Inscriptions in Kerala

Inscriptions are crucial documents that shed light on the ancient history of Kerala. The documents carved on stone by kings or rulers later became crucial in determining the chronology of history. Inscriptions are documents carved on stone by rulers in ancient times. Inscriptions contain the name of the edict giver, the order issued, information about gifts, titles, recognitions, donations, etc. Such Inscriptions are very helpful in studying the history of Kerala. There are Inscriptions inscribed on copper plates. They are called pattayams. They are also called cheppedu. Many Inscriptions begin with 'Swastisree'.

Vazhappally Inscription

This is the first inscription found in Kerala. This inscription has made a significant contribution to the historiographical tradition of Kerala. It is believed that this inscription was written in 832 AD. Historians believe that it was during the reign of Rama Rajashekara Devan Parameswara Bhattarakka, who ruled Mahodayapuram from 820 to 844 AD. This is a valuable document that provides information about the Kulasekharas. The first Kulasekhara Perumal revealed in the inscriptions is the Rajashekharan in this inscription. The Vazhappally inscription was found near Vazhappally/Changanassery in Kottayam district, Kerala. The Vazhappally inscription, written in the Pallava script, contains the genealogy of the Chera Perumals and agricultural information. It is believed that Rajashekharan was a devotee of Shiva, as the Vazhapally Edict begins with 'Nama shivaya' while many other edicts begin with 'Swastisree'. The mention of the Roman dinar coin in this edict is evidence of Kerala's trade relations with the Roman Empire.

Tharisapalli Inscription

The first important Kerala edict to be accurately dated is the Tharisapalli Edict or Quilon Syrian copper plates. The Tharisapalli Edicts or Tharisapalli Cheppedukal are the first written records that mark the presence of Christians in Kerala. The content of this edict is that Ayyan Adikal, who ruled Venad as a vassal of Sthanuravivarman Perumal, the Chera emperor, donates a territory with many rights and privileges to Tharisapalli in Kollam. Ayyan Adikal grants these rights to Tharisapalli through Mar Sapir Iso, a chief priest and merchant who migrated from Persia. This donation is made in the presence of important officials of the country and representatives of the commercial organizations of Anchuvannam and Manigramam. The commercial importance of Kollam is evident from this document. It can be understood from this edict that during this period, Venad had only a feudal status in the Kulasekhara Empire. From the clear mention in this edict about various taxes such as labor tax, sales tax, vehicle tax, etc., it is also possible to understand the tax system in the old Venad. The Tharisapalli Edict is the first-class evidence of the tolerance of other religions maintained by the ancient Kerala kings.

Kurumathur Inscription

Kurumathur inscription is a ninth century Sanskrit epigraph from Kerala that mentions about the early Chera dynasty.

Paliyam Copper Plates

The Paliyam Edict is known as the 'Sreemoolavasam Cheppedukal'. The Paliyam Edict is an ancient copper plate inscription in which King Vikramadityavaraguna, who made his headquarters in Vizhinjam, donated some land to a Buddhist institution called Thirumoolavasam (Sreemoolavasam) in the 15th year of his reign. This is the only inscription found in Kerala that has a direct connection with Buddhism. The edict contains the Mangalacharana commemorating the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. It also shows Vikramadityavaraguna's tolerance towards Buddhism. Moreover, it is one of the important documents found in Kerala related to Buddhism. The edict also mentions the invasion of Kerala by Parantaka Chola.

Mampalli Copper Plate

The Mampalli copper plate is one of the important historical documents that sheds light on the history of ancient Venad. This copper plate inscription got its name because it was obtained from the Mampallipattayam monastery in Keezhattingal near Attingal. The Mampalli copper plate is a consent document in which a private individual donates a considerable amount of land to the Chengannur temple in the presence of many dignitaries. The Mampalli copper plate was written in the year 149 Kollavarsham. This copper plate deed was written about 130 years after the Tharisapalli cheppedu. This document is also historical evidence for the rule of another Venad king after the Ayyan Adikal, who created the Tharisapalli cheppedu. The name of this Venad king was Sreevallabha Kotha. The Kollavarsham was first recorded as a chronology standard in Mampalli copper plate and the Mampalli edict has also helped determine the reigns of emperors Bhaskara Ravi Varma I and Indu Kotha Varma of Mahodayapuram.

Chokkur Edict

This is a stone inscription from the Omassery Chokkur Sree Ram temple in Kozhikode district. This inscription dates back to the 15th reign of Goda ravi varma, the Kulasekha Perumal (932 AD). This inscription contains the first mention of the Devadasi system in Kerala. It contains the oldest mention of the temple dancers, Nanga. This document is evidence that the Devadasi system existed in Kerala during the Kulasekha rule.

Hazoor inscription

An edict issued by the king of Ay, Karunanthadakkan, in A.D. 866. This edict records that he bought a land in Uzhakudivila from the people of Munchira sabha in exchange for another property and built a Vishnu temple. He also built a Vedic school for 95 Vedic students to stay and study near it on the model of Kanthalloor shala. Several thousand paras of land were donated for the expenses of the temple and the school. The edict states that not only Vedic studies but also weapons training was conducted here. The functioning of the Vidyapeethas of that time can be understood from this. Karunandadakkar, who had titles such as Sree Vallabhan and Parthivasekharan, named this place Parthivasekharapuram. The Parthivasekharapuram Vishnu temple is located in Vilavamcode taluk of Kanyakumari district. This is the first edict in South India to use the monsoon season to indicate the number of days.

Kinalur Inscription 

Kinalur inscription is an 11th-century stone record documenting Jain history and local governance in northern Kerala. It is engraved on a granite slab using Vattezhuthu script with Grantha characters. It records donations by Arappan Kunchi, chieftain of Kurumpurai Nadu, to the "Kinalur Vijayaragishwaram Jain Temple". It is discovered at the Puvembayi Shiva Temple compound and presently preserved in the Kinalur Maha Shiva Temple.

Jewish Edict

The Jewish Edict is a charter issued by the Chera Emperor Bhaskara Ravivarman I in 1000 AD, granting a Jewish merchant named Joseph Rabban the right to collect customs and other taxes on his own and 72 privileges, along with five posts. This shows the status and importance of the Jewish community in the trade sector. The Jewish Edicts are an example of the religious tolerance of the Kerala kings. The Edict is still preserved in the Mattancherry Jewish Cemetery. It is also known as the 'Jewish Pattayam'. The Edict was written by Vandalacherry Kandan Kuruppolan, who was in charge of writing oral messages.

Thiruvalangadu Inscription

The Thiruvalangad Edict is an edict of Rajendra Chola, who ruled the Chola kingdom from 1012 to 1044. The Thiruvalangad Edict is one of the most important Chola edicts that sheds light on the history of Kerala. Although this edict praises Rajendra Chola a lot, it mainly mentions the attack on Vizhinjam. The Thiruvalangad Edict mentions that Devadasis were sold to the temple. The legend that Kerala was created by Parasurama with an axe is mentioned in this edict.

Thalangara Inscription

This stone inscription in the village of Thalangara in Kasaragod tells the story of a queen named Machikabbe who fought against drought in her own way. This inscription, which reveals the history of agricultural expansion, is an important link in the history of Kasaragod. Machikabbe's husband, King Jayasimha, wanted to give her a gift. He asked her to ask for anything she wanted. She asked for a barren land full of rocks and thorns that no one wanted and no one visited. The king granted her a place far from the royal palace. They cleared the land and diverted a stream to the property. The property was converted into an agricultural and residential area. Gardens and thatched houses were built. Later, it was donated for public use. The inscription indicates that the place became a haven for criminals as the queen granted temporary pardon to those who committed crimes such as murder and robbery without fear of punishment. The inscription states that the criminals later surrendered themselves to the royal authorities, and commends the queen for helping to maintain law and order in the kingdom. The edict also states that the inheritance of this land will be to the female descendants. This is the first edict from Tulunadu to mention the son-in-law marriage.

Kodavalam Inscription

The Kodavalam Edict is a stone inscription carved in the Kodavalam Vamana temple near Kanhangad in Kasaragod district. It was issued by Bhaskara Ravivarman I in 1020 AD. It contains a royal decree to provide three Kazhanchi of gold from the tax collected from the village of Kodavalam for the maintenance of the Kodavalam temple. The discovery of this edict has revised the existing understanding of the reign of the Perumal kings in Kerala history. The edict is written in the Brahmi script.

Thrikkodithanam Inscription

The Thrikkodithanam Edict is an edict from the 13th year of the reign of Emperor Bhaskara Ravivarman, the Kulasekhara Emperor. It was discovered in the Thrikkodithanam temple. These stone inscriptions in the Vattezhutu reveal the customs and administrative matters of the temple. It dates back to the reign of a Perumal named Bhaskara Ravivarma. The Venad king Govardhana Marthandan is seen in power in Thrikkodithanam, the capital of Nanruzhai Nadu, one of the Ay lands. It also mentions another Venad king, Sri Vallabhan Kotha. The document mentions the names of all three kings, Bhaskara Ravivarman I, Sri Vallabhan Kotha, and Govardhana Marthandan. This inscription, carved in seven lines on the north and west walls of the Thrikkodithanam temple shrine near Changanassery, is a complete one. This edict begins with the hymn, "Mangalam Bhavikkatte!"

Muchunti stone inscription

This is a bilingual inscription in Malayalam and Arabic. This inscription in Muchunti mosque is the only official record of a Hindu king of medieval Kerala honoring Muslims with religious and social benefits. Muchunti mosque, one of the earliest Muslim mosques in Kerala, is located in Kuttichira, Kozhikode. This bilingual inscription, carved in Arabic and Vattezhuthu, sheds light on the early history of the Zamorin kings and Muslims. The subject of this inscription is the donation of some property to the mosque through an official named Poonthurakkon (Zamorin) as a daily allowance for the expenses of the mosque.

Manalikkara Inscription 

It was found in Kanyakumari district (formerly Travancore), this pillar inscription details ancient taxation rules under Venad king Veera Ravi Kerala Varma. This inscription was written in AD 1410.