Samoothiri–Polarthiri war
Encyclopedia
Following the end of the Chera kingdom, the city of Calicut and its suburbs formed part of the Polanad Kingdom ruled by the Porlatiri. The Eradis of Nediyirippu in Ernad (somewhere around present Kondotty) where land-locked and sought an outlet to the sea to initiate trade and commerce with the distant lands. To accomplish this, the Eradis marched with their Nairs towards Panniankara and besieged the Porlatiri in his headquarters, resulting in a 50-year long war(c. 1290 - 1340) called Samoothiri - Polarthiri Wars.
s. According to legends, two Eradis brothers known as Manikkan and Vikraman established the ruling family at Nediyirippu. Eranad was a small fiefdom, one of the four states that made up the Chera Empire. The others were Kolathunadu
, Perumpadappu
,Nedungadu and Venadu. After the breakup of the Chera empire in the 12th century AD, several of its chieftains proclaimed independence. The Eradis in order to gain access to the sea and establish trade with foreign lands marched towards the coastal fiefdom of Polanad. The Porlathiri, the ruler of Polanad was killed during 48 year long war. The Eradis subsequently moved their capital to the coastal marshy lands and established the city of Kozhikode, then also called 'Thrivikramapuram'. The events coincided with the great flood of Periyar
river in about 1341 AD that led to silting of the harbour of Kodungallur
(Cranganore), a town with flourishing trade with the Arab
, Roman
and Chinese
empires. The near destruction of the Kodungallur port led to the rise in prosperity of Kochi
(Cochin) and Kozhikode. The Zamorin assumed the title of Samudrāthiri ("one who has the sea for his border") and continued to rule from Kozhikode. The title Samudrāthiri was shortened to Sāmoothiri over time in common usage. The present Saamoothiri is Kunhikuttan Raja of Thriukunna Kovilakam.
Background
The Saamoothiri originally were the rulers of Eranad and were known as the EradiEradi
Eradi is a Samanthan Nair clan of Kshatriya origin, coming from the Indian state of Kerala. The word is derived from the place name Eranad in Kerala. The "Samoothiri" comes from this Eradi subcaste, now assimilated to Nair, the major upper caste of state of Kerala. Historically the Eradis numbered...
s. According to legends, two Eradis brothers known as Manikkan and Vikraman established the ruling family at Nediyirippu. Eranad was a small fiefdom, one of the four states that made up the Chera Empire. The others were Kolathunadu
Kolathunadu
Kolathunādu was one of the three most powerful feudal kingdoms on the Malabar Coast during the arrival Portuguese Armadas to India along with Zamorin's Calicut and Venad. Kolathunād had its capital at Ezhimala and was ruled by Kolathiri royal family and roughly comprised the whole northern...
, Perumpadappu
Perumpadappu
For the kingdom of Cochin or Perumpadapu Swaroopam, see Perumpadapu SwaroopamPerumpadappu is a small area of Palluruthy region of Cochin city of Ernakulam district, Kerala. It is stretch around 4 km2. It holds 3 temples and 2 main churches and a mosque to its credit...
,Nedungadu and Venadu. After the breakup of the Chera empire in the 12th century AD, several of its chieftains proclaimed independence. The Eradis in order to gain access to the sea and establish trade with foreign lands marched towards the coastal fiefdom of Polanad. The Porlathiri, the ruler of Polanad was killed during 48 year long war. The Eradis subsequently moved their capital to the coastal marshy lands and established the city of Kozhikode, then also called 'Thrivikramapuram'. The events coincided with the great flood of Periyar
Periyar
Periyar may refer to*Periyar , a major river in Kerala*Periyar district, the erstwhile name for Erode district in Tamil Nadu*Periyar National Park*Periyar E. V. Ramasamy, a Tamil social reformer...
river in about 1341 AD that led to silting of the harbour of Kodungallur
Kodungallur
Kodungallur is a municipality in Thrissur District, in the state of Kerala, India on the Malabar Coast. Kodungallur is located about 29 km northwest of Kochi city and 38 km Southwest of Thrissur, on National Highway 17 . Muziris the ancient seaport at the mouth of the Periyar River was...
(Cranganore), a town with flourishing trade with the Arab
Arab
Arab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
, Roman
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
and Chinese
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
empires. The near destruction of the Kodungallur port led to the rise in prosperity of Kochi
Kochi (India)
Kochi , formerly Cochin, is a major port city on the west coast of India by the Arabian Sea. Kochi is part of the district of Ernakulam in the state of Kerala. Kochi is often called by the name Ernakulam, which refers to the western part of the mainland Kochi...
(Cochin) and Kozhikode. The Zamorin assumed the title of Samudrāthiri ("one who has the sea for his border") and continued to rule from Kozhikode. The title Samudrāthiri was shortened to Sāmoothiri over time in common usage. The present Saamoothiri is Kunhikuttan Raja of Thriukunna Kovilakam.