Ancient History

Kerala’s history dates back to the Puranic era. Traditional Keralite Legends say that Parsurama, an avatara of Mahavishnu threw his battle axe into the sea and as a result of which the land Kerala arose. The state derives its name from the word “Kerala” which means “Land of Coconuts” in Malayalam.

As per the first recorded history of Kerala, the land was under the indirect rule of Mauryan Empire. In the inscriptions of Ashoka (269-232 b. c.), it is mentioned that there were four independent kingdoms that lay to the south of his empire. These were kingdoms of the Cholas, the Pandyas, the Keralaputras and the Satiyaputras. The kingdom of Keralaputras or the Cheras were controlling over Malabar, Cochin and North Travancore – all are parts of present day Kerala. They entertained their freedom as they were having good terms with the Mauryan Empire.

During 7th and 8th century AD the development and revival of Hinduism began to emerge due to the involvement of the great theologian and social reformer Adi Shankaracharya. He was born in Kalady, located 25 kilometres northeast of Cochin. He traveled the whole country in length and breadth and carried out the reformation movement of Hinduism over Buddhism. He was a great organizer who established four mathas at four corners of the country. These religious shrines are located at Sringeri in Karnataka, Dwarka in Gujarat, Puri in Orissa and Badrinath in Uttaranchal. He died at the young age of 32.

The subsequent reign of Kerala was under the control of Chera kings and Venad rulers until the land was acquired by the European traders. During medieval period (16th century onwards) Calicut emerged as a major sea port and attracted Portuguese, Dutch and British traders to establish their posts here.


Colonial Era

Arabians had the first to control over the trade of spices in Kerala. It was Vasco da Gama who arrived in Kerala in 1498 to break the determination of Arab’s control over trade of spices grown in Kerala. He established the first Portuguese fortress in Cochin, by taking the advantage of the rivalry between the royal families of Calicut and Cochin. The conflict between Calicut and Cochin helped Dutch to establish their trade settlements in Kerala and they finally expelled the Roman Catholic Portuguese from this land.

The Dutch, however, were unable to continue here beyond 18th century due to the fight between the rulers of Mysore. Then, came the British who were the most successful colonial power in India. Tipu Sultan, the successor of Hyder Ali had conflict with the British, and the four Anglo-Mysore wars were fought across southern India in the latter half of the 18th century. Tipu Sultan ceded Malabar District to the British in 1792, and South Kanara, which included present-day Kasargod District, in 1799.

The British ended their treaties of subsidiary alliance with the rulers of Cochin (1791) and Travancore (1795), and they became princely states of British India, maintaining local autonomy in return for a fixed annual tribute to the British. Malabar and South Kanara districts were part of British India's Madras Presidency.

The uprising of Indian freedom movement was also felt in Kerala. The non-violence and Satyagraha were instrumental in almost all parts of the state. Mass protests were also held at various places to eradicate various social evils like “untouchability” and caste feelings. After India got her independence in 1947, the state of Kerala was created on November 1, 1956 when Malabar District was merged with Tranvancore-Cochin state and Kasargod taluk of South Kanara District to form the State of Kerala, based on the recommendations of the State Reorganisation Commission set up by the Government of India.


Modern period

Kerala emerged as a separate state in the Indian Union on November 1, 1956. The first election in the state was held in 1957 and resulted the formation of a Communist-led Government under the leadership of E.M.S. Namboodiripad. He brought radical changes in the lives of farmers and labourers. Till today Kerala is considered as a Communist dominated state.