Kerala history
Keralas original inhabitants were Dravidians .Evidence of presence of human being in Kerala from Stone age is found from various parts of kerala .Weapons made of stone for hunting have been found from kerala .Agricultural activities started in kerala from the days of new stone age .From Maha Sila Yuga (BC 1000 ) people in kerala started using Iron utensils and weapons .This age Tribal system existed in Kerala .In Tribal system principles of democracy ,cooperation and equality were evident. Gradually tribal system developed into Village community system .With the growth of this system many villages merged to become much larger unit and head of this unit was named ' King '.
Between BC 3500 and 2500 ,Kerala traded in spices with the people of Sindhu civilization in north India. Trading with foreign countries like Rome and Arab also started in this age.
From BC 400 Arya Brahmins started migrating to kerala from north India . By AD 500 Arya Brahmanism spread throughout Kerala . Buddhism came to Kerala by BC 300 and Jainism also came to kerala by this age .Between AD 400 and 600 Budhism and Jainism exercised major influence in Kerala. By AD 700 Hinduism became major religion of Kerala with the merging of Arya Brahmanism and native Dravidian civilization.
Through foreign trade relations ,various religions like Jew ,Christianity and Islam found their way to Kerala .Christianity came to kerala in first century of AD .Islam came to Kerala in 8th century. Hinduism showed tolerance towards Jainism ,Buddhism ,Christianity and Islam .
As part of Brahmanism ,rulers called Perumals ruled Kerala . First Perumal king of Kerala was Koyipperumal and last king was Cheraman Perumal .Cheraman Perumal split territory of kerala and gave his succession to Kolathiri King,Samoothiri King,Cochin King ,Thiruvithamkoor King. After the age of Perumals , Kerala came under a type of local rulers called 'Nadu vazhikal' .The famous king Marthandavarma ruled kerala in this age .
Vasco da Gama from Portugal landed in Kerala in 1498 at Kappad near calicut (Malabar). East India company of the Dutch came into existance in 1602 and Stefan van Hegena with the accompaniment of 13 ships arrived Cannanore in 1604 .By 1663 the Dutch ,drove away the Portuguese from kerala .Later the Dutch took the reins of Kerala in their hands . In 1741 Marthandavarma defeated the Dutch in the battle of Kolachil.
In 1763 Hiderali started his siege of Kerala and conquered Kolathiri, Kottayam, Kadathanad, Kurumbranad and Calicut .Later on 1773 he conquered Trichur . Haidarali struck a blow to the then 'Naduvazhi' rulers in kerala .Haider's son, Tipu Sultan ascended the throne in 1782.In 1783 Tipu sulthan took control of entire South Malabar .Only by 1790 Tipu could cross into Travancore .
After the days of Marthanda Varma and Tipu sultan the British took control of various parts of Kerala .With the Treaty of Serirangapatam in 1792, Malabar came under the rule of the British .In 1809 Velu Thampi issued proclamation asking people to move against the British . Though the revolt was crushed mercilessly, Thampi and Achan are still revered as great patriots who sacrificed their lives for the country. Kerala was totally under the control of the British from 1791 to Indias independence in 1947.
The present state of Kerala was created on November 1, 1956 .Since then like any other state of India ,Kerala is also a democratically ruled state.