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| {{For|the historical Chera Perumal rulers of medieval Kerala|Chera/Perumals of Makotai}}
| | #REDIRECT [[Rulers of the Chera dynasty]] |
| {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
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| {{Use Indian English|date=June 2017}}
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| The '''legend of Cheraman Perumals''' is the medieval tradition associated with the Cheraman Perumals (Chera kings) of [[Kerala]].<ref name=":0">Narayanan, M. G. S. ''Perumāḷs of Kerala.'' Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 31-32.</ref> The sources of the legend include popular oral traditions and later literary compositions.<ref name=":0" /> The time of origin of the legend is not known to scholars.<ref name=":0" /> It seems the legend once had a common source well known to all Kerala people.<ref name=":1">Narayanan, M. G. S. ''Perumāḷs of Kerala.'' Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 52-53.</ref>
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| The validity of the legend as a source of history once generated much debate among south Indian historians. The legend is now considered as "an expression of the historical consciousness rather than as a source of history".<ref>Kesavan Veluthat, ‘The ''Keralolpatti'' as History’, in ''The Early Medieval in South India'', New Delhi, 2009, pp. 129–46.</ref> The legend of the Cheraman Perumals exercised significant political influence in Kerala over the centuries. The legend was used by Kerala chiefdoms for the legitimation of their rule (most of the major chiefly houses in medieval Kerala traced its origin back to the legendary allocation by the Perumal).<ref name=":2">Noburu Karashima (ed.), ''A Concise History of South India: Issues and Interpretations.'' New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2014. 146-47.</ref><ref name=":3">Frenz, Margret. 2003. ‘Virtual Relations, Little Kings in Malabar’, in ''Sharing Sovereignty. The Little Kingdom in South Asia,'' eds Georg Berkemer and Margret Frenz, pp. 81–91. Berlin: Zentrum Moderner Orient.</ref>
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| Popular written versions of the legend are infamous for inconsistencies and contradictions (in names of the kings and dates).<ref name=":0" /> Even the dates of their compositions are problematic.<ref name=":4" /> The Cheraman Perumals mentioned in the legend can be identified with the [[Chera/Perumals of Makotai|Chera Perumal]] rulers of medieval Kerala (c. 8th - 12th century AD).<ref>Ganesh, K. N. (2009). ''Historical Geography of Natu in South India with Special Reference to Kerala.'' Indian Historical Review, 36(1), 3–21.</ref>
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| {{cquote | |
| | quote = The ghost of the [Cheraman] Perumal haunted the land [of Kerala] in many ways...Each of the large number of principalities that came into existence on the ruins of the Chera[/Perumal] kingdom claimed to be not only a splinter of the old kingdom but also deriving its authority from the donation of the last Cheraman Perumal...Many of these rulers also claimed to step into the shoes of the Perumal in claiming to be the overlord of Kerala. Thus the ruler of Venad or the Zamorin or the raja of Cochin staked this claim in various ways...
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| | author = Veluthat Kesavan (historian)
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| | source = ''[https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2348448918759852 History and Historiography in Constituting a Region: The Case of Kerala]'' (2018)
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| == Sources of the legend ==
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| Different written versions of the legend can be found in several literary sources.<ref name=":0" /> Most versions contain interpolations and omissions in favour of some special interests and communities (religions and castes).<ref name=":1" />
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| {{colbegin}}
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| * ''Keralolpatti'' chronicle<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":4">Veluthat, Kesavan. "History and Historiography in Constituting a Region: The Case of Kerala." ''Studies in People's History'', vol. 5, no. 1, June 2018, pp. 13–31.</ref>
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| * Duarte Barbosa (1510)<ref name=":0" />
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| * Joas de Barros (16th century)<ref name=":0" />
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| * Diogo de Coute (1610)<ref name=":0" />
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| * ''Lusiad<ref name=":0" />''
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| * Sheik Zeinuddin (c. 1583)<ref name=":0" />
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| * Canter Visscher (c. 1723)<ref name=":0" />
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| * Van Adriaan Moens (1781)<ref name=":0" />
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| * H. H. Wilson, ''Mackenzie Collection''
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| * Jonathan Duncan (1798)
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| * Francis Buchanan<ref name=":0" /> (1807)
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| * William Logan (1898)
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| * G. A. Kohut (1897)
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| * C. A. Innes (1908)
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| * E. Thurston (1909)
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| * ''Calicut Granthavari''<ref name=":0" />
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| * ''Cochin Granthavari''<ref name=":0" />
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| * ''[[S. N. Sadasivan]]'' (2000)<ref name="ashi">{{cite book |last1=Sadasivan |first1=S. N. |title=A Social History of India |date=2000 |publisher=APH Publishing |isbn=978-81-7648-170-0 |page=306 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Be3PCvzf-BYC&q=cheraman+islam&pg=PA306 |accessdate=16 June 2020 |language=en}}</ref>
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| {{colend}}
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| == Major themes ==
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| The Cheraman Perumals were the kings of Kerala/Chera kingdom.<ref name=":0" /> The first Cheraman Perumal was "brought" from a country east of the [[Western Ghats|Ghats]] to Kerala by [[Nambudiri|Nambudiri Brahmins]] (four select Brahmin settlements were empowered to choose a khastriya king).<ref name=":1" /> Sister of the last Cheraman Perumal was married to Brahmin and it was decided that the son/daughter would be a Kshatriya (and the successor to the throne).<ref name=":4" /> The Brahmins arranged that each Perumal should rule for twelve years.<ref name=":5">Logan, William. ''Malabar.'' Madras: Government Press, Madras, 1951 (reprint). 223-240.</ref><ref name=":6">Logan, William. ''Malabar.'' Madras: Government Press, Madras, 1951 (reprint). 223-224.</ref>
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| === Cheraman Perumals ===
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| The Cheraman Perumals of the legend are generally associated with the establishment the [[Malayalam calendar|Kollam Era (Malayalam Era)]], inauguration of the [[Onam Festival]], introduction of the matrilineal system of inheritance in Kerala, settlement of different [[caste]]s in Kerala, and foundation several temples, churches and mosques in Kerala.<ref name=":0" />
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| The following is a list of Cheraman Perumals found in the tradition.<ref>Ayyar, K. V. Krishna. ''The Zamorins of Calicut.'' Calicut (Kerala): Norman Printing Bureau, 1938. 54-55.</ref>
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| {| class="wikitable"
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| |+
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| !Cheraman Perumal
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| !Original home of the Perumal
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| !Date (AD)
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| !Residence
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| |-
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| |Keya/Kerala Perumal<ref name=":6" />
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| |Keya/Keralapuram<ref name=":6" />
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| |216-225
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| |[[Kodungallur]]
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| |-
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| |Choya/Chola Perumal<ref name=":6" />
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| |Choya/Chola Mandalam<ref name=":6" />
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| |225-236
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| |Kodungallur
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| |-
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| |Pandi Perumal<ref name=":7">Logan, William. ''Malabar.'' Madras: Government Press, Madras, 1951 (reprint). 225-226.</ref>
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| |Pandi Mandalam<ref name=":7" />
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| |236-245
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| |Kodungallur
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| |-
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| |Bhutarayar Pandi Perumal<ref name=":7" />
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| |N/A
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| |245-257
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| |Kodungallur
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| |-
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| |Keralan<ref name=":7" />
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| |Choya Mandalam<ref name=":7" />
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| |257-269
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| |Trikkata Matilaka<ref name=":7" />
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| |-
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| |Pandyan or Chennar<ref name=":7" />
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| |Pandya country<ref name=":7" />
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| |269-281
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| |N/A
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| |-
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| |Choyiyan<ref name=":7" />
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| |Choya country<ref name=":7" />
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| |281-293
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| |N/A
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| |-
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| |Bana Perumal<ref name=":8">Logan, William. ''Malabar.'' Madras: Government Press, Madras, 1951 (reprint). 226-227.</ref>
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| |Banapuram<ref name=":8" />
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| |293-297
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| |[[Kodungallur]]
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| |-
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| |Tulubhan Perumal<ref name=":10">Logan, William. ''Malabar.'' Madras: Government Press, Madras, 1951 (reprint). 228-230.</ref>
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| |Northern country<ref name=":10" />
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| |297-303
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| |Kotiswaram<ref name=":10" />
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| |-
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| |Indra Perumal<ref name=":10" />
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| |N/A
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| |303-315
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| |[[Kodungallur]]
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| |-
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| |Arya Perumal<ref name=":10" />
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| |Aryapuram<ref name=":10" />
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| |315-327
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| |N/A
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| |-
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| |Kannan Perumal<ref name=":9">Logan, William. ''Malabar.'' Madras: Government Press, Madras, 1951 (reprint). 229-230.</ref>
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| |Eastern country<ref name=":9" />
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| |327-339
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| |Kuntivaka<ref name=":9" />
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| |-
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| |Kotti Perumal<ref name=":9" />
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| |N/A
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| |339-340
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| |Kottikkollam<ref name=":9" />
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| |-
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| |Mata Perumal<ref name=":9" />
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| |340-352
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| |N/A
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| |-
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| |Eli Perumal<ref name=":9" />
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| |352-364
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| |Matayiel
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| |-
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| |Komban Perumal<ref name=":9" />
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| |364-368
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| |N/A
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| |-
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| |Vijayan Perumal<ref name=":9" />
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| |368-80
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| |Vijayankollam
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| |-
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| |Valabhan Perumal<ref name=":9" />
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| |380-391
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| |Valarbhattukotta
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| |-
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| |Harischandra Perumal<ref name=":9" />
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| |391-403
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| |Purali
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| |-
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| |Mallan Perumal<ref name=":9" />
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| |403-412
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| |Nallurmallan
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| |-
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| |Kulasekhara Perumal<ref name=":9" />
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| |412-430
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| |N/A
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| |}
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| === The last Cheraman Perumal ===
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| Rayar, the overlord of the Cheraman Perumal (Kulasekharan) in a country east of the [[Western Ghats|Ghats]], invaded Kerala during the rule of the last Perumal. To drive back the invading forces the Perumal summoned the militia of his chieftains (like Udaya Varman Kolathiri and Manichchan and Vikkiran of Eranad). The Cheraman Perumal was assured by the Eradis that they would take a fort established by the Rayar.<ref name=":5" /> The battle lasted for three days and the Rayar eventually evacuated his fort (and it was seized by the Perumal's troops).<ref name=":5" />
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| The last Cheraman Perumal divided the Kerala or Chera kingdom among his chieftains (kingsfolk) and disappeared mysteriously. The Kerala people never more heard any tidings of him.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> The Eradis, or the later kings of [[Kozhikode|Calicut]], who were left out in the cold during the allocation of the land, was granted the Cheraman Perumal's sword (with the permission to "die, and kill, and seize").<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":5" />
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| === The story of Tajuddeen ===
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| According to the [[Cheraman Juma Mosque]] and various narratives:<ref name="ashi"/><ref name="INS">{{cite book |last1=Kumar |first1=Satish |title=India's National Security: Annual Review 2009 |date=2012 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-136-70491-8 |page=346 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x-esAgAAQBAJ&q=cheraman+tajuddeen+malik+dinar&pg=PA346 |accessdate=16 June 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="iiip">{{cite book |last1=Singh |first1=Dr Y. P. |title=Islam in India and Pakistan - A Religious History |date=2016 |publisher=Vij Books India Pvt Ltd |isbn=978-93-85505-63-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pbqfCwAAQBAJ&q=ravi+varma+cheraman&pg=PT69 |accessdate=20 June 2020 |language=en}}</ref> "Once a Cheraman Perumal probably named Ravi Varma<ref name="iiip"/> was walking with his queen in the palace, when he witnessed the splitting of the moon. Shocked by this, he asked his astronomers to note down the exact time of the splitting. Then, when some Arab merchants visited his palace, he asked them about this incident. Their answers led the King to Mecca, where he met Islamic prophet [[Muhammad]] and converted to Islam. Muhammad named him Tajuddin or Thajuddin or Thiya-aj-Addan meaning "crown of faith".<ref name="ashi"/><ref name="INS"/><ref>{{cite book |last1=Ampotti |first1=A. K. |title=Glimpses of Islam in Kerala |date=2004 |publisher=Kerala Historical Society |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j0QwAAAAYAAJ|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Varghese |first1=Theresa |title=Stark World Kerala |date=2006 |publisher=Stark World Pub. |isbn=9788190250511 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lDhuAAAAMAAJ|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Kumar |first1=Satish |title=India's National Security: Annual Review 2009 |date=27 February 2012 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x-esAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA346|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-136-70491-8|page=346}}</ref> The king then wrote letters to his kingdom to accept Islam and follow the teachings of [[Malik bin Deenar]].<ref name="INS"/><ref name="sochistory">{{Citation|last = S.N. | first = Sadasivan | title = A Social History of India | publisher = APH Publishing |date=Jan 2000 | chapter = Caste Invades Kerala | chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Be3PCvzf-BYC&q=cheraman+perumal&pg=PA306 | page = 303,304,305 | isbn = 817648170X}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Mohammed |first1=U. |title=Educational Empowerment of Kerala Muslims: A Socio-historical Perspective |date=2007 |publisher=Other Books |isbn=978-81-903887-3-3 |page=20 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PCBdogPnnqsC&q=cheraman+tajuddeen&pg=PA20 |accessdate=16 June 2020 |language=en}}</ref> [[Al-Tabari]] of the 9th century in his Firdousul Hikma and [[Ferishta]] in his Tarikh Ferishta agree with this.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Samad |first1=M. Abdul |title=Islam in Kerala: Groups and Movements in the 20th Century |date=1998 |publisher=Laurel Publications |page=2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-CLjAAAAMAAJ&q=tabari+cheraman |accessdate=21 June 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Kurup |first1=K. K. N. |last2=Ismail |first2=E. |last3=India) |first3=Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies (Calcutta |title=Emergence of Islam in Kerala in 20th century |date=2008 |publisher=Standard Publishers (India) |isbn=9788187471462 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hzQKAQAAMAAJ&q=tabari+cheraman |accessdate=21 June 2020 |language=en}}</ref>
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| This story is found in a Muslim account recorded by Sheikh Zeinuddin as well as in the Brahminical narrative, [[Keralolpathi]]. The story has been retold countless times by the Portuguese, Dutch; the court chronicles of Calicut and Cochin begin with this narrative.{{cn|date=October 2021}} According to the Legend of Cheraman Perumals, the first Indian mosque was built in 624 AD at [[Kodungallur]] with the mandate of the last the ruler (the Cheraman Perumal) of [[Chera dynasty]], who left from [[Dharmadom]] to [[Mecca]] and converted to [[Islam]] during the lifetime of [[Muhammad|Prophet Muhammad]] (c. 570–632).<ref>{{cite book |author=Jonathan Goldstein |title=The Jews of China |publisher=M. E. Sharpe |year=1999|isbn=9780765601049 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8Z6DlzyT2vwC |page=123}}</ref><ref name="SimpsonKresse2008">{{cite book |author1=Edward Simpson|author2=Kai Kresse|title=Struggling with History: Islam and Cosmopolitanism in the Western Indian Ocean|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w0qHKA7zEaEC&pg=PA333|access-date=24 July 2012 |year=2008|publisher=Columbia University Press|isbn=978-0-231-70024-5|pages=333}}</ref><ref name="Kupferschmidt1987">{{cite book|author=Uri M. Kupferschmidt|title=The Supreme Muslim Council: Islam Under the British Mandate for Palestine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ChEVAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA458|access-date=25 July 2012|year=1987|publisher=Brill|isbn=978-90-04-07929-8|pages=458–459}}</ref><ref name="Raṇṭattāṇi2007">{{cite book|author=Husain Raṇṭattāṇi|title=Mappila Muslims: A Study on Society and Anti Colonial Struggles |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xlb5BrabQd8C&pg=PA179|access-date=25 July 2012|year=2007|publisher=Other Books|isbn=978-81-903887-8-8|pages=179–}}</ref> According to ''[[Qissat Shakarwati Farmad]]'', the [[Mosque|''Masjids'']] at [[Kodungallur]], [[Kollam]], [[Madayi]], [[Barkur]], [[Mangalore]], [[Kasaragod]], [[Kannur]], [[Dharmadam]], [[Koyilandy|Panthalayani]], and [[Chaliyam]], were built during the era of [[Malik Dinar]], and they are among the oldest ''Masjid''s in [[Indian Subcontinent]].<ref>Prange, Sebastian R. ''Monsoon Islam: Trade and Faith on the Medieval Malabar Coast.'' Cambridge University Press, 2018. 98.</ref>
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| But Sadasivan, in his book ''A Social History of India'', argue that it was the king of Maldives, Kalimanja, who converted to Islam. Mali, which was known to seafarers then, might have been misunderstood as Malabar (Kerala) and this might have given rise to the tale of Tajuddeen in the Cochin Gazetteer.<ref name="sochistory" />
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| == References ==
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| {{Reflist}}
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| {{Kerala topics}}
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| {{Kerala}}
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| [[Category:Medieval legends]]
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