It is unknown who first named the Indian state of Kerala, as its name appears to predate recorded history. Its earliest mention is believed to have been in the early Sangam period, which lasted from roughly 300 BCE to 300 CE.
During this time, the state was known as Chera Nadu, or ‘Land of the Cheras. ‘ The name Kerala first appears in written records during the 12th century CE, when it was referred to by the Arab traveler named Ibn Battuta.
The term is derived from the ancient Dravidian word ‘Kera’ which means ‘coconut tree. ‘ Thus, the term ‘Kerala’ can be translated to mean ‘Land of Coconuts. ‘ The name has also been linked to the legendary Hindu sage named Parasurama, who is believed to have created the land by throwing his axe into the sea.
Additionally, it was known as Malabar in ancient and medieval times, as it was part of the coastal region of that name.
What is the real name of Kerala?
Kerala is a state in the South-Western part of India and is also known as the “God’s Own Country”. The name “Kerala” is derived from the Malayalam words “kera” (meaning coconut tree) and “alam” (meaning land).
This name is descriptive of the fact that the state is rich in coconut groves and other vegetation. Historically, the region had two major kingdoms: the northern kingdom was called Venad and the southern kingdom was known as Travancore.
During the British rule, the region became a part of Madras Presidency. After Indian independence in 1947, the region was united to form the modern state of Kerala. The official name of the state is Kerala, and the capital city is Thiruvananthapuram.
What was Kerala called before 1956?
Prior to 1956, Kerala was known as the Kingdom of Travancore. The Kingdom of Travancore was an Indian princely state that existed from 1729 until 1949. It was located in the southern part of the country, on the southwest coast of India near the Arabian Sea.
Travancore was originally part of the Pandyan Kingdom and was ruled by the local ruling dynasty called the Royal Family of Travancore. Its origins can be traced back to 9th century AD when Aditya Varma, the founder of the dynasty, rose to power.
During its time as an independent kingdom, Travancore had its own flag, symbol, currency, seals, and national anthem. The capital of the kingdom was the city of Trivandrum, which was renamed Thiruvananthapuram in 1956 when the state of Kerala was formed.
The kingdom of Travancore was eventually merged with the princely state of Cochin in 1949 to form the state of Travancore-Cochin and subsequently, in 1956, the state of Kerala was created out of the former Travancore-Cochin state.
When did Jews come to Kerala?
The history of Jews in Kerala is believed to go back to the time of King Solomon. It is believed that traders along the Indian Ocean coast, including Jews, travelled to Kerala as early as the 6th century B.
C. E. In the 12th century, the Jewish community in Cranganore (now known as Kodungallur) was large enough to lead to the granting of a charter by the Kerala King Bhaskara Ravi Varman. The charter granted the Jews a tax exemption, as well as internal autonomy.
The Jewish population in Kerala grew over the centuries and by the 16th century, several synagogues were established. Jewish literature flourished and there were several prominent rabbis living in Kerala.
During Portuguese rule in the 16th century, thousands of Jews from Portugal moved to Kerala. This led to the birth of the Malabar Yehudan, or Cochin Jews, which make up the largest segment of the modern Jewry in Kerala.
The Cochin Jews maintained strong ties with their Jewish brethren in other countries and the Jewish population in Kerala steadily grew. During the 20th century, the community reached a high of 2,500, but then started decreasing due to emigration to Israel.
In the 21st century, only about 250 Jewish people remain in Kerala, living primarily in Cochin.
What was Kerala before independence?
Kerala, located in southwestern India, has a long and fascinating history which stretches back to the Vedic period of ancient India. It has been ruled by various rulers, dynasties and powers since ancient times, including the Chera dynasty, the Chola dynasty, the Dutch East India Company and the British Raj.
Prior to India’s independence in 1947, Kerala was a princely state of British India, known as the State of Travancore-Cochin. Its capital was at Thiruvananthapuram (formerly known as Trivandrum), though the state also included portions of what are now parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Under the British Raj, the state of Travancore-Cochin encompassed a variety of cultures, languages and religions, with Hinduism, Islam and Christianity all having a presence. This diverse population co-existed relatively peacefully within its borders, and the region began to develop a culture which would remain distinct from the rest of India even after independence.
Kochi (formerly Cochin), Kerala’s commercial hub and one of India’s largest port cities, fell under the control of the Dutch East India Company in the late 1600s, and for much of the 18th and 19th centuries remained a part of the Dutch East India Company’s territories in India.
It eventually passed on to the British Raj in the early 19th century and along with the rest of the state of Travancore-Cochin, was included in British India.
The 19th century also saw the rise of social reform movements in the state, led by people such as Sree Narayana Guru and Ayyankali, which saw a dramatic transformation in the social and economic status of many Dalits and Tribals in the region.
The activities of these reformers coincided with and continued the existing reform efforts of the state’s royal rulers (led by Maharajas such as Sri Moolam Thirunal and Sri Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma).
Just prior to India’s independence, a referendum was held in the State of Travancore-Cochin in which the majority of the people voted to join the newly-formed country of India. At the time of independence, the state was still known as Travancore-Cochin and would remain so until 1956, when it was merged with the Malabar District of Madras (now known as the state of Tamil Nadu) to form the state of Kerala.
Who named Kerala Gods own country?
The popular phrase “Kerala-Gods Own Country” was coined by the Department of Tourism in Kerala during the 1980s. This phrase was coined to reflect the natural beauty and attractions Kerala provides to people from all over the world.
Kerala is known for its mountainous landscape, lush green and delightful backwaters, Ayurvedic therapy and treatments, and its strictly maintained culture of art and architecture.
Kerala has enjoyed a rich and varied heritage and culture, going back to the ancient settlements of the descendants of warrior sage Parasurama. With its palm-lined beaches, sprawling mountains and stunning backwaters, it’s no wonder that Kerala has often been called gods country.
Kerala is also home to several wildlife sanctuaries and national parks, including the Periyar and Silent Valley National Park. The state also prides itself on its numerous lakes, rivers, and waterfalls, including the famous Anamudi peak and Munnar hill station.
Kerala is widely considered to be a paradise on earth, and its tourism department has certainly done a lot to promote this notion. Since the 1980s, Kerala has increased its efforts to attract tourists, using catchy catchphrases and promotional material.
Today, the phrase “Kerala-Gods Own Country” is widely used to describe the varied and beautiful landscape of Kerala.
Which God is born in Kerala?
The central Hindu deity in Kerala is Lord Ayyappa, who is also known as Manikandan or Dharma Shastha. He is one of the most popular Gods in Kerala and is worshipped by millions of devotees in the state.
Lord Ayyappa was born in the Sabarimala forest near the Periyar River. The central legend of Lord Ayyappa has it that King Rajashekhara of the Pandalam dynasty found an infant child, half human and half lion, in the forest near Periyar River.
He immediately accepted the child as his own son and named him Manikandan. Manikandan later became famous and known as Lord Ayyappa of Sabarimala. He is known to possess the power to defeat evil and grant salvation and peace to those who follow the path of righteousness.
He is also shown to have several avatars, eight of which are worshipped in the temples dedicated to him.
Where is God’s country in USA?
The phrase “God’s Country” is believed to have first been used in an 1889 newspaper article written by John O’Reilly to describe the beauty of his home state of Pennsylvania. In the article, O’Reilly used the phrase to describe the view of the Allegheny Mountains as seen from another mountain range.
Since then, the term has been used to describe different places around the United States, usually referring to a specific area’s natural beauty or religious significance.
The term is often used to describe the South, in particular states like Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Arkansas, and North Carolina. Religious gatherings and spiritual retreats are still held in many of the region’s forests, making those areas particularly significant among believers.
The Bible Belt—which stretches across the Southeastern United States—is also seen as God’s Country by many religious people in the region.
The Rockies are also sometimes referred to as “God’s Country. ” Heralded for its majestic views, many Americans have been drawn to the Rocky Mountains for spiritual restoration and recreation. Colorado in particular has become known for its spiritual significance, with many God-seeking travelers visiting its peaks and churches.
God’s Country can also refer to rural areas around the United States, outside of any specific region. These areas generally have unspoiled natural landscapes which have been untouched by urban sprawl, heightening feelings of reverence and awe.
Ultimately, God’s Country can refer to any area of the United States that elicits feelings of wonder and awe in those who visit it.
Who brought Hinduism to Kerala?
The origins of Hinduism in Kerala are likely the result of a combination of migrations and trade routes that date back a few millennia. It is believed that various tribes from the northern and western parts of India were the first to bring Hinduism to Kerala.
They are thought to have arrived by way of the sea or by traveling through the mountain passes of the Western Ghats.
Some of the earliest migrants are believed to have been part of the Aryan race, and many of the ancient Sanskrit texts that are considered the foundations of Hinduism were written around this time. Additionally, many of the festivals, rituals, and traditions that form the basis of modern-day Hinduism in Kerala were also established during this period.
Around the 8th century, a Bhakti cult known as the Marumakkathayam was popular in Kerala. This was an open religious system that allowed for various forms of worship and did not insist on separate religious identities for individuals.
It was only under the rule of the Zamorin of Calicut in the 12th century that significant steps were taken towards the formalization of Hinduism in the region. During this time, various Hindu religious practices and customs were codified and structured into what we understand today as the traditional Hinduism of Kerala.
How was Kerala created and what was it named?
Kerala was created in 1956 when India’s then-prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru formed the state by merging the Malabar district, parts of the Travancore-Cochin state, and the taluk of Kasaragod in the South Kanara district.
Before officially becoming the state of Kerala, the area had been known as Malabar, part of the Hindu kingdom of Kerala till then. The name “Kerala” was first mentioned in the 3rd century BC by the Greek explorer, Ptolemy.
The exact source of the term “Kerala” is still a mystery. However, it is generally believed to be derived from the Malayalam phrase “Kera-alam”, meaning “Land of the coconuts”, referring to the abundance of the fruit in the region.
Which foreigner came to Kerala first?
The first foreigner to come to Kerala was a Greek philosopher and explorer named Megasthenes, who arrived in the region around 305 BC. Megasthenes was sent by King Seleucus of Syria as an ambassador to Chandragupta Maurya, the great Indian emperor of the Mauryan dynasty.
In his book Indica, Megasthenes wrote detailed accounts about the social and political system, economic resources, religions, flora and fauna of India, including Kerala. He was particularly impressed by the abundance of spices in Kerala and described it as a “paradise.
” Since then other foreigners have come to Kerala, including traders from Middle-Eastern and European nations, who have played an important role in shaping the history and culture of the state. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to establish a permanent presence in Kerala during the 16th century, quickly followed by the Dutch and the British.
After India’s independence in 1947, Kerala saw an influx of people from all over the world, attracted by its high quality educational institutions, cultural diversity, and the peaceful atmosphere of the state.
Who was the first European to come to Kerala?
The first European to come to the Indian state of Kerala was the Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama. He arrived in 1498, although he had briefly made landfall at other ports in India prior to this. His voyage was part of the Portuguese Empire’s plan to find a new route to India and the Far East.
He was given permission by the ruler of Calicut, a powerful Hindu dynasty, to establish a trading post for his people in the area. His journey quickly made the Portuguese the most powerful European nation in the Indian subcontinent and their influence, as well as their settlement, would shape the history of the region for centuries to come.
After establishing their trading post and trading with the locals, Vasco da Gama returned to Europe in 1500 with valuable goods such as pepper and ginger. His voyage and those of the Portuguese brought about a significant change in trade within the Indian Ocean, as well as trade relations between Europe and India.
Which Kerala king converted to Islam?
The first Indian ruler to convert to Islam was Malik Ibn Dinar, a ruler of the present-day Indian state of Kerala in the 8th century. He is credited with introducing the religion to the region, and his conversion is said to have been sparked by a dream in which he saw the Prophet Muhammad.
After Malik Ibn Dinar’s conversion, many teams of Muslim preachers went to Kerala to spread the faith. One such preacher was the Persian missionary named Shaik Abdul at-Thgafi, who helped to spread Islam in the region.
Airs of high-ranking families were converted to Islam as a result of his efforts. The most famous of these conversions was that of one of the rulers of Kerala, Cheraman Perumal, who accepted Islam in 643 AD.
As a result, Cheraman Perumal was given the Islamic name Thajuddin and he is believed to have been the first Muslim ruler in India.
Who first from Europe came to India?
The first Europeans to come to India were the Portuguese. They arrived in the early 1500s after their leader, Vasco da Gama, sailed around the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa. The Portuguese were looking to open up new trade routes with the Far East.
They quickly established trading posts in Goa, as well as other settlements along the western coast. These trading posts soon developed into major cities and centers of European influence. The Portuguese also used their naval power to gain control of much of the Indian Ocean trade.
They started to interfere in local politics, trade and the religion of the locals. In the absence of a strong central power in India, the Portuguese were able to extend their influence and control over much of the area.
Who saved Kerala from Portuguese?
Nairs, also known as Nayars, were an aristocratic Hindu military caste of the Malabar region in what is now the Indian state of Kerala. Historically they have been warriors, soldiers, and royal bodyguards, as well as administrators.
They were responsible for saving Kerala from the Portuguese during the 16th century. The Portuguese were attempting to take control of the spice trade in the region, prompting the Nayars to band together to oppose them.
The Nayars adopted guerilla warfare tactics and were successful in resisting the Portuguese. This resistance eventually led to the Treaty of Cochin in 1598, which ensured Portuguese control in the region but granted autonomy to the Nayars.
Over the centuries, the Nayars have remained loyal to their traditions and continue to be an important force in the politics and economy of Kerala.