A peep into the past of kalkulam and vilavancode taluks of kanyakumari district as revealed through the inscriptions

Abstract

The doctoral thesis quotA Peep into the past of Kalkulam and Vilavancode taluks newlineof Kanyakumari District as revealed through the inscriptionsquot is an attempt to highlight newlinethe importance of inscriptions. Inscriptions give much more information to know about newlinethe history of political, social, economical, cultural and religious conditions of newlineKalkulam and Vilavancode taluks. Inscriptions are most copious and authentic sources. newlineIn historical writings, inscriptions play a vital role. newlineThe introduction of the thesis deals with the topography of Kalkulam and newlineVilavancode taluks, importance of inscriptions, scope and purpose, sources of newlineinformation of the study. newlineThe first chapter entitled The glimpses of the erstwhile rulers deals with the newlinepolitical supremacy of Ay rulers like Karunandadakkan and Vikramaditya Varaguna, newlineChola rulers like Rajaraja I, Rajendra I, Jatavarman Sundara Chola Pandya and newlineRajadhiraja I. Then, Kalkulam and Vilavancode taluks fell under the political influence newlineof the Venad and Travancore rulers as revealed through the inscriptions. newlineThe second chapter entitled Monumental Evidences of the communal and newlinecultural practices of the ruled reveals the social condition which clearly reflects the newlineexistence of several castes and communities and professional groups existed in the two newlinetaluks. Brahmins, nambudiris, ambalavasis, nairs, krishnavagaiyar, idaiyar, konar, newlinechettu, mudaliar, kaniyalar, vagaiyar, akkaradesi, pulayas, parayas, mannars, variyars, newlineravuttars, valangai and idangai groups were held different positions in the society. The newlinerights and privileges, women s status, customs and traditions, missionary works, newlinecentres of learning are also explained through the inscriptions. newline5 newlineThe third chapter entitled The Economic Institutions and the industrial newlinelandscape of the study area highlights the economic condition which centered round newlineagriculture, trade and industry. Kalkulam and Vilavancode taluk people occupies the newlinemountaineous and coastal regions.