Mushika dynasty

Mushika dynasty, also spelled Mushaka, Tamil/Malayalam: Eli or Ezhi, was a minor dynastic power that held sway over the region in and around Mount Ezhi (Ezhimala) in present-day Kerala, south India.[1] The country of the Mushikas, ruled by an ancient lineage of velir-level chieftains of the same name, appears in early historic (pre-Pallava) south India.[2][3] Early Tami poems contain several references to the exploits of Nannan of Ezhimalai.[4] Nannan was known as a great enemy of the pre-Pallava Chera chieftains.[5] The clan also had matrimonial alliances with the Chera, Pandya and Chola chieftains.[6]

Mushika

Eli or Ezhi (Kolladesam)
Mushika country (Ezhimala) in early historic south India
Capital
Common languages
  • Tamil (early historic)
  • Malayalam (medieval)
Religion
Hinduism
Today part ofIndia

The Ezhimalai chiefdom gradually developed into a monarchical polity (known as Kolla-desam[7]) in the early medieval period.[5] The medieval Mushikas were considered as Kshatriyas of Soma Vamsa.[8] The hereditary title of the Mushika kings in the medieval period was Ramaghata Musaka (Tamil/Malayalam: Iramakuta Muvar).[9][10] The Mushaka Vamsa Kavya, a dynastic chronicle composed in the 11th century by poet Athula, describes the history of the Mushika lineage.[11][12]

Mushika kingdom came under the influence of Chera/Perumal kingdom kingdom in the 11th century AD.[13] Mushika royals seem to have assisted the Chera/Perumal kings in their struggle against the Chola Empire.[12][8] Two subsequent Chola inscriptions (c. 1005 AD, Rajaraja I and c. 1018-19, Rajadhiraja) mention the defeat of the Kolla-desam and the fall of the Iramakuta Muvar.[14][8][15] The presence of the Cholas in north Kerala (1020 AD) is confirmed by the Eramam inscription.[16] The kingdom survived the Chera/Perumal state, and came to be known as Kolathunad (Kannur-Kasaragod area) in the post-Chera/Perumal period.[5]

The Mushika kings appear to have encouraged a variety of merchant guilds in their kingdom. Famous Indian guilds such as the anjuvannam, the manigramam, the valanchiyar and the nanadeshikal shows their presence in the country. The kings are also described as great champions of Hindu religion and temples. Some Mushika rulers are known for their patronage to a famous Buddhist vihara in central Kerala.[8] Presence of Jewish merchants is also speculated in the ports of Mushika kingdom. A location in Madayi is still known as "the Jew's Place" (the Jutakkulam).[8]

Etymology

The term "Mushika" or "Mushaka" is the fanciful Sanskrit translation of the ancient Tamil name "Ezhimalai" (the Ezhil Kunram[3]).[5] The name was incorrectly pronounced as "Elimala" ("the Mountain of the Rats") also.[5]

The Ezhimala hill is described in Mushaka Vamsa Kavya as the "Mushaka Parvata".[12]

Origins
Ezhimala, the ancient capital, as seen from train

The ancient ruling family of the Ezhimala seems to have existed in northern Kerala at least from early historic (pre-Pallava) period.[8]

Ancient Tamil poems also describe the velir-level chiefdom of Ezhimalai (also Ezhilmalai) on the northern edges of the Tamilakam. [17] The rulers of Ezhilmalai were the most prominent hill chieftains of ancient Kerala.[2] The port known as Naravu was located in Ezhimalai chiefdom (Akam, 97). The "Muvan" chieftain of the early Tamil poems, described as an adversery of the early Chera chieftains, is also identical with the Muvan of Ezhimalai.[4]

The early historic Ezhilama clan had matrimonial alliances with the Chera, Pandya and Chola chieftains.[6]

Mahabharata, the Sanskrit epic poem of ancient India, also mention the Mushika as one of the kingdoms of south India, and is grouped with the Cheras, Pandyas and Cholas.[18]

Ezhimala Nannan

Nannan was a velir-level chieftain of Ezhimalai ("the Ezhil Kunram").[2][3] Nannan is known as a great enemy of the early (pre-Pallava) Chera chieftains (western Tamil Nadu and central Kerala).[5] He appeas in Akananuru and Purananuru poems, and also in Natrinai, in Pathitruppathu and in Kurunthokai.[4] He is described as the hunter chieftain of the vetar descent group ("vetar-ko-man").[2]

Early Tami poems contain several references to the exploits of Ezhimalai Nannan (who was also known as the lord of Konkanam).[4]

  • Poet Kudavayur Kirattanar speaks about the defeat of certain Pazhayan by Nannan and his associates Ettai, Atti, Gangan, Katti and Punthurai. In another battle Nannan defeated a chieftain called Pindan (Akam, 152, and Natrinai, 270).
  • When Nannan invaded Punnad, the Chera warriors came to the aid of the people of that country. It seems that Nannan managed to defeat Ay Eyinan, the leader of the Chera warriors, in the ensuing battle at Pazhi. The warriors of Nannan were led by a person called Minjili in this battle (Akam, 141, 181, and 396, and Natrinai, 265).
  • In the meanwhile, Kosar people from Chellur (identified present day Taliparamba) attacked Ezhimala country, and even cut down the vakai (albizia), the tutelary tree of Nannan.[3] Nannan defeated the Kosars with help of Chola Ilanchettu Chenni, but Pazhi was sacked by the Cholas (Kurunthokai, 73 and Akam, 375).
  • Nannan was killed in a battle at Vakai Perumthurai by Chera Narmudi Cheral (Pathitruppattu, IV).

Medieval Mushikas

The Kolla-desam (or the Mushika-rajya) came under the influence of the Chera/Perumals kingdom during eleventh century AD.[19] The Chola references to several kings in medieval Kerala confirms that the power of the Chera/Perumal was restricted to the country around capital Kodungallur. The Perumal kingship remained nominal compared with the power that local rulers (such as that of the Mushika in the north and Venatu in the south) exercised politically and militarily.[20]

Medieval Kolla-desam stretched on the banks of Kavvai, Koppam and Valappattanam rivers.[19]

Mushika rulers from medieval inscriptions (10th - 12th centuries AD).
  • Validhara Vikkirama Rama (c. 929 AD) - mentioned in the Ezhimala-Narayankannur inscription.[21]
  • Kantan Karivarman alias Iramakuta Muvar (c. 1020 AD) [21] - mentioned in a Eramam inscription of Chera/Perumal Bhaskara Ravi Manukuladitya (962–1021 AD).[21]
  • Mushikesvara Chemani/Jayamani (c. 1020 AD) - Tiruvadur inscription.[22]
  • Ramakuta Muvar (as a donor to the Tiruvalla temple in Tiruvalla Copper Plates/Huzur Treasury Plates).[23]
  • Utaiya-varma alias Ramakuta Muvar (early 12th century AD) - mentioned in the Kannapuram inscription.[24]
Inscription Location Notes
Ramanthali/Ezhimala-Narayankannur inscription (929 AD)
  • Mentions Mushika Validhara Vikrama Rama.[25]
  • The so-called Agreement of Muzhikkulam is quoted in the record.[26]
  • Merchant guild manigramam is appointed as the guardian of the Narayankannur Temple.[27]
Eramam inscription (1020 AD)
  • Eramam, near Payyanur.[28]
  • A single slab in the site of the ruined Chalappuram Temple.[28]
  • Mentions Chera/Perumal king Bhaskara Ravi Manukuladitya (962–1021 AD) and Iramakuta Muvar Kantan Karivarman (Srikantha Kartha) (c.1020 AD).[28]
  • Mentions the merchants guilds of Valanchiyar and Nanadeyar.[28]
  • Mentions Rajendra Chola Samaya Senapati from Katappa Palli.[28]
Tiruvadur inscription (c. 1020 AD)
  • Partly in the courtyard of the temple on either side of the sopana.[22]
  • Partly in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple.[22]
  • Creation and endowment of a grama (Brahmin settlement) with members chosen from some old grama settlements from central Kerala (Vaikom, Paravur, Avittathoor, Irinjalakuda and Peruvanam).[22]
  • The engraver is mentioned as Rama Jayamani, the "royal goldsmith of the Mushika king [Jayamani]".[22]
Tiruvalla Copper Plates

(Huzur Treasury Plates)
Kannapuram inscription

(beginning of the 12th century)
  • Single stone slab fixed on a platform outside the prakara (outer wall) of the Kannapuram temple.[24]
  • Ramakuta Muvar Udaya Varma is mentioned.[24]

Chola attacks on Mushika kingdom (Kolla-desam)

Corrections by M. G. S. Narayanan on K. A. Nilakanta Sastri and Elamkulam P. N. Kunjan Pillai are employed.

  • In 1005 AD, i. e., 20 regnal year of emperor Rajaraja I (985–1014 AD), there is a reference (in the Senur inscription) to the defeat of the "haughty" kings at Kollam, Kolladesam and Kodungallur at the hand of Rajaraja. The Kolladesam is identified with the Mushika kingdom in north Kerala. According to scholars, "plunder is emphasised more than conquest [in the inscription] and it is likely that the victories at Kollam in the south, Kodungallur in the center and Kolladesam in the north of Kerala have been primarily the achievement of [the Chola] naval forces".[7]
  • Chola emperor Rajadhiraja (1019–1044–1053/4 AD) is stated to have "confined the undaunted king of Venatu [back] to Che[ra]natu, destroyed the Iramakuta Muvar in anger, and put on a fresh garland of Vanchi flowers after capturing Kantalur Salai [Vizhinjam?] while the strong Villavan [the Chera/Perumal king] hid himself in terror inside the jungle".[10] The Irumakuta Muvar is not named in the above Chola prasasti (the above events are dated to around 1018–19 AD).[10]
  • The presence of Chola army in north Kerala (1020 AD) is confirmed by the Eramam inscription of Chera/Perumal Bhaskara Ravi Manukuladitya (962–1021 AD) (which mentions a meeting attended by Rajendra Chola Samaya Senapati in the Chalappuram Temple).[10]

Records mentioning Chera/Perumals
Inscription Location Notes
Panthalayani Kollam inscription (973 AD)
  • Single stone slab in the upper frame of the srikoyil (central shrine) entrance in Tali temple.[30]
  • Name of the king – probably Bhaskara Ravi Manukuladitya (962–1021 AD) – is built over by the present structure. [30]
Pullur Kodavalam inscription (1020 AD)
  • Pullur, near Kanhangad.[31]
  • Engraved on a single stone slab in the courtyard of the Pullur Kodavalam Vishnu Temple[32][33]
  • Mentions Chera/Perumal king Bhaskara Ravi Manukuladitya (962–1021 AD).[34][35]
  • Identified king Manukuladitya with king Bhaskara Ravi.[35]
Trichambaram inscription

(c. 1040 AD)
  • Three blocks of granite on the base of the central shrine of the temple.[36]
Panthalayani Kollam inscription

(c. 1089 AD)
  • Single granite slab in the courtyard of the Panthalayani Kollam Bhagavati temple.[37]
  • The record was destroyed.[37]
  • Mentions Chera/Perumal king Rama Kulasekhara (1089–1122 AD).[37]
  • The location given as "Kollathu Panthalayani".[37]

Miscellaneous records
Inscription Location Notes
Ramanthali/Ezhimala-Narayankannur inscription (1075 AD)
Trichambaram inscription

(c. 11th century)
  • Two granite blocks on the base of the central shrine of the temple.[39]
  • The chieftain of Eranad Manavepala Mana Viyatan creates an endowment for the thiruvilakku at the Trichambaram Temple.[39]
  • Manavepala Manaviyatan appears in the famous Jewish copper plates (c. 1000 AD).
Maniyur inscription

(c. 11th century)
  • Single stone slab outside the prakara (outer wall) of the temple.[39]
  • Confirms the extension of the so-called Agreement of Muzhikkulam to Mushika country.[39]

Udayavarman Kolattiri

An inscription discovered from Kannappuram Temple, found fixed on a platform outside the prakara of the temple, in old Malayalam mentions king "Utaiya Varma Ramakuta Muvar".[24] The record give details of land set apart for the expenses of the Kannapuram Temple. The inscription can be attributed to the early years of the 12th century on the basis of script and language.[24]

Inscription Location Notes
Kannapuram inscription

(beginning of the 12th century)
  • Single stone slab fixed on a platform outside the prakara (outer wall) of the Kannapuram temple.[24]
  • Ramakuta Muvar Udaya Varma is mentioned.[24]

King Udayavarman of Karippattu palace in Kolattunadu is described as a favourite of the Chera/Perumal king in traditional Kerala chronicles. He is described as the overlord of the Fort Valapattanam, the Chera/Perumal king's Palace, the Taliparamba Temple, and the Perinchellur Brahmin village.[40]

References
  1. Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 178.
  2. Gurukkal, Rajan. “DID STATE EXIST IN THE PRE-PALLAVAN TAMIL REGION.” Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, vol. 63, 2002, pp. 138–150.
  3. Ganesh, K.N. (1 August 2009). "Lived Spaces in History: A Study in Human Geography in the Context of Sangam Texts". Studies in History. 25 (2): 151–195. doi:10.1177/025764301002500201. ISSN 0257-6430.
  4. Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 195.
  5. Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 195.
  6. Glimpses of Tamil civilization: articles from the university quarterly, Tamil civilization. Tamil University. 1994. p. 142.
  7. Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 118-119 and 137-138.
  8. Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 180-182.
  9. Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 140-141.
  10. Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 122-123 and 141.
  11. Thapar, Romila, The Penguin History of Early India: From the Origins to AD 1300. Penguin Books, 2002. 394-95.
  12. Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 178-179.
  13. Ganesh, K.N. (June 2009). "Historical Geography of Natu in South India with Special Reference to Kerala". Indian Historical Review. 36 (1): 3–21. doi:10.1177/037698360903600102. ISSN 0376-9836.
  14. Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 118-119 and 137-138.
  15. Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 122-123 and 141.
  16. Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 122-123 and 141.
  17. Madras, University of (1 January 1961). Journal: Humanities. p. 188.
  18. Kapoor, Subodh (2002). Encyclopaedia of Ancient Indian Geography. ISBN 9788177552997.
  19. Ganesh, K. N. (2009). Historical Geography of Natu in South India with Special Reference to Kerala. Indian Historical Review, 36(1), 3–21.
  20. Noburu Karashmia (ed.), A Concise History of South India: Issues and Interpretations. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 144-145
  21. Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 180-181.
  22. Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 480-81.
  23. Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 197.
  24. Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 485.
  25. Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 475-76.
  26. Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 483.
  27. Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 475-76.
  28. Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 455.
  29. Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 197.
  30. Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 448-49.
  31. Annual Reports of Indian Epigraphy (1963-64), No. 125.
  32. Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 68-70, 84 and 454.
  33. Narayanan, M.G.S. THE IDENTITY AND DATE OF KING MANUKULĀDITYA. Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, Vol. 31, 1969, 73–78.
  34. Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 68-70, 84 and 454.
  35. Narayanan, M.G.S. THE IDENTITY AND DATE OF KING MANUKULĀDITYA. Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, Vol. 31, 1969, 73–78.
  36. Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 465.
  37. Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 470.
  38. Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 483.
  39. Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 486.
  40. Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 131.

Bibliography
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