Padinjare Kovilakam -The Zamorin's Residence
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PADINJARE KOVILAKAM -THE ZAMORIN’S RESIDENCE VINCY C K Dr PRAVEEN O K ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, DEAPRTMENT OF HISTORY, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY, SREE KERALA VARMA COLLEGE, THRISSUR, KERALA. SREE KERALA VCARMA COLLEGE, THRISSUR,KERALA. ABSTRACT: Padinjare Kovilakam is one of the main branches of Zamorin's residence at Calicut. This study is trying to find out the factors that resulted in the down fall of Zamorin's power by sketching out the biographies of Ravivarmas. While studying the lifeofthern we can understand not only the external factors but also the internal factors within the Zamorin's house hoid and the kingdom were responsible for the decline. This study also helps to understand the social circumstances and chaos the age that witnessed and also contributes much to the history of Kerala. Keywords : Padijare Kovilakam,zamorin,Kovil ,Kovilathikari, Padipura, untouchability, kingship INTRODUCTION Zamorin is called the Neidiyiruppu koyil. Likewise, the elder authority is called mootha A Kovilagam is the household of koyil and the younger one is called Ilaya local political authorities who are present in koyil. Normally, the one whose responsibility length and breadth of Kerala from medieval is to look after the interior of the Kovilagam times onwards. This is the residence, where is called Akakoyil and the one with whom the all who have not succeeded to get kingship external affairs is entrusted is called (raja) remain under the management of the puramkoyil. The women in the kovilagam are eldest resident male or female member of that generally called kovilamma. particular branch of the family. Literally kovil is a space where a deity dwels. Methodology Kovilakam is therefore a walled compound where the kovil is situated. The Kovil, being The method applied in the study is not the abode of deity, possesses a supreme plainly historical. The study made use of position in the day to day life of the members tools of micro history. It is totally different of the kovilagam during the medieval period from the traditional historical method of though it has lost its importance in the ‘grand historical narratives’. Micro tristory present. The domestic practices as well as isthe intensive historical investigation of a political life of the members of kovilagam are well ciefined smaller unit of research. most centered on the Kovil where the family deity often a single event, and the community of a is dwelling. Kovilathikari who is the supreme village, a farnily or a person. However, micro authority of the Kovilagam wielded his history can be distinguished from a simple power ritually as the authority over the Kovil case study in so far as micro history aspires as the protector of the deity. Kovilagam may to large questions in small places. also include the properties attached to the The micro historians placed their household. Kovil which alliteratively called emphasis on small units and how people koyil also connote the Raja in the sense that colducted their lives '.rrithin them. Raja possess status equal to a deity. The king Byreducing the scale of observation the of Beypore thus is called Pappukoyil; the method tries to reveal the cornplicated king of Parappanad, Parappu koyil and the Page | 76 Research Guru: Online Journal of Multidisciplinary Subjects (Peer Reviewed) Research Guru: Volume-14, Issue-2, September-2020 (ISSN: 2349-266X) function of individual relationships within in the Ernad Taluk of present Malappuram each and every social setting and they district. So he referred to as 'Nediyiruppu stressed its difference from large norms. Muppa' and dynasty was Nediyiruppu Svaroopam belong to the Eradi sub division Sources of the Nair-caste. The ruler of the The main sources of the study are the Nediyiruppu Swaroopam was popularly primary and secondary sources. The primary known as 'Zamutiri'. The word ,Zamorin is sources includes archival documents, the European form of local “Samuri”, or Kovilakarn records and interviews on the Tamuri. The Eradis wished to have an outlet people associated with the Kovilakam. The to the sea to initiate trade and commerce with secondary source includes the secondary distant lands. To accomplish this, the Eradi literature: books, journals, references, etc. marched with their Nairs towards panniankara and besieged the Porlathiri in his PADINJARE KOVITAKAM head quarters for about 50 years. The Eradis emerged victorious in their conquest of Zamorin's capital city was Polanad and shifted their capital from Kozhikode. It was also called ‘koyilkode’. It Nediyiruppu to Calicut. The Eradi built a fort is claimed that its old name was at a place called Velapuram to safeguard his Vikramapuram. Arabs called it 'Calicoot' and new interests. The fort most likely lent its the English 'Calicut'. The Chalappuram name to koyil kotta, the precursor to Kovilakam, Ambadi Kovilakam, Puthan Kozhikode. Kovialakam, Padinjare Kovilakam, Kizhekke Kovilakam, etc. are the prominent Traditionally they got five Kovilakams of Calicut. All these Kovilakams stanams or positions. They are; belong to Zamorins. There are many opinions regarding the meaning of Zamorin such as it 1. Samuthiri Tirumulpad is the name for a position, it is the name for 2. Emad Elamkur Nambiyatiri the race, a degree of rank, and a form of Tirumulpad address and so on. He is referred as 'Poonthurakon' according to the English 3. Ernad Munamkur commercial treaty in 1615 and 'Samoothiri Nambiyatiri Tirumulpad Rajya Poonthurakon' according to another treaty in 1752. 4. Edataranad Nambiyatiri Tirumulpad There is some ambiguity's regarding the exact course of events that led to the 5. Nediyiruppil Mootha Eradi establishment of Zamorins rule over Tirumulpad Kozhikode. According to Prof. A. In course of time, as the family Sreedharamenon, immediately following the increased and the power of the Zamorin fall of Rama Kulasekhara, Calicut and its expanded, new palaces were constructed. suburbs formed part of the Polanad Kingdom First rose the Kizhakke Kovilakarn, then ruled by the Porlathiri. The original seat of came to existence the puthiya Kovilakam and the Zamorins family was Nediyiruppu village Page | 77 Research Guru: Online Journal of Multidisciplinary Subjects (Peer Reviewed) Research Guru: Volume-14, Issue-2, September-2020 (ISSN: 2349-266X) Padinjare Kovilakam.. The Tampuratti of the These Kovilakams were destroyed Kizhekke Kovilakam had Sambandham with due to Haider's attack. Haider marched chalappurattu Narnboothiri. As he had no towards Calicut and the then zamorir, having heirs, he made a gift of all his property no way out other than submission burn including his own illam or house to the himself by setting fire to the powder Tampuratti. A Palace, was built on the site of magazine in his fortress.6 The Zamorin the old illam, and it came to be known as the (Kunnathoor theepetta Tampuran of Puthiya Chalapurattu Kovilakam. For a long time the Kovilagam) who took over the power of the members of the Kizhekke Kovilakam were ruling household following the exit of Haider continued to be called as “Chalappurathu reinstated the kovilakams later at three Kovilakattu Tampurans”. different places; the Kizhekke Kovilakam situates at Kottakkal, Puthiya Kovilakam at The Zamorins kingdom mainly Tiruvannur and Padinjare Kovilakam at consisted of three Kovilakams' They are Mankav. As per one account each 1) Kizhekke Kovilakam Kovilakams has its own lineages or Thavazhis as follows, Kizhekke Kovilakam 2) Putiya Kovilakam has consists of Puthenkette, Kizhekke Malika and Padinjare Malika. Puthiya Kovilakam 3) Padinj are Kovilakam branches into Thekke Kottee, Padinjare These three kovilakams were Kette, Kizhekke Kette, Padinjare Kovilakam originally built near Tali Temple at comprises lineages as Thazhette, Mugalil, Kozhikode. Padinjare kovilagam was and Kalapura. But this view has been rejected probably near the present Chalappuram by one present resident of Kizhakke Ganapath High School. Kizhakke kovilagam kovilakam. was built in the north of Tali temple. The The eldest male member from among place now is called chinthavalappu. Puthiya these kovilakams was ascended to the kovilakam was built in the north-western part position of Zamorin and other powerful posts of the Tali temple' went into the hands of the elders among them. No clear cut evidences are available The senior most Tampuran of each of about when and how Padinjare Kovilakam kovilakams is called Valiya tampuran. The came into being. It got first mentioned in Ambadi Kovilakam or the household of books only in 1666. Evidences are not at all princesses or Tampurattis built west of Tali. available on which Zamotin has built this The senior most Tampuratti was called Kovilakam and how many Zamorins belong 'Nediyiruppu Mootha Kovil' and the next in to this Kovilakam. It can be guessed that they age was called Elaya Kovil. might have lived inone Kovilakam since Zamorins established themselves as a clan or Like the Nayars, the samantas trace kingdom. Separate Kovilakams might have their descent and inheritance through the come into being due to increase in the number female, their children belong to the caste and of its members and again with adoption from family of the mother, and the oldest male Nileswaram. member is the head of the family and Page | 78 Research Guru: Online Journal of Multidisciplinary Subjects (Peer Reviewed) Research Guru: Volume-14, Issue-2, September-2020 (ISSN: 2349-266X) represents it in its relations with others. They Swaroopam (Chirakkal) without the are, however distinguished from the Nayars knowledge and consent of the Zamorin. The by their higher social status and the strict rule Zamorin disinherited her, and compelled the of hyper gamy which compels a women to Koalthiri to cede all his lands as far as have 'Sambundham' with one belonging to a Pantalayini Kollarn and to settle the caste superior to hers. Tampuratti at Neeleswaram with all sovereign rights and 3000 Nairs. The system of adoption became a part of Zarnorin's history in the year between Thus three Tampurans and three 1706-1707.