Geography of KeralaInfluence of Geography on Kerala

  • Kerala comprises of a narrow coastal strip lying between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea.
  • This geographical position has helped to ensure its political and cultural isolation of Kerala from the rest of India.
  • It also facilitated extensive contacts with foreign countries.

Natural Divisions of Kerala

Kerala can be divided into three natural divisions:

  • Highland (മലനാട്)
  • Midland (ഇടനാട്)
  • Lowland (തീരപ്രദേശം)

Highland

  • The Western Ghats on the eastern side of the state constitute the highland.
  • It is covered by thick forests in its upper ranges.
  • In the lower ranges, the forests are interspersed with plantations.

Lowland

  • The lowland stretches along the coastal plain on the western side of the state.
  • The soil in this region is sandy.
  • Paddy and coconut are extensively cultivated in this region

Midland

  • It is sand-witched between the highland and the lowland.
  • Laterite soil predominates in this region.
  • The important crops are: paddy, tapioca, spices, cashew, etc.

Impact of Geographical Position

  • The Western Ghats on the eastern side gave immunity from political events in north- India.
  • Kerala never felt the impacts of numerous foreign invasions that took place in north- India.
  • It took longer time for Brahmanism, Buddhism and Jainism from the north to penetrate to Kerala.
  • As a result, Kerala was able to evolve its own social institutions like; Marumakkathayam (matrilineal system of inheritance), polyandry, etc.
  • Kerala could also evolve its own distinctive styles of art and architecture like; Kathakali, Chakiar Koothu, Ottam Thullal, etc.

Impacts of Mountains and Hills

  • Western Ghat- acted as a guarding wall against attacks from the east.
  • Ezhimala- was the seat of Ezhimala kingdom.
  • Puralimala- played an important role in Pazhassi revolts.
  • Some of the important pilgrim centres are on hill tops or on their valleys. Eg:
  • Tirunelli temple in the valley of Brahmagiri peak
  • Sabarimala Temple
  • St. Thomas Church on Malayattur hill
  • The Portuguese were cut off by the Western Ghats from rest of the peninsular India. Thus they were prevented from building up a permanent empire in India.

Impacts of Gaps and Passes

  • Passes facilitated interstate trade and travel.
  • In the ancient period, Romans used Palghat pass for commerce.
  • North- east monsoon reaches to kerala through Palghat pass and gives rains in Kerala.
  • Palakkad is known as the rice-bowl of Kerala largely due to the rainfall in the north-east monsoon season.
  • Chola kings invaded Kerala through Palghat pass. Similarly, the Chera kings invaded ‘Kongu nadu’ (Coimbatore region) through this pass.
  • In the 18th century, Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan invaded Kerala through Palghat pass.

Cultural exchange-

  • A number of Jains, Tamil Brahmins, etc. migrated to Kerala through Palghat pass.
  • The customs and manners of people in Palakkad is a mix of Tamil and Kerala cultures.
  • The festivals and folk arts in Palakkad (eg: Rathotsavam, Pavakuthu, Kongan Padai) have the influence of the Tamil.
  • Periya pass & Thamarasseri pass-: connect between Wynad and Mysore. They served as route of Mysorean invasions.
  • Aruvaimozhi pass-: connects between Trivandrum and Tirunelveli. Tamil powers invaded southern Travancore through this pass.
  • Several rivers passes through the mountain gaps and helps the economy.

Impact of the Sea

  • Kerala coast attracted foreign traders from Europe and Asia.
  • Kerala had some important ports.
  • Examples of ancient ports: Muziris, Tyndis, Barace, Nelcynda
  • India was exposed to the invading European forces by the Kerala coast.
  • The religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam came to Kerala by sea.

Impact of Rivers

  • Several places of historical and cultural importance are located on river banks.
  • Tirunavai, where ‘Mamankam’ was held , is situated on the banks of the Bharathapuzha.
  • Aluva, where ‘Sivarathri’ festival is held, is on the banks of Periyar.
  • On the river of Pamba are located such places of religious importance as Aranmula, Maramon and Edathwa.
  • Mortal remains of the national leaders (Mahatma Gandhi, Jawahar Lal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri) were immersed in Bharathapuzha.
  • Kaladi, the birthplace of Shankaracharya, is situated on the banks of Periyar.
  • Some rivers have importance in the political and military history of the state.
  • The floods in the river Periyar in 1341, choked the mouth of the Kodungallur harbour and made it useless for trade purpose.
  • The flood in 1341 brought into existence the island of Vaipin from the sea. ‘Puthuvaipu Era’ commencing in 1341 commemorates this event.
  • It was the flood in Periyar that prevented Tipu Sultan in 1789 from attacking Travancore.
  • The important industrial centres like Punalur, Kallai, Valapatanam, Aluva, etc. are on river banks.
  • Several Hydro-electric and irrigation projects depend on rivers.

Impact of the Climate

  • The High Ranges have a cool and bracing climate throughout the year.
  • The plains are very hot in the summer.
  • The state gets rains from both the south-west monsoon and north-east monsoon.
  • The discovery of the south-west monsoon by Hippalus facilitated the direct sea voyage from the Persian Gulf to Muziris.
  • The wars were stopped on the outbreak of the monsoons. The wars were continued after the end of the monsoons.
  • The monsoon has caused floods which prevented military operations. Eg: The flood in Periyar in 1789 prevented Tipu Sultan from attacking Travancore.

Impact of Flora and Fauna

  • In ancient Kerala, many animals and birds ( elephant, peacock, monkey) were exported to foreign countries.
  • Ivory was also a valuable export.
  • Spices such as pepper, cardamom, cinnamon and ginger were exported to countries of Asia and Europe.
  • It was the demand for pepper, that brought European powers to Kerala which led to the European domination over India.
  • Teak-wood was in much demand in the foreign markets. They were used for the manufacture of ships.
  • Kerala was famous for its mineral resources. Kautilya’s Arthasastra refers to the river Churni (Periyar) as one of the places where pearls could be found.
  • the ancient Romans carried pearls and diamonds from Kerala in exchange for their gold.