According to traditions
the oldest Jewish settlements in Kerala are
1. Cranganore
2. Paalur or Paalyur
3. Polut or Pullut
4. Madai or Madayi
Cranganore
Ancient name
of Cranganore,(also known as or Mahodayapuram, Muziriz,
Muchiri, Musirippattanam, Muyiricodu, Vangi, Vanchi,
Vanchinadu, Tiruvanchinadu, Jangli, Gingaleh, Cyngilin, Shinkali, Chinkli,
Jinkali, Shenkala , Cynkali, Columguria, Kotilingapuram, Kudalingapuram,
Makodai, Kodunkaliyur, Thiruvallur, Ravivisvapuram and Balakreetapuram these
were different names of Cranganore which is the angelized form of Kodunkaliyur ,
now this place is known as Kodungallur ) is also mentioned in the
epics Ramayana, Mahabharatha, Akananuru, and Chilappathikaram.
The Greeks,
the Romans (known locally as the Yavanas) and the Jews,
Arabs etc all have come to this place at different times in its history for
trade and according to legend, the history of Kerala’s Jews goes back as far as
the time of King Solomon (1011-931 B.C) when trade in exotic items
from India such as peacocks, ivory, sandalwood and spices flourished.
Many believe that Jews
arrived on the Malabar Coast after the destruction of the Second Temple of
Jerusalem in 70 CE. Interestingly, the Christian tradition recounts that when
St Thomas arrived on the Malabar Coast in the first century, he attended a
wedding in Cranganore (a port town near Cochin). He sang a wedding song in
Hebrew, which no one understood, except a local Jewish flute girl. This story
seems to prove the existence of Jews on the Malabar coast as early as the first
century.
The Jewish community in
and around Cranganore enjoyed amicable relationships with local rulers. It grew
and prospered over the centuries, building several synagogues. In 1524, because
of conflicts with the Portuguese and Arab Moors, they were forced to flee from
Cranganore to Cochin and to other jewish settlements In cochin they found
protection under the Hindu Raja, who granted them land adjacent to his own
palace for a town that became known as "Jew Town”.
Palur or Paalyur
Palur ( Palayoor or
Palayur) is a part of Thrissur district and is located on the west
coast of Kerala, in India. By road it is 28 km from Thrissur on
the Thrissur - Chavakad route via Pavaratty. It is very near to Guruvayoor,
which is only 2 km away.
Palayoor is famous for
its Christian church, St. Thomas Church (Palayur) which is
believed to have been established by St. Thomas the
Apostle in AD 52. Palayoor also had an
ancient Jewish settlement known as the Jews' Hill. There are evidence
for the existance a synagogue in Palayur and a torah finial from this synagogue
is still with The Hebrew of Jerusalem, donated by the Cochin Jewish immigrants.
And ruins of a synagogue is found near the Church and a Hindu temple. This settlement
is also mentioned in “Notisias dos Judeos de Cochim” by the
traveler Moses Pereyra de Paiva.
Polut or Pullut
Pullut is a small and
beautiful village located in Kodungallur municipality. It is an island
surrounded by Kodungallur back waters.4 bridges at the 4 corners
connecting the outside world with Pullut. Near to Kodungallur bared a
Jewish community but there exists no physical evidence for that.
Madai or Madayi
Madayi is a small
place in Cannanore (Kannur district), Kerala, South India. It is
located near Payangadi. Madayi today hosts a vibrant community of Hindus
and Muslims alike but there is a fact that is given below.
“The hillock of
Madayipara, which carries several signs of historic relevance, is also a place
important from a religious point of view. Here, a pond in the shape of a
hand held mirror, connected to ancient Jewish settlers is another historic
attraction.”***
This is a relevant
detail of the existence of the settlement, and proves the reliability of the
tradition too. Apart from that this community has a speciality, that is that
this community was established much far from other three ancient jewish
communities communites. And this can be counted as the “Jews of
Cannanore.” which is mentioned by many indigenous historians
and medieval travelers.
"Malik bin
Habib who constructed and established Madayi mosque in Ezhimala (also known as
Mount Deli) found Jews in the place. Even they used to have place of
workship Heli Mala" ***
Duarte Barbosa (1480-1521
A.D) mentioned his book “Livro de Duarte Barbosa” about the Jews of canannore who
dwelled in Marvel (Madayi/ Pazhayangadi) “Close to its foot to
the south is a place called Marvel, an old town prosperous and well furnished
with food, peopled by Moors, Heathen and Jews, who speak the country language
and have long dwelt there.”
There were
other neighboring settlement for Madayi namely Muttam.
