Kerala History Timeline

Kerala History Timeline

Kerala History is written based on several myths and speculations. According to Hindu mythology, the creator of Kerala was Parasuram, who is considered as one of the avatars of Lord Maha Vishnu. Geologists believe that it is from seismic activity, steadily or rapidly the land was formed.

BC 4000: It is considered that both Proto Australoid and Negrito race inhabited the land at that period. They used the Microlithic artifacts and it was founded near Calicut recently. Megalithic monuments including burial stones and urns were also found from the spot.

BC 3000: Kerala also take part in Indus Valley Civilization that exists at that period. It is believed that Teakwood, Sandalwood and Ivory were exported to the western countries at that time.

BC 700: The migration of Dravidians to south India is also said to be happened during this period.

BC 300: The Aryans migrated from north India to Kerala. Both Jain and Buddha religions entered Kerala. Jains transformed the major places at that time, Thrikkannamathilakom, Kallil, Ganapathi Vattam (Sulthan Bathery), Chitharal (Kanyakumari) into Jain Centers whereas sreemoolavasam is the major Buddha center at that time.

BC 270 - 240: This period saw the spread of Buddhism in Kerala. A 3rd-century-BC (BC 257) rock inscription about Kerala (in the name of Keralaputra) is found in one of the rock edict by Emperor Asoka.

BC 250 - AD 925: Ay Kingdom believed to be started their rule from early sangam period to 10th century. Their rule extended from Tiruvalla to Nagercoil. Their capital was at Aykudi, Podiyil Malai (Near to Shenkottai) and then they shifted it to Vizhinjam. The major Ay rulers during Sangam Period include Ay Antiran, Titiyan and Atigan. Post Sangam age, the rulers are Ay Sadayan (till AD 788), Karunandan (AD 788-857), Karunandadakkan (AD 857-885) who was the founder of famous Kandalur Salai and the Vikramaditya Varaguna (885-925). The presiding deity of the Ay kings was Sripadmanabha. The elephant was the symbol of the Ay kings. Ptolemy described the Ay kingdom from the Baris River (Pamba) to Kanyakumari as Aioi.

The Ay kingdom often served as a buffer state between the Pandya and Chera kingdoms. The ancient southern Travancore, known as Nanchinad, was part of the Ay kingdom in the early days. The Pura Nanur mentions that Pothiyil Mala was the capital of the Ay kingdom. Vizhinjam was the later capital of the Ay kings. Vikramaditya Varaguna was the Ay king who issued the Paliyam edict. Karunanthadakkan, known as Srivallabhan and Parthiva Shekhar, was the Ay king. He built the Parthivapuram Vishnu temple. Karunanthadakkan also founded the famous Kanthalloor Shala. Kanthalloor Shala is described as the Nalanda of the South. Vizhinjam and Kanthalloor were the military centers of the Ay kings. Varaguna was also the one who donated land to the famous Buddhist center of Sree Moolavasam. Vikramaditya Varaguna is called the Ashoka of Kerala. After Vikramaditya's death, the Ay dynasty faced decline. By the 10th century, Ays lost their territories to Cheras.

BC 250 - AD 5th Century: From BC 250 to the 5th century AD, Kerala was part of ancient Tamil Nadu. The sangam works explains the social, cultural, political and economic life of ancient Kerala. During this time, Kerala was divided into five states. This division was as Venad, Kuttanad, Kudanadu, Poozhinadu, and Karkanad. Venad included Thiruvananthapuram district, Kollam, and some parts of Pathanamthitta district. Kuttanad included Ernakulam, Kottayam, Idukki, and Alappuzha districts and some parts of Kollam district. Kudanadu included Thrissur, Palakkad, and Malappuram districts and some parts of Kozhikode district. Poozhinadu included the coasts of Kannur and Kasaragod districts and some parts of Kozhikode district. Karkanad included areas like Wayanad and Gudalur.

BC 250 - AD 12th Century: The period of Ezhimala Dynasty. Kerala was ruled by three major powers during the Sangam period. The Ay kings in the south, the Ezhimala kings in the north, and the Chera kings in between. Ezhimala is a hilly region located at an altitude of 260 meters near the Arabian Sea in the Kannur district of Kerala. The Ezhimala dynasty was a dynasty that ruled northern Kerala more than two thousand years ago. The areas that included the northern part up to Mangalore and the Sahyadri mountains in the east were under the Ezhimala dynasty. Another name for Ezhimala was Konkanam. Nannan was a famous king of Ezhimala. Nannan is praised in songs as a brave warrior who participated in many wars.

The Cheras were defeated in several battles. The court poet Pazhnar describes the defeat of the Cheras in the Pazhi War. He defeated the chiefs Pazhyan and Pindan. During this time, Ezhimala had trade relations with the Roman Empire. The Mushika dynasty may have been the descendants of Nannan. The Mushika dynasty were the kings of Kolathunadu. Ezhimala is known as Elimala in Sanskrit. The second oldest palace of the ancient Kolathiri dynasty is 'Eli Kovilakam'. It was in Ezhimala. It is said that this is why the mountain got the name Ezhimala or that the palace got the name of the mountain. Ezhimala is now the center of the Naval Academy. Ezhimala is mentioned in the works Akananuru and Purananuru.

BC 250 - AD 12th Century: The period of Mushika Dynasty. Ezhimala was the headquarters of the Mushika (Mushaka) dynasty, one of the oldest dynasties in Kerala. Nannan was a famous king of the Ezhimala dynasty. The Mushika dynasty may have been descendants of Nannan. The Mushika dynasty is the ruling dynasty of Kolathunadu. Ezhimala is known as Elimala and Elimala in Sanskrit as the Mushika dynasty. A Sanskrit poem explaining the history and lineage of the Mushika dynasty was composed by Atulan, who was a courtier of a king named Srikanthan of this dynasty. Its composition was in the later half of the 11th century. Although the first parts of this poem are based on legends, the last parts are historical facts. We can learn about kings Vikramarama, Jayamani, Valabhan and Srikanthan from these works. It is said that a Mushika king named Vikrama Raman saved the Buddhist monastery named Srimoolavasam from the sea. It can also be understood from this work that a king named Valabha founded Valabhapatnam. From the 14th century onwards, the Mushika dynasty began to be called Kolathunad and the ruler Kolathiri. In the 13th century, the world-famous traveler Marco Polo recorded this country as Elinad. In the 11th century, Al-Baruni also called it Hili Rajya. 

BC 300 - AD 300 : The period of First Chera Empire. The Chera dynasty was a dynasty that ruled the central parts of Kerala during the Sangam period. Vanchi was the headquarters of the first Chera empire. The royal seal of the Chera kings was an arrow and a bow. The Chera dynasty was known as "Cheralam Putra" in the stone inscriptions of Ashoka. The prominent rulers of the first Chera dynasty were Neduncheralathan, Adu kottu Pattucheralathan and Cheran Chenguttuvan.

AD 45: A Roman-Greek sailor, Heppalus founded the direction of south west monsoon wind in AD 45. This finding helps him to find the route of Musiris (kodungallur). It enabled direct trade with Roman Empire. Many mariners like Panthenus, Cosmos Indicopleustes, Huan Tsang and others landed after this.

AD 50 – 125: The Chera kings invaded several portions of northern Kerala. At this period, Kerala had very strong trade with the West.

AD 52: St. Thomas, who was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ, arrived in maliankara near kodungallur to spread the Christian missionary thoughts. St. Thomas founded seven churches in Kerala, ie, Maliankara, Palayur, Kottakkavu, Kokkamangalam, Quilon, Niranam and Nilakkal..

AD 68: As a result of demolition of Jerusalem church by the Romans, the Jews migrated from Israel and some among them reached Kerala. They build their first church, synagogue in kodungallur. They settled in the locations of chavakkad, madayi, paravoor, mala, chendamangalam and mattancherry. After the formation of Israel in 1948, most of them returned to their native place.

AD 74: Pliny, a Roman author and naturalist mentioned Kerala in his book, “The Natural History”.

AD 125-180: Cheran Chenguttuvan was one of the well-known rulers of this era.

AD 216 - 428: Kerala was ruled by three major powers during the Sangam period. The Ay kings in the south, the Ezhimala kings in the north and the Chera kings in between. It is said that these areas came under the rule of the Earlier Kulasekara (Chera) Empire on the instructions of the Brahmins settled in Kerala by Parasurama. According to Keralolpathy, the period up to AD 216 is called as ‘Parasurama’ period and the period starting from AD 216 to AD 428 is called as age of 'Perumals'. The Brahmin families are believed to be migrated during this period to Kerala and were settled in 64 villages. The rulers who were brought from Pandinad to rule Kerala at every fixed period were called Perumals. Records that shed light on the few centuries following the Sangam period are scarce. However, it seems that the Chera power was restored in 800 AD. Their capital was Mahodayapuram. At the end of their rule, the capital was shifted to Kollam.

AD 345: In the leadership of Knai Thomman (Thomas of Cana), a group of Syrian Christians reached kerala. 400 christians from Baghdad and Jerusalem gotras reached kerala and from there onwards the number of Christians increased in kerala.

AD 354: “Constantine the Great” in kerala.

AD 550: Cosmas Indicopleustes, an Alexandrian merchant and traveler reached Kerala. This Byzantine monk had mentioned about the Christian group of Kerala in a book.

AD 644: Islam Scholar named, Malik Ibn Dinar from Persia reached Kerala to propagate Islam. He constructed mosques in the places of kodungallur, kollam, kasaragod, sree kandapuram, valapattanam, madayi, dharmadom, panthalayani kollam and chaliyam.

AD 788: Adi Shankaran (Shankaracharya) born in kaladi. He spreaded the advaitham in four parts of india by establishing four Madhoms in East Govardhana (Puri), South Sringeri (Mysore), West Dwaraka, and North Jyotirmath (Badarinath). Adi Shankara died in AD 820.

AD 800 - 1102: Kulasekara Azhwar who was the founder of Later Chera Dynasty in southern India and also was the first king of this dynasty who ruled from AD 800 to AD 820. The Second Chera Empire existed from 800 to 1102 AD. Thiruvanchikulam or Mahodayapuram was the capital of the Second Chera Empire. The Kulasekaras strengthened the Second Chera Empire. There are 13 rulers called Kulasekaras. Kulasekara Varma is the founder of the Second Chera Empire. He is also known as Kulasekara Azhwar. He is the author of the famous devotional treatise Perumal Thirumozhi in Tamil. He is also the author of the Sanskrit Mukundamala. The Kulasekara reign is known as the 'Golden Age ' of Kerala. Rajashekara Varma was the second king of the Kulasekara dynasty. Rajashekara Varma's reign started from A.D. 820. Rajashekara is also described as Parameswara Bhattarakana in the Vazhappilli Edict. The Kollavarsham began in A.D. 825 during the reign of Rajashekara. In the fifth year of Sthanu Ravi's reign, the ruler of Venad, Ayyanadikal Thiruvadikal, wrote the Tharisappally Cheppedu in A.D. 849. The Irinjalakuda Koodalmanikyam inscription is also attributed to him. He was a contemporary of the Chola emperor Aditya Chola. It was during his reign that the Arab merchant Sulaiman visited Kerala in A.D. 851. Ramavarma Kulasekharan was the last Kulasekhara ruler. The Hundred Years' War, which took place in the 11th century, was between the Cheras and the Cholas. Although the Cheras won the war, the Second Chera Empire disintegrated with this.

AD 825 - 1729: Modern Travancore was known as ' Venad ' in the Middle Ages. Ravi Varma Kulasekharan, who ruled here from 1299 to 1314, was a great ruler. At that time, Kollam, the capital of Venad, was an important commercial center and a civilized city. In the early 15th century, Venad split into two branches, Trippapur and Desinganad. The king of Trippapur moved there to build a palace in Travancore. That later became Travancore.

AD 825: Kolla Varsham started which is also known in the name of Quilon Calendar is the current Malayalam Calendar system. It was introduced in 25th July 825 AD.

AD 851: The arrival of Persian Traveller, Sulaiman in Kerala. There onwards, Kollam is considered as the major harbor in South India.

AD 869: Shankaranarayan (AD 825 - 900) wrote an astrology book called Shankaranarayaneeyam. It mentions about Grahana or eclipse and he also had run an Astrology centre at Mahodayapuram. He was the follower of Govindaswami.

AD 880: Chera Army invaded the Mooshaka kingdom.

AD 945 – 955: Arab Traveller Al-Masudi visited Kerala.

AD 974: The Mampalli Plate of Sri Vallabhan Kotha of Venad is considered as the first known record dated during the kollam era (149). It also become the earliest record in which the Panamkavil palace of the venad kings known.

AD 988: Palya Shasanam of Vikramaditya Varaguna.

AD 1000: Raja Raja Cholan attacked kerala and they destroyed Kandalur Salai.

AD 1000: Bhaskara Varma- I had given the cheppadu to Jews at Mahodayapuram. According to that record, the jewish landlord, Joseph Ramban had got the rights including collecting taxes, to ride in a palankeen and 72 other rights. He also got the title of Anjuvannam.

AD 1019: Rajendra Cholan attacked Kerala.

AD 1044: Rajendra Cholan invaded Vizhinjam.

AD 1100: Vembolinadu splits into two as Vadakkumkoor and Thekkumkoor.

AD 1100 - AD 1806: Nediyiruppu Swaroopam (Zamorin Dynasty). Among the independent states, Nediyiruppu, ruled by the Zamorin, had the most glory. Zamorin is the title of the rulers who ruled the southern half of Malabar, which includes Kozhikode. They ruled for about 780 years. The Zamorin's dynasty is known as the Nediyiruppu Swaroopam. They were also known by the names Kunnala konathiri and Eradimar. Zamorins like Manavikraman, Manadevan, and Veerarayiran ruled Kozhikode. In the 15th century, the Nediyiruppu defeated Porlathiri and conquered Kozhikode. With that, they became the trustees of the Thali temple. The headquarters were also moved to Kozhikode. Kozhikode grew as a famous trading center. Realizing the importance of Pantalayani, the Zamorin captured it and Kozhikode became strong and wealthy. Later, the Zamorin also received the position of Raksha Purush of the Mamangam.

AD 1102 - 1949: Perumpadappu Swaroopam (Cochin Dynasty). As a result of the Periyar flood of 1341, Kodungallur lost its commercial importance and became the main port of Cochin. As a result, a section of the royal family of Mahodayapuram shifted its headquarters to Cochin.

AD 12th Century - 1801: The Kola Swaroopam (also known as the Kolathiri dynasty or Kolathunadu) rose to power around the 12th century AD following the fall of the Chera dynasty, with its roots tracing back to the older Mushika royal family.

AD 1292: An Italian (Venice) named marco polo visited kollam and other places of kerala and recorded.

AD 1295: Establishment of City Kozhikode.

AD 1322: Friar Odoric of Pordenone visited India upon journey to China. He visited Malabar and then to  Pantalayani, which is about 20 miles north of Calicut, Cranganore, and also Quilon.

AD 1324: Friar Jordanus from severac reached kollam for spreading missionary thoughts. He wrote the famous book, Mirabilia Descripta. He was the first foreign writer to mention about the Marumakkathayam system of Kerala.

AD 1341: Muziris (100 BC – 1341 AD) located in Kodungallur was one of the greatest seaport in ancient eastern world. Upon the city was devastated by a flood from periyar or an earth quake in 1341, Kodugallur harbor got destroyed. From there onwards, Kochi became the major harbour of Kerala.

AD 1342 – 1347: Ibn Battuta, an Ethiopian traveler visited Kozhikode.

AD 1375 – 1475: Cherusseri Namboothiri, author of “Krishna Gatha” Period.

AD 1405: Perumpadappu Swaroopam shifted from Thiruvanchikulam to Kochi.

AD 1409: A Chinese voyager, Ma Huan visited Kerala.

AD 1443: Abdur Razzaq, who was the ambassador of Shah Rukh, ruler of Persia to Calicut visited Kozhikode.

AD 1495 – 1575: Period of Thunjath Ramanujan Ezhuthachan, known as "the father of the Malayalam language

AD 1498: Vasco da Gama landed in Kappad at Kozhikode and is welcomed by the Zamorin. Gama is the first European to found the marine route to India.

AD 1499: Pedro Alvares Cabral reached Kozhikode following the path of Vasco da Gama.

AD 1500: Cabral reached Kochi.

AD 1502: The second visit of Vasco da Gama to Kerala.

AD 1503: The inauguration of Portuguese Fort in Kochi. The other names of this Portuguese Fort are Pallipuram Fort, Ayakotta, Azhikotta and Vaippinkotta. Portuguese named this fort as Manual Fort. It is one of the old European constructions.

AD 1505: Francisco de Almeida reached Kannur. He was the first Portuguese viceroy of India.

AD 1509: Afonso de Albuquerque becomes the Portuguese viceroy. He is the first Governor of Portuguese India.

AD 1510: Portuguese attacked and defeat the Calicut's forces.

AD 1513: Zamorins and Portuguese sign a treaty citing that Portuguese had right to build a fort at Calicut.

AD 1514: The invasions of Cochin by Zamorins in Kodungallur.

AD 1515: A treaty between Portuguese governor, Lopo Soares and Kollam Queen.

AD 1524: The third visit of Vasco da Gama to Kerala. This time he came to kerala with the title of Portuguese Viceroy. He died in Kochi in the same year on the last day before Christmas.

AD 1525: Portuguese navy force invaded Ponnani.

AD 1531: Portuguese builded fort at Chaliyath.

AD 1540: A treaty between Portuguese and Kozhikode in Ponnani.

AD 1555: Portuguese builded a palace at Mattanchery in typical kerala style and gifted to kochi king, Veera Kerala Varma. Later this palace was rebuilded by Dutch and named it as Dutch Palace.

AD 1559 – 1620: Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri (Narayaneeyam).

AD 1564: The Portuguese fort at Kannur was attacked by Samoothiri.

AD 1567: A Jew Church was builded at Mattancherry. Today it was the oldest jewish church among Common Wealth Countries.

AD 1571: Samoothiri invaded the chaliyam fort from Portuguese.

AD 1599: Udayamperoor Sunhados (Synod of Diamper).

AD 1600: Portuguese army killed Kunjali – 4. Kunjali Marakkar was the title given by Samoothiri to the Muslim naval chief. They are the first to attack the foreign army in India.

AD 1604: A group of Ships of Dutch reached Kochi for the first time. Dutch were the first European protestant people to establish a trade relation with India. Portuguese belongs to Catholic Section.

AD 1634: Kaniyamkulam war

AD 1644: The English men (British) builded a trading place in Vizhinjam.

AD 1653: The Coonan Cross Oath (Koonan Kurishu Satyam) was a public avowal taken by the members of Saint Thomas Christian community of Kerala following the incident of Udayamperur Synod of 1599. As a result the community splits into two as Pazhaya Koottukar (Syro-Malabar Church) and Puthen Koottukar (Malankara Churches such as Orthodox, Jacobites, Mar Thoma, Malankara Catholics etc.).

AD 1663: Dutch invaded Kochi from Portuguese and become the rulers of Kochi.

AD 1677 - 1684: The first women ruler of Venad, Umayamma Rani Period.

AD 1678: Hortus Malabaricus (Garden of Malabar) published from Amsterdam during 1678-1693, under the Governor of Dutch Kochi, Hendrik van Rheede, which deals with the medicinal properties of the plants in Kerala. It comprises of 12 volumes of book. It is the first book in which Malayalam script appears in print.

AD 1684: Attingal Rani given the Permission to British to build a fort at Anjuthengu.

AD 1691: Vettam War

AD 1695: The construction of Anjuthengu Fort completed. The British builded factory at Thalassery.

AD 1696: Kerala Varma abolished several hateful customs known as Pulappedi, Mannapedi etc. in 1696. In the same year some landlords and the Ettara Yogam members assassinated him.

AD 1699: A German born missionary worker, Arnos Pathri reached Kerala.

AD 1708: The British East India Company built a fort in Thalassery in 1708, and is known as Tellicherry Fort.

AD 1715 – 1717: War between Samoothiri and Dutch.

AD 1721: Attingal Outbreak (Anjengo Revolt) is the first organized revolt against English. The revolt that happened in 1721 April 21st saw the massacre of 140 East India Company officers by native Indians.

AD 1723: A treaty between Travancore and British. Marthanda Varma got title of "Prince of Neyyatinkara" in 1723.

AD 1725: Mayyazhi becomes French colony.

AD 1729: Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma became the ruler of Travancore. He defeated several small kingdoms and merged with Travancore. So he is called as the founder of Travancore.

AD 1739: The Preparation of land records (Ozhuku) was first done by Mallan Sankaran upon instruction from Marthanda Varma. It consists of survey number, name and area of assets. The division of lands was done under the chief heads of Devaswom, Brahmaswom, Danam and Pandaravaka. Every landowner was given a patta stating the tax charged on each piece of land.

AD 1741: Marthanda Varma defeated Dutch in Colachel War. It was first time that a European force defeated against a king in Asian continent. Marthanda Varma joined the best militants from Dutch in his troop and had rearranged his army in European model. He also appointed Dutch Commander Delanoy as the captain in his highness service.

AD 1742: Marthanda Varma merged Ilayidathu Swaroopam (Kottarakara) with Travancore.

AD 1746: Marthanda Varma invaded Kayamkulam.

AD 1749: Marthanda Varma merged thekkumkoor with Travancore.

AD 1750: Thrippadidanam of Marthanda Varma. He donated his entire kingdom to Lord Sree Padmanabha through Thrippadidanam. Thus he got the name of Sree Padmanabha Dasan. In the same year, he invaded Vadakkumkoor.

AD 1753: An agreement between Travancore and Dutch took place in Mavelikkara.

AD 1755: The last Mamankam festival in Thirunavaya was held in 1755, and it is believed that it is ended with Hyder Ali’s Kerala Attack following the suicide of Samoothiri.

AD 1758: Karthika Thirunal Ramavarma succeded to the throne of Travancore following the death of Marthanda Varma in 1758. Upon attack of Tipu in Malabar region, Ramavarma gave shelter to the people fled from Malabar to South Kerala. Thus he got the name “Dharma Raja”.

AD 1758: Hyder Ali attacked South Kerala.

AD 1761: The Land Tax was first introduced in Kochi.

AD 1766: Hyder Ali built a fort in Palakkad.

AD 1772: Father Clement's Sankshepa Vedartham came out in 1772 and was published in Rome. It was the first Malayalam book that written in Malayalam font completely from first to last page.

AD 1779: British captured Mayyazhi (Mahe) and later it was given to French.

AD 1788: Tipu Sultan builded Faruqui city and he named it as the administrative capital of Malabar (Places under the rule of Tipu).

AD 1789: Tipu Sultan attacked the Nedumkotta which is the north of Travancore.

AD 1789: Raja Keshavadas become dewan of Travancore. He changed the title, from dalawa to dewan. He is also the first man to get the title “dewan”. He also got the title Rajah from British Governor Mornington, in pleasure of his talents. In return, he also added Dasan to his name to become Raja Keshavadas. He is the chief architect of Alappuzha Harbour Town and also taken steps to built Chala Market in Trivandrum.

AD 1790: Sakthan Thampuran becomes the ruler of the Kingdom of Cochin. He was considered as the founder of modern kochi and the world famous Thrissur Pooram was first introduced by him.

AD 1792: Srirangapatna Treaty was signed between Tipu and British. Upon that Treaty, the whole Malabar region under the control of Tipu was given to British. British appointed commissioners in the region to rule.

AD 1793: Emergence of British Malabar. Calicut is the capital of British Malabar Region.

AD 1793 – 1797: First Pazhassi Revolt. Kottayam Kerala Varma is the original Name of Pazhassi Raja. He attacked British by taking Puralimala as Centre.

AD 1795: The fall of Dutch Kochi.

AD 1795: Travancore accepted the British Supremacy. The British entered the administration of the state under the rule of Dharma Raja.

AD 1798: Dharma Raja died in the age of 74, after a long reign of 40 years from 1758 to 1798.

AD 1798: Avittom Thirunal Balarama Varma succeeded to the Throne of Travancore after the demise of Dharma Raja.

AD 1799: Raja Keshavadas died. The name of popular place in Trivandrum, “Keshavadasapuram” was named after him.

AD 1800: Colonel Macaulay became the resident for Travancore and Cochin under British East India Company from 1800 to 1810 and involved in the matter of an attack by Chempil Arayan.

AD 1801: The administration of Malabar reigion is shifted from Bombay presidency to Madras presidency.

AD 1802: Veluthampi Dalawa became Dalawa of Travancore.

AD 1805: Shakthan Thampuran Died.

AD 1805: Pazhassi murdered in November 30, 1805 following the revolt. The second Pazhassi revolt happened between AD 1800 and AD 1805. The Kurichiya group of Wayanad helped Pazhassi in the Revolt. Thomas Harvey Baber who was the sub collector at that time put an end to the revolt.

AD 1809: Kundara Proclamation (January 11, 1809).

AD 1809: Velu Thampi suicided by cutting his throat died in the Mannadi Temple of Pathanamthitta.

AD 1809: Paliath Achan, the prime minister of Kingdom of Cochin and a strong supporter of Velu Thambi Dalawa was deported to Madras, where he was kept as prisoner.

AD 1810: Gouri Lakshmi Bai succeeded to the throne of Travancore.

AD 1810: Colonel John Munro becomes the resident of both Kochi & Travancore. He played an important role in administration of justice that take place in both Kochi & Travancore under the rule of Gouri Lakshmi Bai and Gouri Parvati Bai. He also takes step to start Secretariat administration in Travancore.

AD 1812: Kurichiya revolt in Wayanad. The revolt occurred as a result of fixing Taxes by the British government on Scheduled Tribes of Kurichiyars and Kurumbers in 1812. They took arms to fight against British, but it ended unsuccessfully. Earlier Kurichiyars helped Pazhassi Raja for fighting against British and also gave shelter to him.

AD 1815: Rani Gouri Parvati Bai succeeded to the throne of Travancore.

AD 1818: Rev. J. Dosan built an English School and a Dispensary at Mattancherry.

AD 1821: CMS (Church Mission Society) press Built in Kottayam. They also built a school for Girls.

AD 1829: Swathi Thirunal succeeded to the throne of Travancore. Maharani Laksmi Bai was the mother of Swathi. He was declared as next ruler, much before Laksmi Bai got pregnant to give birth to Swathi. Thus he got the title of “Garbha Shriman''.

AD 1830: Hazoor Kacheri shifted from Kollam to Kottakakam in Trivandrum.

AD 1834: First English School built in Thiruvananthapuram.

AD 1834: First Kaneshumari in Travancore.

AD 1836: Star Bungalow in Thiruvananthapuram.

AD 1845: First English Medium School in Ernakulam.

AD 1846: Benjamin Bailey published his first English-Malayalam dictionary.

AD 1846: Swathi Thirunal Died. His ruling period is called as the Golden Period of Travancore.

AD 1847: A German born, Herman Gundert, Basel Mission worker published the first Malayalam newspaper, Rajyasamacharam in 1847 from Illikkunnu in Thalassery. In the same year he also published the newspaper Pashchimodayam.

AD 1853: The slaves are released in Travancore.

AD 1853: Chattampi Swamikal born in Kannamoola of Trivandrum.

AD 1854: The slaves are released in Kochi.

AD 1855: Malabar Collector, HV Konoli killed. The people belong to Mappila revolt killed him.Konoli Canal and a teak plantation “Konoli Plot” remains a memory of this Collector.

AD 1858: Sir T Madhava Rao becomes the Dewan of Travancore. He is one among the best dewan of Travancore. It was during his period, the current Secretariat of Kerala was built.

AD 1859: The first coir factory was established in Alappuzha in 1859 in the name of Daras Mail & Co by James Dara.

AD 1860: The first college of Kerala, CMS is established in Kottayam.

AD 1861: Ayilyam Thirunal Rama Varma succeded to the throne of Travancore.

AD 1861: First Railway Line in Kerala, Beypore - Tirur in 1861 started.

AD 1862: The Tellicherry Brennen School started in 1862 by the Basel Mission. Later it is changed to College.

AD 1863: Ayyankali, the social reformer born in 1863 in Venganoor, Trivandrum.

AD 1864: The first Government Hospital of Kerala established in Trivandrum (Thiruvanathapuram Civil Hospital).

AD 1865: Pandara Pattam Proclamation.

AD 1866: The English School built by Swathi Thirunal in 1834 changed into a University. That University is called as Today’s University College in Trivandrum.

AD 1869: The inauguration of new Secretariat in Trivandrum. William Barton designed and built the new Secretariat, who was the chief engineer of Travancore. It was built based on Roman Architecture. Later it became the administration center of Thiru – Kochi and then for whole Kerala.

AD 1872: Herman Gundert wrote the famous Malayalam English Dictionary.

AD 1874: For the first time, Government Law College in Trivandrum established.

AD 1877: The construction of main central road completed. The path extended from Trivandrum to Angamaly is now known in the name of State Highway Number 1.

AD 1880: Visakham Thirunal Rama Varma become the king of Travancore. The cultivation of tapioca cultivation started.

AD 1883: Land Survey in Travancore Started.

AD 1885: Sree Moolam Thirunal Maharaja succeeded to the throne of Travancore (1885 - 1924).

AD 1887: The newspaper “Deepika” published for the first time in 1887 in Maanaath, Kottayam. Today it is the oldest Malayalam newspaper.

AD 1888: Malayala Manorama Newspaper Company Started.

AD 1888: The Travancore Legislative Council was established in the year 1888 with Dewan T. Rama Rao in the chair of meeting.

AD 1888: In February 1888, Sree Narayana Guru installed a rock from the Neyyar River as Shivalinga at Aruvippuram. Brahmins argued it by citing the condition that only Brahmins can do that. In reply to this, Guru said that he installed an Ezhava Shiva. This incident is also termed as Aruvippuram Revolt.

AD 1889: The first Novel “Indhulekha” written by O. Chandu Menon published.

AD 1889: The First Ayurveda College of Kerala was started by Sree Moolam Thirunal in the name of Ayurvedic Patasala (Kashayappura).

AD 1891: Malayali Memorial Agitation. According to that Agitation, a memorandum presented by a group of citizens under the leadership of GP Pillai and KP Shankara Menon to Maharaja Sree Moolam Thirunal in 1891. It was signed by more than 10,000 citizens which includes all castes and religions. It demands Sri Moolam Thirunal to secure government jobs for educated people in Travancore. At that time, most jobs were in the hands of Tamil Brahmins.

AD 1893: The death of Dr Herman Gundert.

AD 1896: Ezhava Memorial under the leadership of Dr Palpu is a group memorandum signed by 13,176 Hindu Ezhava community members. It is also similar to Malayali Memorial which was submitted to King of Travancore demanding the Government to allow government jobs for educated people of Ezhava Community in Travancore.

AD 1896: The Janmi Kudiyan Regulation Act in Travancore providing security of tenure to the tenants of private lands.

AD 1899: Death of O. Chandhumenon.

AD 1900: The visit of British Viceroy, Lord Curzon in Travancore and is also the first viceroy to visit Travancore. Curzon mentioned Alappuzha as “The Venice of East”.

AD 1900: Due to the rejection of Ezhava Memorial by Travancore Government in 1896, they once again submitted the memorial to Lord Curzon in 1900. It is known in the name of “Ezhava Memorial in 1900”.

AD 1901: K Ramakrishna Pillai, Started the magazine “Kerala Panchika” in Trivandrum.

AD 1902: Rubber Cultivation started in Kerala for commercial purpose. The first Rubber Plantation was started in Tattekkadu ner Perumbavoor in Ernakulam.

AD 1903: Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam was registered in May 15, 1903 for the progression of Ezhava Community under the leadership of Sree Narayana Guru (President) and the secretary, Kumaran Aasan (upto 1919). The formation of SNDP Yogam led to the formation of Sadhujajna Pariplana Yogam, Pulaya Samudhaya Parishkarana Sabha, Valasevasamithi, Dheevara sabha,Yogashema sabha and the Nair Service Society. 

AD 1904: Sree Moolam Popular Assembly (Praja Sabha) started.

AD 1904: The bi-monthly magazine of SNDP, Vivekodayam started in Trivandrum with Kumaran Asan as Editor.

AD 1905: Vakkom Muhammed Abdul Khadir Moulavi started Swadeshabhimani Newspaper near Anjuthengu of Thiruvananathapuram District. Chirayinkeezhu CP Govinda Pillai is the first Editor of Swadeshabhimani.

AD 1905: Ayyankali started a school to teach Dalit children at Venganoor. It is also the first school in kerala built for the welfare of children of Dalit people.

AD 1906: K Ramakrishna Pillai becomes the editor of Swadeshabhimani.

AD 1906: Raja Ravi Varma (1848 – 1906), great painter Died.

AD 1907: Ayyankali founded the Sadhujana Paripalana Sangham in 1907, in Venganoor. In the same year Brahmananda Swami Sivayogi founded the Ananda Maha Sabha and C Krishna Pillai initiated the Smastha Kerala Nair Samajam.

AD 1907: Kumaran Asan's famous poem, Veena Poovu was first published in the Mitavadi.

AD 1908: Yogakshema Sabha started for the socio-cultural progression of the state.

AD 1909: The first farmer group strike in kerala was first organized in Venganoor by Ayyankali.

AD 1909: The old manuscripts containing 11 Bhasa plays written in Sanskrit by T Ganapati Shastry was discovered from Manalikkara Matham in Munjira near Trivandrum.

AD 1910: Swadeshabhimani K Ramakrishna Pillai was deported in September 26, 1910. Ramakrishna Pillai wrote the criticisms against P. Rajagopalachari, who was the then Diwan of Travancore and also Maharaja in Swadeshabhimani. This forced the authorities to taking away the newspaper and deported him from Travancore.

AD 1911: Kerala Kaumudhi was founded in 1911. Under the leadership of CV Kunhiraman, Aloor S Padmanabha Panicker started Kerala Kaumudhi weekly.

AD 1912: The Malayalam edition of life of Communist leader, Karl Marx was published for the first time in India by Swadeshabhimani K Ramakrishna Pillai.

AD 1912: Sree Sarada Pradishta in Sivagiri by Sree Narayana Guru.

AD 1913: Kodugallur Kunjikuttan Thampuran (1865 - 1913) Died.

AD 1914: Under the leadership of Mannath Padmanabhan, the Nair Bhruthya Janasangham was formed in Mannath Bhavan of Perunna in Changanassery. First president was K Kelappan and Mannam is the first Secretary. It is later changed to Nair Service Society (NSS).

AD 1914: Kerala Varma Valiya Koyi Thampuran (1845–1914) died. He is also known in the name of Kerala Kalidasan.

AD 1914: Sree Narayana Guru built Advaita Ashramam at Aluva.

AD 1915: Ooruttambalam Revolt (Nineteenth Century Revolt) under the leadership of Ayyankali. In the same year, Kallumala Agitation occurred under the leadership of Ayyankali in Perinad of Kollam.

AD 1915: Vagbhatananda Gurudevan (1885 - 1939) born in a backward caste founded “Atma Vidhya Sangam “. He fought against the Caste-Religion System, idol worship and also against alchol Consumption.

AD 1916: Swadeshabhimani K Ramakrishna Pillai died. He was deported from Travancore in 1910 and after that he lives along with his wife in Madras, Palakkad and then settled in Kannur during his last days. He wrote Vrithantha Pathra Pravarthanam in 1912, which is known as the first book on journalism in Malayalam language.

AD 1917: Sahodaran Magazine was established under the editorship of K Ayyappan in Cherai, Vypin of Kochi.

AD 1918: Under the leadership of CP Achutha Menon and TR Ramachandra Iyyer, Cochin Rajya Prajamandalam started. It was also during this year, the first bank of princely state started in Thrissur.

AD 1918: CV Ramanpillai wrote his first edition of the novel “Ramaraja Bahadur” in 1918. He published its second edition in 1919. His First novel is “Marthanda Varma” and his second novel is Dharma Raja.

AD 1919: Sir Robert Bristow started the construction of Wellington Island in Kochi. The construction is mainly for increasing the depth and development of Kochi Harbor.

AD 1919: Sambavar Sangam formed in Travancore.

AD 1920: Gandhi visited Kerala for the first time as a part of Khilafat Movement. He came along with Indian Muslim nationalist, Shoukath Ali in Kozhikode.

AD 1920: Sree Narayana Guru spread the message as a part of birthday wish “Liquor is poison, make it not, sell it not, and drink it not”.

AD 1920: Merge of the congress committees of three regions, Travancore, Kochi and Malabar and formed the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC). T Madhavan Nair is the first secretary of the committee.

AD 1921: The first All Kerala Political Conference held at Ottappalam in April 1921 was conducted under the leadership of Andhra Kesari T Prakasam.

AD 1921: Upon Khilafat Movement, the local Muslims of Malabar grouped and thus they got the strength. This irked the British rulers and they tried to put an end to this which resulted in Malabar Rebellion.

AD 1921: The Wagon tragedy resulted in the death of 64 prisoners on 10th November 1921. The prisoners had been taken into custody by the British as a result of Mappila Rebellion. The ninety of the Muslim freedom fighters were arrested and dispatched by train from Tirur to Bellary Prison. When the wagon opened in Pothanur station, 64 of them suffocated to death.

AD 1922: CV Raman Pillai died in March 21, 1922.

AD 1922: Rabindranath Tagore visited Sree Narayana Guru in Sivagiri.

AD 1923: Mathrubhumi, a tri weekly news paper in the days of Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday was founded by KP Kesava Menon in 1923 March 18th.  Mathrubhumi becomes daily news paper in 1930 April 6. K Madhavan Nair was the first Manager of the news paper.

AD 1923: Vakkom Moulavi founded Kerala Muslim Aikya sangham.

AD 1924: Kumaran Asan died at the age of 51 in boat accident in Alappuzha in January 1924. He is only Poet who got the title of Mahakavi without writing a Mahakavyam.

AD 1925: Mahatma Gandhi visited Kerala for the second time in March 8, 1924 in order to find a solution for Vaikom Satyagraha. He also visited Sree Narayana Guru in Sivagiri.

AD 1925: Based on Nair regulation in 1925, 'Makkathayam' was introduced.

AD 1925: Cochin legislative Council was inaugurated in April 1925. Thottakkattu Madhaviamma (wife of Mannathu Padmanabha Pillai) was the first woman to be a member of any legislative Council in India.

AD 1926: In 1926, Sethu Lakshmi Bayi passed the Newspaper Regulation to control the abuse of press with the introduction of license for them.

AD 1927: Third visit of Mahatma Gandhi in Kerala. Under the presidency of Gandhi, a Harijan Meeting was held at Kozhikode. As a result, Kerala Andhiyajanodharana Sangam was formed and C Krishnan becomes its president and Kelapan became its secretary. It later worked in the name of Keralodharana Sangham.

AD 1927: Samastha Kerala Sahitya Parishath was started in April 26th.

AD 1928: Sree Narayana Dharma Sangam was registered in January 9th. Gurudevan's samadhi was also in the same year (September 20).

AD 1928: Under the presidency of Jawaharlal Nehru, Nattu Rajya Praja Sammelanam was held at Ernakulam, passed the Aikya Kerala Movement.

AD 1928: The first silent film of Malayalam, Vigathakumaran (The Lost Child) was screened in Trivandrum. The native of Agastheeswaram, JC Daniel started his studio “Travancore National Pictures” in Pattom. He is the scriptwriter and director of the film.

AD 1929: Under the presidency of Sir M Vishweshwaraya, Nattu Rajya Praja Sammelanam was held at Thiruvananthapuram.

AD 1929: The first film production company of Kerala, Kerala Cinetown started by Ramavarma Appan Thampuran.

AD 1930: Kerala Kalamandalam established near the bank of River Bharatapuzha in Cheruthurutti by king of Kochi. It was shifted to Vallathol Nagar in 1973.

AD 1930: Salt Satyagraha of the nation also created waves in Kerala. Under the leadership of K Kelappan, Salt Satyagraha March started from Kozhikode and ended in Payyanur. Salt was made by violating the Salt Law.

AD 1930: Kerala Kalamandalam was established. It was first built as an arts school in Kunnakulam Kovilakam for the purpose of performing Kathakali under the leadership of Mahakavi Vallathol Naryanan Menon. In 1938, the king of Kochi allotted land for Kerala Kalamandalam in the village of Cheruthuruthy in Thrissur District on the banks of the Bharathapuzha River.

AD 1930: P Subramoniyam started the first Movie Theatre “New Theatre” in Thiruvananthapuram.

AD 1931: VT Bhattathiripad performed Yachana Yatra (Begger Travel) to collect money from Thrissur to Chandragirippuzha in Kasargod. The aim of this seven day Walk travel is to give the money to poor children for study.

AD 1932: Nivarthana Agitation in Travancore.

AD 1933: United Muslim Association becomes State Muslim Association.

AD 1933: Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma becomes the first Maharaja of Travancore to travel in Sea.

AD 1933: The second Malayalam silent film, “Balan” directed by PV Rao based on novel by CV Raman Pillai released.

AD 1934: Mahatma Gandhi’s fourth Kerala travel and the purpose of this travel to collect fund for Harijans.

AD 1935: The first Aeroplane service was started in kerala from Mumbai to Trivandrum.

AD 1936: AK Gopalan with his 32 followers led the hunger march from kannur to Madras in 1937. The main purpose of this march is to find solution for problems of Agricultural Employees, Unemployment, Hunger, Poverty and so on.

AD 1936: Sir CP Ramaswami Iyer becomes the Dewan of Travancore.

AD 1936: Electricity agitation in Cochin State.

AD 1936: Chitra Thirunal Maharaja issued the statement of “Temple Entry Proclamation’ in Travancore.

AD 1937: The fifth and last visit of Kerala.

AD 1937: The fifth and final visit of Gandhi in Kerala.

AD 1938: Communism in Kerala Started.

AD 1938: The first talkie film in Malayalam, Balan Released.

AD 1939: Uttaravada Rule in Travancore started.

AD 1939: Rajadhani March in October 23rd under the leadership of Akkamma Cheriyan.

AD 1940: Morazha Incident took place in Kannur.

AD 1941: Under the leadership of VR Krishnan Ezhuthachan, Congress members of Kochi formed the Cochin Rajya Prajamandalam.

AD 1941: Kayyur Struggle – A policemen killed related to the incident. The four accused persons were killed by Hanging in 29th March 1943. Kayyur is located in Kasargod.

AD 1941: Ayyankali died.

AD 1942: The Communist Newspaper, Deshabhimani started. It becomes daily in 1946.

AD 1943: The first Radio Station started in Thiruvananthapuram.

AD 1944: The first novel of Vaikom Muhammad Basheer, Balyakalasakhi published.

AD 1945: National Book Stall started at Kottayam.

AD 1945: Sahitya Pravarthaka Sahakarana Sangham started in Kottayam. The president of Sangham is MP Paul and its secretary is Karoor Neelakanda Pillai. “Thakazhiyude Kathakal” is the first story published by SPDS.

AD 1946: Diwan, CP Ramaswamy introduced "American model” administration in Travancore in January 16.

AD 1946: Punnapra-Vayalar Revolt. As a result, about 200 people shot dead in October 27.

AD 1947: In a press meet held in June 11, CP Ramaswami Iyer issued a statement citing that Travancore would become independent following the Indian independence in August 15th. This statement led to controversy. A general meeting was held by the public in pettah in July 13th and police fired the public. A student named, Rajendran and 3 others were shot dead. After that Ramaswami Iyer resigned in 1947 following an unsuccessful murder attempt against him in July 25th.

AD 1947: Diwan rule in Kochi also came to an end.

AD 1948: Pattom Thanu Pillai became the prime minister of Travancore with TM Varghese and C Kesavan as Sub Ministers.

AD 1948: The first Film Studio of Malayalam, Udhaya started in Alappuzha.

AD 1949: Thiru - Kochi came into existence in July 1, by merging both Travancore and Kochi. Travancore King, Sree Chitra Thirunal became the head of the states (Raja Pramukhan). Parur TK Narayana Pillai became the first chief minister and TM Varghese became the speaker of the newly formed Travancore-Cochin state. AK John, Dr EK Madhavan and TE Abdhulla became the ministers of Travancore whereas Ikkanda Warrior, K Ayyappan and Panampilly Govinda Menon became the ministers of Kochi.

AD 1951: C Kesavan became the prime minister of Thiru-Kochi in February 28.

AD 1951: The first super hit film “Jeevitha Nouka” released. The script and story was written by Muthukulam Raghavan Pillai and directed by Vembu. Thikkurishi Sukumaran Nair and BS Sarojam were the main actors of the Movie.

AD 1951: Kerala Peoples Art Club (KPAC) based on Kayamkulam founded.

AD 1952: AJ John became the first elected chief minister of Thiru Kochi.

AD 1953: Resignation of AJ John Government.

AD 1954: The film that received the Silver Medal of President “Neelakuyil” released.

AD 1954: Pattom Thanu Pillai won the election from PSP Party, and became the chief minister of Thiru-Kochi.

AD 1954: Mayyazhi (Mahe) formerly a French colony got independence.

AD 1954: IK Kumaran Master who represented Mayyazhi Mahajana Sabha is also known in the name of Mayyazhi Gandhi.

AD 1955: Pattom Thanu Pillai resigned and Panampilly Govinda Menon became Chief Minister.

AD 1955: President's rule for the first time in Kerala, with Shri PS Rao was appointed as Advisor to Rajapramukh.

AD 1956: The Novel Chemmeen of Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai was published by Sahitya Pravarthaka Sahakarana Sangham. The novel got Kendra Sahitya Academy award in 1957. The novel was also made into a Movie by director Ramu Kariat in 1964 and released in the name of Chemmeen. In 1965, the movie got Golden Medal from the President of India.

AD 1956: Kerala Sahitya Academy was formed with the aim of progression of Malayalam language and literature. Sardar Kavalam Madhava Panikkar was the first president whereas Vallathol Narayana Menon is the vice president.

AD 1956: Malayalees long time wish happened with the merge of Malabar and Thiru-Kochi to form the Kerala State in November 1st 1956.