Kingdom of Cochin
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The Kingdom of Cochin or Kochi (also known as Perumpadapu Swaroopam, Madarajyam, Gosree Rajyam, or Kuru Swaroopam; Malayalam: കൊച്ചി [Kocci] or പെരുമ്പടപ്പ [Perumpaṭapp]) was a former state in the area of present Kochi (Cochin), Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram in what is now the Indian state of Kerala. Later, it was merged with Travancore to create Travancore-Cochin, which was in turn merged with the Malabar district of Madras State on November 1, 1956 to form the new state of Kerala.
Capital(s)
From the beginning of 12th century AD and to the end of 13th century AD Chitrakooda in Perumpadapu village, of Vanneri was the capital of Perumpadapum Swaroopam. The King also had a palace in Mahodayapuram. When the Zamorins attacked Vanneri in the later part of the 13th century, Perumpadapum Swaroopam shifted their capital from Vanneri to Mahodayapuram. This continued till the beginning of 15th century. In 1405 Perumpadapum Swaroopam changed their capital from Mahodayapuram to Cochin. From there on Perumpadapum Swaroopam got the name Cochin Royal Family. By the end of the 14th Zamorin conquered Thrikkanamathilakam and it became a threat for Mahodayapuram (Thiruvanchikulam) and this may be the reason that Perumpadapum Swaroopam changed their capital to Cochin. Not only this in the year 1341 a flood created an island Puthuvippu (Vypin) and Cochin became a world famous natural harbor. The old Kodungallore(Cranganore) port lost its importance. The above may also be a cause for the shift of the capital. The palace at Kalvathhi was the residence of the kings in the beginning. Then in 1555 the palace was shifted to Mattancheri. Then after that the capital was shifted to Trichur (Thrissur) for a long time. At that time Penvazithampuran (Female Thampuran) and the other Kochuthampurans (other Thampurans except the Valliathampuran (King)) stayed at a palace in Vellarapalli. In the beginning of 18th century Thripunithura started gaining prominence. The kingdom was ruled from Trichur, Cochin and Thripunithura. Around 1755 Penvazithampuran (Female Thampuran) and the other Kochuthampurans (other Thampurans) left Vellarapalli and started to live in Thripunithura. Thus Thripunithura became the capital of Cochin Royal Family.
Different Names
Perumpadapu Swaroopam, Madarajyam, Goshree Rajyam, Kuru Swaroopam are the different names of Cochin Kingdom. Perumpadapu Velliya Thampuran, Madamaheeshan, Goshree Bhoopan, Kuru Bhoomi Bhrith are the different ways to call the Kings.
Since according to Vishravanan's daughter wish Lord Parashurama created a small land for her that land was called Balapuri and which intern means a small Land (Kochu Desham) in malayalam. That was later called Kochi (Cochin). According to Nichola County (15th century) and Fr. Poulino (17th Century) Kochi was named after a stream flowing through the place. This may be right since the capital of the kingdom was Kochi the entire Kingdom was popular by name Kochi. Its is an accepted fact that the kings of Kochi genealogy started from the sister of the last Prumal (Ramavarma Kulashekara) and also she was married by Perumpadapu Namboothiri. After the death of the Namboothiri there was no predecessor to the wealth and his Illom was merged with the Dynasty and hence the name Perumpadapu Swaroopam came into existence. But this reason for the name cannot be accepted fully. It can also be that the first rulers ruled from Perumpadapu in Ponnani hence the name. This reason is more logical. Thruvanjikulam Temple structure is according to the Chidambaram architecture form. So the founder can be a Chola Perumal from Chidambaram(T.N.) and also a tiger is inscribed on the flag which is called Puliyan and his place was called Pulyannur. This are from Putheyadath Raman Menons historical notes. Since Puliyannur Namboothiri (Tantri Poornathrayeesa Temple and Cochin Royal Family) originated from this place that Illom got this name. The name Perumpadapu came from Perumbathura Periyavar (The elder man of Perumbathura, a place near Chidambaram) which can also be a reason but is baseless. There was adoption to Madathinkizu (Madathum Koor) Swoorupam from Perumpadapu Swaroopam and finally there was no predecessor in Madathinkizu their properties were attached to Perumpadapu Swaroopam. Thus the name Madarajyam came into existence. The Sanskrit version of Madavamsham is Goshree Vamsham (Madu (Malayalam)= Pashu (Malayalam)= Go (Sanskrit)). The Kochi is the Synonym of Goshree.
There was also an adoption from Cochin Royal Family to Kuru Swaroopam and finally Kuru Swaroopam was merged with Kochi. Hence the name Kuru Swaroopam .
Kings
Veerakerala Varma nephew of Cheraman Perumal is supposed to be the first king of Cochin (This was around 7th Century AD). But the only record we have is from 1503 AD.
- Unniraman Koyikal I (---- to 1503)
- Unniraman Koyikal II (1503 to 1537)
- Veera Kerala Varma (1537-1565)
- Keshava Rama Varma (1565-1601)
- Veera Kerala Varma (1601-1615)
- Ravi Varma (1615-1624)
- Veera Kerala Varma (1624-1637)
- Godavarma (1637-1645)
- Veerarayira Varma (1645-1646)
- Veera Kerala Varma (1646-1650)
- Rama Varma (1650-1656).
- Rani Gangadharalakshmi (1656-1658).
- Rama Varma (1658-1662).
- Goda Varma (1662-1663)
- Veera Kerala Varma(1663-1687)
- Rama Varma (1687-1693)
- Ravi Varma (1693-1697)
- Rama Varma (1697-1701)
- Rama Varma (1701-1721)
- Ravi Varma (1721-1731)
- Rama Varma (1731-1746)
- Veera Kerala Varma (1746-1749)
- Rama Varma (1749-1760)
- Veera Kerala Varma (1760-1775)
- Rama Varma (1775-1790)
- Rama Varma (1790-1805)- SHAKTHAN THAMPURAN
- Rama Varma (1805-1809)- Vellarapalli-yil Theepetta Thampuran (King who died in "Vellarapali")
- Veera Kerala Varma (1809-1828) - Karkidaka Maasathil Theepetta Thampuran (King who died in "karkidaka" month(ME))
- Rama Varma (1828-1837) - Thulam-Maasathil Theepett1a Thampuran (King who died in "Thulam" month (ME))
- Rama Varma (1837-1844) - Edava-Maasathil Theepett1a Thampuran (King who died in "Edavam" month (ME))
- Rama Varma (1844-1851) - Thrishur-il Theepetta Thampuran (King who died in "Thrishivaperoor" or Thrishur)
- Veera Kerala Varma (1851-1853) - Kashi-yil Theepetta Thampuran (King who died in "Kashi" or Varanasi)
- Ravi Varma(1853-1864) - Makara Maasathil Theepetta Thampuran (King who died in "Makaram" month (ME))
- Rama Varma(1864-1888) - Mithuna Maasathil Theepetta Thampuran (King who died in "Mithunam" month (ME))
- Kerala Varma(1888-1895) - Chingam Maasathil Theepetta Thampuran (King who died in "Chingam" month (ME))
- Rama Varma(1895-1914) - aka Rajarshi, Abdicated Highness (Left for heavenly abode in 1932)
- Rama Varma(1914-1932) - Madrasil Theepetta Thampuran (King who died in Madras or Chennai)
- Rama Varma(1932-1941) - Dhaarmika Chakravarthi (King of Dharma), Chowara-yil Theepetta Thampuran (King who died in "Chowara")
- Kerala Varma (1941-1943) - Midukkan (syn: Smart, expert, great.) Thampuran
- Ravi Varma(1943-1946) - Kunjappan Thampuran (Brother of Midukkan Thampuran)
- Kerala Varma(1946-1948) - Ikya-Keralam (Unified Kerala) Thampuran
- Rama Varma (1948-1964) - Pareekshit Thampuran
ME - Malayalam Era
See also
External links
- Emergence Of Kingdom Of Cochin And Cochin Royal Family
- Cochin Royal Family Historical Society
- Namboothiri Websites Trust Calicut
References
- Genalogy of Cochin Royal Family - By Rameshan Thampuran