When we were in the third standard, our teacher spread the map of our Cochin state on the wall and explained that the top of the map is North and the bottom South, left side West and the right side East. It took a long time for me to visualize the directions and I used to keep any map on the floor, with the top pointing to the real North!
The teacher explained that Bharathapuzha river is our northern border and the mountains in the east (to me, wrongly called the Western Ghats: how do we call the eastern mountains Western?) a natural border. There is confusion about the western border which should have been the sea.The coastal strip was under the control Samoodiri who was defeated by Tippu Sultan and the latter by the British; hence it was known as British Malabar.The southern border was fluctuating as a result of wars between our state and Travancore, and resulting treaties. In some places Alwaye river was the border, but Ernakulam district was our territory.
I say all this because the present generation is totally unaware of these things.
I feel that the size of our state is ideal as an administrative unit because people can reach the H.Q even by walk! Trichur, the cultural centre of Malayalanadu, should have been the capital.
Traditionally, we namboodiries marry the princesses of the royal family. So practically, kings are namboodiries and as simple as namboodiries in dress (or, the lack of it) and food and other habits. I wonder whether they ever touch a sword, except on ceremonial occasions. You may see things kept in Trichur museum.
A namboodiri never tells a lie or accept a bribe. My relative, with half a dozen girls, some still unmarried and studying, retired as DSP, with practically no money, except his pension. Nobody will believe it.During the regime of EMS Namboodiripad, when the rice growing Palakkad was cordoned off for procurement of paddy(rice) the DSP was posted there to ensure strict compliance.
My uncle, a teacher, was surprised and very much irritated, when he saw a stranger knocking at his door with a basket of fruits. I t was after merger of our state with Travancore, where bribery is accepted as something normal by all. The fellow managed to know that uncle was valuing a paper of his son and wanted to influence the marking. Ofcourse, uncle politely, but very firmly, drove him away, along with the basket.
Kochi is the only natural harbour in this part and has the lifting rail bridge for allowing ships to pass. It is a good tourist destination.
In historical times, Kodungallur(Cranganore)was a big port and a centre of Budhist culture. The royal family there produced literary gems(children of namboodiries) like Kunjukuttan thampuran,who wrote Mahabharatam in verse form, in simple Malayalam, continuously dictating to two people simultaneously, as he cannot wait even for a minute! The king wanted a rail line to connect Kochi to Shoranur. In those days, railways were owned by private British companies who had to be paid the cost of construction, for meeting which, the King sold gold ornaments of temples! Raja of Cochin was the poorest king in the world and the people least taxed! Ah! Today we are maximum taxed so that rulers can enjoy life like Kings.
I WONDER WHETHER ANY KINGDOM IN INDIA WAS A DREAM LAND AS COHIN STATE.
The teacher explained that Bharathapuzha river is our northern border and the mountains in the east (to me, wrongly called the Western Ghats: how do we call the eastern mountains Western?) a natural border. There is confusion about the western border which should have been the sea.The coastal strip was under the control Samoodiri who was defeated by Tippu Sultan and the latter by the British; hence it was known as British Malabar.The southern border was fluctuating as a result of wars between our state and Travancore, and resulting treaties. In some places Alwaye river was the border, but Ernakulam district was our territory.
I say all this because the present generation is totally unaware of these things.
I feel that the size of our state is ideal as an administrative unit because people can reach the H.Q even by walk! Trichur, the cultural centre of Malayalanadu, should have been the capital.
Traditionally, we namboodiries marry the princesses of the royal family. So practically, kings are namboodiries and as simple as namboodiries in dress (or, the lack of it) and food and other habits. I wonder whether they ever touch a sword, except on ceremonial occasions. You may see things kept in Trichur museum.
A namboodiri never tells a lie or accept a bribe. My relative, with half a dozen girls, some still unmarried and studying, retired as DSP, with practically no money, except his pension. Nobody will believe it.During the regime of EMS Namboodiripad, when the rice growing Palakkad was cordoned off for procurement of paddy(rice) the DSP was posted there to ensure strict compliance.
My uncle, a teacher, was surprised and very much irritated, when he saw a stranger knocking at his door with a basket of fruits. I t was after merger of our state with Travancore, where bribery is accepted as something normal by all. The fellow managed to know that uncle was valuing a paper of his son and wanted to influence the marking. Ofcourse, uncle politely, but very firmly, drove him away, along with the basket.
Kochi is the only natural harbour in this part and has the lifting rail bridge for allowing ships to pass. It is a good tourist destination.
In historical times, Kodungallur(Cranganore)was a big port and a centre of Budhist culture. The royal family there produced literary gems(children of namboodiries) like Kunjukuttan thampuran,who wrote Mahabharatam in verse form, in simple Malayalam, continuously dictating to two people simultaneously, as he cannot wait even for a minute! The king wanted a rail line to connect Kochi to Shoranur. In those days, railways were owned by private British companies who had to be paid the cost of construction, for meeting which, the King sold gold ornaments of temples! Raja of Cochin was the poorest king in the world and the people least taxed! Ah! Today we are maximum taxed so that rulers can enjoy life like Kings.
I WONDER WHETHER ANY KINGDOM IN INDIA WAS A DREAM LAND AS COHIN STATE.
No comments:
Post a Comment