Mushika Kingdom

Mushika Kingdom
This article is about a Sangam age kingdom in South India, for the medieval feudal state in the same geographical area, see Kolathunadu
Mushika kingdom
Life span?
Capital Ezhimalai
Language(s) Tamil
Religion Hinduism and others
Government Monarchy
History
 - Established Sangam Age
 - Disestablished Enter end year
South India in first century AD, showing Puzhinadu

Mushika Kingdom (also called Ezhimalai Kingdom, Puzhinadu, Konkanam or Mushaka Rajya) was an ancient kingdom of the Tamil Sangam age in present day northern Kerala, India ruled by the Royal dynasty of the same name. They ruled the strip of land between Mangaluru in the north and Vadagara in the south. It was one of the three kingdom of Sangam Age Kerala, along with the Chera kingdom and the Ay kingdom. Ezhimalai Konkanam Nannan was the most powerful ruler of Ezhimalai, he expanded the kingdom to Wynad, Gudallore and to parts of Coimbatore. With the death of Nannan in a battle against the Cheras, the kingdom dissolved in the Chera kingdom.

Mushika Kingdom has found mention of in the Mahabharata epic. Over the millennia, they have also been known as the Kulyas, Kolis and Kolwas as also the Velirs, Ezhimala (also spelled as Ezhimalai), and the Nannans. Later they were better known as the Kolathiri or the Chirakkal Royal Family of Northern Kerala. Their last and erstwhile capital was in the town of Chirakkal to which they moved around 850 AD.[citation needed] The word 'Mushika' also means Mouse in Sanskrit. Ezhimala, where they had their capital earlier to Taliparamba and Chirakkal, literally means Rat Hill in the local Malayalam language as well as in Tamil.

Ezhimalai, the ancient capital, as seen from train

The Mushika Royals who were later known as the Kolathiris and the Chirakkal Royal Family, might have been the only one, or one of the twelve Velir Families of the Tamil Sangam Era fame. It is possible then that their royalty goes back to as far back as 1800 B.C.[1][2] They, over the millennia intermarried very frequently with the Cheras, the Pandyas and the Cholas, and also might have given rise to the royalties of the Lakshadweep, the Maldives and Sri Lanka. They have also had matrimonial alliances with the Chedis, the Somas, and the Yadavas.[3][4] The Arakkal and the Nileshwaram Royal Families are both branches of this Royal Family, having branched out from them, over the centuries[5]. A Southern branch of this family ruled over erstwhile Venad and was better known as the Thiruvithamkoor or Travancore Royal Family.[citation needed] The Mushika Royal Family has found mention in surviving ancient Indian texts like the Vishnu Purana[6] and also in Greek accounts like that of Strabo[7].

Over the millennia, their kingdom roughly covered present-day Kasaragod and Kannur districts in Kerala, South India, along with some adjoining areas of Northern Kerala and Tulunadu, and in some periods parts of Tamil Nadu, Kodagu and Mysore as well.[1][2]

The most famous king in the recorded history of this dynasty and kingdom was Udayan Venmon Nannan also known as Nannan or Nandan.[3][4] Documented records of the rule of 118 kings till Srikanta at the start of the 11th Century CE have been compiled in the Sanskrit text known as Mushikavamsa, in reality a poem composed by the poet and historian Atula, who was one of Srikanta's courtiers. The territories they ruled over were known as Kolathunadu or Kolathirinadu. The Kovilakam (meaning Palace in the local Malayalam language) of the Kolathiris was located in Chirakkal where it still stands. The Mushika Royals were responsible for building many of the existing ancient temples of Northern Kerala and adjoining areas, besides forts like those at Bekal Fort, and major ports like those at Valapattam[8]. The Arakkal and Nileshwaram Royal Families are both branches of the Kolathiri or Chirakkal Royal Family. The southern branch of this Family ruled over Venad and is today known as the Travancore Royal Family.

See also

References


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Mahisha Kingdom — Mahisha or Mahishaka was a kingdom in ancient India, ruled by the Asura king Mahisha. His capital, Mahisha City, is currently known as Mysore a city in Karnataka. This kingdom is mentioned in Mahabharata, though Puranas (especially Markandeya… …   Wikipedia

  • Nannan — Ezhimalai Konkanam Nannan Ruler of Ezhimalai Reign 3rd century BC Place of death Battle of Vakaipperum Turai Royal House Mushika kingdom Ezhimalai Konkanam Nannan (ഏഴിമല നന്നൻ) (approx. 3rd century BC, sometimes approx 1st …   Wikipedia

  • Chera Dynasty — For the mythological stories about Kerala, see Kerala Kingdom, for district of Kuala Lumpur, see Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, the town in Spain, see Chera, Valencia, for the town in Selangor, see Cheras, Selangor. Chera Kingdom சேரர் …   Wikipedia

  • Ezhimala Hill — Ezhimala Ezhimala A view from the train Elevation 286 m (938 ft) …   Wikipedia

  • Travancore royal family — Kingdom of Travancore Part of History of Kerala Travancore Kings …   Wikipedia

  • Chirakkal Raja — (king of Chirakkal) is the title of the senior most king of the Chirakkal branch (Chirakkal dynasty) of the Palli division of the Kolathiri dynasty of the erstwhile feudal state (nadu) of Kolathunadu in North Malabar, Kerala state, South India.… …   Wikipedia

  • List of Nairs — This list of Nairs contains prominent members of the ancient Nair community of southern India. Some of them also have the name Nair . Contents 1 Spiritual leaders 2 Freedom fighters 3 Senior political leaders – post independence …   Wikipedia

  • Список полнометражных мультфильмов — …   Википедия

  • Liste Des Longs Métrages D'animation — Cette liste recense des longs métrages d’animation du monde entier, classés dans l’ordre chronologique. Pour faire partie de cette liste, un film doit avoir une durée supérieure à 40 minutes et une proportion d’images animées au moins égale à 75% …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Liste des longs metrages d'animation — Liste des longs métrages d animation Cette liste recense des longs métrages d’animation du monde entier, classés dans l’ordre chronologique. Pour faire partie de cette liste, un film doit avoir une durée supérieure à 40 minutes et une proportion… …   Wikipédia en Français

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”