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MushikaEzhimala Kolladesham
MUSHIKAS
Capital	Ezhimala (early historic) Kollam (early medieval) Karippattu, Taliparamba (c. 12th century)
Common languages	Tamil (early historic) Malayalam (medieval)
Religion	Hinduism
Government	Monarchy
Today part of	India

Mushika dynasty, also spelled Mushaka, also Eli or Ezhi, was a minor dynastic power that held sway over the region in and around Mount Ezhi (Ezhimala) in present-day northern Kerala, south India.

The country of the Ezhimala, ruled by an ancient chiefly lineage ("the Muvan"), appears in early historic (pre-Pallava) south India. Early Tamil poems contain several references to the exploits of Nannan, the ruler of Ezhimala (fl. c. 180 AD, who defeated the Tagadur Satiyaputra ruler). Nannan was known as a great enemy of the early Chera rulers. The family also had matrimonial alliances with the Chera, Pandya and Chola rulers in this period.

The Ezhimala polity gradually developed into a monarchical state (known as the Kolladesham) in the early medieval period. It came under the influence of medieval Chera kingdom in the early medieval period. The hereditary title of the Mushika kings in the medieval period was Ramaghata Mushaka (Malayalam: Iramakuta Muvar). Mushika royals seem to have assisted the Chera kings in their struggle against the Chola Empire. Two subsequent Chola inscriptions (c. 1005 AD, Rajaraja I and c. 1018–19, Rajadhiraja) mention the defeat of the Kolladesham and the fall of the Iramakuta Muvar. The presence of the Cholas in north Kerala (1020 AD) is confirmed by the Eramam inscription. The kingdom survived the Chera state, and came to be known as Kolathunad (Kannur-Kasaragod area) in the post-Chera period.

The Mushaka Vamsa Kavya, a dynastic chronicle composed in the 11th century by poet Athula, describes the history of the Mushika lineage. The medieval Mushikas were considered as Kshatriyas of Soma Vamsa. The dynasty also claimed descent from the legendary Heheya Kshatriyas.

The Mushika kings appear to have encouraged a variety of merchant guilds in their kingdom. Famous Indian guilds such as the anjuvannam, the manigramam, the valanchiyar and the nanadeshikal show their presence in the kingdom. The kings are also described as great champions of Hindu religion and temples. Some Mushika rulers are known for their patronage to a famous Buddhist vihara in central Kerala. Presence of Jewish merchants is also speculated in the ports of Mushika kingdom. A location in Madayi is still known as "the Jew's pond" (the Jutakkulam).

Etymology

The term "Mushika" or "Mushaka" is the Sanskrit translation of the ancient Tamil name "Ezhimalai" (the Ezhil Kunram). The name was incorrectly pronounced as "Elimala" (thus "the Mountain of the Rats") also.

The Ezhimala hill is described in Mushaka Vamsa Kavya as the "Mushaka Parvata". The early historic fort, under the Ettikulam Fort, is currently protected by Department of Archaeology, Kerala.

Origins

The ancient ruling family of the Ezhimala seems to have existed in northern Kerala at least from early historic (pre-Pallava) period.

Ancient Tamil poems also describe the polity of Ezhimalai (also Ezhilmalai) on the northern edge of Tamilakam on its west (Malabar) coast. The rulers of Ezhilmalai were the most prominent hill chieftains of ancient Kerala. The port known as "Naravu" was located in Ezhimalai chiefdom (Akam, 97). The "Muvan" chieftain of the early Tamil poems, described as an adversary of the early Chera chieftains, is also identical with the Muvan of Ezhimalai. The early historic Ezhimala clan had matrimonial alliances with the Chera, Pandya and Chola rulers . The family was also related to that of the rulers of Kantiramala.

Mahabharata, the Sanskrit epic poem of ancient India, also mention the Mushika as one of the kingdoms of the deep South of India, and is grouped with the Cheras, Pandyas and Cholas.

Ezhimala Nannan

There are repeated references to several rulers with the name or title "Nannan" in early Tamil literature. These include, among others, the Akananuru and Purananuru poems, the Natrinai, the Pathitruppathu and the Kurunthokai. Nannan was the ruler of Ezhimalai ("the Ezhil Kunram") in northern Kerala. The Vaka tree is described as the sacred tutelary tree of Nannan. He was known as a great enemy of the early (pre-Pallava) Chera rulers (western Tamil Nadu and central Kerala). He is also marked out as the hunter chieftain of the "vetar" descent group ("vetar-ko-man").

Nannan (the ruler of Pazhi)

Nannan is described as the ruler of "Pazhi" and "Param" by poet Paranar (Akam, 142 and 152). He was a companion of the Ay ruler (southern Kerala) Eyinan. Poems 351 and 396 from the Purananuru characterize Nannan and Ay Eyinan as relatives and as extremely close friends. So intimate was their relationship that Nannan renamed the "Pirampu" hills in his country as "Ay-pirampu".

In the battle of Pazhi, the warriors of Nannan led by certain Njimili (or Minjili) defeated the Tagadur Adigan ruler (the Satiyaputra) Neduman Anji. The Satiyaputra, on behalf of the Chera ruler Perumcheral Irumporai, had invaded Pazhi of Nannan with a large force. The Satiyaputra ruler was slain by Njimili or Minjili in the battle ("who won fame by putting to the sword vast numbers of enemies"). Njimili or Minjili also killed Ay ruler Eyinan, also in a fight at Pazhi (Akam, 141, 181, and 396, and Natrinai, 265).

Nannan was eventually defeated by Chera ruler "Kalankaykkanni" Narmudi Cheral (fl. c. 180 AD).

• Poet Kudavayur Kirattanar speaks about the defeat of certain Pazhayan by Nannan (Akam, 44). In another battle Nannan defeated a chieftain called Pindan (Akam, 152, and Natrinai, 270).

• In the meanwhile, Kosar people from Chellur (identified with present day Taliparamba) attacked Ezhimala country, and even cut down the vaka, the tutelary tree of Nannan. Nannan defeated the Kosars with help of Chola Ilanchettu Chenni, but Pazhi was sacked by the Cholas (Kurunthokai, 73 and Akam, 375).

Other references

Nannan (c. 210 AD), probably the son of the ruler of the same name, is also introduced in the early Tamil poems. He is celebrated in "Malaipadukkadam" by poet Perum Kausika and is also mentioned by Mankudi Marudan in "Maduraikkanchi". Another ruler of by the name is infamous for killing a young women (apparently for eating a fruit that came floating down to her in a stream). Another "Nannan" with the title "Udiyan" is mentioned as the "master of gold filled Pazhi".

There references to certain "Nannan", the ruler of "Konkanam". He is described as the Nannan dwelling in "Kanam" and as "Konkanam Kizhan" (the lord of Konkanam), and as the lord of the mountain Konkanam ("Ko Perunkanam") (Akam, 392).

Naravu/Naura

The port known as "Naravu" was located in Ezhimalai country (Akam, 97). It is generally identified with Naura, which is mentioned in the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea as a port somewhere north of Tyndis and Muziris. Naura generally generally identified with present-day Kannur).

Beyond Calliena there are other market-towns of this region; Semylla, Mandagora, Palaepatmae, Melizigara, Byzantium, Togarum and Aurannoboas. Then here are the islands called Sesecrienae and that of the Aegidii, and that of the Caenitae, opposite the place called Chersonesus (and in these places there are pirates), and after this the White Island. Then come Naura and Tyndis, the first markets of Damirica, and then Muziris and Nelcynda, which are now of leading importance. Tyndis is of the Kingdom of Cerobothra; it is a village in plain sight by the sea. Muziris, of the same Kingdom, abounds in ships sent there with cargoes from Arabia, and by the Greeks; it is located on a river, distant from Tyndis by river and sea five hundred stadia, and up the river from the shore twenty stadia.

— The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, 53–54

According to both Periplus of the Erythraean Sea and Pliny the Elder, Naura was located in the Tamil south India (Limyrike/Limerike or Damirica/Damirike), but outside the influence of the Chera rulers.

Descriptions in Tamil poems

The term "naravu" means honey or liquor in Tamil.

The sweet, ripe fruits covered with bees satisfy the travelers on the pathways and the town is rich with resources. The tireless warriors with bow and arrow shiver due to the cool winds from the sea. The chief is amidst tender women.

— Pathitruppathu 60

A kings' double nature: a guide to singers. His armies love Massacre, he loves war, yet gifts flow from him ceaselessly,

Come, dear singers. Let's go and see him in Naravu, where on trees no ax can fell, fruits ripen, unharmed by swarms of bees, egg-shaped , ready for the weary traveler in fields of steady, unfailing harvests;

where warriors with bows that never tire of arrows shiver but stand austere in the sea winds mixed with the lit cloud and the spray of seafoam.

There he is, in the town of Naravu, tender among tender women

— Pathitruppathu 60

Territorial extent

Ezhimala dynasty had jurisdiction over two Nadus - The coastal Poozhinadu and the hilly eastern Karkanadu. According to the works of Sangam literature, Poozhinadu consisted much of the coastal belt between Mangalore and Kozhikode. Karkanadu consisted of Wayanad-Gudalur hilly region with parts of Kodagu (Coorg). It is said that Nannan, the most renowned ruler of Ezhimala dynasty, took refuge at Wayanad hills in the 5th century CE when he was lost to Cheras, just before his execution in a battle, according to the Sangam works. The Ezhimala/Mushika Kingdom at the peak of its power, reportedly extended from Netravati River (Mangalore) in the north to Korapuzha (Kozhikode) in the south with Arabian Sea on the west and Kodagu hills on the eastern boundary, also including the isolated islands of Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea.

Until the 16th century CE, Kasargod town was known by the name Kanhirakode (may be by the meaning, 'The land of Kanhira Trees') in Malayalam. The Kumbla dynasty, who swayed over the land of southern Tulu Nadu wedged between Chandragiri River and Netravati River (including present-day Taluks of Manjeshwar and Kasaragod) from Maipady Palace at Kumbla, had also been vassals to the Kolathunadu/Kolathiri rulers, before the Carnatic conquests of Vijayanagara Empire. The Kumbla dynasty had a mixed lineage of Malayali Nairs and Tuluva Brahmins. They also claimed their origin from Cheraman Perumals of Kerala. Francis Buchanan-Hamilton states that the customs of Kumbla dynasty were similar to those of the contemporary Malayali kings, though Kumbla was considered as the southernmost region of Tulu Nadu.

In his book on travels (Il Milione), Marco Polo recounts his visit to the area in the mid 1290s. Other visitors included Faxian, the Buddhist pilgrim and Ibn Batuta, writer and historian of Tangiers. The Arabic inscription on a copper slab within the Madayi Mosque in Kannur records its foundation year as 1124 CE.

Medieval Mushikas

Medieval Kolla-desam (or the Mushika-rajya) stretched on the banks of Kavvai, Koppam and Valappattanam rivers.

Origins from Mushaka Vamsa Kavya

The medieval Mushikas rulers professed to be of the Hehaya line (the Hehayas being themselves Yadavas). The first Mushika king, consecrated by Parashurama as the kshatriya king of the country, according to the poem, was son of a widowed queen from Mahismati. The queen had escaped from the wrath of Parashurama and fled to the divine Ezhimala Mountain. This king’s son succeeded him in as the Mushika ruler.

The Vaishnava Garuda banner was the flag-sign of the medieval Mushika rulers.

Relation to the Chera rulers

The Kolla-desham (or the Mushika-rajya) came under the influence of the medieval Chera kingdom in the early medieval period. The reign of Chera ruler Vijayaraga (late 9th century AD) probably witnessed the expansion of Chera influence into the Mushika country. However, the repeated Chola references (early 11th century AD) to several kings in medieval Kerala confirms that the sovereign power of the Chera rulers was restricted to central Kerala (the country around capital Mahodayapuram-Kodungallur). The medieval Chera authority remained nominal in northern and southern Kerala compared with the power that local rulers (such as that of the Mushika in the north and Venad in the south) exercised politically and militarily.

Mushika rulers from medieval inscriptions (10th - 12th centuries AD)

1. Validhara Vikrama Rama (c. 929 AD) — mentioned in the Ezhimala-Narayankannur inscription.
2. Kantan Karivarman alias "Ramakuta Muvar" (c. 1020 AD) — mentioned in an Eramam inscription of Chera Bhaskara Ravi Manukuladitya (10th/11th century AD).
3. "Mushikesvara" Jayamani (c. 1020 AD) — Tiruvadur inscription.
4. "Ramakuta Muvar" (as a donor to the Tiruvalla temple in Tiruvalla Copper Plates/Huzur Treasury Plates).
5. Udaya Varma alias "Ramakuta Muvar " (early 12th century AD) — mentioned in the Kannapuram inscription.

Chola attacks on Mushika kingdom (Kolla-desam)

Corrections by M. G. S. Narayanan on K. A. Nilakanta Sastri and Elamkulam P. N. Kunjan Pillai are employed.

• In 1005 AD, i. e., 20 regnal year of emperor Rajaraja I (985–1014 AD), there is a reference (in the Senur inscription) to the defeat of the "haughty" kings at Kollam, Kolladesam and Kodungallur at the hand of Rajaraja. The "Kolladesam" is identified with the Mushika kingdom in north Kerala. According to scholars, "plunder is emphasised more than conquest and it is likely that the victories at Kollam in the south, Kodungallur in the center and Kolladesam in the north of Kerala have been primarily the achievement of naval forces".

• Chola emperor Rajadhiraja (1019–1044–1053/4 AD) is stated to have "confined the undaunted king of Venad to Chenatu, destroyed the Iramakuta Muvar in anger, and put on a fresh garland of Vanchi flowers after capturing Kantalur Salai while the strong Villavan hid himself in terror inside the jungle". The Ramakuta Muvar is not named in the above Chola prasasti (the above events are dated to around 1018–19 AD).
• The presence of Chola army in north Kerala (1020 AD) is confirmed by the Eramam inscription of Chera ruler Bhaskara Ravi Manukuladitya (10th/11th century AD) (which mentions a meeting attended by Rajendra Chola Samaya Senapati in the Chalappuram Temple).

The Ramanthali/Ezhimala-Narayankannur inscription (1075 AD) notably mentions Alupa king Kunda Alupa.

Inscriptions

Inscriptions mentioning Mushika rules by name/title

Inscriptions related to Mushika country

Records mentioning Chera rulers from Mushika country

Miscellaneous records

Udaya Varma Kolattiri

An inscription discovered from Kannappuram Temple, found fixed on a platform outside the prakara of the temple, in old Malayalam mentions king "Udaya Varma Ramakuta Muvar". The record give details of land set apart for the expenses of the Kannapuram Temple. The inscription can be attributed to the early years of the 12th century on the basis of script and language.

King Udaya Varma of Karippattu palace in Kolattunadu is described as a favourite of the medieval Chera king in traditional Kerala chronicles. He is described as the overlord of the Fort Valapattanam, the medieval Chera king's Palace, the Taliparamba Temple, and the Perinchellur Brahmin village.

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v t e State of Kerala
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Municipal corporations	Thiruvananthapuram Kozhikode Kochi Kollam Thrissur Kannur
Municipalities	Adoor Anthoor Alappuzha Aluva Angamaly Attingal Chalakudy Changanassery Chavakkad Chengannur Cherthala Chittur-Thathamangalam Eloor Guruvayur Irinjalakuda Iritty Kalamassery Kalpetta Kanhangad Karunagappalli Kasaragod Kattappana Kayamkulam Kodungallur Kondotty Kuthuparamba Kothamangalam, Kerala Kottakkal Kottarakkara Kottayam Koyilandy Kunnamkulam Malappuram Manjeri Maradu Mattanur Mavelikkara Muvattupuzha Nedumangad Neyyattinkara Nilambur Nileshwaram North Paravur Ottapalam Pala Palakkad Panoor Parappanangadi Paravur Pathanamthitta Payyanur Perinthalmanna Perumbavoor Ponnani Punalur Shoranur Sreekandapuram Tanur Thalassery Taliparamba Thiruvalla Thodupuzha Thrikkakkara Thrippunithura Tirur Tirurangadi Valanchery Vatakara Vaikom Varkala
Other towns	North Edappal Thavanur Puthanathani Kottakkal Angadipuram Mankada Kuttippuram Karipur Areekode Wandoor Vengara Vallikkunnu Olavanna Kunnamangalam Thamarassery Thiruvambady Kodencheri Balussery Perambra Nadapuram Kuttiady Lakkidi Vythiri Chundale Meppadi Kottappadi Part Muttil Padinharethara Meenangadi Panamaram Pulpally Peravoor Dharmadom Anjarakkandy Muzhappilangad Azhikode Cherukunnu Pappinisseri Kalliasseri Irikkur Alakode Thrikaripur Cheruvathur Bekal Udma Vellarikundu Parappa Karadka Kumbla Mangalpady Uppala Manjeshwar Central Peermade Vandiperiyar Kumily Rajakkad Munnar Devikulam Adimali Kolenchery Puthencruz Kunnathunad Kalady Malayattoor Chottanikkara Udayamperoor Varappuzha Sreemoolanagaram Nedumbassery Mala Kodakara Puthukkad Manaloor Pavaratty Chelakkara Vadakkencherry Alathur Nemmara Puthunagaram Malampuzha Sreekrishnapuram Lakkidi-Perur Thrithala South Parassala Balaramapuram Kattakada Chirayinkeezhu Kilimanoor Parippally Chathannoor Kottiyam Kundara Neendakara Chavara Oachira Sasthamkotta Kunnathur Anchal Kadakkal Pathanapuram Thenmala Kulathupuzha Kozhencherry Konni Ranni Mallapally Kumbanad Aranmula Kulanada Omallur Vadasserikara Parumala Mannar Charummoodu Ambalappuzha Mararikulam Aroor Kanjirappally Erumely Mundakayam Vazhoor Karukachal Pampady Puthuppally Kuravilangad Uzhavoor Thalayolaparambu Kaduthuruthy
Historical regions	Kolathunadu (Kingdom of Cannanore) Zamorin Malabar North Malabar South Malabar Cochin Venad (kingdom) Travancore Travancore–Cochin
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History	Sangam period Edakkal Caves Ariyannur Umbrellas Kudakkallu Parambu Chovvanur burial cave Chera Zamorin of Calicut Venad Swaroopam Kingdom of Cannanore Kerala school Battle of Kulachal Arakkal kingdom Lakshadweep Anglo-Mysore Wars Battle of Quilon Vaikom Satyagraham Perumpadapu Swaroopam Malabar Migration
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Tourism	Alappuzha Athirappilly Falls Beaches in Kerala Bekal Chembra Peak Kerala Backwaters Kollam Places of Interest in Malappuram Tourist attractions in Kannur Islands of Kollam Tourist attractions of Palakkad Kovalam Tourism in Kasaragod Munnar Muzhappilangad Beach Peruvanam List of tourist attractions in Kozhikode Estuaries of Paravur Tourism in Thiruvananthapuram Vallam kali Wayanad
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