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,
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[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.