village Chillarige in Bellary, Karnataka. In
4641-480: The coastal belt between Mangalore and Kozhikode . Karkanadu consisted of Wayanad - Gudalur hilly region with parts of Kodagu (Coorg). It is said that Nannan, the most renowned ruler of Ezhimala dynasty, took refuge at Wayanad hills in the 5th century CE when he was lost to Cheras , just before his execution in a battle, according to the Sangam works . The Ezhimala/Mushika Kingdom at the peak of its power, reportedly extended from Netravati River ( Mangalore ) in
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#17327725971964732-424: The defeat of the Kolla-desam and the fall of the Iramakuta Muvar. The presence of the Cholas in north Kerala (1020 AD) is confirmed by the Eramam inscription. The kingdom survived the Chera/Perumal state, and came to be known as Kolathunad ( Kannur - Kasaragod area) in the post-Chera/Perumal period. The Mushika kings appear to have encouraged a variety of merchant guilds in their kingdom. Famous Indian guilds such as
4823-446: The downfall of the Satavahana Empire , whom they had formerly served as feudatories . The Pallavas became a major southern Indian power during the reign of Mahendravarman I (600–630 CE) and Narasimhavarman I (630–668 CE), and dominated the southern Telugu region and the northern parts of the Tamil region for about 600 years, until the end of the 9th century. Throughout their reign, they remained in constant conflict with both
4914-421: The era of Malik Dinar , and they are among the oldest Masjid s in the Indian subcontinent . It is believed that Malik Dinar died at Thalangara in Kasaragod town. Most of them lie in the region that made up the erstwhile Ezhimala kingdom. The Koyilandy Jumu'ah Mosque contains an Old Malayalam inscription written in a mixture of Vatteluttu and Grantha scripts which dates back to tenth century CE. It
5005-408: The era of Malik Dinar , and they are among the oldest Masjid s in the Indian subcontinent . It is believed that Malik Dinar died at Thalangara in Kasaragod town. Most of them lies in the erstwhile region of Ezhimala kingdom. The Koyilandy Jumu'ah Mosque contains an Old Malayalam inscription written in a mixture of Vatteluttu and Grantha scripts which dates back to the 10th century CE. It
5096-407: The exploits of Nannan of Ezhimalai. Nannan was known as a great enemy of the pre- Pallava Chera chieftains. The clan also had matrimonial alliances with the Chera, Pandya and Chola chieftains. The Kolathunadu ( Kannur ) Kingdom, which was the descendant of Mushika dynasty, at the peak of its power, reportedly extended from Netravati River ( Mangalore ) in the north to Korapuzha ( Kozhikode ) in
5187-456: The flowering of rural Brahmanical institutions of Sanskrit learning, and the establishment of chakravartin model of kingship over a territory of diverse people; which ended the pre-Pallavan era of territorially segmented people, each with their culture, under a tribal chieftain. While a system of ranked relationship among groups existed in the classical period , the Pallava period extolled ranked relationships based on ritual purity as enjoined by
5278-417: The following half-century, the Pallavas became independent and expanded up to Kanchi. S. Krishnaswami Aiyengar also speculates that the Pallavas were natives of Tondaimandalam and the name Pallava is identical with the word Tondaiyar. Chola Prince Ilandiraiyan is traditionally regarded as the founder of the Pallava dynasty. Ilandiraiyan is referred to in the literature of the Sangam period such as
5369-487: The inscription of the Pallava king, Mahendravarman I and his successors. Among the accomplishments of the Pallava architecture are the rock-cut temples at Mamallapuram . There are excavated pillared halls and monolithic shrines known as Rathas in Mahabalipuram. Early temples were mostly dedicated to Shiva . The Kailasanatha temple in Kanchipuram and the Shore Temple built by Narasimhavarman II , rock cut temple in Mahendravadi by Mahendravarman are fine examples of
5460-412: The later Satavahanas with a partial northern lineage, Sathianathaier sees them as natives of Tondaimandalam (the core region of Aruvanadu). He argues that they could well have adopted northern Indian practices under the Mauryan Asoka 's rule. He relates the name "Pallava" to Pulindas , whose heritage is borne by names such as "Pulinadu" and "Puliyurkottam" in the region. According to Sir H. A. Stuart
5551-426: The legendary warrior of Mahabharata , and his union with a Naga princess. According to Ptolemy , the Aruvanadu region between the northern and southern Penner rivers ( Penna and Ponnaiyar ) was ruled by a king Basaronaga around 140 CE. By marrying into this Naga family, the Pallavas would have acquired control of the region near Kanchi. While Sircar allows that Pallavas might have been provincial rulers under
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#17327725971965642-513: The medieval period was Ramaghata Musaka (Malayalam: Iramakuta Muvar). The Mushaka Vamsa Kavya , a dynastic chronicle composed in the 11th century by poet Athula , describes the history of the Mushika lineage. Mushika kingdom came under the influence of Chera/Perumal kingdom in the 11th century AD. Mushika royals seem to have assisted the Chera/Perumal kings in their struggle against the Chola Empire . Two subsequent Chola inscriptions (c. 1005 AD, Rajaraja I and c. 1018–19, Rajadhiraja ) mention
5733-438: The north to Korapuzha ( Kozhikode ) in the south with Arabian Sea on the west and Kodagu hills on the eastern boundary, also including the isolated islands of Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea . Ezhimala, which is part of Ramanthali panchayath , is one of the most important places in the recorded history of Kerala. From before the period of known history, some chapters of the Ramayana and local Hindu legends associate
5824-604: The north to Korapuzha ( Kozhikode ) in the south with Arabian Sea on the west and Kodagu hills on the eastern boundary, also including the isolated islands of Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea . Until the 16th century CE, Kasargod town was known by the name Kanhirakode (may be by the meaning, 'The land of Kanhira Trees') in Malayalam . The Kumbla dynasty, who swayed over the land of southern Tulu Nadu wedged between Chandragiri River and Netravati River (including present-day Taluks of Manjeshwar and Kasaragod ) from Maipady Palace at Kumbla , had also been vassals to
5915-432: The northern edge of Tamilakam on its west (Malabar) coast. The rulers of Ezhilmalai were the most prominent hill chieftains of ancient Kerala. The port known as Naravu was located in Ezhimalai chiefdom (Akam, 97). The "Muvan" chieftain of the early Tamil poems, described as an adversary of the early Chera chieftains, is also identical with the Muvan of Ezhimalai. The early historic Ezhimala clan had matrimonial alliances with
6006-418: The original name "Elimala" comes from the Malayalam term "Eli Mala" (meaning "High Mountain"), and rejects alternative etymologies from "Elu Mala" (meaning "Seven Hills"), or "Elam" (meaning cardamom ). It contends the term "Sapta Sailam" ("Seven Hills"), found in a local Sanskrit text was just a misinterpretation of "Eli" as "Elu" by the writer. As the pronunciation of the consonant "l" in modern Malayalam
6097-437: The peak of its power, reportedly extended from Netravati River ( Mangalore ) in the north to Korapuzha ( Kozhikode ) in the south with Arabian Sea on the west and Kodagu hills on the eastern boundary, also including the isolated islands of Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea . Historically, the Ezhimala hills were a prominent and important maritime landmark. Ships crossing the Indian Ocean from Arabia and East Africa with
6188-460: The practice came into vogue of inscribing a part of the record in Sanskrit and the rest in Tamil. Almost all the copper plate records, viz., Kasakudi, Tandantottam, Pattattalmangalm, Udayendiram and Velurpalaiyam are composed both in Sanskrit and Tamil. Many Pallava royal inscriptions were in Sanskrit or Prakrit, considered the official languages. Similarly, inscriptions found in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka State are in Sanskrit and Prakrit. Sanskrit
6279-426: The present-day Malabar Coast. The value of Rome's annual trade with the region was estimated at around 50,000,000 sesterces . Pliny the Elder mentioned that Limyrike was prone by pirates. The Cosmas Indicopleustes mentioned that the Limyrike was a source of peppers. Ezhimala kingdom based at Ezhimala had jurisdiction over two Nadu s - The coastal Poozhinadu and the hilly eastern Karkanadu . According to
6370-405: The region was estimated at around 50,000,000 sesterces . Pliny the Elder mentioned that Limyrike was prone by pirates. The Cosmas Indicopleustes mentioned that the Limyrike was a source of peppers. Ezhimala dynasty had jurisdiction over two Nadu s - The coastal Poozhinadu and the hilly eastern Karkanadu . According to the works of Sangam literature , Poozhinadu consisted much of
6461-477: The reign of Simhavarman II , who ascended the throne in 436, the territories lost to the Vishnukundins in the north up to the mouth of the Krishna were recovered. The early Pallava history from this period onwards is furnished by a dozen or so copper-plate grants in Sanskrit . They are all dated in the regnal years of the kings. The following chronology was composed from these charters by Nilakanta Sastri in his A History of South India : The incursion of
6552-586: The reign of Narasimhavarman I reported that there were 100 Buddhist monasteries, and 80 Hindu temples in Kanchipuram. The semi-legendary founder of Zen Buddhism , Bodhidharma , is in an Indian tradition regarded to be the third son of a Pallava king. The Pallavas were instrumental in the transition from rock-cut architecture to stone temples. The earliest examples of Pallava constructions are rock-cut temples dating from 610 to 690 and structural temples between 690 and 900. A number of rock-cut cave temples bear
6643-471: The reign of their last king, Vijaya-Nripatungavarman . The Pallavas were in conflict with major kingdoms at various periods of time. A contest for political supremacy existed between the early Pallavas and the Kadambas . Numerous Kadamba inscriptions provide details of Pallava-Kadamba hostilities. During the reign of Vishnugopavarman II (approx. 500–525), political convulsion engulfed the Pallavas due to
6734-471: The south with Arabian Sea on the west and Kodagu hills on the eastern boundary, also including the isolated islands of Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea . The Mushika/Ezhimala kingdom/chiefdom gradually developed into a monarchical polity (known as Kolla-desam) in the early medieval period. The medieval Mushikas were considered as Kshatriyas of Soma Vamsa. The hereditary title of the Mushika kings in
6825-473: The south) exercised politically and militarily. In his book on travels ( Il Milione ), Marco Polo recounts his visit to the area in the mid 1290s. Other visitors included Faxian , the Buddhist pilgrim and Ibn Batuta , writer and historian of Tangiers . The Arabic inscription on a copper slab within the Madayi Mosque in Kannur records its foundation year as 1124 CE. Medieval Kolla-desam stretched on
6916-536: The southernmost region of Tulu Nadu . Entire Tamilakam was a hub of Indian Ocean trade during the era. According to Kerala Muslim tradition, Kolathunadu was home to several oldest mosques in the Indian subcontinent . According to Qissat Shakarwati Farmad , the Masjids at Kodungallur, Kollam , Madayi , Barkur , Mangalore , Kasaragod , Kannur , Dharmadam , Panthalayani , and Chaliyam , were built during
7007-576: The temple, in old Malayalam mentions king "Utaiya Varma Ramakuta Muvar". The record give details of land set apart for the expenses of the Kannapuram Temple. The inscription can be attributed to the early years of the 12th century on the basis of script and language. (beginning of the 12th century) King Udayavarman of Karippattu palace in Kolattunadu is described as a favourite of the Chera/Perumal king in traditional Kerala chronicles. He
7098-667: The term "Mushika" or "Mushaka" in Sanskrit. The name was incorrectly pronounced as "Elimala" ("the Mountain of the Rats") also. The Ezhimala hill is described in Mushaka Vamsa Kavya as the "Mushaka Parvata". The ancient ruling family of the Ezhimala seems to have existed in northern Kerala at least from early historic (pre-Pallava) period. Ancient Tamil poems also describe th chiefdom of Ezhimalai (also Ezhilmalai ) on
7189-529: The theory can be derived from a crown shaped like an elephant's scalp depicted on some sculptures, which seems to resemble the crown of Demetrius I . The Pallavas captured Kanchi from the Cholas as recorded in the Velurpalaiyam Plates, around the reign of the fifth king of the Pallava line Kumaravishnu I. Thereafter Kanchi figures in inscriptions as the capital of the Pallavas. The Cholas drove
7280-589: The usurper Nandi Varman, another great Pallava. We are overlooking for the present the dynasty of the Ganga-Pallavas postulated by the Epigraphists. The earliest of these Pallava charters is the one known as the Mayidavolu 1 (Guntur district) copper-plates. Based on a combination of dynastic plates and grants from the period, Aiyangar proposed their rule thus: The genealogy of Pallavas mentioned in
7371-414: The works of Sangam literature , Poozhinadu consisted much of the coastal belt between Mangalore and Kozhikode . Karkanadu consisted of Wayanad - Gudalur hilly region with parts of Kodagu (Coorg). It is said that Nannan, the most renowned ruler of Ezhimala dynasty, took refuge at Wayanad hills in fifth century CE when he was lost to Cheras , just before his execution in a battle, according to
7462-576: Was Pazhi (ancient Pazhayangadi ). Athulan describes the later kings of this dynasty who are now better known as the Kolathiri Dynasty . King Ramaghata Mooshika's successors shifted their capital to Ezhimala, Valabhapattanam ( Valapattanam ), and eventually Chirakkal , among other nearby places, over the following centuries. The former Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, inaugurated the Indian Naval Academy in Ezhimala, which
7553-402: Was also known as the lord of Konkanam). The ancient port of Naura , which is mentioned in the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea as a port somewhere north of Muziris is identified with Kannur . Pliny the Elder (1st century CE) states that the port of Tyndis was located at the northwestern border of Keprobotos ( Chera dynasty ). The region, which lies north of the port at Tyndis ,
7644-569: Was also one of the major battlefields of the series of Chola - Chera Wars in the 11th century; some believe that Buddha had visited Ezhimala. The Mushika-vamsha Mahakavya , written by Athula in the 11th century, throws light on the recorded past of the Mushika Royal Family up until that point. The first recorded king of Mooshika Vamsham (the Mooshika Dynasty ) was Ramaghata Mooshika and his capital most probably
7735-453: Was called Ekamalla "the sole warrior or wrestler". Pallava kings, presumably exalted ones, were known by the title Mahamalla ("great wrestler"). Pallava inscriptions have been found in Tamil , Prakrit and Sanskrit . Tamil was main language used by the Pallavas in their inscriptions although a few records continued to be in Sanskrit. At the time of the time of Paramesvaravarman I ,
7826-610: Was home to several oldest mosques in the Indian subcontinent . According to the Legend of Cheraman Perumals , the first Indian mosque was built in 624 AD at Kodungallur with the mandate of the Cheraman Perumal) of Chera dynasty , during the lifetime of Muhammad (c. 570–632). According to Qissat Shakarwati Farmad , the Masjids at Kodungallur, Kollam , Madayi , Barkur , Mangalore , Kasaragod , Kannur , Dharmadam , Panthalayani , and Chaliyam , were built during
7917-669: Was known as "Tondaman." Pallava royal lineages were influential in the old kingdom of Kedah of the Malay Peninsula under Rudravarman I, Champa under Bhadravarman I and the Kingdom of the Funan in Cambodia. Some historians have claimed the present Palli Vanniyar caste are descendants of the Pallavas who ruled the Andhra and Tamil countries between the 6th and 9th centuries. Tamil scholar M. Srinivasa Iyengar claimed claimed
8008-503: Was particularly prevalent among the Pallavas. The Birudas of Mahendravarman I are in Sanskrit, Tamil and Telugu. The Telugu Birudas show Mahendravarman's involvement with the Andhra region continued to be strong at the time he was creating his cave-temples in the Tamil region. The suffix "Malla" was used by the Pallava rulers. Mahendravarman I used the Biruda, Shatrumalla , "a warrior who overthrows his enemies", and his grandson Paramesvara I
8099-466: Was ruled by the kingdom of Ezhimala during Sangam period . According to the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea , a region known as Limyrike began at Naura and Tyndis . However the Ptolemy mentions only Tyndis as the Limyrike ' s starting point. The region probably ended at Kanyakumari ; it thus roughly corresponds to the present-day Malabar Coast . The value of Rome's annual trade with
8190-517: Was widely used by Simhavishnu and Narasimhavarman II in literature. The phenomenon of using Prakrit as official languages in which rulers left their inscriptions and epigraphies continued till the 6th century. It would have been in the interest of the ruling elite to protect their privileges by perpetuating their hegemony of Prakrit in order to exclude the common people from sharing power (Mahadevan 1995a: 173–188). The Pallavas in their Tamil country used Tamil and Sanskrit in their inscriptions. Under
8281-476: Was wrecked due to rough weather and the boy was lost. He was later found washed ashore with a Tondai twig (creeper) around his leg. So he came to be called Tondaiman Ilam Tiraiyan meaning the young one of the seas or waves . When he grew up the northern part of the Chola kingdom was entrusted to him and the area he governed came to be called Tondaimandalam after him.He was a poet himself and four of his songs are extant even today. He ruled from Tondaimandalam and
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