Question

With respect to medieval Kerala, what does the term ‘Swaroopam’ mean?
A) The region under the control of a chieftain
B) The join family of the Chieftain
C) Both A and B
D) None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Kerala evolved various art forms such as Mohiniyattam, Kathakali, and Koodiyattam throughout the mediaeval period. There was advancement in the fields of Ayurveda, Mathematics, Astrology, and Architecture during the mediaeval period. One such well-known mathematician was Sankaranarayanan.

Complete answer:
Swaroopam was the name given to the area under the dominion of a chieftain. Swaroopam was the name given to the chieftain's entire family. The family's eldest son ascended to the throne. The Nadus had differences in wealth and military might, and the chieftains struggled for dominance amongst themselves. The Nadus became independent in the 12th century CE. Naduvazhi Swaroopams were the places of power that arose among the Nadus.

Kola Swaroopam, Nediyirippu Swaroopam, Perumpadappu Swaroopam, and Thrippapur Swaroopam were the prominent Naduvazhi Swaroopams. The Swaroopams were the governing families who had self-rule and maintained a matrilineal inheritance system.

The Swaroopams possessed a military of their own. The Sultans of Mysore, Hyder Ali, and Tipu Sultan led military expeditions that enraged the Naduvazhis of northern Kerala by the second part of the 18th century. Many Naduvazhis and Desavazhis fled to Venadu in fear of their attack.

Thus the correct answer is option ‘C’.

Note: By the 12th century, the Perumals' reign had come to an end. As a result, the chieftains, who had been the Perumals' local overlords, began to control their different Nadus autonomously.