科钦王国

The Kingdom of Cochin or the Cochin State, also known as Perumpadappu Swaroopam, named after its capital in the city of Kochi (Cochin), was a kingdom in the central part of present-day Kerala state. It originated in the early part of the 12th century and continued to rule until its accession to the Dominion of India in 1949.

The kingdom of Cochin, originally known as Perumpadappu Swaroopam, was under the rule of the Later Cheras in the Middle Ages. After the fall of the Mahodayapuram Cheras in the 12th century, along with numerous other provinces Perumpadappu Swaroopam became a free political entity. However, it was only after the arrival of Portuguese on the Malabar Coast that the Perumpadappu Swaroopam acquires any political importance. Perumpadappu rulers had family relationships with the Nambudiri rulers of Edappally. After the transfer of Kochi and Vypin from the Edappally rulers to the Perumpadappu rulers, the latter came to be known as kings of Kochi.

Historically, the capital of Cochin was in Kodungallur (Cranganore), but in 1341, the capital was moved to Cochin to remedy a disastrous flood. By the early 15th century, Cochin lost its ability to fully defend itself. By the late 15th century, the kingdom had shrunk to its minimal extent as a result of invasions by the Zamorin of Calicut.

When Portuguese armadas arrived in India, the kingdom of Cochin had lost its vassals to the Zamorins, including Edapalli and Cranganore, the later of which had even been at the centre of the kingdom historically. Cochin was looking for an opportunity to preserve its independence, which was at risk.……

History

Origin

There is no extant written evidence about the emergence of the kingdom of Cochin or of the Cochin royal family, also known as Perumpadapu Swaroopam. All that is recorded are folk tales and stories, and a somewhat blurred historical picture about the origins of the ruling dynasty.

Early history

The original headquarters of the kingdom was at Perumpadappu near Ponnani in present-day Malappuram district.……

Administration

For administrative purposes, Cochin was divided into seven taluks (from 1860 to 1905 AD): Chittur, Cochin, Cranganore, Kanayannur, Mukundapuram, Trichur, and Talapilly.

Capitals

The capital of Perumpadapu Swaroopam was located at Chitrakooda in the Perumpadapu village of Vanneri from the beginning of the 12th century to the end of the 13th century.……

List of Maharajas of Cochin

Veerakerala Varma, nephew of Cheraman Perumal, is the person traditionally believed to be the first Maharaja of Cochin. The written records of the dynasty, however, date from 1503 CE. The Maharaja of Cochin was also called Gangadhara Kovil Adhikaarikal, meaning head of all temples.……

As a Portuguese ally

Unniraman Koyikal II (1503-1537)

Chiefs of Cochin

The Paliath Achan of the Paliam family of Chendamangalam, played an important part in the politics of Cochin State since the early seventeenth century, and held hereditary rights to the ministership of Cochin.……

Matrilineal inheritance

The Cochin royal family followed the system of matrilineal succession known as Marumakkatayam.

Traditionally the female members of the family marry with Namboodiri Brahmins while male members marry women of the Nair/Menon class.……

Traditional rituals

The term "Shodasakriyakal" refers to sixteen rites to be performed by all members, as structured through "Smruthi".

Sekom (Garbhaadhaanam): A rite to be performed just before the first sexual intercourse after marriage.

Pumsavanom: To be performed just after conception.

Parukutty Nethyar Amma

Maharaja Rama Varma (popularly known as Madrassil Theepetta Thampuran), who reigned from 1914 to 1932, was assisted by a particularly able consort named Parukutty Nethyar Amma. She was a member of the famous Thrissur Vadakke Kurupath family which was an aristocratic Nair/Menon family.……

Cochin royal family today

Members of the dynasty are spread all over the world. The family is one of the world's largest royal families, numbering more than 1,000 people, and many members of the family still live in and around Thripunithura, Thrissur (Chazhur), and other parts of Kochi.……