Indian Traditional Knowledg

Topic: Maps and Early Settlements

State: Keral
a

 History of Kerala

The ancient history of Kerala is shrouded

in the mists of tradition. The most popular
legend would have it that the land crust
that forms the State was raised from the
depths of the ocean. Parasurama, the
Brahmin avatar (incarnation) of Lord
Vishnu, had waged an epic series of
vengeful wars on the Kshatriyas. Came a
moment when Parasurama was struck by
remorse at the wanton annihilation he had
wrought. He offered severe penance atop
the mountain heights. In a mood of
profound atonement, the sage heaved his
mighty axes into the midst of the distant
ocean. The waves foamed and frothed as
a prawn-shaped land extending from
Gokarnam to Kanyakumari surfaced from
the depths of the sea to form the State and
hence the sobriquet 'Gods Own Country’ Ancient Map of kerala



History of Kerala

I n 1 4 9 8 , Va s c o D a G a m a
established a sea route to
Kozhikode during the Age of
Discovery, which was also the
first modern sea route from
Europe to South Asia, and raised
Portuguese settlements, which
marked the beginning of the
colonial era of India

A treaty brought it under British

protection in 1795. Travancore was
known for its relatively high
literacy rate and its progressive
government. After Indian
independence, Travancore and
Map of kerala in 1498
Cochin (now Kochi) merged to
form the state of Travancore- Cochin; boundaries were redrawn, and it was
renamed Kerala in 1956.

Kerala is well-known for its mesmerizing backwaters, ecotourism

initiatives, scenic beauty, amazing beaches, and mouthwatering cuisine.

Vasco Da Gama

 Timeline
History of Kerala can be conveniently divided into various periods.
• Ancient Period -(4000 BC)
• Sangam Period- (7th Century)
• Post Sangam Period -(Mid 7th century to the early 9th century)
• Kulasekara Period (Quilon Calendar begins) - (800 AD)
• Period of Provincial Rulers - (1000 AD to 1070 AD)
• European Arrival- (1498)
• British Rule- (1700s)
• Freedom struggle, Independence and Recent History - (1900s)

Freedom Struggle
Sangam Period &

Provincial Rulers Independence

Post-Sangam
Period European Arrival
Ancient Period British Rule
Kulasekara Period

4000 BC 7th Century 800 AD 1000 AD 1498 1700s 1900s

 Agriculture of Kerala
Majority of the popula on in Kerala are dependent directly or indirectly on agriculture
for their livelihood. The main crops grown in the state are paddy, coconut, pepper,
cashew, cassava, and planta on crops like rubber. Kerala is an Agrarian economy. Cash
crops, like coconuts, rubber, tea and co ee, pepper and cardamom, cashew, areca
nut, nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and the like, give the agriculture of Kerala a
dis nct avour. It is coconuts which bring the people their principal source of earning
in agriculture. Nearly 70% of Indian output of coconuts is provided by Kerala. Cashew
is an important cash crop of the state. The state has facili es for conver ng raw
cashew into the dried fruit, salted or plain. Cardamom is another cash crop which
gives Kerala a dis nc ve place in Indian export. Alappuzha, one the district of Kerala
known as the 'rice bowl of the state', has a predominant posi on in the produc on of
rice.

Kerala State is located in the Southern part of India with a total geographical area of
38.85 thousand square kilometres. The climate is humid tropics with an annual rainfall
of 307 cm, distributed in two main monsoons namely, Southwest monsoon and
North- East monsoon. Mango is not considered as a commercial crop of Kerala, but
mango trees are inevitable components of homesteads of the state. The total
es mated area under mango cul va on is 75,911 hectares with an annual produc on
of 323,517 tones. Commercial orchards of mango are being established in the
Palakkad district, where the clima c condi ons are more suitable for mango trees.

Rubber Plantations

Paddy elds
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 The Asian tropics have long fascinated western fruit enthusiasts. This most unusual of
fruit is a member of the mulberry family, although its outward appearance would not
suggest the rela onship. The fruit can weigh upwards of 30 or 40 pounds, with an
unusual, spiky green skin. Inside there are hundreds of large, starchy seeds surrounded
by a sweet and aroma c esh, all a ached to a central core. The aroma of the ripening
fruit is extremely sweet, with a dis nc ve avour reminiscent of bananas and 'Juicy Fruit'
gum. In South India, the jackfruit is a popular food ranking next to the mango

India has a rich heritage related to the spices which have been grown here. The story of
spices in Kerala is thousand years older and the major contribu on of spice export from
India is also Kerala. Kerala has shown its dominance over spices and marked the richness
of spices obtainable in its la tudinal area. Situated in Southwestern part in India, it has
served a wide range of vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian food in its cuisine.

Kerala is the “Spice Capital of India” and “Land of Spices”. The trading business of spices
in Kerala is very primi ve including England and one of the oldest tradings of spices is
with the Sumerians. So Kerala has become the leader of spices all over the world. The
spice trade in Kerala is ourishing very well ll date. There is numerous and varied type
of spices grown in Kerala,

Coconut Plantations

Kerala is the “Land of Spices”



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Agriculture Map of Kerala

Reference
https://www.prokerala.com/kerala/history/history-landmarks.htm
https://kerala.gov.in/
https://www.cocohol.com
https://www.mapsofindia.com