History: Where do we fit (2)

During the 14^th and 15^th Centuries B. C. the Zamorins  (Samuthiris or the Nediyirippu Swaroopam) extended their authority to whole of Malabar area. Villages in our area (up to the Enamakkal Lake) appear to have been formed the most secure boarder (at the south) of the Zamorin’s Kingdom for a long time.

Under the Zamorins a feudal set up was evolved out between political administration, religious activities and temple centered Ara and Tura political power structure. Zamorins implementation of all types of ruling factors was based on temple set up. The largest administrative unit called Cherikkal is an almost equivalent to the present-day taluk. Cherikkals were subdi­vided into  Desom, Tara, Angadi etc. for maintaining the revenue system, toll collections, local law and order, village army system (Lokar) and village treasuries (Ara). There were Koymas, Talakkappu nayar, Patanayar and numerous other officials to collect tolls, revenue and to look after law and order. All these official duties were distributed to a large number of aristocratic families living far and wide in the kingdom. These families with the right to collect revenue, maintain local army men, look after law and order and administer the temples enabled them to centralize money, land, control of religious activities and customs to themselves. 

The Cherikkal administration was headed by Talacharnur who will be "Sthani" of a feudal family. Sthani means one who obtained a sthanam or status, from the head of the state. There were various kinds of “Sthanam” or status distributed by the king. Talacharnor Nair, Pata Nair, Talalcappu Nair, Koyma, Menokki, Menon, Ezhuthachan, Kaimal, Koya, Marakkar etc numbering more than twenty. These title distributions appear to have had far reaching social impact as most of these titles became caste names over the time and it divided the society into different hierarchies based on economic, political religious and ritualistic grounds.

It is stated that at the time of the invasion by Tippu Sultan, there were at least 35 Naads in Malabar which were not under the direct rule by the Zamorin but remained vassal principalities which pledged allegiance to him. Of these Punnathur, Chavakkad and Chetwai (ruled by Samanthan Nairs) and Paluvai (ruled by a Mooppil Nair) were lying nearer to Padoor. Chances are that Padoor was part of the jurisdiction by Chavakkad principality.

The Zamorin minted coins were in circulation including Fanams (made of gold), Tarens (silver) and Kasu (copper). Sixteen Kasu made one Taren, and sixteen Tarens made one Fanam. The main ports under Zamorin’s direct control were Putuppattanam, Pantalayani Kollam, Calicut, Tanur, Ponnani and Chetwai.

The Portuguese  came with the intention of proclaiming Jesus Christ, had acquired and captured lands at various points on the Malabar Coast, built formidable forts at vantage points. This period is marked by brutal encounters, suppressions, violence, social and religious tensions.

During the Battle of Cochin (the Second Siege of Cochin) of 1504, fought between the Portuguese and the Zamorin, Zamorin attacked Cochin entering her backwaters by forcing passage of the Chettuwai River.

The subsequent  Dutch entrance has mainly confined to their interests in trade and therefore an effective occupation of the land was not taken place. But during 1717, the Dutch appear to have gained control of Chettuwai (Manappuram) Island and managed to build a fort there.

Generally speaking our areas therefore more or less remained under the reign of the Zamorins until Mysore’s invasion beginning 1766.

Tippu ceded control of the Malabar to the British following the Treaty of 1792.  Initially included under Bombay Presidency, Malabar was subsequently made a district of the Madras Presidency when this was formed by British during 1801.