Page 1
The making of
regional cultures
Page 2
The making of
regional cultures
The Chera kingdom of Mahodayapuram, established in the ninth century
in present-day Kerala, likely spoke Malayalam. The rulers used
Malayalam language and script in official inscriptions, marking an early
instance of a regional language in official records in the Indian
subcontinent. Despite this, they also embraced Sanskritic traditions,
evident in the temple theatre and early Malayalam literary works, which
were influenced by Sanskrit epics.
The Cheras and the Development of
Malayalam
Page 3
The making of
regional cultures
The Chera kingdom of Mahodayapuram, established in the ninth century
in present-day Kerala, likely spoke Malayalam. The rulers used
Malayalam language and script in official inscriptions, marking an early
instance of a regional language in official records in the Indian
subcontinent. Despite this, they also embraced Sanskritic traditions,
evident in the temple theatre and early Malayalam literary works, which
were influenced by Sanskrit epics.
The Cheras and the Development of
Malayalam
Notably, the fourteenth-century text
Lilatilakam was composed in Manipravalam,
blending Sanskrit and the regional language.
This demonstrates a complex interplay
between regional languages and Sanskrit in
the cultural and literary landscape of Kerala
during this period.
The Cheras and the Development of
Malayalam
Page 4
The making of
regional cultures
The Chera kingdom of Mahodayapuram, established in the ninth century
in present-day Kerala, likely spoke Malayalam. The rulers used
Malayalam language and script in official inscriptions, marking an early
instance of a regional language in official records in the Indian
subcontinent. Despite this, they also embraced Sanskritic traditions,
evident in the temple theatre and early Malayalam literary works, which
were influenced by Sanskrit epics.
The Cheras and the Development of
Malayalam
Notably, the fourteenth-century text
Lilatilakam was composed in Manipravalam,
blending Sanskrit and the regional language.
This demonstrates a complex interplay
between regional languages and Sanskrit in
the cultural and literary landscape of Kerala
during this period.
The Cheras and the Development of
Malayalam
The cult of Jagannatha in Puri, Orissa, originated with a
local deity later identified with Vishnu. In the twelfth
century, Anantavarman of the Ganga dynasty built a
temple for Jagannatha, and Anangabhima III dedicated his
kingdom to the deity in 1230, asserting his role as the
deity's representative. Over time, the temple became a
prominent pilgrimage site, gaining social and political
influence. Various rulers, including the Mughals, Marathas,
and the English East India Company, sought control over
the temple to legitimize their rule among the local
population.
Rulers and Religious Traditions: The
Jagannatha Cult
Page 5
The making of
regional cultures
The Chera kingdom of Mahodayapuram, established in the ninth century
in present-day Kerala, likely spoke Malayalam. The rulers used
Malayalam language and script in official inscriptions, marking an early
instance of a regional language in official records in the Indian
subcontinent. Despite this, they also embraced Sanskritic traditions,
evident in the temple theatre and early Malayalam literary works, which
were influenced by Sanskrit epics.
The Cheras and the Development of
Malayalam
Notably, the fourteenth-century text
Lilatilakam was composed in Manipravalam,
blending Sanskrit and the regional language.
This demonstrates a complex interplay
between regional languages and Sanskrit in
the cultural and literary landscape of Kerala
during this period.
The Cheras and the Development of
Malayalam
The cult of Jagannatha in Puri, Orissa, originated with a
local deity later identified with Vishnu. In the twelfth
century, Anantavarman of the Ganga dynasty built a
temple for Jagannatha, and Anangabhima III dedicated his
kingdom to the deity in 1230, asserting his role as the
deity's representative. Over time, the temple became a
prominent pilgrimage site, gaining social and political
influence. Various rulers, including the Mughals, Marathas,
and the English East India Company, sought control over
the temple to legitimize their rule among the local
population.
Rulers and Religious Traditions: The
Jagannatha Cult
In the nineteenth century, Rajasthan was
termed Rajputana by the British, although it
housed various groups beyond Rajputs.
Rajputs, known for their valorous heroism,
dominated the region from the eighth century
onwards, shaping its distinctive culture. Stories
of Rajput heroes were immortalized in poems
and songs recited by specialized minstrels,
reflecting their significant cultural influence in
Rajasthan.
The Rajputs and Traditions of Heroism
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