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Kerala in South India has a long and varied history. From a legendary land, famed for its aromatic spices to a tourist's paradise popular for its palm-fringed beaches, backwaters and Ayurveda resorts, Kerala has made its presence known to the world throughout history. Explore the history and attractions of Kerala when you travel to the tourist destinations of Kerala with Kerala Backwater.
According to legend Kerala arose from the sea, when the sage Parasurama threw his axe northwards into the waves after sitting in penance at Kanyakumari. The waves receded and the land of Kerala came into being. Geologically Kerala was created possibly as a result of a seismic shift that caused part of the seabed to rise, or as a result of silting from South Indian Rivers over millions of years.
Kerala was known to the ancient Phoenicians as a coast from which fabulous spices, such as pepper, cardamom and ginger, were exported. They also came to Kerala for sandalwood and ivory. Cranganore or Muziris was known as an important port for trade with the Mediterranean region. The Arab merchants used the monsoon winds to cross the Arabian Sea to Kerala and carry prized goods back to Arabia, from where the goods were taken to towns in the Mediterranean region by camel caravans.
The first inhabitants of Kerala according to historical records were the Pulayas, Vetas and Kuruvas. The Chera dynasty ruled over Kerala during the time of the Mauryas in North India. By the 10th century, the Brahmins or Namboothiris dominated Kerala. Other communities present in Kerala were Christian and Muslim traders and Jews. Power passed from the Namboothiri Brahmins to the warlords including the Zamorin of Calicut, whose admiral Kinjali Marakkar fought with great valor and distinction against the Portuguese. Vasco da Gama's arrival in 1498 opened a new chapter in the history of Kerala as the era of European conquest began. Conflict between the Portuguese, Dutch and later the English dominated the years of colonial trade. The French also established a settlement at Mahe on the Malabar coast. The British domiance over Keral was complete by the 1800's after the defeat of Tipu Sultan and the local rulers of Kerala. The Mopilla Revolt was a peasants' agitation, which was ruthlessly crushed. The independence movement across India also took root in Kerala. Movements to open temples to people who were considered "untouchables" and the so-called "lower castes" were also important parts of the independence movement.
After India gained independence, the people of Kerala brought the first democratically elected communist government to power in 1957. The history of Kerala since then has seen repeated changes of government, Kerala's emergence as one of the most literate states in India and the phenomenal growth of tourism in Kerala. You can see the history of Kerala come alive in its temples, churches and monuments and hear its stories from the people of Kerala, on tours of Kerala with Kerala Backwater.
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