Kerala History and Its Makers

by A. Sreedhara Menon

This volume deals with the history of Kerala with special attention to select historical personages who had played significant roles in shaping the history and culture of Kerala through the ages. Vasco Da Gama, St. Thomas, Sankaracharya, Kula Sekhara Alwar, Sankaranarayana, Ravi Varma Kulasekhara, Kunhali Marakkar, Tunchath Ezhuthachan, Shaik Zainuddin, Marthanda Varma, Kunchan Nambiar, Sakthan Tampuran, Tipu Sultan, Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja, Veluthampi Dalawa, Swati Tirunal, Dr. Hermann Gundert, Raja Ravi Varma, Chattampi Swamikal, Sri Narayana Guru, Sri Chitira Tirunal, and the heroes and heroines of Northern Ballads like Aromal Chekavar, Unniarcha, Aromalunni, Tacholi Othenan were some among them whose noteworthy contributions to the culture, economy, religion, language, literature, history, politics, astronomy, and social reforms of Kerala are penned in detail.

Genres: History, India, Nonfiction

245 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Professor Alappat Sreedhara Menon was born on December 18, 1925 at Eranakulam, India.
He completed his M.A. Degree in history as a private candidate from the University of Madras with first rank in 1948.
Went to Harvard University on a Fulbright Travel Grant and a Smith-Mundt Scholarship and secured Masters Degree in Political Science from there with specialization in International Relations.
Worked in various capacities such as Professor of History, State Editor of the Kerala Gazetteers, Registrar of the University of Kerala and UGC visiting Professor in the University of Calicut.
He held many other positions during his eventful career. Apart from compiling eight District Gazetteers of Kerala he has written more than 25 books in English and Malayalam.
In 2008, Indian Government honored him by giving the Padma Bhushan award, India's third highest civilian honor.
His Padma Bhushan citation describes him as
"a distinguished academician from Kerala who has rendered meritorious service to the cause of education and Literature... (and) left his mark as a teacher of History, author of historical works and educational administrator."

Reviews

[Devi · Rating 5 out of 5]

In ancient kerala, more than a millenium ago, every occupation was considered a dignified one.
Did you know that rigid social barriers were absent in Kerala during the early phase of the Sangam age?
Did you know that victorious Chera kings used to wear anklets made out of crowns worn by vanquished kings? Did you know that educational institutions (Salais) at Kandalur in the Ay kingdom of 9th century Kerala was called the "Nalanda of the South"? Did you know that uptill 12th century in the age of the Kulashekara empire till the rise of Venad kingdom, patrilineal system was the chosen method among Kerala royals to inherit the throne?

This book teems with historical facts, and therefore, makes an interesting read. There is all kind of information on everything related to Kerala ranging from origins of ethnic groups in people of Kerala, chronicles on historical figures (well known and unknown) to chronology of all kinds of social, political, religious, cultural changes in Kerala right from ancient times till independence era.

The only flaw lies in the manner in which the whole book is composed. Everything is hastily cramped together. The sub sections within a chapter aren't well connected with each other. Though the language used is simple, the writing style isn't organic. This might tire readers who aren't passionate about History. Still, the book is quite useful for anyone curious about Kerala and Keralites.

[Sujith Subramanian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a fan of history being narrated as sequence of profound acts committed by "great men", but rather, a believer in the fact that history is a sequence of events caused by economics, climate, reforms, etc. However, the care taken in the selection of "great men" whose lives have been detailed in this book, ensures that it is an easy read!

[Saju · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very informative book, I liked the concise and to the point manner in which the author writes.
There are typos, however it is minor enough to ignore it.
It should be included in every malayali's library as History 101, of course you can always refer to the bibliography in order to get more in-depth details on any one of the historical characters or events covered in the book.
Highly recommended!!

[Murari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Characters chosen in the book to tell the history of the state is very good.