kannur

kannur

The history of Kannur, a city in the North Malabar region of Kerala, India, is as follows ¹:

*Prehistory*

- The earliest evidence of human habitation in the district are rock-cut caves and megalithic burial sites of the Neolithic age.

- The Taliparamba-Kannur-Thalassery area abounds in rock-cut caves, dolmens, burial stone circles and menhirs, all of megalith.

*Ancient History*

- Ezhimala was the headquarters of a powerful kingdom, namely the Mushika dynasty, in the ancient period.

- Later, Kannur was the capital of the Kolattiri Rajas, whose kingdom had trading relations with Arabia and Persia in the 12th century and 13th centuries.

- Kannur also finds mention as Naura in the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, a Greek work of great antiquity.

*Medieval History*

- The Kolathunadu Kingdom, who were the descendants of the Mushika dynasty, at 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 Arabian Sea.

- The Arabic inscription on a copper slab within the Madayi Mosque in Kannur records its foundation year as 1124 CE.

- The Kumbla dynasty had a mixed lineage of Malayali Nairs and Tuluva Brahmins.

- They also claimed their origin from Cheraman Perumals of Kerala.

*Modern History*

- The Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama visited Kannur in 1498.

- Kannur became the sight of a confrontation between the Ottoman Turks and the Portuguese Empire, shortly thereafter it became a Portuguese settlement.

- The port at Kozhikode held the superior economic and political position in medieval Kerala coast, while Kannur, Kollam, and Kochi, were commercially important secondary ports, where the traders from various parts of the world would gather.

- The Portuguese led by Don Francisco de Almeda, the first Portuguese viceroy for India, built the St. Angelo's Fort north of Kannur in 1505.

- In 1663, the Dutch captured the fort. In 1790, the British captured the fort.

- At present, it is under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India.

Thalassery

Thalassery, formerly known as Tellicherry, is a city in Kerala, India ¹. It is a municipality and commercial city in the Kannur district on the Malabar Coast ¹. Here are some things you might find interesting about Thalassery ² ¹:

- *Geography*: Thalassery lies on the west coast of the Indian subcontinent, in the northern part of Kerala State. The city has Dharmadam Panchayat in the north, Eranholi and Kodiyeri in the east New Mahe in the south and the Arabian Sea on the west.

- *Etymology*: The name Thalassery likely originated from a combination of the Dravidian words Thala (Head) and Cheri (low lying settlement), meaning 'starting place of a settlement' or 'head of a settlement'.

- *History*: Thalassery was a trade hub where Dutch, British, Portuguese, Chinese, Arab, and Jewish traders had considerable influence in the spice market. The British established a trading post and built a factory at Tellicherry in 1694.

- *Demographics*: As of the 2001 India census, Thalassery had a population of 92,558, making it Kerala's eighth largest city in population. Hindus make up 61.37% of the population, followed by Muslims (34.30%), and Christians (3.64%).

- *Places to see*: Dharmadam Island, Gundert Bungalow, Holy Rosary Church, Thalassery Fort, Thalassery Pier, Thiruvangad Sree Ramaswami Temple and Muzhappilangad Beach.

bitish fort

Thalassery Fort, also known as Tellicherry Fort, is a historical monument in Kerala, India ¹ ² ³ ⁴ ⁵. Here are some key points about Thalassery Fort:

- *Location*: The fort is located in Thalassery, a town in the Kannur District of Kerala state, South India.

- *History*: The fort was built in 1703 by the British East India Company and was instrumental in the military and commercial affairs of the British.

- *Architecture*: The fort was constructed using a mixture of quicklime, egg white, and sugar candy and has intricately carved doors, secret tunnels leading to the sea, and a short lighthouse.

- *Features*: The fort has a colossal gateway, a small lighthouse, walls adorned with mural paintings, secret tunnels leading to the sea, and gigantic, chiselled walls and doors.

- *Current Status*: The fort is now under the authority of the Archaeological Survey of India and is open to visitors from 08:00 AM to 06:00 PM.

- *Entry Fee*: The entry fee for the fort is ₹10 per person.

Arakkal dynasty

The Arakkal Dynasty, Kerala's only Muslim royal house, ruled the Lakshadweep Islands ¹. Here are some key points about the Arakkal Dynasty ¹ ²:

*Origins:*

- As per legend, the last ruler of the Chera Empire, Rama Varma Kulashekhara Perumal, was converted to Islam by Malik Bin Dinar, an Islamic missionary.

- Perumal along with Malik Deenar came from Mahodyapuram (Old name of Kodungallur-The capital of the Chera Empire) to Thalassery, to visit Perumal's sister and nephew residing there.

- Perumal's sister Sridevi and nephew Mabeli were residing in a place called Dharmadam north of Thalassery.

- The relics of their fort is located in the vicinity of Govt. Brennan College, Thalassery.

- Mabeli was converted to Islam and he accepted the name Muhammad Ali, who later became the first Arakkal Ali Raja.

*Location:*

- The palace is three kilometers from Kannur, Kerala, India, in what is now called Kannur town.

- The Arakkal family was the only Muslim royal family in Kerala.

*Ali Rajas and Arakkal Beevis:*

- The Arakkal family followed a matrilineal system of descent: the eldest member of the family, whether male or female, became its head and ruler.

- While male rulers were called Ali Rajah, female rulers were known as Arakkal Beevis.

*History:*

- There had been considerable trade relations between Middle East and Malabar Coast even before the time of Muhammad (c. 570 - 632 AD).

- Muslim tombstones with ancient dates, short inscriptions in medieval mosques, and rare Arab coin collections are the major sources of early Muslim presence on the Malabar Coast.

- Islam arrived in Kerala, a part of the larger Indian Ocean rim, via spice and silk traders from the Middle East.

- Historians do not rule out the possibility of Islam being introduced to Kerala as early as the seventh century

kolathunadu

Kolathunadu was one of the four most powerful kingdoms on the Malabar Coast in India ¹ ². Here are some key points about Kolathunadu:

*Capital*: Ezhimala

*Ruling family*: Kolattiri

*Region*: North Malabar region of Kerala state in India

*Traditional description*: The land lying between the Chandragiri river in the north and the Korappuzha river in the south

*Peak power*: Extended from the Netravati River (Mangalore) in the north to Korapuzha (Kozhikode) in the south with the Arabian Sea on the west and Kodagu hills on the eastern boundary, also including the isolated islands of Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea

*Other names*: Kingdom of Cannanore in foreign accounts, Chirakkal (Chericul) in later times, Kola Swarupam

*Preceded by*: Mushaka royal family, an ancient dynasty of Kerala

*Succeeded by*: The Travancore royal family, a close cousin dynasty of the Kolathiris

Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja (1753-1805) was a king who fought against the East India Company in the 18th century. He was the ruler of the Kingdom of Kottayam, which was a small principality in Malabar, Kerala. Here are some key points about Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja:

*Born: 1753, Kottayam Kingdom

*Reign: 1774-1805

*Title: Raja of Kottayam

*Known for: Leading the Pazhassi Revolt against the East India Company

*Pazhassi Revolt: A series of rebellions that took place between 1793 and 1805, aimed at resisting the British East India Company's attempts to annex the Kingdom of Kottayam

*Leadership: Pazhassi Raja was a skilled military leader and strategist who led the rebellion with the support of his loyal soldiers and the local population

*Bravery: He was known for his bravery and courage in battle, earning the respect of his enemies, including the British

*Death: November 30, 1805, in a battle against the British at Mavilanthodu in Kannur district

*Legacy: Pazhassi Raja is remembered as a hero and a symbol of resistance against colonial rule in Kerala

Pazhassi Raja's rebellion was one of the earliest and most significant anti-colonial uprisings in India, and his legacy continues to inspire people to this day.