As mentioned earlier several times, the state of Kerala has
been divided into smaller princely states and was being ruled by different
kings before the independence of India. Arackal Dynasty is the only one Muslim the dynasty that ruled Kerala and there is an interesting legend behind the origin
of this dynasty which says about the broadmindedness of Hindu rulers who were
ruling Kerala on those days in many words.
The headquarters of Kolathu Dynasty was in Ezhimala till the
7th century. As the number of members increased, many of the members
had to leave the palace and to get settled in some other places. Even then, the
king used to stay at Ezhimala, and even now there are remains of a fort built by
the then kings in Ezhimala in Kannur district of Kerala. The king who ruled in
the 7th century has built up a beautiful palace in the valley of
Ezhimala and used to stay over there with his close relatives. There was a
river flowing along the boundary of the compound where the palace situated.
King has two nieces who were brilliant and beautiful. They
used to go to this river for having a bath every day. Once the younger one was
enjoying swimming in the calm waters of the river, the climate got changed
suddenly. The heavy downpour caused more flow into the river and she lost her
balance. As she was screaming for help, a Muslim youth, who was a member of the
army of the king came there. He jumped into the troubled waters and saved the
king by bringing her to the shore by holding her arms. Even after reaching the
shore, she was reluctant to get out of the river as she lost all her attires in
the water. Realizing this, the youth offered her his dhoti. Wearing the same
she came out of the river and went to the palace.
After reaching the palace, she did not enter the main
building, instead, she stayed in the outhouse. When the King and other family
members questioned her, she told that even if it is for helping her, a youth
has caught hold of her arms and offered his dress to her to cover her body. By
this action, that Muslim youth has already married her. As she has married
someone out of her cast, she is not entitled to enter the main building. King
and other family members pursued her a lot to change her mind. Their argument
was that the youth did it to help her from death and he never thought of
marrying her. They were even told her that they will bring the family priests
to do necessary rituals so that she will be serene again.
No arguments can change her mind and finally, the king called
the Muslim soldier to the palace. He asked him to accept his niece as his wife
as per the Muslim tradition. Though surprised the Muslim youth whose name was
Mohammed agreed. According to the prevailing custom, King has constructed a
huge palace for his niece and her husband to stay and give him a part of his
kingdom. However, he insisted that the family should follow matriarchy and the
entire power will rest with his niece and then will be transferred to her
daughters. However, he has adorned the youth with the title Raja and told that
the male population of the family can carry the title forever. Even now the
ladies of the family are known as Arackal Beebi and the men as Arackal Raja.
They ruled their country with great care and followed the
instructions of Kolathiri King. At the end of the 7th century, the
commander of Kolathiri King, one Arayan Kulangara Nair got converted into Islam
and adopted the name, Mohammed Ali. He married a girl from Arackal family and
still continued as the commander of the King. He had seven sons who were known
as “Mammali Kidangal” or Sons of Mohammad Ali. Ali Moosa, the eldest among them
became the chief commander of Kolathiri King and he conquered Mali Dweep. In
appreciation for his bravery, Kolathiri King gave the entire island to the
Arackal family. Similarly, he conquered Laksha Dweep also which has been again
given to the Arackal dynasty for lease. It remained under their control till
the British capture it later.
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