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Legends speak of Kerala as Parasuramakshetram, 'the land of
Parasurama'. The
land of Kerala is believed to be a gift of the Arabian Sea. Owing to its
favourable location this land fostered trade and established contacts
with Egypt, Assyria, Greeks, Romans and the Chinese. The Malayalam era 'Kollavarsha'
is believed to have started in the 9th century A.D. During this period of
internal strife in Kerala, Cheraman Perumal founded the Chera dynasty (9th century
AD). In about 1498 the Portuguese came to Calicut and in
1502 to Kochi. Kerala was then divided into the Kingdoms of Malabar, Kochi and
Travancore. In 1776, Malabar was under the rule of Hyder Ali. In 1792 Tipu Sultan
ceded it to the British. While Malabar witnessed the direct rule
of the British, Travancore and Kochi were princely states owing allegiance
to the British. It was in 1949 that the three territories were integrated and in
1956 the state of Kerala was formed, and joined the Indian Union.
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