The first Aryans to come to Kerala were not Namboothiris(Kerala Brahmans) but Buddhist and Jain scholars. In fact by 1AD, Buddhism was a popular culture in Kerala. But with the coming of Shankaracharya, Hindu culture began to spread and slowly Buddhism was almost completely wiped out of the state. During Sankham period, though Aryans made their presence felt, the socio-economic structure that we talked about in the last post were not changed much. It was during the period after Sankhakaalam and 9AD that the society saw a major social transformation.
This period, between 2-9AD, could be related to the mythological story of Parsuraman. The Brahmans had come to Kerala and had settled in 32 villages( called Ooure or Aadigraamam). {Legend has it that Parasuraman brought 64 Brahman families with him from north to Kerala}. It is believed that most of them came from south Maharashtra region. Even though they were less in numbers, the brahmins reached the helm of socio-economic hierarchy in the state within 6-7 centuries, and this myth that an avatar had brought them to a new land to set up new social order was popularized to justify their ascending to the top of the social ladder.
But what enabled them to gain upper hand? A major reason was the popularity and spread of Bhakti movement. We have seen that during Sankham period, Buddhism and Jainism had its followers in the state; while most of the Dravidian religious beliefs were based out of kaavu(a place for worship). It is said that during this time, all three cultures had a harmonious existence. But with the coming of Bhakti movement, the influence of these cultures started to wane. The Bakthi movement reached its peak in Kerala during 8A.D when Sankaracharyar traveled across the state(and the country) to revive and spread Advaitha Vedantam. Aryans started construction of temples and were successful in making temples the center of Hindu religion.
The popularity of temple culture had a deep rooted impact in the shaping of caste system in the state. Brahmans ensured that the running of temples, or at least conduction of rites and rituals inside sanctum were exclusively their right. This helped them in gaining social acceptance and respect. The fact that royalties regularly sought advice and suggestions from religious cleric also helped the Brahmans in moving up the political ladder.
9AD has a lot of significance in Kerala History. History of Malayalam language begins here. Malayalam calender, kollavarsham started in this century(there are different versions on how and why kollavarsham began). Also the second Chera dynasty, also known as Kulashekara dynasty came to power during this time. The Brahmans had started to play a significant role in socio-economic and political affairs of the state by then. Also the growth of temple culture gave rise to different sects in the society who were dependent on temple. Thus there were chakyars who were actors conducting drama in the temple;varyaars were responsible for financial management of temple chores; marars who were experts in different art forms. Those nairs who held large area of devaswam land later on became a different sub caste known as nayanaars. Thus we see how temple culture had a major impact in shaping of caste system in Kerala.
To meet the temple expenses, rulers used to donate land to the brahmins. Such lands that were given to temples came to be known as Devaswam and those donated to brahmins were called Brahmaswam. The rulers did not levy any tax for these lands as they were given for a religious purpose. Also during wars(Chera kings used to have frequent wars with Pandyas and Cholas), brahmaswam and devaswam lands were spared from attack. Slowly local people also started to do bhoodanam for religious reasons, to evade from tax or to protect their lands for foreign attacks. Needless to say, devaswam and brahmaswam lands increased and thus the spiritual heads of the society also became landlords. kshetra kudiyaan were responsible for looking after the land and they engaged Adiyaalars to do the farming works. Usually the kudiayaans were dravidians while adiyaalars were either Negrito or Australoid races. Slowly the role one played in the land started to reflect his position in the society-Brahmins, who by now enjoyed prominent position in socio-economi-political front were at the top of the chain while Pulayar, Parayar etc. who constituted the Adiyaalars were at the bottom.
Once the caste hierarchy took shape, was imperative for the upper caste to make it rigid. It helped them remain at the top of the 'food chain'. The customs like aiytham or untouchability ensured that there was no mixing of Brahmins with other lower castes and by allowing only the heir to marry(veli) the feud within the family for land and property was avoided. In the later years, this rigid scheme of things meant that only a very few in the society enjoyed a life of luxury and freedom. For all others life gave only loneliness, suffering, pain and poverty(contrary to popular belief, majority of namboothiris also fall into this group!).
The objective of this post was not to give an overview of Kerala history, but to discuss how caste system in Kerala originated and to show that it was not a natural transition from the occupational background. In most of the cases, the lower castes were forced into the moulds prepared by the upper castes when it came to occupation. The system was then made as rigid as possible so as to reduce inter mingling to the minimum. It is this rotten system that I refer to when I talk about caste system that existed in India.
PS: Kindly do not take any part of this post personal( saying from the experience from one of my fellow blogger :):)). Since it is a hot topic I have tried to be as accurate as possible. The source for most of the facts given above is 'Kerala Vijnjaana Kosham'. If you find any inconsistencies please point out the same :):)
This period, between 2-9AD, could be related to the mythological story of Parsuraman. The Brahmans had come to Kerala and had settled in 32 villages( called Ooure or Aadigraamam). {Legend has it that Parasuraman brought 64 Brahman families with him from north to Kerala}. It is believed that most of them came from south Maharashtra region. Even though they were less in numbers, the brahmins reached the helm of socio-economic hierarchy in the state within 6-7 centuries, and this myth that an avatar had brought them to a new land to set up new social order was popularized to justify their ascending to the top of the social ladder.
But what enabled them to gain upper hand? A major reason was the popularity and spread of Bhakti movement. We have seen that during Sankham period, Buddhism and Jainism had its followers in the state; while most of the Dravidian religious beliefs were based out of kaavu(a place for worship). It is said that during this time, all three cultures had a harmonious existence. But with the coming of Bhakti movement, the influence of these cultures started to wane. The Bakthi movement reached its peak in Kerala during 8A.D when Sankaracharyar traveled across the state(and the country) to revive and spread Advaitha Vedantam. Aryans started construction of temples and were successful in making temples the center of Hindu religion.
The popularity of temple culture had a deep rooted impact in the shaping of caste system in the state. Brahmans ensured that the running of temples, or at least conduction of rites and rituals inside sanctum were exclusively their right. This helped them in gaining social acceptance and respect. The fact that royalties regularly sought advice and suggestions from religious cleric also helped the Brahmans in moving up the political ladder.
9AD has a lot of significance in Kerala History. History of Malayalam language begins here. Malayalam calender, kollavarsham started in this century(there are different versions on how and why kollavarsham began). Also the second Chera dynasty, also known as Kulashekara dynasty came to power during this time. The Brahmans had started to play a significant role in socio-economic and political affairs of the state by then. Also the growth of temple culture gave rise to different sects in the society who were dependent on temple. Thus there were chakyars who were actors conducting drama in the temple;varyaars were responsible for financial management of temple chores; marars who were experts in different art forms. Those nairs who held large area of devaswam land later on became a different sub caste known as nayanaars. Thus we see how temple culture had a major impact in shaping of caste system in Kerala.
To meet the temple expenses, rulers used to donate land to the brahmins. Such lands that were given to temples came to be known as Devaswam and those donated to brahmins were called Brahmaswam. The rulers did not levy any tax for these lands as they were given for a religious purpose. Also during wars(Chera kings used to have frequent wars with Pandyas and Cholas), brahmaswam and devaswam lands were spared from attack. Slowly local people also started to do bhoodanam for religious reasons, to evade from tax or to protect their lands for foreign attacks. Needless to say, devaswam and brahmaswam lands increased and thus the spiritual heads of the society also became landlords. kshetra kudiyaan were responsible for looking after the land and they engaged Adiyaalars to do the farming works. Usually the kudiayaans were dravidians while adiyaalars were either Negrito or Australoid races. Slowly the role one played in the land started to reflect his position in the society-Brahmins, who by now enjoyed prominent position in socio-economi-political front were at the top of the chain while Pulayar, Parayar etc. who constituted the Adiyaalars were at the bottom.
Once the caste hierarchy took shape, was imperative for the upper caste to make it rigid. It helped them remain at the top of the 'food chain'. The customs like aiytham or untouchability ensured that there was no mixing of Brahmins with other lower castes and by allowing only the heir to marry(veli) the feud within the family for land and property was avoided. In the later years, this rigid scheme of things meant that only a very few in the society enjoyed a life of luxury and freedom. For all others life gave only loneliness, suffering, pain and poverty(contrary to popular belief, majority of namboothiris also fall into this group!).
The objective of this post was not to give an overview of Kerala history, but to discuss how caste system in Kerala originated and to show that it was not a natural transition from the occupational background. In most of the cases, the lower castes were forced into the moulds prepared by the upper castes when it came to occupation. The system was then made as rigid as possible so as to reduce inter mingling to the minimum. It is this rotten system that I refer to when I talk about caste system that existed in India.
PS: Kindly do not take any part of this post personal( saying from the experience from one of my fellow blogger :):)). Since it is a hot topic I have tried to be as accurate as possible. The source for most of the facts given above is 'Kerala Vijnjaana Kosham'. If you find any inconsistencies please point out the same :):)
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