Indian Christianity

HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY IN INDIA : M. M. NINAN
Soon after the dissolution of the Second Chera Empire the Kerala was fragmented into a large number of
smaller states. These included Venad (Tavancore), Perumpadappu Swarupam (Cochin), Nediyirippu
Swarupam (Zamorins of Calicut), Desinganad, Attingal, Karunagappally, Karthikappally, Kayamkulam,
Purakkad, Pantalam, Tekkumkur, Vadakkumkur, Punjar, Karappuram, Anchi, Kaimal, Edappally, Parur,
Alangad, Cranganore, Airur, Talappilly, Valluvanad,Palghar, Kollengode, Kavalappara, Parappamad,
Kurumpranad, Kottayam, Cannanore, Nileswaram, Kumbla.
Venad in those days had Kollam as its capital. It was Marthanda Varma (1729 -1758) who moved the
capital to Trivandrum and declared Vaishnavism as his religion. British came into power during this
period and they had a Resident in Travancore.until the time of Indian Independence.
Cochin was the stronghold of the Portuguese. When the British Resident Col. Monroe took over Saktan
Tampuran (1790-1805) restructured its administration.
"Syrian Christian Families in Central Kerala
An examination of the family histories of some of the oldest families in central Travencore ie Kollam,
Kottayam, Niranam etc could very well establish their link to various places like Kuravilangadu, Palayur,
Kodungallur, Nilackal etc. The family histories of Vadakkadathu in Thumpamon,Thazhamon and
Thengumthottathil in Ayroor, Manjooran in Ernakulam ,trace their origin in Kuravilangadu.The tradition of
Kizhakkethalackal, Vadakkethalackal, Padinjarethalackal in Puthenkavu and Mavelikara claim 50 to 56
generations of continuous priesthood. The Plathanam and Kanikunnam in Ranny , Polachirackal in
Mavelikara, Illampally and Polackal in Edathua,Thalakod in Chenganoor,(refer: Alackal.com) trace their
common origin to Chiraikal Royal family in Kodungallur. The tradition of Kelaparampil family in Niranam
traces their origin from Nilackal; they had escaped through River Pampa to Niranam when Nilackal was
plundered by Vikkram Puli Thevar and Paraya Pattam during AD1253 to 1299 after the Chera, Chola,
war of 100 years came to an end in AD1085. The Vel (kings) of Ayr who ruled Nilackal area was
completely displaced or destroyed with nobody to defend the place from enemy attack after the Chera –
Chola war.
Migration of Syrian Christians
When the Chera kingdom was attacked by other kingdoms including the Arabs around 300AD the people
in Kodungallure mostly Christians, and Jews migrated to other areas. Traditional families like
Pakalomattom , Sankarapuri, (Chiraikal), etc settled down in Kuravilangad, Kurichi, Changanacherry
Niranam etc. The Rulers honoured those who migrated to Changanacherry by giving them the title of
"Tharakan". The same family people again moved further to Champakulam, Pullad, Chengannoor,
Mavelikara ,Niranam, Ranny etc at different periods.During those times water transport was the only
means of travel, hence the people had settled down mostly on the coastal areas of Arabian Sea, Kayal or
rivers like Periyar, Pampa etc." Who are Nazarani and Syrian Christians? and who ruled kerala when
St.Thomas came? D.N.Jha
Mulsim presence was essentially in the Calicut area where the trade with Arabs flourished. With the
large prosperity the Zamorins (Samutiri) were able to annexe most of the neighboring smaller states like
Beypore, Parappanad, Vettat, Valluvanad, Nilambut, Manger, Malappuram etc. In 1800 British crushed
the Zamorins and annexed it with Madras Province.
"Forcible Conversion of Syrian Christians by Tippu Sultan.
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