Prehistory and Archaeology
Archaeologically, although Cochin is rich in proto-historic
and historic relics, the pre-history of Cochin has always
remained a mystery. There has been no clear evidence of
Stone Age man inhabiting these regions. H.D. Sankalia
has remarked that this absence in paleoliths may be because
no search has been made for it or else because of truly
geographical reasons. When the neighbouring states of
Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka have yielded
evidence of palaeolithic sites, it is difficult to accept
that prehistoric man did not set foot in Keralam.
Vennala is an important site where a Neolithic axe
has been found. Cochin forms the central part of the
Megalithic belt of Keralam. The most important prehistoric
monuments belonging to the Neolithic age seen in the
area are dolmens and menhirs containing relics such
as bones, stones and other implements, pottery and beads.
However, compared to the neighbouring districts of Trichur
and Kottayam they are not extensively found here. One
of the sites where dolmens are found is Vadattupara
in Malayattur Reserve. Compared to the other commonly
found dolmens in the neighbouring regions, the dolmens
found here are much smaller and cruder in shape. A menhir
has also been found in Tripunithura in Kanayannur Taluk.
Kodanad in Kunnathunad Taluk is another important site
where, during the Periyar Canal excavation in 1963,
relics of Monolithic culture dating from 200 BC to 1st
century AD were found. Terracotta male figurines with
beard and female forms in worshipping posture along
with elephant tusks, potsherds with engravings etc.
were found at this site.
Very little is known about the history of Cochin prior
to the arrival of the Portuguese as neither inscriptions
nor literary works throw much light. Cochin is not even
mentioned in any of the earlier foreign notices of Malabar.
Neither in the accounts of Pliny, Ptolemy, Marco Polo
or Ibn Batuta do we find any mention, though they give
detailed accounts of places situated to the north and
south of Cochin. Though it is generally believed that
Cochin port was formed only as late as 1341 there is
also the possibility of its existence as a small harbour
even earlier. In 1341 the heavy floods that took place
in the Periyar River silted up Cranganore Harbour (Kodungallur).
Useless for purposes of trade, this decline in the importance
of Cranganore led to Cochin’s rise into prominence
and commercial supremacy. The Cochin royal family is
much more ancient. The ruler of Cochin State following
the break-up of Kulasekhara (1102 AD) was a king whose
authority was confined to Cochin and adjoining areas.
The Cochin ruler from the Perumpadappu family was the
descendant of the Kulasekharas of Mahodayapuram in the
maternal line. They were based at Chitrakudam in Perumpadappu
Village till the end of the 13th century.
Mysorean
Invasion |
Portuguese Period
| Dutch
Conquest | Pre
History
|
