Origin of Christianity in Kerala

Early Christians/Syrian/St.Thomas Christians

As per historical facts and studies, it is believed that Christianity emerged in Kerala by 52 A.D, after the arrival of St. Thomas in Muziris (Kodungallu, now). He converted several Brahmins and others to Christianity and founded seven churches (Maliankara, Palayur, Kottakkavu, Kokkamangalam, Quilon, Niranam and Nilakkal) in the Malabar coast. 

Some historical proofs that researchers claim for the above are:

Jews who visited Cranganore in 68 AD claims the existence of the Christian community there
Statement of Pantaenus, head of Alexandrian school who visited Kerala in the 2nd century has witnessed the Christian community

//You can see debate all over the internet on this topic. For some, roots from Brahmins thing is a privilege thingy. For some Brahmins, this is kind of less interest topic as they don't want to share their Brahmin pride with other religion! Among Latin and Catholics debate is all about whose roots are from the lower class and whose is from a higher class.
Also, many researchers have rejected this, as proof for this claim is limited//

By 345 AD, the number of Christians further increased, as around 72 families of Syrian immigrants came to Kerala headed by Kanayi Thoma.

Slowly, Christians turned into one of the prominent traders in Kerala and had privileges among the rulers. Socially too, they were treated equally with that of Hindus and played a good role in the social and economic development of Kerala.

Pieces of evidence

Terissappalli copper plate, Tazhakad church inscriptions, that mentions 2 Christian merchants, Copperplate grant issued by Vira Raghava Chakrabarty to a Christian merchant Iravi Kortanan are the primary evidence for the privileges Christian businessmen enjoyed.

This category of Christians followed the Syriac language, rules, and principles. Syriac is considered to be a dialect of Aramaic, the language of Jesus.

Catholic/Latin Christians - Syro Malabar Catholic Church

Latin Christian missionaries who visited Quilon in the medieval period introduced Latin culture of the churches in Kerala. On arrival of Portuguese in the year 1498, this further progressed. St. Francis Xavier and Synod of Diamper (1599) played a big role in Latinisation of the churches in Kerala.

Thus the Christian community in Kerala became 2 factions. Malankara (existing community who followed Church of east/St. Thomas) and Catholics.

Further, this led to incidents such as the Coonan Cross Oath and arrival of Carmelites to convince the existing communities. A section of the existing Christian community was convinced and came under papacy (Rome pope) called as Syro Malabar Catholic Church This, in fact, created friction within the existing community. 

Malankara Syrian Church-Post Portuguese period

Towards the middle of the 17th century, the power of Portuguese declined and Dutch started settling in. This was an opportunity for Malankara church to come out of the Roman Church's control completely and they succeded that with the help of the Dutch.

Break- Up of Malankara Syrian Church - Jacobite

In the year 1910, a section of the Malankara Church wanted to follow Patriarch of Antioch and other faction, Malankara orthodox Church supported local Bishop based out of Kottayam. This break-up was patched up later but again landed in trouble. The dispute on Church was the by-product of this and a verdict was announced by the supreme court of India recently. 

The entry of Church Mission Society (C.M.S) - Anglican Church and Marthoma Syrian Church

By the 19th century, the British entered India and this was an opportunity for C.M.S London to expand its missionary activities to India. In Kerala, they collaborated with Syrian priests which later they would break-up and both started to work their own. The Syrian priests adopted some of the reforms of C.M.S and formed a new Church called Marthoma Syrian Church. Some of the noted reforms include replacement of Syriac by Malayalam as the language of worship. The C.M.S continued their work by forming the Anglican church.

Nestorian/Chaldean church

The Nestorian church is the followers of St.Thomas and is formed from the faction of Church that joined with Romans (Syro-Malabar Catholic church) but wanted more autonomy and freedom from Bishop and thus separated and became independent.

Source of Information:

A Survey of Kerala History- A Sreedhara Menon

Various published news, Church websites, and videos.

Origin of name 'Keralam'

Although, many studies have been done by scholars to derive the name 'Keralam'; there is no certain theory that proves the origins of name Keralam. 

Some of the theories are:

1. From the word 'kera' meaning coconut
   The word kera in Malayalam means coconut and 'alam' means region/land. Since coconut is one of the main agricultural product in Kerala, it is assumed that the word Keralam came from Kera+Alam, meaning land of coconuts.
2. From 'Cheram'
   As per Dr. Gundert, in Kannada/Canarese pronunciation, cheram was called as 'Keram', the country between Gokarnam (Gokarana) and 'Cumari' (Kanyakumari), and the name Keralam was derived from 'Cheram'.
3. From the Tamil word 'Charal'
   As per this theory, the word Keralam came from the Tamil word Charal which means kind of mountain slope. This, down the line, got evolved to Chera/Kera country>Keralam.
   
4. From 'Cher' and 'Alam'
   Cher means muddy and alam means region, thus meaning a slushy land, Cheralam/Keralam. The word Chernta means 'added', thus it is also interpreted as land that was added to the existing mountains or addition to the land from sea.
5. Land of 'Chera'
   Another theory is that the name came from 'Chera' kings who were the rulers of the state in Chera dynasty. Thus Cheralam/Keralam meaning land of Chera kings. It is also said that the name was first recorded as Keralaputra in a 3rd-century BCE rock inscription left by the Maurya emperor Ashoka (274–237 BCE), one of the Edicts of King Asoka.

History of Kerala - Ettuveetil Pillamaar / എട്ടു വീട്ടിൽ പിള്ളമാർ (lord of eight houses)

//Googling a lot on the subject is recommended. History is just an insight into the past and is not recommended to be believed, based on one article or WhatsApp forwards. ;) Intention is to just provide basics about the subject and a simple guide to a topic in history //


In the 16th century or even before, the Padmanabhaswamy temple was managed by a board of members called Yogakkar under the control of King. The yogakkar divided the temple land into 8 districts. A Nair nobleman was assigned to each of these eight districts. These Nair noblemen were called as Ettuveetil pillamaar. 

Ettara Yogam

The Ettara Yogam was a meeting set up conducted, to decide on the temple activities. The members included 8 trustees under the direct control of King. The trustees included:

• 6 Potty Brahmin families,
• Pushpanjali Swamiyar of Naduvil Madhom / Munchira Madhom 
• Palliyadi Karanatha Kurup or Azhakath Kurup, the Nair nobleman

The yogam/meeting was named Ettara (eight and a half) since the King also had Half vote. So total 8 +0.5.

Even though all the management decisions were taken by the trustees, no decisions were approved without the final sanction from the King.

Yogakkar vs the King

The difference of opinion between the King and the Yogakkars were common and eventually led to conflicts. The combined power of Pillamar and Yogakkar posed a serious threat to the King.

Ettuveetil Pillamar

The ettuveetil pillamaar enjoyed the supreme power and eventually planned to get rid of the royal family itself. They successfully executed assassination of the King and even plotted and executed assassination of others from the Royal family who could become the next King. The crookedness of Pillamar continued until Marthanda Varma came into power. 

End of ettuveetil Pillamaar era

The power of pillamaar was dethroned by Marthanda Varma. As per historical studies, pillamaars were either killed or exiled. There are even conclusions that members of pillamaar family sought asylum in neighboring states and some even converted to Christianity.

Some interesting comments (related to pillamaar family's conversion to Christianity and also on asylum in neighboring states) from a blog related to Kerala history :