Influence 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.