Question

Which of the following are the important sources of the history of Medieval Kerala?
A. Inscriptions on copper plates (Epigraphy)
B. Coins (Numismatics)
C. Archaeological evidence
D. Accounts of foreign travelers

Answer 1

HintMedieval History of Kerala begins approximately from the sixteenth century and the medieval period ends with the formation of a separate state of Kerala under the Indian Republic on 1st November 1956.

Complete answer:
Kerala is said to be first recorded epi graphically as Ketalaputo (Cheras) in a 3rd-century BCE rock inscription by emperor Ashoka of Magadha. It was mentioned under the category of four independent kingdoms of the Southern parts of India along with the Cholas, Pandyas, and Satyaputras. The Cheras were the ones who completely redefined and transformed Kerala into a major international trade center by extending the trade relations far East across the Arabian Sea as well as parts of the Mediterranean and the Red Sea.
The Jewish copper plate is considered to be a record of the rights sanctioned to a group of traders called the Anchuvannam, by Bhaskararavi, a medieval ruler of Kerala based at Mahodayapuram.

Thus, option (A) is correct.

Additional Information: The copper plates were used for inscribing useful information as a form of a document in ancient times. These were so popular that copper-plated documents were given by the chieftains to temples and tradesmen. Some of the examples are the Tharisapalli and Jewish copper plates. Some of the plates even contain the chieftain's reigning period as a record.
Note: In 1498, a Portuguese explorer called Vasco da Gama established a sea route to Kerala and raised Portuguese settlements over there, thereby marking the beginning of the colonial era of Kerala. For this reason, many European trading interests of the Dutch, French, and British East India companies took center stage during the colonial wars in India.

Note: In 1498, a Portuguese explorer called Vasco da Gama established a sea route to Kerala and raised Portuguese settlements over there, thereby marking the beginning of the colonial era of Kerala. For this reason, many European trading interests of the Dutch, French, and British East India companies took center stage during the colonial wars in India.