Mushika dynasty
Mushika dynasty, also spelled Mushaka, also Eli or Ezhi, was a minor dynastic power that held sway over the region in and around Mount Ezhi, northern Kerala, south India, from the early historic period up to the medieval period.
The country of the Ezhimala, ruled by an ancient chiefly lineage, appears in early historic south India. Early Tamil poems contain several references to the exploits of Nannan, the ruler of Ezhimala who famously defeated the Tagadur Satiyaputra ruler. Nannan was known as a great enemy of the early Chera rulers of western Tamil Nadu and central Kerala. The famous Kottayam Coin Hoard, a massive cache of mostly Julio-Claudian coins, was also discovered from the Ezhimala country.
The Ezhimala polity evolved into a monarchical state in the early medieval period and soon came under the influence of the neighboring Chera kingdom. The Ezhimala or Mushika rulers are recorded to have supported the Cheras in their conflicts with the Chola Empire. Chola records mention the defeat of Kollam and the fall of its ruler, while another inscription confirms the presence of Chola soldiery in north Kerala in the early 11th century. After the decline of the Chera state, the kingdom endured as "Kolathunad" in the Kannur-Kasaragod region. The Mushaka Vamsa Kavya, a dynastic chronicle composed in the 11th century by poet Athula, describes the history of the Mushika lineage.
The economies of the early historic Ezhimala polity and the medieval Mushika state are thought to have depended largely on the Indian Ocean spice trade — particularly in pepper, cardamom, and other hill produce — while conventional agriculture played a lesser role.
Etymology
The term "Mushika" or "Mushaka" Parvata is the Sanskrit translation of the ancient Tamil name "Ezhimalai". It was later mispronounced as "Elimala", which came to mean "the Mountain of the Rats". The term "Mushika" also referred to the "Vaka" tree, which was considered sacred by the rulers of Ezhimala.Ezhimala hill is described in Mushaka Vamsa Kavya as "Mushaka Parvata". The early historic fort of the Mushikas, located beneath Ettikulam Fort, is now protected by Department of Archaeology, Kerala.
Early historic Ezhimala rulers
The ancient ruling family of Ezhimala appears to have existed in northern Kerala at least from the early historic period. Ancient Tamil poems describe the polity of Ezhimalai, situated on the northern edge of Tamilakam on its western coast.The rulers of Ezhimalai were among the most prominent hill chieftains of ancient Kerala. The "Muvan" chieftain mentioned in early Tamil poems — described as an adversary of the early Chera rulers of western Tamil Nadu and central Kerala — is identified with the Muvan ruler of Ezhimalai. The early historic Ezhimala clan maintained matrimonial alliances with the Chera, Pandya and, Chola families. The family was also related to that of the rulers of Kantiramala.
According to the Sangam poems, the port of "Naravu" was located within the territory of Ezhimalai. The Mahabharata, the Sanskrit epic poem of ancient India, also mentions the Mushikas as one of the kingdoms of the deep south, grouping them alongside the Keralas, Pandyas, and Cholas.
Ezhimala Nannan
Early Tamil tradition contains repeated references to several rulers of Ezhimala bearing the name or title "Nannan". These are attested in collections such as the Akananuru, Purananuru, Natrinai, Pathitruppathu, and Kurunthokai. According to these poems, Nannan was the ruler of Ezhimalai, situated on the north-western edge of the Tamil country. He is also notably described as a hunter chieftain of the "vetar" descent group and is portrayed as a formidable adversary of the early Chera rulers. The Vaka tree is mentioned as the sacred tutelary tree of Ezhimala Nannan.Nannan is perhaps to be identified with "Nandana", the ancient Ezhimala ruler referred to in the medieval poem Mushaka Vamsa.File:Jambai_Tamil_Brahmi.jpg|thumb|346x346px|Inscription of Tagadur Adigan or Adigaiman ruler Neduman Anji
- Nannan is described as the ruler of "Pazhi, near the Ezhil Hill" and "Param" by poet Paranar. He is also reported as the master of the Ezhil Hill and Puzhinadu country, and certain "Viyalur". It is attested that Nannan was renowned for his gold ornaments and gilded chariots.
- There are additional references to certain "Nannan" as the ruler of the Punnadu country, Tulunadu country and the Konkanam region and the Thondai Mandalam.
- Nannan was a companion of the Ay ruler Eyinan. Poems 351 and 396 of the Purananuru describe Nannan and Eyinan as relatives and as extremely close friends. Their relationship was so intimate that Nannan renamed the "Pirampu hills" in his country as "Ay-pirampu".
- In the battle of Pazhi, the warriors of Nannan, led by certain Njimili, defeated the Thagadur Adigan or Adigaiman ruler Neduman Anji. Acting on behalf of the Chera ruler Perum Cheral Irumporai, the Adigaiman had invaded Nannan's territory at Pazhi with a large force. During the battle, the Adigaiman was slain by Njimili . Njimili also killed Ay Eyinan, the old companion of Nannan, but was himself slain in the same conflict.
- It is also mentioned that in a battle at Kazhumalam, Nannan defeated a chieftain named Pindan. The poet Kudavayur Kirattanar records Nannan's defeat of a certain Pazhayan, with the support of his associates Ettai, Atti, Gangan, Katti, and Punthurai.
- It is further recorded that the "Kosar" people, associated with Chellur, attacked the Ezhimala country of Nannan, defeating him and even cutting down his totemic mango tree. According to the poems, Nannan had earlier executed a young girl who had unknowingly eaten a fruit that had fallen from his sacred mango tree and floated down to her in a stream. This act is said to have provoked the Kosar, leading to their attack and Nannan's defeat.
- Nannan was ultimately defeated and killed by Chera ruler "Kalankaykkanni" Narmudi Cheral in the battle of "Kadambin Peruvayil"/"Vakai Perunthurai". According to Pathitruppathu 40, after slaying Nannan, the Chera ruler also chopped down the sacred Vaka tree.
There references to another "Nannan", the ruler of "Konkanam". He is described as the Nannan dwelling in "Kanam" and as "Konkanam Kizhan", and as the lord of the mountain Konkanam .
Economy
The primary resource base for the Ezhimala polity and the Mushika state was Indian Ocean spice trade rather than agriculture. Ezhimala Hill was notably the first landfall on the Malabar Coast for the sailors crossing the Arabian Sea.Greco-Roman spice trade
Much like the rest of Malabar Coast, the Ezhimala country and its ancient rulers benefited from Greco-Roman Indian Ocean spice trade during the early historic period. Early Tamil literature mentions an Indian Ocean port known as "Naravu", located in Ezhimalai country. The term "naravu" means "honey" or "liquor" in early Tamil dialects.Naravu is generally identified with Naura, which is mentioned in the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, an early Greek manual of sailing directions written in the 1st century AD, as a port located somewhere north of Tyndis and Muziris on the present-day Malabar Coast. According to both Periplus of the Erythraean Sea and Pliny the Elder, Naura was located on western coast of the Tamil-speaking south India, but outside the influence of the Chera rulers of central Kerala/western Tamil Nadu.
Naura is commonly identified with present-day Kannur, located south of the Ezhimala Hill. However, historians have proposed different identifications for the ancient port. K. D. Thirunavukkarasu locates it in the Tulu Country, while some scholars identify it with Honnavar. Wilfred H. Schoff places Naura at Kannur, and Lionel Casson associates it with Mangalore, identifying it as Nitra. Sudhakar Chattopadhyaya also refers to Nitra, which is mentioned in Greco-Roman sources.
The famous Kottayam Coin Hoard, a massive cache of mostly Julio-Claudian coins, was discovered around the year 1847 "on the slope of a hill by the sea" near Kannur. It is speculated that coins amounted to around 8000 aurei. With few exceptions the coins were all of gold and were not worn by usage. The composition of the hoard is not known exactly. According to extant reports, there were at least 9 coins of emperor Augustus, 28 of Tiberius, two of Caligula, and 16 coins of Claudius and 16 coins of Nero. There were also descriptions of coins of Caracalla.
Medieval Indian Ocean trade
Famous medieval ports in the Ezhimala country included Madayi, Valapattanam and Dharmapattanam.The medieval Ezhimala rulers appear to have encouraged a variety of merchant guilds in their country. Well-known Indian guilds such as the anjuvannam, manigramam, valanchiyar and nanadeshikal are attested in the region. The Mushika kings are also described as great champions of Hindu religion and temples, while some are noted for their support of a prominent Buddhist vihara in central Kerala. The presence of Jewish merchants in the ports of the Mushika country is also suggested. A site in Madayi is still known as "the Jew's Pond".
Political geography
Early historic
According to early Tamil poems, the Ezhimala country of the early historic period was located to the north of the Chera country. The Ezhimala chieftain Nannan is described as the ruler of the slopes of Pazhi, the Ezhil Hill, and Param, as well as settlements such as Viyalur and a land called "Punnadu". He is also referred to as the lord of "Puzhinadu" and "Tulu Nadu". Ezhimala Hill notably served as the first landmark on the Malabar Coast for Arabian Sea navigators.There are also references to another "Nannan", the ruler of the land of "Konkanam", and yet another "Nannan" who is described as ruling in Tondai Mandalam. According to the poems, Param was formerly the base of the chieftain Minjili, who was killed in the battle of "Pazhi Paranthalai". The country of Ezhimala was also situated near the land of the "Kosar" people and the country of the "Kadambu" tribe. It is further mentioned that Nannan fought and died in a battle against the Chera ruler Narmudi Cheral at the great harbour, "Perunthurai".
The Akananuru describes the country of Nannan as follows.