| Kodungallur |
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The name Muchiri ( Malayalam for broken lips) denotes the three branches of the Periyar river that open into the Arabian Sea at the town. ANCIENT FAME Kodungallur was a critical trade link in Indian Ancient Maritime History . It was known as ''Muziris'' to Pliny The Elder (N.H. 6.26) who describes it as ''primum emporium Indiae''. The port was familiar to the author of the Periplus Of The Erythraean Sea which described it as being situated on river ''Pseudostomos'' ( Greek for "false mouth" - a precise translation of the Malayalam description of the mouth of the Periyar, ''Alimukam'') two miles from its mouth . The Ancient Greek explorer, Hippalus landed at this port after discovering the patterns of the Indian Monsoon trade winds on his way from the East coast of Africa. The evidence of the Peutinger Table suggests that there was a temple to the Roman Emperor Augustus . The Greeks, the Romans (known locally as the ''Yavanas''), and the Jew s all have come to this place at different times in its ancient history. Roman gold and silver coins bearing impressions of Roman Emperors Tiberius and Nero were discovered in the village of Parur near the town during 2000 . A second-century papyrus from Egypt concerning the transshipment of goods originating in Muziris from the Red Sea to Alexandria attests the continued importance of the port in the Indian Ocean commerce a century after Pliny and the ''Periplus''. Thomas The Apostle of Jesus with his followers landed in Cranganore in the year AD 52 and preached the Gospel . It thus became the earliest ''Nasrani'' Syrian Christian centre of Malabar with monuments built in the memory of Thomas still existing. The existence of a thriving Christian Community here attracted the attention of others and the Bishops who came from Persia chose this place for their residence. The bones of the right hand of St Thomas were placed in 1953 as a memento. Malik Ibn Dinar and 20 others who were the followers of Prophet Muhammad , the founder of Islam , first landed here when they came to India. Islam received royal patronage in some states here, and later spread to other parts of India. Kodungallur was also the capital of Cheraman Perumal , that is known as the famous cherama Palli the last Chera ruler, in the 7th century AD. After this, This place was ruled by Perumpadapu Swaroopam till India's Independence. Kodungallur is also famous for Bharani Festival. FLOOD OF 1341AD The flood of the river in 1341 AD resulted in the splitting of the river into two tributaries at Thottummukham. That silted up the natural harbour at the mouth of the river, and resulted in the creation of a new harbour at Kochi. During this time there was the rise of the Samoothiri Rajas of Kozhikode . A local era called the ''Putu Vaipu'' era was commenced in commemoration of this event. The town was nearly completely destroyed by the Portuguese (Suarez de Menezes) on September 1 , 1504 in retaliation for the Samoothiri Raja 's actions against them. Perumpadapu Swaroopam still has their roots here. The present day natural beauty of the place is enchanting, and it is a popular tourist destination today. SIGHTS The present day town has some very interesting monuments for the tourist to view:
VARIOUS NAMES Kodungallur has enjoyed various names over the past millennia. In addition to those mentioned previously these are Jangli, Gingaleh, Cyngilin, Shinkali, Chinkli/Jinkali, Shenkala, Cynkali, Columguria. REFERENCES |
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