Sunday, August 26, 2012

NASRANI SYRIAN CHRISTIANS


(NASRANI  SYRIAN  CHRISTIANS   ( SYRIAN-MALABAR - MAPPILA - SAINT THOMAS CHRISTIANS )

Courtesy: Kuzhipallil
Nasrani Syrian Christians ( Syrian-Malabar -Mappila-Saint Thomas Christians ) people are an ethnic community in Kerala. Their heritage is Syriac-Keralite, their culture South Indian, their faith St. Thomas Christian, and their language Malayalam. According to the Acts of Thomas apostle, the first converts made by St. Thomas in India were Malabari Jews, who had settled in Kerala since the time of 'King Solomon' of Israel. 

Their tradition goes back to the very beginnings of first century Christian thought, and the seven churches that are established by St. Thomas the Apostle among the natives and the Jewish diaspora in Kerala. They follow a unique Hebrew-Syriac Christian tradition which includes several Jewish elements along with some Hindu customs.It is believed that St. Thomas travelled to Kerala in AD. 52 and preached gospel to people of several religions such as Judaism, Buddhism, Brahmin religion and other tribal religions". Syrian Christians in Kerala is a community that has emerged through centuries through conversion of local inhabitants and the migrations and colonisations of Jewish, Persian and other Middle Eastern communities. As mentioned earlier, the very first group was converted to this community as a result of missionary works by St. Thomas . They are known as Syrian Christians because of their usage of Syriac as their liturgical language. Syriac is a language (North-West Semitic) that is closer to Hebrew than to Arabic and was developed in the city of Edessa (now Sanliurfa, Turkey). Syriac is related to the Palestinian Jewish Aramaic that was the mother tongue of Jesus and his disciples.

The syrian christians's connections with jews is more believable than their nampoothiri roots. It was natural for St.Thomas to go to the Jews and convert them first ( after all he was also a jew and spoken the same language). It may be some jew merchents who took him to Kerala as jews were trading with kerala from the time of king Solomon. The Syrian Christian community in Kerala was almost isolated from the other mainstream Christian communities across the world (particularly the western world) until the arrival of Portuguese missionaries. After the arrival of Vasco Da Gama, many Portuguese missionaries of Roman Catholic faith preached gospel across the coastal areas of India. That was the period of inquisition in Europe and therefore, they opened inquisition centres in Goa similar to that in Portugal and Spain. The Portuguese missionaries suspected that the St Thomas Christians were under influence of Nestorian heresy because of their connection with the Church of East.

SAINT THOMAS CHRISTIANS TO THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH:

Many historians argue that the Portuguese bishop Aleixo de Menezes converted the Saint Thomas Christians to the Roman Catholic Church. Menezes partly succeeded in Latinising the indigenous Church of St Thomas through the Synod of Diamper in 1599. 

Following the Synod of Diamper, the Syrian Christians revolted against Portuguese supremacy (Coonan Cross Oath), in 1653. As a result, the church of St Thomas in Malabar Coast was divided into two 1) Pazhayakoottukaar - came directly under the patriarch of Rome (Pope). 2) Puthenkoottukaar (known as Jacobites) who, with the help of Dutch, sought liturgical support from the patriarch of Antioch. This was the most unfortunate event in the history of Syrian Christians as it divided them into two groups that were in union for fifteen centuries. Later, several divisions took place among Puthenkoottukaar as a result of several reformation movements and political disputes. At present, there are seven churches in Kerala who claim their origin from St Thomas: the Syro-Malabar Church, the Church of the East, the Jacobite Orthodox Church, the Indian Orthodox Church, the Syro-Malankara Church, Malabar Independent Syrian Church and the Marthoma Church. Many of these Churches maintained their liturgical language as Syriac until recently.

JEWISH HISTORY :

Jewish history starts with Abraham, probably 17th century BC. Abraham had two sons named Isaac and Ishmael. The heritage and traditions of Abraham continued through Isaac. Isaac had two sons Jacob and Esau. Jacob was his father's descendant and he had twelve sons. They were Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Joseph, and Benjamin. The twelve tribes of Jews are the descendants of all these people and are known with their names.

After the exodus from Egypt (13th century BC) Jewish people settled in Israel and established their first kingdom in BC 1020 by Saul. Jerusalem became the capital of Israel in 1000 BC during the reign of David. Later in BC 960, King Solomon made the first temple of Israelites and it became the national and spiritual centre of Jewish people. Solomon had preference towards his own tribe and this resulted in unsatisfactory relationship between the monarchy and other tribes. After his death in BC 930, a revolution resulted in the breaking away of the country into a northern kingdom (Israel - the ten tribes) and southern kingdom (Judea - the tribes of Judah and Benjamin).

In BC 722, the Assyrian people invaded Israel and this exiled Jewish people to all parts of the world particularly to eastern part of Iran and western part of Afghanistan . Thus, ten tribes were lost. But, Judea continued as separate country until Babylonians attacked them. In BC 586, Babylonians destroyed the 1st temple of Solomon. Most Jews from Judea were exiled to Babylonia. The exile to Babylonia marked the beginning of Jewish Diaspora. After 50 years, the Persians, who conquered Babylonia, allowed the Jews in Babylonia to return to their home land. On return, they built their second temple at Jerusalem. From BC 332 onwards, Alexander the great ruled Jerusalem. In BC 163, Maccabees lead a revolt against the Greeks and Jews enjoyed the victory against Hellenic rule. As a result, a royal dynasty called Hasmonean began and it lasted until Roman Empire captured Jerusalem. In BC 63, Roman Empire Pompey invaded Israel and Jews again came under foreign rule. This Roman rule continued during the time of Jesus and lasted until AD 313.

POSSIBILITY OF JEWS ARRIVAL TO MALABAR COAST:

Israel was attacked by the Assyrian emperor-Nebuchadenazzar- in 6th century BC and they were exiled to all parts of the world and thus the ten tribes were lost. Many scholars argue that they are diluted in other communities of South America to Western Europe and hence are hidden .The exile during the Babylonian attack was mainly to the neighbouring countries, reachable either by sea or land. Obviously, the first travel might have been to the neighbouring countries such as Babylonia (the present day Iran, Iraq and some parts of Afghanistan). The second choice was to exile through the sea and that mainly enabled them to travel to Yemen and then might have used the sea routes to the Malabar Coast. Traditionally, the Jewish people are prominent in trading and therefore, they mainly travelled across the ancient silk routes. 

As a result of a mass exodus (BC 604 - 562), of Jews who were freed from the Babylon captivity by Nebuchadenazzar, the colonisation of Jews in Kodungalloor might have started as reported by Puthiyakunnel. The history tells that there were Jewish colonies at Kodungalloor, Parur, Palayur, Kollam, Muttom, Chenot etc. It is notable that all these Jewish colonies are near to seven churches established by St Thomas. 

Several scholars reports that Gospel of Matthew was written for those Jews who accepted Christ as Messiah. Matthew 10:5-7 reads "These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand." In the earlier years, the Gospel news was spread only among the Jews. Or on the other hand, several Jews in the early years of Christianity accepted Christ as Messiah. We can see several references in bible asking whether to follow Jewish customs by those gentiles who accepted Messiah. He discusses that until AD 70 (the year of second Jewish temple's destruction) Christianity was not considered as a separate sect. From 74 AD onwards, a group of Jews who did not accepted Messiah wanted to protect their religion from Christians and is known as Orthodox Judaism or Rabbinic Judaism. It should be noted that the St Thomas travelled to Malabar Coast in AD 52, a year when Christianity's divergence from Judaism had not started. So it is logical to believe that he was in search of Jews of Malabar coast.


CULTURAL SIMILARITIES OF NASRANIES AND JEWS :
Similarity of "Pesaha" night rituals of Nasranies and Jews.( Both groups make unleavened bread on the day of Passover. No leavened (containing yeast) foods or grains are eaten.Paal among the Nasranies may be a representation of wine among Jews. The head of the family serve the food.Meals of both groups include bitter food. Bitter juice among Nasranies and maror among Jews.). 
The similarity of naming conventions followed by both groups "The first or eldest son is given the name of his paternal grandfather and the eldest daughter the name of her paternal grandmother. The second son bears the name of his maternal grandfather and the second daughter the name of her maternal grandmother. There is freedom of choice in naming other children, who are sometimes given the names of uncles and aunts." This was the naming convention followed by every Nasrani parents until recently although the names were localised. After the arrival of English education in India, many of these names were replaced with their equivalent English names. But the English names were used only in official documentation and the local names were mostly preserved. After Travancore and Cochin joined the Indian Union, there has been continuous effort among the leaders of Nasranies to portray them as a community holding Indian culture. 
Syrian Cross: The symbol of the Nasranies is the Syrian cross, also called the Mar Thoma sleeba. The origin of this cross is rather disputed but it is believed that it was derived from the Jewish menorah, the ancient symbol of the Hebrews. The Jewish menorah consists of a branched candle stand for seven candlesticks (Exodus 25). In Mar Thoma sleeba the six branches, (three on either side of the cross) represents God as the burning bush, while the central branch holds the cross, the dove at the tip of the cross represents the Holy Spirit. (Exodus 25:31). 
Church centred life and Synagogue centred life: The Nasranies and Cochin Jews are two communities grown in parallel in Malabar Coast. The life style of Cochin Jews was synagogue centred. The Nasranies also have similar life style centred in their churches. It is well known that every Nasrani churche irrespective of the denominations have committee meeting after Qurbana (mass). 
Kiss of peace: There is a custom called Kaimuthu among the Nasranies at the conclusion of forty days mourning period after someone dies. This is similar to 'kiss of peace' (kaiyyasoori), a custom that is seen in some Nasrani churches at the conclusion of Qurbana, which is passed from Bishop to Priest to worshiper. Kiss of peace is a sign of respect and friendship and has its roots in the Jewish Temple worship. 
Deathbed blessing: The blessing text, given by the father on his deathbed to the children by Jews and Nasranies are similar. For Nasranies: "God gave his blessing to Abraham, Abraham to Isaac, Isaac gave that to Jacob, Jacob...to my forefathers...to my parents....and my parents to me....and now, dear son (daughter), I give it to you: For Jews: "Blessed art thou, O Lord our Lord, and God of our fathers, God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, and the great mighty and the revered God" 
Origin of Palappam and Kallappam: It is believed that the Palappam and Kallappam were derived from an ancient Jewish food. Wedding ceremony: Exchange of wedding rings among Nasranies might have been derived from Palestinian Jewish temple rites. The position of the bride standing on the right side of the bridegroom and bridal veil (manthrakodi) might have also originated from Jewish customs.

THE NAZRANIES : A ROUGH CHRONOLOGY:

30 The Crucifixion.

40s Apostle Thomas in the service of King Gondaphares in Takshasila
52 Nov 21 St. Thomas, the apostle, landed at Cranganore (Kodungalloor, in the present Thrissur District)
52-72 The Apostle builds 7 churches: Palayoor, Kodungaloor, Parur, Kokamangalam, Niranam, Nilackal, Kollam.
72 Jul. 3 Martyrdom of St. Thomas in the vicinity of Mylapore, Madras.
190 Pantaenus, probably the founder of the famous Catechetical School of Alexandria, visited India and the Nazranies. 
345 Thomas of Cana from Persia landed at Kodungallur with 72 families of immigrants.
340-360 By the Thazhekad Sasanam the Nazranies granted special rights and privileges.
400 North Pudukkad church founded.
510 Udayamperore (Diamper) church built.
825 Mar Sabor and Mar Proth at Quilon.
1293 Marco Polo, a Venetian traveller, visited the tomb of St. Thomas (at Mylapore), and Kerala.
1329 Aug.9 Jordan Catelani appointed first bishop of the diocese of Quilon created by Pope John XXII.
1498 May 20 Vasco de Gama lands at Kappad near Kozhikode.
1514 Jun 12 Portuguese Funchal rule over Christians in India.
1524 Dec 24 Vasco de Gama buried at St. Francis Church, Fort Cochin.
1544-45 St. Francis Xavier in Travancore.
1557 Pope Paul IV erects the Diocese of Cochin. Canonization process of Francis Xavier begun at Cochin.
1568 Synagogue of White Jews built in Cochin.
1599 Jun 20-26 Archbishop Alexis Menezes convenes the Synod of Diamper (Udayamperoor).
1601 Francis Roz was appointed as the first Latin bishop of the St. Thomas Christians.
1653 Jan 3 Coonan Cross Oath at Mattancherry, Cochin.
1659 Dec 3 The Vicariate of Malabar is erected by Pope Alexander VII.
1663 Jan 6 The Dutch conquer Cochin and destroy Catholic churches and institutions in Cochin.
1795 Oct 20 Conquest of Cochin by the British.
1840 Apr 10 St.Thomas Christians came under the archdiocese of Verapoly.
1886 Sept 1 Erection of the Catholic Hierarchy in India by Pope Leo XIII.
1911 Aug 29 Pius X restored the Vicariate of Kottayam for the Suddhists of the Syro-Malabar Rite, descendants of the immigrants of A.D. 345.
1930 Sept 20 Reunion of the eminent Jacobite Archbishop Mar Ivanios, Bishop Mar Theophilus with the Catholic Church.
1932 June 11 The establishment of the Syro-Malankara Hierarchy by Pope Pius XI. Mar Ivanios becomes Archbishop of Trivandrum, and Mar Theophilus Bishop of Tiruvalla.
1953 Dec 31 Erection of the diocese of Tellichery by Pope Pius XII.
1956 Jan 10 Pope John XXIII raised the diocese of Changanacherry into an Archdiocese with Kottayam and Palai as Suffragan Sees.
1956 Nov.1 The present 'Kerala State' is established.
1962 July.3 Revised Syro-Malabar Liturgy in force. Holy Qurbana in Malayalam.
1986 Feb. 1-10 Visit of Pope John Paul II to Kerala.
1992 Dec.16 Pope John Paul II raises the Syro-Malabar Church to a Major Archiepiscopal Sui Juris Church

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Courtesy: Nasrani Syrian Christians Network and Prof: George 

50 comments:

  1. When St. Thomas visited Kerala and introduced Christianity, the early converts belonging to different grades in society on the basis of occupation were commonly called Christians. But the name Christian was changed to Nasrani when the Arabs came to Kerala. Muslims used the word Nasrtani in a contemptuous and derogatory manner. Christians and Jews were hated by Muslims in the Middle east and so they used the word 'Nasrani' in a derogatory and spitedul manner, as the Greeks called others 'barbarians.' Muslims quote the Koran to call Christians andf Jews as 'Nasranis.'
    This is the basis of the verse.
    1. " Jews say: 'Uzair is the son of God' and the Christians say: 'The Messiah, son of God'. Such is their saying with their mouths, they imitate the infidels saying earlier. Allah has cursed them, how are they to turn? "(Surat al-Tawbah: 30)
    2. "Sesungguhnya been disbelievers are those who said: "Verily, Allah is the Messiah, son of Mary", when the Messiah (himself) said: "O Children of Israel, worship Allah my Lord and your Lord." Surely those who ascribe (something to) Allah, then surely Allah forbid him Paradise, and his place is hell, it is not there for people unjust helpers.. "(Surat al-Maidah: 72)Even today all Christians are contemptuously called Nasranis in the Middle East by the Arabs. In Kerala also, after the Arabs gave the derogatory name 'Nasranis' to Christians, Brahmins and Nairs also used that word in a derogatory and insulting manner till the arrival of colonial powers. When the Portuguese and the British educated these hapless Christians and appointed them as soldiers, businessmen and planters, Christians ascended to top position making Brahmins and Nairs inferiors.

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  2. Ancient Kerala was part of Dravidian Tamil Villavar Chera country. It was known as Sangam age. Nambuthiris arrived to Karnataka during the rule of Kadamba king Mayuravarma in 345 AD from Ahichatram capital of Uttar panchala.
    Nambuthiris appeared in Kerala after the invasion of Tulu Banapperumal (Banuvikrama Kulasekharapperumal ) of Alupa kingdom in 1120 AD. Banapperumal attacked Kerala with a 350000 strong Nair army and also with the support of Arabs he occupied Malabar (Kasaragod Kannur,Kozhikode,Malappuram districts).Nambuthiris established their rule in Kochi after the invasion of Malik Kafur and defeat of Pandyan kingdom in 1310 AD. Until 1335 AD only Tamil rule under Chera and Pandya kingdoms existed in Kerala. Nairs and Nambuthiris are not indigenous to Kerala and they are migrants from ancient Nepal.

    Jews were never mentioned prior to Tharissappalli plate in 849 AD.

    Baskararavi Varmas plate issued to Joseph Rabban in 1000 AD.
    Palestinians Arabs, Persians, Syrians and Jews were known as Chuvannakar. Greeks and Romans were known as Yavana. Turks were known as Jonaka.

    Those foreigners who married local Tamil girls were known as Mappilla or Mamas in old Tamil. The custom of marrying maternal uncles existed among Keralas Tamils.
    Depending upon the ethnicity they were called Suriyani Mappilla Arabia Mappilla, Jonaka Mapilla, Parangi Mapilla Land Mapilla etc.

    St.Thomas was martyred by a Indo-Greek king called Misdeus at Calamina (Kala-Minar Jaghatu in Gazni province of Afghanistan at Alexandria of Opiana ) in 46 AD. This is well known to Western world including Pope.
    Portuguese allied with Kochi kingds who were enemies of Nestorian kings of Villarvettom. To unite Christians and Nambuthiri kingdom of Kochi Portuguese created the legend.
    2000 yr ago Kerala was dominated by Buddhist and Jains. Southern Kerala was ruled by Pandyas with regional capitals at Purakkadu and Niranam. Northern Kerala was ruled by Cheras with capital at at Karuvur in Tamilnadu and regional capital was at Kanavaiyl Kottam (Thrikkana). Musiri and Thondi (Kadalundi) were ports. Kodungaloor became capital in 520 AD after the invasion of Gangas (Gaunder) in 520 AD.

    There is no mention of Christians or Jews in Sangam Literature (300 BC to 500 AD).

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  3. CHRISTIANITY AFTER EUROPEAN ARRIVAL IN 1291 AD

    The first European to mention St.Thomas Christians come from Friar John of Montecorvino who visited India between 1291 to 1294 on his way to China as missionary at the Great Khans court. John of Monte Corvino a member of the Societas Peregrinantium Pro Christo.

    Friar John of Monte Corvino a Franciscan missionary worked at Persia among the Asiatic hordes between 1275 to 1286 before coming to India. John of monte Corvino described Madras region as "Country of St Thomas" where he preached for 13 months and converted and baptised about 100 people to Roman Catholicism. He mentioned Church of St. Thomas the Apostle stood at Mylapore. At Madras his companion Nicholas died.

    PANDYAN RULE OF KERALA (1252 AD to 1299 AD)

    When the first European missionay John of Montecorvino came to Madras and Kollam in 1291 AD Kerala and Tamilnadu were ruled by Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan I of Pandyan dynasty.

    REESTABLISHMENT OF CHERAI RULE

    After the death of Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan I in 1308 AD Ravivarma Kulasekhara who had a Pandyan mother reestablished Cherai dynasty rule in Kerala. Between 1311 to 1314 AD after the Pandyan defeat by Delhi Sultanate in 1310 AD became the ruler of Kerala and Tamilnadu with the title Tribhuvana Chakravarthy and was crowned at Kancheepuram. At 1314 AD his son Veera Udayamarthanda Varma Veera Pandyan (1314 AD to 1333 AD) became the King if Venad.

    BEGINNING OF ROMAN CATHOLICISM 1291 AD

    During the Tamil Pandyan and Cherai dynasty rule the Latin/Roman missionaries did not face any kind of opposition. About 8 European missionaries visited Kerala in this period. Soon at Kollam 3000 people were converted to Christianity and hundreds at Chennai.


    POSITION OF SYRIAN CHRISTIANS

    In a letter written in 1305 AD from Cambales (Peking) he says that there were in Malabar a few Jews and Christians, but they were of little worth; he also says that "the inhabitants persecute much the Christians."John Montecorvino says about Malabar Christians in 1305 AD that"There are a very few Christians, and Jews, and they are of little weight. The people persecute much the Christians, and all who bear the Christian name".This clearly indicated that very few Jews and Christians existed in Malabar but were persecuted by inhabitants. Malabar Christians appear to be less than that of Madras Christians. Madras had only only 14 families of Nestorian Christians. All these indicate Malabar Christians were in hundreds only.

    NESTORIAN CONVERSION TO LATIN CATHOLICISM

    Marignolli a Franciscan friar who visited Kollam in 1347 AD mentions Christians of St.Thomas were proprieters of Pepper Gardens. Marignolli also says that St.Thomas Chrustians were masters of the public steel-yard. Marignolli also says that the Chennai king gave perpetual rights for public steelyard for pepper and the aromatic spices. Perhaps St.Thomas Christians were incharge of measuring Spices before export From the public steel-yard of St.Thomas Christians as perquisite of Marignoli's office as Pope's legate, every month he received one hundred Gold Fan and a Thousand Fan when he left. Fanam was the Gold coin in use then.

    This clearly indicates many St.Thomas Christians had been converted to Latin Catholicism by Jordanus in 1328 AD.These Latin/Roman Catholics were paying large sums of money to Marignoli, the Popes legate on monthly basis. Nestorians and Roman Catholics were rivals in that era. At China while many Nestorians got converted to Roman Catholicism in 1328.

    Marignoli faced severe opposition from Nestorian monks of China who claimed Marignoli was not the legate of Pope, an apostate and murderer of legate of Pope and tried to get him imprisoned. But the Nestorian Syrian Christians of Columbam/Kollam were paying money to Pope's legate because they had been converted to Roman/Latin Catholicism.

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  4. CHRISTIANITY AFTER EUROPEAN ARRIVAL


    EUROPEAN FRIARS

    There were about ten priests visited Kerala and Tamilnadu four of them died here.
    1.John of Montecorvino (1292)
    2.Friar Odoric of Pordenone (1321)
    3.Jordanus Catalanus (1322)
    4.John Marignoli (1347)

    JORDANUS CATALANUS

    Jordanus Catalanus who was appointed as Bishop of Kollam at 1329 converted about 3000 people to Latin-Roman Catholic religeon. He was appointed as the first Bishop of Kollam.

    EUROPEAN MISSIONARY ACCOUNT

    1.Madras was called the country of St.Thomas. More St.Thomas Christians were at Madras(Mabar) than Minebar(Malabar), Kerala. At Madras 14 Nestorian St.Thomas families lived.

    2.At Kerala few St Thomas Christians and Jews lived but they were insignificant people persecuted by the local population. Their population could be few hundred only.

    3.St.Thomas Christians of Madras and Kerala owned many Indian Nut trees(Coconut trees) which was their main source of income.

    4. St.Thomas Christians were proprietors of Pepper Gardens. They owned public Steel-Yards. That king also gave St.Thomas a perpetual grant of the public steel yard for pepper and all aromatic spices(How a privilege given by a Chennai king to St.Thomas was inherited by Kollam Christians. There was no King at Chennai 2000 years ago. Chola kings had the soverignity over Chennai. But their capital was Uraiyur near Trichy. Chennai was not even a town until the Establishment of Delhi Sultanate in 1206 AD. Chennai became the southernmost outpost of Delhi sultanate where they built a Madrasa, Islamic school. British named it Madras after Madrasa. It was then ruled by Chennappa Naickan when British came. The black city where Indians resided was called Chennappa Naickan pattanam. But changing the name of Madras to Chennai was unnecessary)

    5.St.Thomas Christians who were owners of Steel-yards paid John of Marignolli the legate of Pope 100 Gold Fan each month and 1000 Gold Fan when he left in 1347 AD This indicates the Nestorian Syrians had been converted to Latin Catholicism by Jordaanis.

    6.The Christian chiefs of Columbum who owned pepper gardens were called Modiliar according to Marignolli. Possibly St.Thomas Christians were addressed as Mudaliar.

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  5. CHRISTIANITY AFTER EUROPEAN ARRIVAL


    7. The European Friars who visited between 1292 AD to 1347 AD did not mention Namputhiri or any other Brahmins converted by St.Thomas. Each of the European priests visited St.Thomas Church at Mylapore and stayed there for years and converted many. They also stayed at Kollam and converted many. A Latin Bishop, Jordanus Catalanus was installed at 1328 at Kollam. Jordanus found Syrian Christian communities in Gujarat and North Konkan area but they were not Baptised. They believed St.Thomas was the prophet. They did not consider Jesus to be God. None of the Latin priests who stayed at Kerala between 1292 to 1347 AD saw any Nestorian Church in Kerala. Friar Odoric who had landed at Kodungaloor in 1321 does not mention any Church of St Thomas Christians. There is no mention of Churches seven and a half Churches established by St.Thomas in Kerala. It could be possibly because Nestorians were Iconoclastic and their Churches are nothing but a room which had a single Wooden cross.They dont mention any Christian Villarvattom King in Kerala. All these suggest that Villarvattom king might have got converted after 1339 AD only.

    After 1347 AD Rome stopped sending priests to Kerala until the arrival of Portuguese. But when Portuguese came in 1498 AD there was no Latin Catholic in Kerala. Only Nestorians were present at 1498 AD.The Latin Catholics including St.Thomas Christian- Nestorian converts might have adopted Nestorianism thereby increasing Nestorian population more than 3000.


    CHRISTIAN MUDALIAR

    The St.Thomas Christians of Kollam had Mudaliar title. Mudaliar title was used by Tamils and Sinhalese.Mudaliar title was given to chieftains army commanders and even the title of son born to a Villavar king and his Vellala mistress.At Chennai Mudaliars are weavers with Tulu or Telugu roots.Perhaps the Mudaliar title was given by Cherai kings of Kollam. Other possibility is that St.Thomas Christians had been converted from Mudaliars of Madras

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  6. CHRISTIANITY AFTER EUROPEAN ARRIVAL

    VILLARVATTOM KINGDOM (1102 AD to 1450 AD)

    Villarvattom kingdom could be an offshoot of Chera dynasty of Villavars. Facing imminent Tulu-Nepalese (Samantha, Nambuthiris and Nairs) invasion with the support of Arabs the Tamil Villavar Chera dynasty was shifted from Kodungaloor to Kollam in 1102 AD. But the Villavars who were reluctant to move to Kollam remained at Kochi might have formed the Villarvattom kingdom which ruled from Chendamangalam between 1102 AD to 1450 AD.

    Villarvattom kings whom Europeans called Beliarte converted to Christianity. Villarvattom kings were often mistaken for Prestor John a Central asian Mongol Nestorian king of 11th century by Europeans.Friar John of Montecorvino who visited Kerala in 1291 who renained in India until 1292 did not mention any Christian king in Kerala. Marco Polo who visited Mylapore in 1293 also did not mention the existence of any Christian king in Kerala.Jordanus Catalanus first Latin Bishop of Kollam did not mention any Christian king in Kerala in his book Jornada which describes the events between 1329 to 1338 AD. Thus the conversion of Villarvattom king might have occured after 1339 AD only.

    TULU-NEPALESE RULE

    After the invasion of Malik Kafur in 1310 the Tulu-Nepalese kingdoms of Malabar established by Banapperumal protected by Arabs allied with the Delhi Sulthanate and Madurai Sultanate and acquired the overlordship of Kerala in 1335 AD. After 1314 the Tulu-Nepalese people (Samanthas, Nairs and Nambuthiris) started migrating from Malabar and occupied all Kerala.

    OCCUPATION OF VENAD

    Two Tulu princesses called Attingal Rani and Kunnumel Ranis to Venad around 1314 AD who established a Matriarchal dynasty at Venad. Attingal Rani was stationed at Attingal and Kunnumel Rani was stationed at Kottarakkara. The Tulu queens allied with AI chieftains.

    END OF TAMIL CHERAI DYNASTY (1102 AD to 1333 AD)

    In 1102 AD the Kodungaloor Villavar Chera dynasty facing threat of invasion by Tulu-Nepalese invaders (Samantha, Nair and Nambuthiri) who had the support of Arabs, shifted their capital to Kollam. At Kollam the Chera(Villavar) dynasty merged with ruling Ai dynasty forming Attingal Rani a branch of Kolathiri dynasty replaced Tamil Villavar Cherai dynasty of Kollam. The last Tamil Cherai ruler of Kollam Veera Udaya Marthanda Varma Veera Pandyan was forced to abdicate in favour of the Tulu Matriarchal dynasties of Attingal Rani and Kunnumel Rani. In 1333 AD Kunnumel Aditya Varma Thiruvadi son of Kunnumel Rani became the first king of Tulu dynasty.

    OCCUPATION OF COCHIN

    Perumbadappu dynasty, a Nambuthiri dynasty ruling at Vannery near Ponnani lake in the Malappuram district moved south to Vellarappalli and Kochi and founded the Kochi Kingdom in 1335 AD. Kochi kings claimed descendency from Sridevi sister of Tulu invader Banapperumal who had Sambandam with a Nambdiri. Cochin kings were known as Nambiadiris and followed Matriarchal succession.

    CONVERSION OF VILLARVATTOM KING

    The Tamil Villarvattom king of Chendamangalam faced opposition from the Tulu-Nepalese dynasty of Cochin kingdom. Villarvattom king and his commanders and martial arts trainers called Panickers got converted to Nestorian Christianity around 1339 AD. Following this in 1340 AD a Naval fleet with Mapilla warriors sent by Samuthiri attacked and destroyed Chendamangalam. The capital of Villarvattom kingdom was shifted to Udayamperoor. Through Edesa Villarvattom king send a letter to Pope seeking help. Pope forwarded the letter to Portuguese king but no help came.

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  7. CHRISTIANITY AFTER EUROPEAN ARRIVAL


    SUBJUGATION OF VILLARVATTOM

    The Kochi kings after 1339 AD forced the Christian Villarvattom princesses AD to have Sambandam with them. The Villarvattom kingdom was described in the Kozhikode Granthavari as a Christian outsider kingdom blood related to Kochi kings. However in 1450 the Villarvattom king was dethroned by the Kochi kingdom and its territories were given to the Hindu branch of Villarvattom kingdom at Udayamperoor.

    But soon a Panickar family who joined Nairs called Paliyath Achan was given overlordship of Villarvattom kingdom. The last Villarvattom princess Kirupavathy was made a concubine of Kochi king after a brief ceremony converting her to Hinduism. Between 1335 to 1498 Nambuthiris might have exploited Christian women. Many women from Christian Nestorian priestly families might have been subjected to Sambandham by Nambuthiris living at Guruvayoor and Palayur in the Thrissur district.Nambuthiri dominance in Kochi come after 1335 AD only and not earlier.

    CONVERSION OF VILLARVATTOM KING

    Facing opposition from Nambuthiris, Nairs and Samanthas the Villarvattom king and his Panickers embraced Christianity around 1339 AD. This inturn provoked a Naval attack from Samuthiri and his Arab allies on Chendamangalam resulting in the destruction of Chendamangalam in 1340 AD.This led to the shifting of capital to Udayamperoor where the royal house was situated.

    HOSTILITY TO CHRISTIANITY

    At 1333 AD the Tulu-Nepalese dynasty was established. It was ruled by Matriarchal Tulu Samantha rulers supported by Nambuthiris and Nairs. This dynasty was supported by Arabs, Delhi Sultanate and Madurai Sultanate.In 1335 Madurai Sultanate/Mabar Sultanate was established With this hostile environment in Tamilnadu and Kerala no new Latin missionaries were sent to Tamilnadu and Kerala after 1335 AD.

    Giovanni de Marignolli on his return journey from China visited Kollam and Chennai in 1347 AD.Between 1347 to to 1498 no Latin/Roman Catholic priest visited Kerala.Kollam Christians were left to their fate. Kollam Latin Christians might have merged with Nestorians. In 1498 AD when Portuguese came there were no Latin Catholics at Kollam but lots of Nestorian Christians.

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  8. ST.THOMAS LEGEND AT MYLAPORE

    Account of Franciscan Friar Giovanni de' Marignolli of Forence who visited Chennai and in 1347 AD

    The third province of India is called Maabar, and the church of St.Thomas which he built with his own hands is there, besides another which he built by the agency of workmen.

    These he paid with certain very great stones which I have seen there, and with a log cut down on Adam's Mountin Seyllan, which he caused to be sawn up, and from its sawdust other trees were sown. Now that log, huge as it was, was cut down by two slaves of his and drawn to these aside by the saint's own girdle.

    When the log reached the sea he said to it, "Go now and tarry for us in the haven of the city of Mirapolis (Mylapore)

    1 ."It arrived there accordingly, where upon the king of that place with his whole army endeavoured to draw it ashore, but ten thousand men were not able to make it stir.

    Then St.Thomas the Apostle himself came on the ground, riding on an ass, wearing a shirt, a stole, and a mantle of peacock's feathers, and attended by those two slaves and by two great lions, just as he is painted, and called out "Touch not the log, for it is mine! ""How," quoth the king,"dost thou make it out to be thine?

    "So the Apostle loosing the cord where with he was girt, ordered his slaves to tie it to the log and draw it ashore. And this being accomplished with the greatest ease, the king was converted, and bestowed upon the saint as much land as he could ride round upon his ass. So during the day-time he used to goon building his churches in the city, but at night he retired to a distance of three Italian miles, where there were numberless peacocks

    2...and thus being shot in the side with an arrow such as is called frictia, (so thathis wound was like that in the side of Christ into which he had thrust his hand), he lay there before his oratory from the hour of complines, continuing throughout the night to preach, whilst all his blessed blood was welling from his side; and in the morning he gave up his soul to God. The priests gathered up the earth with which his blood had mingled, and buried it with him. By means of this I experienced a distinct miracle twice over in my own person,which I shall relate elsewhere

    1 . Standing miracles are, however, to be seen there, in respect both of the opening of the sea, and of the peacocks

    2 . Moreover whatever quantity of that earth be removed from the grave oneday, just as much is replaced spontaneously against the next. And when this earth is taken in a potion it cures diseases, and in this manner open miracles are wrought both among Christians and among Tartars and Pagans

    3 .That king also gave St.Thomas a perpetual grant of the public steelyard for pepper and all aromatic spices,and no one dares take this privilege from the Christiansbut at the peril of death

    1 .I spent fourdays there; there is an excellent pearl fishery at the place.

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  9. ST.THOMAS LEGEND AT MYLAPORE

    FISHERMEN APOSTLES

    The fishermen Apostles from Sea of Galilee were

    1. St. Andrew
    2. St. Peter
    3. St.James and
    4. St. John who were brothers
    5. St.Thomas
    6. St. Bartholomew

    Other apostles were Tax collectors and traders.

    St.Thomas is revered by St. Thomas Christians of Kerala while St.Bartholomew is referred by Konkani christians of Mangalore and Goa both Brahmin converts from Nambuthiri and GSB communities respectively.
    Coastal people however prefer St.Andrew.
    The Western Rite liturgy of Jacobite-Orthodox church was written by St. James.


    MARTYRDOM OF ST..THOMAS

    The Marignolli's account says that St.Thomas was shot with a barbed arrow on his side in the exact place where Jesus was injured.

    The acts of Thomas says that four soldiers stabbed him with spears on the orders of Greek king Misdeus on the hill of Calamina (Kala-Minar, Jaghatu, Ghazni Afghanistan at the Greek kingdom called Alexandria of Opiana)

    The Portuguese version is that St.Thomas was stabbed with a spear at Mylapore in 72 AD.

    ____________________________________________

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  10. ACTS OF THOMAS


    KINGDOM OF MISDAEUS
    INDO-GREEK KINGDOM

    Then St.Thomas visited a Greek kingdom ruled by Misdeus or Mazdai (in Syriac).

    INVITATION OF SIPHOR

    St Thomas was invited to the country of Misdeus by a rich captain called Siphor whose wife and daughter were possessed by demons.

    WILD ASSES

    St.Thomas travelled from Taxila to the Kingdom of Misdaeus in a chariot drawn by wild asses. The wild asses also talked and obey ed commands of the apostle. St.Thomas performed many miracles before freeing Wife and daughter from the demons. St.Thomas was preaching to masses who gathered around him (Either in Greek or Araemic)

    MYGDONIA

    Hearing about this Mygdonia wife of Carisius a relative of came to see St.Thomas. Again St.Thomas advised celibacy to her. Mygdonias refusal to dine or sleep with Carisius prompted him to complain to King Misdaeus.

    SCOURGING AND IMPRISONMENT

    King Misdaeus ordered his soldiers to bring St.Thomas before him. Since St.Thomas was surrounded by great number of people the soldiers could not arrest him. Then Carisius himself came. Carisius pulled out the turban of one of his slaves and put the cloth around the neck of Apostle and dragged him to the King. King Misdeus ordered him to be scourged 125 times before casting him into the prison.

    BAPTISM OF MYGDONIA AND NARCIA

    Mygdonia went to prison with the intention of bribing the Jailers with ten Denarii but she met St.Thomas and a great light before him on the way. Jail doors had opened miraculously. St.Thomas came to her house anointed her with holy oil in the name of Father, Son and Holy Ghost Baptised and broke bread with her. Narcia the nurse of Mygdonia was also Baptised.

    RETURN OF ST.THOMAS TO PRISON

    St.Thomas returned to the Jail. The doors were still wide open and the guards and the prisoners were sleeping.

    ST.THOMAS BROUGHT BEFORE MISDAEUS

    Misdeus released St.Thomas asking him to persuade Mygdonia to return her old ways and to live with Carisius. St.Thomas went to Carisius house and asked Mygdonia to obey Carisius.

    BAPTISM OF SIPHOR AND HIS FAMILY

    Then St.Thomas went to Siphors house where he Baptised Siphor, his wife and daughter after anointing them with holy oil, in the name of Father, Son and holy Ghost. St.Thomas broke bread and gave it to them.

    TERTIA WIFE OF MISDAEUS

    King Misdaeus told about the misfortune of Carisius because of the sorcerer St.Thomas to his wife Tertia. Tertia was intrigued When Tertia went to the house of Charisius she found Mygdonia in humility with ashes and a sack cloth spread under her, repenting at the floor. Tertia then went to the house of Siphor where she met the Apostle who told about Jesus Christ. Tertia came home rejoicing. Misdaeus thought that she had been bewitched by the Sorcerer.

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  11. ACTS OF THOMAS

    OUAZANES SON OF MISDAEUS

    Ouazanes(Iuzanes, Juzanes, Vizan) ordered the soldiers to bring St.Thomas to the Court house.The prince was quite convinced by the preaching of St.Thomas and even wanted to find a way to free him. But the King Misdaeus came with his guards and took him under custody.

    COURT OF MISDAEUS

    The soldiers bound the hands of St.Thomas and brought him before Misdaeus.The king asked who he was and with what powers he was doing these things.St.Thomas answered that he was a man like him but he was doing things because of Jesus Christ.

    HOT RED IRON PLATES

    King Misdaeus asked the Apostle on a hot iron plate bare footed. Suddenly water sprang from Earth and covered the plates.

    IMPRISONMENT AGAIN

    King Misdaeus send the Apostle to prison again and contemplated ways to execute him St.Thomas was accompanied by Ouazanes on the right, Siphor on his left and the wife and daughter of Siphor to prison. St.Thomas then prayed, the Lords prayer. Mathew 6: 9-14

    Tertia, Mygdonia and Narcia went to the prison and bribed the Jailer with 363 staters of Silver. When they reached near St.Thomas found Ouazanes, Siphor and his wife and daughter there. All the prisoners were sitting and hearing the word. Iuazanes requested St.Thomas to visit his sick wife Mnesara who was ailing for long.

    St.Thomas asked Juzanes to go and prepare things. The prisoners had locked it but Juzanes found it open. Juzanes met his ailing wife Mnesara on the way who claimed that an invisible youth held her hand and was leading her. Then Judas, accompanied by Tertia, Mygdonia, Narcia, Siphor and his wife and daughter came to Ouazanes's house. Judas promised that Mnesara will be further guided by Jesus.

    BAPTISM OF TERTIA MNESARA AND OUAZANES

    Judas made the women undressed and wore a girdle and then anointed by Mygdonia. St.Thomas anointed Ouazanes and Baptised all of them in the name of Father, Son and the Holy Ghost. Apostle went back to the prison along with Tertia, Mygdonia and Narcia.

    JAILERS COMPLAINING TO MISDAEUS

    The Jailers went to Misdaes and complained that after admitting the Sorcerer they were unable to keep the doors of the prison closed and they could not prevent the Queen Tertia and Prince Ouazanes visiting St.Thomas.

    MISDAEUS AT PRISON

    King Misdaeus stripped St.Thomas and girdled him.King Misdaeus planned to execute St.Thomas but wanted to do it secretly as St.Thomas had many followers.

    THE EXECUTION OF ST.THOMAS (46 AD)

    Misdaeus took St.Thomas along with four soldiers and an officer outside the city. He handed over St.Thomas to them and asked them to the nearby mountain and pierce him with their spears. People accompanied them to the hill. Iuazanes persuaded the soldiers to allow him to pray.After the prayer St.Thomas asked the soldiers to proceed. Four soldiers came and pierced him with spears and he fell down and died.

    ROYAL SEPULCHRE

    St.Thomas was buried in the Royal sepulchre where they buried all the earlier kings.

    CONTINUANCE OF FAITH

    Tertia and Mygdonia were afflicted by their husbands but they remained firm in their faith.

    PRESBYTER AND DEACON

    Apostle St.Thomas before he went to the hill had made Siphor a Presbyter and Iuazanes as a Deacon.Many were added to their faith.

    MISDAEUS SON POSSESSED BY DEVIL

    After a long time one of the sons of Misdaes were possessed by Devil. King Misdaes by then had become a believer of St.Thomas. King Misdaes wanted to get a bone of St.Thomas to cure his son. But when he opened the Sepulchre there was no bones of St.Thomas.

    ST.THOMAS BONES STOLEN

    One of the brethren had secretly stolen the bones of St.Thomas and had taken them to Mesopotamia.

    DUST FROM GRAVE

    King Misdaes took some dust from the grave and hung it around the neck of his son thereby curing him. King Misdaeus bowed below the hands of Siphor the Presbyter who and the Brethern prayed for the King Misdeus. Multitudes of people joined the faith.

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  12. ACTS OF THOMAS

    GREEK KINGDOMS IN AFGHANISTAN

    Alexander established a Greek colony at the foothills of Hindukush mountains which he called Alexandria of Caucasus in 329 BC in the country of Paropamisadae. Alexander the Great conquered the Ghazni province in 329 BC, and called Alexandria in Opiana.

    INDO-GREEK KINGDOM (185 BC - 35 AD)

    Indo-Greek kingdom was established by Demetrius in 185 BC.

    INDO-GREEK CAPITALS

    Early capitals

    Alexandria in the Caucasus (Bagram), and Alexandria of Opiana(Ghazni) were in Afghanistan.

    Later capitals Taxila, Chiniotis, Sagala, Pushkalavati all were at Pakistan at the Indus area and adjoining areas of Punjab.

    MENANDER

    An Indo-Greek king called Menander( Menander I Soter) ruled over Indo-Greek kingdom between 165 BC to 155 BC with capital at Sagala (Sialkot) in Pakistan. Menander converted to Buddhism and was known by the name Milinda. Strato I son of Menander ruled between 130 BC to 110 BC. Last king of this dynasty was Strato II  Soter who ruled between 25 BC to 10 AD at Punjab. In 10 AD Indo-Greek kingdom of Strato II  Soter was supplanted by the Indo-Scythian(Saka) Northern Satraps. But another last Indo-Greek king Zoilos III Soter has ruled from Pakistan in 35 AD.

    THE IDENTIFICATION OF MISDAEUS

    A descendant of Zoilos III Soter(10 AD to 35 AD), might have survived at the Ghazni province of Afghanistan as King Misdeus. The kingdom of Misdaeus was

    1. Desert
    2. Mountainous
    3. Had a place called Calamina
    4. Greek kingdom
    5. Currency was Denarri and Staters of silver
    6. Close to Taxila
    7. Wild Ass habitat
    8. Months Dius and Xanthicos

    Since Mygdonia wife of Carisius tells the Apostle that their country was a desert kingdom it could not have been Indus area.The last Indo-Greeks might have ruled from arid, hill desert like Ghazni province of Afghanistan.

    Aravalli hills is a mountainous desert country but it was under Saka Satraps, the enemy territory.

    Acts says that St.Thomas was executed at Calamina, a hill. Kalaminar near Jaghatu in the Ghazni province could be the place where St.Thomas was martyred. Greeks called this country Alexandria of Opiana. Wild asses are found at north eastern India and Pakistan. Denarii and Stater were Greek currency. Months Dius and Xanthicos were Greek currency.


    In fact there are three places called Kalaminar in Afghanistan.

    1. Kala-Minar Jaghatu, Ghazni, Afghanistan

    2. Kalaminar,  Chagcaran, Ghowr, Afghanistan

    3. Koh-e-Kalaminar north east of Kabul

    Misdeus might belong to the Soter dynasty established by Menander. Misdeus could be the son of King Zoilos III who ruled from Indus.

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  13. ACTS OF THOMAS

    ________________________________________________

    PLACES MENTIONED IN ACTS OF THOMAS


    ANDROPOLIS

    Andropolis, Egypt, an Ancient city and former bishopric, now Kherbeta and a Latin Catholic titular see. Kherebta, Kom Hamada, El Beheira Governorate, Egypt.

    ________________________________________________

    BABYLON

    Hillah, Babil Governorate, Iraq, about 85 kilometres (53 mi) south of Baghdad. Iraq.

    ________________________________________________

    MOSANI (MAISHAN) where is the resort of the merchants of the East, and reached the land of the Babylonians and the of Sarbug walls unto came (Acts of Thomas)

    Meson (Mesene; Maishan) the great,  that lieth on the shore of the sea (Acts of Thomas)

    1. MAISHAN MESHAN PROVINCE of the Sasanian Empire. It consisted of the Parthian vassal kingdoms of  Mesene  and  Characene and reached north along the Shatt al-Arab river and then the lower  Tigris  to  Madhar and possibly further. Its inhabitants included  Babylonians, Arabs, Iranians, and even some Indians and Malays 
    Capital : Vahman-Ardashir

    Since it is situated in the seashore the most likely place mentioned in the acts.

    OR

    2. Maysan Governorate Maisan Iraq. Metropolitanate of Maishan or Maysan was an East Syriac metropolitan province of the Church of the East between the fifth and thirteenth centuries. The historical region of Maishan or Maysan  is situated in southern Iraq.

    _______________________________________________

    SARBUG

    Sarbak a village in Sarbuk Rural District, Sarbuk District, Qasr-e Qand County, Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran

    _____________________________________________

    WARKAN

    Warkan (Hyrcania?) had my parents sent thither by the hand of their treasurers, unto whom they committed it because of their faithfulness (Acts of Thomas)

    1.WARKAN BALOCHISTAN

    Warkan, is a Mountain that exists at Loralai, Balochistan in Pakistan.

    OR

    2. HYRCANIA IRAN (Varkâna)

    Hyrcanian Forests IranVarkâna, the name of the satrapy located on the southern and southeastern shores of the Caspian, is thought to mean "wolf-land" (c.f. Avestan vəhrkō, Sanskrit vŗka and New Persian gorg).  The Greeks knew it as Hyrkania (Ὑρκανία, while in Latin and consequently Western European languages, it's spelled "Hyrcania".

    _________________________________________________

    TAXILA

    Taxila (Takhkhasilā) Punjab, Pakistan is 32 km away to Islamabad. Taxila was the capital of Gondophares I who was founder of Indo-Parthian Kingdom who ruled between 19 AD to 46 AD. His kingdom encompassed Drangiana, Arachosia, and Gandhara.

    _________________________________________________

    MYSTERY

    St.Thomas is mentioned as the twin brother of Jesus. Didymos, Judas Thomas. But Acts never mention Joseph and Mary as St.Thomas's father.

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  14. EARLY BRAHMIN CONVERTS TO CHRISTIANITY

    ST.THOMAS
    MAR THOMA

    St Thomas according to Syrian Christians came to Musiris near Kodungaloor and converted Nambuthiri Brahmins mainly from Thrissur district. Nambuthiris of Palayur, Chavakkadu and Guruvatoor to Christianity. St.Thomas was known as Mar Thoma to St.Thomas christians. St.Thomas also converted the king of Chennai. The ancient liturgical language of Kerala and Tamilnadu could be Sanskrit as Nambuthiris never used Hebrew. St.Thomas had no knowledge of Tamil either.


    ST.BARTHOLOMEW
    BAR TOLMAI

    Similar to St.Thomas, St.Bartholomew also came to India in 55 AD and was martyred at Kalyan near Bombay in 62 AD.As recorded by Church Historian Eusebius, in his Historia Ecclesiastica, Pantaenus, of Origen while preaching in India was told by the local Christians that St Bartholomew had preached in India and converted to Christianity to whom he gave Gospel of St. Matthew written in Hebrew. The liturgical language of the early Christians of konkan coast could be Hebrew.

    It is believed that St.Bartholomew preached at Kalyanpur and Barkur at Tulunadu. St.Bartholomew is also known as Bar Tolmai in Hebrew. However other accounts suggest that St.Bartholomew was sentenced to death by Astyages, for having converted his brother, Polymius, King of Armenia.

    PANTAEANUS(180 AD)

    According St.Jerome (347 AD to 420 AD) Pantaenus of Alexandria was sent by Demetrius into India in the 2nd century AD, that he might preach Christ among the BRAHMINS AND PHILOSOPHERS of that nation".Pantaeanus is believed to have worked at Konkan coast from Bombay to Mangalore.

    PORTUGUESE

    Portuguese converted most of the Brahmin and Jewish Christians to Roman Catholicism. At Konkan coast Portuguese surnames also became common because of Portuguese intermixture. In Kerala the Portuguese created a strong Mestizo community who were Roman Catholics.

    VEGETARIAN AND NON-VEGETARIAN CHRISTIANS

    Early Brahmin Christians could have been pure vegetarians. Jewish Christians could have used beef but after Kosher rites only. The Levite Jews are the priestly clan in Orthodox Judaism. But after the arrival of Nestorians from Seleucia Ctesiphon in 486 AD most of the Brahmin Christians also started using Beef. After the arrival of Portuguese in 1498 AD Beef and Pork became the Staple diet of St.Thomas Christians. Some Syriac Christians along the Periar river eat Pythons also.

    INTEGRATION OF BRAHMINS AND JEWS

    After 486 AD Nestorians from Seleucia Ctesiphon arrived and Nestorianism became the religeon of Indian Christians. Apostalic christians like Brahmins and Jews were integrated with the Nestorians. Syriac language of the Nestorians came into prominence. The costume of Nestorian priests was similar to the dress worn by the ancient priests of Edessa and Antioch of Eastern Roman Empire or Byzantium. Byzantium was actually a Greek empire. None of the Brahmin Christian written Sanskrit books have survived. Brahmin christian also stopped wearing Mundu-Dhoti and carrying Umbrellas made of palmleaf. Possibly they started wearing the robes of Eastern Roman empire and Persia.

    SYRIAC CUSTOMS

    Until 1200 AD the Nestorians practised circumcision. The Jews also practised circumcosion. The adoption of Nestorian customs might have integrated the Brahmin Christians with the Persian Church of the east of Nestorians.

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  15. EARLY BRAHMIN CONVERTS TO CHRISTIANITY

    JEWISH BRAHMINS

    Chitpavan Brahmin  or Konkanastha Brahmin are Maharashtrian Brahmin community inhabiting Konkan, the coastal Maharashtra. Chitpavans were held in low esteem by the Deshastha, the older Brahmin community of Maharashtra. The Chitpavans were considered as Parvenus or newcomers to the Brahmin class.

    The Parashurama mythological story of shipwrecked people of Chitpawan Brahmins is similar to the mythological story of the Bene Israel Jews of Raigad district. Historians say that similarities between the legends may be due to a connection between the Chitpawans and the Bene Israel communities. The history of Bene Israel, who also settled in Konkan, claims that the Chitpavans are also of Jewish origin. Thus Bene Israel Jews of Raigad preferred to become Brahmins.


    TRIARCHY

    All these suggest that Jews, Christians and Brahmins dominated ancient Kerala and Konkan coast. There was little interaction between Dravidians and Jews, Brahmins and Nestorians.

    ABSENCE OF DRAVIDIANS

    The Dravidian Villavar-Meenavar people who formed the Chera, Chola and Pandyan kingdoms were not aware of Christianity. This is because the ancient Dravidians knew only Tamil. They could not understand Hebrew/Aramaic, Syriac or Sanskrit. Sangam literature(300 BC to 500 AD) does not mention Christans or Christianity.

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  16. EARLY BRAHMIN CONVERTS TO CHRISTIANITY
    IN REALITY

    1. NAMBUTHIRIS

    According to Nambuthiris Kerala was given to them by Nambuthiris by Parashurama in Treta Yuga ie between 2,163,102 BC and 867,102 BC.

    But Kerala was not given by Parashurama to Nambuthiris. Kerala was given to Nambuthiris by Malik Kafur in 1310 AD.Tulu Samanthas and their Nepalese army of Nairs and Ahichatram Nambuthiris were not indigenous to Kerala.

    A Tulu invader Banapperumal with Arab support occupied Malabar without war in 1120 AD who invaded Kerala with 350000 strong Nair army. With him Nairs and Nambuthiris came to Kerala. Without Arab support Nairs or Nambuthiris would not have entered Kerala in 1120 AD. When Pandyan kingdom and Hoysala Kingdom was struggling against Delhi Sultanate in 1310 AD, the Tulu-Nepalese people were supporting Arabs and Turks. After the Pandyan defeat Villavar were hunted down by 200000 strong Turkish army.

    After the destruction of Tamil Kingdoms Kerala was given to Samanthas and Nambuthiris. Nambuthiris were not present prior to 1120 AD in Kerala. Nambuthiris and Nairs were not Tamils and were never mentioned in Tamil literature or inscriptions until 1335 AD. In 1498 AD the Nestorian Christians demanded that their Villarvettom kingdom be restored to them. Christian population was 30000 then.

    Vasco Da Gama realising that the Villarvattom king who had been even deprived of Thamban status residing at Udayamperoor was a petty chieftain. Portuguese were not ready to fight a war with Cochin kingdom on behalf of Villarvattom Christians. Villarvattom dynasty had Christian as well as Hindu lineages. Portuguese used the Panickars and Villavars of the Villarvattom kingdom to form an Army immediately. One hundred and fifty Portuguese thus arrived in 1498 AD had an army immediately.

    Nevertheless Portuguese did not want any confrontation with the Kochi kingdom who had occupied Villarvettom territories and had shifted the Royal house to Thrippunithura in Villarvettom territory. Kochi kings were Nambudris/Nambudiri descent. Villarvattam princesses had been forced to have Sambandam with Kochi kings. Last Villarvettom princess Kirubavathy/Mariam was made a mistress of Cochin king after a brief ceremony converting her to Hinduism. In that period some Christians approached Portuguese claiming to be of Nambuthiri descent and were in Brahmin attire. After 1335 AD the Nambuthiris might have kept Sambandam with Christian women.

    Portuguese used this opportunity to bond together to rival factions

    1. Nestorians ie Middle Eastern Nasrani Mapilla + Villarvettom Tamils

    2.Tulu-Nepalese Brahmin Nambuthiris and Nairs who migrated from Ahichatram in the Indo-Nepalese border.

    Portuguese spread the story that Nestorians were Nambudiris converted by St.Thomas himself. With this propaganda the demand for restoration of Villarvettom kingdom fizzled out. As Christians and the Nambuthiri rulers of Kochi were relatives apparently there was no need to fight each other.

    The Tamils of Villarvettom kingdom and Nasrani Mapillas were subjected to Self deception by Portuguese. Portuguese mixed with Christians to form a Mestizo community. With this Mestizos Portuguese organised a 4000 strong army which defended Cochin fort. Portuguese kept inland contingents of Mestizos who commanded Christian and Nair armies in each of principalities.

    As Christians are of Nambuthiri descent after 1498 AD Mestizos could occupy a higher status than Nairs until 1663 AD.

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  17. EARLY BRAHMIN CONVERTS TO CHRISTIANITY

    In 1517 AD Portuguese had decisively defeated the Arab navy of Mamluks. In 1526 Delhi Sultanate itself came to an end. As two protectors of Tulu-Nepalese invaders ceased to exist Portuguese could have easily ousted Cochin king if they chose to support Villarvattom kingdom. Most of the Villavar and Panickers who escaped to Srilanka would have returned to Kerala.

    Portuguese instead supported the Cochin Nambiadri dynasty and became its protectors. Portuguese also planted a Brahmin Pantarathil dynasty from Vellarappally Kovilakam as the rulers of Venad at 1610 AD. Portuguese could thus control Cochin and Venad.

    The Portuguese missionaries convinced the Catholic population of Kerala that they were actually Nepalese Brahmins called Namputhiris.

    DUTCH

    Dutch were weak rulers who oppressed Catholics and promoted Orthodox sect. British once again endorsed the Nambuthiri origins of Syrian Christians and experimented by appointing Jacobite Thachil Mathu Tharakan as the Commerce and forest minister of Travancore around 1768 AD. Later Thachil Mathu Tharakan was elevated to the Triumvirate along with Jayanthan Sankaran Nampoothiri. This was when Jacobites were not even allowed to build a Church in Trivandrum. British thought that they could rule Kerala with the Nambuthiri Christians. However in 1801 Veluthambi Thalava arrested Thachil Mathu Tharakan and mutilated him by cutting off his nose and ear.

    British experiment ended with that. Never again they appointed a Nambuthiri Christian administrator in Kerala. Col Monro instead manoeuvred to reduce the authority of Nambuthiris. In 1815 AD Col Monro abolished the 500 Nambuthiri Sankethams, huge landholdings each between 5000 to 20000 acres. This action inadvertently elevated the status of Nairs suddenly. Nairs until then were tenants under Nambuthiris became the owners of the land. Nair Janmis could directly pay taxes to the British. Nairs could own upto 200000 acres. By encouraging Nair Janmys British could suppress Nambuthiris. British organised a Nair regiment which shifted to Madras. By this they avoided chances for Nair rebellion.


    2. ST.THOMAS

    St.Thomas was martyred by Indo-Greek king Misdeus possible belonging to Menander Soter dynasty ruling over Alexandria of Opiana ie Gazni province of Afghanistan in Paropamisadae, the first Greek stronghold in 46 AD.

    St.Thomas was stabbed to death by four soldiers at a hill called Calamina(Kala-minar Jaghatu in Gazni). Indo-Greek kings never converted to Hinduism neither they took Hindu names.First Indo-Greek king Menander converted to Buddhism but he did not change his name.


    3. PANTAEANUS

    In the ancient times the Europeans considered all the places where dark people resided were considered India other than India proper. ie Southern Arabia, Southern Persia, Ethiopia etc. Pantaeanus visited Yemen which he called India. Pantaeanus wrote about the St.Bartholomew who worked among the ancient Yemenites.

    St.Bartholomew had given them Hebrew Gospel written by St.Mathew.Later in 350 AD St.Jerome a Latin priest of Alexandria that Pantaeanus was proselytising Brahmins and Philosophers in India. St.Jerome thought Pantaeanus came to India proper. But actually Pantaeanus had visited Yemen not India.

    BRAHMIN ORIGINS

    Brahmins are multiethnic people.While Chitpavan Brahmins have Jewish origins, Husaini Brahmins or Mohyal appear to have Turkish roots from Iraq.Bulk of the Maharashtrian Brahmins appear after the Indo-Scythian rule of western Satraps from 35 AD to 405 AD.
    A new Saka era was founded at 78 AD.

    Scythians were also an Aryan tribe who replaced earlier Aryans.The Deshastha Brahmins of Maharashtra are the parent group for Aiyars and other Tamil Brahmins.Golak or Govardhans a pastoralist people who rear cattle claim they also had been Deshastha Brahmins.Nambuthiris migrated from Ahichatra capital of Uttar panchala country (ancient Nepal) in 345 AD to Kadamba country.Their elevation to higher status is not because that they were brahmins but they allied with Arabs and Turks.

    .

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  18. MICHAEL

    BRAHMIN CONVERTED BY FRIAR MARIGNOLLI

    Around 1348 AD when Latin/Roman Catholic Friar John of Marignolli was residing at Kollam an elderly Brahmin approched him, prostrated and wanted to be baptised. His own son had been possibly a sailor, but taken by pirates as a prisoner and sold to a Genoese merchant had been Baptised.

    LETTERS AND REPORTS OF MISSIONARY FRIARS FROM CATHAY AND INDIA : NOTICES OF MARIGNOLLI

    One morning there came to me in front of the church a man of majestic stature and snowy white beard, naked from the loins upwards with only a mantle thrown about him, and a knotted cord [crossing his shoulder] like the stole of a deacon. He prostrated himself in reverence at full length upon the sand, knocking his head three times against the ground., Then he raised himself, and seizing my naked feet wanted to kiss them ; but when I forbade him he stood up. After a while he sat down on the ground and told us the whole story of his life through an interpreter.

    This interpreter [strange to say] was his own son, who having been taken by pirates and sold to a certain Genoese merchant, had been baptized, and as it so chanced was then with us, and recognized his father by what he related. The old man had never eaten flesh, had never but once been in the way of begetting offspring, habitually fasted four months in the year, ate only a little rice boiled in water, with fruit and herbs, and that late in the evening, used to spend his nights in prayer, and before he entered his place of prayer washed his whole body, and put on a dress of spotless linen reserved for this only. He then would go in and worship the devil in his image, with the most single-minded devotion.

    He was the priest of the whole of his island, which was situated in the remotest region of the Indies. Now God seeing his purity enlightened him first with wisdom from within ; and afterwards the demon was con- strained to address him through the idol's mouth, speaking thus: "Thou art not in the path of salvation ! God therefore enjoineth thee to proceed to Columbum, a distance of two years voyage by sea, and there shalt thou find the messenger of God who shall teach thee the way of salvation ! "" Now, therefore," said he to me, " here am I, come to thy feet and ready to obey thee in all things ; and what is more, it was thy face that I saw in my dreams, as now I recognize."

    Then having prayed with tears, and strengthened him in his intent, we assigned his baptized son as his teacher and interpreter. And after three months' instruction I baptized him by the name of Michael, and blessed him, and sent him away, whilst he promised to preach to others the faith that he had acquired.

    This story serves to exemplify that God (as St. Peter said of Cornelius the centurion) is no respecter of persons, but whosoever keepeth the law that is written in the heart (For the light of Thy countenance hath shone upon us, O Lord !) is accepted of Him, and is taught the way of salvation. But I did not fail to inquire whether this man, who had for two years been sailing about the unexplored seas and islands of the Indies, had seen or even heard anything of those monsters of which we have been speaking; but he knew nothing whatever about them.

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  19. MICHAEL


    GIOVANNI DE' MARIGNOLLI

    Giovanni de' Marignolli was a Franciscan monk. He was sent China as a Emissary and Missionary to the court of Great khan of Cathay, the Mongol Emperor of China, by Pope Benedict XII in 1339 AD. The Chinese was called Khanbaliq, modern Beijing.

    COLUMBUM

    On his return journey Giovanni de' Marignolli reached Columbum (old name of Kollam) in 1348 AD where he remained for 16 months. After that John of Marignolli visited St.Thomas Church at Chennai. Between 1292 AD to 1348 AD European Latin Catholic priests were visiring and residing at Kollam. About 3000 people had been converted to Latin/Roman Catholicism.

    COLUMBUM DIOCESE

    In 1328 AD Columbum Diocese was created by a Papal Bull by Pope Pope John XXII. Jordanus Catalani, a French Dominican Friar was appointed as the first Bishop of Kollam This was the first Roman Catholic Diocese in India.


    PANDYAN AND CHERAI RULE

    Between 1252 AD to 1299 AD Kerala was ruled by Pandyan dynasty was ruling Kerala were ruled by Pandyan dynasty. First European missionary John of Montecorvino visited Kollam and Chennai in 1291 AD.
    Until 1333 Kollam was ruled by Tamil Cherai dynasty was ruling Kerala from Kollam as Capital. During the rule Ravivarma Kulasekharan(1299 AD to 1314 AD) and his son Veera Udayamarthanda Varma Veera Pandiyan (1314 to 1333 AD) large scale Christian conversions at Kollam occured.

    TULU-NEPALESE RULE

    After the invasion Malik Kafur in 1311 AD all the Tamil kingdoms came to an end. Tulu-Nepalese rule of Samantha, Nairs and Namputhiris started in 1333 AD. After the advent of Matriarchal Tulu Samantha rule in Kerala Pope stopped sending Roman Catholic missionaries to India until 1498 AD.


    FATE OF DIOCESE OF COLUMBAM

    When Giovanni de' Marignolli visited Kollam in 1348 AD, Veera Kerala Varma Thiruvadi was ruling Venad and Mabar Sultanate was ruling Tamilnad.
    The fate of 3000 Roman Catholics of Kollam is unknown. Most likely they joined Syrian Christians. When Portuguese came in 1498 AD there was no Roman/Latin Catholics were found. Only Nestorians were there.

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  20. SYRIAC SERMON

    DRAVIDIAN LANGUAGES

    The St.Thomas Christian priests until the arrival of Portuguese used only Syriac language. But the church goers knew only about ten Syriac derived words.

    Bava (Father)
    Nasrani (Christian)
    Knānāya (Cananite)
    Pesaha (Passover)
    Malakha (Angel)
    Kudasha (Sacrament)
    Mamodisa (Baptism)
    Sliva/Sleeba (Cross)
    Isho (Jesus)
    Qurbana (Sacrifice)
    PersianMishiha (Messiah)
    Dukrana (Remembrance)
    Kathanar (Priest)
    Mar (Lord)
    Ruha (Holy spirit)
    Shliha (Apostle)


    So until the Portuguese arrival the churchgoers could not understand any word of the sermon. Portuguese tried to corect the situation by making the vernacular Western tamil as the liturgical language.

    Divya Bali
    Venchirippu
    Thirunal
    Kodikayattam
    Roopam
    Ezhunnalliichu vaikkal
    Natakam
    Japamala
    Pattu Kurbana
    Prasangam
    Pradhakshinam
    Vachana Sandhesam

    Few Western Tamil words have survived.

    SYRIAC LANGUAGE SERMON

    But once the Syro-Malabar church in 1663 AD and Orhodox church was established 1665 AD/1675 AD Syriac became the liturgical language again. Syriac was taught to priests and not to the flock starting from 1663 AD. And once again the churchgoers could not understand the Sermon.

    PORTUGESE

    Syrian priests learned Syriac and Portuguese languages but during the Dutch period Malayanma and Sanskrit were also taught to Syrian priests. Syrian priests wrote books in Portuguese language until 1800 AD.
    Kariattil Mar Iousep the first Syriac Bishop of Kodungaloor Latin Jesuit diocese wrote in 1780 AD

    Noticias do Reino do Malabar (News from the Kingdom of Malabar) in Portuguese language.
    In that era Syriac Christians talked Malayanma but had no knowledge of Syriac, Portuguese or Sanskrit.

    In some orthodox churches a person called Kattiyankaran who translated the Syriac sermon into Malayalam.

    LATIN SEMINARY STUDENT

    Around 1897 a priest aspirant from Chempu near Vaikkom at the banks of Vembanad backwater went to Srilanka to study in the Papal Seminary of Kandy, a Latin Seminary. At Kandyan seminary the language of instruction is Tamil.

    In 1901 he was ordained a priest by Rt. Rev. Bp. Clemente Pagnani, O. S. B. Silv., the Bishop of Kandy (Sylvestrine congregation under Benedictine Confederation).This Latin priest returned to his parent Vicariate of Ernakulam in 1901.

    Mar Augustine Kandathil was consecrated as Bishop in 1911 AD at Kandy, Srilanka by Most Rev. Abp. Władysław Michał Zaleski.

    MAR AUGUSTINE ORDAINED BY LATIN ARCH BISHOP

    Most Rev. Abp.Władysław Michał Zaleski was Lituanian-Polish Latin Arch Bishop who was elevated to Latin Patriarch of Antioch by Pope Benedict XV. In 1916.

    In 1923 Mar Augustine Kandathil became the first Indian Arch Bishop of Ernakulam.

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  21. SYRIAC SERMON

    CHALDEAN LITURGY

    Actually Vatican wanted to change the Liturgy of Syro-Malabar Church to completely to Chaldæan liturgy in 1955.But the Srilankan Latin seminary education of the first Syrian Catholic Arch Bishop actually saved Kerala.

    HIGH CASTE HINDUS

    Mar Augustine Kandathil said

    `We are pure Indians, born and brought-up in India. We are racially Indians, a good part of our forefathers having been converted from high-caste Hindus of Malabar by St. Thomas;

    (Possibly Nambuthiris converted by St.Thomas)

    The places surrounding Vembanad Kayal (Venpolinad in middle ages) Back waters were inhabited by inland fishermen. Similarly Varapuzha, Paravur, Palayur and Chavakkad are also fishermen area.

    Most of fhe alleged Nambuthiri converts to Christianity come from these areas. During the Portuguese era these coastal people migrated to Angamaly, Kuruvilangad and Kottayam.

    SANGAM ERA BRAHMINS

    Who were the high caste among Sangam age Tamils of Kerala ?
    It was the Dravidians.
    Aryan Brahmins were called Supervisors or Parpanars in ancient Kerala. Eg Parapanassery. They were not considered high.

    YAVANA

    Foreigners considered high in ancient Dravidian Kerala is a European created myth. Greeks and Romans were called Yavana. Pandyan palaces were guarded by Greek women security Gaurds.

    Mullai Pattu says Yavana Guards, Mlechar-Barbarians protected the sleeping quarters of Pandyan Nedunchelian.

    Chera ruler Nedum Cheralathan (130 AD to 188 CE)defeated a fleet of Romans captured several Yavana traders, later releasing them for ransom. Shaving the head of defeated Yavanas and painting them with black dots and pouring oil over their heads also mentioned in Sangam Literature.

    CHUVANNAKAR

    Arabs, Syrians and Jews were called Chuvannakar. Laterdays Turks were called Jonakar. Arabs, Persians, Jews and Syrians were included in the Balija trade Guilds and were given in Anchuvannam ( Anju+ Chuvannam= Five middle eastern tribes ie Arabs, Persians, Jews, Palestimes and Syrians) and Manigramam trade guilds.

    Those who married among local Tamil were called by adding Mapilla. Eg Suriyani Mapilla, Arabi Mapilla, Jonaka Mapilla, Parangi Mapilla, Lantha Mapilla etc.Syriac Christians are the mixture of Middle eastern Nasrani Mapillas, Villarvettom Tamils and Portuguese Mestizos. They talked Malayanma a Dravidian tongue until 1829 AD.

    MALAYANMA

    Until 1815 only Nambthiris and Nairs used heavily Nepalese and Sanskrit words mixed Grantha Malayalam. Dtavidian tongue Malayanma was banned by the British. At present the Syrian Liturgy is in Malayalam ie Nepalese mixed Western Tamil-Malayanma. It was made the official language by Benjamin Bailey and Herman Gundert in 1829 AD.

    NAMBUTHIRI ARRIVAL

    Nambuthiris were Tulu-Nepalese Brahmins from Ahichatra at the Indo-Nepalese border. Nabuthiris never existed in the Sangam Era Kerala. Only after the Tulu invader Banapperumal in 1120 AD Nambuthiris appeared in Kerala. The defeat and destruction of Pandyan empire by Malik Kafur occured in 1310 AD which brought an end to all Tamil Kingdoms. Nambuthiri dominance of Kerala started only after 1335 AD when Madurai sultanate was established

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  22. SYRIAN CHRISTIAN POPULATION IN KERALA

    NAMBUTHIRI CONNECTIONS

    The coastal Mapilla population of Thrissur often claim Nambuthiri descent. The Nambuthiris living around Guruvayoor might have had Sambandam with Christian women after a brief ceremony converting them to Hinduism as the Cochin kings did with Villarvattom princesses. Palayur people also have mixed with Mestizos giving them Brazilian like faces.

    Pakolamattom family who were instrumental in the Schism of 1665 were also from Palayur. Angamaly and Palayur people revolted against Portuguese and the Jesuits in 1653 and brought an end to the Portuguese authority and expansion of Christianity in Kerala.

    SCHISM

    The wealth and land accumulated by the Churches during the Portuguese era prompted some Nestorian-Catholics (Syro-Roman) to secede from Roman Catholicism and adopt western rite, Miaphysite Jacobite sect in 1665. But paradoxically Angamaly and Palayur Catholics continued under Jesuits and the Latin Kodungaloor diocese under the Portuguese crown. Kariyattil Mar ouseph was anointed as rhe first indigenous Bishop of Kodungalloor diocese in 1785 AD converting it to Syro-Malabar diocese. Portuguese had brought the Christian population of Kerala more than 10% of the population in 1653.

    STATIC POPULATION

    After Portuguese left the Christian population remained remained static around 200000 until 1797 AD.
    Christian populatoion actually decreased in percentage.

    In the 1752 census Syro-Malabar population was 100000, Orthodox were 50000 and Latin Catholics were 50000. Totally 200000 Christians were there in 1752.

    In 1773 Syro-Malabar population decreased slightly to 94000.

    KODUNGALOOR LATINS

    In 1787 the Syro-Malabar population had increased to 140000. Orthodox were the same as 50000.This increase in the population of Syro-Malabar is due the inclusion of Latins of Kodumgaloor diocese under Syro-Malabar in 1785 AD

    PARADOXICAL DECLINE

    In the 1806 census Syro-Malabar population had decreased to 80000 and Orthodox was only 23000. The reason for this decline is not clear.

    VARAPUZHA LATINS

    In 1886 large number of Latins of Varapuzha diocese joined Syro-Malabar.In the 1888 census Syro-Malabar population was 258,422 ie 4.76% of Keralas population.

    SUDDEN LEAP IN SYRIAN POPULATION

    In the 1911 census Syro-Malabar census was 320,212 ie 4.47% of Kerala's population of 7,147,673.

    Total Christian population was around ie 19.5 % of the Kerala population in 2001 .This tenfold increase and doubling the percentage of Christians is partially due to population Explosion in the 20th century.

    But many Syrian Christians actually had only two or three childrens because of family planning after the independence. This increase in the population of Christians in Kerala between 1911 to 2001 is due to the voluntary conversion of many Non-Christian Hindu castes into Christianity.

    HINDU CONVERTS
    Bulk of the modern Christian population in Kerala might descent from Neo-converts after 1911 AD.Keralas population increased from 7,147,673 in 1911 to 31,841,374 in 2001(4 times).Syrian Christian population (Syrian Catholics and Orthodox) increased from 4 lakhs in 1911 to 3,980,171 in 2001 ie nearly 10 times.

    At 2021 it is around 41 lakhs making 11.73% of 35.8 million population of Kerala.

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  23. SYRIAN CHRISTIAN POPULATION IN KERALA


    CONVERTED SYRIANS

    This tenfold increase in Syrian Christian population after 1911 can only be explained by extensive voluntary religeous conversion from other Hindu communities.In otherwords the traditional Christians of Kerala form only a tiny fraction in their own Churches now.

    Keralas original middle eastern Nestorians and Portuguese Mestizo Christians have been diluted by intermixture with local Hindus. Many clans of Dravidian, and the Srilankan population have joined the Syrian Christians.But most of these converted people to Syriac Christianity will be reluctant to identify their roots.

    They are still socio-economically backward. The Top layer is still Mestizo who make the Clergy, Landlords and Industrialists.The increase in the Christians population to 19 5% in Kerala helped the Syrian Creamy layer to dominate in politics especially the Orthodox sect. Orthodox who form around 1.5% of Keralas population, scattered allover Kerala could acquire high Political positions and upto two ministerships. Syrian Christians who make around 11.73% could get 20% of ministerial berths. Latins who make 4.5 % are usually given 1 ministership only.

    DECLINE OF CHRISTIAN POPULATION IN KERALA

    After 2000s the Christian population is on steady decline.Adoption of family planning shrinked their population and percentage.The voluntary conversions also declined after 2000s.In the 2011 census only 18.38% were Christians in Kerala.In 2021 allegedly the Christian population of Kerala shrunk to 17.5%.

    CONCLUSION :
    As Friar John of Monte Corvino wrote in 1292 the Christians of Malabar were few hundreds who were Nasrani Mappillas ie offsprings of middle eastern sailors who had a temporary marriage with Tamil women. Nasrani Mappillas were Nestorians.

    Jordanus Catalanus in 1328 converted about 3000 Tamils of Kollam and St.Thomas Christians to Latin Catholicism increasing the Christian population to few thousands.

    The conversion of Villarvattom king, an offshoot of Tamil Villavar dynasty of Cheras in 1339 AD increased the population to 30000.Between 1335 AD to 1500 AD when Nambuthiri rule was established in Kochi.

    Nestorian Christian women of Tamils and Nasrani Mappilla women might have been forced to have Sambandham with Nambuthiris.Portuguese arrival led to Intermixture of the Christian population with them and created a Mestizo Catholic population which numbered 200000 in 1663 AD.

    In 1785 the merger Latin Jesuit Diocese of Kodungaloor increased the Syro-Malabar population.

    In 1886 the assimilation of Latin Catholics of Varapuzha diocese once again increased the number of Syrian Catholics.

    After 1911 the steep increase in Syrian Christian population is due to assimilation of Hindu converts.

    At 1911 Many Hindu castes Voluntarily joined Syriac Christianity.

    Timeline
    1292 Nasrani Mapilla Nestorians(Persian,Kurdish, Syriac, Arabic, Jews+Tamil women)
    1229 Jordanus Latin Catholics
    1339 Villarvattom Tamil Panickars and Villavar
    1340 Nambuthiri Sambandam
    1498 Portuguese Mestizo
    1785 Latin Jesuits of Kodungaloor
    1886 The Carmelite Latins of Varapuzha join Syro-Malabar
    1911 Diverse Hindu castes join Syrians

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  24. NESTORIANISM
    _____________________________________

    Alexander's invasion of middle east, Persia and India favoured the spread of Christianity to east. It also spread the Greek and Aramaic languages to the east.

    ARAMAIC LANGUAGE

    Jesus himself had conversed in Aramaic and not Hebrew. Hebrew remained the literary language of Jews. Syriac language was Neo-Aramaic language which was closely related to the Aramaic, spoken language of ancient Judea.

    SELEUCID EMPIRE

    Seleucia was built in 305 BC on the west bank of Tigris in Mesopotamia north of Babylon by Seleucus I Nicator. Seleucia was the capital between 305 BC–240 BC. Later under Sassanians (Persian) Seleucia-Ctesiphon became the centre of Church of the East (Nestorianism).

    ANTIOCH

    Seleucus I Nicator also built Antioch in Syria (now Antakya, Turkey) in 300 BC. Antioch was the capital between 240 BC–63 BC.

    EDESSA

    Edessa (Şanlıurfa, Turkey) was also built by Seleucus I Nicator in the upper Mesopotamia.

    BABYLON

    Babylon became a centre of Jews under Greeks. Babylonian Jews revolted against Parthian rule in 11 AD under Jewish brothers Anilai and Asinai who ruled Babylon between 18 AD to 33 AD. At the Seleucid Greek cities Seleucia, Antioch and Edessa both Greek and Syriac Christianity evolved. Both were culturally Greek. Ancient Greek cities Edessa (Selçuk), Chalcedon (Kurbağalıdere), Nicea (İznik) formed the cradle of Eastern Christianity.

    BYZANTIUM

    Syriac Christianity evolved under the umbrella of Eastern Roman Empire or The Byzantian empire infact which was actually Greek .Since Turkey, Syria and Iraq were under the Eastern Roman empire dominated by Greeks. Compared to Romans Byzantian Greeks were more tolerant to Christianity from the beginning.

    All the eastern Christian customs including Syriac Christianity evolved from Greek Christianity and not from Arabs or Jews. Eastern Orthodox, Syriac Orthodox, Nestorianism (Now Syro-Roman) all evolved in Nicaea, Edessa and Antioch. NICEAN CREED followed by most of the Christians was formulated here.

    NESTORIANISM

    In Kerala Christians practised Nestorianisn prior to the arrival of Poruguese in 1498 AD. Nestorianism or Church of the East was considered a heretic form of Christianity by the rest of the Christendom.

    NESTORIUS

    Nestorianism was based on the teachings of Nestorius Patriarch of Constantinople. Nestorius belonged to ANTOCHIAN SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY. Around 428 ad Nestorius started teaching that Jesus had two Natures one human and other Logos. Jesus had two hypostases and actually two different persons. This theory was called RADICAL DYOPHYSITISM which differed from the ORTHODOX DYOPHYSITISM practiced by the rest of the Christians ie Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox of Byzantium.

    Nestorius argued that Jesus was only human and God is different from him. Nestorius refused to call Mary Mother of God (THEOTOKOS). Instead he called Mary Mother of Christ. This was considered blasphemous by most Christian's. Cyril the Patriarch of Alexandria led the opposition to Nestorius.

    COUNCIL OF EPHESUS

    In the ecumenical council convened at 431 AD by Byzantine Emperor THEODOSIUS, Nestorius was denounced as a heretic, deposed from his post as Bishop and exiled. The theology he created was called Nestorianism. The non-Ephesine followers of Nestorianism were forced to move out of Antioch in the Eastern Roman Empire to SELEUCIA CTESIPHON at the banks of Tigris river which was the capital of Sassanian Persian Empire around 486 AD. Seleucia Ctesiphon is now part of Iraq.

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  25. NESTORIANISM
    _________________________________________

    FEATURES OF NESTORIANISM

    Nestorianism resembled other Abrahamic religions such as Judaism but quite different from Christianity.

    DIVINITY OF JESUS

    Nestorians did not believe in the divinity of Jesus. Jesus was only a man directed by Holy spirit according to Nestorius. Mary was not to be addressed as Mother of God by Nestorians as they did not consider Jesus as God. Mary was addressed as Mother of Jesus or Mother of Christ.

    ICONOCLASM

    Nestorians were iconoclastic and their churches displayed SINGLE WOODEN CROSS. Their churches did not have any idol of Jesus, Mary, Apostles or Saints. Nestorian Churches were simple structures lacking any kind of decoration. No towers or arches or Baroque or Gothic style existed. They were not colourful. Nestorians revered saints but neither the pictures of Saints or idols can be kept at home or worshipped.

    CIRCUMCISION

    Nestorians practised Circumcision. Nestorius told his flock that Jesus himself circumcised hence all the Nestorians should do Circumcision as well.

    NESTORIAN ERRORS

    The Peshitta Bible used by Nestorians were slightly different from other Syriac bibles which denied the Divinity of Jesus and the position of Jesus as Mother of God. This was called Nestorian errors by other sects. Nestorian theology was Radical Dyophysite meaning Jesus has two Natures( Human and Logos) two persons and and two hypostases and completely split.


    NESTORIAN THEOLOGY VS OTHERS

    In the early days of Christianity, Christian's were questioned by people.

    1. If Jesus was God how come he was crucified and died ? To whom did Jesus pray at Gethsemane park ?

    2. If possible you may relieve me of this role. Whom did crucified Jesus call ? Eli Eli Lama Sabaktani -- My God My God why have you forsaken me. Was he praying to God ?.

    To answer these questions early Bishops adopted the Dyophysite theory that Jesus was half man half God. This is derived from earlier Trinity theory otherwise called Trinitrianism. Father and Son used as God and Human forms.

    Radical Dyophysite II NESTORIANISM
    Orthodox Dyophysite Y ROMAN CATHOLIC
    Monophysite l JACOBITE

    Nestorian Radical diaphysite theology with two natures two Persons and two hypostases is radically different from other sects. As Nestorius claimed Jesus was only human guided by Holy spirit. Roman Catholicism , Protestants Eastern Orthodox and rest of the Christendom used Orthodox Dyophysite theology ie Jesus has one Person and has one hypostases but two Natures, Human and God.

    ANTAGONISM OF OTHER SECTS OF CHRISTIANITY

    Nestorians thus differed from other sects by their Nestorian Errors

    1. Jesus was not God but a human

    2. Mary was not Mother of God but Mother of Jesus.

    PORTUGUESE REFORMS

    Portuguese who were overwhelmed by the presence of Christian population in India did not like the Nestorian theology.

    Portuguese with the help of Mar Jacob Abuna(1503) tried to correct it immediately after their arrival. They succeeded in banning Radical Dyophysitism and Nestorianism.

    Portugues converted the whole Syrian population to Roman Catholicism. Roman Catholics believe Jesus as God and Mary as the Mother of God. Though Eastern rites is derived from Nestorian rites Nestorian errors have been corrected,

    Portuguese saved the Christian population of Kerala from complete annihilation at the hands of Samuthiri and Arabs.
    If Portuguese had not come Arabs would have dominated whole of Kerala. They built magnificent Basilicas and Cathedrals.The Christian population leaped from 30000 at 1504 to 200000 in 1660 AD.

    In modern times Portuguese are not hailed as Great reformers but as Villains. But their Blood and efforts have radically transformed Christianity in Kerala.

    _____________________________________________

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  26. NESTORIANISM

    SASSANIAN PERSECUTION

    At 341 AD Shapur II who was a Zoroastrian by faith ordered the massacre of all Christians in the Persian Sassanid Empire. During his time about 1150 Assyrian Christians were martyred. It has been speculated that early Christian's migrated to Kerala in this period. But the Persian Bishop in that period Yohanan bar Maryam of Arabela, was totally unaware of migration of Thomas of Cana or any other migration.

    THE CHURCH OF THE EAST

    Yazdegerd I was the first Sassanian King to support Christianity. Yazdegerd l (399–421) convoked a council under Mar Isaac Council of Seleucia-Ctesiphon, in AD 410 in Seleucia-Ctesiphon the capital of the Persian Sassanid Empire. Convoked by King Yazdegerd I  organized Christians of his empire into a single church, The Church of the East,, an Eastern rites church.

    Seleucia-Ctesiphon, capital of the Sassanian empire, Nisibis, Basra, Erbil, Kirkuk in Iraq and Beth Lapat in western Iran became important centres of the Church of East. Church of East adopted Nestorianism as its Theology in 486 AD.

    SYRIAC ORTHODOX

    But soon another form of heresy arrived in 451 AD. This new sect was promoted by Jacob Baradaeus who became the Bishop of Edessa in 543 AD. Jacob Baradaeus who wore tattered, stitched clothes. Jacob's theology was Miaphysite a form of Monophysite theology in which human and Godly forms of Jesus were fused together.

    Jesus was one person one Hypostases one Nature with two components God and Human. Present Jacobites and Orthodox follow the Monophysite or Miaphysite theology along with other Oriental Orthodox churches. Jacobite Theology was St.James, rites Western rites.

    COMPARISON

    Nestorianism
    Theology : Radical Dyophysitism
    Language : Syriac
    Theology : St Mari St Adai(St Thomas line of disciples)
    Rites: Eastern rites

    Syriac orthodox (Jacobite)
    Theology : Miaphysitism
    Language : Syriac
    Theology : St James
    Rites : Western rites

    Except Language nothing is common between Nestorianism and Orthodox churches.
    (Actually Marthoma I had abandoned St.Thomas-Liturgy and had adopted St.James-Liturgy in 1675 AD. So modern Orthodox and Jacobites follow St.James not St.Thomas)

    ANCIENT SCHISMS

    COUNCIL OF EPHESUS 431 AD

    In the Council of Ephesus Bishop Nestorius was denounced as heretic and exiled His followers mostly Syrians and Persians and Syrians migrated to Seleucia Ctesiphon the capital of Sassanian Persia which was situated 28 km south of Babylon. Nestorianism became a separate sect.

    COUNCIL OF CHALCEDON 451 AD

    Those who opposed the Chalcedonian Definition that repudiated the monophysite notion that Jesus had a single Nature were called non-Chalcedonians. The Oriental Orthodox who favoured the Miaphysite theology separated from Byzantine Greeks state religeon.

    1)Byzantine Greeks formed EASTERN ORTHODOX (Greeks, Georgeans, Russians)

    2) ORIENTAL ORTHODOX (Syrians, Egyptians, Ethiopians, Erithreans) Arabs and Africans formed the Oriental Orthodox sect.
    a) Egyptians formed Coptic church
    b) Syrians formed Syriac Orthodox(Jacobite)
    c)Ethiopeans formed Ethiopian Orthodox

    Thus the Byzantine Christianity once had followers from Persians, Syrians, Greeks, Egyptians and Ethiopeans were divided on ethnicity by 500 AD.

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  27. NESTORIANISM

    NESTORIUS IN TOLDOT YESHU

    Toldot Yeshu was a Apocryphal book written in the 5th century AD. This book gives a brief description of the life of Nestorius.

    The following is chapter 7 of the TOLDOT YESHU:

    1. Now after a long time the kingdom of Persia arose.
    2. And a certain one went forth from them and made a mock of them, even as the heretics had made a mock of the wise men.
    3. And he said to them, Paul erred in his writing when he said to you, Be not circumcised: for Yeshua was circumcised.
    4. Moreover Yeshua said, I am not come to diminish a single word of the law of Moses, not even one sign; but to fulfill all his words.
    5. And this is your reproach which Paul laid upon you when he said, Be not circumcised.
    6. And Nestorius said unto them, Circumcise yourselves, for Yeshu was circumcised.
    7. Furthermore Nestorius said, Ye are idolaters that say, Yeshua is God, seeing that he was born of a woman. Only the Holy Spirit ministered through him as with the prophets.
    8. And Nestorius began to debate with the Nazarenes: he persuaded their wives.
    9. He said unto them, I will enact that no Nazarene shall have two wives.
    10. And as Nestorius became detestable in their sight there arose a strife between them, in so much that a Nazarene would not pray to the abomination of Nestorius, neither a Nestorian to the abomination of the Nazarenes.
    11. Thereafter Nestorius went to Babylonia, to a certain place the name of which is Chazaza, and all fled before him.
    12. And the women concealed themselves, for Nestorius was a violent man.
    13. The women said to him, What wilt thou of us?
    14. He said unto them, I will only that ye receive of me the bread and wine offering.
    15. Now it was a custom of the women of Chazaza to carry in their hands large keys.
    16. He gave one of them the offering; and she cast it on the ground.
    17. Then the women threw the keys, which were in their hands, and smote him so that he died.
    18. And the strife continued between them for a long time.
    _________________________________________

    5.6 According to this book Nestorius promoted circumcision among his followers.
    7. Nestorius despised idolatry. He argued that Jesus born of a woman was only human but a prophet guided by holyspirit.
    9. Nestorius enforced Monogamy among Nazarenes

    CIRCUMCISION

    The early Nestorians practised Circumcision similar to Coptic and Ethiopean Christions. Until Portuguese arrival only Nestorianism existed in India. So among these Indian Nestorians also circumcision might have been an accepted practice from 500 AD to 1200 AD.

    In the thirteenth century however Nestorians not only abandoned the practice of Circumcision, but opposed this practice outside muslim countries.

    CHINA

    Isa Kelemechi Nestorian official at the Yuan court of Kublai Khans Mongol empire was instrumental in promoting Anti-Muslim prohibitions such as Circumcision and Halal slaughtering.

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  28. NESTORIANISM

    NESTORIAN HERESY

    Nestorianism was considered a heretic form of Christianity. Nestorians were not allowed to stay in the rest of Christendom. Nestorians were not welcome in Europe Rome and Byzantium. Nestorians could migrate only to eastern countries. Strangely this heretic form of religeon which denied the divinity of Jesus and denied the Godmother status spread to India and China.

    NESTORIAN ERRORS

    The Christian's other than Nestorians criticised the portions of Nestorian Theology which portrayed Jesus only as a human and denying Mary Mother of God status. These portions in the Nestorian Theology were called Nestorian errors. Portuguese priests in India were offended by the Nestorian stance that Jesus was not God.

    Portuguese under Archbishop Menezes in India strived hard to remove the books from Usage which contained the Nestorian Heresy ie Nestorian errors. If the errors were minimal Roman Catholic priests under Menezes corrected the bibles by hiding those lines with ink before allowing the Indian Church to use them in their Churches.

    NESTORIAN HIERARCHY

    Nestorian Patriarch was also called Catholicos was the head of the church. Patriarch always took the name Mar Shimon. Though Nestorians were converted by St.Thomas their Patriarchs preferred to call themselves as Simon (Peter), an apostle who occupied a higher ecclesiastical position than St.Thomas. Under the Patriarch Metropolians, Bishops, Priests (presbyter) and Deacons come.

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  29. NESTORIANISM

    INDIAN NESTORIANS

    Until Portuguese arrival Nestorianism was the only form of Christianity which existed in India.

    COSMOS INDICOPLEUSTES

    Cosmos Indicopleustus was a Greek Nestorian priest and a trader from Alexandria. Cosmos visited India and Srilanka around 516 AD. Cosmos said that there was a Persian Nestorian Bishop at Srilanka and a priest at Male where pepper grows, most likely Kerala. He also said about Nestorian Christians at Mangarouth (Mangalore) and Kalliyana (Kalyan near Bombay or Kalyanpur an ancient Pandyan capital near Mangalore).At Srilanka Nestorians completely disappeared. When Portuguese arrived they did not find any native Christians in Srilanka. Christian Topography is the work of Cosmos Indicopleustes written around

    SRILANKAN NESTORIANS

    The Srilankan Christians could have migrated to Kerala or Tamilnadu in the middle ages. In 632 AD Persia had been invaded by the Arabs and most of Persia came under Rashidun Caliphate. So the Srilankan Nestorians could not have gone back to Persia or Syria.

    KOLLAM

    First Tamil evidence for presence of Nestorians in Kerala is the Tharissappalli sasanam issued by Ay king of Kollam Aiyanadikal thiruvadikal to Persian trader Mar Sapir Eso in 849 AD. A palli either a Choultry for foreign traders or a Christian church was built by Mar Sapir Eso under the auspices of Kollam king. Palli in Tamil has many meanings including resting place a lodge, a Choultry, then a place of worship for jains, a school, Kitchen etc.

    It is interesting to note that out of the 26 foreign signatories 13 were Muslims, 6 were Zorastrians, 4 were Jews and another 3 were Christians. The European scholars feigned that the could not decipher the names of the signatories written in Pahlavi, Kufic and Hebrew. If Tharisappally had been a church it could be the most secular church.

    BALIJA TRADEGUILDS

    The Kollam tradeguilds Anchuvannam and Manigramam were part of the larger trade guilds of Balijas. Balija (Valanjiar) were Banas of Kadamba kingdom who became traders in the middle ages and had built a vast trade network mainly in the southern India and also sea routes to China and Middle East.

    NANADESHIKAL

    Balija trade guilds included Nanadeshikal ie foreign traders. The foreign traders were allowed to build fortified lodges in which they lived. The foreigners were allowed to collect tax locally. Tharissapally plates and Ravi Korthan plates were Balija trade guild plates assuring them rights. Persian Nestoriaans were part of Nanadeshikal under the Balijas.

    Tharissappalli plates mentioned the names of some Nestorian Christan traders. Out of the 26 foreign signatories, only three were Christans, and of the rest 13 were Muslims, 6 were Zorastrians and 4 were Jews only 3 were Christians. It is quite unlikely 26 foreigners of diverse religions united to build a Christian Church in 849 AD. British researchers and missionaries feigned their inability to interpret the names of the signatories.

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  30. NESTORIANS

    SYRIAN TRADERS

    The Syrian traders could actually be multiethnic but connected Nestorianism. Persian, Aramaic, Syrian, Kurdish, Arabs, Armenians etc. The Christian traders sailed from Basra to Kochi and Kollam, Kayalpattinam and Madras following trade winds.

    TRADE WINDS

    The Trade winds blow in the reverse direction only after six months which enabled them to go back to Mesopotamia. For six months the middle eastern sailors were forced to stay in India. In that time the Syrians often married from local Dravidian women. But after six months they will leave their wives and Children in India and go back to Basra. The Next year the same trader may come back and meet his family or may never come back.

    These Syrian traders who married local Hindu Dravidian women were called Nasrani Mappillas Christian Son-in-Laws. The wives and children of the Syrian sailor will join the local Christian Colony and the Children will be raised Christians adopting middle eastern Christian names. But most of the Syrian children may not visit Iraq, Syria or Persia. They will also be known by the name Syrian Nasrani Mappilla.

    SYRIAN COLONIES

    Kodungaloor, Chendamangalam, Kochi, Kollam, Kayalpattinam and Madras could be the places which had Syrian colonies. Marco Polo found Persian graves at Kayalpattanam near Tuticorin.

    HINDIYAH

    When Karbala in Iraq was a flourishing Christian city possibly of Nestorians who traded with India a city called Al-Hindiya existed near it. Al-Hindiya means of Indians. Dutt clan of Mohyal Brahmins resided at Dair-al-Hindiya. Rahab Sidh Dutt leader of Mohyal or Hussaini Brahmins fought on the side of Imam Husayn ibn Ali at the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD. Until seventh century Indians used to stay near the Christian city of Karbala. After the destruction of Karbala in the 7th century Nestorians could have migrated to India. Mohyal Brahmins migrated to Punjab

    Thus when Syrians colonised India there was an Indian colony at Hindiyah, Iraq.

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  31. MIAPHYSITE

    PATRONS OF NON-CHALCEDONIAN CHRISTIANITY (Oriental Orthodox Jacobite)

    Two Byzantine emperors, Zeno (474-491) and more fervently Anastasius Dicorus (491-518), were followers of the Miaphysite tradition. But the next emperor Justin I (518-527) was a Chalcedonian supporter.

    THEODORA (500 to 548 AD)

    Theodora was an Eastern Roman empress by marriage to emperor Justinian. She became empress upon Justinian's accession in 527AD. Byzantine emperor Justinian I was Chalcedonian but the Empress Theodora was a Miaphysite. She gave refuge to Non Chalcedonion Bishops such as Severus and Anthimus. Theodora invited Jacob Bardeus and provided Political support for him. Both Theodora and Jacob Bardeus play an important role in the foundation of Jacobite Church.

    JACOB BARADAEUS

    Jacob Bardeus was the Bishop of Edessa the Bishop of Edessa from 543 to 578. Jacob Baradaeus was the founder of Syriac Orthodox church. It is also known by his name as Jacobite church.

    TATTERED DRESS

    Unlike the modern Jacobite and Orthodox priests who wear expensive dresses Jacob Baradaeus wore ragged cloths torn and stitched by himself. Bardaeus means stitched or repaired.
    Kerala's Jacobite and Orthodox priests wear the most expensive costume when compared with the other Christian priests of India.

    ARAB ORTHODOX RULER
    SAL-HARITH IBN JABALAH (528 to 569 AD)

    Al-Harith ibn Jabalah was a Ghassanid Yemeni Arab Christian ruler and was a Miaphysite Orthodox believer.

    AL-MUNDHIR III IBN AL-HARITH (569 AD to 581 AD)

    Al-Mundhir III was the son of Gassinid ruler Al-Harith ibn Jabalah. He was a staunch Miaphysite - Orthodox follower. This led to conflict with his Byzantine Overlords 584, the Byzantines broke up the federation and exiled them to Sicily.

    ORTHODOX VS NESTORIAN

    Early Miaphysites were Greek and Arabs while Nestorians were Greek and Persians.

    ORTHODOX

    1. Greek
    2 Arabs

    NESTORIAN

    1. Greek
    2. Persian

    Yemenite Christians, the Ghassinids and Queen Theodora played an important role in the establishment of Jacobite church firmly.

    THREE SAINTS

    1. CONSTANTINE
    2. JUSTINIAN
    3. THEODORA

    Constantine the Great Justinian the Great and his wife Theodora are three most famous Royals revered as saints in the Eastern Orthodox Church the official church of Byzantine Empire. Theodora because of her belief in Miaphysitism she is revered as Saint in Oriental Orthodox churches including Jacobite Church.

    .

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  32. BANAPPERUMAL AND THE TULU DYNASTY

    Until 1335 AD Kerala was ruled by Tamils called Villavar people.

    In 1120 AD a Tulu invader called Banapperumal attacked Kerala with a Nair army with Arab support and occupied northern Kerala, Malabar upto Ponnani lake. Banapperumal occupied Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode and Malappuram Districts.

    Banapperumal was the brother of Tulu king Kavi Alupendra(1110 AD to 1160 AD) of the Alupa dynasty.
    The Tulu dynasty of Kolathiri was weak as the Nambuthiris were supported by Nairs. Nambuthiris forced the Tulu princesses to have Sambandam with them and the children born to them only became the next king. Thus a Tulu-Nepalese dynasty was created.

    After the Malik Kafurs attack in 1310 the Pandyan dynasty ruling over Kerala was defeated an Tamil rule came to an end.

    The Matriarchal Tulu Kolathiri rulers and the Ahichatram Nagas and Ahichatram Brahmins with Nepalese ancestry occupied whole of Kerala. After 1335 AD Kerala was ruled by Tulu-Nepalese oeople.

    VILLAVAR-MEENAVAR PEOPLE

    Earlier Pandya rulers and Chera rulers belonged to the Tamil Villavar and their subgroups Villavar, Malayar, Vanavar and Meenavar tribes. Chera kings were called Villavar Kon and also Magadai Nadalvar. Chera Kings were supported by Villavar, Malayar and Vanavar soldiers. From Malayar the word Malayali evolved.

    ANCIENT CHERA HISTORY

    The Kadamba kingdom and Tulu kingdoms were Bana kingdoms who were arch enemies of Tamil Chera kingdom. Imayavaramban Neduncheralathan fought against Kadamba kingdom and claimed victory over Kadambas in the fourth century AD.

    MAYURA VARMA

    Mayura Sharma a northern Brahmin who became the king of Kadamba kingdom who changed his name as Mayura Varma. Mayura Varma brought Aryan Brahmins and Naga slave warriors from Ahichatra, in 345 AD, which was then capital of Uttar Panchala country (modern Nepal) to Karnataka and settled them at the coastal Karnataka. Each band of four hundred of Nagas were lead by a Ahichatra Brahmin. Nairs and Nambuthiris who invaded Kerala along with Banapperumal in 1120 AD, were migrants from Ahichatra, ancient Nepal.

    NEPALESE NAGAS IN TULUNADU

    The Nepalese Nagas mixed with the local communities such as Bana, Billava and Mogaveera communities eventually making all Tulunadu People adopt Matriarchy a Himalayan custom. The Ahichatram Nagas mixed with the local Banas of Alupas Pandyan Kingdom, a Bana Pandyan kingdom of Karnataka. Banas are the Northern cousins of Villavar and also the arch enemies of Villavar Cheras. Banas were known by the names Banta or Nadavara. The Banas are ethnically Dravidians who supported the Alupas kingdom. The Ahichatram Nagas were called Buntaru or bonded people.At the middle ages the Banas and Nagas mixed still Banas occupied a higher position. Eventually both are called as Bunts now.Bunt community Nayara Menava, Kuruba and Samantha were subgroups of Tulunadus Bunt community Nayara Hegdes had been rulers of small principalities such as Kanajar in Tulunadu.

    NAMBUTHIRI

    Similarly Nambuthiris were Ahichatram brahmins who had migrated to Karnataka. Nambuthiris were part of the Tuluva brahmin community closely related to Shivally Brahmins of Karnataka. The Tulu-Nepalese community of Karnataka practiced Matriarchy. Naga worship was common among them. Among Tulu legal heir of a person is not his son but his sisters son. This was called Aliyasanthana in Karnataka. Their language contained many Nepalese words. They were of fair colour with an yellowish tinge and with slight Mongoloid features because of Nepalese origin. In the 12th century Kerala faced threat from these Matriarchal Tulu-Nepalese tribes of Karnataka

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  33. BANAPPERUMAL


    LATER CHERA DYNASTY (800 AD to 1102 AD)

    Later Chera dynasty was founded by Kulasekharapperumal who called himself Villavar Kon, Malayar Kon and Vanavar Kon as the leader various Tamil Villavar clans.

    PATRILINEAL KINGDOMS

    Tamil Pandyas and Cheras spoke Tamil, they were Patrilineal and the princesses cant marry Brahmins. Tamil kings followed Patrilineal descendency and law of Primogeniture. After a king his eldest son became the king.

    BRAHMINS DURING LATER CHERA PERIOD(800 AD to 1102 AD)

    The truth is there is no mention of Nairs and Namboothiri in any medieval Tamil inscriptions, inscribed by the Cheran rulers. None of the books written during Later Chera era mention Nair or Namboothiris. The priests during Later Chera period (800 AD to 1120 AD) were called

    1. Pattar(பட்டர்)(പട്ടർ),
    2. Pattarar(பட்டாரர்)(പട്ടാരർ),
    3. Pattarakar (பட்டாரகர்)(പട്ടാരകർ),
    4. Pattariyar(பட்டாரியார்)(പട്ടാരിയാർ)
    5.Pazharar(பழாரர்)(പഴാരർ),
    6. Chathirar(சாத்திரர்)(ചാത്തിരർ),
    7. Nambi(நம்பி)(നമ്പി)
    8. Uvachar(உவச்சர்)(ഉവച്ചർ)
    9. Sadukkal(சாதுக்கள்) (ചാതുക്കൾ)
    10. Santhi(சாந்தி)(ചാന്തി)

    Never Nambuthiris are mentioned. Only Tamil Brahmins existed. Most of them were found in Chola and Pandyan countries also.Even during the Cherai period (1102 AD to 1315 AD) in Venad many of the temple offices evolved but Nambuthiris are not mentioned

    1. Melsanthi(மெல்சாந்தி)(മെൽശാന്തി)
    2. Kizhsanthi Viruthi(கிழ் சாந்திவிருத்தி)(കിഴ്ശാന്തി)
    3. Nambi Viruthi (நம்பிவிருத்தி)(നമ്പിവിരുത്തി
    4. Thirumeni(திருமெனி)(തിരുമെനി)
    5. Uvachar(உவச்சர்கள்)(ഉവച്ചർകൾ)
    6. Thanthiri(தந்திரிகள்)(തന്തിരികൾ)
    7. Variyam(வாரியம்)(വാരിയം)

    After the Malik Kafurs in 1311 AD attack the Tamil Brahmins of Kerala disappeared.


    SHIFTING OF MAHODAYAPURAM CHERAS

    Kerala was attacked by Tulu armies of Alupas Pandyan kingdom from 1075 AD onwards forcing the last Kodungaloor Tamil Chera Ramavarma Kulasekarapperumal to shift his capital to Kollam at 1102 AD. Ramavarma become the King of Chera-Ay Dynasty as Ramar Thiruvadi. The last Villavar Chera Ramavarma never divided his kingdom. He remained a Hindu until his death at Panankavil Kottaram, Kollam

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  34. TULU BANAPERUMAL (1120 AD to 1156 AD)

    At 1120 AD a Tulu invader called Banapperumal(Pallibanapperumal alias Banuvikrama Kulasekharapperumal) invaded and subjugated all Kerala with a 350000 strong Nair army, commanded by Padamala Nair. Banapperumal was the brother of Tulu king Kavi Alupendra (1120 AD to 1160 AD) of Alupas kingdom of Tulunadu. He was a Buddhist and attacked Kerala with support of Arabs. Banapperumal founded a capital at Valarpattinam near Kannur. Banapperumal is often called as the last Cheraman perumal. But he was not a Tamil Villavar Chera ruler but a Tulu prince from Alupas kingdom of Tulunadu.

    Banapperumal ruled Kerala for about 36 years from Kodungaloor abandoned by Tamil Chera dynasty. Banapperumal was a Tulu pretender as Cheraman Perumal. Banapperumal was an enemy of Hindu rulers of Chera dynasty.

    This Tulu invasion brought a Nair migration from coastal Karnataka to the Northern Kerala, Malabar.

    PADAMALA NAIR

    When Padamala Nair the commander of Nair army of Banapperumal had an illicit affair with the queen, the Queen blamed Padamala Nair for the happening. Probably the queens statement was false. 'Penn Solla Ketta Perumale Pole' is an old saying indicating that Banapperumal was misled by his queen.Banapperumal tortured and executed Padamala Nair. Before his death Padamala Nair advised Banapperumal to surrender to Arabs. Padamala Nair had gone to Mahal Dweep and had converted himself to Islam and had adopted the name Husain Khwaja. His nephews and servants had been converted to Islam. Execution of Padamala Nair led to the revolt of Nair soldiers as well as Arabs. Facing opposition from his own Nair army surrendered to Arabs converted to Islam and Left for Asu (Arabia) in an Arab sail ship (Olamari kappal).Two of Banapperumal Before leaving Kerala he divided his realm to his friends and relatives. But Tamil Chera dynasty of Venad immediately reestablished their authority all over Kerala

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  35. BANAPPERUMAL

    BANAPPERUMALS JOURNEY

    Banapperumal was accompanied by his nephew Kohinoor in his journey to Arabia. Padamala Nairs relatives residing at Chaliyam, Mustha Mudukad, Neelinishada, Sharipad and their servants Marjan and Aswad joined Banapperumal at Kozhikode.After a brief stay at Dharmadam ruled by his sisters son Mahabali Banapperumal boarded the ship again and sailed to Arabia. Banapoerumal convinced Mahabali to convert to islam. Mahabali embraced Islam religeon and adopted the name Saifuddin Mohammad Ali.

    ARAB INFLUENCE

    The Tulu invader Banapperumal converted to Islam by Veda Azhiar according to Keralolpathy. Another account says that Banapperumal was convinced by Mahal Dweep king Dhovemi Kalaminja (Dhovemi Kalaminja Siri Thiribuvana-aadiththa Maha Radun 1141 to 1166 AD)  who belonged to a Buddhist Kalinga dynasty who had converted to Islam. Dhovemi was known as king Sultan Muhammad ibn Abdullah.

    Arabs had emerged as a major sea power in the second millennium. Banapperumal and two of his nephews were converted to islam in 1156 AD. Padamala Nair alias Krishnan Munjad alias Husain Khwaja  had also been converted to islam at Mahaldweep. Many Nairs were converted to Islam who formed a Matriarchal subgroup under Mapillas.

    ARAICKAL DYNASTY

    When Arayankulangara Nair saved the daughter of Mahabali alias Saifuddin Mohammad Ali nephew of Banapperumal and ruler of Dharmadam from drowning in a pond, he was allowed to marry her. Arakkal Raja vamsam the only Matriarchal dynasty from them. Saifuddin Mohammed Ali was the son of Sridevi sister of Banapperumal who was converted by Banapperumal himself when he stopped at Dharmadam on his voyage to Arabia. The Araickal princess were called Mammali Kidavu, the Children of Saifuddin Mohammed Ali.The Kochi kings who came to power in 1340 AD also claimed that were descendants of Cheraman Perumals (Banapperumal) sister and a Nambuthiri.The Cheraman Perumal of Nairs and Nambuthiris is the Tulu invader Banapperumal.(Tamil princesses of Chera dynasty married Dravidian princes and Brahmins cant marry them)


    KOLATHIRI

    Banapperumal crowned his son Udayavarman Kolathiri as the first ruler of Kolathunad with the title Kolathiri Vadakkan Perumal in 1156 AD. Kolathiri rulers had the support of Arabs. Kolathiri was defeated and made a tributary of the Tamil Chera-Ai kingdom. Kolathiris were supported by Arabs who were the major sea power in that area. In the northern Kerala Arab colonies increased in size after this period.Kolathiris followed Matriarchal system. After a king his sisters son born through a Nambudiri Sambandham was made the king. The princes adopted the title Thirumulpad.

    TULU SAMANTHAS

    Kolathiri dynasty mixed with Tulu Bunts called Samantha's.Among these Samanthas and other Bunts (Bana) ruled over Kerala as Samantha Kshatriya. Samanrha Kshatriya were given Nambiar and Nayanar titles.(Nambiars among Nairs and Ambalavasi Nambiar is different). Nairs because of their Naga origin were considered Sudras.

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  36. BANAPPERUMAL

    CHERA-AI Kingdom (1102 AD to 1335 AD)

    Southern Tamil Chera-AI kingdom once again became powerful and became masters of Kerala once again.CheraThe Royal title of Chera- Ai kings was Thirupappur Mootha Thiruvadi. Chera-AI kings followed Patrilineal descebdency and promoted Tamil.

    PANDYA EMPIRE

    By the later part of 13th century Kerala was brought under Madurai Pandyan dynasty. Venad Cheras became feudatories of the Pandyan Dynasty. Tulunadu was also was annexed by the Pandtas.

    INVASION OF DELHI SULTHANATE IN 1311 AD

    In the war of sucession between two Pandyan princes Delhi Sulthanate was invited to intervene. Malik Kafur, commander of 2 lakhs strong Delhis army invaded Pandyan country which had only 50000 strong army. Pandyan army was defeated and Madurai was occupied by the Turkish army. Even after the defeat Villavars were hunted down by the Victor's.

    RAVIVARMA

    After the defeat of Pandyans at 1311 AD, Ravivarma Kulasekhara the Chera-Ai ruler who had a Pandyan mother crowned himself as Tribhuvana Chakravarthy (Emperor of Chera, Chola and Pandyan kingdoms) at Kancheepuram despite the presence of Turkish armies. When he tried to remove the Delhis army from Tamil Nadu he was removed from power. His son Veera Udaiya Marthandavarma alias Veera Pandyan was the last Villavar Tamil ruler of Kerala. He was forced to abdicate in favour of two Tulu princesses from the Kolathiri Kingdom the Attingal rani and Kunnumel rani who founded a Matrilineal Tulu dynasty at Venad.

    MABAR KINGDOM

    A major part of the army brought by Malik Kafur remained in Madurai. At Madurai a Sultanate was founded. This sultanate was called Mabar sultanate, a corruption of Malabar on which it had soverignity. Kolathiri and Nairs were allied with the Delhi Sultanate and Mabar Kingdoms.In the same period four Matriarchal Tulu-Nepalese kingdoms were founded. Local Dravidian people including Villavar Tamils who had ruled Chera kingdom from time immemorial lost their Position.Delhi Sultanate and Mabar sultanate protected the Tulu dynasties. Ibnu Batuta considered Kolathiri and Samuthiris as friendly kingdoms. Morocon scholar Ibnu Batuta records that Muslims were well respected in these kingdoms. Any Hindu who comes opposite to a Muslim at a narrow path was required to get away from the path. Soon oppressive laws which required the local Dravidian people had to keep a distance from the Tulu-Nepalese rulers.

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  37. BANAPPERUMAL

    TULU - NEPALESE RULE (1335 AD to 1947 AD)

    After the fall of all the Tamil Villavar kingdoms called Chera, Chola and Pandyan Kingdoms following the invasion of Malik Kafur who was the commander of Delhi Sultanate in 1311 AD, all the Tamil kingdoms were replaced by Tulu Bana- Samantha (Bunt) Kingdoms. Kerala Pandyas dynasties were replaced by Samantha--Nambuthiri dynasties who had Tulu--Nepalese origins but continue to call themselves Pandyas. Original Pandyas were Tamil Villavar-Meenavar rulers but the present Pandyas of Kerala are Nambuthiris who were migrants from Ahichatra (present day Ramnagar in Rohilkhand Uttarpradesh).


    NAIR MIGRATION TO SRILANKA

    Samudiri sent many of the an army of Nair muslims to Srilankan king in 1524 in their war against Portuguese at Kotte kingdom. Many of the Nairs are now part of the Srilankan Moor community who practice Matriarchy even today. Arabs were the powerful supporters of Banapperumal and his descendants, Kolathiris.


    TAMIL KULASEKHARAS and TULU KULASEKHARAS OF VENAD

    Venads last Tamil Kulasekharas was Veera Udaya Marthanda Varma alias Veera Pandyan (1314 AD to 1335 AD) was forced to abdicate when Kolathiris installed two Tulu princesses from Kolathunadu. Attingal Rani and Kunnumel ranis and made sure only their sons became kings of Venad as Kulasekhara Kreedapathi. By forced adoption into Venad kingdom the first Matriarchal dynasty was established. By this the Tamil Chera-AI dynasty came to an end. The Matriarchal Tulu-Nepalese rulers after 1335 AD adopted the Tamil ruler names such as Marthandavarma but were not Tamils.The Attingal Rani and Kunnumel Rani by Sambhandam with Nambuthiris produced the later Matriarchal dynasty rulers. They thus had Tulu-Nepalese descendency. Like Tamil Villavars Tulu Bana rulers from Alupas kingdom also had Kulasekhara title as their first ruler had the title. Laterdays Tulu Samantha's and Brahmin rulers from Vellarappalli Kovilakam in Kochi also used Kulasekhara title. Brahmin Queens added Nambirattiyar Ammai title also.The Tulu Bana -Nambuthiri dynasty was replaced by Samanthas around 1400s.

    JAYASIMHAVAMSAM

    This Tulu Matriarchal dynasty stationed at Kollam was called Jayasimhavansam. The kings of Jayasimhavamsam who ruled from Jayasimhanadu (Desinganadu) between 1400 to1620 married among the old Tamil dynasties ie Chera, Chola and Pandyan dynasties but in the matriarchal system the sons of the king could not become kings. Jayasimhavamsam kings often adopted the titles of their wives. For examble when the Venads Tulu ruler married a petty princess from Kalakad who had the Chola lineage he called himself Puli Marthandan and changed his capital to Kalakkad in Mullinadu now Tamilnadu. By marrying Tamil princesses they extended their rule into Tamilnadu. Kalakkadu, Cheranmadevi, Kallidaikurichi and Ambasamudram served as capitals. In this period Tamils enjoyed relatively high position.

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  38. BANAPPERUMAL

    VELLARAPALLI PANDARATHIL DYNASTY

    Around 1620 a Brahmin prince from Vellarappalli Kovilakam Kochu Raman Unni Pandarathil and his brother were sent by Portuguese controlled Cochin.Kochuraman adopted the title Ravi Varma Ku Forced adoption was used by Portuguese Kolathiris, Portuguese and British could put their own choices on Venad-Travancore throne. This Brahmin dynasty of venad (1620 to 1720) was considered illegitimate by the Ettuveetil Pillamar. The last queen Umayammarani Namirattiyar was harassed by Pillamar. In 1696 Pillamar drowned all the six sons of Umayammarani in a Pottakulam. In 1721 British tried to conrol her. In retaliation many British were killed. When the queen brought a prince from Kottayam kingdom at Thalassery a matriarchal offshoot of Kolathiri kingdom Pillamar murdered him. Pillamar considered Nedumangad Peragathavazhy as legitimate but they were too weak

    BEPPUR THATTARI DYNASTY

    British factory at Thalassery where the factor was an East India Company official called Simon. Petty chieftains from Beppur known to the Factor Simon were elevated to rule over Travancore. A Samantha family called Thattari Kovilaham was ruling over Bepur. This family was part of Parappanad subdivision of Kolathiris and alternatively was called Palli Kovilaham. A prince and a Princess and their maternal cousins were brought to Trivantrum and were adopted by the last Brahmin queen Umayamma rani possibly under British protection. The princes and princesses were adopted by Umayanma rani while their cousins were stationed at Kilimanoor palace with the title koil tamburans. The British sent army from Trichy to support Ramavarna the first king from Thiruchi in Tamilnadu. Ramavarnas nephew Marthanda Varma again faced opposition from Pillamar. The Pillamar preferred the former king Ramavarnas sons born to a Vellala lady from Salem (often called a North indian). British sent Brahmin adviser called Ramaiyan Thalava and army from Tamilnadu with which Marthanda Varma could succeed.

    TULU BUNTS - SAMANTHA

    After 1335 Kerala was ruled by Matriarchal Tulu Bana-Samantha and Namboothiri rulers and were not related to Tamil Pandya or Chera rulers. Samantha kshatrias had roots from Tulunadus Bana and Samantha subgroup of Bunt community. Samantha (meaning equal to) Bunts who were given Nambiar Nayanar title given by Kolathiri rulers played the role of Samantha Kshatriya in Kerala.

    MATRIARCHY

    The Tulu dynasties followed Matrilineal descendency ie After a king his sisters son became king. A kings sister had a Nambudiri consort through sambandham. So soon all the Tulu Samantha dynasties which ruled Kerala after 1335 AD were i fact Nambudiri Brahmin dynasties.

    TULU BRAHMIN DOMINANCE

    Tulu Brahmins designated themselves as Namboothiris after they became feudal lords in 1335 AD and when 500 Nambuthiri sangethams controlled most of the cultivable land in kerala.Many Nambuthiri families owned more than 5000 acres land.

    EARLIER BRAHMINS

    Following the attack of Malik Kafur the Brahmins in the Chera and Pandyan countries called Aryar Pattar Chathirar, Nambis disappeared mysteriously. Namboothiries were never mentioned in the Later Chera records (800 AD to 1102 AD.

    THE PROTECTORS OF TULU SAMANTHA KINGDOMS

    ARABS

    Banapperumal the Tulu Alupas prince was supported by the Arabs.After the attack wth 350000 Nair Soldiers Banapperumal Kolathiri kingdom was established.

    DELHI SULTANATE

    In 1311 AD after the attack of Malik Kafur Pandyan Kingdom was defeated. All the Tamil kingdoms ie Chera Chola and Pandyan kingdoms came to an end.Kolathiris allied with Malik Kafur and other Delhis attackers such Ghiyasuddin Tughlak (1325). At 1335 Mabar Sultanate( Madurai Sultanate) was established at Madurai.At the same time under Kolathiris four Matriarchal Tulu-Nepalese kingdoms were established. The Kolathiri and other Tulu Samantha-Nambuthiri kingdoms were under the protection of Delhi Sultanate.

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  39. BANAPPERUMAL

    PORTUGUESE

    In 1500s Portuguese became the protectors of Kochi kingdom and then Travancore kingdom.The Kolathiris and Samuthiris were still under Arab protection. When Anjelos and Chalium forts were built Portuguese became the protectors and overlords of all Kerala. Portuguese installed their own Choices from Mootha Thavazhi as Kochi king. Without Portuguese protection Kochi kingdom would not survived Samudhiris attack. There was a possibility for Dravidian revival under Villavars. Portuguese protected the Kochi kingdom ruled by Brahmin Nambiadiris.Portuguese planted a Brahmin Pandarathil dynasty from Vellarappally at Venad in 1610 AD. A Brahmin prince called Kochuraman Unnipandarathil from Vellarappalli from Kalady in the Kochi Kingdom was by forced adoption placed on the throne of Travancore/Venad in 1620 AD. Initially Kochi and Venad were under Portuguese protection and control.

    Around 1540s when Madurai Nayak kingdom attacked Venad St.Francis Xavier became the mediator, representing Portuguese. The war ended.The Northern Kolathiri and Samudiri kingdoms were still Protected by Arabs in the 16th century. But after the arrival of Portuguese the Arabs as seapower came to an end. The defeat of Delhi sultanate at Panipat in 1526 AD ended the protection of the Tulu-Nepalese kingdoms in Kerala. There was a possibility for the Dravidian revival in Kerala. But Portuguese stepped in the shoes of Delhi Sultanate and started protecting the Matriarchal kingdoms. The advent of of modern weapons including guns were given to local militia, and Nairs under deputation by local kings were trained by Portuguese to guard Cochin fort.

    The emergence of Mestizos a Portuguese and Indian mixed community along with the Christian's of Kerala under Christian Panickers formed 90% of Portuguese force the rest Nairs. The alien rule established after 1311 by Delhis invaders could not be removed.Europeans protected the alien Tulu- Nepalese dynasties for nearly 450 years. Between 1314 to 1947 Kerala was ruled by a people from coastal Karnataka but originally migrants from Ahichatra in Nepal.Indigenous Dravidian people underwent a dark age during this period.The native Dravidian culture was suppressed in favour of Nepalese culture. Naga worship, Matriarchy and Polyandry and other Himalayan culture dominated Kerala.

    BRITISH PERIOD

    The Brithish were strong allies of the Matriarchal kingdoms. A Samantha prince called Ramavarma, his sister and his uncles sons from Beppur Thattari Kovilaham a petty chieftainship was brought under British protection to Venad to be adopted by Umayamma Rani the last Brahmin queen of Tavancore. Near Beppur at Thalassery a British factory existed managed by Factor Simon. Factor Simon could have been instrumental in the adoption. The British military support and large number of Nair migration from Kolathunad to Travancore made Marthandavarma the second ruler of this Tulu Samantha dynasty otherwise known as Palli Kovilakam became very powerful in Travancore. With him started the brutal suppression of Dravidian people. By 1795 British had established complete control of Travancore but British encouraged the Matriarchal Tulu-Nepalese people. Most of the Villavar people were reduced to Slavery under the British.

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  40. BANAPPERUMAL

    DESTRUCTION OF MALAYANMA

    British and German missionaries joined hands with Nairs and Namboothiris and added about three thousand Nepalese words to Malayalan. The discovery that German language was related to Sanskrit might have prompted the German missionaries like Hermann Gundert and Arnos Pathiri to promote Sanskrit in Malayalam. But the ended up promoting Nepalese vocabulary then used by Nairs and Nambuthiris as Malayalam. Each Nepalese word added to Malayalam replaced Native Dravidian tongue called Malayanma ( Malabar Tamul or Malayalam-Tamil) which was devoid of Sanskrit was banned in the nineenth century. Grantha Malayalam with over abundance of Nepalese and Sanskrit was promoted. The Books written in Malaynma the Dravidian Malayalam were not considered Malayalam during the British period. Thus less than 10 books written by Nambuthiris and Nairs written prior to 19th century are only accepted as Malayalam. Since all the Malayanma books, and Malabar Tamil books written on Palm leaf called Thaliyola were vulnerable to decay. Without official protection most of the Malayanma books. disappeared.



    SAVARNA

    The Tulu-Nepalese people were called Savarnas though majority of them were Sudras of Naga descent.Native Dravidian population including Villavars who ruled Kerala for many thousand years were also called Avarna.All the temples in Kerala were built by Villavar of Chera and Pandyan kingdoms. But laterdays Villavar were refused entry in their own ancestral temples.Nedumchadaya Pandyan a Villavar king converted a ancient Jain temple into a Vaishnavite temple called Padmanabhaswamy temple in 786 AD.Marthandavarma when he came to power demolished and reconstructed it from stones brought from the banks of Gandaki river in Nepal.




    FORCED NUDITY

    After the fall of Tamil kingdoms the hitherto well dressed people were stripped naked. Ibnu Batuta was astonished by the nakedness of Kerala women in 1340. Cochin king and his Nair soldiers wore only loin clothes when Portuguese came. When Dutch Governor Van Rheede visited Travancore queen she wore a thin shoulder garnent but did not cover her upper part of body. Marthandavarma wore a cloth around his waist which covered only upto his knees in 1740s. But when British left the last Matriarchal king Chitra thirunal wore a dress closely resembling that of Prince of Wales. In 1826 a Nair or Ezhava lady who had been staying in France when returned visited Attingal rani with a dress covering her upper body. Attingal rani ordered to cut off her breasts.Though British were administering Travancore through a Diwan British didnot interfete.In 1905 when the Queen visited the Thripunithura temple there came a Nair lady wearing a blouse. Infuriated Queen ordered that the Nair ladys blouse to be removed. Royal soldiers carried out that order immediately.Somehow a primitive Nepalese tribe had become the masters of Kerala.

    HIGH CASTES AFTER DELHI INVASION

    Throughout southern India only people who colluded with the Delhi Sultanate became high castes and those fought against Delhis rulers became lowercastes. In Kerala the Dravidian Villavars who ruled over Kerala from time immemorial were suppressed and their land holdings were negligible. Villavar were called Avarnas.The Nepalese Nagas had been brought from Ahichatra were hereditary slave warriors and were Sudras. Nepali Nagas and Aryan Brahmins were named Savarnas, because of their Nepalis origin had fair colour, with an yellowish tinge with slight Mongoloid features. The Nepali Savarna were elevated by the Delhis invaders in 1311 AD.

    BRITISH EXIT

    A great relief came to Kerala when British left. Frightened Janmis, the feudal aristocracy of Kerala now claimed that they were actualy proletariat. Among the former Janmis converted to Proletariat a Nambudiri and a Kolathiri-Samantha actually held high offices. When Keralas land reform bill in 1958 brought great relief to people. Many matriarchal Madambi families owned more thab two lakh acres. But unfortunately plantation crops were not included in land ceilings.

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  41. VILLARVETTOM KINGDOM

    Villarvattom or Villarvettom Kingdom was perhaps a subgroup and offshoot of imperial Tamil Villavar Chera dynasty of Kerala.The ancient Chera subgroups were Irumporai, Udhiyan, Veliar, Puraiyar etc.

    TULU INVASION

    After the fall of Later Chera Dynasty in Kodungaloor following  a Tulu invader called Banapperumal who attacked Kerala with a 350000 strong Nair army in 1120 AD, Chera Capital was shifted from Kodungaloor to Kollam. At Kannur a Matriarchal kingdom was founded by Tulu invader Banapperumal with his son Udayavarman Kolathiri as the first ruler. The persons who invaded Kerala were Banas from Tulunadu, Aryan and Nagas from Ahichatra, the capital of ancient Nepal. After this invasion the Villavar of Later Chera dynasty shifted their kingdom to Kollam.

    VILLARVATTOM KINGDOM

    At Cochin  however  a Chera clan called Villarvattom kingdom remained  and was ruling until mid 15th century. Villarvattom kingdom was alternatively called Udhaya Swaroopam indicating it's origins at Udhiyan subgroup of Villavars.

    MALIK KAFURS ATTACK

    In 1311 after the attack of Malik Kafur all the Tamil dynasties came to an end. Four Matriarchal Tulu-Nepalese kingdoms  were installed when Madurai Sultanate came to power in 1335 AD. Four Matriarchal kingdoms were VenadKolathiri, Samuthiri, Kochi and Attingal Rani at Venad.
    A Nambudiri dynasty which claimed to descent from Tulu invader Banapperumals sister who had been married to a Nambudiri, called Nambiadris were installed at rulers of Kochi Kingdom. Nairs and Nambudiris were migrants from from Ahichchhatra capital of ancient Nepal to Tulunad, Coastal Karnataka. After 1311 AD Kerala was ruled by Tulu-Nepalese people who practised Matruarchy, Polyandry and Naga worship. They talked with Nepalese vocabulary and wrote with Tigalari script(Tulu script).

    CONVERSION TO CHRISTIANITY

    The Villarvattom king perhaps converted to Christianity after 1338 AD. Mirabilia Descripta describes the events between 1329 to 1338 written by Jordanus Catalanus. Jordanus himself disappeared in 1330 AD. Since Jordanus did not mention the existence of Prestor John or any Christian kingdom in India the conversion of Villarvattom king might have occured after 1338 AD.

    LETTER TO POPE

    The Villarvattom King sent a letter to Pope seeking help from European Powers around 1350 AD through Edessa. Pope referred the letter to Portuguese King.

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  42. VILLARVETTOM KINGDOM

    CHENDANANGALAM

    Villarvattom kingdom ruled places  Cembil, Chendanangalam,  Paravur, Elangunnapuzha--Vypeen, Kumbalam, Coastal ernakulam, Udhayamperoor, Udayanapuram near Vaikkom. All these areas, in the laterdays became Christian strongholds. Villarvattom kingdom might have had atleast 1000 Sq. km area under its control in its heydays prior to 1450 AD. Villarvattom kingdom had its capital at Chendanangalam Kottayil Kovilakam until the establishment of Matriarchal kingdoms in Kerala after the invasion of Malik Kafur in 1311 AD.

    Laterdays it's capital was at Udhayamperoor. But the help came quite late. Portuguese reached Keralas coast nearly 150 yrs later at 1498. Europeans called the Villarvattom King Beliarte. Villarvattom kingdom faced attack from Samuthiris in mid fourteenth century as the Capital Chendanangalam was vulnerable to attack by sea.


    COCHIN KINGDOM

    Until 1335 AD the Perumbadappu Swaroopam ruled from Vanneri near Perumbadappu near the Ponnani lake in the Malappuram district. The Tulu-Nepalese kingdoms allied with the Madurai Sultanate and thus got the overlordship of Central and southern Kerala also. The Perumbadappu Swaroopam of Nambudiris then moved south from Vanneri to Vellarappalli and Palluruthi. South Palluruthi was renamed as Perumpadappu where Kochi kingdom was founded in 1335 AD. Perumpadappu Swaroopam or Cochin Kingdom had been founded by a Nambiadri dynasty after 1335 AD. They claimed descendency from a son born to Banapperumals sister Sridevi through a Nambudiri. Dharmadam king also was a son of her. Cochin kingdom was supported by matriarchal Nairs from coastal Karnataka, a subgroup of Tulu Bunts.

    SAMBANDAM

    The Nambuthiri rulers of Cochin might have gained right to keep Sambandam with the princesses and aristocracy of Villarvattom kingdom after 1335 AD. The Kozhikode Granthavari mentions Villarvattom country was a Vassal Christian outsider kingdom blood related to Kochi kings. This could have produced a group of Christians who claimed to be Nambuthiris

    DECLINE OF VILLARVATTOM KINGDOM AT CHENDANANGALAM

    In 1340 AD the Chendanangalam the capital of Villarvattom kingdom was attacked by a naval force with Arabs sent by Samuthiri which destroyed it. The capital was shifted to Udayamperoor.

    UDAYAMPEROOR

    Udayamperoor became the new capital after 1340 AD EMPEROR OF INDIA In 1439 AD Pope Eugene IV wrote an Apostolic Charter in Latin appointing Villarvattom king as the Emperor of India. Pope send envoys to Kerala with this letter who never reached Kerala.  Villarvattom king was a legend among Europeans that a powerful Christian King called Prestor John(Presbyter John) ruled India.

    LAST KING

    Syrian Christians claim that the last Villarvattom king Yakubs daughter Kirubavathy  alias Mariyam was married to a Cochin prince called Ramavarma  who had been converted to Christianity as Ittymani. Ittymani was arrested and thrown inside prison where he died. It is quite unlikely ad Kochi kings practiced Kootiruppu only in that era not a fixed marriage neither the conversion was possible. Some accounts mention that on Paliyath Achans mediation  the last princess Kirubavathy alias Mariyam  became a concubine of Cochin King and was converted to Hinduism.

    PALIATHU ACHAN

    Some Panickers from Villarvattam kingdom joined the Nairs and accepted the overlordship of Perumbadappu Swaroopam. A Panicker family was awarded the Chendanangalam area, and in the laterdays they were known as Paliyathu Achan in 1450 AD. Villarvattom kingdom was given to Paliyathu Achan. This dethroning of Villarvattom king is mentioned in Kokila Sandesam written by Kodungaloor Kunjukuttan Thampuran.  Paliyam dynasty ruled as kings until 1585 AD. Last king was Ramavarma and his son Paliyathu Komi Achan became the Prime minister of Cochin. By 1450s Cochin Kings completely captured all the land of Villarvattom except some areas near Udayamperoor. The Villarvattom chieftains were deprived of their royal status.

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  43. VILLARVATTOM KINGDOM PORTUGUESE PERIOD

    When Portuguese arrived in 1498 AD, Vasco Da Gama was presented with the sceptre and sword of Villarvattom king by Syrian Christians. A group of Christian's in the Nambuthiri attire with a topknot holy thread wearing a photo and a shawl over their shoulders were with them.They requested that a fort may be built at Udayamperoor their stronghold so that whole of Kerala can be brought under their control. Portuguese who expected a powerful Indian Christian king chose to ignore their request.

    VASCO DA GAMA

    The Villarvattom chieftains sought the assistance of Vasco Da Gama to assistance to regain their lost estates from the Cochin kingdom. Vasco Da Gama realised Villarvattom kings were nothing but petty feudal lords. Portuguese did nothing for the Villarvattom kings to regain territory. Chendanangalam Catholic Seminary and Vypeekotta Seminary where the third printing press after Goa and Cochin were started at the land owned by the Villarvattom dynasty.

    PANICKER ARMY

    The 150 Portuguese who came to Kerala could establish a powerful army almost immediately because the Panickers the traditional military trainers of Kerala joined Portuguese and eventually a Mestizo community was formed. The early Panicker could be from Villarvattom kingdom. A fort was built at Peringuzha near Muvattupuzha under the commandant of Vallickada Panickers. Soon Portuguese could control the local kingdoms with Christianised Panickers and Mestizos.

    MENEZES AND UDAYAMPERUR CHIEFTAINS

    In 1599 Arch Bishop Menezes wanted the Cochin king to convert to Christianity. But the Cochin king eluded him and offered Senior Villarvattom Chieftain to be raised to Thamban or Thamburan status so that Menezes could evangelise and convert him to Christianity. This again indicates Villarvattom kings were Hindus or not officially Christians. Joseph Simonius Assemanus in his Bibliotheca Orientalis mentions that since the last king became issue less Beliarte's kingdom passed from the Christians to Heathen kings  of Diamper. So in the same Villarvattam Royal family Christians ruled from Chendanangalam while their Hindu cousins ruled from Udayamperoor. But Menezes who met the senior member of the Villarvattom family says that they were deeply religeous Christians though they were not Catholics. Possibly  some of the Udayamperoor Villarvattom family were Nestorians while the others were Hindus.

    BAPTISM

    The Villarvattom King of Udayamperoor  was baptised at the Chendanangalam Seminary by Bishop Menezes as Villarvattom Thoma Rajavu. Probably he was the first Roman Catholic from the family.

    DUTCH PERIOD

    When Dutch came in 1653 once again the Villarvattom family now Catholics became dormant. The last king in Udayamperoor lineage was Raja Thoma who died in 1701 who was buried at Udayamperoor Pazhe Palli,  Old Church built by his ancestors.

    LATER VILLARVATTOM CHIEFTAINS

    Some Villarvattom chieftains existed until the 18th century.In 1713 according to Granthavari Villarvattom attacked and looted Adoor village. They destroyed the temple harassed the Brahmins and seized the boat of the temple.They removed Nedunganattu Nambidis achans  from power at Perumundamukku. Probably they had Dutch support. After this they disappeared from history..

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  44. PORTUGUESE MESTIZO

    After Portuguese arriva there was no history of Sambandam but Portuguese themselves will create a mixed community called Mestizo or Mestizo. Mestizos had three subgroups.

    1.Mestizo Mixed Indian and European

    2. Castizo Mostly European blooded people

    3. Topazi Mostly Indian blooded people

    Castizo formed the elite European community who lived mostly inside the Cochin fort.

    4000 Mestizo soldiers defended the Portuguese Fort

    Topazis were the spice traders Church builders and inland army. Portuguese used to have wives, Mistresses and Slave girls. Dutch though Protestants continued to marry the Christian ladies of Kerala.
    The Mestizos were not allowed to cross cape of Good Hope. Any Mestizo who reached Portugal faced capital punishment,

    Portuguese trained their army with Panikkars who were traditional martial art trainers in the earlier Chera and Pandiyan Kingdoms. Panikkars had joined the Portuguese and all of them were converted to Christianity. Portuguese easily controlled Kerala with their Mestizo army and
    Panikkars. Panickars trained soldiers for warfare. Laterdays Mestizos merged with the Syrian Christians.

    Vallikada Panickar

    Vallikada Panickar was the commander of inland contingents of Portuguse. Vallickada Panickers though converted to Christianity continued to worship Hindu God's. Portuguese had built a fort at Peringuzha at near Vallikada Panickars place. Vallikada Panickers were a heriditarily dynasty of commanders from 1498 to 1750 AD. Arakuzha Church was built by Vallikada Panickar family. Other Panicker families who joined Portuguese and Dutch were Mylitta Panicker, Maranadu Panicker, Adangapurathu Panickar, Kumbanad Panickar, Maranadu Panicker etc.

    Around 1504 the Christian population was 30000 but in 1660 when the Poruguese left the Christian Population was 2 lakhs who were much more rich and Prosperous. Portuguese converted them to Roman Catholic religeon. (Before Portuguese arrival Keralas Christians were following Nestorianism which did not believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ. Nestorians refused to call Mary as Mother of God but preferred to call Mary as Mother of Jesus. Simply put Jesus was only a human. Western countries considered Nestorianismas a heretic form of Christianity. Portuguese succeeded in removing Nestorianism from Kerala. But the former Nestorian priestly families revolted against Portuguese forcing Portuguese to leave Kerala)

    Portuguese not only Protected Syrian Christians but added some European blood and Language. If Portuguese had not come Samuthiri would have come with an Arab army and would have occupied Kochi. There would not have been any Nestorian Christianity left behind. Modern Syrian Christians Portray Portuguese as evil people who harassed the Nambuthiri Christians. But the truth remains Portuguese are the greatest benefactors the Syrians ever had.

    Modern Syrian Christians prefer to call themselves Nambuthiris converted by St.Thomas himself. Since in Kerala the ancient history is not taught in schools people don't realize that Nambuthiris never existed before 1120 AD in Kerala, Since all the inscription is in Western Tamil unless one knows Malayalam and Tamil you can't understand them. Another view is that Syrian Christians were actually Jews. There is absolutely no records of Christionity prior to Cosmos (522 AD) period. In the ancient times Afghanistan and Pakistan were also called India. St.Thomas was martyred by unknown Indo-Greek king Misdaeus who perhaps ruled from Gazni in Afghanistan. A place called Kalaminar (Calamina) exists there.

    Keralas Christians are the mixture of Middle Eastern and Persian people who came from Seleucia Ctesiphon at the Banks of Tigris who came and married Dravidian Tamil women. Mapillah itself a Tamil word for Son In Law. Later they were joined by Tamil Panickers and Villavars of Villarvattom kingdom. Nambuthiri mixture can't be more than one in thousand.Portuguese intermixture made them more Europoid, many with Grey eyes and sharper prominent features and fair colour.

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  45. IRAVIKORTHAN CHEPPED

    The plate displayed Grantha Script as well as Western Tamil. Grantha script is substituted with Malayalam.


    FIRST SIDE

    01

    ഹരി ശ്രീ മഹാ ഗണപതെ നമഹഭൂപാലനരപതി ശ്രീ വീര കെരള

    02.

    ശക്രവർത്തി ആദിയായി முறமுறையெ பலநூறாயிரத்தாண்டு

    03

    செங்கொல நடததாயி நினற ശ്രീ വീര രാഘവ ശക്രവർത്തിക്ക്തിരു വിരാ

    04

    ജ്യം ചെല്ലാ யிநி னற மகரததுள் வியாழம் மீன ஞாயறு இருபததொன்று

    05

    செனற சனி ரொஹணி நாள் பெருங்கொயிலகததி ருந்நருள மகொதையர் படடிண

    06.

    தது இரவி கொர்த தனனாய செரமான் லொகப்பெருஞ்செட்டிக்கு மணிக்கிராம

    07

    பட்டஙகுடுததொம் விளாவாடெயும் பவனத தாஙகும் வெள் பெறு மகடுதது

    08

    வளெஞசியமும் வளஞ்சியததில தனிசசெடடும் முறசசொலலும முனன

    09

    டெயும പഞ്ചവാദ്യമും ശറഖും പകൽവിളക്കും பாவாடயும் ഹൈന്തോളമും கொறற

    10

    ககுடயும் வடுகபபறெயும் இடுபடி தொரணமும் நாலு செரிககும் தனி

    SECOND PAGE

    01.

    சசெடடும் குடுததொம் வாணியரும പൈംകമ്മാളർ എല്ലഠ അടിമകൂടുത്തൊം

    02.

    நகரததுககு கர்ததாவாய ഇരവി കൊത്തനുക്ക് பறகொண்டளநது நிறகொண

    03.

    டு தூக்கி நூல்கொணடு பாகி எண்ணின்றதிலும் எடுக்கின்றதிலும் உபி

    04

    னொடு ചക്കരയ്യൊടു കസ്തൂരിയ്യൊടു വിളക്കെണ്ണയ്യൊടു ഇടയില് உள்ளத எபபெர்

    05.

    பபடடதினும் தரகும அதினடுத்த சுங்கமும் கூட கொடுஙகலூர் அழிவி

    06.

    யொடு கொபுரததொடு വിശെഷാൽ நாலு தளியும் தளிககடுதத கிராமததொடிட

    07.

    யில் நீர் முதலாயி செபபெடு எழுதி குடுததொம் செரமான் லொகப்பெருஞசெ

    08.

    ட்டியான ഇരവി കൊത്തനുക്കു இவன் மக்கள் மக்கൾക്കെ வழிவழியெ പെറാക ക്കുടു

    09.

    ത്തൊം இதறியும் பன்றியூர் கிராமமும் சொகிரக கிராமமும் அறியககுடுததொம் வெ

    10.

    ணாடும் ஓடு நாடும அறியககுடுததொம் ஏறா நாடும வள்ளுவநாடும அறியககுடுததொம் ചന്ദ്രാ

    11.

    ദിത്യ களுள்ள നാളെക്കു കുടുത്തൊം இவர்களறிய செபபெடெழுதிய செரமான் லொகபபெருந்தட

    12.

    டான் നമ്പിചടെയൻ കൈയെഴുത്ത്


    _____________________________________________

    ReplyDelete
  46. IRAVIKORTHAN CHEPPED

    ഇരവികോർത്തൻ ചെപ്പേട്

    The plate displayed Grantha Script as well as Western Tamil. Grantha script is substituted with Malayalam.

    Malayalam Transliteration(ലിപ്യന്തരണം)

    FIRST SIDE

    01

    ഹരി ശ്രീ മഹാ ഗണപതെ നമഹഭൂപാലനരപതി ശ്രീ വീര കെരള

    02.

    ശക്രവർത്തി ആദിയായി മുറമുറൈയെപലനൂറായിരത്താണ്ടു

    03

    ചെങ്കൊൽ നടത്തായി നിന്റശ്രീ വീര രാഘവ ശക്രവർത്തിക്ക്തിരു വിരാ

    04

    ജ്യം ചെല്ലാ യിനി ന്റമകരത്തുൾ വിയാഴം മീനഞായറു ഇരുപത്തൊന്റു

    05

    ചെന്റ ചനി രൊഹണി നാൾപെരുങ്കൊശിലകത്തിരുന്നരുള ഥകൊതൈയർപട്ടിണ

    06.

    ത്തു ഇരവി കൊർത തനനായചെരമാൻ ലൊകപ്പെരുഞ്ചെട്ടിക്കു മണിക്കിരാമ

    07

    പട്ടങ്കുടുത്തൊം വിളവാടെയും പവനത്താങ്കും വെൾ പെറു മകടുത്തു

    08

    വളെഞ്ചിയമും വളഞ്ചിയത്തിൽ തനിച്ചെട്ടും മുറച്ചൊല്ലും മുന്ന

    09ടെയും പഞ്ചവാദ്യമും ശറഖും പകൽവിളക്കും പാവാടയും ഹൈന്തോളമും കൊറ്റ

    10

    കകുടയും വടുകപ്പറെയും ഇടുപടി തൊരണമും നാലു ചെരിക്കും തനി

    SECOND PAGE

    01.

    ച്ചെട്ടും കുടുത്തൊം വാണിയരും പൈംകമ്മാളർ എല്ലം അടിമകൂടുത്തൊം

    02.

    നകരത്തുക്കു കർത്താവായ ഇരവി കൊർത്തനുക്ക് പറകൊണ്ടളന്തു നിറകൊണ്ടു

    03.

    തൂക്കി നൂൽകൊണ്ടു പാകി എണ്ണിന്റതിലും എടുക്കിന്റതിലും ഉവി

    04

    നൊടു ചക്കരയ്യൊടു കസ്തൂരിയ്യൊടു വിളക്കെണ്ണയ്യൊടു ഇടയിൽഉള്ളത എപ്പെർ

    05.

    പ്പട്ടിനും തരകും അതിനടുത്ത ചൂങ്കമും കൂട കൊടുങ്കലൂർ അഴിവി

    06.

    യൊടു കൊപുരത്തൊടു വിശെഷാൽ നാലു തളിയും തളിക്കടുത്ത കിരാമത്തൊടിട

    07.

    യിൽ നീർ മുതലായി ചെപ്പെടു എഴുതി കുടുത്തൊം ചെരമാൻ ലൊകപ്പെരുഞ്ചെ

    08.

    ട്ടിയാന ഇരവി കൊത്തനുക്കുഇവൻ മക്കൾ മക്കൾക്കെ വഴിവഴിയെ പെറാക ക്കുടു

    09.

    ത്തൊം ഇതറിയും പന്റിയൂർ കിരാമമും ചൊകിരക കിരാമമും അറിയക്കുടുത്തൊം വെ

    10.

    ണാടും ഓടു നാടും അറിയക്കൊടുത്തൊം ഏറാ നാടും വള്ളുവനാടും അറിയക്കുടുത്തൊം ചന്ദ്രാ

    11.

    ദിത്യ കളുള്ള നാളെക്കു കുടുത്തൊം ഇവർകളറിയ ചെപ്പെടെഴുതിയ ചെരമാൻ ലൊകപ്പെരുന്ത

    12.

    ട്ടാൻ നമ്പിചടെയൻ കൈയെഴുത്ത്

    _____________________________________________

    ReplyDelete
  47. PALAYUR COPPER PLATE

    Kollam 781
    1606 AD

    Script: VATTEZHUTHU
    Language : Malayalam-Tamil


    Engraved on both sides of a single plate 8.5×1.7 inches belonging to Syro-Roman Church of Palaiyur.

    Deed written in 1606 AD. A certain Iravi Narayanan resident of Kuttancherry had received a loan of 1055 Panam from the Vicar of Palayur Church and the functionaries of the Church. The document recordsconveyance of a landed property situated in Ilangulum in Irinnappuran-desam, called Vadakemuri Land and the adjoining land with forty Nazhi seed sowing capacity to Palur Church Vicar Paru Kulankara Itty Achanar against the 1055 Panam and interest. In this way Palur Church Vikari Paru Kulankara Itty Achanar and Functionaries made this deed written. Nambuthiri of Kothanallur was a witness. Document was written by Madakkavu Sattappa Menon. (TAS 3 Page 81)

    First Side.

    1. கொல்லம் ௭௱௮௰௧(781) -மத கும்ப ஞாயற்றில் எழுதிய வெம்

    2. பாட்டம் நெற் பலிச ஓலகரணமாவத பாலூற் பள்ளிலெ விகாரியும் புரொ

    3. த்திக்காரரும் கூட கைய்யால் ஆயிரத்த அன்ம் பத்த அஞ்

    4. சு புது பணம் கொண்டான் கூத்தம்செரி இரெவிநாராணென்

    5. கொண்டான் கொண்டன பரிசாவத இக்கொண்ட புது ௧(1) பணம் ௲௫௰

    6. ௫ (1055) னும் காரியம் தன்ற்றெ இரிங்ஙப்புரம் தெசத்த இளங்

    7. குளத்த வடிக்கெமுறி பறம்பும் அதின அடுத்த கண்டங் ங

    8. ள் நால்ப்பதினாழி வித்தினு கண்டவும் கூட நில பா

    9. ட்டமுள்ப்பட ஆயிரத்த அன்ம்பத்த அஞ்சு பணத்தின

    Second Side.

    10. நெற்பலிச கிழிடுமாற எழுதிக் கொடுத்தான் இரெவி நாராணென்.

    11. இம்மார்க்கமெ இச்சொன்ன இளங்குளத்தெ வடக்கெமுறிப் பறம்

    12. பும் அதிடுத்த கண்டம் நானாழி வித்தின்னு கண்டவும் கூடி ஆ

    13. யரத்த ௲௫௰௫(1055) த்தின்ன நெற்பலிச கிழியுமாற எழு

    14. திச்சு கொண்டாற் பாலூற் பள்ளியில் விகாரி பரூக்குளங்ஙரெ

    15. இட்டி அச்செனாரும் புரொத்திக்காரரும் கூடி இப்படிக்க

    16. இதட்டுயும்(இத அறியும்) தாழ்க்கி கொதநல்லூர் நம்புதிரி மா

    17. டக்காவில் சாத்தப்பமெனோன் கையழுத்த _________________________________________________________

    MALAYALAM TRANSLITERATION
    മലയാളം ലിപ്യന്തരണം

    1. കൊല്ലം 781 - മത കുമ്പ ഞായറ്റിൽ എഴുതിയ വെം

    2. പാട്ടം നെറ് പലിശ ഓലകരണമാവത പാലൂറ് പള്ളിലെ വികാരിയും പുരൊ

    3. ത്തിക്കാരരും കൂട കൈയ്യാൽ ആയിരത്ത അൻമ്പത്ത അഞ്ച്

    4. പുതു പണം കൊണ്ടാൻ കൂത്തംചെരിഇരവിനാരാണെൻ

    5. കൊണ്ടാൻ കൊണ്ടന പരിശാവത ഇക്കൊണ്ട പുതു (1) പണം 105

    6. 5 നും കാരിയം തന്റ്റെ ഇരിങ്ങപ്പുരം ദെശത്ത ഇളങ്

    7. കുളത്ത വടിക്കെമുറി പറമ്പും അതിന അടുത്തകണ്ടങ്ങ

    8. ൾ നാല്പ്പതിനാഴി വിത്തിനു കണ്ടവും കൂട നില പാ

    9. ട്ടമുൾപ്പട ആയിരത്ത അന്മ്പത്ത അഞ്ച്പണത്തിനSecond Side.

    10. നെറ്പലിശ കിഴിടുമാറ എഴുതിക്കൊടുത്താൻഇരവി നാരാണെൻ

    11. ഇമ്മാർക്കമെ ഇച്ചൊന്ന ഇളങ്കുളത്തെ വടക്കെമുറിപ്പറമ്പും

    12. അതിടുത്ത കണ്ടം നാനാഴി വിത്തിന്നു കണ്ടവും
    കൂടി ആ

    13. യരത്ത 1055 ത്തിന്ന നെറ്പലിശ കിഴിയുമാറ
    എഴു

    14. തിച്ചു കൊണ്ടാറ് പാലൂറ് പള്ളിയിൽ വികാരി പരൂക്കുളങ്ങരെ

    15. ഇട്ടി അച്ചെനാരൂം പുരൊത്തിക്കാരരും കൂടി
    ഇപ്പടിക്ക

    16. ഇതട്ടുയും (ഇത അറിയും) താഴ്ക്കി കൊതനല്ലൂർ നമ്പുതിരി മാ

    17. ടക്കാവിൽ ചാത്തപ്പമെനോൻ കൈയഴുത്ത.
    __________________________________________________________

    ReplyDelete
  48. MALAYALAM-TAMIL or MALAYANMA

    The Native language of Kerala until 1830 was Malayalam-Tamil otherwise called Western Dialect of Tamil.
    In the 19th century the Tulu-Nepalese dynasties of Kerala. The ruling clans of Samantha, Nambuthiris and Nairs used because of their northern origins at Ahichatra, used a heavily Nepalese language mixed Malayalam, which they wrote with Tulu script (Thigalari Script).

    When Colonel Munro became the Diwan of Travancore in 1815, the British started promoting the Nepali/Thigalari language at the expense of Malayanma.
    In 1815, The Church Mission Society, Kottayam started teaching the Syrian Christian priests with Nepali/Sanskrit/Thigalari Language otherwise called Grantha Malayalam.

    In 1819 British missionary Benjamin Bailey went to Mangalore to study Tulu Alphabet. At the Basel Mission Mangalore he made first new Malayalam types, actually a modified form of Tulu/Thigalari Script.

    TULU GRANTHA MALAYALAM
    In 1829 the first Granthamalayalam Bible written by a converted Nair called Chandu Menon (Joseph Fenn) from Ottappalam and his two sons Govindan Kutty Menon (Bailey Fenn) and Padmanabha menon (Baker Fenn). Others Involved were Vaidyanatha Ayer, Iver Fety a Jew. Thus the first Malayalam bible was written by Nair+Aiyer+Jew.

    German priests like Hermann Gundert wrote grammar and even published a News paper called Raja Samacharam. The Granthamalayalam became the official Malayalam and were taught in schools since from 1835.

    The native Dravidian form of Malayalam, Malayalam-Tamil was banned. All the books written in Malayanma were never translated and lost for ever. The modern Malayalam contains more than 3000 Nepalese words. British perhaps used this language change to suppress the local Dravidian population.

    WESTERN TAMIL
    The western Tamil can be seen on all the old inscriptions. Below are the inscriptions at Kottayam Valia Pally. Archaelogists K.V Subramanya Aiyar and Ramanatha Aiyar had documented them meticulously.



    TRAVANCORE ARCHEOLOGICAL SERIES VOLUME IV
    PART 2, 1924
    K.V. SUBRAHMANYA AIYAR
    Superindent of Archaeology

    A S. RAMANATHA AYYAR

    Printed by Superindent, Govt Press, 1924.

    Page 166 to 170.

    VALIYAPALLY

    No.46.—STONE INSCRIPTIONS IN THE VALIYAPALLI CHURCH AT KOTTAYAM.
    Orthodox Syrian Christian Church (With Knanya past)

    Church Kollam 725 (1550 AD)

    Cross Kollam 754 (1579 AD)

    Reign of King Vira Kerala Adityavarman

    GRAVE HEADSTONE INSCRIPTIONS
    ________________________________________________________

    Period: 1592 AD

    1. கொல்லம் ௭௱௬௰௭ 767 மத

    2. தனுமாதம் ௧௰ ௳ மாளி

    3. க்கல் யிச்ச மாத்துயென்

    4. மாத்து நல்லவழி செஇது

    On the 19th day of the Month of Dhanus in Kollam 767, Mattuyen Mattu died.

    ________________________________________________________

    Period: 1633 AD

    1. கொல்லம் ௮௱௮ (808) மா

    2. ண்டு சிங்ஙமாதம்

    3. ௪௳(3 ம் நாள்) .......ன் சாண்டி

    4. நல்லவழி பொயி

    On the fourth day of the month of Simha of the Kollam year 808 Chandi died.

    ________________________________________________________

    Period: 1716 AD

    1. ௮௱௯௰௧(891) மாண்டு

    2. தனுவ் மாதம்

    3. ௨௰௪௳(24 ம் நாள்) இள

    4. ச்சார் நல்ல

    5. வழிக்க பொயி

    On the 24th day of the month of Dhanus in the Kollam year 891 Elachar died.

    ________________________________________________________

    Period: 1674 AD

    1. கொல்லம் ௮௱௪௰

    2. ௯(849) மாண்டு சிங்ங

    3. மாதம் .............அ

    4. ச்சா மாபிள ந

    5. ல்ல வழிக்க6. பொயி

    On the ............day of the month of the Simha in the Kollam year 849 Achcha mappila died.

    ________________________________________________________

    Period: 1674 AD

    1. ௮௱௪௰௯(849) ம

    2. த மகரமா

    3. தம் ௬௳(6 ம் நாள்)

    4. அவுதெப்

    5. ப நல்ல

    6. வழி பொயி

    On the 6th day of the month of Makara in the year 849 Avuseppu died.

    ________________________________________________________

    Period: 1655 AD

    1. கொல்லம் ௮௱௩௰(830)

    2. மாண்ட தனு ௴

    3. ௫௳(5 ம் நாள்) இடெகாடு

    4. மாத்து நல்ல

    5. வழி எட கூடி

    On the 5th day of the month of Dhanus in the Kollam year 830 Edakkadu Mattu died.

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  49. VALIAPALLY
    ________________________________________________________

    Period : 1710 AD

    1. கொல்லம் ௮௱

    2. ௮௰௫(885) மாண்ட க

    3. ர்க்கட மாதம் ௰

    4. ௳(10 ம் நாள்) கொச்சு மறி

    5. யம் நல்ல வழி

    6. எட கூடி

    On the 10th day of the month of Karkatakam in the Kollam year 885, kochu Mariyam died.

    ________________________________________________________


    1. கொல்லம் ................

    2. ௨௰௫(25) மா ...........

    3. தெல மா ....................

    4. ௮௳(8 ம் நாள்) கூந...

    5. செரி மறி ...................

    6. ம்ம நல்ல ...................

    Fragment of a Tombstone

    ________________________________________________________

    Period: 1701 AD

    1. கொல்லம் ௮௱

    2. ௭௰௬(876) மாண்ட

    3. துலாமாதம்

    4. ௰௮௳(18 ம் நாள்) புன்னூது

    5. மாப்பெள நல்ல

    6. வழிக்க எட கூடி

    On the 18th day of the month of Tula in the Kollam year 876 Punnudu Mappila died.

    ________________________________________________________

    1. கொல்லம் ௯ ....

    2. மாண்ட தனு ....

    3. மாதம் அ ..........

    Fragment of a tombstone

    ________________________________________________________

    Period: 1717 AD

    1. கொல்லம் ௮

    2. ௱௯௰௨(892) மாண்

    3. டு மகரம் ௰௯(19)

    4. மாத்தெ

    5. ஆவுதெப்பது

    In the Kollam year 892 Makaram month 19th day Matte Avudeppu died

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    Period: 1589 AD

    1. கொல்லம் ௭௱

    2. ௬௰௪(764) மாண்ட

    3. சிங்ஙமாத

    4. ம் ௭௳(7ம் நாள்) பொ

    5. த்தென் இப்ப

    6. ச்சன் நல்ல

    7. வழிக்க பொ

    8. யி மிசியா

    On the 7th day of the month of Simha in the Kollam year 764, Ippachan died. Messiah

    ________________________________________________________

    Period: 1650 AD

    1. கொல்லம் ௮

    2. ௱௨௰௫(825) மாண்

    3. ட கர்க்கடக

    4. ௴ ௨௰௳(20 ம் நாள்) கண்

    5. டக்கெல சா

    6. .......நல்லவழி

    On the 20th day of the month of Karkataka in the Kollam year 825, Kandakkal Sa........ died.

    ________________________________________________________

    Period : 1645 AD

    1. கொல்லம் ௮௱௨௰(820)

    2. மாண்ட விருச்சிய

    3. ஞாயிற்று ..............

    4. க்கட்டலை யய்ய மா

    5. பிள மகள் மறியம்

    6. நல்லவழி

    On ...... of the month of Vrischika in the Kollam year 820, Mariyam daughter of Ayya Mappila died.

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    Period : 1642 AD

    1. கொல்லம் ௮௱௰

    2. ௭(817) மாண்ட கன்னிஞா

    3. யற்று ௪௳(4 ம் நாள்) நா

    4. ல் .................... சி அயி

    5. ................நல்லவழி

    6. க்க பொயி

    On the 4th day of the month Kanni in the Kollam year 817, ..................died.

    ________________________________________________________

    Period : 1674 AD

    1. கொல்லம் ௮௱௪௰௯(849)

    2. மாண்ட தனு ......... ௨௰

    3. ௯௳(29 ம் நாள்).........ச்

    4. சி நல்லவழிக்க

    5. பொயி

    The date is Kollam 849, Dhanus 29, the persons name is damaged

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    Period : 1637 AD

    1. கொல்லம் ௮௱௰

    2. ௨(812) மாண்ட விரிச்சி

    3. க மாதம் ௪௳(4 ம் நாள்)

    4. ..........ள்ளிவ..............த

    5. .....................................

    6. நல்ல வழிக்க

    On the 4th day of the month of Vrischika in the Kollam year 812, ........... died.

    ________________________________________________________

    Period : 1674 AD

    1. கொல்லம் ௮௱௪௰

    2. ௯(849) மாண்ட சிங்ங

    3. மாதம் ௮௳(8 ம் நாள்) அ

    4. ச்ச மாபிள ந

    5. ல்ல வழிக்க

    6. பொயி

    On the 8th day of the month of Simha in the Kollam year 849, Achha Mappila died.

    ________________________________________________________

    Conclusion:
    1. Except month Names no Sanskrit used
    2. Tamil Numerals were used
    3. Period between 1550 AD to 1717 AD.
    4. Kollam era used (Kollam Era+825=Modern Era)
    5. Syrian Christians were using Western Tamil not Syriac or Karzoni.

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  50. LANGUAGE OF JESUS

    Jesus spoke in Aramaic but the Jewish temple language spoken by priests.. Jesus spoke common man's language

    Jesus spoke Cananite Aamaic which is different from Syriac language used in the Peshitta Bible.

    Syriac language originated at Edessa from Assyrian Neo-Aramaic used in the Assyrian Empire with capital at Nineveh (Near Mosul) at 700 BC.

    Kerala's Nestorian Christians used Syriac but not the Aramaic or Hebrew used at Israel by Cananites.

    But Nestorians followed many Jewish customs such as Circumcision until 1200 AD.

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