Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Friday Review | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

HERITAGE

The dynasties

Strategic location made Kongunad a much coveted kingdom

The first inhabitants and rulers of our land must have been the Irulas. Other ancient groups like the Velirs, Malavas and Nannans controlled parts of the Kongu region.

As many trade gateways lay in this kingdom, it was considered very important. "The connected narration of the political history of early Kongu would begin from the time when a part of it was captured and annexed to the Chera dominions," says V. Ramamurthy in the book History of Kongu.

During this period, Kongunad as we know it today was yet to be formed.

Sought after

But the region became the bone of contention among the three mighty dynasties — Chera, Chola, Pandya — as it had close trade ties with the Romans and had a wealth of Beryl (semi-precious stone) mines and spices.

The Chera kings succeeded. V. Ramamurthy reveals that it was the Chera chief Selkelu Kuttuvan who expanded the territory eastwards.

After the Sangam age from about 300 A.D. - 600 A.D, little is known about happenings in Tamil land. Scholars refer to it as the `dark period'.

Jain influence

The Kalabhras, who were most likely Jains from Karnataka, were the next most important group to rule here.

They overthrew many kings of the land and got a stranglehold of the country.

The Jain influence in our region could have intensified during this period.

Kongunad was influenced and controlled by different groups over the ages. The south-western part was under the control of the Chera kings who ruled the Southern part of present-day Kerala. Pandyas ruled south-eastern Kongu, proof of which lies in excavated copper plates.

In the last quarter of the 9th century, almost the entire Kongu, fell into the hands of the imperial Cholas of Thanjavur. The south and south-western parts were still under the Pandyas and the Chera kings of the Perumal dynasty.

A spurt of rulers

By around the 10th century, Kongu came under autonomous rule of the members of the Chera family, who ruled Kongu for nearly 300 years. After their decline, the Pandyas took over, followed by the Hoysala kings.

Like most parts of Southern India, Kongunad too fell under Muslim influence. The sultans of Delhi, after consolidating their power in the north, began to move southwards. There is evidence of Muslim expeditions — large mosques are still found in many old villages.

Born again

Signalling the revival of South Indian supremacy was the emergence of the Vijayanagara kingdom.

They first established rule here before expanding to other parts of Tamil land. It was during this period that culture, literature, language, religion and art reclaimed its lost glory.

This was when Telugu and Kannada communities such as the Kammalars, Kaikolars and Reddis could have established their settlements here. Muslim rule returned in the 15th century, when the rulers of the Deccan defeated the now weak Vijayanagara kingdom.

The Nayakka of Madurai succeeded the Vijayanagara dynasty. They were followed by the Mysore rulers who controlled a large part of Coimbatore district.

It was during these times that a class of people — Poligars or Palayagarars — ruled parts of the Tamil country on behalf of the Kings. Termed by different historians as vassals, chieftans and local rulers, the Poligars were called zamindars under the British, but their powers were greatly reduced. Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan also ruled for a brief period. Many temples can be found here with inscriptions about this period. It was only after Tipu Sultan fell to the British under Lord Wellesley that political stability returned to Kongunad.

Lord Wellesley made a series of political arrangements and the territories were taken over by the British. Kongu also came under British rule in 1799 A.D.

Its geographical location and political importance ensured that the Kongu country had its fair share of wars, conquests and Kings.

It has both gained and lost in the process.

(Send in feedback to cbemetro@thehindu.co.in with `heritage' in the subject line.)

SHANKAR VANAVARAYAR

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail