An Archaeological Investigation into Shukasandesham … · 2018-12-30 · An Archaeological...

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.

ISSN 2347 – 5463Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology 6: 2018

740

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),

Muhaseen et al. 2018: 739‐755

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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”

‐


745

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.


750

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.


751

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.

References Ayyar, A. S. Ramanatha. 1927. Travancore Archaeological Series. Vol.VI.

Thiruvananthapuram: Department of Cultural Publications.

Ayyar, A. S. Ramanatha. 1924. Travancore archaeological series Vol. V.

Thiruvananthapuram: Cultural Publications Department.

Iyer, S. Rama. 1963. Sukasandesham. Kottayam: National Book Stall.

Kunjanpillai, P. N. 1953. Unnuneeli Sandesham Charitra Drishtiyilkoodi. Kottayam:

SahityaPravarthaka Co‐operative Society Ltd.


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Kunjanpillai, S. 1996. Unnunilisandesam. Thiruvananthapuram: State Institute of

Languages.

Menon, A. Sreedhara. 1978. Cultural Heritage of Kerala. Kottayam: D C Books.

Rao, T. A. Gopinatha. 1908. Travancore Archaeological Series. Vol II. and Vol. III.

Thiruvananthapuram: Department of Cultural Publications.

Rao, T. A. Gopinatha. 1908. Travancore Archaeological Series. Vol. I. Thiruvananthapuram:

Department of Cultural Publications.

Sastri, Nilakanta, K. A. 1939. Foreign Notices of South India from Megasthenese to Mahuan.

Chennai. Madras University.

Unny, C. 1972. Kokasandesham. Kottayam: Free Mithram Book Depot.

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