History of Kerala

The recorded chronology dates back to the period of Ashoka, the Great. His ambition made Indian sub continent as a conglomerated whole. The small kingdom of Cholas, Pandyas, Kerala putras and Satiyaputras were incorporated with the periphery of the Empire of Ashoka. In the Neolithic period, the wet lands and rainforests used to be part and parcel of the animal kingdom.

However, after Ashoka, the great the vision of holistic India was shattered. Later the southern kingdoms band wagon with the Mauryan Empire. Under the Mauryan rule the southern most states flourished. Politically these nuclei states could not develop to the extent the northern kingdoms under the sole guidance of Kautilya and his philosophies of Arthashatra. Following the era was the Christian period with their convents that are still found in the blood of the Kerelite culture.

The Cheras provided the place both political and historical significance. The mythical hero of the Silappadigaram finds place in the pages of chronology till date. The Sangam period was marked by the three political stratifications. Different political rulers provided divergent cultures which are still present in the contemporary age. This is the best blessing that the state has received.

By the completion of 8th century, the tales of Pallavas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas and Pandyas are written. One can also find straits of Buddhism in this land of back waters. St. Thomas Aquinas propagated monism in Kerala accompanied with Shankaracharya. Later the visitors can also find the relics of the second Chera Empire. The tales of Tamil saints are also evident in the land of Kerala.

Rajasekhara Varman Rul established the "Kollam Era". It was after him the kingdom of Cheras were lost under the burden of time and dusts of chronology. The Venad Kingdom was present for the period of interlude. The Calicut developed as the port city Kerala presenting the state of back waters commerce and economic boon. This port even offered links to develop trade with the Dutch.

The Empire of the Queen, Travancore and late the invasion of Mysore, lastly the national movement giving rise to political agitation have been written in golden letters in the book dubbed as History of Kerala.