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Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Assault on Kerala Hindus – Part 1

The decline of Hindus in Kerala needs no introduction. From 56% in 2001, the Hindu population has came down to 54% in 2011, a repetition of of declining Hindu population from previous decades. It is pretty much clear that in coming decades we shall see a situation in Kerala similar to Kashmir (where Hindus have been displaced by Muslims) or North Eastern states (where Hindus has been replaced by Christians), with declining Hindu influence and population and rise of Abrahamisms.

To start , let us mention that the heritage of Kerala is essentially Hindu. Early Sangam age Tamil texts like Pathitrupathu, which praises Chera kings (the dominant ancient dynasty of Kerala), was composed around 2000 years ago and mentions how the Chera king washed the idol of Goddess Kannagi in the holy waters of Ganga in north. This means that the Keralites were Hindus back then and considered Ganga as a holy river just like modern Hindus. Also, in Chera coins we find Hindu symbols like Trishula and axe which is the symbol of Bhagwan Shiva. Later, during the time of second Cheras, kings Kulasehkhara Azhvar and Cheraman Perumal Nayanar were Vaishnavite and Shaivite kings respectively. So it means that the Keralites were Hindus since time immemorial.

Sangam age Chera coin with image of Shaivite trident-axe symbol in front of elephant, from the book Sangam age Tamil coins by R. Krishnamurthy

Ascetic form of Shiva holding same trident-axe on a Kushana coin from north Bharat. Source: http://coinindia.com/galleries-vima-kadphises.html

Same symbol in front of a temple, coin of Audumbara tribe of northern Bharat. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Shiva_temple_with_trident_standard_Audumbara_State_Punjab_1st_century_BCE.jpg

Authors like Ezhuthachan, Cherussery, Poonthanam, Kunjan Nambiyar, Unnayi Variyar, Kottayathu Thampuran, Venmani Nambuthiris, Pandalam Kerala Varma, Raja Raja Varma, Kottarathil Shankunni, Kunjikuttan Thampuran, Valiya Koil Thampuran, Ramapurattu Variyar, Ravi Varman Thampi etc made bulk of contribution to development of mainstream Malayalam. These authors were all orthodox and devout Hindus. So modern Malayalam itself can be termed as a ‘Hindu’ language.

To sum up, heritage of Kerala and modern Malayalam is purely Hindu. But to distort this fact, there is a lot of propaganda widespread among Keralites, made popular by Abrahamists or secular left-liberals. These include the legend of St. Thomas (who is said to be disciple of Jesus) arriving in Kerala during 1st century CE and conversion of last Chera king Cheraman Perumal into Islam and his pilgrimage to Mecca . These are two of the main historical assaults on Hindu history of Kerala.

First, let us take the myth of St. Thomas. None of the Sangam age works dating back to that period mentions presence of Christians in Kerala during that time. Further, there is no archaeological evidence for the presence of Christianity in Kerala during that time either. The myth states that Thomas managed to convert Nambuthiri Brahmins. But Nambuthiris or Malayala Brahmins are not encountered in Sangam corpus or inscriptions (Brahmins of Kerala were Tamils back then) and the community was mostly formed in medieval times only. So what historical basis is there for this nonsensical myth? Further, according to the myth, Thomas was killed in Mylapore near Chennai. We know that Christians were non existent in Tamil Nadu until recently. So this myth is purely absurd.

Now for the Cheraman Perumal myth – the Perumal reign was just started during 8th century, and the historical Cheraman Perumal Nayanar was a Shaivite king (evident from his inscriptions) and the legend says that he went to Kailasa. This event is narrated in many ancient temples dating back to medieval period. The pilgrimage to mecca could only have been a bastardized version of this legend. Further, the rule of Cheras continued till around 11-12th centuries, so the claim that last Cheraman Parumal converted during 8th century is ridiculous.

These are the historical assaults on Kerala Hindus. In next part, we shall look at the present day assaults on Kerala Hindus.

Disclaimer: This article represents the opinions of the Author, and the Author is responsible for ensuring the factual veracity of the content. HinduPost will not be responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information, contained herein.


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Dauhshanti & Paanchajanyaa
Dauhshanti & Paanchajanyaa
@Dauhshanti - A proud Polytheist & Idolater, blessed to be born into the civilization of Bharata. @paanchajanyaa - Soldier of dharma... Yato dharmas tato jayah...

12 COMMENTS

  1. Would like to disagree with author with all respect.
    The Sangam literature speaks of Perinchellur or Taliparamba village as a center of Vedic Brahmin culture of thousands of years old. Only Namboothiries had Perinchellur village. Parashurama created Kerala for Namboothiries according to legend, and established 32 villages south of river chandragiri in Kasargod. The prominent one in north is perinchellur. No other Brahmins in kerala has these kind of established villages, with a village diety (Taliparamba temple) and no other Brahmins associate themselves with perinchellur.
    Whether St Thomas converted Namboothiries or not, or simply some ex communicated Namboothiries became Christians, the fact is Namboothiries came from Ahichatra (near Bareli ) in UP which was panchala capital (Up and Uttarakhand) and was present during ancient times . In fact they are the first & indigenous Brahmins of Kerala. Later after first chera kingdom or during kalabhara interregnum some Tulu Brahmins were brought by Kolathiri raja and Namboodirieised. They became the Embrantiris. This is confused by most historians as Namboothiries coming from Karnataka to Kerala in 8th century AD

    • The migration of Nambuthiris from Ahichatra historically happened during the reign of Kadamba king Mayuravarma who ruled during 3rd-4th centuries CE. Both the Tulu and Namboothiri tradition from Keralolpathi remembers Mayuravarma who ruled Tulu and regions of Kerala. Kadamba inscription has been found in north Kerala as well. This historical migration would’ve later transformed into the Parashurama legend. Nambuthiri gramas including Talipramba would’ve came to existence after 3rd century. Before that during Sangam age we had earlier Tamil Brahmins here.

      • Tamil Brahmins or Iyers do not associate with Perinchellur or Taliparamba village. Taliparamba temple is owned by Namboodiries until recently. Your claim that “Before that during Sangam age we had earlier Tamil Brahmins here.” has no supporting proof.
        Did Namboodiries captured the temple? No!!
        Kadamas of Banavasi has no need to bring a Brahmin community all the way from western UP if at all he was ruling there!!
        Also Brahmin language is Sanskrit not tamil or any other traditionally.
        The Tamil iyers came much later to kerala and they still retain their language as mother toungue. The Raja of Palakkad, had clash with Namboothiries. He drove Namboothiries from his small kingdom and brought Iyers from TN. The Shiva temple belonging to Namboodiries were given to Iyers (Kalpathi temple).
        Only in parts of Palakkad you can see iyers who are landlords. Rest everywhere Iyers lived in row houses of agraharams with nocontrol over the majestic temples of Kerala. Whereas Namboothiries were largest land holders till 1957 and uralans (owners) of 90% of Shiva, Vishnu and Durga temples.
        Do not distort history of Kerala!! are you a tamil btw?

        • Well, the temple may have been built after the new wave of Brahmin migration after the Sangam age. Tulu traditions confirms the fact that Kadambas invited new Brahmins to settle down in Tulu Nadu https://books.google.co.in/books?id=oSnmAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA203&dq=away+to+Ahichchhatra,+from+which+place+Mayuravarma+brought+them+bask,+effected+some&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjI8pbu6OHSAhXMPI8KHT4JAFYQ6AEIIjAA#v=onepage&q=away%20to%20Ahichchhatra%2C%20from%20which%20place%20Mayuravarma%20brought%20them%20bask%2C%20effected%20some&f=false

          Further Keralolpathi speaks of Mayuravarma ruling Kerala as well :
          മയൂരവർമ്മൻ മലയാളം തൗളവം വാണതിൽ പിന്നെ ഉണ്ടായ രാജാക്കന്മാരുടെ നാമധേയാന്ത്യത്തിങ്കൽ ഒക്കയും വർമ്മൻ ശർമ്മൻ എന്നുള്ള പേർ കൂടുന്നു.
          https://ml.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%87%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%B3%E0%B5%8B%E0%B4%B2%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A4%E0%B4%BF/%E0%B4%AA%E0%B5%86%E0%B4%B0%E0%B5%81%E0%B4%AE%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B4%A8%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AE%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B0%E0%B5%81%E0%B4%9F%E0%B5%86_%E0%B4%95%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B2%E0%B4%82/%E0%B4%B6%E0%B4%99%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%9A%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B0%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AF%E0%B5%BC_%E0%B4%95%E0%B4%B2%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%9A%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%9A_%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%81%E0%B4%B2_%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%AE_%E0%B4%B5%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%B5%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%82

          Keralolpathi is a late work dating around 17th century, but it still remembers Mayuravarma who ruled during 3rd century CE.

          What more proof do you need to establish the fact that Namboothiris and Tulu Brahmins comes from same stock of new Brahmins migrating from Ahichchatra during the reign of Kadambas?

          And no, I’m not a Tamil. Anyway Tamil Brahmins had great status in Travancore as well.

          • First of all Tulu Brahmins are not Namboodiries. Yes a king in north kerala brought Tulu Brahmins to Kolathunad from Tulunad (where they were settled by sage Parashurama) due to differences of opinion with Namboodiries. They adjusted to kerala culture and became Embrantiris. But they are not Namboodiries.
            So according to you Embrantiries came in 3rd century and I am ok with that. But Namboodiries were already existing here.
            Again Perinchellur was mentioned in Sangam literature as a center of Vedic culture. No other Kerala Brahmins associate themselves with Taliparamba-perinchellur village like Namboodiries. And for Namboodiries it is a very very important village/settlement.
            It is not just the temple,but the fact remains that this temple was the most important structure in Taliparamba till 20th century. Centuries Namboodiri jenmis had made carpenters work in great temples, repair and beautify it. But there are some left, anti Hindu historians in Kerala who claim that this temple (and most other) was/were initially a Jain temple (all without any basis). What is your take on it?
            Even the claims that Cheras were a Dravidian kings is nonsence. There is a continuation of first chera kingdom and second chera kingdom and they are not two dynasties if you closely observe history. Cheras were noble Chandra (lunar) vamshi Kshatriyas mentioned even in Mahabharata epic. The language of ancient Kerala was an old form of Tamil (may be that is much closer to Malayalam??) and Sanskrit influence was still high. So many manipravala / champu works were wrote during sangam age.Champu works can be seen in Telugu and kannada as well .
            The myth of Aryan invasion and Pakistani Dravidian Indus civilization is yet another nonsense story. If at all there is an Aryan homeland it is UP, Uttarakhand and Himalayas
            Lastly Tamil Brahmins served as Divans in Travancore from 18th century ownwards and had become powerful there (esp around Trivandrum) . What does that prove?
            For reference you may visit namboodiri.org/.com website.

          • Embran migrations happened much later during the time of Kolathiri Udayavarman who performed Hiranyagarbha with help of these new Brahmins and became Kshatriya. But originally Tulu Brahmins and Namboothiris come from same stock. Out of 64 gramas built by Parashurama, 32 is in Kerala and the other 32 is in Tulu Nadu. Tulu Brahmins also subscribe to the same Parashurama tradition like Namboothiris and claim themselves to be migrants from Ahichatra.

            Also just because Perinchellur is mentioned in Sangam literature, it doesn’t mean that this place was occupied by Namboothiris back then. And it is a common thing among some ‘yuktivadikal’ to claim every ancient/rich Hindu temples are Buddhist/Jain sites. Nothing new in it.

            As for Aryan invasion, it is a long issue which cannot be covered in few lines.

          • No Perinchellur was not only mentioned in sangam, but also mentioned as a center of Vedic Brahmins. The taliparamba temple was the place where Vajapeya was performed. Only Namboodiries today continue the traditions of soma and Agni (Athiratra) rites.
            What proof you have to claim that Tamil Brahmins were present in Kerala during sangam age? Where is the proof that this perinchellur rich in Vedic tradition was Tamil Brahmin? No Tamil Brahmin traditions are claiming so!!
            Are you referring to some other unknown Brahmin? That unknown Brahmins are precisely Nambootiries.
            Hiranyagarbha /padmagarbha was not performed by embrantiries , but namboodiries. If it had been performed by embrantiries, it wouldn’t have sanctity and acceptance in kerala. Who said Kolathiri Udayavarma brought embrans to Kerala from tulunad? Where is the proof?
            You are saying before Kadambas in tulunad (from gokarna in north to chandragiri river of Kasargod in south) there were no Brahmins? Or where they Tamil Brahmins?
            Srilanka became Buddhist around 275 BCE by Asokan missionaries. Even before it there were Brahmins there. Mahavamsha mentions Brahmin presence there. So you think in 270BC, there were indigenous Brahmins in Sri lanka (across the ocean) but not in Kerala or tulunad?
            Only Kadambas brought Brahmins to tulunad fresh or earlier tamil Brahmins were driven out by Kadambas from there?

          • One point I missed, the keralolpathi is a Malayalam work. Original work in this subject is Kerala Mahatmyam in Sanskrit which is authentic and part of Brahmanda purana. It only mention the arrival of Namboodiries to Kerala and tulu Brahmins to tulunad after creation of Kerala by sage Parashurama. Embraan migration to kerala or kadambas of Banavasi is not mentioned at all. You said you are not a tamil. If you are an Iyer, still you are Tamil. Travancorean kings did made Tamil Brahmins Divans. I agree that they are intelligent and hardworking good community. But even in Travancorean manuals, cencus reports, Namboodiries take first place and malayala Brahmins and indigenous Brahmins and Tamils are often regarded as paradeshi Brahmins.

          • Why is the aryans invasion/migration theory and the dravidian ivc theory wrong? There seems to be some evidence for it though I agree it’s not perfect.

          • What evidence? there is none. it’s just a theory best suited for Hindu bashing people.

            Ok i agree that people of Transoxiana (ancient uzbekistan, turkmenistan and tajikistan) spoke avestan and indo iranian language which is very close to sanskrit. But it can be other way round right? Why not aryans migrate out of India and settle in transoxiana?

            If Aryans came from Uzbekistan through Iran, why ancient Persian (language of Iranians less closer to sanskrit than avestan)? Suppose malayalees (2000 BCE) went and settled in bangalore. Then later (after centuries say 1750 BCE) a section of them settled in say Mumbai. the malayalm of mumbai must be closer to bangalore malayalam , not kerala malayalm is’nt that so?

            Btw, what was the language spoken by aryans who came to India? If you say it is vedic sanskrit I agree, because holy Vedas supposed to be written around 1000 BCE are all in sanskrit. If some one say it is prakrits, I will disagree unless they show proof of prakrit literature.

            Now panini wrote ashtadhyayi in 400 BCE. he himself is mentioning previous grammarians in his work. How can they say that this is precise start date for sanskrit (classical sanskrit)?

            What is the difference between vedic sanskrit and so called classical (kalidasan?) sanskrit? One difference is that the visarga has exploding sound in Vedic . But when Namboodiri’s chant mantras the visarga are pronounced with an exploding sound “Ah” rather than “Ha” or “Aha”.

            Even in malayalam, the last vowel A: is pronounced as exploding exhale “Ah”. I know nowadays some teachers are teaching it as Aha. So the difference is so narrow that classical sanskrit cannot be classified as a separate language and claim that sanskrit originated around 400 BCE only.

            Again, how prakrits originated? Historians are divided. Because, you can see prakrit literature in pali, sauraseni, magadhi, artha magadhi, Gaandhari, proto marathi or maharashtri literature post 400 BCE only . Again they are contemporaries of Tamil sangam age works.

            The claissification of Brahui in Balochistan as Dravidian language is questionable. This is cited by many as proof that IVC was Dravidian and proto Tamil. However many scholars actually consider it as a language imported from India much later (around 10th century AD) . Some even classify it with other Iranian languages and semitic languages.

            Again, ritual bathing in ponds/rivers is Vedic, you can find it in Grihya sutras.Word Shiva can be found many times (i myself count 10 times with my limited knowledge) in Holy Vedas. Bulls, elephants are also Vedic icons. These can’t be a proof of IVC being so called Dravidian

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