Influence of Geography on Kerala

 Kerala comprises of a narrow coastal strip lying between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea.
 This geographical position has helped to ensure its political and cultural isolation of Kerala from the rest of
India.
 It also facilitated extensive contacts with foreign countries.

Natural Divisions of Kerala

 Kerala can be divided into three natural divisions:
1. Highland (മലനാട്)
2. Midland (ഇടനാട്)
3. Lowland (തീരപ്രദേശം)
Highland
 The Western Ghats on the eastern side of the state constitute the highland.
 It is covered by thick forests in its upper ranges.
 In the lower ranges, the forests are interspersed with plantations.
Lowland
 The lowland stretches along the coastal plain on the western side of the state.
 The soil in this region is sandy.
 Paddy and coconut are extensively cultivated in this region
Midland
 It is sand-witched between the highland and the lowland.
 Laterite soil predominates in this region.
 The important crops are: paddy, tapioca, spices, cashew, etc.

Impact of Geographical Position

 The Western Ghats on the eastern side gave immunity from political events in north- India.
 Kerala never felt the impacts of numerous foreign invasions that took place in north- India.
 It took longer time for Brahmanism, Buddhism and Jainism from the north to penetrate to Kerala.
 As a result, Kerala was able to evolve its own social institutions like; Marumakkathayam (matrilineal system of
inheritance), polyandry, etc.
 Kerala could also evolve its own distinctive styles of art and architecture like; Kathakali, Chakiar Koothu,
Ottam Thullal, etc.

Impacts of Mountains and Hills

 Western Ghat- acted as a guarding wall against attacks from the east.
 Ezhimala- was the seat of Ezhimala kingdom.
 Puralimala- played an important role in Pazhassi revolts.
 Some of the important pilgrim centres are on hill tops or on their valleys. Eg:
 Tirunelli temple in the valley of Brahmagiri peak
 Sabarimala Temple
 St. Thomas Church on Malayattur hill
 The Portuguese were cut off by the Western Ghats from rest of the peninsular India. Thus they were prevented
from building up a permanent empire in India.

Impacts of Gaps and Passes

 Passes facilitated interstate trade and travel.
 In the ancient period, Romans used Palghat pass for commerce.
 North- east monsoon reaches to kerala through Palghat pass and gives rains in Kerala.
 Palakkad is known as the rice-bowl of Kerala largely due to the rainfall in the north-east monsoon season.
 Chola kings invaded Kerala through Palghat pass. Similarly, the Chera kings invaded 'Kongu nadu'
(Coimbatore region) through this pass.
 In the 18th century, Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan invaded Kerala through Palghat pass.
 Cultural exchange-
 A number of Jains, Tamil Brahmins, etc. migrated to Kerala through Palghat pass.
  The customs and manners of people in Palakkad is a mix of Tamil and Kerala cultures.
 The festivals and folk arts in Palakkad (eg: Rathotsavam, Pavakuthu, Kongan Padai) have the influence of
the Tamil.
 Periya pass & Thamarasseri pass-: connect between Wynad and Mysore. They served as route of Mysorean
invasions.
 Aruvaimozhi pass-: connects between Trivandrum and Tirunelveli. Tamil powers invaded southern Travancore
through this pass.
 Several rivers passes through the mountain gaps and helps the economy.

Impact of the Sea

 Kerala coast attracted foreign traders from Europe and Asia.
 Kerala had some important ports.
 Examples of ancient ports: Muziris, Tyndis, Barace, Nelcynda
 India was exposed to the invading European forces by the Kerala coast.
 The religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam came to Kerala by sea.

Impact of Rivers
 Several places of historical and cultural importance are located on river banks.
 Tirunavai, where 'Mamankam' was held , is situated on the banks of the Bharathapuzha.
 Aluva, where 'Sivarathri' festival is held, is on the banks of Periyar.
 On the river of Pamba are located such places of religious importance as Aranmula, Maramon and
Edathwa.
 Mortal remains of the national leaders (Mahatma Gandhi, Jawahar Lal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri) were
immersed in Bharathapuzha.
 Kaladi, the birthplace of Shankaracharya, is situated on the banks of Periyar.
 Some rivers have importance in the political and military history of the state.
 The floods in the river Periyar in 1341, choked the mouth of the Kodungallur harbour and made it useless
for trade purpose.
 The flood in 1341 brought into existence the island of Vaipin from the sea. 'Puthuvaipu Era' commencing in
1341 commemorates this event.
 It was the flood in Periyar that prevented Tipu Sultan in 1789 from attacking Travancore.
 The important industrial centres like Punalur, Kallai, Valapatanam, Aluva, etc. are on river banks.
 Several Hydro-electric and irrigation projects depend on rivers.

Impact of the Climate

 The High Ranges have a cool and bracing climate throughout the year.
 The plains are very hot in the summer.
 The state gets rains from both the south-west monsoon and north-east monsoon.
 The discovery of the south-west monsoon by Hippalus facilitated the direct sea voyage from the Persian Gulf to
Muziris.
 The wars were stopped on the outbreak of the monsoons. The wars were continued after the end of the
monsoons.
 The monsoon has caused floods which prevented military operations. Eg: The flood in Periyar in 1789 prevented
Tipu Sultan from attacking Travancore.

Impact of Flora and Fauna

 In ancient Kerala, many animals and birds ( elephant, peacock, monkey) were exported to foreign countries.
 Ivory was also a valuable export.
 Spices such as pepper, cardamom, cinnamon and ginger were exported to countries of Asia and Europe.
 It was the demand for pepper, that brought European powers to Kerala which led to the European domination
over India.
 Teak-wood was in much demand in the foreign markets. They were used for the manufacture of ships.
 Kerala was famous for its mineral resources. Kautilya's Arthasastra refers to the river Churni (Periyar) as one
of the places where pearls could be found.
 the ancient Romans carried pearls and diamonds from Kerala in exchange for their gold