Kodungallur

Not to be confused with Kadungallur.
This article is about the municipality. For the medieval kingdom of the same name, see Kodungallur Kovilakam. For former capital city, see Mahodayapuram.
Kodungallur
കൊടുങ്ങല്ലൂര്‍
Municipal town

Dutch East India Company ships in Kodungallur (1708)
Kodungallur
Coordinates: 10°14′02″N 76°11′41″E / 10.233761°N 76.194634°ECoordinates: 10°14′02″N 76°11′41″E / 10.233761°N 76.194634°E
Country India
State Kerala
District Thrissur
Area
 • Total 17.3 km2 (6.7 sq mi)
Elevation 9 m (30 ft)
Population (2001)
 • Total 33,543
 • Density 1,900/km2 (5,000/sq mi)
Languages
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 680664
Telephone code 0480
Vehicle registration KL-8 / KL 47

Kodungallur (anglicised name: Cranganore), is a municipality in the Thrissur district of Kerala, India. Kodungallur is 29 kilometres (18 mi) northwest of Kochi and 38 kilometres (24 mi) southwest of Thrissur, by National Highway 66 (formerly known as NH 17).

Until recently, the location of one of the greatest seaports of the ancient eastern world, Muziris (ca. 100 BC – 1341 AD), was usually identified as being at Kodungallur. The settlement was an integral part of Mahodayapuram, the capital city of the kingdom of the Second Cheras. In the post-Chera period, the area was a feudal principality ruled by a royal family resident in the Kodungallur Kovilakam, subordinated during the early stages by the kingdom of Calicut under the zamorins, and at later stages by the Kingdom of Kochi, until India became independent.

It is postulated that the city was devastated by natural calamities—a flood or an earth quake—in 1341, and consequently lost its commercial importance thereafter.[1] Further, it came under military attacks on various occasions: in 1504 by the Portuguese-Kochi allied forces during their movement against Calicut in 1524, by the Mappilas during their attack against the Portuguese, and in 1565 again by the Portuguese.

Etymology

The name Kodungallur is derived from Kodi-linga-puram ("the land of 10 million Siva lingas") according to common belief. Kodungallur was perhaps the revenue collection center of Kuda-kons (the Chera rulers) for the goods coming to the nearby port, hence the name Kudakonallur, which later shortened to Kodungallur.

Historically, Kodungallur has been identified as Jangli, Gingaleh, Cyngilin, Shinkali, Chinkli, Jinkali, Shenkala and Cynkali, which are all derived from the name of the River Changala (or the Chain river, i.e., Shrinkhala in Sanskrit), a tributary of Periyar.[2] Columguria, Kotilingapuram, Kudalingapuram, Kodunkaliyur, Thiruvallur, Ravivisvapuram and Balakreetapuram are a few other names, identified as Kodungallur in various related records or literary works.

History

Chera period

Main article: Muziris
18th century depiction of the Hindu temple at Kodungallur

Kodungallur was an integral part of Mahodayapuram, the capital city of the Later Chera dynasty.[3] During this period,[4] Muziris, a settlement near present-day Kodungallur, was an important trade link in Indian maritime history. The Roman empire had a continuous trading connection with this region. Along with pepper, commodities such as pearls, muslin, ivory, diamond, silk and perfumes were exported using the maritime facilities of Kodungallur. Sulaiman, an Arab visitor to Mahodayapuram during this period, recorded the economic prosperity of the region and also testified to the high morals kept by its people. Also, he describes the Chinese traders in the city; they are described as purchasing articles such as pepper, cinnamon, ivory, pearls, cotton fabrics and teak wood, while selling fishing nets, silk and porcelain goods.[5] Kodungallor also was an important gateway for cultural relations and laid the foundation of a composite culture in this part of the Chera country; Christianity, Judaism and Islam entered the region in the early centuries AD.

In the 11th century, Mahodayapuram was captured by Rajendra Chola I of Chola dynasty. For the next few centuries, Kodungallur was a principality, named Padinjattedathu Swaroopam, under the control of a royal family, Kodungallur Kovilakam, allied either to kingdom of Cochin or to Calicut.[3] Muziris is supposed to be destroyed by massive flooding of Periyar in 14th century and consequently, the trade got diverted to other ancient ports of the Malabar coast, such as Kochi.[6]

The tradition of Thomas the Apostle

Main article: Thomas the Apostle
Relic of St. Thomas, kept in the sanatorium of a church in Kodungallur

Traditional belief of Saint Thomas Christians of Kerala is that Thomas the Apostle landed in or around Kodungallur in the middle of the 1st century and founded Seven Churches, or Ezharapallikal: Kodungallur, Niranam, Nilackal (Chayal), Kokkamangalam, Kottakkavu, Palayoor (Chattukulangara) and Thiruvithamcode Arappally  – a "half church".[7][8][9] According to one view, a Cochin Jew colony in Malabar Coast (later named Anjuvannam near Kondungallur), probably established before 6th century BC, attracted the Apostle to this region.[10]

Cheraman Juma Masjid

Main article: Cheraman Juma Masjid

The tradition holds that Cheraman Juma Masjid in Kodungallur, built in 629 AD by Mālik bin Dīnār, is the oldest mosque in India and the second oldest mosque in the world to offer Jumu'ah prayers.[11][12][13] Constructed during the lifetime of Muhammad, the bodies of some of his original followers are said to be buried there.[14] Unlike other mosques in the region that face westwards this mosque faces east.

The legend has it that a group of Muhammad's Ṣaḥāba (companions) visited Kodungallur. An unknown Chera dynasty ruler had witnessed a miraculous happening — the sudden splitting of the moon, the celebrated miracle of Muhammad — and learned on inquiry that this was a symbol of the coming of a Messenger of God from Arabia. Soon after, the Chera ruler traveled to Makkah, where he embraced Islam, and accepted the name "Tajuddin". On his way back to India he died at Salalah in Oman. On his deathbed he is said to have authorised some of his Arab companions to go back to his kingdom to spread Islam. Accordingly, a group of Arabs led by Mālik bin Dīnār and Mālik bin Habib arrived in northern Chera kingdom and constructed the Cheraman Juma Masjid at Kodungalloor.[12][15][16]

Cape of Kodungallur, where Periyar empties into Arabian Sea. Chinese fishing nets in the beach, believed to be installed by 14th century Chinese explorer, Zheng He, have also become a popular tourist attraction.[17]

Decline

The glory of Kodungallur, as a global trade centre, is believed to be destroyed by natural calamities.[1] According to one view it was heavy floods in the river Periyar that destroyed the city in 1341, while others point out to an earth quake in this regard. The floods further split the left branch of the river into two, just before the city of Aluva. The flood silted the right branch (known as River Changala) and the natural harbour at the mouth of the river to make it poorly navigable for large ships. The misfortune of Kodungallur helped other major ports of Malabar coast, such as the one at Kochi, to rise to prominence.[18]

Colonial period

During Portuguese period, Kodungallur was a tributary state in the kingdom of Zamorin, the most powerful of independent rulers of Malabar region. Since the location of Kodungallur sandwiched between the kingdom of Zamorin and the kingdom of Kochi, it was often a matter of dispute for both the kings and sometimes the chieftain of Kodungallur switched the allegiance.[19] Portuguese landed in Calicut in 1498 and soon they reached in an agreement with the Zamorin for establishing their trade with his subjects and also to open a factory in Calicut. Nonetheless, Portuguese forces tried to establish monopoly in spice trade using violent methods against the Arabs and other Muslim merchants from the Middle East, who had a longstanding loyal relation with the Zamorin.[20] In fact, encouraged by foreign Muslims afraid of losing their monopoly on the spice trade (that also benefited the Venetians)Calicut was the only independent state in the Indian Ocean region at that time to militarily meet the Portuguese transgressions in the region, whereas Kochi opted to ally with the foreign Christians to contain the aggression of the Zamorin.[19]

Initially the arrival of the Portuguese was most welcome by the local Christian whose presence on the Malabar coast preceded that of Muslims. It's fair to say that the Portuguese landing in India checked decisively the expansion of Islam in India by snatching the virtual monopoly on spices enjoyed by the Arabs for centuries.

The tussle between Zamorin and Portuguese, though started arising in 1500, broke into the form of a regional war in 1504.[19] Portuguese forces extended their attack on Calicut to allied coastal states, including Kodungallur. The town was almost completely destroyed by the Portuguese (Suarez de Menezes) on 1 September 1504.[21]

Kodungallur, being a port city at the northern end of the Vembanad lagoon, was a strategic entry point for Zamorin's army and fleet into the Kerala backwaters. Hence, in October 1504 Zamorin dispatched a force to fortify Kodungallur. Reading this movement as a preparation for a renewed attack on Kochi, the Portuguese commander, Lopo Soares, ordered a preemptive strike. A squadron of around ten fighting ships, accompanied with numerous fighting boats of Kochi, headed up to Kodungallur. The heavier ships, unable to make their way into the shallow channels, anchored at Palliport (Pallipuram, on the outer edge of Vypin island), while smaller frigates progressed to the destination.

Converging on Kodungallur, the Portuguese-Kochi fleet quickly dispersed the Calicut forces on the beach using cannon, and launched their composite army – some 1,000 Portuguese soldiers and 1,000 Nair warriors of Kochi – who took on the rest of the enemy force in Kodungallur.[22] The assault troops captured and sacked the city of Kodungallur, and was set on fire by the squads led by Duarte Pacheco Pereira and Diogo Fernandes Correa. Nonetheless, according to some records, Portuguese arsonists spared the Saint Thomas Christian quarters in the city. (At the time the community was in a tenuous position: though thriving in the spice trade and protected by their own militia, the local political sphere was volatile and the Saint Thomas Christians had found themselves under pressure from the rajas of Calicut, Cochin and other small kingdoms in the area. Hence the community had sought an alliance with the Portuguese newcomers. Since they were one of the major suppliers of pepper in the region, Portuguese also found the relation as reciprocating.[23]) This might have helped the ancient Christian community of Kodungallur from extinction during the 1504 assault on the city.

The Calicut fleet, some five ships and 80 paraus, that had been dispatched to save the city was intercepted by the idling Portuguese ships near Palliport and defeated in a naval encounter.[24] In the meantime, the raja of the Kingdom of Tanur (Vettattnad), whose kingdom lay to the north, on the road between Calicut and Kodungallur, who had a spoiled relation with the Zamorin, offered to place himself under Portuguese suzerainty. It is recorded that the military of Calicut, which was led by Zamorin in person, was defeated on their way to Kodungallur by a sizeable Portuguese army with the assistance of the Tanur ruler.

The raid on Cranganore and the defection of the Tanur raja were serious setbacks to the Zamorin of Calicut, pushing the frontline north and effectively placing the Vembanad lagoon out of the Zamorin's reach. The battle set the scene for Portuguese to expand their colonial authority over a significant area of the Malabar coast. By 1510, their fluid power in the Malabar coast solidified into a perceptible territorial entity.[19]

In 1662, the Dutch entered the competition, sacked the Portuguese in a fortnightly war, with the help of Zamorin, and occupied Kodungallur.[25] The Dutch took the control of Kodungallur fort in 1663 and it eventually protected the southern Kerala, especially Travancore, from the Mysorean invasion in 1776. In 1786, Mysorean troops again marched to northern Kerala, but failed to progress ahead of Kodungallur. On 31 July 1789, the Dutch handed over their establishments in Kodungallur and Azhikode to the Kingdom of Travancore for 300,000 Surat silver rupees.[17]

Archaeology

Until the 1980s, it was generally believed that Kodungallur and Muziris were synonymous from the historical point of view. In 1983, a large hoard of Roman coins was excavated at a site in a small town, called Pattanam, about six miles from Kodungallur. Now this location is one of the most significant archaeological sites in South Asia. The excavations carried out at Pattanam from 2007 to 2011 have uncovered a plethora of archaeologically important materials: over 20,000 articles have now been recovered including terracotta objects, beads, amphora pieces, cannonballs and four skeletons.[26] It has prompted many historians to hypothesize Pattanam as the location of Muziris.[27][28][29][30]

Kodungallur fort

Relics of the Cranganore Fort built by the Portuguese on the shores of the Kottapuram River

Cranganore Fort, also known as Kottappuram/Kottapuram Fort, was built by Portuguese in 1523 and later in 1565 it was enlarged. The fort was named as Fortaleza Sao Tome, by the Portuguese. The Dutch took possession of the fort in 1663. The remains of the fort show that the original fort wall was 18 feet in thickness. The ruin is also known as Tipu's fort.[31]

Muziris Heritage Project

A project, named Muziris Heritage Project, was launched by the Department of Cultural Affairs, Kerala in 2006 to scientifically retrieve and preserve the historical heritage of the region, extending from North Paravur to Kodungallur. The project envisages a combination of heritage management initiatives in its restoration, conservation and access to the public. Kerala Council for Historical Research (KCHR), identified as the nodal agency for Muziris Heritage Project, provides academic guidance and undertakes archaeological and historical research in the region.[32]

Notable landmarks

A scene from Kodungallur Bharani festival in Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple
Kodungallur Bhagavathi Temple

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,[35] Kodungallur municipality had a population of 33,543: males constitute 47% of the population and females 53%, while 10% of the total population was under 6 years of age. The municipality had an average literacy rate of 83%: male literacy is 86% and female literacy is 81%.

Transport

Roads

Main article: Kodungallur bypass

The coastal highway NH 66(formerly known as NH 17) connecting Cochin to Mumbai passes through this town and there is a bypass for NH 66 from Chanthapura to Kottapuram. Kodungallur is well connected by KSRTC buses and private transport buses. It has a private bus stand and KSRTC bus stand in the town. The town is connected to Kochi (30 km), Thrissur (38 km) and Guruvayur (50 km). There are frequent bus services from here to North Paravur, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Guruvayoor, Mala, Chalakudy, Calicut etc. There are also long distance private bus services from and towards places like Kottayam, Pala and towards northern towns like Iritty, Payyanur, Kasaragod etc.

Railways

The nearest railhead to Kodungallur is located at Irinjalakuda Railway Station, at a distance of 22 km away. Only a few express trains stop here. The major railway station near to Kodungallur is Aluva Railway Station. Aluva and Irinjalakkuda railway stations lies in the busy Shoranur-Cochin Harbour section. It is in the main route connecting Kochi and Palakkad.

Airports

The nearest airport to Kodungallur is Cochin International Airport, Nedumbassery, at a distance of 35 km away. The airport is well connected to all major airports in India and also connected to many foreign cities. Direct flights are available to Chennai, New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore.

Inland water transport

The Kollam – Kottapuram National Waterway 3 (India) ends at Kodungallur. The West Coast Canal, maintained by Inland Waterways Authority of India, is one of the most navigable and tourism potential area in India and has much to offer to the potential tourist. A terminus is located close to Kottapuram bridge.

Local government

Kodungallur Municipality was formed in the year 1978. It covers an area of 17.3 km2 and is divided into 44 electoral wards. The Municipality has a total population of 31,249 with a density of 1,806 per km2. Kodungallur is the headquarters of the Kodungallur Taluk and is a Grade-II Municipality. [36] Kodungallur assembly constituency is part of Chalakudi (Lok Sabha constituency).[37]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Ashis Nandy (1 January 2002). Time Warps: Silent and Evasive Pasts in Indian Politics and Religion. Hurst. pp. 172–. ISBN 978-1-85065-479-7. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  2. ↑ For a large number of such names for Kodungallir down the centuries arranged more or less chronologically cf. K. P. Padbhanabha Menon, History of Kerala Vol. I, quoted by George Menachery in 'Kodungallur",1987, reprinted 2000.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 A Sreedhara Menon (1 January 2007). A Survey Of Kerala History. DC Books. p. 126. ISBN 978-81-264-1578-6. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  4. ↑ Mukund Kanakalatha (1 January 2012). Merchants of Tamilakam Pioneers of Inter. Penguin Books India. p. 11. ISBN 978-0-670-08521-7. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  5. ↑ A Sreedhara Menon (1 January 2007). A Survey Of Kerala History. DC Books. p. 127. ISBN 978-81-264-1578-6. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  6. ↑ "History of Kochi". Centre For Heritage Studies, India. Retrieved 2010-09-05.
  7. ↑ James Arampulickal (1994). The pastoral care of the Syro-Malabar Catholic migrants. Oriental Institute of Religious Studies, India Publications. p. 40.
  8. ↑ Orientalia christiana periodica: Commentaril de re orientali ...: Volumes 17–18. Pontificium Institutum Orientalium Studiorum. 1951. p. 233.
  9. ↑ Adrian Hastings (15 August 2000). A World History of Christianity. Wm. B. Eerdmans. p. 149. ISBN 978-0-8028-4875-8.
  10. ↑ Abraham Mattam (Mar)) (2001). Forgotten East: Mission, Liturgy and Spirituality of the Eastern Churches : a Study with Special Reference to the Church of St. Thomas Christians. Ephrem's Publications. p. 148. ISBN 978-81-88065-00-4.
  11. ↑ Dan Landis; Rosita D. Albert (14 February 2012). Handbook of Ethnic Conflict: International Perspectives. Springer. p. 141. ISBN 978-1-4614-0447-7. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "World’s second oldest mosque is in India". Bahrain tribune. Archived from the original on 6 July 2006. Retrieved 2006-08-09.
  13. ↑ Cheraman Juma Masjid A Secular Heritage
  14. ↑ "A mosque from a Hindu king". indiatravels. Retrieved 2006-08-09.
  15. ↑ "Hindu patron of Muslim heritage site". iosworld.org. Retrieved 2006-08-09.
  16. ↑ "Kalam to visit oldest mosque in sub-continent". Chennai, India: The Hindu. 23 July 2005. Retrieved 2006-08-09.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Anjana Singh (30 April 2010). Fort Cochin in Kerala, 1750-1830: The Social Condition of a Dutch Community in an Indian Milieu. BRILL. p. 233. ISBN 978-90-04-16816-9. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
  18. ↑ A Sreedhara Menon (1 January 2007). A Survey Of Kerala History. DC Books. p. 18. ISBN 978-81-264-1578-6. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 Pius Malekandathil (2010). Maritime India: Trade, Religion and Polity in the Indian Ocean. Primus Books. pp. 90–. ISBN 978-93-80607-01-6. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
  20. ↑ Sanjay Subrahmanyam (29 October 1998). The Career and Legend of Vasco Da Gama. Cambridge University Press. pp. 293–294. ISBN 978-0-521-64629-1. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
  21. ↑ Yosef Kaplan (2008). The Dutch Intersection: The Jews and the Netherlands in Modern History. BRILL. p. 65. ISBN 978-90-04-14996-0. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
  22. ↑ Castanheda, p.272
  23. ↑ Frykenberg, Eric (2008). Christianity in India: from Beginnings to the Present, 122–124. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-826377-5.
  24. ↑ Mathew (1997: p.14)
  25. ↑ K. K. Kusuman (1987). A History of Trade & Commerce in Travancore, 1600–1805. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-026-0. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  26. ↑ "Largest book on Archaeological findings". The Times of India. 21 December 2011.
  27. ↑ "Search for India's ancient city". BBC News. 11 June 2006. Retrieved 2010-05-19.
  28. ↑ http://www.hinduonnet.com/2004/03/23/stories/2004032303340500.htm
  29. ↑ "Hunting for Muziris". The Hindu (Chennai, India). 28 March 2004.
  30. ↑ "Excavations highlight Malabar maritime heritage". The Hindu (Chennai, India). 1 April 2007.
  31. ↑ "Kottappuram fort". muzirisheritage.org. Kerala Tourism Department. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  32. ↑ Kerala Council for Historical Research
  33. ↑ Menachery,Kodungallur...1987, reprint 2000
  34. ↑ "Kodungallur". Kerala Tourism. Retrieved 2010-10-15.
  35. ↑ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  36. ↑ "Profile". Janasevana Kendram. Retrieved 2010-12-07.
  37. ↑ "Assembly Constituencies – Corresponding Districts and Parliamentary Constituencies" (PDF). Kerala. Election Commission of India. Retrieved 2008-10-19.

Public Domain This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.

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