Sanskrit sources of Kerala history
by Suma Parappattoli | 2010 | 88,327 words
This study deals with the history of Kerala based on ancient Sanskrit sources, such as the Keralamahatmyam. The modern state known as Keralam or Kerala is situated on the Malabar Coast of India. The first chapter of this study discusses the historical details from the inscriptions. The second chapter deals with the historical points from the Mahatm...
This book contains Sanskrit text which you should never take for granted as transcription mistakes are always possible. Always confer with the final source and/or manuscript.
1. Introduction (accounts of early Indian History)
It has often been observed that India possessed no history. Yet the seeds of history can be seen even in the earliest Indian literature. The vedas, the puranas, the epics, the Buddhist works, the Prasastis, the inscriptions, coins, monuments, secular literature, astronomical works and the accounts of foreign travellers are the main sources of early Indian History.
Besides, there are a large number of historical Kavyas in various forms in Sanskrit literature. A vast majority of them, on a close observation, do not supply sufficient or accurate historical material one comes across the same stereotyped conventional descriptions. Nevertheless, one must admit that some of them provide valuable historical information and research material. A general survey of much important historical and biographical works, with special reference to Kerala’s contribution to this branch of learning, is made in this chapter.
What was said about the history of ancient India, is true of ancient Kerala as well. One rarely comes across any authentic historical account from the ancient writers of Kerala. Instead of historical narratives, one generally finds mythological accounts interspersed with historical gleanings. However, there are a few poems of some historical importance. But they were most probably written after the 10th C. AD.