An Archaeological Investigation Into Shukasandesham, Unnuneelisandesham and Mediaeval Malayalam Literary Works
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An Archaeological Investigation into Shukasandesham, Unnuneelisandesham and Mediaeval Malayalam Literary Works Mohammed Muhaseen B. S.1, Ajit Kumar1, Vinuraj B.1 and Reni P. Joseph1 1. Department of Archaeology, University of Kerala, Kariavattom Campus, Thiruvananthapuram – 695 581, Kerala, India (Email: muhasin.muhammed9@ gmail.com, [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]) Received: 25 September 2018; Revised: 17 October 2018; Accepted: 14 November 2018 Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology 6 (2018): 739‐755 Abstract: This article is a prelimenary archaeological investigation into the mediaeval Sandeshakavyas or poetic works namely Shukasandesham, Unnuneelisandesham and Manipravalam chambukavyas. Shukasandesham and Unnuneelisandesham elaborately describes the social, cultural, economic and transport modes etc., in southern Kerala during 13th‐14th century CE. The problem oriented archaeological explorations were undertaken along the route traversed by the protagonists in the Sandeshakavyas to verify its authenticity and document archaeological sites and cultural remains along the way. Keywords: Shukasandesham, Unnuneelisandesham, Southern Kerala, Economy, Transportation, Foreign Trade, Kollam Port Introduction In Kerala, the mediaeval literary tradition has a strong foundation. Mushikavamsa of Atula dated to 11th century CE is said to be the earliest from the region. This work written in Sanskrit speaks of the legend and succession of Mushika dynasty from northern Kerala. Ramacharitam, written in 12th century CE belonging to Paattu school (folklore ballads) was written using Tamil language (Menon1978:191). The first Sandeshakavya (message poem) composed in Kerala was Shukasandesham written during the 13th century CE. From the beginning of 14th century CE, a new form of literary tradition emerged in Kerala known as Manipravalam. The compositions in Manipravalam literature used a mixture of Sanskrit and early Malayalam. The Manipravalam literature tradition can be classified into two namely Chambukavyas and Sandeshakavyas. The major Chambukavya works composed during 14th century CE are Ananthapuravarnam, Unniyachi charitham, Unnichiruthevi charitham and Unniyadi charitham. Following the footstep of Kalidasa’s Meghadoot and Lakshmi dasan’s Shukasandesham, Unnuneelisandesham, is believed to be the first Sandeshakavya written in Malayalam during 14th Century CE. ISSN 2347 – 5463Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology 6: 2018 The travel narrated in Lakshmi Dasan’s Shukasandesham begins from Rameswaram in Tamilnadu. The narration continues through Pandya kingdom and its capital at Manaloor. The poet states that this land was ruled by Vira Pandyan of Pandya kingdom and it was going through drought. The travel then continues through the Western Ghats region discussing the tribal ethnic groups living nearby. The travel then passes through Kanyakumari, Suchindram and Nagarcoil to reach Muraripuram (Thiruvananthapuram). It then describes the path along the seashore (Figure 1) to reach the renowned trade center and Capital of Venad called Kulapurim (Kollam). The travel then proceeds through Kayamkulam, the capital of Alumthuruth kingdom and enters Vembally the capital of Vadakkumkur rulers. The bird then flies through Vennanadu village and Thrippunithura Brahmin settlement region to reach Irattayambalam (Vayattila). Figure 1: Travel Route Described in Shukasandesham Travel then progress through the banks of Periyar to reach Tiruvanchikulam (Mahodyapuram). After visiting Mahodayapuram temple and Kodungalloor Bhagavati temple the messenger reaches the final destination of Thrikkannamathilakom in Thrissur, Kerala. Narrating the travel route, the work Unnuneelisandesham states that Aditya Varman, the main protagonist of the work after crossing the southern border of Venad (Thovala), 740 Muhaseen et al. 2018: 739‐755 traversed through Thiruvananthapuram to Kaduthuruthy (Figure 2). In his journey between these two destinations in three days, he passes through several rivers and waterways and gives the geographical and other details of certain places. His travel account is a valuable source of information about medieval geographical settings and political boundaries, socio‐cultural musings, trading centers and travel route of Kerala during the 14th century CE. Figure 2: Travel Route Described in Unnuneelisandesham Aditya Varman commences his journey, on a palanquin from Sanyanthapuram Padmanabhaswamy temple then visit’s Palkulangara temple and sets sail from Shangummukham to Thrippapoor temple. After paying obeisance at these temples he travels by palanquin to Mutalappozhi (crocodile beach)/(Perumathura) located at the mouth of Kadinamkulam lake then using a ferry he crosses the river and enters the 741 ISSN 2347 – 5463Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology 6: 2018 Parvathy‐Puthanar canal to reach a place called Puthidam, (Poothura) which was a prominent market of its time. Consequently, he visits the Janardanaswamy temple at Varkala. He later reaches Pozhikkara Devi temple, pays obeisance and passing through Kollam port he reaches Karipookalam palace and halts for the night. The next day he crosses Neendakara by ferry and reaches Panmana palace. From Panmana, at Kanneti he crosses the Pallikal River which he states was the border between Venad and Odanadu kingdoms. He has an audience with Kayamkulam chieftain at his palace and then visits the market at Kayamkulam. Subsequently he travels to Kandiyoor Mahadeva temple and by late evening reaches Mattom and sojourns in the palace of the Odanadu chieftain Ravi Varman. On the third day, he travels to Chennithala and Kaduthuruthy. In this route he mentions of passing through Niranam to reach Thiruvalla where he offers worship at the Shiva temple. Further passing through Muthoor and Nalukodi he reaches Thrikodithanam temple to offer prayers. Departing from the territory of Odanadu he then enters the territory of Thekkumkoor and travelling through Manikandapuram and crossing Tiruvanchikaduvu he reached Vennimala palace of the Thekkumkoor king and meets the local chieftain. After crossing Kandanchira Bridge he reaches Ettumanoor Shiva temple. Later in the day he visits Govindapuram temple and then reaches the house of Unnuneeli. Exploration through the Study Area An archaeological exploration (Tables 1 and 2) was carried out through the travel route mentioned in Shukasandesham and Unnuneelisandesham and in the works of Unniyachi charitham, Unniyadi charitham and Unnichiruhtevi charitham along with the places mentioned in Ananthapuravarnana. The exploration was carried out through the southern districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, and Ernakulum in the state of Kerala. Places mentioned in Shukasandesham and Unnuneelisandesham were archaeologically explored and documented. The exploration yielded temples and inscriptions datable to mediaeval era. The following temples are mentioned in the literary works: Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple Inscription of Aditya Varman: Krishna temple shrine at Padmanabha swami temple has two inscriptions mentioning the name of Venad heir Aditya Varman, the main protagonist of Unnuneelisandesham. One inscription is engraved on the north wall of the Krishna swami shrine and is dated to Saka year 1296 or 1375 CE. The inscription is written using Grantha character and Sanskrit language. The inscription says that King Aditya Varman alias Sarvanganatha’ constructed at the town of Syanandura (Thiruvananthapuram) the shrine of Krishna, the gosala, a mandapa and the dipika‐griham (Rao1908:251). The inscription praises Aditya Varman as Sarvanganatha (Versatile scholar) and a devotee of lord Vishnu. The inscription engraved on the south base of the Krishna swami shrine also conveys the same message. 742 Muhaseen et al. 2018: 739‐755 Table 1: List of Explored sites Mentioned in Shukasandesham and Unnuneelisandesham Sl. Places Antiquity GPS Remarks No. Mentioned coordinates 1. Sri Padmanabhaswamy Early N 08⁰ 28’ 58.01” Inscriptions of Temple mediaeval E 076⁰ 56’ 42.89” Aditya Varman 2. Punnapuram ‐ N 08⁰ 29’ 03.93” Ancient E 076⁰ 56’ 22.58” Nadavazhi (travel path) 3. Palkulangara Devi Temple N 08⁰ 29’ 15.48” ‐ Temple Construction E 076⁰ 56’ 03.15” datable to 9th century CE 4. Shankumugam Sea Ancient N 08⁰ 28’ 53.06” potsherds of Shore way Travel route E 76⁰ 54’ 45.63” mediaeval and late mediaeval 5. Thrippapoor Temple Temple N 08⁰ 32’ 56.71” ‐ datable to E 076⁰ 53’ 05.35” Mediaeval era 6. Muthalapozhi Ancient N 08⁰ 37’ 48.72” potsherds of Travel route E 076 47’ 04.99” mediaeval and late mediaeval 7. Puthidam Mediaeval N 08⁰ 65’ 40” market place E 76⁰ 77’ 03” 8. Varkala Janardhana Early N 08⁰ 43’ 53.35” potsherds of Swami Temple mediaeval E 076⁰ 42’ 37.08” mediaeval and late mediaeval 9. Edava‐NadayaraGhat Ancient way 08⁰ 45’ 12.68” potsherds of passage passage E 076⁰ 42’ 33.44” mediaeval and late mediaeval 10. Pozhikkara Temple Mediaeval N 08⁰ 48’ 41.69” potsherds of E 076⁰ 39’ 01.39” mediaeval and late mediaeval 11. Kollam port Ancient Port N 08⁰ 53’ 06.06” potsherds of E 076⁰ 34’ 58.36” mediaeval and late mediaeval 12. Kollam Market Ancient N 08⁰ 53’ 06.06” potsherds of market E 076⁰ 34’ 58.36” mediaeval and late mediaeval 13. Neendakara Ancient N 08⁰ 56’ 10.72” ‐ Ghat passage E 076⁰ 32’ 33.70” 14. Panmana Mediaeval N 09⁰ 00’ 28.56” ‐ Township E 076⁰ 32’ 03.66” 743 ISSN 2347 – 5463Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology 6: 2018