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History
The name Kerala is now widely explained today as the "the land of
coconuts", derived from Malayalam word "kera" which means coconut. But history
shows that Ashokan edits dating back to 273-236 BC had mentioned Keralaputra (the
land of the sons of Cheras) and it is from this that the name has originated.
 Not
much is known about the history of this region of the period after the Ashokan
edicts, except the fact that there was extensive trading with the Romans from
this region. Chera was the first large empire that took roots in this state, and
continued to use Tamil till 7th century as their administrative language. This
shows the influence and power that Tamils exerted over this region. Cheras established
a wide network of trade links not only with Indian businessmen, but also with
countries outside ranging from Sumatra to Cordoba. The Chera power declined in
the 10th century AD, after Cholas, the rulers of Tamil Nadu, were successful in
overthrowing the dynasty.
After the decline of Cholas in the 11th century,
gradually political power in the state went into the hands of the Zamorin of Calicut.
In 1496, Vasco da Gama became the first European to find a route to India through
sea and started a long-time fight for the power in this region between the Portuguese,
British, and Dutch. This fight marginalized the local powers, though the Zamorin
made a fight back in the early 17th century when they gained the external support
from the Dutch and British in return for trading rights from Kerala.
For a brief period in the middle of 18th century AD, Travancore, with the help
of petty kingdoms, tried to control the political power of Kerala. Haider Ali
and Tipu Sultan also tried to annexe the areas south of Travancore, but could
not fulfil their dream as they were attacked by the British from the east and
had to withdraw. The local chieftains in Kerala looked up to the British to save
them from the wrath of Tipu and consequently the British took control of the forts
previously held by Tipu. After Tipu's first defeat by the British, the Seringpatnam
Treaty brought all the captured parts of Kerala directly under the British and
Travancore and Kochi became princely states under the British.
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