Ezhimala, early historic headquarters of Mushika dynasty
Capital
Ezhimala (early historic)
Kollam (early medieval)
Karippattu, Taliparamba (c. 12th century)
Common languages
Tamil, Malayalam, Sanskrit
Religion
Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism
History
• Established
c. 6th century BC
• Disestablished
11th century AD
Today part of
India
Mushika dynasty, also spelled Mushaka, was a minor dynastic power that held sway over the region in and around Mount Ezhi (Ezhimala) in present-day North Malabar, Kerala, India.[1][2] The country of the Mushikas, ruled by an ancient lineage of the Hehaya clan of the same name, appears in early historic (pre-Pallava) south India[3][4] and it is believed that Mushika dynasty has their descents from Heheya Kingdom. Early Tamil poems contain several references to the exploits of Nannan of Ezhimalai.[5] Nannan was known as a great enemy of the pre-Pallava Chera chieftains.[5] The clan also had matrimonial alliances with the Chera, Pandya and Chola chieftains.[6] The Kolathunadu (Kannur) Kingdom, which was the descendant of Mushika dynasty, 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.[7]
The Mushika/Ezhimala kingdom/chiefdom gradually developed into a monarchical polity (known as Kolla-desam[8]) in the early medieval period.[5] The medieval Mushikas were considered as Kshatriyas of Soma Vamsa.[9] The hereditary title of the Mushika kings in the medieval period was Ramaghata Musaka (Malayalam: Iramakuta Muvar).[10][11] The Mushaka Vamsa Kavya, a dynastic chronicle composed in the 11th century by poet Athula, describes the history of the Mushika lineage.[12][13]
Mushika kingdom came under the influence of Chera/Perumal kingdom in the 11th century AD.[14] Mushika royals seem to have assisted the Chera/Perumal kings in their struggle against the Chola Empire.[13][9] Two subsequent Chola inscriptions (c. 1005 AD, Rajaraja I and c. 1018–19, Rajadhiraja) mention the defeat of the Kolla-desam and the fall of the Iramakuta Muvar.[8][9][11] The presence of the Cholas in north Kerala (1020 AD) is confirmed by the Eramam inscription.[11] The kingdom survived the Chera/Perumal state, and came to be known as Kolathunad (Kannur-Kasaragod area) in the post-Chera/Perumal period.[5]
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.[9] 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).[9]
^Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 178.
^A. Sreedhara Menon (4 March 2011). Kerala History and its Makers. DC Books. p. 1. ISBN 9788126437825.
^Gurukkal, Rajan. “DID STATE EXIST IN THE PRE-PALLAVAN TAMIL REGION.” Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, vol. 63, 2002, pp. 138–150.
^Ganesh, K.N. (1 August 2009). "Lived Spaces in History: A Study in Human Geography in the Context of Sangam Texts". Studies in History. 25 (2): 151–195. doi:10.1177/025764301002500201. ISSN 0257-6430. PMID 20662174. S2CID 20543161.
^ abcdNarayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 195.
^Cite error: The named reference :4 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Cite error: The named reference Kola Swaroopam was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ abNarayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 118-119 and 137-138.
^ abcdeNarayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 180-182.
^Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 140-141.
^ abcNarayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 122-123 and 141.
^Thapar, Romila, The Penguin History of Early India: From the Origins to AD 1300. Penguin Books, 2002. 394-95.
^ abNarayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 178-179.
^Ganesh, K.N. (June 2009). "Historical Geography of Natu in South India with Special Reference to Kerala". Indian Historical Review. 36 (1): 3–21. doi:10.1177/037698360903600102. ISSN 0376-9836. S2CID 145359607.
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