1.6. The Origin of Dynasties

The Kerala Mahatmya gives an obscure account of the early system of Government and the origin of Kings in Kerala. According to this legendary version, the origin of some of the early rulers and their achievement might be between the first and the eighth century AD. Kerala has not carefully preserved any valuable tradition as regards the origin of its ancient sovereings. This work states that Parasurama organised a brahmin theocratic government. The account is full of Anachronism absurdities, and contradictions or is an ill-digested and vague of collection of different versions without any arrangement. Besides the work the only other source of information about the Dynasties in Kerala is Keralolpatti. Both the works give different accounts and the point of similarity are rather small.

The Kerala Mahatmya gives a different account of the origin of the four principal ruling dynasties of the land. Travancore and Kolatiri royal families are said to have derived their title from the brothers. Bhanuvikrama and Ranavikrama, whom Parasurama had appointed to rule in the South and in the North. These two royal homes namely those of Travancore and Kolathunadu still continue to have some family relation and whenever the Travancore line stood a chance of extinction adoptions used to be made from Kolathunadu family or its colleteral branches. The Kochin Raja said to be descended from Lavaputra, a descended of the Ksatrias of Ayodhya who was placed by Parasurama at Balapuri (Kochin). Parasurama then proceeded to Gopakutapuri (Eranadu) and formed the Zamorin Dynasty (Tamutiri) by depositing the Samanta virgin with the Brahmin chiefs. Her son ruled in Curupuri endowed with Parasurama’s sword. The sage then personally handed over sword to many rulers along with privileges styled them as kings of the land between Cape Comerin and Gokarnam. It is also stated that Parasurama took great interest in Udayavarma, the head of the Chola royal family who was called the Northern Perumal and made him the king of North Kerala.

Another form of traditional account in Kerala Mahatmya mentions the story of the Buddhist king Nasanga^[1]. Which fix in closely with that of Ceraman Perumal as related in the different versions of Keralolpatti.

But the origin of kingship in Kerala according to Kerala Mahatmya is connected with an action of its legendary creator. Parasurama brought an efficient archer from the eastern part and placed him on his throne^[2], when Parasurama became very old. The custom choosing a perumal from outside lasted for a long period. The Brahmins are supposed to have invited in all 24 Perumals from the neighbouring Chera, Chola and Pandya countries. Some of them did not rule for the whole period of twelve years a few died pre-maturely, while others had to be replaced became of their tyranical government. The later kings of Kerala were probably known popularly by the generic title, Perumal or Ceraman Perumal which means ‘The big man of Cera of Kerala’

According to Kerala Mahatmya 21 Perumals ruled over Kerala but on this point scholars have different opinions. The first of the Perumal’s is said to have been brought from Coimbature in the year 216 AD. This year is mentioned in the Kalivakya. “Bhumam Bhupoyam Prapya” which corresponds to 216 AD^[3]. But then the exact dates of the period of the various perumals are not known.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Kerala Mahatmya -Chapter 61 -73

[2]:

dvādaśe vatsarānte ca mahāmakhamahotsave
  taṃ vihāya yathāpūrvaṃ santaṃ sāmantamanyataḥ |
ānīyāvarurodhātha dvijaśreṣṭhaṃ yathāpuraṃ
  evameva ciraṃkālaṃ rarakṣurdvijasattamaḥ | (Kerala Mahatmya -52-Slokas 15-16)

[3]:

Padmanabhamenon. K.P. History of Kerala Vol. 1, PP 37 -38