Mushika dynasty

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Mushika
Ezhimala/Kolladesham
c. 6th century BC–11th century AD
Ezhimala, early historic headquarters of Mushika dynasty
Ezhimala, early historic headquarters of Mushika dynasty
Capital
Common languages
Sanskrit
Religion
Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism
History 
• Established
c. 6th century BC
• Disestablished
11th century AD
Today part ofIndia

Mushika dynasty, also spelled Mushaka, was a minor dynastic power that held sway over the region in and around Mount Ezhi (

Kodagu hills on the eastern boundary, also including the isolated islands of Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea.[7]

The Mushika/Ezhimala kingdom/chiefdom gradually developed into a monarchical polity (known as Kolla-desam

Athula, describes the history of the Mushika lineage.[12][13]

Mushika kingdom came under the influence of

Rajadhiraja) mention the defeat of the Kolla-desam and the fall of the Iramakuta Muvar.[8][9][11] The presence of the Cholas in north Kerala (1020 AD) is confirmed by the Eramam inscription.[11] The kingdom survived the Chera/Perumal state, and came to be known as Kolathunad (Kannur-Kasaragod area) in the post-Chera/Perumal period.[5]

The Mushika kings appear to have encouraged a variety of merchant guilds in their kingdom. Famous Indian guilds such as 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.[9] 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).[9]

Etymology

Tamil name "Ezhimalai" (the Ezhil Kunram[4]) for the term "Mushika" or "Mushaka" in Sanskrit. The name was incorrectly pronounced as "Elimala" ("the Mountain of the Rats") also.[5]

The Ezhimala hill is described in Mushaka Vamsa Kavya as the "Mushaka Parvata".[13]

Origins

Ezhimala, the ancient capital, as seen from train

The ancient ruling family of the Ezhimala seems to have existed in northern Kerala at least from early historic (pre-Pallava) period.[9]

Ancient Tamil poems also describe th chiefdom of Ezhimalai (also Ezhilmalai) on the northern edge of Tamilakam on its west (Malabar) coast.[15] The rulers of Ezhilmalai were the most prominent hill chieftains of ancient Kerala.[3] 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.[5]

The early historic Ezhimala clan had matrimonial alliances with the Chera, Pandya and Chola chieftains.[6]

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.[16] It is identified both as the Ay/Venad/Thiruvithamkur dynasty as well as the Nannan/Mushika/Kolathiri dynasty.[17][18]

Ezhimala Nannan

Nannan was a chieftain of Ezhimalai ("the Ezhil Kunram").[3][4] Nannan is known as a great enemy of the early (pre-Pallava) Chera chieftains (western Tamil Nadu and central Kerala).[5] He appeas in Akananuru and Purananuru poems, and also in Natrinai, in Pathitruppathu and in Kurunthokai.[5] He is described as the hunter chieftain of the vetar descent group ("vetar-ko-man").[3]

Early Tamil poems contain several references to the exploits of Ezhimalai Nannan (who was also known as the lord of Konkanam).[5]

  • Poet Kudavayur Kirattanar speaks about the defeat of certain Pazhayan by Nannan and his associates Ettai, Atti, Gangan, Katti and Punthurai. In another battle Nannan defeated a chieftain called Pindan (Akam, 152, and Natrinai, 270).
  • When Nannan invaded Punnad, the Chera warriors came to the aid of the people of that country. It seems that Nannan managed to defeat Ay Eyinan, the leader of the Chera warriors, in the ensuing battle at Pazhi. The warriors of Nannan were led by a person called Minjili in this battle (Akam, 141, 181, and 396, and Natrinai, 265).
  • However, poem 351 and poem 396 from the Purananuru describe Nannan and Ay Eyinan as relatives and as extremely close friends. So intimate was their relationship that Nannan renamed the "Pirampu" hills in his domain as "Aypirampu".[19][20][21]
  • In the meanwhile, Kosar people from Chellur (identified present day Taliparamba) attacked Ezhimala country, and even cut down the vakai (albizia), the tutelary tree of Nannan.[4] Nannan defeated the Kosars with help of Chola Ilanchettu Chenni, but Pazhi was sacked by the Cholas (Kurunthokai, 73 and Akam, 375).
  • Nannan was killed in a battle at Vakai Perumthurai by Chera Narmudi Cheral (Pathitruppattu, IV).

Jurisdiction

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.[22]

Names, routes and locations of the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea (1st century CE)

sesterces.[25] Pliny the Elder mentioned that Limyrike was prone by pirates.[26] The Cosmas Indicopleustes mentioned that the Limyrike was a source of peppers.[27][28]

Ezhimala dynasty had jurisdiction over two Nadus - The coastal Poozhinadu and the hilly eastern Karkanadu. According to the works of

Kodagu hills on the eastern boundary, also including the isolated islands of Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea.[7]

Until the 16th century CE,

Malayali kings, though Kumbla was considered as the southernmost region of Tulu Nadu.[33]

Entire Tamilakam was a hub of

Muslims of Kerala.[40]

Medieval Mushikas

Ananthapadmanabhaswamy temple at Ananthapura, Kumbla

The Indian anthropologist

Madayi Mosque in Kannur records its foundation year as 1124 CE.[44][45]

Medieval Kolla-desam stretched on the banks of Kavvai, Koppam and Valappattanam rivers.[42]

Mushika rulers from medieval inscriptions (10th - 12th centuries AD)

Inscription Location Notes
Ramanthali/Ezhimala-Narayankannur inscription (929 AD)
  • Mentions Mushika Validhara Vikrama Rama.[50]
  • The so-called Agreement of Muzhikkulam is quoted in the record.[51]
  • Merchant guild manigramam is appointed as the guardian of the Narayankannur Temple.[50]
Eramam inscription (1020 AD)
  • Eramam, near Payyanur.[52]
  • A single slab in the site of the ruined Chalappuram Temple.[52]
  • Mentions Chera/Perumal king Bhaskara Ravi Manukuladitya (962–1021 AD) and Iramakuta Muvar Kantan Karivarman (Srikantha Kartha) (c.1020 AD).[52]
  • Mentions the merchants guilds of Valanchiyar and Nanadeyar.[52]
  • Mentions
    Rajendra Chola Samaya Senapati from Katappa Palli.[52]
Tiruvadur inscription (c. 1020 AD)
  • Partly in the courtyard of the temple on either side of the sopana.[47]
  • Partly in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple.[47]
  • Creation and endowment of a grama (Brahmin settlement) with members chosen from some old grama settlements from central Kerala (Vaikom, Paravur, Avittathoor, Irinjalakuda and Peruvanam).[47]
  • The engraver is mentioned as Rama Jayamani, the "royal goldsmith of the Mushika king [Jayamani]".[47]
Tiruvalla Copper Plates

(Huzur Treasury Plates)
Kannapuram inscription

(beginning of the 12th century)

  • Single stone slab fixed on a platform outside the prakara (outer wall) of the Kannapuram temple.[49]
  • Ramakuta Muvar Udaya Varma is mentioned.[49]

Chola attacks on Mushika kingdom (Kolla-desam)

Corrections by M. G. S. Narayanan on K. A. Nilakanta Sastri and Elamkulam P. N. Kunjan Pillai are employed.

Inscriptions related to Mushika country

Records mentioning Chera/Perumals

Inscription Location Notes
Panthalayani Kollam inscription (973 AD)
  • Single stone slab in the upper frame of the srikoyil (central shrine) entrance in Tali temple.[53]
  • Name of the king – probably Bhaskara Ravi Manukuladitya (962–1021 AD) – is built over by the present structure.[53]
Koyilandy Jumu'ah Mosque inscription (10th century AD)
  • On the granite blocks built into the steps of the ablution tank of the Koyilandy Jumu'ah Mosque[40]
  • A rare surviving document recording patronage by a
    Muslims of Kerala.[40] It also mentions about a merchant guild.[40]
Pullur Kodavalam inscription (1020 AD)
  • Pullur, near Kanhangad.[54]
  • Engraved on a single stone slab in the courtyard of the Pullur Kodavalam Vishnu Temple[55][56]
  • Mentions Chera/Perumal king Bhaskara Ravi Manukuladitya (962–1021 AD).[55][56]
  • Identified king Manukuladitya with king Bhaskara Ravi.[56]
Trichambaram inscription

(c. 1040 AD)

  • Three blocks of granite on the base of the central shrine of the temple.[57]
Panthalayani Kollam inscription

(c. 1089 AD)

  • Single granite slab in the courtyard of the Panthalayani Kollam Bhagavati temple.[58]
  • The record was destroyed.[58]
  • Mentions Chera/Perumal king Rama Kulasekhara (1089–1122 AD).[58]
  • The location given as "Kollathu Panthalayani".[58]

Miscellaneous records

Inscription Location Notes
Ramanthali/Ezhimala-Narayankannur inscription (1075 AD)
Trichambaram inscription

(c. 11th century)

  • Two granite blocks on the base of the central shrine of the temple.[59]
  • The chieftain of Eranad Manavepala Mana Viyatan creates an endowment for the thiruvilakku at the Trichambaram Temple.[59]
  • Manavepala Manaviyatan appears in the famous Jewish copper plates (c. 1000 AD).
Maniyur inscription

(c. 11th century)

  • Single stone slab outside the prakara (outer wall) of the temple.[59]
  • Maniyur inscription
    Confirms the extension of the so-called Agreement of Muzhikkulam to Mushika country.[59]

Udayavarman Kolattiri

An inscription discovered from Kannappuram Temple, found fixed on a platform outside the prakara of the temple, in old Malayalam mentions king "Utaiya Varma Ramakuta Muvar".[49] 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.[49]

Inscription Location Notes
Kannapuram inscription

(beginning of the 12th century)

  • Single stone slab fixed on a platform outside the prakara (outer wall) of the Kannapuram temple.[49]
  • Ramakuta Muvar Udaya Varma is mentioned.[49]

King Udayavarman of Karippattu palace in Kolattunadu is described as a favourite of the Chera/Perumal king in traditional Kerala chronicles. He is described as the overlord of the Fort Valapattanam, the Chera/Perumal king's Palace, the Taliparamba Temple, and the Perinchellur Brahmin village.[60]

References

  1. ^ Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 178.
  2. ISBN 9788126437825
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  3. ^ a b c d Gurukkal, Rajan. “DID STATE EXIST IN THE PRE-PALLAVAN TAMIL REGION.” Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, vol. 63, 2002, pp. 138–150.
  4. ^
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  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 195.
  6. ^ a b Glimpses of Tamil civilization: articles from the university quarterly, Tamil civilization. Tamil University. 1994. p. 142.
  7. ^
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  8. ^ a b c Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 118-119 and 137-138.
  9. ^ a b c d e f Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 180-182.
  10. ^ Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 140-141.
  11. ^ a b c d e f Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 122-123 and 141.
  12. ^ Thapar, Romila, The Penguin History of Early India: From the Origins to AD 1300. Penguin Books, 2002. 394-95.
  13. ^ a b c Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 178-179.
  14. S2CID 145359607
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  15. ^ Madras, University of (1 January 1961). Journal: Humanities. p. 188.
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  18. ^ "(PDF) Travancore State Manual Vol 1 in two parts | VED from VICTORIA INSTITUTIONS - Academia.edu". ✌️Victoria Institutions, Aaradhana, Deverkovil 673508 India.
  19. ^ {{Indian History Congress (1981). Proceedings. University of Michigan: Indian History Congress. p. 87.
  20. ^ Samuel, Hikosaka, G. John, Shu (1996). Encyclopaedia of Tamil Literature: Ākkañceppal to Ilaiyutir Kālattu Iravukaḷ. University of Virginia: Institute of Asian Studies. p. 97.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  21. ^ "Ezhimala Fort | Forts protected by Department of Archaeology | Protected Monuments".
  22. ISBN 9788126415786
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  23. ^ Gurukkal, R., & Whittaker, D. (2001). In search of Muziris. Journal of Roman Archaeology, 14, 334-350.
  24. ^ A. Shreedhara Menon, A Survey of Kerala History
  25. ^ According to Pliny the Elder, goods from India were sold in the Empire at 100 times their original purchase price. See [1]
  26. ^ Bostock, John (1855). "26 (Voyages to India)". Pliny the Elder, The Natural History. London: Taylor and Francis.
  27. ^ Indicopleustes, Cosmas (1897). Christian Topography. 11. United Kingdom: The Tertullian Project. pp. 358–373.
  28. ^ Das, Santosh Kumar (2006). The Economic History of Ancient India. Genesis Publishing Pvt Ltd. p. 301.
  29. ^ District Census Handbook, Kasaragod (2011) (PDF). Thiruvananthapuram: Directorate of Census Operation, Kerala. p. 9.
  30. ^ a b Government of India (2014–15). District Census Handbook – Wayanad (Part-B) 2011 (PDF). Directorate of Census Operations, Kerala.
  31. ^ S. Muhammad Hussain Nainar (1942). Tuhfat-al-Mujahidin: An Historical Work in The Arabic Language. University of Madras.
  32. ^ M. Vijayanunni. 1981 Census Handbook- Kasaragod District (PDF). Directorate of Census Operations, Kerala.
  33. ^ a b c A. Sreedhara Menon, A Survey of Kerala History
  34. ISBN 9780765601049
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  35. ISBN 978-0-231-70024-5
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  36. ISBN 978-90-04-07929-8
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  37. ISBN 978-81-903887-8-8
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  38. ^ Prange, Sebastian R. Monsoon Islam: Trade and Faith on the Medieval Malabar Coast. Cambridge University Press, 2018. 98.
  39. ^ Pg 58, Cultural heritage of Kerala: an introduction, A. Sreedhara Menon, East-West Publications, 1978
  40. ^ a b c d e Aiyer, K. V. Subrahmanya (ed.), South Indian Inscriptions. VIII, no. 162, Madras: Govt of India, Central Publication Branch, Calcutta, 1932. p. 69.
  41. ^ Ayinapalli, Aiyappan (1982). The Personality of Kerala. Department of Publications, University of Kerala. p. 162. Retrieved 27 July 2018. A very powerful and warlike section of the Bants of Tulunad was known as Kola bari. It is reasonable to suggest that the Kola dynasty was part of the Kola lineages of Tulunad.
  42. ^ a b Ganesh, K. N. (2009). Historical Geography of Natu in South India with Special Reference to Kerala. Indian Historical Review, 36(1), 3–21.
  43. ^ Noburu Karashmia (ed.), A Concise History of South India: Issues and Interpretations. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 144-145
  44. ^ Charles Alexander Innes (1908). Madras District Gazetteers Malabar (Volume-I). Madras Government Press. pp. 423–424.
  45. ^ "Arakkal royal family". Archived from the original on 5 June 2012.
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  48. ^ a b Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 197.
  49. ^ a b c d e f g Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 485.
  50. ^ a b c d Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 475-76.
  51. ^ a b c d Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 483.
  52. ^ a b c d e Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 455.
  53. ^ a b Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 448-49.
  54. ^ Annual Reports of Indian Epigraphy (1963-64), No. 125.
  55. ^ a b Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 68-70, 84 and 454.
  56. ^ a b c Narayanan, M.G.S. THE IDENTITY AND DATE OF KING MANUKULĀDITYA. Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, Vol. 31, 1969, 73–78.
  57. ^ a b Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 465.
  58. ^ a b c d Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 470.
  59. ^ a b c d Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 486.
  60. ^ Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 131.

Bibliography

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