Mushika dynasty

The term "Mushika" or "Mushaka" Parvata is the Sanskrit translation of the ancient Tamil name "Ezhimalai" (or the Ezhil Kunram). The term "Mushika" also referred to the "Vaka" tree (Albizia lebbeck or Acacia sirissa), which was considered sacred by the rulers of Ezhimala. == Early historic Ezhimala rulers ==

The ancient ruling family of Ezhimala appears to have existed in northern Kerala at least from the early historic (pre-Pallava) period. Ancient Tamil poems (the Sangam Literature) describe the polity of Ezhimalai (also "Ezhil-malai"), situated on the northern edge of Tamilakam (the Tamil country) on its western (Malabar) coast. The rulers of Ezhimalai were among the most prominent hill chieftains of ancient Kerala. The family was also related to that of the rulers of Kantiramala. Ezhimala Nannan Early Tamil tradition (the Sangam poems) contains repeated references to several rulers of Ezhimala ("the Ezhil Kunram") bearing the name or title "Nannan". These are attested in collections such as the Akananuru, Purananuru, Natrinai, Pathitruppathu, and Kurunthokai. He is also notably described as a hunter chieftain of the "vetar" descent group ("vetar-ko-man") It is attested that Nannan was renowned for his gold ornaments and gilded chariots. • In the battle of Pazhi, the warriors of Nannan, led by certain Njimili (or Minjili; "the master of Param"), defeated the Thagadur Adigan or Adigaiman ruler (the Satiyaputra) Neduman Anji. Acting on behalf of the Chera ruler Perum Cheral Irumporai, the Adigaiman had invaded Nannan's territory at Pazhi with a large force. During the battle, the Adigaiman was slain by Njimili (or Minjili) ("who won fame by putting to the sword vast numbers of enemies"). Njimili also killed Ay Eyinan, the old companion of Nannan, but was himself slain in the same conflict ("the battle of Pazhi Paranthalai", Akam, 141, 181, and 396, and Natrinai, 265). • It is also mentioned that in a battle at Kazhumalam, Nannan defeated a chieftain named Pindan (Akam, 152, and Natrinai, 270). The poet Kudavayur Kirattanar records Nannan's defeat of a certain Pazhayan, with the support of his associates Ettai, Atti, Gangan, Katti, and Punthurai (Akam, 44). • It is further recorded that the "Kosar" people, associated with Chellur (Perinchellur or Taliparamba), attacked the Ezhimala country of Nannan, defeating him and even cutting down his totemic mango tree. According to the poems, Nannan had earlier executed a young girl who had unknowingly eaten a fruit that had fallen from his sacred mango tree and floated down to her in a stream. This act is said to have provoked the Kosar, leading to their attack and Nannan's defeat. • Nannan was ultimately defeated and killed by Chera ruler "Kalankaykkanni" Narmudi Cheral (fl. c. 180 AD) in the battle of "Kadambin Peruvayil"/"Vakai Perunthurai" (Akam, 152, 199, Pathitruppathu, 40 and 4th decad, panegyric). According to Pathitruppathu 40, after slaying Nannan, the Chera ruler also chopped down the sacred Vaka tree. Nannan (c. 210 AD), probably the son of the ruler mentioned earlier, is also introduced in the early Tamil poems. He is celebrated in "Malaipadukkadam" by the poet Perum Kausika and is also mentioned by Mankudi Marudan in "Maduraikkanchi". Another "Nannan" with the title "Udiyan" ("Nannan Udiyan"; Akam, 258: 1) is described as the "master of gold filled Pazhi". There references to another "Nannan", the ruler of "Konkanam".'''' He is described as the Nannan dwelling in "Kanam" and as "Konkanam Kizhan" (the lord of Konkanam), and as the lord of the mountain Konkanam ("Ko Perunkanam") (Akam'', 392). == Economy ==

The primary resource base for the Ezhimala polity (in the early historic period) and the Mushika state (medieval) was Indian Ocean spice trade (esp. pepper, cardamom and other spices from the interior hills) rather than agriculture (wet paddy cultivation). According to both Periplus of the Erythraean Sea and Pliny the Elder (1st century AD), Naura was located on western coast of the Tamil-speaking south India (Limyrike/Limerike or Damirica/Damirike), but outside the influence of the Chera rulers of central Kerala/western Tamil Nadu. The presence of Jewish merchants in the ports of the Mushika country is also suggested. A site in Madayi is still known as "the Jew's Pond" (the Jutakkulam). == Political geography ==

Early historic According to early Tamil poems (the Sangam Literature), the Ezhimala country of the early historic period was located to the north of the Chera country (central Kerala). The Ezhimala chieftain Nannan is described as the ruler of the slopes of Pazhi, the Ezhil Hill (Ezhimala), and Param, as well as settlements such as Viyalur and a land called "Punnadu".''' According to the poems, Param was formerly the base of the chieftain Minjili, who was killed in the battle of "Pazhi Paranthalai". The country of Ezhimala was also situated near the land of the "Kosar" people and the country of the "Kadambu" tribe. It is further mentioned that Nannan fought and died in a battle against the Chera ruler Narmudi Cheral at the great harbour, "Perunthurai". The Akananuru describes the country of Nannan as follows. Medieval period In the medieval period, the Ezhimala region or the "Kolla-desham" was home to important ports such as Madayi, Valapattanam, and Dharmapattanam (Dharmadam). The ports of the Kollam country are thought to have hosted Jewish traders, and in Madayi, a site remembered as 'the Jew's Pond/Place' (Jutakkulam//Jutakkalam) survives as a trace of this legacy. == Medieval Mushikas ==

at Ananthapura, Kumbla|296x296px The medieval "Kolla-desam" (the country of Kollam/Kolam or the "Mushika-rajya") stretched along the banks of Kavvai, Kuppam and Valappattanam rivers in northern Kerala. According to literary sources, as one of the major subordinates of the Chera, the Ezhimala rulers were required to supply armed contingents for the Cheras in their battles against the imperial Cholas. However, the repeated Chola references (early 11th century AD) to three rulers in medieval Kerala — the Kolam/Ezhimala ruler, the Chera ruler and the Venad ruler — suggest that the effective power of the Chera rulers at this time was confined mainly to central Kerala. Chera authority in northern and southern Kerala appears to have been largely nominal compared with the political and military strength exercised by the Ezhimala rulers in the north and the Venad rulers in the south. According to the poem, the medieval Mushika rulers bore the Vaishnava garuda (eagle) banner as their flag-sign and claimed descent from the Kshatriyas of the Hehaya line of Mahismati, themselves Yadava Kshatriyas. The chronicle states that the first Mushika king was consecrated by Parashurama as a Kshatriya ruler. He was the son of a widowed queen of Mahismati who had fled Parashurama's wrath and taken refuge at the divine Ezhimala Mountain. The term "Kolladesam" (the country of Kollam) is generally identified with the Ezhimala kingdom in northern Kerala. Scholars note that the inscription emphasises plunder rather than conquest, suggesting that the Chola victories at these Kerala ports were achieved primarily through naval operations. The "Ramakuta Muvar", or the Mushika ruler, is not named in this prasasti (the events are dated to around 1018–1019 AD). The Chola military presence in northern Kerala is further corroborated by the Eramam inscription (c. 1020 AD) of the Chera ruler Bhaskara Ravi (10th/11th century AD), which records a meeting at the Chalappuram Temple attended by Rajendra Chola's Samaya Senapati. == Inscriptions ==

Inscriptions mentioning Mushika rules by name/title == Inscriptions related to Mushika country ==

Records mentioning Chera rulers from Mushika country Miscellaneous records == Udaya Varma Kolattiri ==

An inscription discovered from Kannappuram Temple, found fixed on a platform outside the prakara of the temple, in old Malayalam mentions king "Udaya Varma Ramakuta Muvar". King Udaya Varma of Karippattu palace in Kolattunadu is described as a favourite of the medieval Chera king in traditional Kerala chronicles. He is described as the overlord of the Fort Valapattanam, the medieval Chera king's Palace, the Taliparamba Temple, and the Perinchellur Brahmin village. ==References==