Early Inhabitants of Kerala

There is a very interesting mythological famous legend that mentions the origin of the land of Kerala – God’s own country.

The legend says that Warrior Sage -Parasuram, the 6th avatar of Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe, stood on a lofty cliff and ordered the violent sea to recede by throwing his warrior axe in the sea. The sea obeyed his commands and the land that egressed of the sea waters came to be known as Kerala, the land of abundance and affluence.

Nothing definitely can be said about the original, early inhabitants of Kerala as there are no evidences or records, however according to the Archaeologists, the early inhabitants of Kerala were the hunters and food gatherers of Negrito tribe who were expert in knowledge of herbal and could miraculously interpret natural calamities. Other inhabitants were Kuravas, Pulayas and Vetas.

Then came the the Austriches or the Austric people who resembled the present-day Aborigines of Australia. These people pioneered the cultivation of vegetables and rice that is still practiced in Kerala till date. The Austriches also brought in the snake-worship in Kerala. These Austric characteristics are still predominant among the Keralites.

The Austric people were followed by the Dravidians who migrated from the Mediterranean region. Remarkable similarities have been found in the customs, languages and other racial traits between these Mediterranean people and the people of Sri Lanka and Indus Valley Civilizations. Originally the Dravidians are a mixture of Negritoes, Proto-Australoids and the Mediterranean people. However they did not worship the serpent and instead worshipped Mother Goddess in her numerous forms- Punisher, Protecter, and an entity of wealth and wisdom. This Dravidian culture is reflected in all the Malayalees. The Dravidians occupied the western part of Indian Peninsula and regarded Madurai their capital. They built rock-cut tombs and megaliths in the lateritic regions of Kerala.

The Aryans migrated to Kerala from the north around the fifth century B.C. With them, they brought Hinduism,

The Dravidians drifted away southwards but left behind their substantial cultural contribution on the Aryans (Indo - Iranians) who brought Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism along with them. But yet Kerala still has the predominant impact and influence of the Dravidians in all aspects of their life.

The first documented history of Kerala is found in the inscriptions of Ashoka, the Mauryan Monarch, (269-232 BC) where he mentions about four kingdoms that existed to the south of his empire and Kerala being one of them.

He sent monks to spread Buddhism to different parts of India including Keralaputra or Kerala.