Kerala - Landmarks in history
The history of Kerala can be traced back to 4000 B.C. Like any other region during that period, Kerala was also a kingdom from the first century and it did have a strong governance. Kerala was famous for its spices like cinnamon, pepper, cardamom, nutmeg, dried ginger etc....These attracted foreigners. Kerala had strong trade relation with many foreign countries from about 300 B.C. Spices were exported to countries like Assyria, Babylonia, Israel, Greece, Rome , China etc.. Around 300 B.C, Aryans started migrating from the North.
History of Kerala can be conveniently divided into various periods.
- Ancient Period
- Sangam Period
- Post Sangam Period
- Kulasekara Period (Quilon Calendar begins)
- Period of Provincial Rulers
- European Arrival
- British Rule
- Freedom struggle, Independence and Recent History
Important events and years in Kerala History
| 3000 BC | : Trade relation with Sindu Valley |
| 2000 BC | : Trading of spices with Assyria and Babylonia |
| 1000 BC | : Ivory, monkeys and peacocks were shipped to Israel for King Solomon |
| 700 BC | : Dravidians reach south India from the Mediterranean region |
| 330 BC | : Megasthenes's reference of Kerala |
| 300 BC | : Aryans enter Kerala from north India |
| 45 AD | : Hippalus reaches Kerala, direct trade with Rome |
| 52 AD | : St. Thomas reaches Kerala |
| 68 AD | : Jews reach Kerala |
| 525 AD | : Cosmos Indicopleustes reaches Malabar coast |
| 630 AD | : Huan Tsang visits South India including Kerala |
| 644 AD | : MalikBen Dinar propagate Islam |
| 715 - '68 AD | : Rule of Cheraman Perumal |
| 800 - 1100 AD | : Rule of Kulashekhara Kings |
| 825 AD | : Beginning of the Kolla Varsham(Quilon year calendar) (July 25) |
| 880 AD | : Retrieval of Pandyas |
| 1000 AD | : Attack by Raja Raja Chola |
| 1070 AD | : Freedom from Cholas |
| 1292 AD | : Arrival of Marco Polo |
| 1342 - '47 AD | : Ibn Batuta at Kozhikode |
| 1466 - '71 AD | : Pathinettara Kavikal |
| 1498 AD | : Vasco da Gama reaches Kappad near Kozhikode (May 17) |
| 1524 AD | : Vasco da Gama appointed as Viceroy of Kerala |
| 1567 AD | : Establishment of Jewish Synagogue |
| 1592 AD | : Establishment of Dutch East India Company |
| 1701 - '21 AD | : Rule of Rama Varma |
| 1725 AD | : French establishes base at Mayyazhi (Mahe) |
| 1758 AD | : Death of Marthanda Varma |
| 1773 AD | : Hyder Ali defeats Samuthiri (Zamorins) at Kochi |
| 1788 AD | : Tipu Sultan attacks Kozhikode |
| 1797 AD | : First Pazhassi Viplavam(Pazhassi Revolution) |
| 1807 AD | : London Mission in Kerala |
| 1809 AD | : Kundara Vilambaram(Kundara Proclamation) |
| 1821 AD | : CMS Press at Kottayam |
| 1834 AD | : First census in Travancore |
| 1888 AD | : Establishment of Malayala Manorama |
| 1921 AD | : Malabar Mutiny |
| 1922 AD | : First Trade Union (Travancore Labour Association) formed at Alapuzha |
| 1924 AD | : Vaikom Satyagraha |
| 1928 AD | : Death of Sree Narayana Guru |
| 1936 AD | : Kshetra Praveshana Vilambaram |
| 1943 AD | : Radio Station at Trivandrum |
| 1948 AD | : First public election in Travancore |
| 1956 Nov. 1 | : Formation of Kerala State |