Question

The region under the control of a chieftain was known as :

• A. Samudayam
• B. Nadu
• C. Swaroopam
• D. Rajyam

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Swaroopam

Naduvazhi swaroopam

• The reign of the Perumals came to an end by the 12th century.

• Consequently the chieftains, who were the local rulers under the Perumals, began to rule their respective Nadus independently.

• The region under the control of a chieftain was known as Swaroopam.

• The joint family of the chieftain was also known as Swaroopam.

• The eldest member of the family became the ruler.

• The major Swaroopams during the period were Trippappooru Swaroopam in Venad, Perumpadappu Swaroopam in Kochi, Nediyiruppu Swaroopam in Kozhikode, and Kolaswaroopam in Chirakkal

• Until the 18th century the Naduvazhi Swaroopams continued without much change.

• By the second half of the 18th century the Sultans of Mysore, Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan led military campaigns which created frenzy among the Naduvazhis of northern Kerala.

• Nediyiruppu, Kola and other smaller Swaroopams quickly came under the Mysore Sultans.

• Fearing the attack from Mysore Sultans many Naduvazhis and Desavazhis fled to Venadu.

• The Perumpadappu Swaroopam of Kochi soon accepted the suzerainty of the Mysore Sultans.

• Only Travancore resisted the attack