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An Archaeological Investigation into Shukasandesham,
Unnuneelisandesham and Mediaeval Malayalam Literary
Works
Mohammed Muhaseen B. S.1, Ajit Kumar1, Vinuraj B.1 and Reni P. Joseph1
1. Department of Archaeology, University of Kerala, Kariavattom Campus,
Thiruvananthapuram – 695 581, Kerala, India (Email: muhasin.muhammed9@ gmail.com,
[email protected] , [email protected] , [email protected] )
Received: 25 September 2018; Revised: 17 October 2018; Accepted: 14 November 2018
Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology 6 (2018): 739‐755
Abstract: This article is a prelimenary archaeological investigation into the mediaeval Sandeshakavyas or
poetic works namely Shukasandesham, Unnuneelisandesham and Manipravalam chambukavyas.
Shukasandesham and Unnuneelisandesham elaborately describes the social, cultural, economic and
transport modes etc., in southern Kerala during 13th‐14th century CE. The problem oriented archaeological
explorations were undertaken along the route traversed by the protagonists in the Sandeshakavyas to verify
its authenticity and document archaeological sites and cultural remains along the way.
Keywords: Shukasandesham, Unnuneelisandesham, Southern Kerala, Economy,
Transportation, Foreign Trade, Kollam Port
Introduction In Kerala, the mediaeval literary tradition has a strong foundation. Mushikavamsa of
Atula dated to 11th century CE is said to be the earliest from the region. This work written
in Sanskrit speaks of the legend and succession of Mushika dynasty from northern
Kerala.
Ramacharitam, written in 12th century CE belonging to Paattu school (folklore ballads)
was written using Tamil language (Menon1978:191). The first Sandeshakavya (message
poem) composed in Kerala was Shukasandesham written during the 13th century CE. From
the beginning of 14th century CE, a new form of literary tradition emerged in Kerala
known as Manipravalam. The compositions in Manipravalam literature used a mixture of
Sanskrit and early Malayalam. The Manipravalam literature tradition can be classified
into two namely Chambukavyas and Sandeshakavyas. The major Chambukavya works
composed during 14th century CE are Ananthapuravarnam, Unniyachi charitham,
Unnichiruthevi charitham and Unniyadi charitham. Following the footstep of Kalidasa’s
Meghadoot and Lakshmi dasan’s Shukasandesham, Unnuneelisandesham, is believed to be
the first Sandeshakavya written in Malayalam during 14th Century CE.
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The travel narrated in Lakshmi Dasan’s Shukasandesham begins from Rameswaram in
Tamilnadu. The narration continues through Pandya kingdom and its capital at
Manaloor. The poet states that this land was ruled by Vira Pandyan of Pandya kingdom
and it was going through drought. The travel then continues through the Western Ghats
region discussing the tribal ethnic groups living nearby. The travel then passes through
Kanyakumari, Suchindram and Nagarcoil to reach Muraripuram
(Thiruvananthapuram).
It then describes the path along the seashore (Figure 1) to reach the renowned trade
center and Capital of Venad called Kulapurim (Kollam). The travel then proceeds
through Kayamkulam, the capital of Alumthuruth kingdom and enters Vembally the
capital of Vadakkumkur rulers. The bird then flies through Vennanadu village and
Thrippunithura Brahmin settlement region to reach Irattayambalam (Vayattila).
Figure 1: Travel Route Described in Shukasandesham
Travel then progress through the banks of Periyar to reach Tiruvanchikulam
(Mahodyapuram). After visiting Mahodayapuram temple and Kodungalloor Bhagavati
temple the messenger reaches the final destination of Thrikkannamathilakom in
Thrissur, Kerala.
Narrating the travel route, the work Unnuneelisandesham states that Aditya Varman, the
main protagonist of the work after crossing the southern border of Venad (Thovala),
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traversed through Thiruvananthapuram to Kaduthuruthy (Figure 2). In his journey
between these two destinations in three days, he passes through several rivers and
waterways and gives the geographical and other details of certain places. His travel
account is a valuable source of information about medieval geographical settings and
political boundaries, socio‐cultural musings, trading centers and travel route of Kerala
during the 14th century CE.
Figure 2: Travel Route Described in Unnuneelisandesham
Aditya Varman commences his journey, on a palanquin from Sanyanthapuram
Padmanabhaswamy temple then visit’s Palkulangara temple and sets sail from
Shangummukham to Thrippapoor temple. After paying obeisance at these temples he
travels by palanquin to Mutalappozhi (crocodile beach)/(Perumathura) located at the
mouth of Kadinamkulam lake then using a ferry he crosses the river and enters the
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Parvathy‐Puthanar canal to reach a place called Puthidam, (Poothura) which was a
prominent market of its time. Consequently, he visits the Janardanaswamy temple at
Varkala. He later reaches Pozhikkara Devi temple, pays obeisance and passing through
Kollam port he reaches Karipookalam palace and halts for the night.
The next day he crosses Neendakara by ferry and reaches Panmana palace. From
Panmana, at Kanneti he crosses the Pallikal River which he states was the border
between Venad and Odanadu kingdoms. He has an audience with Kayamkulam
chieftain at his palace and then visits the market at Kayamkulam. Subsequently he
travels to Kandiyoor Mahadeva temple and by late evening reaches Mattom and
sojourns in the palace of the Odanadu chieftain Ravi Varman.
On the third day, he travels to Chennithala and Kaduthuruthy. In this route he mentions
of passing through Niranam to reach Thiruvalla where he offers worship at the Shiva
temple. Further passing through Muthoor and Nalukodi he reaches Thrikodithanam
temple to offer prayers. Departing from the territory of Odanadu he then enters the
territory of Thekkumkoor and travelling through Manikandapuram and crossing
Tiruvanchikaduvu he reached Vennimala palace of the Thekkumkoor king and meets
the local chieftain. After crossing Kandanchira Bridge he reaches Ettumanoor Shiva
temple. Later in the day he visits Govindapuram temple and then reaches the house of
Unnuneeli.
Exploration through the Study Area An archaeological exploration (Tables 1 and 2) was carried out through the travel route
mentioned in Shukasandesham and Unnuneelisandesham and in the works of Unniyachi
charitham, Unniyadi charitham and Unnichiruhtevi charitham along with the places
mentioned in Ananthapuravarnana. The exploration was carried out through the southern
districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, and
Ernakulum in the state of Kerala.
Places mentioned in Shukasandesham and Unnuneelisandesham were archaeologically
explored and documented. The exploration yielded temples and inscriptions datable to
mediaeval era. The following temples are mentioned in the literary works:
Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple Inscription of Aditya Varman: Krishna temple shrine
at Padmanabha swami temple has two inscriptions mentioning the name of Venad heir
Aditya Varman, the main protagonist of Unnuneelisandesham. One inscription is
engraved on the north wall of the Krishna swami shrine and is dated to Saka year 1296
or 1375 CE. The inscription is written using Grantha character and Sanskrit language.
The inscription says that King Aditya Varman alias Sarvanganatha’ constructed at the
town of Syanandura (Thiruvananthapuram) the shrine of Krishna, the gosala, a mandapa
and the dipika‐griham (Rao1908:251). The inscription praises Aditya Varman as
Sarvanganatha (Versatile scholar) and a devotee of lord Vishnu. The inscription engraved
on the south base of the Krishna swami shrine also conveys the same message.
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Table 1: List of Explored sites Mentioned in Shukasandesham and
Unnuneelisandesham
Sl.
No.
Places
Mentioned
Antiquity GPS
coordinates
Remarks
1. Sri Padmanabhaswamy
Temple
Early
mediaeval
N 08⁰ 28’ 58.01”
E 076⁰ 56’ 42.89”
Inscriptions of
Aditya Varman
2. Punnapuram ‐ N 08⁰ 29’ 03.93”
E 076⁰ 56’ 22.58”
Ancient
Nadavazhi
(travel path)
3. Palkulangara Devi
Temple
Temple
Construction
datable to 9th
century CE
N 08⁰ 29’ 15.48”
E 076⁰ 56’ 03.15”
‐
4. Shankumugam Sea
Shore way
Ancient
Travel route
N 08⁰ 28’ 53.06”
E 76⁰ 54’ 45.63”
potsherds of
mediaeval and
late mediaeval
5. Thrippapoor Temple Temple
datable to
Mediaeval era
N 08⁰ 32’ 56.71”
E 076⁰ 53’ 05.35”
‐
6. Muthalapozhi Ancient
Travel route
N 08⁰ 37’ 48.72”
E 076 47’ 04.99”
potsherds of
mediaeval and
late mediaeval
7. Puthidam Mediaeval
market place
N 08⁰ 65’ 40”
E 76⁰ 77’ 03”
8. Varkala Janardhana
Swami Temple
Early
mediaeval
N 08⁰ 43’ 53.35”
E 076⁰ 42’ 37.08”
potsherds of
mediaeval and
late mediaeval
9. Edava‐NadayaraGhat
passage
Ancient way
passage
08⁰ 45’ 12.68”
E 076⁰ 42’ 33.44”
potsherds of
mediaeval and
late mediaeval
10. Pozhikkara Temple Mediaeval N 08⁰ 48’ 41.69”
E 076⁰ 39’ 01.39”
potsherds of
mediaeval and
late mediaeval
11. Kollam port Ancient Port N 08⁰ 53’ 06.06”
E 076⁰ 34’ 58.36”
potsherds of
mediaeval and
late mediaeval
12. Kollam Market Ancient
market
N 08⁰ 53’ 06.06”
E 076⁰ 34’ 58.36”
potsherds of
mediaeval and
late mediaeval
13. Neendakara Ancient
Ghat passage
N 08⁰ 56’ 10.72”
E 076⁰ 32’ 33.70”
‐
14. Panmana Mediaeval
Township
N 09⁰ 00’ 28.56”
E 076⁰ 32’ 03.66”
‐
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15. PanmanaSubrhamanya
Swami Temple
Mediaeval
Temple
N 09⁰ 00’ 28.56”
E 076⁰ 32’ 03.66”
‐
16. Kunnetti Ancient
waterway
passage
N 09⁰ 02’ 32.70”
E 076⁰ 32’ 16.28”
Border of
Venad and
Odanad
kingdoms
17. Puliyankulangara Krishna temple
Mediaeval
Temple
N 09⁰ 05’ 44.69”
E 76⁰ 31’ 29.05”
‐
18. Krishnapuram Vishnu Temple
‐ N 09⁰ 09’ 10.54”
E 076⁰ 31’ 29.05”
‐
19. Kayamkulam Market Ancient
market place
N 09⁰ 10’ 31.65”
E 076⁰ 30’ 04.95”
Ancient
transportation
canal and halt
station
20. Kandiyoor Mahadeva
Temple
‐ N 09⁰ 15’ 13.79”
E 076⁰ 31’ 46.99ʺ
Ancient
transportation
canal founded
21. Mattom ‐ N 09⁰ 15’ 30.85”
E 076⁰ 31’ 16.79”
Odanadu King
Ravi Varman’s
palace
22. Chennithala ‐ N 09⁰ 16’ 37.39”
E 076⁰ 31’ 16.84ʺ
‐
23. Erumathoor ‐ N 09⁰ 18’ 27.77”
E 076⁰ 31’ 34.08”
‐
24. Erumathoor Shiva
temple
‐ N 09⁰ 18’ 27.77”
E 76031’ 34.08”
‐
25. Thrikkurutti Shiva temple
‐ N 09⁰ 20’ 31.74”
E 0760 31’ 43.16”
‐
26. PanayanarkavuBhagavati temple
‐ N 09⁰ 19’ 56.88”
E 76⁰ 31’ 43.16”
‐
27. Alumthuruth ‐ N 09⁰ 20’ 52.01ʺ
E 076⁰ 33’ 10.17”
Residence of
Chirava king
Rayayan
28. Niranam ‐ N 09⁰ 21’ 24ʺ
E 076⁰ 30’ 59”
potsherds of
mediaeval and
late mediaeval
29. Thiruvalla ‐ N 09⁰ 23’ 00ʺ
E 076⁰ 34’ 03”
Ancient
Brahmin
settlement
30. Karinattukavu market Mediaeval
market
N 09⁰ 22’ 53.61”
E 760 33’ 29.02”
late mediaeval
inscription
31. Thiruvalla Vishnu temple
Ancient
temple
N 09⁰ 22’ 24.95”
E 760 33’ 45.07”
‐
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32. Muthoor ‐ N 09⁰ 23’ 50.62”
E 760 33’ 59.11”
‐
33. MuthoorKadavu Ancient
waterway
passage
N 090 23’ 34.89”
E 0760 33’ 46.87”
‐
34. Nalukodi ‐ N 09° 25’ 32.46”
E 760 33’ 44.17”
‐
35. Thrikodithanam ‐ N 09° 26’ 17.55”
E 760 33’ 44.15”
‐
36. Thrikodithanam temple ‐ N 09° 31’ 05.26”
E 0760 34’ 40.94”
Bhaskara Ravi
varmanʹs
inscription
37. Manikandapuram
Vishnu Temple
‐ N 09° 31’ 05.26”
E 0760 34’ 40.94”
‐
38. Vennimala Temple Ancient
Temple
N 09° 37’ 49.48”
E 0760 34’ 01.42”
‐
39. Vennimala Palace Remains of
ancient
palace
N 09° 37’ 49.5”
E 760 34’ 1.45”
Capital of
Thekkumkoor
kingdom
40. Ettumanoor Shiva
temple
‐ N 090 40’ 25.20”
E 0760 33’ 38.37”
‐
41. Kothanalloor ‐ N 09° 43’ 08.46”
E 076029’ 26.22”
‐
42. Kaduthuruthy Ancient port
according to
the poet
N 09° 45’ 16.92”
E 760 29’ 09.64”
various canals
and halts
observed
43. Kaduthuruthy kadavu‐1 ‐ N 09° 45 57 19
E 76 29ʹ 26.81ʹʹ
‐
44. Kaduthuruthy kadavu‐2 ‐ N 09° 46’ 09.06”
E 760 29’ 32.55”
‐
45. Kaduthuruthy Kadavu‐3 ‐ N 090 46 03.28
E 0760 29’ 26.22”
‐
46. Thiruvanchikadavu Water ghat N 09° 37’ 49.55”
E 0760 34’ 1.49”
‐
47. Govindapuram temple ‐ N 09° 45’ 53.03”
E 760 29’ 56.38”
‐
48. Veeramanikoth
Bhavanam
Remains of
mediaeval
residential
structures
N 09° 45’ 53.28”
E 076 29ʹ 50.67”
Final
destination in
Unnuneelisandes
ham
49. VayattilaSubhramanya
Swami temple
Ancinet
temple
N 09° 56’03”
E 076° 19ʹ 47.42”
‐
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50. Tiruvanchikulam ‐ N 10° 12’ 36”
E 076° 12ʹ 23.32”
‐
51. Mathilakom ‐ N 10° 17’ 34”
E 076° 09ʹ 49”
Final destination
in Shukasandesham
Table 2: Explored Sites Yielding Potsherds
Sl. No. Site Name Co‐ordinates
1 Kovilthottampally N 08 ̊ 59’ 43.00”, E 076 ̊ 31’ 22.95”
2 Chekkadi N 08 ̊ 19’ 42.64”, E 077 ̊ 04’ 13.37”
3 Kulathoor N 08 ̊ 19’ 59.19”, E 077 ̊ 06’ 32.99”
4 Kazhumthitta N 08 ̊ 17’ 50.04”, E 077 ̊ 05’ 49.82”
5 Charottukonam N 08 ̊ 19’ 51.63”, E 077 ̊ 06’ 57.59”
6 Thekkekunnu N 8 ̊ 35’ 36.28”, E 076 ̊ 49’ 12.57”
7 Anjuthengu N 08 ̊ 39’ 46.0”, E 076̊ 45’ 52”
8 Puthenthoppu N 08 ̊ 36’ 43.06”, E 076 ̊ 48’ 19.12”
9 Varkala N 08 ̊ 43’ 58.83”, E 076 ̊ 42’ 32.06”
10 Pozhikkkara N 08 ̊ 48’ 41.69”, E 076̊ 39’ 01.39”
11 Thangasseri N 8 ̊ 52’ 54.23”, E 076 ̊ 34’ 6.70”
12 Parappuram N 8 ̊ 47’ 36.21”, E 076 ̊ 39’ 50.27”
13 Mukkam N 08 ̊ 50’ 04.66”, E 076 ̊ 38’ 01.35”
Figure 3: Inscription at Pozhikkara
Temple
Figure 4: Inscription at Kollam
Ganapathi Temple
Varkala Janardanaswamy Temple Inscription: Inscription of Padmanabha Marthanda
Varma is engraved on the south base of the central shrine. The inscription is written in
the Vattezhuth alphabet and Tamil language. The inscription is dated in Kollam era 427
(1252 CE). The name of the king is given as Padmanbhamarthanda Varman Thiruvadi
and the inscription records the reconstruction of Varkala temple. The inscription says
‘officers of the king Padmanbhamarthanda Varma built a central shrine made of stone
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at Varkala Janardanaswamy temple. Reconstruction had been done from adisthana to
uttara of the temple and the vimana was covered with copper sheets. Renovation to the
mukhamandapa was also done and stones were paved in the courtyard constructed by the
king.
Pozhikkara Bhagavathy Temple Inscription: The inscription is engraved on a stone slab
located inside the temple premise (Figure 3). The inscription is dated between 12thor 13th
centuries CE (Ayyar 1930:58). The core content of the inscription is the gift of land to the
temple by a person named Pirayantakan of Paravur. The inscription also mentions the
amount of goods that was needed to be donated to the temple by the land owners. The
‘council of three hundred’ of Venad is assigned to supervise and document the rental of
land and donations to the temple.
Ganapathi Temple Inscription of Jayasimha alias Vira Kerala Varmanat Kollam: The
inscription (Figure 4) is written in Grantha or early Malayalam characters and it is
composed in 1496 CE and speaks of the renovation done in the temple by the king (Rao
1908:26).
Kandiyur Inscription of Raman Kodavarman: The inscription is dated to 1217 CE
(Kollam era 393). The inscription describes about reconstruction of the temple conducted
by the Odanadu governor Raman Kodavarman and other royal families who
contributed to the temple reconstruction. The inscriptions mention about a lady named
Unnikalattiram of Kandiyur, who is described as relative of Venad king Ravi Kerala
Varman. The inscription also states that ruling families like Odanadu,
Udaisiramangalam, Sravirapperumarrani, Kurungudi, Venad, Kurandipalli,
Korranadu, Kaduvur, Marram, Megur, Mullaicheri, Mulalumodi, Marannadu,
Nandamanaichcheri, Muttampalli, Vallonnavalppalli and Madiman were involved in
the reconstruction of the temple (Rao1908:408).
Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple Inscription: Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu
temple is dedicated to lord Vishnu and located in Thrikodithanam in Kottayam district,
Kerala. The temple finds references in ancient Tamil texts like Divyaprabhanda dating to
8th ‐9th centuries CE. The temple houses inscriptions of Bhaskara Ravi Varman of later
Chera kingdom. Inscriptions of Bhaskara Ravi Varman dates between 992 CE and 1010
CE.
Other Inscriptions Found along the Route Kadinamkulam Temple Inscription of Rama Keralavarman: Kadinamkulam
Mahadeva temple is located in Kadinamkulam, Thiruvananthpuram district. The temple
is located between Shankhumugham and Perumathura, mentioned in
Unnuneelisandesham. The temple has an inscription dated to 1215 CE mentioning Venad
king Rama Kerala Varman of Kizhperur family (Figure 5).
Munro Office Inscription Kollam: The Munro office inscription is engraved on a stone
in to the north‐east corner of Munro building in Kollam. The inscription is written in
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Tamil and dates to 1478 CE. The inscription describes order of a king to rename a street
in Kollam as Sembaga gram teru alias Anjinanpugalidam. There is no mention about the
name of the king but it says he encamps at Tirunelveli.
Figure 5: Inscription at the Adisthana of Kadinamkulam Temple
Kaduthuruthy Church Inscription: The Kaduthuruthy Valiyapalli in Kottayam Dist.
houses an inscription dating to 1590 CE describes about the reconstruction of the church
by the church authorities lead by Mar Abraham Metran (Figure 6).
Figure 6: Inscription at Kaduthuruthy
Church
Figure 7: Inscription at
Karianattukavu
Explored Ancient Market Places Described in Sandesha Kavyas The market places that are described in Shukasandesham and Unnuneelisandesham
explored and documented include:
Kollam Port and Market: Shuka sandesham and Unnuneelisandesham describes Kollam as
one of the largest port towns of Kerala. Ships from China and Arab lands were anchored
at the shores of Kollam and the market place was flooded with various kinds of goods
according to the verses in the poem. Foreign travelers like Marco Polo and Ibn Battuta
who visited Kerala during medieval times also affirms that Kollam was a renowned port.
Unnuneelisandesham says that three kinds of boats were used for goods transactions at
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Kollam. They are Chinese chonkam boats, Chambrani and Chonadan (Kunjanpillai
1996:207). The Chonkam boats referred here is Chinese Junk boats. Barbosa also had
similar views about the Chambrani boats, he says ‘champani’ boats were used by the Arab
travelers to move to goods from inland or shore to the ship (Sastri 2001:311).
Unnuneelisandesham says, Chonadan boat sail to and fro all the time and it possibly means
that it acted as a connecting boat with the mother ship anchored at the sea. Chambrani is
another type of boat used and it is a corrupted form of Samban boats of the Middle East
merchants. An inscription of Unni Kerala Tiruvadi dating 1454 CE mentions “Samban
and Uru boats were used for transportation of goods”(Ayyar1927:176). The inscription
further adds that“… a commission of one panam was permitted to be levied on each
Samban boat’s cargo sold.” (Ayyar 1927:176). The archaeological explorations at Kollam
met with different kinds of Chinese ceramics, Chinese coins as well as indigenous
potsherds.
Chamakadda Market: Chamakkada is an ancient market place and goods transportation
center in the suburbs of Kollam port town. The water canal near by the market helps to
move goods to and fro from the market of Kollam to ships and inland roots of the land.
Figure 8: Canal at Kaduthuruthy
Kayamkulam Market: Kayamkulam market was the main trade point of Odanadu
kingdom in mediaeval times. Kayamkulam market and inland water channels boarded
and trafficked goods to Kollam port via canals and connected the inland region of the
land to the main stream trade centers through rivers, water channels and streams.
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Karianattukavu Market: Karianattukavu in Ettumanoor was the home to one of the 32
Brahmin settlements in Kerala. The Brahmins of Karianattukavu enjoyed the control of
trade in here (Figure 7). Unnuneelisandesham describes Karianattukavu market is one of
the crowded and fruitful market places in Kerala. In the verses of the poem
Unnuneelisandesham author praises the Karianattukavu market as one of the busiest
markets in Kerala flooded with merchandises and buyers. The market was governed by
Brahmins and certain privileges were given to them by the ruling class.
Kaduthuruthy Water Ghats and Boat Stations: Kaduthuruthy is described as an
important trade center in Shukasandesham and Unnuneelisandeshm. The author of
Unnuneelisandesham even adds that Chinese vessels were anchored at the shores of
Kaduthuruthy for trade. Geographically Kaduthuruthy is far away from the seashore
and the trade must have happened through the present water sources like Kaithapuzha
lake, Vemanadu lake and Muvattupuzha River. In land producers was connected to the
market place through wide networks of inland water channels which is still observable
in Kaduthuruthy region (Figures 8 and 9).
Figure 9: Water Boarding Station at Kaduthuruthy
Thrikkannamathilakom and Thiruvanchikulam: Thrikkannamathilakom (Gunakam)
and Thiruvanchikulam (Mahodayapuram) are the two prominent places mentioned in
Shukasandesham, Unniyachi charitham, Unnichiruthevi charitham and Koka sandesham.
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Shukasandesham and Achicharithams of 13th century CE describes Thrikkannamathilakom
as the political center of northern Kerala. Shukasandesham describes Mahodayapuram as
the seat of Kulasekhara Perumals (Iyyer1963:88). Kokasandesham of 14th century CE denotes
the shift of political center from Thiruvanchikulam to Kochi as
Permumpadappuswaroopam moved their capital from Thiruvanchikulam to Kochi in
1405CE (Unny1972:3). Thrikkannamathilakom and Thiruvanchikulam in mediaeval
times played a significant role in mediaeval history of Kerala. The Later Cheras rule in
Kerala was campaigned at Mahodayapuram. The archaeological excavations at
Thrikkannamathilakom and Thiruvanchikulam by K. V Soundararajan and State
Department of Archaeology in 1969‐1970 season exposed cultural remains of 9th century
CE to 11th century CE belonging to the period of later Cheras (Lal1973:15).
Archaeological excavations at Thrikkannamathilakom yielded artifacts like Red ware
potsherds, Chinese celadon wares and Chola coins (Lal1973:15). In Thiruvanchikulam
Redware ceramics datable to 9th to 10th century CE were also unearthed affirming the
cultural antiquity. Explorations at Thrikkannamathilakom and Thiruvanchikulam by
department of Archaeology University of Kerala yielded local ceramics datable to
mediaeval and late medieval era supporting the successive habitation at Mathilakom
and Thiruvanchikulam (Figure 10).
Figure 10: Ceramics from Thrikkannamathilakom (Courtesy: Reni P. Joseph)
Chumaduthangi Stones Observed Along the Travel Route Thirty‐four chumaduthangi stones were documented along the travel route portrayed in
Unnuneelisandesham and Shukasandesham (Figures 11 and 12). Chumaduthangi stones of
late mediaeval era were erected for bearing or keeping the head load of long‐distance
transporters or travelers. Vazhiyambalam structure (Figure 13) and Thottikal (stone water
tubs) were also found associated with Chumaduthangi stones. These structures helped
the long‐distance travelers; as Vazhiyambalam acted as resting place and Thottikal and
well provided water amenities for the travelers. It seems that the travel route mentioned
in Shukasandesham and Unnuneelisandesham continued till the late mediaeval times as
evident from the distribution of Chumaduthangi stone along the travel ancient travel
routes.
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Figure 11: Maps Showing Distribution of Chumaduthangi Stones Along the Pathway
Conclusion The mediaeval literature works namely Shukasandesham, Unnuneelisandesham,
Kokasandesham, Unniyachi charitham, Unnichiruthevi charitham, Unniyadi charithams and
Ananthapuravarnam are archaeologically and historically important works which date
back to the period 13th century CE to 15th century CE. These literary works have
descriptions about various kingdoms of Kerala and their lineages, territories, inter and
intra‐regional trade contact of the land.
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Figure 12: Chumaduthangi Bearing Inscription
Figure 13: Vazhiyambalam at Varkala
The Sandeshakavyas of mediaeval times describes the journey of a protagonist from one
location to another. Unnuneelisandesham portraits journey of Venad heir Aditya Varman
from Thiruvananthapuram to Kaduthuruthy in Kottayam. Meanwhile Shukasandesham
narrates the journey of a bird or parrot carrying message from Rameshwaram to
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Thrikkannamathilakom in Thrissur, traveling through various mediaeval villages and
Kingdoms. Kokasandesham describes about journey of a bird from Northern Kerala to
Kollam. All these three works have vivid descriptions about the places they pass
through. Elaborate descriptions about kingdoms, market places, people and their
customs were expressed in these poetic works. Other mediaeval Malayalam literature
works of the period namely Unniyachi charithams, Unnichiruthevi charitham, Unniyadi
charitham and Ananthapuravarnam also holds valuable information about the mediaeval
society and their interactions.
The trade routes mentioned in Sandeshakavyas were verified through archaeological
exploration in the study area. From the explorations in the study area and as gleaned
from the data from the Sandeshakavyas and mediaeval literature works it is apparent that
the antiquity of the monuments observed along the travel route precedes the antiquity
of the Sandeshakavya literary works. The exploration yielded foreign ceramics from the
port town of Kollam and surrounding regions. Presence of artifacts like Chinese
potsherds, Chinese coins and other regional ceramics confirm the mediaeval foreign
trade relations at Kollam.
The archaeological survey through the study area documented epigraphs from temples
mentioned in the literary works. Analysis of the epigraphs revealed coherent references
to those in the Sandeshakavyas and other mediaeval literary works. Inscriptions give
details about various kings, their territories and lineage.
The archaeological explorations in the study area also yielded artifacts of later time
period like Chumaduthangi stones, Vazhiyambalam and Thottikal. The trade route seems to
have a cultural continuation to later period as evident by the presence of these items
along the route.
This preliminary archaeological investigation into Mediaeval Malayalam Sandeshakavyas
and other literary works reveal that, apart from being just poetic works, these mediaeval
literary works also offers information on the social‐ cultural, political and trade aspects
of mediaeval southern Kerala. These works have authentic information about the
mediaeval Kerala society and their interactions. The clubbed information of these
literary works and foreign travelogues have yielded substantial archaeological artifacts,
structures and other interesting evidences.
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