Formation of Naduvazhis in Medieval Kerala
The Age of Swarupams and Naduvazhis (c. 1100–1800 CE) marks an
important phase in the medieval history of Kerala. This period emerged
after the decline of the Chera Perumal state, which led to the breakdown
of centralised political authority. In the absence of a strong central power,
political control passed into the hands of local chieftains called
Naduvazhis, who ruled over small territorial units known as Nadus. This
transition marked the end of Kerala as a politically unified state.
The Swarupams, or ruling houses, were the dominant political institutions
of this age.Swarupams controlled several Nadus and exercised authority
through Naduvazhis. The origin of the Swarupam system is unclear, as
the term does not appear in the inscriptions of the Perumal period.
Swarupams were essentially large joint families or households, whose
members lived in several kovilakams. Political authority within these
ruling houses was organised on the basis of Kuruvazhcha, a system that
denoted a gradation of rights and privileges based on seniority
(muttakur). This seniority order was known as Muppumura, which
regulated succession and governance.As powerful janmis (landlords),
Swarupams collected land revenue and received dues and tolls from
trading centres. Their economic power formed the basis of their political
dominance. The Chera inscriptions allude to the existence of
Kuruvazhcha, indicating continuity as well as transformation in political
institutions.
The Age of Swarupams and Naduvazhis (c. 1100–1800 CE) marks an
important phase in the medieval history of Kerala. This period emerged
after the decline of the Chera Perumal state, which led to the breakdown
of centralised political authority. In the absence of a strong central power,
political control passed into the hands of local chieftains called
Naduvazhis, who ruled over small territorial units known as Nadus. This
transition marked the end of Kerala as a politically unified state.
The Swarupams, or ruling houses, were the dominant political institutions
of this age.Swarupams controlled several Nadus and exercised authority
through Naduvazhis. The origin of the Swarupam system is unclear, as
the term does not appear in the inscriptions of the Perumal period.
Swarupams were essentially large joint families or households, whose
members lived in several kovilakams. Political authority within these
ruling houses was organised on the basis of Kuruvazhcha, a system that
denoted a gradation of rights and privileges based on seniority
(muttakur). This seniority order was known as Muppumura, which
regulated succession and governance.As powerful janmis (landlords),
Swarupams collected land revenue and received dues and tolls from
trading centres. Their economic power formed the basis of their political
dominance. The Chera inscriptions allude to the existence of
Kuruvazhcha, indicating continuity as well as transformation in political
institutions.
