Legend of Cheraman Perumals

The Cheraman Perumals of the legend are generally associated with the establishment the Kollam Era (Malayalam Era), inauguration of the Onam Festival, introduction of the matrilineal system of inheritance in Kerala, settlement of different castes in Kerala, and foundation several temples, churches and mosques in Kerala.[1]

The following is a list of Cheraman Perumals found in the tradition.[11]

Rayar, the overlord of the Cheraman Perumal (Kulasekharan) in a country east of the Ghats, invaded Kerala during the rule of the last Perumal. To drive back the invading forces the Perumal summoned the militia of his chieftains (like Udaya Varman Kolathiri and Manichchan and Vikkiran of Eranad). The Cheraman Perumal was assured by the Eradis that they would take a fort established by the Rayar.[9] The battle lasted for three days and the Rayar eventually evacuated his fort (and it was seized by the Perumal's troops).[9]

The last Cheraman Perumal divided the Kerala or Chera kingdom among his chieftains (kingsfolk) and disappeared mysteriously. The Kerala people never more heard any tidings of him.[1][4][5] The Eradis, or the later kings of Calicut, who were left out in the cold during the allocation of the land, was granted the Cheraman Perumal's sword (with the permission to "die, and kill, and seize").[5][9]

According to the Cheraman Juma Mosque and various narratives:[8][16][17] "Once a Cheraman Perumal probably named Ravi Varma[17] was walking with his queen in the palace, when he witnessed the splitting of the moon. Shocked by this, he asked his astronomers to note down the exact time of the splitting. Then, when some Arab merchants visited his palace, he asked them about this incident. Their answers led the King to Mecca, where he met Islamic prophet Muhammad and converted to Islam. Muhammad named him Tajuddin or Thajuddin or Thiya-aj-Addan meaning "crown of faith".[8][16][18][19][20] The king then wrote letters to his kingdom to accept Islam and follow the teachings of Malik bin Deenar".[21][22][16] Al-Tabari of 9th century in his Firdousul Hikma and Ferishta in his Tarikh Ferishta agree with this.[23][24]

This story does not fit into the history of the 63 Nayanmars (Saiva Saints).[25] Cheraman Perumal, also known as Perumaakothaiyar and Kalarittu Arivaar was a saintly Chera king who ruled from Kodungallur and was an ardent devotee of the Lord Mahadeva of Thiruvanchikalam just 3 km from Kodungallur. Researchers and experts conclude that there is no truth to this story since Muhammad lived from 570 to 631 CE and Cheraman Perumal who was a contemporary of Saint Sundarar, who lived later than Saint Thirugnana Sambandar and Saint Thirunavukkarasar, who are contemporaries and dated to have lived during Muhammad's time. Saint Sundarar and his friend Saint Cheraman Perumal are dated to have lived in the later part of 7th century and early part of 8th century CE. Saint Sundarar wrote 'Thiruthondar Thokai' in which he describes the lives, achievements and miracles of Saiva saints who lived before him, which includes Saint Thirugnana Sambandar and Saint Thirunavukkkarasar. If he sang about these two saints who lived at the time of the Prophet, he must have lived later than them which means his friend Cheraman Perumal must have lived later than Muhammad. The veracity of this story has to be verified.[26]

But Sadasivan, in his book A Social History of India, argue that it was the king of Maldives, Kalimanja, who converted to Islam. Mali, which was known to seafarers then, might have been misunderstood as Malabar (Kerala) and this might have given rise to the tale of Tajuddeen in the Cochin Gazetteer.[21]